Ironwood Electronics SG-MLF User Manual User Manual
Page 2
Rev A, JC, 5/12/03 Rev. C, JG, 5/25/07
Tel: (800) 404-0204
Fax: (952) 229-8201
www.ironwoodelectronics.com
GHz QFN Socket User Manual
Selecting QFN socket:
You need to have the IC package drawing ready to select the correct QFN socket. Go to
www.ironwoodelectronics.com
. Select “Products” link, then under “Browse” menu, select
“GHz BGA & QFN socket” link. In the table, select the part number that corresponds to your IC
size X & Y (mm), pitch (mm), and I/O pin count. You will see another frame on the top showing
socket price and links to PDF and JPEG files.
The JPEG file shows a picture of the socket. The PDF file will have three pages. The first page
shows the socket cross sectional views and material details. The second page shows the
recommended PCB layout (Note: QFN pads are not symmetrical to the mounting holes). The third
page shows the compatible QFN specification and QFN dimensions. Check the following
parameters.
1. IC size X & Y (mm).
2. Pitch (mm)
3. I/O pin count
If any of the above parameters do not match, check the table again and repeat the parameter check.
If none of the part numbers match your IC parameters, please call Ironwood Tech Support @1-
800-404-0204.
Socket mechanics:
GHz QFN sockets provide 10 GHz bandwidth in a small
cost effective ZIF socket for prototype and test
applications. The GHz QFN socket is a simple
mechanical socket based on an elastomer connector
technology. The GHz QFN socket is a solder-less socket
that can be directly mounted onto a PCB using bolts and
nuts. PCB should have mounting and alignment holes at
proper locations (see
pages 2 and 3 of the
drawing for
recommended PCB
layout information).
Typical GHz QFN
socket is 5mm larger
than the maximum IC size. If there are pre-existing holes in the
PCB, a GHz socket can be custom designed to accommodate
those holes (please call Ironwood Tech Support @1-800-404-
0204).
Figure 1 shows a typical GHz QFN socket. Elastomer is the contactor between the IC package and
the PCB. The Z-axis conductive elastomer used in the socket is a low-resistance (<0.01
Ω
)
connector. Figure 2 shows a SEM picture of the elastomer. The elastomer used for high density
Figure 2: GHz QFN Socket
Figure 1: SEM Picture of
Elastomer