Board-to-board connectors get thinner

Samtec has extended its family of Edge Rate board-to-board connectors with a higher-density mated set that is half the width of previous designs. The new ERF6 (socket) and ERM6 (header) Series connectors also offer a lower-profile 5-mm mated height. These connectors support 56 Gbits/s PAM4 high-speed, rugged mezzanine applications for industrial, embedded vision, instrumentation and monitoring, drones and robotics.

(Source: Samtec)

The ERF6 and ERM6 connectors feature two rows of pins with an extremely narrow body width of 2.5 mm. The connectors are available in body lengths from 11 mm to 42.8 mm with a 0.635-mm centerline. Available positions for each row are 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 or 60. These features enable easy customization, while still allowing for quick delivery, Samtec said. Weld tabs are available within the standard part number configuration for applications where pull and shear force are a concern.

Despite its low profile, the connectors still allow 0.90 mm of nominal contact wipe for a reliable connection, Samtec said. They provide polarizing features that are molded into the connector body to ensure the connectors are aligned properly and allow for angular and linear misalignment as shown in the product spec sheet.

The Edge Rate connectors use a unique contact system that is reported to extend cycle life, increase durability and lower insertion and withdrawal forces as well as deliver “superior” electrical performance compared to traditional stamped contacts. Samtec attributes these benefits to the use of the flat smooth-milled side of the contact for the mating surface, instead of the cut-edge, which can have rough microscopic edges and burrs.

In addition, the narrow edge of the contacts is aligned within the connector body to reduce broadside coupling and crosstalk, Samtec said.

The ERF6 and ERM6 Series connectors are available direct or through distribution. Free samples can be requested at the Samtec website. Customers can also configure and download their 3D models, available in more than 150 formats, including AutoCad, Solid Edge and Inventor, directly from the product pages. Board stacking standoffs (under the SureWare brand) are also available to further secure the mezzanine cards.