I-PEX Enterprise Solutions

I-PEX-Enterprise-Solution_Header-banner.png

Contents:

1. Background of I-PEX developed products for the enterprise market

2. DUALINE® & LEAPWIRE® 

3. Transmission distance comparison of PCB vs. I-PEX LEAPWIRE® (Twinax cable)

4. Co-Packaging Trend

5. MEZZTRACK™ Product Introduction

6. DUALINE® 195-HB Product Introduction

7. DUALINE® 110-VB-M Product Introduction

8. DUALINE® 130-HB-D Product Introduction

9. CABLINE®-CAP Paddle Harness Solution Product Introduction

10. CABLINE®-CA IIP Plus Paddle Harness Solution Product Introduction

 

1. Background of I-PEX developed products for the enterprise market

In recent years, infrastructure telecommunication, such as servers and switches, have become increasingly faster in the enterprise market.
The challenge is that conventional PCB trace transmission has large insertion losses with limited transmission distance. 
A co-package system also faces the challenge of high-density packaging. I-PEX has begun development of our new LEAPWIRE®/DUALINE® series 112 Gbps PAM4 using high-speed twinax cables and  MEZZTRACK™ series 112 Gbps PAM4 board-to-board connection and 64Gbps PAM4 with paddle card harness solutions to solve these problems. These products will be used for transmission between chips inside equipment and connection to I/O connectors.

leapwire

 

2. DUALINE® & LEAPWIRE®

DUALINE®

DUALINE® series is the name of I-PEX's twinax cable connectors suitable for high-speed transmission.

dualine-195-110

LEAPWIRE®

LEAPWIRE® is the name of the high-speed transmission jumper solution by I-PEX. 

800GQSFP-DD
800G QSFP-DD to DUALINE®195-HB harness assembly (112 Gbps PAM4)
800GQSFP-DDtoDUALINE110-VB-M
800G QSFP-DD to DUALINE®110-VB-M harness assembly (112Gbps PAM4)
(Max: 800G QSFP-DD x4ports)
400GQSFP-DDtoCABLINE-CAP
400G QSFP-DD to CABLINE®-CAP harness assembly (56Gbps PAM4)

 

Challenge

The problem is that the existing board transmission pattern (shown in Fig. 1) has high insertion loss in the PCB trace transmission. Also, because of the large connector size of the general jumper harness, the connector is placed far from the heat sink, and the I/O connector is connected through the board, resulting in a large transmission loss (shown in Fig. 2). In our proposed design (shown in Fig. 3), the connector height has a low profile, allowing for placement under the heat sink, putting it closer to the ASIC. Direct connection to I/O connectors is now possible, which helps reduce transmission loss. The small size of the connector also supports airflow measures. 

pcb-trace-transmission
(Fig. 1) PCB trace transmission

 

jumper-harness
(Fig. 2) Jumper harness transmission
dualine195hb
(Fig. 3) I-PEX LEAPWIRE® (DUALINE® 195-HB) Jumper harness transmission
connector-under-heat-sink
Image of connectors under heat sink
QSFP-DD-to-DUALINE195-HB
QSFP-DD to DUALINE®195-HB harness assembly

 

3. Transmission distance comparison of Low-Loss PCB (Dk3.7) vs I-PEX LEAPWIRE®(Twinax cable)

I-PEX LEAPWIRE® (Twinax Cable) can transmit approximately 10.3 times farther in the 28 GHz band than Low-Loss PCB(Dk3.7)transmission. 

low-loss-pcb-twinax.png

 

Test conditions

Low-transmission-loss board 
Permittivity: 3.7 
(* The permittivity of a general FR-4 board is about 4.7 to 5.0)

  • Transmission method: Differential transmission
  • Test equipment: Network analyzer Keysight technologies E5080B
  • Measured frequency : 10MHz~30GHz
  • Measured Position :1,2,3,4  (G,S,S,G)
harness-jumper

 

4. Co-Packaging Trend

Co-packaging is intended to address the challenges of bandwidth and power consumption. It is an advanced mixed-mounting technology that combines electronic components with an IC on a single substrate package. In the next step, it is envisioned that optics and electronic switching will be combined on a single substrate package. Reducing power consumption and thermal effects while reducing the footprint using this technology has become a challenge for the efficient support of high-speed networks. The system also allows the package itself to be replaced in the event of a failure, providing greater design flexibility. As previously mentioned, faster and more efficient transmission and higher density packaging are challenges. Smaller connectors and jumper solutions, which are capable of high-speed transmission, are needed.

co-packaging-trend

 

To solve the above issues, I-PEX developed three products for Enterprise Market.

