FCI adds BGA termination to AirMax VS® System

FCI, a leading developer of connectors and interconnect systems, increases the versatility of its AirMax VS® connector system by incorporating a ball grid array (BGA) attached into the backplane receptacle connector. Combining its revolutionary shieldless AirMax VS design with its proven BGA connector technology, FCI has developed a connector that, with the BGA attachment option, will allow designers to optimize footprint, via and routing options. The elimination of the metal shields results in a less cumbersome, lighter connector with fewer termination points, so the AirMax VS BGA connector is easier for manufacturers to process.

"Adding BGA termination to the AirMax VS system allows us to continue evolving the true flexibility and versatility of high speed backplane connectors," said John Burkett, product manager for FCI. "The BGA signal receptacle allows smaller vias on the backplane, as well as the application of blind or buried vias and vertical and horizontal routing."

Utilizing air as the dielectric between adjacent conductors, the AirMax VS connector system offers high speed computing and networking system designers high signal density and the industry’s lowest insertion loss and crosstalk, without the use of costly and space-consuming metal shields.

The Insert Molded Leadframe Assembly (IMLA) utilized in AirMax VS connectors enables the same connector to be used for Differential Pair, Single-Ended or Power signals. The design also allows systems to migrate from 2.5Gb/s to 25Gb/s without necessitating redesign of the basic platform.

The BGA termination will maximize the use of advanced PCB manufacturing techniques by utilizing buried and micro-vias, according to Burkett, as well as reduce or eliminate the need for backdrilling, and reduce layer count and applied cost. The AirMax VS connector is available in 3-, 4-, and 5-pair versions. Fivepair versions provide the highest signal density available, accommodating 63 differential pairs or 95 single-ended lines per inch.

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