Just as connections are important elements for success in the business world, good connections in the world of electronics are becoming more critical, in an age when digital speeds are ramping up meteorically. The interconnect—often a roadblock to realizing the full potential of a functional circuit—has to perform on diverse substrates and outstrip a gauntlet of environmental conditions as well as stresses induced by thermal, corrosive, electrical, and mechanical factors.
This month, the Product Focus includes cable assemblies, a backplane connector system, a printed circuit flat/flexible connector, a hybrid power and signal circular connector, and other connectivity interfaces.
A new series of rugged, portable, phase-stable RF analyzer cables works with instruments including handheld network analyzers, base-station analyzers, and portable spectrum analyzers. Typical applications include field testing, tower measurements, distance-to-fault measurements, and site maintenance. The vendor’s 19 new portable, RF analyzer cable assemblies provide optimal amplitude and phase stability with flexure. They deliver a maximum operating frequency of 27 GHz and VSWR as low as 1.2:1, depending on the model. These rugged test cables are designed with a UV-resistant jacket, stainless-steel body connectors, and silver-plated copper cable conductors. They feature a multilayer armor for torque resistance and 1,200 psi of crush resistance, and they boast an operating temperature range of -55°C to +105°C. These test cables are available with 7/16, N, SMA, TNC, or 3.5-mm connector options, and test data is included with each serialized assembly. They can be used as replacement cables for Sitehawk, Site Master, FieldFox, or CellAdvisor handheld analyzers. Fairview Microwave Inc.
The Impulse orthogonal direct backplane connector system supports 56- or 112-Gb/s (NRZ and PAM4, respectively) data rates while delivering optimal signal integrity by eliminating the need for a mid-plane connection, making it suitable for switches, routers, servers, and other high-density applications. It features terminated I/O ports connected via twinax to high-density connectors to dramatically reduce signal-to-noise ratios from the ASIC to the I/O. Eliminating the need for a mid-plane structure, the connector boosts signal integrity and improves airflow and thermal management. Its signal interface improves insertion loss over traditional beams, pushing interface resonances far beyond 30 GHz. To meet the challenge of increasing data rates, Impulse orthogonal direct backplane connectors are forward compatible to meet future data rate requirements without the need to replace infrastructure. The integrated, one-piece design with board-mount connectors ensures easy installation in data-communications, telecom, and networking applications, according to the vendor. Molex
Designed for automotive and other high-temperature applications, the FH65 Series compact flexible printed circuit (FPC)/flat flexible connector (FFC) is resistant to temperatures from -40 to 125°C. Featuring a pitch of 0.50 mm, a height of 1.20 mm, and depth of 3.57 mm, the FH65 Series reduces the occupied mounting area by 47% (on average) with a weight reduction of 62% (on average) compared with previous technologies, the vendor said. The actuator is positioned so that solder tabs and terminals firmly retain the actuator, suitable for high-vibration applications. The space-saving I-shaped solder tabs not only allow visual inspection, but also offer a high-retention force of 23 N. With a 120-degree FPC/FFC opening and guided positioning, the FH65 Series is easy to use. The FH65 Series connector is suited for a range of automotive applications including camera, millimeter-wave radar, and heads-up display systems. The FH65 Series is currently available in a 34-position version. It meets halogen-free requirements and is RoHS compliant. The FH65 Series has a rated current of 0.5 A, a rated voltage of 50 V AC/DC, and a contact resistance of 50 mΩ. Hirose
The compact SuperCon hybrid power and signal circular connector saves time and costs for cabling, installation, and maintenance for conventional wiring of applications like motors, servo drives, and linear units/drives, the company reports. By combining power supply and data transmission into one single connector, the compact SuperCon Series hybrid connector system saves space by eliminating the need for an additional wire and connector. The rugged IP67-rated connector features a safe and secure connection via a bayonet locking mechanism. The SuperCon Series is available in three different sizes, depending on specific applications: B12, B17, and B23. While the number of pins and the permitted voltages vary depending on the size, the 360-degree shielded data core is always the same and is designed for industrial Ethernet Cat 5 with AWG-22 wire cross section. Each pin layout is available with a minimum of two different codings that are marked by different color rings, eliminating mismating. CONEC
