Dennis, There are other BGA style connectors (like the FCI MegArray) from Advanced Interconnect (B2B), Samtec (SamArray), and Teradyne (NexLev). All these connectors have eutectic "BGA" solderballs. The reliability of the connectors is generally based upon the CTE mis-match between the connector body and the PWB substrate material you are soldering to. The larger the mis-match, the lower the reliability. The FCI MegArray has typically used in consumer applications, mostly PC laptops, so long term reliability (over 5 years) in harsh environments is not generally a concern. These BGA style connectors are as easy to assembly as BGA's, however the leads still cannot be inspected except by x-ray or a side-view microscope (like an ERSAScope). Howard A. Cyker Lucent Technologies Email [log in to unmask] Phone 978-960-2964 -----Original Message----- From: Dennis Manowski [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Friday, February 09, 2001 11:23 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [TN] (TN) BGA area array connectors - how reliable? Dear TechNetters, For a new high speed design, I'm told that I must design in an area array connector like the FCI-Berg Meg Array which has 8 rows of 30 contacts per row on a 1.27mm pitch and solder ball terminations just like a BGA. The FCI-Berg Meg Array is the only connector I have seen that has the solder ball terminations. Other connector manufacturers have similar area array connectors but no BGA solder ball contacts, they have conventional plated SMT contact leads. My question is; Will the FCI BGA connector provide better reliability or processing advantages over a similar area array connector (one where you cannot visually inspect the solder joints) that does not have a solder ball to solder to, rather a conventional stamped and plated SMT contact lead? __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail - only $35 a year! http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- Technet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8d To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt delivery of Technet send the following message: SET Technet NOMAIL Search previous postings at: www.ipc.org > On-Line Resources & Databases > E-mail Archives Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8d To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt delivery of Technet send the following message: SET Technet NOMAIL Search previous postings at: www.ipc.org > On-Line Resources & Databases > E-mail Archives Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------