Connector Geek David Pike speaks with Samtec’s Keith Guetig and Andy Shrout about high-speed data cables.
The need for reliable, high-speed connectivity is vital to meet the insatiable demand for bandwidth. Keith and Andy discuss how high-speed cable assemblies can play a key role in achieving signal integrity in these cutting-edge systems.
We all seem to want more these days. When it comes to the speed of our electronic communication, we always want more data, delivered more quickly. As communication becomes ever-faster, an understanding of signal integrity is vital, especially the role that cables play in maintaining it.
Samtec has recently released the second edition of the Signal Integrity Handbook. This much-awaited publication is trusted by SI professionals across the electronics industry, and I decided to find out more.
The SI handbook is a fantastic resource for busy engineers. The world of SI is packed with some complex physics, but the SI handbook walks you through the subject. It starts from first principles with definitions and descriptions of the core physics involved in signal integrity. It walks the reader through many of the acronyms and technical terms related to high-speed signals.
The handbook is a huge help for the reader with the potentially daunting task of selecting the right connector for their system. Of equal importance is the task of designing the printed circuit board (PCB) onto which the connector will be mounted. The design and routing of the traces on the PCB has a significant impact on the performance of the entire signal chain, and Samtec has drawn upon some of the leading experts in the field to provide advice and best practice.
Cable design also plays a big part in ensuring signal integrity. To find out more about this fascinating topic, I recently had the opportunity to talk to two of the experts behind Samtec’s range of high-speed cable products. My interview guests, Keith Guetig and Andy Shrout, were able to give me an excellent introduction to the subject of cable signal integrity, and the technology that Samtec is developing to deliver the best possible performance.
Source: Samtec
