SMPX
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SMPX Multiport Interconnect Ecosystem
High-density, high-performance interconnects from DUT to instrument up to 110 GHz and 32 channels/ports on a 2.54 mm pitch.
SMPX is a complete multiport interconnect ecosystem combining solderless, blind-mate board-mount connectors with field-replaceable cable assemblies. Primarily based on high-performance coaxial technology, the platform also supports Twinax configurations for applications requiring differential signaling. Available in vertical and edge-launch configurations, SMPX brings high-frequency connectivity directly to the DUT while minimizing PCB trace length and maintaining signal integrity.
Cable assemblies can break out to SMPX, 1.00 mm, or 1.85 mm interfaces, with customizable configurations and phase matching down to ±0.15 ps in pairs. Standard configurations range from 2 to 32 channels, providing a scalable connection from the DUT to test equipment.
Board mount connector
Solderless, vertical or edge launch, 2 to 32 channels on 2.54 mm pitch.
Ganged cable assembly
Blind-mates to the connector and locks with two captive thumbscrews.
Precision breakout
Precision 1.00 mm, 1.85 mm, or a second SMPX ganged interface.
Board Mount Connectors
High-density, blind-mateable, solderless PCB connectivity.
SMPX board mount connectors bring high-frequency coax directly to the PCB in a compact 2.54 mm pitch, supporting up to 32 channels while minimizing DUT proximity and PCB trace length. The solderless, field-replaceable design enables fast installation, repeatable connections, and connector replacement without soldering or PCB rework.
Available in Vertical Mount and Edge Launch configurations, SMPX adapts to different PCB layouts while maintaining the same high-performance interface from DC to 110 GHz. Both configurations mate with the SMPX cable assembly family for a scalable, high-density interconnect solution.
- Blind-mate
- Solderless
- Field-replaceable
- High density
- Minimal DUT proximity
- 2.54 mm pitch
- DC–110 GHz
- Smooth bore
Vertical Mount — Standard Offering
1×2 Vertical
MLBMC-SMPXBMVSB12
1×4 Vertical
MLBMC-SMPXBMVSB14
1×8 Vertical
MLBMC-SMPXBMVSB18
1×16 Vertical
MLBMC-SMPXBMVSB116
1×32 Vertical
MLBMC-SMPXBMVSB132
2×8 Vertical
MLBMC-SMPXBMVSB28HF00
Edge Launch — Standard Offering
1×2 Edge
MLBMC-SMPXBMESB12
1×4 Edge
MLBMC-SMPXBMESB14
1×4 TRP Edge
MLBMC-SMPXBMESB14TRP
1×8 Edge
MLBMC-SMPXBMESB18
1×16 Edge
MLBMC-SMPXBMESB116
1×32 Edge
MLBMC-SMPXBMESB132
2×8 is available in vertical mount only. 1×4 TRP is available in edge launch only.
Download Edge Launch DatasheetApplication Benefits
High Density
2.54 mm pitch centre to centre — up to thirty-two channels on one interface.
DUT Proximity
19.81 mm minimum trace from DUT to SMPX pin, typical — a shorter launch to de-embed.
Gentle on PCB
Compression contact, not solder — for reliability and repeatability across the life of the fixture.
Low Profile
19.84 mm mated stack height above the board — vertical mount connector with cable assembly fitted.
Low-profile height applies to the vertical mount connector mated with a cable assembly. Edge launch presents a different envelope — see the technical datasheet.
Cable Assemblies
Ganged, blind-mate, phase-matched — high-density connectivity from the board to the instrument.
SMPX cable assemblies combine multiple flexible coaxial channels into a single ganged interface, supporting 2 to 32 channels in a compact, field-replaceable configuration. Blind-mate connection enables fast, repeatable installation, while customizable cable lengths and phase matching down to ±0.15 ps in pairs support demanding high-speed measurement applications.
Available in SMPX-to-Precision and SMPX-to-SMPX configurations, assemblies can break out to 1.00 mm or 1.85 mm precision interfaces, or connect directly to another SMPX interface for board-to-board and fixture-to-fixture applications. With >5,000 mating cycles, SMPX cable assemblies are built for repeated use in demanding test environments.
