Bandwidth requirements in data centers, edge computing, and industrial automation are rising faster than the board space available to support them, and the equipment running these workloads often has to keep performing in conditions that are anything but gentle. That combination puts unusual strain on interconnects, which is precisely the segment TE Connectivity is targeting with its 56G MezzaWave family of connectors and cable assemblies.
An open-pin-field platform for next-generation modularity
The defining feature of the family is an open-pin-field array architecture rated for data rates up to 56 Gbps PAM4. Unlike a fixed pin arrangement, this layout gives engineers control over how signal routing and grounding are arranged on the board, which is what makes the connectors suitable for modular systems that need to evolve over time rather than being locked into one configuration.
Eighteen connectors, two cable assemblies
TE rounds out the family with 18 distinct connector part numbers, covering pin counts from 80 to 560, stack heights from 7mm to 10mm, and a shared 1.27mm pitch. For board layouts where stacking directly isn't feasible, two cable assembly options take over instead: a 300-position version and a 160-position version, both built on 36 AWG cable with a 50 ohm signal path.
Power handling is folded into the connector hardware itself rather than requiring separate components. Each connector carries dedicated pins rated for 1.6A, so a system needs fewer discrete parts to deliver power alongside its data signals.
Lower switching costs, lower manufacturing costs
Two separate cost levers come into play once a system is in production. The connectors are drop-in compatible with existing parts, so a hardware refresh doesn't force a board redesign. That alone cuts down on engineering hours when upgrading a system. Separately, because the connectors are built on BGA (ball grid array) technology, manufacturing tends to come with its own cost advantage, independent of any design-reuse savings.
Engineered for harsh-environment durability
Mechanically, the connectors are rated to withstand 1,000 mating cycles before performance degrades, and they're built to function across a -55°C to +125°C range, wide enough to cover most industrial and ruggedized deployment scenarios. On the standards side, the family carries VITA 57.1 FMC and VITA 57.4 FMC+ certification, so it slots into existing FPGA mezzanine card ecosystems without compatibility issues.
Where to find it
For specifications, datasheets, and ordering information:
DigiKey: TE Connectivity 5G Network Solutions
TE Connectivity: 56G MezzaWave Connectors
