Test & Measurement Product Roundup  

This week’s Product Roundup highlights Test & Measurement products from leading connector manufacturers and suppliers.

Test & Measurement Products

Nicomatic’s EN9100-certified in-house laboratory supports development teams from initial design to final qualification with rigorous validation under extreme conditions for absolute reliability of defense and aerospace systems. This advanced facility provides full-spectrum validation, offering environmental, electrical, mechanical, and optical tests alongside precise CST simulation. Uniquely, these laboratory services are not limited exclusively to Nicomatic products. Defense contractors and aerospace engineers can leverage this infrastructure to test and qualify their own custom hardware and sub-systems. By combining prototyping workshops, rapid mock-ups, and stringent testing under one roof, Nicomatic empowers integrators to identify vulnerabilities early, accelerating time-to-market while guaranteeing compliance with the industry’s strictest standards. Key capabilities include environmental, electrical, mechanical, and optical testing; CST electromagnetic simulation; prototyping and mock-up workshops; and testing services for third-party (non-Nicomatic) systems.

I-PEX offers signal integrity test boards designed for evaluating the high-speed transmission characteristics of CABLINE, MHF, EVAFLEX, and NOVASTACK series connectors and harnesses. The SI test boards enable comprehensive signal integrity evaluation for both connector and harness assemblies. By using an SI test board, key signal integrity parameters such as insertion loss, return loss, VSWR, and crosstalk can be measured with high accuracy. SI test boards include a main break out board where the pins of these connectors are fanned out to SMA/2.92mm RF connectors via traces of matched impedance. Pass through calibration boards are also offered to measure and de-embed the losses in PCB traces, so that the net losses in connectors only can be measured. These test boards are widely used for performance verification and design evaluation of high-speed interfaces including coaxial antenna, PCIe, USB, HDMI, MIPI camera serial interface, and SerDes.

The Cannon DL Series of Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) connectors fill the need in the medical, commercial/industrial, computer, and peripheral equipment markets for high performance, multiple-wire power and signal connectors. The metal version of the original DL connectors, the DLM features a minimum rated life of 10,000 mating cycles with no performance loss. They can be mated and unmated in less than two seconds with up to 360 contacts, and offer enhanced environmental protection and EMI/RFI shielding.

When repeated flexing and mate/unmate cycles push ordinary test cables to failure, Times Microwave Systems’ SilverLine Test Cables from CDM keep delivering. Built with solid PTFE dielectric, triple-shielded construction, and stainless-steel connectors, these assemblies are engineered for the punishing demands of production, field, and laboratory testing. A proven, redundant strain-relief system extends service life, while phase and amplitude stability ensure measurement accuracy stays consistent test after test. High-mating-cycle connectors and rugged solder-clamp attachment make SilverLine cables a dependable yet cost effective choice for RF test system interconnects, incoming and final inspections, and high-volume production environments.

A compression interface, small footprint, and high cycle count make Samtec’s Bulls Eye® ideal for high-performance testing applications, now to 130 GHz, supporting 448 Gb/s requirements (BE130 series). Bulls Eye high-performance test assembly features a high-density space-saving design that enables smaller evaluation boards and shorter trace lengths in test and measurement applications. The block connector compression mounts to the board, allowing placement directly adjacent to the SerDes being characterized. The solderless design improves overall cost and is easy to use in a lab setting. Phase-matching is available at 0.5, 1, 2, and 5 picoseconds (cable-dependent).  As repeatability and loss margins at millimeter wave frequencies continue to narrow, Bulls Eye® products now incorporate Samtec’s proprietary Nitrowave™ cable technology. Nitrowave improves overall electrical performance with lower insertion loss and phase matching down to 0.5 picoseconds. End 2 connects directly to instrumentation using any of the following connector options: 1.00 mm, 1.35 mm, 1.85 mm, 2.40 mm, or 2.92 mm.

Every industry that builds, moves, heals, or flies relies on measurement. Construction crews monitor structural loads, logistics fleets track vibration and shock, marine vessels validate hull integrity, healthcare engineers calibrate diagnostic equipment, automation lines verify sensor accuracy, and aerospace teams qualify components against extreme thermal cycling. Yet even the most advanced instrument is only as reliable as its connection. Where technicians connect and disconnect frequently — portable testers, field calibration kits, temporary sensor deployments — Amphenol LTW’s HS-Lok push-lock mechanism delivers instant mating with positive tactile confirmation, while rugged IP68-sealed construction keeps the data honest, cycle after cycle.

The L Series from Smiths Interconnect, a Molex company, comes with frames in various lengths to accommodate a variety of module combinations. The frames range from a basic frame with just two side rails and two end caps, to more complex versions with jackscrews, backshells, cable clamps, etc. Features include mixed signal, power, coaxial, data, fiber optic, and pneumatic modules; up to 250 amp power; cable to chassis and rack & panel; plastic backshell with strain relief and half turn quick disconnect jackscrew; and float mountable for blind mating. Configurations compliant to EN45545 standards and UL E102195, and standard communication protocols for Cat5e and Cat6A modules: Ethernet and USB 2.0 are available. Modules withstand a temperature range from –55 °C to 125 °C.

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