Wire-to-Board RF Connectors Eye Industrial & Automotive Applications

AVX Corporation unveils what it calls the first wire-to-board RF coaxial IDC connectors for industrial and automotive applications. The initial release of the 00-6791 Series RF Coaxial IDC Connectors is comprised of two small, single-piece solutions suited to different types of coaxial cable and features a patented one-touch coaxial cable termination mechanism that simplifies the connection process.

The connectors deliver RF performance that allegedly surpasses that of cables soldered directly to a PCB, have a lower component cost and smaller physical size than traditional two-piece RF connectors with comparable performance. The components measure down to 10 mm x 6.6 mm x 3.9 mm when seated.

Designed to meet automotive and industrial requirements, the series features mechanical bracing for high-strength performance capabilities and is fully compatible with both automated SMT pick-and-place processing and automated lead-free reflow soldering. The 00-6791 Series RF Coaxial IDC Connectors are also compatible with Bluetooth, GPS, GSM, and WLAN protocols and are rated for 0.5A (depending on the cable), 125-Vac operation, 70N of horizontal pull-force, 20N of vertical pull-force, and frequencies up to 6 GHz.

The termination process for the new RF IDC connectors requires three steps: strip the outer jacket and braid shield, insert the cable with the inner jacket still intact, and manually or automatically depress the insulator cap. This process allows the IDC contacts to pierce the coaxial cable jacket and dielectric and make direct contact with the braid shield and conductor at the same time.

Three windows in the series’ insulator caps reveal the position of the cable, enabling visual confirmation of proper termination, and are compatible with camera-enabled automated cable positioning verification systems. Further, should anything happen during the production process that requires the removal of the connector or cable, the caps can be removed to expose the contact tails, which can then be heated and either reworked or removed as well.

Available in two versions for different cable sizes, the 00-6791 Series feature phosphor bronze signal and braid contacts, glass-filled Nylon 46 insulators, lead-free tin-over-nickel-plated terminations, and a stainless-steel support plate and are RoHS-compliant, supplied in tape and reel packaging, and fully compatible with both SMT pick-and-place machinery and lead-free reflow soldering processes. Operating temperatures for the series extend from -40°C to 105°C, with heat resistance during reflow extending to 260°. To connect with much greater knowledge and foresight, take a gander at the 00-6791 Series datasheet and product brief.