Omnetics Connector Corp. has launched its new “Quick Lock” USB 3.0. Unlike anything else previously engineered by Omnetics, there are no flex pins or sockets in the Quick Lock USB 3.0. In fact, Quick Lock USB 3.0 encompasses SuperSpeed “Type A” connectors sealed inside of a rugged, battlefield tested and proven IP67 housing to ensure users achieve the highest levels of reliability while meeting USB 3.0 high-speed digital expectations.

Once mated, this ruggedized high-speed connection is secure and waterproof to IP68 standards, and unlike ruggedized USB connectors packaged in the MIL-DTL-38999 circular standard, the rectangular Quick Lock USB 3.0 form factor utilizes a 32% smaller panel area footprint and is up to 4X lighter than other options currently on the market.

USB 3.0 speeds can run up to 5.0 Gb/s, and offer many benefits when moving large quantities of information from one place to another: Cloud transfer, portable instrument downloads, and high-speed digital camera applications all benefit. Surveillance equipment, from still-frame to continuous-scanning, can now send a constant stream of high-quality images with ease.

Omnetics’ introduction of the Quick Lock USB 3.0 connector comes at the perfect time; demands for higher signal speeds and uninterrupted performance are at an all-time high. Omnetics’ high-speed USB 3.0 connectors use a halogen-free cable jacket for environmental sustainability and support high, IR reflow temperatures of up to 255°C while maintaining solder mount compatibility. Omnetics’ Quick Lock USB 3.0 connectors come standard, in-line, as well as in panel mount configurations. The male plugs come prewired in a tough environmentally sealed over-mold, while the female board and panel mount connectors are available in dual row surface mount or through-hole version terminations for convenient direct to board assemblies or wired for convenient routing to other areas of the systems.

The Omnetics Quick Lock USB 3.0 product line meets the electrical parameters outlined in the newest USB 3.0 standard and does so in a familiar package that allows users the ability to mate and de-mate in a rapid fashion without any tools, even when the operator is wearing heavy gloves.

The newer signal transmission protocols, such as USB 3.0, require multiple signal paths, as they include separate paths for data transmit and data receive and the multiple paths increase speed and signal capacity greatly. Each set of signal wires is twisted to avoid interference and requires its own drain wire. Each couple of twisted wires are also shielded from other groups. Since we depend on fast digital signal processing, the rise-time of the circuit must be well managed. Most signal processors are designed to push the signal out to a set load and requires that the cable impedance will have a similar load, which is specified at 90 Ohms ±7 Ohms. The overall cable shield is important and protects the rest of the circuit from adjoining noise. The jacket of the shield is connected tightly and wrapped totally around a metal back-shell on the connector. This gives the Omnetics’ USB Quick lock a superior performance to many of the lower end commercial units on the market.

Already, Omnetics is seeing the Quick Lock USB being used in a number of high-performance applications. One company has a central process control box containing multiple ports and requires USB speeds that can be connected intermittently when needed. The mil/aero industry is using Quick Locks for fast interconnection to UAVs so downloading payload data can be done quickly and efficiently. Portable Ethernet systems in the battlespace arena must be quickly set-up and ready for rapid relocation.

Omnetics Connector Corp.
www.omnetics.com