Connector and Cable Assembly Solutions for Internal and External Systems
The new low-profile iPass™ Interconnect System from Molex Incorporated offers the storage industry increased speed and high density like no other solution that’s available in today’s market. With both internal and external solutions, the iPass Interconnect System features an extensive line of interconnects, cable assemblies and guide frames for wire-to-board applications. These include HBAs (Host Bus Adapters), controller cards, servers, storage racks, switches, RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Discs) controllers devices and JBODs (Just a Bunch of Disks) enclosures.
The complete offering accommodates the new SAS and SATA standards, as well as the External PCI Express (PCIe) and Quad Small Form-Factor Pluggable (QSFP) standards. With speeds ranging from 1.5 Gbps to 6.0 Gbps, and the capability up to 10.0 Gbps, the iPass Interconnect System allows OEMs and integrators to build systems with the interconnect granularity and bandwidth that eliminates the need to invest in new connectors for generations to come. Also, users do not have to test and qualify two different families of connectors because the mating interface is the same for both internal and external applications, saving additional costs.
The iPass Interconnect System offers a range of solutions for internal and external system applications. The internal product offering includes:
- SMT Host Connector with Shell – Available in 26, 36, 50 and 68 circuit sizes, with retention-fit, through-hole and SMT PCB mounting shell options, this 0.80mm (0.031") pitch connector offers assembly flexibility. The shell provides latch points that align the plug to the connector and acts as a strain relief to prevent cable management stress. It also has a pre-positioning device that acts as a disposable pick and place cap and features three keying options to prevent mismating. Multiple solder-tail lengths also are available to accommodate multiple board thicknesses.
- Internal Cable Assemblies – Available in 26- or 36-circuit sizes, with 50- and 68-circuit assemblies upon request, the internal cable assemblies feature positive and passive latching to ensure the plugs remain mated to the receptacles. They offer a reduced mechanical size that is up to four times the port density of the current x4 offerings, as well as tight-skew control and low crosstalk for higher electrical performance for improved signal integrity. The 26- or 36-circuit internal cable assemblies cover x4 SAS and SATA applications, allowing customers to populate controller cards with up to four 26- or 36-circuit iPass cables or the equivalent 16 individual interfaces to SAS or SATA disc drives. Additionally, the internal cable assemblies have up to eight sidebands to support control lines for 36-circuit SAS applications.
The external version of the iPass Interconnect System includes:
- SMT Host Connector – This 0.80mm (0.031") pitch SMT connector is designed for placement beneath the guide frame, making it ideal for external applications. The alignment posts provide stability for placement on the PCB, and the standoffs allow for easy PCB cleaning after soldering. Its SMT design features an option for placement on both sides of the PCB and allows for ease-of-routing.
- Guide Frame Assembly – The Guide Frame Assembly features multiple configurations, including a one-by-one guide frame for SAS and SATA standards, as well as a one-by-two guide frame for the PCIe standard. The guide frame’s screw attachment to the PCB ensures a durable I/O connection for large cable bundles during the cable management process. The reduced plug width supports a higher number of ports in the same amount of space as the SFF-8470 solution. The diecast guide frame offers a robust cable-to-chassis interface. Additionally, the cable and guide frame gaskets provide improved EMI performance.
- 4x External Cable Assemblies – With a flexible latch-pull, the 4x external cable assemblies provide an intuitive latch and unlatch mechanism that allows for more dense cable management applications. Their high performance paddle-card design offers improved signal integrity through impedance matching and reduced crosstalk. Their reduced plug width supports a higher number of ports in the same amount of space as the SFF-8470 solution and the cable and guide frame gaskets provide improved EMI performance. Additionally, the external iPass solution offers around a 30 percent savings in cable bend radius from the front panel over the SFF8470 cable solution.
