CIE Components in Electronics
FCI, a manufacturer of connectors and interconnect systems, has developed a more advanced version of its AirMax VS (virtual shield) connector system and is now able to set a new industry benchmark in terms of cost/performance ratio for 12.5 Gb/s data rate applications.
The AirMax VS connector system has been widely adopted in numerous telecom, networking, server and storage platforms up to 12.5 Gb/s data rate and the recently introduced AirMax VSe provides an upgrade path towards 25 Gb/s for those who are willing to leverage their existing AirMax assets.
Conscious that its customers were looking for ways to optimise their cost to performance ratio, FCI has now unveiled the AirMax VS2TM as a new industry benchmark for 12.5 Gb/s applications. It leverages the signal integrity (SI) and mechanical improvements and innovations brought by AirMax VSe, retains a full drop-in and mating compatibility with AirMax VS, and provides a more competitive cost position for users.
In particular, AirMax VS2 offers better signal integrity at 12.5 Gb/s with IEEE 802.3ap compliance and significant headroom; better mechanical rigidity with wider IMLA wafers and longer engaging slots; easier automated application with Flat Rock application tools and “Eye of Needle” (EON) true position and better density and lower complexity through integrated guiding pins and power contacts
The AirMax VS2 has an identical footprint to AirMax VS connectors, making it compatible with existing board layouts. The open pin field design preserves critical pin assignments in existing AirMax VS designs, providing opportunities for cost savings as new or upgraded equipment is deployed.
“For example, a backplane or chassis can be designed to allow the installation and continued use of legacy daughter cards, line cards, or blades that are already in the field as well as new or future higher speed module cards,” said Fred Gilbert, Portfolio Director for High Speed backplane and mezzanine products at FCI. “We have also engineered the AirMax VS2 to minimize manufacturing cost by applying best cost practices in materials and processes.”
The new AirMax VS2 will become progressively available in mass production quantities for 3,4,5 and 6 pair configurations during the first half of 2013.
