FCI Adds 17mm and 27mm Stack Heights to GIG-ARRAY® High-Speed Connector Offering

ETTERS, PA (May 17, 2006) � FCI announces an extension of its GIG-ARRAY® high-speed, high-density product line with the introduction of new 12mm plug connectors. These new GIG-ARRAY mezzanine connectors provide either 200 or 296 signal contacts and add the capability for 17mm or 27mm board-to-board spacing when used in combination with the company�s existing 5mm or 15mm receptacles. These stack heights expand upon the options for 15mm, 18mm, 20mm, 25mm, 28mm, 30mm and 35mm spacing already available as part of the GIG-ARRAY product range.

�With the addition of these new GIG-ARRAY connector options, we�re offering equipment designers nine stack-height options to enable them to address component clearance, airflow, or slot spacing requirements that are unique to their chassis designs,� said Grace Showers, FCI Global Product Manager. �Blade server, storage, communications, and networking equipment are among the applications that can benefit from the excellent high-speed electrical performance provided by the GIG-ARRAY connector system.�

GIG-ARRAY differential pairs nominally provide 100 ohms matched impedance to deliver higher speed performance with less reflected power. GIG-ARRAY connectors can support data rates in the range of 10 Gbps. The 296-position connector contains 37 columns with eight individual signal contacts and nine ground contacts in each column, while the 200-position connector contains 25 columns. The use of individual contacts for both signal and ground connections provides more flexibility in handling power or low-speed signals than systems that utilize interleaving ground shields.

All GIG-ARRAY connectors feature FCI�s innovative Ball Grid Array (BGA) connector termination for easy attachment to printed circuit boards using conventional reflow soldering processes. The 1mm x 0.65mm BGA grid optimizes PCB trace routing and electrical performance. Lead-free and RoHS-compatible connector options are available.

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