High-Speed Connectors for State-of-the-Art Medical Technology
In medical technology, microcomputers and embedded systems perform critical functions, such as real-time image processing in diagnostic devices. When it comes to their reliability, precision, and safety, ept’s board-to-board connectors are a key component responsible for the mechanical and electrical connection of system modules. Ensuring reliable data processing and transmission is essential so that diagnostic data can provide a sound basis for medical decisions.
Requirements of Medical Technology for Joining Technologies
Depending on the type, complexity, and network technology used, the data transmission rates required for modern medical devices vary considerably. From simple measurements such as blood pressure and temperature to high-resolution radiology images—the requirements for bandwidth, latency, and transmission rates differ depending on the intended application. Trends such as 5G (6G), AI, quantum communication, edge computing, and fog computing demand not only the highest signal integrity but also data transmission rates of 25 Gbit/s and higher.
Another aspect of medical device design is the complexity and integration density of modern applications, which continue to increase the number of functionalities and communication modules. The result is an ever-increasing component density within a minimal footprint, where multiple printed circuit boards (PCBs) often must be connected in the tightest of spaces—miniaturization is clearly essential.
In addition, state-of-the-art medical devices demand the highest level of robustness: vibration resistance, shock resistance, and long-term contact reliability must be guaranteed. In environments such as those found in mobile medical devices, these connections must be particularly secure and durable. Added to this are EMC design considerations to ensure maximum immunity to interference without failures.
Another aspect of medical device design is the complexity and integration density of modern applications, which continue to increase the number of functionalities and communication modules. The result is an ever-increasing component density within a minimal footprint, where multiple printed circuit boards (PCBs) often must be connected in the tightest of spaces—miniaturization is clearly essential.
In addition, state-of-the-art medical devices demand the highest level of robustness: vibration resistance, shock resistance, and long-term contact reliability must be guaranteed. In environments such as those found in mobile medical devices, these connections must be particularly secure and durable. Added to this are EMC design considerations to ensure maximum immunity to interference without failures.
High Speed and EMC in Medical Devices
Medical imaging systems such as CT scanners, MRI machines, and digital X-ray machines process up to 25 Gbit/s of image and patient data in real time. The same applies to telemedicine and remote monitoring applications. Similarly, surgical robotics requires the real-time transmission of images and control commands between the surgeon’s console and the robotic system. High-resolution endoscopy, as well as implantable devices and patient monitoring systems, are other fields that rely on data transmission but also place a high priority on EMC design aspects to ensure immunity to interference and patient safety.
Other trends, such as the rise of multi-source sensor technology and increasingly interconnected systems, demand fast, reliable, and secure data transmission across various interfaces—a factor that applies particularly to medtech devices. Signal integrity plays a crucial role in these applications, where highly precise and reliable data is paramount. Constant currents and accurate data are essential for ensuring the functional safety, reliability, and efficiency of the devices. High bit rates—sometimes transmitted over long distances—can be so severely compromised by interference such as noise, (feedback) loss, distortion, and crosstalk that errors occur and devices fail.
Other trends, such as the rise of multi-source sensor technology and increasingly interconnected systems, demand fast, reliable, and secure data transmission across various interfaces—a factor that applies particularly to medtech devices. Signal integrity plays a crucial role in these applications, where highly precise and reliable data is paramount. Constant currents and accurate data are essential for ensuring the functional safety, reliability, and efficiency of the devices. High bit rates—sometimes transmitted over long distances—can be so severely compromised by interference such as noise, (feedback) loss, distortion, and crosstalk that errors occur and devices fail.
Board-to-board connectors as signal transmitters
For these conditions, the ept Colibri SMT connector for COM Express applications is the ideal choice: With its optimized contact design and performance exceeding 25 Gbit/s, it meets all the requirements of medical devices.
Eye diagrams in signal integrity analysis (jitter, eye height, and eye width) confirm signal integrity in high-speed data transmission systems, particularly in conjunction with connectors and transmission channels. In addition, the connector boasts exceptionally high market availability.
The versatile features of the Colibri connector system make it ideal for virtually all areas of modern medical technology, including diagnostic imaging, patient monitoring, defibrillators, therapeutic devices, and robotics. The Colibri connector from ept is the right choice for any type of high-speed application, including COM Express and Mezzanine board-to-board systems with data transfer rates for 10-Gigabit Ethernet and PCI Express Gen3. Even 25-Gigabit Ethernet and PCI Express Gen4 can be transmitted effortlessly.
One advantage of mounting a COM module on a carrier board is reduced development time and costs. In addition, the product lifecycle can be flexibly extended: The system can be easily upgraded by mounting newer, higher-performance COM Express® modules onto the existing carrier board.
Eye diagrams in signal integrity analysis (jitter, eye height, and eye width) confirm signal integrity in high-speed data transmission systems, particularly in conjunction with connectors and transmission channels. In addition, the connector boasts exceptionally high market availability.
The versatile features of the Colibri connector system make it ideal for virtually all areas of modern medical technology, including diagnostic imaging, patient monitoring, defibrillators, therapeutic devices, and robotics. The Colibri connector from ept is the right choice for any type of high-speed application, including COM Express and Mezzanine board-to-board systems with data transfer rates for 10-Gigabit Ethernet and PCI Express Gen3. Even 25-Gigabit Ethernet and PCI Express Gen4 can be transmitted effortlessly.
One advantage of mounting a COM module on a carrier board is reduced development time and costs. In addition, the product lifecycle can be flexibly extended: The system can be easily upgraded by mounting newer, higher-performance COM Express® modules onto the existing carrier board.
Conclusion
The importance of selecting the right connector for a high-speed application should not be underestimated. As described here, there are many concurrent requirements, particularly in the medical technology sector. Which mechanical or electrical properties the board-to-board connectors must meet, or how the connector’s terminal configuration is designed—these are all intricate details that can be decisive in the selection process, pin by pin.
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please contact us.
Submit an inquiry via the form
: +1 (806) 304-0402
sales@eptusa.com