Tyco connectors target portable, handheld devices

Tyco Electronics, Elastomeric Technologies has developed the Gold STAX connectors that provide designers of portable and handheld devices with more flexibility over traditional mechanical stacking connectors in board-to-board interconnections.

Suitable for use in PDAs, test meters, medical monitoring devices, GPS units, radar detectors and digital camera modules, the Gold STAX is a zero-insertion-force connector that is composed of alternating layers of conductive and non-conductive silicone rubber that require no soldering. Interconnection is made by deflecting the elastomeric connector between mirror image pad patterns on mating substrates.

The connectors feature gold-coated particles embedded within a low durometer silicone that eliminates concerns over any potential corrosion of materials exposed to the environment. The devices also provide lower contact resistance between irregular surfaces than traditional compression-style connectors or wire-based elastomeric connectors.