Latest news on 3G mobile phone connectors

Mobile phone connectors are important electronic components in mobile phones, and their quality directly affects the quality and reliability of their use. The vast majority of after-sales quality issues with mobile phones are also related to connectors. The types of connectors used in mobile phones vary slightly depending on the product, with an average usage of about 5-9. The product types can be divided into internal FPC connectors and board to board connectors, external I/O connectors, as well as battery, SIM card connectors, CameraSocket, etc.

Affected by the market demand for 3G mobile phones and smartphones, the current development direction of mobile phone connectors is low height, small pitch, multifunctionality, good electromagnetic compatibility, and the coexistence of standardization and customization.

FPC connector

FPC connectors are used for connecting LCD displays to driver circuits (PCBs). Currently, 0.4mmtitch products are the main ones, and 0.3mmtitch products are also widely used. With the recent trend of integrating LCD drivers into LCD devices, the pin count of FPC will correspondingly decrease, and related products have already appeared in the market. From a longer-term perspective, FPC connectors are expected to be integrated with other mobile phone components into the frame of the phone or its LCD module in the future.

Board to board connector

The development trend of board to board connectors in mobile phones is that the pin spacing and height are getting smaller and smaller. Currently, 0.4mm patch is mainly used, and it will gradually develop to 0.35mm or even smaller. In the future, lower height and shielding effect will be required. At the same time, the height of BTB (board to board connector) gradually decreases to 0.9mm.

I/O connector

I/O connectors are one of the most important entry and exit channels in mobile phones, including the connection of power and signal parts. The reduction of volume and product standardization will be the main directions for future development. Nowadays, circular and MiniUSB connectors are commonly used. MicroUSB connectors for mobile phones have gradually become standardized under the promotion of the European Union and the GSM Association. The current mainstream market is 5pin. Due to the different mobile phone manufacturers' solutions, there is a trend of combining standardization and customization of MicroUSB connectors. At the same time, headphone plug connectors have also shown the same development trend. In 2012, MicroUSB will be mainly used as the standard charging interface abroad, and mobile phone manufacturers such as Nokia, Moto, and SEMC have begun to take substantial steps. Further requirements include thinner connectors, visual effects, and waterproof functionality.

Card connector

The card connectors are mainly 6pin SIM card connectors and T-flash connectors. The future development direction is mainly to improve the shielding function and thickness of the SIM card connector, achieving a minimum ultra-low thickness of 0.50mm. At the same time, the card connector products are oriented towards multifunctional development, and the market has seen the emergence of SIM card connector+T-flash connector 2-in-1 products.

Battery connector

Battery connectors can be divided into spring type and switch type. The technological trends of battery connectors mainly include miniaturization, new battery interfaces, low contact impedance, and high connection reliability.

In terms of CameraSocket connectors, foreign manufacturers such as Nokia widely use them. CameraSocket connectors can provide good electromagnetic shielding for camera modules, making it easy to repair them. Standardization and customization will coexist in the future. At the same time, in the production and testing process of mobile phone connectors, the requirements for plug resistance and electromagnetic compatibility of connector products have been raised.