Mini coax MC card connectors spread to new markets

The MC Card interface was originally devised by Lucent Technology (later

known as Agere Systems) in the mid-1990s when FCC Part 15.203 dictated that

a non-standard off-the-shelf connector interface was required for all

802.11x certified products.

Aliner Industries was involved in the design, and was later awarded with an

outstanding supplier plaque for its Orinoco (WaveLAN) products by Lucent

Technology Netherlands in 2000. Starting with only two models for use on

the initial external antennas, today Aliner´s MC Card coax connector range

has grown to encompass a complete line of more than a dozen products that

are also used outside of their originally intended market.

“Over the past 6 years, my team of machine masters and process engineers

has been able to shrink the MC Card connector by 20% overall from the first

drawing”, said Aliner chief manufacturing co-ordinator, Kun Mu Chen. “Due

to customer´s wide acceptance of this connector, we now have three types of

RF antenna switches plus straight/right angle plugs and jacks for all

popular cable sizes”.

Due to their miniature sizes, the MC Card series offer design engineers the

benefits of short mating distance, snap-on coupling and superior RF

characteristics for compact, high-density electronic packages. All the

company´s MC Card switch connectors feature minimal board height, from

3.6mm (edge launch) to 7.6mm (PCB mount) and mate with an audible ´ding´

sound emphasising reliable engagement of this particular connector type.

Due to the strong growth in 802.11 WLAN, GPS and Bluetooth, companies are

now taking advantage of an alternative connector choice to MMCX if they

require stronger/consistent rotational torque and higher mating durability.

More specifically, customers who desire greater product differentiation

often opt for the use of patented MC Card connectors, says the company.

Available in PCB/edge mount, surface mount and mating cable ends, all the

50ohm connectors in the series are all in compliance with RoHS requirements,

delivering VSWR less than 1.35, insertion loss of -0.28dB and durability of

greater than 3000 mating cycles.