Ironwood Electronics has introduced a new near-zero elastomer socket (NZGT) that combines high-performance elastomer technology with a surface mount option enabling minimal footprint with a bandwidth >43 GHz.
The GT high-performance elastomer contact can support much higher bandwidth but requires a footprint with mounting/alignment holes. NZGT technology utilizes high-performance megtron PCB with solder balls on the bottom and requires no mounting holes.
The socket body is laminated to the PCB top side with a minimal extension of 2.5 mm per side. The extension wing is 1.5 mm from the PCB surface in the Z direction allowing capacitors/resistors to be placed very close to the device emulating production design. It has a screw-down lid for a low profile or a lid with an integrated spring, which allows reliable contact and ensures device retention in a rugged testing environment. Lower forces of ~25 grams put less stress on solder joints and lamination enabling a few hundred insertions of the devices. The socket lid can also be configured to include heat sinking.
The GT elastomer contact can be designed to cover devices with a pitch larger than 0.25 mm, and the short electrical length has superior electrical performance. The temperature range is -55 C to +160 C. To use, reflow PCB with socket body to target footprint. Place GT elastomer inside the socket body aligning four corner tabs. When the device is placed, each solder ball will be aligned using ball guide holes. Close the lid, apply downward pressure, and the system is ready for testing.
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