Molex has introduced Cardinal Multi-Port High-Frequency Coaxial Assemblies, expanding its Cardinal coaxial assembly family to support frequencies up to 145 GHz. Molex says the assemblies are designed for multi-channel signal routing in dense test environments, with the goal of validating next-generation AI-driven architectures and 6G wireless infrastructure while maintaining signal integrity and return-loss performance.
The company says the assemblies provide phase-matched, high-precision connectivity up to 145 GHz, targeting scalable test setups for high-speed datacom, 5G and 6G, mmWave radar, and other advanced applications. Molex also reports the assemblies are optimized for minimal insertion loss and “superior return loss” at extreme frequencies, and can support data characterization rates up to 448 Gbps.
“The expansion to 145 GHz represents a natural evolution of the Cardinal product line, which was built to solve the growing need for increased port density without compromising signal integrity,” said Roman Buff, General Manager, RF, Molex. “This new high-speed solution integrates high-frequency contact technology in the Cardinal multi-port housing, empowering engineers to bridge the gap from AI to 6G and test the silicon of tomorrow using the infrastructure of today.”
Molex positions the multi-port design as a way to enable simultaneous, high-density testing in a compact footprint and reduce testing cycles and total cost of ownership. The company says it consolidates multiple radio-frequency (RF) connectors into a single multi-port housing, and uses compression-mounted, solderless printed circuit board (PCB) attachment to reduce installation and rework time. Molex adds that the approach is intended to provide an upgrade path from 110 GHz testing to 145 GHz capability.
Molex says the assemblies are rated for reliable performance over 500 cycles in applications that involve frequent connector mating and unmating. It also says the high-density PCB connector minimizes board real estate, enabling smaller evaluation boards to reduce costs. The 145 GHz assemblies are available now, joining existing 67 GHz and 110 GHz Precision Coaxial Assemblies, with connector options including vertical, right-angle, and edge-mount PCB terminations, plus multi-port configurations including 1×4, 1×8, and 2×8.
Source: Molex
