Positronic Improves Legacy Connection with PosiBand Contact
June 2009—Closed-entry female contacts are often used in D-subminiature connectors to enhance performance and reliability. Closed-entry contacts have an unbroken ring of solid material at the face of the contact. In most cases, a sleeve is placed over a standard “split-tine” contact to achieve the closed entry feature. This design offers a degree of increased reliability, but has inherent weaknesses.

Positronic’s new PosiBand® closed-entry contact is a significant improvement over the legacy design, and overcomes many of the weaknesses associated with the “split-tine” and sleeve approach. The PosiBand separates the mechanical and electrical function of the contact system. The base contact provides a true closed-entry feature and enhances electrical stability. The PosiBand spring clip provides a more stable mechanical function.

Greater contact interface between male and female contacts is achieved by this design when compared to the “split-tine” design. The greater contact interface can provide greater resistance to vibration and corrosion factors found in harsh environments. Greater contact interface is achieved without increased insertion force; in fact, the PosiBand system has a lower average insertion force when compared to the legacy design.

PosiBand contact resistance is 3 milliohms for size 20 contacts, and 4 milliohms for size 22 contacts. The current rating for size 20 contacts is 14 amps, with six contacts energized. The currant rating for the size 22 contact is 10 amps, with six contacts energized. Both were tested per U.L. 1977.

In addition, PosiBand contacts do not require annealing of the crimp barrel. This eliminates the possibility of unintentionally annealing the mating end of the female contact, which can cause intermittent or open electrical circuits.

PosiBand contacts sell for the same price as the legacy design. The price for a size 20 crimp-contact version is .175¢ each at 30,000 pieces.

The PosiBand system is more robust than the split-tine design, making it more suitable for harsh or high reliability environments. The PosiBand system meets or exceeds performance requirements of SAE AS 39029. This new contact system is now available in standard density, high density, and combination D-subminiature connectors, and is also used on many new D-subminiature offerings, such as the high-density combo-D connector.

For more information about the PosiBand contact system, visit www.connectpositronic.com/content/37/.

Molex Builds on High-Performance RF Solutions with Four New Products
June 2009—Molex Incorporated has developed four new RF products. These additions to Molex's family of RF products illustrate the company's commitment to developing and supplying standard coaxial connector products, cable assemblies, and custom solutions for a wide range of markets, including military, automotive, medical, instrumentation, telecom, and wireless.

“Our specialty is developing innovative solutions for any RF interconnect challenges, from the most common to complex customized solutions," said Roger Kauffman, marketing and sales manager, Molex Incorporated. "These new products are another example of how Molex is looking to enhance existing products and develop new ones in order to deliver the best RF solution for each customer's specific application.”

The new products include:

Molex QMA Push-Pull Replacement for SMA—This product answers the need for a QMA, push-pull latching connector that will mate with SMA threaded connectors, the most widely used 50 ohm RF coaxial connectors in the wireless industry. Molex created a mechanical latch on the plug that mates with existing QMA jack design, which will only release when the coupling nut is actuated. Mechanical testing with a pull-force gauge consistently exceeded 80 pounds of axial retention.

Molex BNC 75 Ohm Connectors—Molex provides a full line of BNC 75 ohm connector and cable assembly solutions to fulfill the current performance challenges of the broadcast television/video industry. These passive connectors and coaxial cables encompass a significant portion of a typical broadcast transmission line, and allow for sizeable future bandwidth expansion without connector hardware changes.

Molex SMA Field Receptacle Connectors—Molex SMA connectors are high-performance subminiature connectors for microwave frequencies. The threaded coupling insures uniform contact of the outer conductors, which enables the SMA to minimize reflections and attenuation at higher frequencies while providing a high degree of mechanical strength and durability. Designed for high-performance and low-loss to 27 GHz, these connectors are available in various flange configurations for ease of mounting on industry standard hermetic and non-hermetic packages.

Molex RF Multi-port Solution—Molex's RF multi-port products provide users with a wide variety of options and are ideal when package size, quality high-frequency response, or ganged mating is critical. The mating cable multi-port connectors can accommodate a wide range of small standard and custom micro coaxial sizes up to RG178. The products are also available with the following features:

• Right angle, through-hole PCB, and vertical SMT PCB versions

• 50 and 75 Ohms

• Latched and unlatched

• Board-to-board and coaxial cable designs

• Individual connectors and cable assemblies

For more information please, visit www.molex.com/link/rfmicrowavecoax.html.

