Market sectors where smaller and lighter product assemblies are demanded include Mil/Aero and motorsport areas where Lane Electronics is particularly active.
As well as the Souriau 8STA circular connector ranges from Eaton finding wide application in motorsport, the company offers a family of miniature rectangular connectors from the same manufacturer. While these are also suitable across all forms of motorsport, it is in the mil/aero sector where the company’s Nick Wheeler see the most potential for these high-density, high-reliability connector systems.
Typical applications include radar, missiles and weapon systems, in-flight entertainment systems, displays, infrared cameras, battery management systems, satellite equipment, engine control units, flight test equipment, data acquisition systems, and cockpit equipment, avionics for satellites, UAVs, civilian and defence aircraft.
As well as size, weight and density, key features of the range’s microComp connectors include high vibration and voltage withstanding, easy installation, a high Ethernet performance, removable #26 crimp contacts, a wide operating temperature range and a lifetime that includes 500 mating cycles.
A high Ethernet performance is essential for today’s often data-hungry applications. Thanks to the range’s very short contacts, the connectors are fully Ethernet 100 base T compatible, enabling up to four Ethernet links in a 25-way connector and fully Ethernet 1000 base T compatible, providing up to two Ethernet links in the same configuration.
The device shells are provided in aluminium and composite material. The composite shells are formed from a strengthened fibreglass material for maximum mechanical resistance and are up to 36% lighter than aluminium shells. The advanced RoHS compliant Nickel over composite plating process employed on microComp has been qualified on Eaton’s Souriau MIL-DTL-38999 product range (technology that is selected by Boeing and Airbus) and offers optimised shielding and shell-to-shell continuity while providing an outstanding 2000 hours salt spray corrosion resistance.
A dedicated range of accessories completes the range, including straight and angled EMC backshells, locking jackscrews and posts, PCB mounting hardware and protective anti-static dust caps.