Next Generation Interconnect Cabling For Antenna Applications

Transcription

1 Presentation Next Generation Interconnect Cabling For Antenna Applications Donald Bradfield General Manager Southwest Microwave, Inc. Tempe, AZ USA Antenna Systems 2014

2 Presentation Focus In general, technologies that incorporate Antenna Systems have advanced through the years: Performance: Tri-band E for 95 GHz Size: Battery miniaturization for UAV Ruggedness: Guided weapons, battlefield wearable communications Perception is that Cable Assemblies and Interconnections have not advanced as rapidly. In fact, significant advancements in this area have contributed to a vast improvement in Antenna Systems.

3 Presentation Outline Introduction Who is Southwest Microwave? What solutions do we offer? Today s Problems Weight, Space, Reliability, RF/Microwave Performance Solutions Concepts, Technology Involved, Flight History Implementation Options and How to proceed. Q & A

4 Southwest Microwave Profile History Incorporated 1981 Formation of 2 Divisions (Interconnect and Security Systems) Facilities 50,000 Square Feet (built 1999) 130 Employees Machine Shop, Heat Treat, Etc. Hi-Rel/Space Acceptance Testing Features Engineering Support - Owned & Managed by Engineers (founders were founders of Omni Spectra & established M/A COM Connector & Cable Assy. operations). Reliability, Hi-Rel (all connectors have materials traceability and lot control). All production has testing. All products are PRODUCED in USA! 100% Compliant for RoHS, DFARS steel, REACH, ISO 9001:2008, Conflict Minerals, etc.

5 Application Challenges Major Problems for Antenna Cabling Weight: Always too heavy Size / Volume: Always too large Reliability For Ruggedized Environments MIL-HDBK-217 (MTBF) Ease of Field Maintenance, etc. Simplify Cabling, Interconnections

6 New Application Requirements Focusing on RF/Microwave/mmWave Interconnections Higher Frequencies Greater Bandwidth Multi-function, Frequency sharing Survivability

7 SSBP Multi-Contact Connector Goals Antenna to Panel/Box To Reduce Weight and Volume TYPICAL BOX CONNECTOR GROUPINGS Grouping N & Other Coax Connectors Row of individual Coax Connectors

8 SSBP Goals To reduce weight and volume Let s focus on the CONNECTORS Grouping N & Other Coax Connectors Connector Row

9 SSBP Benefits Front With basic cables Front has N and SMA Back (SMA only)

10 SSBP Benefits Weight: Connectors and Cables = 2.37 lbs.

11 SSBP Benefits THIS Size 12 x 10 Can be REPLACED by Front Size Shown 7 x 7 but could be 4 x 4 Rear Weight : Cables and Connectors = 0.49 lbs. (vs lbs.) All cables are 6 for all options.

12 SSBP Performance Connectors are Standard MIL-DTL BACC63CT21-16PNH Plug and BACC63CU21-16SNH Receptacle Outstanding mmwave Performance DC to 67 GHz Results for system 14 Size 16 SSBP Coax assemblies and 2 Signal Lines

13 SSBP Advantages Space & weight savings versus individual microwave connectors. Cost savings with one coax contact rather than a mix of connector types. Can mix contact types (DC signal, power, fiberoptic, and now microwave) Coax contacts are used with connector types already accepted by customers

14 SSBP Benefits THIS Size 12 x 10 Can be REPLACED by Front Front Size Shown 7 x 7 but could be 3 x 3 Rear Rear 0.9mm SuperMini 50 ohm Coax Weight : Cables and Connectors = 0.23 lbs. (vs lbs.)

