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April
2002 edition of the Amphenol RF Connection v 1.2
In this issue:
GangMate
Connector Overview
RF
Connectors for the Automotive Market
Dave
the Engineer’s Question & Answer
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Amphenol RF's GangMate Connector Overview
 Amphenol
RF provides a customized GangMate inter-connect system for connecting
multiple RF lines in board to board and input/output applications
while allowing for axial and radial misalignment at a reduced
system cost.
The GangMate solutions are customized to satisfy specific packaging
requirements. They are commonly utilized in inter-connects between
PC boards in various electronic packaging scenarios including
input/output boards, mother boards, daughter boards and back
planes.
The connector system consists of one GangMate block with individual
floating bullet adapters pre-assembled into each RF line. The
other side of the system uses a corresponding block consisting
of open ports without bullets. When the two connectors are mated,
each bullet enters its corresponding open port and allows for
misalignment due to package design. For more information on
the advantages in utilizing a bullet adapter, please see our
SMP connector article.
Typical applications are from eight to twenty-four connections
and can be staggered to reduce the size of footprint. The connections
are applicable for systems utilizing either 50 or 75 Ohm characteristic
impedance and are provided in either straight or right angle
configurations. The connector block can be mounted to the PC
board using solder posts or pressed on when provided with compliant
pins.
There are several advantages to using an integrated GangMate
solution:
Guaranteed relationship between connections
When separate connectors are used for each RF line, they must
be carefully fixtured as they are soldered to the PC board to
ensure that they are properly positioned. By integrating the
connectors into one single body, the dimensions and tolerances
between the lines can be maintained very closely. Maximum performance
is ensured both mechanically and electrically by maintaining
consistent axial and radial misalignment.
Reduced footprint and package size
By integrating all of the RF connections into one body or housing,
the pitch between connections can be minimized. In addition,
the lines can be staggered which significantly decreases the
width of the system and results in a minimal increase to height.
Reduced system cost
With one integrated die cast body, the part count is reduced
which significantly reduces the total cost of the system.
The GangMate inter-connect system provides a high performance
solution while remaining cost effective. These systems are customized
and scalable. To obtain more information or to discuss a custom
solution please call 1-800- 627-7100 or
send us an email .
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RF Connectors for the Automotive Market
 With
recent advancements in communications technology and increased
consumer demand for a diverse array of on-board telematic services
ranging from GPS systems to Satellite Radio, RF communications
systems have become indispensable components of the modern automobile.
To support this burgeoning market, Amphenol RF’s product offering
includes FAKRA, SMB and Mini-UHF connectors.
To keep RF interconnection costs low and ensure high levels
of electrical and mechanical performance for telematic applications
such as Global Positioning Satellite, Satellite Radio, Vehicular
Internet Access, Remote vehicle diagnostics and Bluetooth, the
German and American automotive industries have standardized
a high-performing, cost-effective RF connector based on the
FAKRA and USCAR standards.
The Amphenol FAKRA Connector Series provides the highest levels
of product design and product integrity that is now being required
for coaxial connectors used in the automotive industry. This
series of RF connectors has an operating frequency of DC – 4
GHz. Addressing the latest automotive USCAR and FAKRA standards
requiring a positive connector coupling mechanism, the Amphenol
FAKRA Series offers a plastic connector housing with a visual,
audible and physical feel locking feature. This Amphenol series
utilizes the most popular SMB style contact terminal which offers
the consistent RF quality Amphenol has been providing to the
automotive industry for years.
To accommodating these numerous telematic applications the Amphenol
FAKRA Series has 13 different mechanical (connector keyways)
and visual (color coded) keying variations. With termination
to RG 58, RG 174, RG 316, RG 178 and other micro-cables with
standard industry available crimp termination tooling, the Amphenol
Series also has available numerous connector variations for
PCB applications, including vertical and Right Angle thru board
and SMT styles.
Other popular RF connectors Amphenol offers is the Mini-UHF
and SMB series. The Mini-UHF series has a long-term application
background for use in cellular mobile, antenna, GPS and cable
assembly requirements. This product series is rated DC thru
2.5 GHz with a 1.25 max VSWR. Accommodating the most popular
RG 58, RG 59 and RG 174 cable sizes, this Mini-UHF series uses
standard industry available termination tooling.
Another highly required connector currently used in numerous
GPS applications, including the most popular OnStar System offered
by General Motors, is the Amphenol SMB Series. This connector
series addresses the common problem incurred by the automotive
industry: connector disengagement. The Amphenol Series has documented
test results showing their SMB product consistently out performs
competition by 30% with regard to connector disengagement forces.
Rated to 4 GHz, this connector series has over 500 mating and
unmating cycles of durability. The long track record of actual
documented use by the automotive industry supports the very
high customer demand for the Amphenol SMB connector.
Along with the growth of RF connection devices in the car, the
need for coaxial cable has grown to a level which could require
twice the amount of cable which goes into a home (over 100+
feet per car). To meet this demand, Amphenol’s Times Fiber Cable
division has developed a portfolio of cable products to meet
the needs of the automotive industry. TFC’s automotive cables
are manufactured utilizing the highest quality materials and
workmanship available:
Lowest
Signal Loss
Multiple
Shielding Options Available
100
% Quality Testing – Electricals, Physicals
Superior
TFC/Amphenol Product Development
For more information about Amphenol’s complete line of Automotive
RF connector offerings, contact the dedicated Automotive Team
at AutomotiveTeam@amphenolrf.com.
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What Is the Difference Between Average and
Peak Power?
 The
amount of power a connector can handle can determine the long
term (or even short term) reliability of your system. Using
a connector that cannot adequately dissipate the power applied
can cause serious problems and failure of your system. There
are 2 types of power handling (expressed in watts) that must
be considered: Average Power and Peak Power.
Average Power is the input power to a cable/connector which
will produce a maximum safe center conductor temperature under
steady state conditions when terminated with a matched load.
A safe center conductor temperature is one that will not melt
the dielectric. When considering Average Power the following
points should be noted:
- Average
Power is inversely proportional to frequency and must
be de-rated accordingly
- Average
Power is equal to a Power Rating @ 1 Mhz/v (Frequency
in Mhz)
- Connectors
generally have higher power ratings than the cable to
which they are attached
- Connectors
have metal shells whereas cables have braids covered by
plastic jackets
- Connectors
can be attached to bulkheads which help dissipate heat
- Connectors
usually have lower attenuation per unit length due to
air sections within the connector
Peak
Power is limited by the voltage rating of the connector, and
is determined by the equation V2/Z where V=the
peak voltage rating and Z is the characteristic impedance.
When considering Peak Power the following points should be
noted:
- Peak
power generally has a very short duty cycle, but you should
calculate the average power of a peak pulse to be certain
it does not exceed specifications
- Peak
Power is not a function of frequency
- Peak
Power is an inverse function of VSWR and modulation schemes
and must be derated
- Peak
and Average Power are functions of altitude and must be
derated
- Maximum
power ratings will always be the lesser of the cable/connector
combination
Do
you have technical questions regarding RF technology? Email
Dave with any RF question and he will either post it here
on the website or get back to you personally. In next month’s
issue, Dave will discuss Passive Inter-modulation Distortion
(PIM).
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