 
MEZZTRACKTM
DUALINE® 195-HB
 DUALINE® 110-VB-M
DUALINE® 130-HB-D
CABLINE®-CAP Harness
CABLINE®-CA IIP PLUS Harness
Appearance
MEZZTRACK
DUALINE195
DUALINE110
DUALINE130
CABLINECAP
CABLINECAIIP
Connector type
Board-to-Board
Wire-to-Board
Wire-to-Board
Wire-to-Board
Wire-to-Board
Wire-to-Board
Mating type
Vertical
Horizontal
Vertical
Horizontal
Horizontal
Horizontal
Product Introduction Video
click-here.png
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-
-

 

5. MEZZTRACK™   Board-to-Board Connector product introduction

boardtoboardoptics-moduleoptics-btob

Product Features

  • Supports high-speed transmission such as 112 Gbps PAM4.
  • Proprietary contact design provides excellent isolation between differential pairs.
  • Low-profile design and small size H=1.5 mm、D=14.9 mm、W=13.6 mm  Supports Co-Package system

Product Specifications

Mating type
Vertical
Pitch
2.30 mm (Differential pair) *0.60 mm (Signal contacts)
Pin count
16 pin (Differential pair 4 x 4) + 40 pin (Low-speed signal)
Height
1.5 mm
Depth
14.9 mm
Width
13.6 mm
Operating Temperature
-40℃ ~ 85℃

Reference Data for Transmission Characteristic

plu-and-rec

 

Test results

 
Insertion Loss
 
Return Loss

 

MEZZInsertionLoss.png   MEZZReturnLoss.png
Unit[dB]
Minimum value 
up to 14GHz
Minimum value 
up to 28GHz
Unit[dB]
Maximum value 
up to 14GHz
Maximum value 
up to 28GHz
SDD14
-0.15
-0.25
SSD11
-30
-20
SDD25
-0.15
-0.25
SDD22
-30
-20
SDD36
-0.15
-0.25
SDD33
-30
-20
 
Near End Cross Talk
 
Far End Cross Talk

 

MEZZNearEndCT

  MEZZFarEndCT
Unit[dB]
Minimum value 
up to 14GHz
Minimum value 
up to 28GHz
Unit[dB]
Maximum value 
up to 14GHz
Maximum value 
up to 28GHz
SDD12
-65
-54
SSD15
-65
-59
SDD13
-74
-60
SDD16
-74
-61
SDD23
-74
-60
SDD26
-74
-61

These products are currently in the prototype stage.
Please note that product specifications are subject to change.
If you need samples, please contact us.

 

6. DUALINE® 195-HB Product Introduction

dualine195hb

 

Product Features

・Supports high-speed transmission, such as 112 Gbps PAM4
Uses Twinax Cable with excellent signal integrity performance
・Low-profile design (H=3.0 mm) and small size (D=11.0 mm W=40.0 mm)
H=3.0 mm Low-profile design allows it to be placed under the heat sink closer to the CPU, small size design also contributes to airflow measures inside equipment .
・Has mechanical lock to prevent un-mating
 

Product Specifications

Mating type
Horizontal
Pitch
1.95 mm (Differential pair) *0.4 mm (Signal contacts)
Pin count
32 pin (16 Differential pair)
Height
3.0 mm
Depth
11.0 mm
Width
40.0 mm
Cable
Twinax Cable AWG #32
Operating Temperature
-40℃ ~ 105℃

Reference Data for Transmission Characteristic

Test condition

  • Cable: Twinax Cable, AWG #32, Differential 92ohm
  • Cable length: 300 mm
  • Connector with both ends
DUALINE110testcondition1 DUALINE110testcondition2

 

 Test results

 
Insertion Loss
Return Loss

 

DUA195InsertionLoss.png DUA195ReturnLoss.png
Unit[dB]
Minimum value 
up to 14GHz
Minimum value 
up to 28GHz
Maximum value 
up to 14GHz
Maximum value 
up to 28GHz
Pair 7
-2.24
-3.43
-20.15
-16.39
Pair 8
-2.25
-3.46
-19.94
-15.85
 
Near End Cross Talk
Far End Cross Talk

 

DUALINE195NearEndCT

DUALINE195FarEndCT

Unit[dB]
Minimum value 
up to 14GHz
Minimum value 
up to 28GHz
Maximum value 
up to 14GHz
Maximum value 
up to 28GHz
Pair 7-8
-68.13
-56.04
-64.59
-53.71
These products are currently in the prototype stage.
Please note that product specifications are subject to change.
If you need samples, please contact us.

