When mating two or more printed circuit boards (PCBs), what’s the easiest way to be certain you have a robust, reliable, secure PCB stacking connection? The answer is often to use a precision board stacking standoff, especially in high shock and vibration environments. Samtec’s SureWare™ ultra-rugged hardware family includes several varieties of board stacking standoffs, each with their own unique features and benefits. However, ALL are designed to work with Samtec high-speed, high-density … [Read more...]
Board Stacking Connectors: The Industry’s Largest Variety and Most Design Flexibility
In recent months, the Samtec blog has updated you on our new 224 Gbps PAM4 high-speed cable system, a new CXL over fiber solution, mid-board optical and cable systems that boast the industry’s leading miniature footprint, and carrying analog, digital, and power in one connector, among many others. So what bleeding-edge technology are we going to introduce with great fanfare to kick off the new year? Two-piece, pin and socket board stacking connectors, of course! I understand if you don’t … [Read more...]
The New 2024 Catalog
It’s the best time of the year – the holidays are coming and Samtec’s new 2024 catalog is here! It features over 50 new product series, so get out your pens and start circling what’s going on your Christmas list! The catalog is categorized by six Solution Blocks – High-Speed Board-to-Board, High-Speed Cable, Optics, RF, Rugged/Power and Flexible Stacking. Rugged/Power received the largest overhaul from the previous catalog with the addition of Ultra Rugged products. Ideal for … [Read more...]
Living On The Edge Rate
Edge Rate® is one of Samtec's most popular high-speed, high-bandwidth interconnect systems. Edge Rate is both the name of the pin and in this case, it’s also a product family. Edge Rate Contact Design Let’s begin with the contact system because that’s the star of the show. With some connectors, the mating edge of the contact is the cut edge of the pin. If you look at the edge under a microscope you may see micro burrs and edges. This reduces the life of the connector because … [Read more...]
New Rugged/Power Guide
I recently stumbled upon the story of Stephanie Kwolek, a DuPont chemist who discovered the technology behind Kevlar® almost 60 years ago. This lightweight fiber is five times stronger than an equal weight of steel, withstands high heat and is resistant to harsh chemicals (kind of like Superman except for that whole kryptonite thing). Most notably, Kevlar is found in body armor and bulletproof vests used by police and the military. One could argue that the level of something’s ruggedness is … [Read more...]
VNX+ Marketing Alliance
Over the past few years, Samtec has been helping with the development of the VNX+ standard. We are one of many contributing members of the VITA community working on this standard. The alliance is now at a critical mass where the content and evolution of the standard is ready for you! Through this blog, we will reference a few prior articles and publications to deeper explain the features of VNX+. We will also answer a few questions about how you can get involved and benefit being from the VNX+ … [Read more...]
Samtec Helps GrowFlux Ruggedize Intelligent Horticulture Lighting
Earth’s population continues to grow. Some reports suggest upwards of 10 billion people will inhabit the planet by 2050, requiring more than double today’s current food production capacity. How will everybody be fed? Is there more land? Is there more fresh water? These are questions facing the agricultural community. Many new approaches to farming are emerging. Whether called “smart farming”, “precision agriculture” or “climate-smart agriculture”, applying new sensing … [Read more...]
One of A Kind – One Piece Board-to-Board Interconnects
Board-to-board interconnect systems come in all shapes and sizes. Obviously, selecting the right interconnect set for your application is paramount to success. Designers need to choose products that meet their size, shape, mechanical, and electrical requirements. Two-piece interconnect sets, with a terminal that interfaces with a socket/receptacle, are the most common application. Rugged For designers who need micro pitch interconnects in a rugged, high shock and vibration … [Read more...]