High-speed edge card sockets optimised for signal integrity performance

Samtec's Generate 0.80mm pitch edge card sockets (HSEC8 series) feature Edge Rate contacts optimised for signal integrity performance. Part of the Samtec Reserve program, these high-performance edge card sockets are available for next-day volume delivery and are also part of its free sample program. They are used in many applications and industries, including computers and peripherals, telecommunications, datacom, industrial equipment, medical, test and measurement, instrumentation, and military and aerospace.

The card sockets feature the company's proprietary Edge Rate contact system, specifically designed for high-speed, high-cycle applications. The surface of the Edge Rate contact is milled, creating a smooth mating surface area instead of a stamped contact that mates on a cut edge. This smooth mating surface reduces the wear tracks on the contact, increasing the durability and cycle life of the contact system. It also lowers insertion and withdrawal forces, allowing the connectors to be zippered when unmating.

There are several advantages of these edge card sockets as compared to a two-piece connector system. Edge card connectors excel in modular designs, permitting designers to easily upgrade or configure their system by swapping out the printed circuit board. Further, the design facilitates mating and unmating when the card needs higher cycle counts. Micro edge card sockets are high-speed due to their contact design, resulting in a shorter signal path due to using one less connector.

The HSEC8 series of Generate 0.80mm pitch edge card sockets are available in three orientations – vertical, right angle, and edge mount. They can be furnished with optional side latches for increased card retention and for mating cable assemblies, and optional board locks and weld tabs for the mechanical strength of the part on the board. They are designed for mating card thickness of .062" or .093" and are available with a power/signal combination design, among other configurations.

Generate 0.80mm pitch edge card sockets are part of the company's full line of edge card socket strips. Others include 0.50mm, 0.635mm, 0.80mm, 1.00mm, 1.27mm, and 2.00mm pitch products. Orientations include vertical (surface mount), right angle, edge mount, and pass-through. Popular design options include signal/power combinations, press-fit tails, rugged weld tabs, locks and latches, and PCI Express interconnects.