Small 10-GHz QFN socket minimizes loss, board footprint

For 6 x 6-mm, 40-pin QFN (quad, flat, no-lead) packages with 0.5-mm pitch, the CG-QFN-7009 socket operates at bandwidth to 10 GHz with insertion loss less than 1 dB. The socket is said to offer the smallest footprint in the industry, allowing inductors, resistors, and decoupling capacitors to be placed very close to the device for impedance tuning. Further, the socket body has cutouts closely approximating the IC outline (0.6 mm from the IC outline) to allow close component placement. 

Priced at $396 in single quantities, the socket supports 10-GHz signals on all pins with a low-inductance elastomer contactor, and mounts on the target PCB without soldering using supplied hardware. It has an easy-open, single-latch snap lid with an integrated spring-loaded compression mechanism; spring force can be adjusted for package thicknesses using the set screw on top of the lid. For each pin, current capacity is 2 A, contact resistance is typically 20 mΩ, capacitance to ground is 0.028 pF, self-inductance is 0.11 nH, and mutual-inductance of 0.028 nH. Temperature range is −35° to 100°C.