Hirose Electric Develops Miniature microSD Card Connectors
May 2009—Hirose Electric Co. Ltd. has developed a new family of microSD^™ card connectors. Designated the DM3 Series, the card connectors are available in several card ejection versions featuring a metal cover attached at four points to the PC board and ensuring a secure ground connection and EMI protection.

“The extremely small external dimensions and above-the-board height save significant space in the devices and make these connectors one of the smallest card connectors available on the market,” said Tats Arai, president of Hirose Electric USA. “Along with the miniature size, the connectors feature a unique card slot design, preventing damage from incorrect card insertion, making the connectors ideal for a number of portable electronics applications requiring small size, high-reliability card connectors.”

The DM3 Series card connectors are ideal for use in mobile phone terminals, digital cameras, PDAs, miniature information terminals, and other portable devices.

The following types are available:

• DM3AT/DM3BT “Push-Push” connectors feature a card ejection travel of 4mm for easy hold and removal of the card, along with an innovative tray slide ejector mechanism, which prevents the card from being lost or dropped upon removal.

• DM3C “hinge” connectors feature a metal cover that guides the card during insertion and removal, and a tactile click while closing the cover to confirm the electrical and mechanical connection. The connectors employ a unique contact design and card slide action, which cleans the contact areas of the card, further ensuring reliability.

• DM3D “push-pull” card connectors are equipped with a partial card insertion hold, preventing the card from fall-out when only partially inserted. Similar to the DM3C hinge connectors, full insertion and electrical/mechanical connection is confirmed with a distinct tactile feel.

The DM3 Series card connectors feature an insulation resistance of 1,000MΩ at 500VDC, with a contact resistance of 100mΩ at 1mA. Operating temperature ranges from -25°C to 85°C.

For more information, visit www.hiroseusa.com.

RIA CONNECT X|Synergy is IP-67 CAT 6A Compliant Industrial Ethernet Connection System.
May 2009—X|Synergy is an evolution in the area of Ethernet connectivity. Unlike traditional office settings, Ethernet has spread into environments where protection from noise, solids, liquids, and even gases are of concern. Manufacturing equipment and automated test environments are just some of the areas where higher protection classifications are required. X|Synergy provides protection from all these sources of interference with a robust industrial strength connection system. Whether outdoors in the elements, or exposed to the chemicals and vibration found in many factory settings, X|Synergy facilitates a unique IP-67 level connection system between the network cable to the printed circuit board.

Rather than being soldered to the PC board, the X|Synergy connection system utilizes edge-connector technology. The edge-connector allows the jack to become part of the installation process, while providing self-alignment and flexibility. There are jack modules to support both gigabit Ethernet and 10Gbit Ethernet applications. The jack modules simply plug into the edge-connector, which resides on the PCB and is shrouded by a metal shield for enhanced EMI protection. This unique approach ensures signal integrity is maintained, as proper alignment is inherently guaranteed. With a variety of bulkheads available in both plastic and metal forms, the X|Synergy connection system will provide years of reliable high-speed service.

For more information, visit www.riaconnect.com.

Schurter’s Power Entry Module for PCB Mounting
April 2009—Schurter has released its latest power entry module series DA22, with built-in overload protection, maximum high-power density, and enhanced EMC filter performance. All functions are integrated in one compact component, designed specifically for PCB mounting.

The overload protection in the DA22 is provided by a 1-pole or 2-pole shock-safe fuseholder for 5x20mm fuses. Optimal EMC performance is achieved by incorporating the filter and shielding directly at the point of entry. The multifunctional compact size of the unit requires minimal space on the PCB, compared to other solutions using discrete components. Pre-wired between the inlet and fuseholder, the DA22 eliminates wiring of these components and minimizes assembly time with direct mounting to the PCB. An additional quick-connect terminal angled to the pin axis is provided for mechanical ground. The unit is screwed on to the enclosure wall from behind, and additionally screwed to the printed circuit board for maximum mechanical safety.

The DA22 is rated for currents up to 10 amps at 125/250 VAC. The IEC 60320 C14 inlet with integrated standard or medical filter is cURus and ENEC component approved for use in appliances according to IEC 60950. The fuseholder is accessible from the front, and is offered in standard or extra safe types, which meet the medical standard according to IEC 60601-1.

The DA22 is ideal for mid-profile design enclosures with a height of 1.5 or 2RU, including telecom and IT infrastructure equipment, medical and laboratory equipment, power supplies, and test and measurement equipment. The DA22 casing starts at just over $10 in 100-piece quantities. The fuseholder is sold separately.

For more information, visit www.schurterinc.com/new_pems.