Breakout test board handles fine-pitch, high-speed flex modules

A breakout test board, the PB-FLEX300-Z-01 socket probe adapter allows high-speed testing of flex modules, letting a tester apply and read electrical signals via the test board’s FPC connectors. The adapter provides the shortest possible trace lengths while keeping both inductance and capacitance very low to maximize signal speed. 

Designed to interface with fine-pitch (0.5-mm) pads of a flexible circuit module, the adapter consists of two parts: the probe board with FPC connectors for multiple groups of signals, and the clamshell socket with spring-pin contacts to accommodate a 300-pad, 0.5-mm-pitch flex module. The socket’s stamped spring pins each provide 14-gram actuation force, have a 50,000-insertion life cycle, and provide a 1.8-A current capacity at 20°C temperature rise (operating temperature is −55°C to 180°C). Self-inductance of the contactor is 0.98 nH, capacitance to ground is 0.01 pF, and insertion loss is