FCI's AirMax VS® Provides Optimized Cost/Performance for ATCA Architectures
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Etters, PA. (February 7, 2006) - FCI, a leading supplier of connectors and interconnect systems, has demonstrated that its AirMax VS® coplanar signal, power, and guidance modules are ideally-suited for use as Zone 3 interconnects in next-generation AdvancedTCA® carrier-grade communications equipment. Zone 3 in an ATCA® shelf allows for direct connection between an ATCA front board and a rear transition module (RTM) to route signals to the rear of an ATCA rack. AirMax VS right-angle signal modules easily enable these high-density connections because up to four 150-position modules, each supporting 50 differential pairs, can be placed side by side in Zone 3 to provide a total of 200 differential pairs.
"Having seen the benefits of AirMax VS when used in Zone 3, OEMs are now designing systems that also utilize the connectors in Zone 2," said Rob Poort, Global Market Manager, FCI. "Backplane suppliers, like Sanmina-SCI and Interconnect Technologies, are supporting the use of AirMax VS connectors in custom ATCA backplanes because of cost and performance advantages."
Recently, Huawei and FCI, supported by Sanmina-SCI, successfully demonstrated 12.5 Gb/s differential signal transmission on a backplane system designed around the ATCA building practice using AirMax VS connectors in Zone 2. The demonstration proved that custom ATCA backplanes allow for performance levels beyond what ATCA was originally designed to provide. The very low crosstalk of less than one percent exceeded the expectations of both Huawei and FCI design engineers.
The flexibility of the AirMax VS system provides options to increase pin density within a slot as much as 20 percent-thereby supporting higher bandwidth-or to reduce layer count of the backplane at the same pin density as a standard ATCA backplane.
The AirMax VS connector system provides the most comprehensive family of high-speed, lightweight, flexible, and scaleable connectors available today, making it ideal for a broad range of applications in data, communications, and industrial equipment.
The revolutionary system uses edge-coupling technology and an air dielectric between adjacent conductors to deliver high signal density with low insertion loss and low crosstalk, all without the use of costly and space-consuming metal shields. Data rates can scale from 2.5Gb/s to beyond 12Gb/s without requiring re-design of a basic platform.
In addition to superior electrical performance, the AirMax VS family offers design versatility because signal connectors can be scaled by varying the number of columns of contacts, the number of contacts per column, and the column spacing. AirMax VS connectors also allow for mixed pin assignments (differential or single-ended signals or power), to provide additional flexibility to system designers. Another benefit of the AirMax VS system-when compared to other high speed connector systems in the market-is its dual beam contact system, with opposing beams that greatly improve the reliability of the interconnect.
AirMax VS power modules are also available to provide increased current-carrying capacity when needed. These compact 12mm-wide modules utilize a 2x2 contact configuration rated to 80 Amps with 150V voltage rating. Two available mating lengths for power receptacle contacts provide capability for sequential mating of power, ground and signal contacts.
Pricing for the AirMax coplanar connectors starts at US$ 0.10 per mated line with availability from stock to six weeks.
For more information about the AirMax VS connector system, contact FCI at 825 Old Trail Road, Etters, PA 17319-7883; call 800-237-2374, email at electronics.us@fciconnect.com or visit FCI on the web at www.fciconnect.com/airmax.
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Created in 1989, FCI rapidly secured its place among the world's top three manufacturers of connectors and interconnect systems. With a turnover of 1.29 billion Euros in 2004, FCI currently operates in 30 countries where it covers the following markets: communications, data, consumer, industrial, automotive and electrical power interconnect. The company employs around 13,000 staff worldwide.
For more information: www.fciconnect.com
John Burkett, FCI Product Manager, (717) 938- 7823, jburkett@fciconnect.com