 

7. DUALINE® 110-VB-M Product Introduction

dualine-110-vb-m

Product Features

Supports high-speed transmission such as 112 Gbps PAM4
Uses Twinax Cable with excellent signal integrity performance
 
Supports Co-Package system. Small space-saving product for high-density mounting 
Multi-pin array, 64 pair (16 differential pair x 4 rows)

Product Specifications

Mating type
Vertical
Pitch
1.10 mm (Differential pair) *0.35 mm (Signal contacts)
Pin count
64 pair (16 pin Differential pair x 4) 
Height
2.77 mm
Depth
13.41 mm
Width
19.9 mm
Cable
Twinax cable AWG #32, 34
Operating Temperature
-40℃ ~ 85℃

Reference Data for Transmission Characteristic

Test condition

  • Cable: Twinax Cable, AWG #34, Differential 92ohm
  • Cable length: 300 mm
  • Connector with both ends
DUALINE110testcondition1 DUALINE110testcondition2

 

 Test results

 
Insertion Loss
Return Loss

 

DUA110InsertionLoss.png DUA110ReturnLoss.png
Unit[dB]
Minimum value 
up to 14GHz
Minimum value 
up to 28GHz
Maximum value 
up to 14GHz
Maximum value 
up to 28GHz
Pair 1
-3.25
-5.06
-20.68
-15.19
Pair 2
-3.21
-6.15
-19.15
-16.53
Pair 3
-3.29
-5.16
-20.9
-15.03
 
Near End Cross Talk
Far End Cross Talk

 

DUALINE110NearEndCT

DUALINE110FarEndCT

Unit[dB]
Minimum value 
up to 14GHz
Minimum value 
up to 28GHz
Maximum value 
up to 14GHz
Maximum value 
up to 28GHz
Pair 1-2
-59.74
-52.55
-65.6
-57.12
Pair 1-3
-75.97
-66.08
-76.71
-62.58
Pair 2-3
-59.93
-57.14
-66.12
-58.31
These products are currently in the prototype stage.
Please note that product specifications are subject to change.
If you need samples, please contact us.

 

8. DUALINE® 130-HB-D Product Introduction

DUALINE130

Product Features

  • Support high-speed transmission 112Gbps/lane PAM4
  • Double-row type, ideal for space-constrained applications
  • LEAPWIRE® jumper solution for Twinax cable

 Product Specifications

Mating type
Horizontal
Pitch
1.30 mm (Differential pair) *0.40 mm (Signal contacts)
Pin count
64 pin (16 Differential pair x 2 row = 32 pair) 
Height
3.10 mm
Depth
8.70 mm
Width
26.90 mm
Cable
Twinax cable AWG #34
Operating Temperature
-40℃ ~ 85℃

Reference Data for Transmission Characteristic

Test condition

  • Cable: Twinax Cable, AWG #34, Differential 92ohm
  • Cable length: 356 mm
  • Connector with both ends
DUALINE130test1 DUALINE130test2

 

Test results

 
Insertion Loss
Return Loss

 

06_frequency.jpg 05_frequency.jpg
Unit[dB]
Minimum value 
up to 14GHz
Minimum value 
up to 28GHz
Maximum value 
up to 14GHz
Maximum value 
up to 28GHz
Upper
-3.67
-5.57
-17.55
-13.38
Lower
-3.55
-5.33
-18.04
-16.60

 

 
Near End Cross Talk
Far End Cross Talk

 

DUALINE130NearEndCT

DUALINE130FarEndCT
Unit[dB]
Minimum value 
up to 14GHz
Minimum value 
up to 28GHz
Maximum value 
up to 14GHz
Maximum value 
up to 28GHz
Upper
-51.92
-48.64
-51.22
-44.55
Lower
-59.77
-50.91
-54.59
-50.34
These products are currently in the prototype stage.
Please note that product specifications are subject to change.
If you need samples, please contact us.

