1.0 mm Solderless End-Launch Connectors: A Practical Guide For Clean Results At 110 GHz
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Why 1.0 mm still matters
The 1.0 mm interface enables coax measurements up to 110 GHz and remains a common choice at the fixture edge in W-band labs. When the goal is repeatable high-frequency bring-up, the connector and the launch geometry do the heavy lifting.
Why go solderless at the board edge
Above roughly 50 GHz, small mechanical differences start to look like electrical errors. A solderless end-launch removes the solder fillet from the transition and presents a precision pin directly to the trace. You gain serviceability and repeatability. Mount, inspect, re-mount without heat. The connector will not fix poor geometry, but it reduces variables so you can iterate faster.
What a clean launch looks like at 110 GHz
- Controlled geometry at the edge. The 50 Ω CPWG or microstrip meets the 1.0 mm pin cleanly with the vendor's land pattern and keep-outs.
- Ground via fence. Place ground vias closely around the launch per the footprint guidance. A common rule of thumb is spacing on the order of a small fraction of a wavelength at the highest frequency. Always validate with EM on your specific stack-up
- Short, symmetric transitions. Avoid stubs and gaps near the pin. Keep the board edge straight and burr-free.
- Assembly discipline. Align the body carefully, tighten to the specified torque, and log the torque wrench setting.
Bring-up workflow that works
- Calibrate for the band of interest.
- Mount and torque per the drawing.
- Verify S11 first to localize the launch quality.
- Take a short S21 through a known coupon or mated pair to see cumulative impact.
- Photograph the setup and save plots for revision control. This makes mechanical tweaks data driven.
Two mechanical styles, one RF intent
Your internal pair targets the same RF outcome, but serve different build paths:
- 1.0-KFD1223. Flange-mount body with field-replaceable contact. Good when you want bolted alignment and straightforward service on fixtures or panels.
- 1.0-KFD1523. Classic end-launch that terminates on the PCB. Minimal hardware and a small footprint when space is tight.
Pick based on how you assemble, how you service, and how often you expect to re-mount.
Spec targets to sanity-check
- Frequency. DC to 110 GHz operation is standard for 1.0 mm in this class. Confirm the usable bandwidth and any mode-free notes from the vendor.
- Impedance and match. 50 Ω target. Typical well-built fixtures show low VSWR in the upper mmWave band. Your actual VSWR depends on stack-up, launch geometry, and assembly.
- Mechanicals. Substrate thickness range, pin height, hole pattern, and torque are not interchangeable between vendors. Use the drawing. Do not rely on memory.
Where these parts actually live
You will see 1.0 mm solderless launches on evaluation boards and fixtures for test and measurement, in RF communications R&D well past 70 GHz, and in aerospace, defense, and semiconductor labs where mechanical stability and re-mount repeatability are as important as absolute bandwidth. They also show up in high-speed digital SI fixtures when the board edge must preserve bandwidth and keep reflections out of the eye.
Operator's short checklist
- Band and mode-free target.
- Substrate thickness and footprint match.
- VSWR and IL on your stack-up, not just catalog curves.
- Torque plan and alignment you can repeat.
- Access for inspect and re-mount without reflow.
If you only remember one thing
Solderless 1.0 mm end-launch is about control and repeatability. Get the geometry right, follow the drawing, verify with S11 first, then iterate quickly. The faster you can mount-measure-adjust, the sooner you get a clean launch at 110 GHz.
