C&K Develops Comprehensive Range of Smart Card Connectors for Mobile, PoS and GPS Applications

(Product News, 23 Nov 2009)

C&K Components has developed a comprehensive range of smart card connectors. Featuring high temperature thermoplastics and compatibility with automatic pick-and-place equipment, the CCM01 and CCM02 Series smart card connectors are designed for full size ID1 cards, while the CCM03 Series connectors are designed for SIM/SAM ID000 cards. The CCM04 Series devices are compatible with both ID1 and SIM/SAM ID000 cards.

"As a long established supplier of smart card connectors, we have extensive experience matching performance with the need to remain cost sensitive, which is particularly important in consumer electronics applications," said Jerome Smolinski, senior product manager for C&K Components. "We consider the true cost of the interconnect to be a function not just of price, but also the ease with which the device can be integrated into the customer's production process and its performance in the field."

The smart card connectors are ideal for use in transaction, identification and PoS (point-of-sale) applications, as well as handheld devices and GPS units.

The CCM01 and CCM02 Series devices feature a sealed, normally open card detection switch and a chamfered opening in the card entry slot to improve the card guidance. Maximum card insertion force is 10N and contact force ranges from 0.25N to 0.5N. Minimum mechanical life for the 8-contact CCM01 Series connector is 100,000 cycles. The 8-contact CCM02 Series connector also features an anti-piracy system and has a minimum mechanical life of 500,000 cycles.

The compact CCM03 and CCM04 Series smart card connectors are available with 6 or 8 contacts and feature hinged, fixed or auto-locked covers. The CCM03 Series devices exhibit a minimum mechanical life of 10,000 cycles for the hinged cover and 50,000 cycles for the fixed cover. Card insertion force is 1N for the hinged cover and 3N for the fixed cover, while contact force ranges from 0.25N to 0.5N. The CCM04 Series connectors feature a minimum mechanical life of 100,000 cycles. Maximum card insertion force is 10N, and contact force ranges from 0.25N to 0.5N.