This vendor has extended its range of vertical wire-to-board (WTB) connector solutions with the release of the 00-9296 Series single-position, vertical, top-entry, poke-home connectors for discrete 18- 22-AWG solid or stranded wire. The new 00-9296 Series connectors deliver simple, robust, repeatable, and cost-effective wire terminations designed to replace both labor-intensive and inconsistent hand-soldered connections, according to the vendor. Rated for a minimum of 600 VAC and up to 8 A, 00-9296 Series vertical, top-entry, WTB connectors feature a proprietary, single-beam, stamped and formed, preplated phosphor bronze box contact that maximizes board attachment strength, exhibits high-spring force and robust resistance against fatigue and corrosion, and securely captures and retains an 18- to 22-AWG wire, delivering maximum electrical integrity. The series also features a minimized X-Y footprint that is 23% smaller than the next-smallest vertical poke-home solution from this vendor to ease design-in on densely-populated boards; an integral, molded flange that replaces costly Kapton tape and provides a generous vacuum pick-up point for automated SMT placement; and UL-approved, color-coded insulators that make it easy for users to match discrete wires for error-free termination in multiple-wiring applications. AVX Corporation
This vendor has added new right-angle and vertical printed-circuit-board headers to its Power Triple Lock connector product line. These through-hole headers significantly expand wire-to-board applicability for this family of connectors in appliance, HVAC, automation and control, automotive, and other applications The new right-angle headers are offered in both standard temperature (105°C) and high-temperature (150°C) materials to present a new board-mount configuration for Power Triple Lock connectors. They incorporate contoured retainers that provide retention when snapped into the board. New vertical headers in the standard-temperature material join previously announced high-temperature vertical headers. All are molded of UL 94 V-0-rated material, and all are UL recognized and VDE certified. Power Triple Lock connectors are based on a 6.0-mm center line and are rated up to 20 A and 600 VAC/VDC. With a locking latch, along with optional CPA (connector position assurance) and TPA (terminal position assurance) devices, they help increase connection reliability. The CPA device helps to ensure that the connector is fully mated and remains engaged during shipment, installation, and use, while the TPA helps to ensure that contacts are fully seated in the housing. Rounded edges on the connectors’ housings, low insertion forces, and built-in anti-snag features improve ergonomics for assembly workers and ease assembly. Additionally, Power Triple Lock contacts have an anti-fretting lubricant that helps prevent fretting corrosion. To support applications where more than one connector of the same position size may be present, Power Triple Lock connectors are offered in four different color-coded physical keying options. This can help to prevent improper mating while also supporting efficient assembly. Wire-to-wire (or panel) Power Triple Lock connectors are available in in single-row (2, 3, 4, 5), dual-row (2×3, 2×4, 2×5, 2×6) and matrix (3×3, 3×4, 3×5) configurations. Wire-to- board versions are offered in single row (2, 3, 4, 5) configurations. TE Connectivity
Designed to decrease downtime and increase production efficiency, the new M-Series range of circular connectors provides reliable data, signal, and power transmissions for industrial automation systems in harsh environments. Featuring an M-style threaded locking nut, the M-Series offers a choice of robust industry standard interconnect solutions for automation and control applications including M5, M8, M12, M16 and M23 variants.
With A, B, and D coded connector variants available throughout the range, the vendor’s automation connectors are suitable for ensuring consistent and reliable actuator/sensor, fieldbus, and Ethernet connections. This IP67 rated connector range includes field installable connectors, receptacles, and overmolded cable variants with PVC/PUR jackets. EMI shielded options are also available in addition to plastic or metal housing materials offered in either straight or right-angled configurations. Passive distributor boxes with M12/M8 actuator and sensor sockets are also available to reduce installation time in the field while maintaining a high degree of environmental protection with an IP67 sealed housing. Applications for the M-Series include factory automation, robotics, process control, medical, food and beverage processing, and industrial networking. Bulgin