To enable fast mezzanine connections with flexible pc-board stacking, ERNI Electronics has released new MicroSpeed connectors in a variety of different heights. Designed for high-speed data transfer in telecom and datacom applications, the 1.0 mm modular shielded SMT connector system consists of two contact rows and two outwardly arranged shield plates. MicroSpeed connectors have been designed for space-saving board-to-board connections, and are also suitable for differential and single-ended signals.

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With the availability of different height versions of the male (1, 2, 9 and 10 mm) and female (4, 6, 8 and 10 mm) connectors, it is possible to create 16 different stacking heights from 5 mm to 20 mm, according to the manufacturer. Another major advantage is the multiple-connector mating capability - based on the high mating tolerance - that allows the mating of more than one connector pair at the same time, and offers high scalability of the contact number. Target applications include modern telecommunication and data transmission systems with speeds up to 10 Gbps, as well as technologies in the fields of measurement, medicine and government. In addition, the SMT version provides a fully automatic SMT assembly and reflow soldering process.

For impedance purposes, the longitudinal pitch of MicroSpeed connectors is 1.0 mm and the transverse pitch is 1.5 mm. Also, the differential signal pairs can be arranged horizontally or vertically. Optimized crosstalk behavior is achieved with a vertical (transverse to longitudinal direction) configuration of the signal pairs, and the pairing arrangement of signal and shield contact pairs.

While the signal contacts are made in SMT, the user can select between two terminal options for the shielding, depending on the application: SMT or THR connection. The shielding pins also assure robust strain relief of the connector. The length of the connector modules is 27 mm with 50 signal contacts and 2 shield plates, and they can be easily lined up with virtually no loss of board space.

The MicroSpeed male and female connectors are supplied in tape-on-reel packaging, and additional design features of the fully automatic placement include black insulating bodies made of LCP for fast and dependable visual recognition, and a pre-mounted placement aid for easy gripping. The manufacturer offers SPICE models and evaluation boards as design support for the high-speed connectors. In volume, the pricing starts at $ 9.50 US Dollars for mated connector pair.