High-Speed Connectors feature dual beam receptacle contacts.
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Press Release Summary:
Featuring Insert Molded Leadframe Assembly, AirMax VS® Connectors include mezzanine, co-planar, high-power, I/O, and backplane header versions suited for data, industrial, and communications applications. Units utilize edge-coupling technology and air dielectric between adjacent conductors for minimized insertion loss and crosstalk. Connectors allow for custom pin assignments, so system data rates can grow from 2.5 Gb/s to beyond 12 Gb/s without re-design of platform.
Original Press Release:
FCI's AirMax VS® Family Now Broadest Offering of High-speed Connectors Available
Etters, PA. (December 7, 2005) - FCI, a leading supplier of connectors and interconnect systems, has expanded the AirMax VS® high-speed connector system to include mezzanine, co-planar, high-power, I/O and backplane header versions, making it the broadest line of high-speed connectors available. The revolutionary system offers scalability, flexibility, high density and performance headroom through its use of air as the dielectric and its unique Insert Molded Leadframe Assembly (IMLA), making it ideal for data, industrial and communications applications.
The AirMax VS system uses edge-coupling technology and an air dielectric between adjacent conductors, delivering high signal density with the industry's lowest insertion loss and lowest crosstalk, all without the use of costly and space-consuming metal shields.
The benefits of AirMax VS are further enhanced by the reliability inherent in its dual-beam receptacle contact. Most next-generation backplane connectors offer only single-beam receptacle contacts, so contact is only made on one side of the header pin, leaving the connector vulnerable to loss of contact when experiencing shock or vibration. In contrast, the AirMax VS dual-beam receptacle provides two points of contact, one on each side of the header blade, greatly increasing reliability and durability. In addition to the robust contact structure, the vertical header features a more robust housing providing generous "lead in" and comes with a protective cover that also serves as press-in block during connector installation.
The AirMax VS family is comprised of a full set of building blocks allowing for backplane, co-planar, mezzanine and cable-to-board applications. The connectors offer designers ultimate flexibility as all the products are scaleable to the number of columns, and are available with housings in various IMLA counts, so a number of module sizes can be offered.
In addition to superior electrical performance, the AirMax VS family offers design versatility because products can be scaled by varying the number of columns of contacts, the number of contacts per column (3, 4 or 5 differential pairs) and column spacing (2mm or 3mm). Most importantly, AirMax VS connectors allow for custom pin assignments (differential or single-ended signals as well as power), so system data rates can grow from 2.5Gb/s to beyond 12Gb/s without requiring re-design of the basic platform. In fact, in a demonstration earlier this year with Lucent Technologies' Bell Labs of a Bell Labs-developed signaling architecture utilizing the AirMax VS connector system, designers were able to transmit at 25 Gb/s over an electrical backplane.
The AirMax VS family includes:
o Back panel receptacles. No pins on the back panel, future extension with BGA receptacle, and same right-angle header can be used in a co-planar application.
o Back panel headers. Pins on the back panel, robust receptacle design, protective cap on the header also serves as press-in block.
o Co-Planar. Same right-angle header and right-angle receptacle as used in back panel application with robust receptacle design.
o Mezzanine. Vertical header and vertical receptacles, header supports various stack heights (12.5-30mm), protective cap on header also serves as press-in block, same receptacle can be used in backplane application.
o Cable-to-board. Vertical header and terminal block, passive latch with active latch option, custom cable assemblies, right-angle header for front I/O applications are planned.
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.
More about
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- 2374, jburkett@fciconnect.com