- Blind-mate
- Field-replaceable
- Phase-matched ±0.15 ps
- Customizable lengths
- Easy installation
Ganged Enclosures — Standard Offering
SMPX 1×2
2 channels
SMPX 1×4
4 channels
SMPX 1×4 TRP
4 channels · compact form factor
SMPX 1×8
8 channels
SMPX 2×8
16 channels · two-row stacked
SMPX 1×16
16 channels
SMPX 1×32
32 channels
Available matched in pairs down to ±0.15 ps — a 0.3 ps window across the pair — where skew is part of the measurement. Standard assemblies are supplied to ≤ 1.0 ps match.
Breakout options, materials, measured insertion loss by length and frequency, and mating instructions are given in the technical datasheet.
SMPX Inside the Box
Extend SMPX connectivity from the PCB to the instrument panel.
SMPX cable assemblies can be configured for internal instrument routing, carrying high-frequency signals from the board, through the chassis, to panel-mounted interfaces. This allows the same high-density interconnect architecture to extend beyond the DUT and into the instrument, while maintaining signal integrity and simplifying system integration.
Panel-mount assemblies can be custom configured to the instrument, including cable lengths, routing, panel interfaces, and termination configurations. SMPX adapts to the enclosure and system architecture rather than forcing the instrument design around the interconnect.
- Panel mount termination
- Chassis routing
- Built to your enclosure
Applications
High-density interconnects for demanding test and measurement applications.
SMPX is designed for applications where signal integrity, channel density, and repeatable connectivity are critical. Its compact, solderless architecture brings high-frequency interfaces close to the DUT while providing scalable multi-channel connectivity from the device to the test system.
A 1×8 SMPX harness breaking a DUT out to the 1.00 mm ports of a multiport VNA, alongside a load board and a 1×16 assembly.
Test & measurement
Connect high-channel-count DUTs to VNAs, BERTs, TDRs, sampling oscilloscopes, and other high-frequency test equipment through 1.00 mm, 1.85 mm, or SMPX interfaces. Phase-matched cable pairs support demanding differential measurements, while the compact DUT interface helps preserve signal integrity for high-speed characterization and validation.
Automated test equipment
Scale test interfaces from a few channels to 32 channels while keeping the fixture compact. Field-replaceable board and cable interfaces simplify maintenance and support repeated connection cycles in demanding production test environments.
Semiconductor characterization
Minimize the distance between the DUT and high-frequency coax interface with compact vertical and edge-launch configurations. The 2.54 mm pitch enables high channel density while helping reduce PCB trace length and preserve signal integrity.
Why SMPX here
- Blind-mate — guided alignment for fast, repeatable connections.
- Low DUT proximity — short launches help minimize PCB trace length and de-embedding requirements.
- High density — 2.54 mm pitch with up to 32 channels in a single interface.
- Solderless & field-replaceable — install, remove, and replace without soldering or PCB rework.
Development Kits
Evaluate SMPX performance and validate your interface before committing it to your design.
SMPX development kits provide a ready-to-test combination of board mount connectors, evaluation boards, and matching cable assemblies, giving engineers a practical platform to characterize the SMPX interface and validate its PCB footprint.
Designed for high-frequency measurement and signal integrity evaluation, the kits support launch characterization, de-embedding, and interface validation before integrating SMPX into a custom fixture, test system, or production design.
SMPX Twinax Solutions
High-density Twinax connectivity for high-speed differential signaling.
SMPX Twinax cable assemblies extend the SMPX ecosystem to applications where differential signaling is the preferred architecture. Twinax transmission provides low-skew signal paths with improved immunity to environmental interference, supporting reliable signal integrity in demanding high-speed applications.
Built around the same high-density SMPX multiport platform, Twinax assemblies provide scalable channel configurations while maintaining the SMPX approach to compact, flexible system integration. Custom configurations are available to meet specific channel count, cable length, and system requirements.
Ordering & Resources
Ready to specify a part?
Full part-number structure, port counts, lengths, breakout options and phase-match codes are given in the How to Order section of each technical datasheet below.