Prototyping with a device having a pin connector with 0.05 inch spacing and with FFC devices

[Wil Limbacher]

I've got a GPS module that has a pin header, two rows, 20 pins total, .05"
centers. I'd like to find some way of bringing that over to a protoboard
with 0.1 in spacing. Anyone know of a way to do this? I've been searching
around on Digikey for anything that might work, but maybe I'm not using the
correct search terms. I can't seem to find even a suitable 20-pin female
connector with .05 spacing. I'm going to face a similar problem with an LCD
device that I'll be receiving: it has a 30-pin flat flexible connector that
I need to drive from my protoboard. People must face similar prototyping
problems all the time, so I'm guessing there are solutions out there. Thanks
for any help.

 

[Tim]

I've got a GPS module that has a pin header, two rows, 20 pins total, .05"
centers. I'd like to find some way of bringing that over to a protoboard
with 0.1 in spacing. Anyone know of a way to do this? I've been searching
around on Digikey for anything that might work, but maybe I'm not using the
correct search terms. I can't seem to find even a suitable 20-pin female
connector with .05 spacing. I'm going to face a similar problem with an LCD
device that I'll be receiving: it has a 30-pin flat flexible connector that
I need to drive from my protoboard. People must face similar prototyping
problems all the time, so I'm guessing there are solutions out there. Thanks
for any help.

I am familiar with two manufacturers of OEM GPS units (Trimble and Garmin)
and neither use that type of header (20 pin). What is the make and model the
GPS unit?

Could the connector be a metric? I find 1.25mm and 1.27mm (.05 inch)
connectors at Digi-Key. Search for "1.25 mm connector" or "1.27 mm
connector" (without the quotes).

Hope that helps.

Tim

 

[Tim]

I've got a GPS module that has a pin header, two rows, 20 pins total, .05"
centers. I'd like to find some way of bringing that over to a protoboard
with 0.1 in spacing. Anyone know of a way to do this? I've been searching
around on Digikey for anything that might work, but maybe I'm not using the
correct search terms. I can't seem to find even a suitable 20-pin female
connector with .05 spacing. I'm going to face a similar problem with an LCD
device that I'll be receiving: it has a 30-pin flat flexible connector that
I need to drive from my protoboard. People must face similar prototyping
problems all the time, so I'm guessing there are solutions out there. Thanks
for any help.

Are you certain it is not a 2mm connector? A search on Google show many GPS
units have 20 pin connectors (2 rows x 10 pins each), but almost all show
2mm pin spacing.

There are a lot of OEM GPS boards out there now!

Tim

 

[Wil Limbacher]

I am familiar with two manufacturers of OEM GPS units (Trimble and Garmin)
and neither use that type of header (20 pin). What is the make and model the
GPS unit?

Could the connector be a metric? I find 1.25mm and 1.27mm (.05 inch)
connectors at Digi-Key. Search for "1.25 mm connector" or "1.27 mm
connector" (without the quotes).

Hope that helps.

The GPS receiver is made by RoyalTek, the RGM-3000. I've searched under the
general category of 'connector' at DigiKey, then tried drilling down thru
"Headers and Receptacles", 20 pins, etc. Tried all the spacing categories of
..05, 1.25 mm, and 1.27mm. Can't seem to find any female connectors of that
type. There has to be something intended to mate with a male 20-pin .05
dual-row male header or it wouldn't exist, but it's sure tough to find.
Thanks for the reply.

 

[Tim]

The GPS receiver is made by RoyalTek, the RGM-3000. I've searched under the
general category of 'connector' at DigiKey, then tried drilling down thru
"Headers and Receptacles", 20 pins, etc. Tried all the spacing categories of
.05, 1.25 mm, and 1.27mm. Can't seem to find any female connectors of that
type. There has to be something intended to mate with a male 20-pin .05
dual-row male header or it wouldn't exist, but it's sure tough to find.
Thanks for the reply.

Realtek shows a 20 pin header, 2 rows of 10 pins each at 2mm centers.

Try Digi-Key again. Search for "H2604"

Hope that helps,

Tim

 

[Tim Auton]

I've got a GPS module that has a pin header, two rows, 20 pins total, .05"
centers. I'd like to find some way of bringing that over to a protoboard
with 0.1 in spacing. Anyone know of a way to do this? I've been searching
around on Digikey for anything that might work, but maybe I'm not using the
correct search terms. I can't seem to find even a suitable 20-pin female
connector with .05 spacing. I'm going to face a similar problem with an LCD
device that I'll be receiving: it has a 30-pin flat flexible connector that
I need to drive from my protoboard. People must face similar prototyping
problems all the time, so I'm guessing there are solutions out there. Thanks
for any help.

Rapid Electronics in the UK do some things they call "Surface mount
development boards", which are small PCBs with pads for SMT components
that bring the leads out to solder pads. You could then hook up a 0.1"
connector with a ribbon cable or whatever. There are a variety of
models for different SMT packages. I expect Digikey or someone else on
your side of the pond have something similar.

You could roll your own if you can make your own PCBs with 0.05
spacing.


Tim

 

[Wil Limbacher]

categories

Realtek shows a 20 pin header, 2 rows of 10 pins each at 2mm centers.

Try Digi-Key again. Search for "H2604"

It's by RoyalTek, and the spacing really is 1.27mm (.05"). See page 11 of
this document:
http://www.w-innovations.com/HTMLobj-575/RGM-3000_series_ver_1.6.pdf

I think what I'm going to have to do is forget a connector for prototyping
and attach the GPS module to a perf board. I'll use individual female pins
with wires to run the signals over to something more protoboard-compatible.
Probably a 0.1"-spacing pin header, from which I can use an IDC connector
and cable to take the signals to the protoboard. Somewhat messier and more
fragile, but that's development for you.

I very much appreciate the interest and time you've taken in giving advice
on this problem. Thanks.

Wil

 

[Tim Dicus]

..05

It's by RoyalTek, and the spacing really is 1.27mm (.05"). See page 11 of
this document:
http://www.w-innovations.com/HTMLobj-575/RGM-3000_series_ver_1.6.pdf

I think what I'm going to have to do is forget a connector for prototyping
and attach the GPS module to a perf board. I'll use individual female pins
with wires to run the signals over to something more protoboard-compatible.
Probably a 0.1"-spacing pin header, from which I can use an IDC connector
and cable to take the signals to the protoboard. Somewhat messier and more
fragile, but that's development for you.

I very much appreciate the interest and time you've taken in giving advice
on this problem. Thanks.

Wil

Hi Wil,

I saw the spec sheet on your model. It is very small! It is .050 centers.
Try this:
http://www.samtec.com/technical_specifications/overview.asp?series=FFSD

The FFSD series is .050 centers, offers 2 rows of 10 sockets each (female).

You may get away with getting a free sample from them! They offer that. I
don't know what they would require to send you a sample.

Now it is your turn to answer a question. How much money do they want for
that little GPS?

Tim

 

[Wil Limbacher]

Hi Wil,

I saw the spec sheet on your model. It is very small! It is .050 centers.
Try this:
http://www.samtec.com/technical_specifications/overview.asp?series=FFSD

The FFSD series is .050 centers, offers 2 rows of 10 sockets each (female).

You may get away with getting a free sample from them! They offer that. I
don't know what they would require to send you a sample.

Now it is your turn to answer a question. How much money do they want for
that little GPS?

Tim

Thanks for the SamTec pointer. That might be the ticket. I think the guy who
gave me the GPS receiver to work with paid @$75 US for it, plus shipping and
there was a duty of $3-4. He bought several: one with an integral antenna,
and a couple with detached antennas. They're remarkable little devices.