As Principal Engineer for a large connector manufacturer, each day I am challenged by electrical engineers and mechanical engineers to help bridge their leading edge technology from one module to another. I remember years ago, when the pin grid array went obsolete to the emerging QFP quad-flat pack, people said that “screw machine was a […]
Basics
New I/O standards use different lane count circuits to drive new connector use in DCs
InfiniBand is a very high-speed server fabric I/O network with various lane counts and connector/cabling specifications. The current high volume HPC and DataCenter installations are primarily using EDR 25.7G per lane interconnects. This is done using primarily a 4-lane option cable link between ToR switch and rack leaf server using the QSFP28 connector system. Although […]
When should you use press-fit screw machine header pins?
Continuing the discussion on screw machine technology, here is a look at this technology, the advantages of using it and how to best utilize this technology in your engineering projects. Below is a list of the common styles of press-fit screw machine header pins: Press-fit barb has a fishhook shaped feature, typically featuring 15° angle. It runs […]
When should you use floating pin technology?
One of the biggest challenges facing assembly of SMT interconnects is maintaining lead coplanarity over a distance. The greater the distance, the more likely the PCB surface may display the effects of warp, twist, and thickness tolerances. If the device lead is seated too high above the solder paste, then this will be either a […]
How do you create ultra-low profile socket locations on a PCB?
Socket receptacle carriers are probably one of the least known, least understood methods of creating ultra-low profile socket locations onto a PCB. A socket carrier looks just like a single-in-line or dual-in-line device, however closer inspection finds the individual receptacles are temporarily being held in position for PCB placement and soldering. Typically tail-less socket receptacles […]
How are multi-finger contact clips used in screw machine receptacles?
Typically inside every screw machine socket receptacle is a precision die stamping called a contact clip. Contact clips are usually stamped using beryllium copper (for conductivity) or beryllium nickel (for elevated heat applications). These stampings are press-fit into machined brass shells and function as the electrical and mechanical interface to a mating pin. Contact clips […]
What are horizontal mount interconnects?
Horizontal mount screw machine pin-and-socket receptacle interconnects sit parallel to the surface of a printed circuit board. One reason why they’re so advantageous from a product design standpoint is that their mating centerline is low profile to the PCB. These horizontal mount interconnects can come in two configurations: surface-mount and right-angle through-hole. The primary advantage […]
What are Terapipe I/O compression connectors and cables?
Terapipe I/O compression connectors and cables were developed and used in very low volume ten years ago for a special very high frequency test instrumentation network that included Vector Network Analyzer and Bit-Error-Rate Equipment. These connectors and cable assemblies had to have a very clean SI design and performance, which meant having the minimum geometry […]
What are the benefits of spring-loaded contacts?
Probably the fastest growing type of interconnect being used by engineers is the spring-loaded contact. Spring-loaded contacts (aka SLCs) are ideal for creating solderless interconnections between mating modules, such as a handheld instrument to docking station, instrument to recharger, stacking PCBs, etc. SLCs are ideal for new product design for the following reasons: 1. They’re […]
When should you use M12 and M8 connectors?
Circular M12 and M8 connectors are used in industrial automation to connect devices securely. M12 designs can also be used for fieldbus connections. M12 connectors are available as 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 8-, and 12-pin styles and are especially suited to harsh environments where washdown and corrosion may occur, as they usually come with IP65, IP68 and […]