Molex's New RF mmWave 5G25 Connector Family Helps Mobile Device Manufacturers Create Better Designs

     Molex, a global electronics industry leader and connectivity innovator, has introduced the Flex-to-Board RF mmWave 5G25 connector series to meet the stringent signal integrity requirements of 5G mmWave applications for higher frequencies up to 25 GHz. Using this newest Molex micro connector, RF antenna component manufacturers and mobile device design engineers can optimize high-speed 5G components while alleviating the tight and increasingly crowded printed circuit board space.

     "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, Micro Solutions, Molex. "Molex leverages decades of expertise in RF and antenna design, Experience in high-speed connectivity and volume manufacturing supports higher frequency applications for 5G, raising the bar for signal stability, robust performance and fast assembly. Our new 5G25 connector is the latest example."

     Molex's recent Global Survey on Looking into the Future of Mobile Devices shows that 82% of respondents believe that consumers will witness the substantial benefits of 5G for smartphone applications in five years or less. Respondents named 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 RF antenna components and mobile device developers to the next level.

     Molex's Flex-to-Board RF 5G25 connector family is a space-saving solution that supports high-speed data transfer and is adaptable to harsh environments. The compact 5G25 features a signal spacing of 0.35mm, matching carrier height of only 0.6mm, carrier width of only 2.5mm, and length of 3.6mm, providing design flexibility for upgraded printed circuit boards (PWBs). In addition, by using 5G25 connectors, RF antenna and mobile device design engineers can integrate RF and non-RF signals, thereby reducing the number of connectors, saving not only design space but also cost.

     The 5G25 features full electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, including RF termination and full connector shielding, to ensure superior signal integrity. By using center shielded contact receptacles and plugs, each row can be insulated to improve overall signal integrity stability. Additionally, Molex's fully shielded design has the best far-field gain performance in its class, making it ideal for connecting the 5G antenna to the rest of the transceiver.

     Molex's Flex-to-Board RF 5G25 connector family enables fast, trouble-free assembly with a good "click" to prevent mismating. In addition, the ultra-compact connectors have strong peel forces, which improve reliability and minimize the load on assembly operators or automated assembly machines.