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Cable Assemblies
Industrial, IT Datacom
As data rates continue to climb, the physical interconnect between components has become one of the most critical factors determining system performance. PCIe Gen 4.0 operates at 16 GT/s per lane—double the speed of Gen 3.0. At these frequencies, even minor impedance mismatches or poor cable construction can introduce signal reflections, skew, and attenuation that compromise link reliability.
The SlimSAS 8X STR to SlimSAS 8X STR cable assembly addresses this challenge head-on. Designed for internal high-speed interconnects, this 400mm assembly provides a straight-through, 8-channel (74-circuit) connection that preserves signal fidelity from end to end. Whether you are interconnecting storage controllers, bridging PCIe slots across PCBs, or routing high-speed signals within a dense server chassis, this cable delivers the electrical performance your Gen 4.0 design demands.
The cable section maintains a differential impedance of 85Ω ±10%, while the connector regions are held to 85Ω ±15%. This graduated impedance strategy acknowledges a fundamental reality of high-speed design: connectors inherently introduce discontinuities. By allowing slightly more tolerance at the connector interface while keeping the cable body exceptionally tight, the assembly minimizes overall return loss across the entire channel.
Every unit undergoes comprehensive open and short testing before leaving production. Connection resistance is verified to 3.0Ω maximum, and insulation resistance is tested at DC300V for 0.1 seconds to confirm a minimum of 10MΩ. These tests are not抽样—they are performed on every cable, ensuring that what reaches your assembly line is electrically sound and ready for integration.
The assembly is designed and verified to meet PCIe Gen 4.0 electrical and mechanical performance requirements. This means it has been characterized for the 16 GT/s data rate, with insertion loss, return loss, and crosstalk parameters within the specification boundaries defined by the PCI-SIG.
All materials and manufacturing processes comply with RoHS 2.0 Directive 2011/65/EU, making this cable suitable for markets with strict environmental regulations, including Europe, North America, and regions adopting similar standards.
In enterprise servers and storage arrays, internal cable routing often determines how densely components can be packed. The SlimSAS form factor—with its 0.6mm pitch—delivers significant space savings compared to legacy MiniSAS or MiniSAS HD connectors. This cable is particularly well-suited for:
Direct-attached storage (DAS) backplanes – connecting host bus adapters to drive enclosures
PCIe expansion chassis – extending PCIe lanes to riser cards or external enclosures
High-performance computing clusters – routing signals between compute nodes and storage nodes
For workstations running data-intensive applications—such as AI training, video rendering, or scientific simulation—the integrity of the PCIe link directly impacts throughput. A poorly constructed cable can introduce bit errors that trigger retransmissions, reducing effective bandwidth. This assembly’s tight impedance control and rigorous testing help maintain link stability under sustained heavy loads.
Switches and routers that process high-throughput data flows benefit from reliable internal interconnects. The SlimSAS interface supports data rates up to 16 GT/s per lane, making it compatible with 25G Ethernet and other high-speed protocols.
Consideration | What to Evaluate |
|---|---|
Length | 400mm is optimal for intra-chassis connections. Shorter lengths (<300mm) may limit routing flexibility; longer lengths (>600mm) may introduce additional insertion loss at Gen 4.0 speeds. |
Connector Orientation | Straight (STR) to straight (STR) is ideal for direct, in-line connections where both ports face the same direction. For perpendicular routing, consider right-angle or side-exit variants. |
Channel Count | 8X (74 circuits) provides eight high-speed lanes. Confirm that both your host and device support 8X operation. |
Impedance | This assembly is tuned for 85Ω systems (PCIe). If your application requires 100Ω (SAS), a different variant may be needed. |
Latching Mechanism | The positive latch ensures secure mating and prevents accidental disconnection in vibration-prone environments. |
A: While the SlimSAS physical interface is shared between PCIe and SAS ecosystems, this particular assembly is impedance-tuned for 85Ω PCIe Gen 4.0 applications. SAS typically requires 100Ω impedance. For SAS 4.0 (24 Gbps) applications, CONSHARE offers dedicated 100Ω variants—please consult our sales team for the correct part number.
A: The assembly is qualified for PCIe Gen 4.0 operation at 16 GT/s per lane. With 8 lanes, this translates to an aggregate bandwidth of approximately 128 Gbps (bidirectional) before encoding overhead.
A: 400mm is well within the practical reach for PCIe Gen 4.0 internal cabling. At 16 GT/s, insertion loss increases with length, but this assembly’s controlled impedance and quality materials ensure the link budget remains within specification. For longer runs (>600mm), we recommend evaluating the specific channel loss budget of your system.
A: Yes. The cable construction balances signal integrity with mechanical flexibility, allowing routing in confined spaces without degrading performance. The 0.6mm pitch connectors also contribute to the overall space-efficient design.
A: Every cable undergoes 100% open and short testing, connection resistance verification (3.0Ω max), and insulation resistance testing at DC300V for 0.1 seconds (10MΩ min). These tests ensure that every unit leaving CONSHARE meets the specified electrical requirements.
To ensure the cable delivers its specified performance in your system, observe the following practices during installation:
Bend radius control – Maintain a minimum bend radius of approximately 10× the cable outer diameter for static installations. Tighter bends can alter the differential impedance and increase insertion loss, potentially pushing the channel beyond the Gen 4.0 loss budget.
Cable strain relief – Secure the cable near the connector using appropriate tie-downs to prevent mechanical stress on the solder joints and contacts. Even minimal pull force over time can degrade contact resistance.
Connector mating – The SlimSAS connector uses a positive latching mechanism. Ensure you hear a distinct click when mating, indicating full engagement. Incomplete mating can cause intermittent connections or elevated contact resistance, leading to link retrains.
ESD handling – Always handle connectors by the metal latch or housing to avoid contamination of the contact surfaces. Even minor debris or skin oils can degrade high-frequency performance, especially at 16 GT/s.
Routing separation – When routing multiple high-speed cables, maintain at least one cable diameter of separation between parallel runs to minimize crosstalk. For dense bundles, consider staggered routing or using shielded variants if available.
Every CONSHARE cable assembly is produced under controlled manufacturing processes with documented quality checks. Each unit is assigned a lot code that allows traceability back to raw material batches, termination equipment, and production parameters. For customers with stringent qualification requirements (e.g., automotive, medical, or aerospace), we can provide comprehensive test reports that include insertion loss, return loss, and impedance profiles measured on representative samples from each production lot. This level of documentation not only simplifies system-level validation but also accelerates failure analysis in the rare event of field issues.
While the 400mm length and straight-to-straight orientation cover most intra-chassis applications, CONSHARE offers custom cable configurations for unique system layouts. Available options include:
Alternative lengths (customized per your routing needs, with length-dependent loss data provided)
Right-angle or side-exit connector options for space-constrained or perpendicular routing
Specialized color coding or laser-etched labeling for easy identification in complex harnesses
Custom impedance tuning for non-standard systems (e.g., 100Ω or other proprietary values)
Our engineering team is available to review your channel budget—including PCB trace losses, connector insertion losses, and the total link length—and recommend the optimal cable solution for your specific system. We also offer design-in support, providing 3D models and electrical simulation data to help you validate integration before ordering production quantities.
