New RF mmWave 5G25 connector line from Molex

     Molex, a global electronics leader and connectivity innovator, has launched the Flex-to-Board RF mmWave 5G25 connector line to meet the stringent signal integrity requirements for 5G mmWave applications at higher frequencies up to 25 GHz. By using this new Molex Micro connector, RF antenna assembly manufacturers and mobile device design engineers can optimize high-speed 5G components while alleviating the tight space and increasing crowding of printed circuit boards.

     "Each new generation of RF antenna components and smartphones brings us closer to realizing the full potential of 5G performance," said Stephen Drinan, core product Director, Molex Micro Solutions. Molex leverages decades of experience in RF and antenna design, high-speed connectivity, and volume manufacturing to support the higher frequency applications of 5G, improving signal stability, robust performance, and fast assembly standards. Our new 5G25 connector is the latest example."

     According to Molex's recent Global survey Looking Ahead to the Future of Mobile Devices, 82% of respondents believe consumers will see substantial benefits from 5G for smartphone applications in five years or less. Respondents ranked ultra-fast 5G, such as mmWave, as the leading technology driving disruptive change in the manufacturing of smart consumer mobile devices. As a leading supplier of advanced 5G RF board-to-board connectors, Molex continues to innovate and collaborate with leading developers of RF antenna components and mobile devices to take it to the next level.

     The Molex Flex-to-Board RF 5G25 connector family is a space-saving solution that supports high-speed data transmission and can be adapted to a variety of harsh environments. The compact 5G25 features a signal spacing of 0.35mm, matching a carrier height of just 0.6mm, a carrier width of just 2.5mm, and a length of 3.6mm, providing design flexibility for the upgraded printed circuit board (PWB). In addition, by using the 5G25 connector, RF antenna and mobile device design engineers can integrate RF and non-RF signals, thereby reducing the number of connectors and saving design space as well as cost.

    The 5G25 features full electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, including RF terminal and full connector shielding, to ensure superior signal integrity. Each line can be insulated by using a central shield to contact sockets and plugs to improve stability of overall signal integrity. In addition, Molex's fully shielded design offers the best far-field gain performance of its type, making it ideal for connecting 5G antennas to the rest of the transceiver.

     The Molex Flex-to-Board RF 5G25 connector family enables fast, trouble-free assembly with a good "click feel" to prevent mismatches. In addition, ultra-compact connectors have strong stripping power, which not only improves reliability, but also minimizes load on assembly operators or automatic assembly machines.

     To accelerate the development of the 5G25, Molex has established a global team of RF, antenna and high-speed communications experts to balance the critical electrical, mechanical and environmental requirements. Engineers located in the United States and Japan worked with a global manufacturer of RF antenna components on concept development, advanced simulation and testing, and rapid design iterations. The Molex in-house 5G test room helped the team achieve optimal signal integrity performance, with the design concept finalized within two weeks.

     Driven by the concept of putting the customer first, Molex quickly designed a prototype connector for use in just a few months. This is an admirable achievement considering the rigorous mechanical and signal integrity performance required to meet application specifications. As a trusted advisor to a leading smartphone manufacturer, Molex optimizes connectors to meet the specific needs of its customers while increasing production to 5 million connectors per month. Global collaboration and early customer engagement have proven to play a significant role in advancing an innovative 5G roll-to-market strategy.

     With proven expertise in 5G, mmWave, RF, signal integrity, antenna, power, camera and display technologies, Molex provides critical connectivity to the entire mobile device ecosystem. Advantages such as precision, volume manufacturing and miniaturization give Molex the ability to meet changing market demands by providing leading mobile device manufacturers and their suppliers with the smallest, densest and most advanced connectors available today.