FALCOS

Status

Completed
Status date

2020-08-13
Activity Code

5C.331

Objectives

The objective is to identify the technology that offers the best potential to accomplish the realization of a SMA compatible fast locking connector for cable assemblies and establish a complete and self-consistent set of technical requirements for the development.
The targeted improvements are to achieve TRL level 5 and to get an increased layout density for payload equipment in the order of 20% together with up to 30% reduction in assembly, integration and testing (AIT) time of payloads.

Challenges

Today SMA connectors are tightened to a specific torque using a torque wrench by AIT operators during the integration phase. The need to have sufficient space to access these connectors and to use a torque wrench requires a specific area around the connectors to be reserved in the interface design. The challenge is to remove the need to use a wrench to increase freedom in the design of the equipment interfaces and locations.

Benefits

The benefits of this SMA fast connector are:

More speed to assembly due to Push-Pull mechanism (self-locking);
higher packaging density, since tooling is not required;
no requirement for torque spanner for high, defined contact force;
higher contact force;
excellent electrical characteristics (intermodulation, return loss, contact reliability);
higher mating cycles;
resistance to the stresses caused by a satellite launcher;
resistance to use in space environment.