 

9. CABLINE®-CAP Paddle Card Harness Solution Product Introduction

CABLINECAP

Product Features

  • Support high-speed transmission 64Gbps/lane PAM4 using Paddle Card Technology
  • Low profile, ideal for space-constrained applications
  • LEAPWIRE® jumper solution for Micro-Coaxial cable

Product Specifications

Mating type
Horizontal
Pitch
0.40 mm
Pin count
50 pin (16 Differential pair) 
Height
1.15 mm Nom.  1.35 mm Max
Depth
6.86 mm
Width
25.75 mm
Operating Temperature
-40℃ ~ 85℃

Reference Data for Transmission Characteristic

Test condition

  • PLUG: CABLINE-CAP Paddle-card Harness
  • CABLE: L=250,500 mm (Micro-coax AWG #38, Diff 90ohm)
  • REC: CABLINE-CA RECE. ASS’Y
CABCAP1 CABCAP2

 

Test results

 
Insertion Loss
Return Loss

 

CABLINECAPInsertionLoss

CABLINECAPReturnLoss

Unit[dB]
Minimum value 
up to 16GHz/Unit [dB]
Maximum value 
up to 16GHz/Unit [dB]
L=500 mm
-10.31
-17.90
L=250 mm
-5.51
-16.04

 

 
Near End Cross Talk
Far End Cross Talk

 

CABLINECAPNearEndCT

CABLINECAPFarEndCT

Unit[dB]
Minimum value 
up to 16GHz/Unit [dB]
Maximum value 
up to 16GHz/Unit [dB]
L=500 mm
-38.32
-41.02
L=250 mm
-36.65
-36.61
If you need samples, please contact us.

 

10. CABLINE®-CA IIP Plus Paddle Card Harness Solution Product Introduction

CABLINECAIIPPLUS

Product Features

  • Support high-speed transmission 64Gbps/lane PAM4 using Paddle Card Technology
  • Low profile, ideal for space-constrained applications & with ZenShield® full shield cover
  • LEAPWIRE® jumper solution for Twinax cable & Micro-Coaxial cable

Product Specifications

Mating type

Horizontal

Pitch

1.20 mm (Differential pair)
*0.40 mm(Signal contacts)

Pin count 60 pin (19 Differential pair) 
Height 1.14 mm Nom.  1.30 mm Max
Depth 8.20 mm
Width 30.95 mm
Operating Temperature -40℃ ~ 85℃

Reference Data for Transmission Characteristic

Test condition

  • PLUG: CABLINE-CA IIP Plus Paddle-card Harness
  • CABLE: 
  • Test Sample 1: L=390mm (Twinax cable #34 Diff 85 ohm)
  • Test Sample 2: L=165mm (Micro-coaxial #38 Diff 85 ohm)
  • REC: CABLINE-CA II Plus RECE. ASS’Y
testsample1
Test sample 1
L=390mm
(Twinax cable #34 Diff 85 ohm)
testsample2
Test sample 2
L=165mm
(Micro-coaxial #38 Diff 85 ohm)
CABCAIIPPLUStestcondition1 CABCAIIPPLUStestcondition2

 

Test results with test sample 1

Insertion Loss
Return Loss
04_frequency.jpg 03_frequency.jpg
Minimum value 
up to 16GHz/Unit [dB]
Maximum value 
up to 16GHz/Unit [dB]
-4.522
-19.596
Near End Cross Talk
Far End Cross Talk
02_frequency.jpg

01_frequency_0.jpg

Minimum value 
up to 16GHz/Unit [dB]
Maximum value 
up to 16GHz/Unit [dB]
-36.276
-39.257

Test results with test sample 2

Insertion Loss
Return Loss

CABCAIIPPLUSInsertionLoss2

CABCAIIPPLUSReturnLoss2

Minimum value 
up to 16GHz/Unit [dB]
Maximum value 
up to 16GHz/Unit [dB]
-5.427
-20.144
Near End Cross Talk
Far End Cross Talk

CABCAIIPPLUSNearEndCT2

CABCAIIPPLUSFarEndCT2

Minimum value 
up to 16GHz/Unit [dB]
Maximum value 
up to 16GHz/Unit [dB]
-38.407
-40.104
These products are currently in the prototype stage.
Please note that product specifications are subject to change.
If you need samples, please contact us.
Check out I-PEX Enterprise Solutions for 112 Gbps PAM4 Applications. LEAPWIRE® (Twinax Cable), DUALINE® 195-HB, DUALINE® 110-VB-M, and MEZZTRACK™ (Optics or other mezzanine applications) are introduced in this video.
I-PEX connectors solutions for enterprise computing applications.
In recent years, infrastructure telecommunication, such as servers and switches, have become increasingly faster in the enterprise market. The challenge is that conventional PCB trace transmission have large insertion losses with limited transmission distance.  A co-package system also faces the challenge of high-density packaging. I-PEX has begun development of our new LEAPWIRE®/DUALINE® series 112 Gbps PAM4 using high-speed Twinax Cables and MEZZTRACK™ 112Gbps PAM4 board-to-board connection to solve these problems.