Ironwood Electronics has released a new spring pin test socket for DFN2 packages. The socket is engineered to support up to 500,000 actuation cycles and delivers electrical performance of –1 dB at 60 GHz. The design accommodates operating temperatures from –40 °C to +150 °C, enabling extended evaluation across a broad thermal range. Mechanical construction […]
PCB design
Socket adapter bridges fine-pitch BGA to test gear
The 0.8 mm pitch BGA socket adapter from Ironwood Electronics provides an interposer solution for prototyping, testing and programming chip-scale BGA devices with ultra-fine footprints. The adapter supports a 19 × 19 mm body with a 22 × 22 array 484-ball BGA package and can be surface-mounted to a top adapter or used in a […]
Avoid ground loops in mixed-signal circuits, part 2
Picking up where we left off in Part 1, we need to explore some methods to mitigate problems caused by unpredictable ground currents. Let’s start with some simplification, although we may need to first complicate things to then simplify them. First, let’s arrange a massive ground plane around the analog circuitry on the PC board. […]
Manual-actuated QFN24 socket supports solderless device evaluation
Ironwood Electronics has released a test socket designed for QFN24 devices that uses a double-latch manual actuator. The socket is intended to support device evaluation, characterization, screening, and other lab or production-adjacent test workflows where repeatable contact and quick device changeover are required. The double-latch actuation mechanism is designed to apply controlled compression during clamping, […]
Near-zero-footprint SMT elastomer socket introduced for BGA264 devices
Ironwood Electronics has introduced a new near-device-footprint surface-mount (SMT) elastomer socket designed for BGA264 packages. The socket supports mixed-pitch configurations of 0.6 × 0.675 millimeters and a device size of 8.7 × 14.4 millimeters, providing a compact layout with high electrical performance. The design enables the socket to be reflow-mounted onto the same printed circuit […]
4 GHz elastomer socket Introduced for BGA1440 with –1 dB insertion loss
Ironwood Electronics introduces a new elastomer-based socket solution targeting high-frequency BGA devices. The 94 GHz elastomer socket is designed for BGA1440 packages and enables signal paths with roughly –1 dB insertion loss at 94 GHz between each ball and the printed circuit board. The socket employs a swivel-lid compression mechanism to simplify device insertion and […]
94 GHz BGA400 socket boasts 12 W power dissipation
Ironwood Electronics has recently introduced a new BGA socket design using high performance elastomer capable of 94 GHz bandwidth, very low inductance and wide temperature applications. The new GT-BGA socket is specifically designed for BGA400 package configurations and operates at bandwidths up to 94GHz with less than 1dB of insertion loss while supporting enhanced power […]
Socket supports up to 40 GHz performance at –1 dB for high-frequency testing
Ironwood Electronics has released the Grypper chip‑size socket for 0.5 mm‑pitch BGA35 packages. Sized to match the target IC (“zero footprint”), the socket mounts directly on the same PCB area during reflow without expanding the board layout. The Grypper enables rapid device exchange for development, sorting, and failure analysis by allowing snap‑in insertion without a lid. […]
What are the best practices for PCB-to-harness transitions?
Transition points between PCB traces and wire harnesses impact signal integrity, system-level reliability, and manufacturability. Improperly calibrated transition points can introduce impedance discontinuities, signal loss, or thermal stress. Mechanical strain and layout constraints also restrict routing flexibility, complicate manufacturing, and may contribute to long-term system failures. This article outlines best practices for optimizing PCB-to-harness transition […]
Streamlining PCB-to-wire harness design integration with EDA tools
Automotive wiring harnesses consolidate multiple wires and cables into a single organized system, transmitting power and signals between electronic control units (ECUs). These harnesses connect PCB-mounted electronics to the broader electrical system, supporting advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), powertrain control, airbags, infotainment, telematics, and body electronics. This article examines the PCB-to-wire harness design flow and highlights key integration […]