15 SSBP in Off-the-shelf Connectors Standard MIL-DTL D-Subminiature Connector Application has 14 Size 20 SSBP Coaxes and 1 Signal Line

16 SSBP Test Data Tested to 5,000 mating cycles Ask for Test Report.

17 SSBP Test Data Environmentally Sealed, Ruggedized Protected in D38999 Connectors SSBP Coaxes tested Vibration to 2000 Hz, random & sine at 150ºC with continuity. Also, shock 100 G s 3X per all 3 axes. (Test report available)

18 SSBP Benefits Reduced Weight, Miniaturization, Higher Bandwidth. SMA (X, Ka Bands) Plug + Panel Jack = 5.0 grams SMA 0.9mm 0.9mm (DC to V Band) Plug + Panel Jack = 0.56 grams

19 0.9 Title mm of SSBT Slide Board Launch Connectors 0.9mm SuperMini Connectors and Cables Offer Miniaturization (Size and Weight) With 50 ohm DC to 67+ GHz Bandwidth

20 VALUE Title of Through Slide Broadband Performance 1.85mm.047 Flex Cable 0.9mm Plug & Board Mount 1.85mm

21 shielding effectiveness in db's SSBP EMI Isolation Shielding Effectiveness of 4 channels of Southwest Microwave mated #20 contacts on 047 SR with SMA; 08/09/2005, Average is from 15 runs. All data taken in accordance with MIL-STD-1344 Method Retest - Average Initial - Average Retest - Average Frequency in GHz EMI data supplied by customer using SMI SSBP-20 contacts in ungrounded Series I D38999 Connectors

22 SSBP Reliability Reliability Predictions per MIL-HDBK-217F, Notice 2 Coaxes in multi-pin connectors are more reliable than groups of equal numbers of discrete coaxes. 1 Mating, Using Hi-Shock, Vibration-Resistant, Environmentally-Sealed Proven Connectors.

23 SSBP Multi-Contact Connector Benefits Space and weight savings vs. individual microwave connectors Simplified cabling using off-the-shelf connectors Systemic cost savings Miniaturized packaging Improved reliability Broadband microwave performance

24 SSBP Contact Sizes These contacts fit standard off-the-shelf connectors! D38999 Sizes 8, 12, 16 & 20 Sizes 16 & 20 contacts shown D-Sub with Size 20 contacts

25 SSBP Coax Contacts Size 20 HD Size 20 Size 16 SSBP Interface Air dielectric Bead capture No exposed spring fingers High frequency Low VSWR / Insertion loss Size 8 Size 12 (not shown) Contact Envelopes Defined by MIL-C-39029

26 SSBP Title of Coax Slide vs. Standard Contacts SSBP vs. Standard / Signal Contact Sizes SSBP uses the signal contact size terminology. A cross-reference to millimeter wave designation: SSBP Socket SSBP Pin SSBP Socket SSBP Pin SSBP Size : A Diameter: (reference only) SSBP mm SSBP-20HD 0.9mm SSBP mm SSBP mm SSBP-8 3.3mm

27 SSBP to Signal Contact Comparison MIL-DTL Series I, III & IV Using standard MIL-I Insertion / Extraction tools (same as those used on M39029 signal contacts)

28 SSBP Options Miniature Connectors: SSBP Coaxes also for Mighty Mouse Series 80 And, their RECTANGULAR equivalent Series 79

29 SSBP Adaptability Size 20 SSBP in Micro-D Package 6 Position Cable to PCB 6 Position Cable to Cable

30 SSBP Package Miniaturization Space Savings with Micro-D Diamond Shaped base To Reduce Weight 6 Individual Coax Connectors (Need space for turning coupling nuts) Vs. 6-Position Micro-D With SSBP-20. Flying 7 years w/ LMCO.

31 SSBP Cable Termination Cable Termination Sequence 1. Cable insertion into SSBP cable bushing followed by center conductor insertion into the socket contact inside the rear of the SSBP coax. Center contact is NOT soldered. 2. Bottoming of tinned cable outer conductor against the step in the I.D. of the SSBP cable housing. 3. Soldering outer conductor directly into the I.D. of the SSBP cable bushing.

32 SSBP Successes Several Recently Completed Cables with SSBP Coax Assemblies

33 Summary: SSBP Benefits 1. SSBP coaxes provide unprecedented performance, density, application flexibility and reliability. 2. SSBP applications are possible in most standard connectors that use M39029 contacts. 3. SSBP designs are adaptable for special applications, including discrete coax installations. 4. SSBP coaxes offer expanded design choices formerly unavailable for antenna cables. 5. Southwest Microwave offers unique capabilities to combine multi-contact and RF/microwave connectors.

34 Title Microwave of Slide Coax for Standard Connectors

35 Presentation Q & A Thank you for your time and attention! Are there any questions?