Precise Characterization of Multipin Connectors

Connectors are an integral part of any electronic system, allowing multiple parts of one system to interconnect. However, they represent a discontinuity, and this discontinuity causes reflections, differential-to-common-mode conversion and radiation. All these phenomena are more intense at higher frequencies and they can significantly distort the transmitted signal which leads to the reduction of transmission speed/bitrate.

Prediction of these effects using simulation requires a precise model of the connector with well-defined geometry and materials. The electrical properties of materials are often known up to a certain degree of accuracy, therefore measurement is used for characterization or/and verification. However, measuring such connectors with a Vector Network Analyzer requires the connector to be mounted to a test fixture. In reality these fixtures have parasitic properties, which can be comparable to properties of the connector itself. Measured S-parameters thus contain a mixture of connector properties and fixture parasitics.

This webinar will present a technique for the extraction of the connector model from measured S-parameters mitigating the effects of the test-fixture using CST STUDIO SUITE®. The concept will be demonstrated on the example of a connector for automotive applications.

Presenter bio: 

Milan Prihoda received the M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from the Czech Technical University in Prague, in 2010 and 2016, respectively. In the Institute of Photonics and Electronics in Prague he dealt with the development of devices for the measurement of very weak radiofrequency and optical signals. He is interested in techniques for precise microwave measurement . Since 2014 he is with CST as an application engineer.