Your Global Partner for Innovative Connectivity Solutions
- Smiths Interconnect is a leading provider of technically differentiated connectivity solutions that connect, protect and control critical applications in the Space market.
- Reliability is the essential attribute in the leading edge technologies that we utilize.
- We offer proven quality, innovative and environmentally friendly solutions conforming to the main international standards
- Our application expertise ensures the design and manufacturing of cost-effective product platforms as well as completely tailored solutions for the harshest environmental conditions, including connectors and cable assemblies, Optical Transceivers, microwave and RF components.
Applications
- Gamma Ray Detection
- Weather Monitor
- Radio - TV networks
- Broadband
- Space Environmental Sciences
- Navigation & Communication
- Altitude Correction Modules
- Central Units - Communication
- Command Memory Boxes
- Control Boxes
- Sensors
Product Range
60+
We integrate the highest performance contact technologies into a broad range of interconnect systems that provide reliable performance and protection against breakdown. Our broad suite of connectivity solutions comply with regulatory and application specific requirements and enjoy a reputation of excellence in the marketplace.
Our Services
Providing a competitive advantage
We design, develop and manufacture high reliability RF, microwave and mmW systems and components, connectors and cable assemblies that ensure optimal performance, durability and safety in space-related operating environments.
We are an approved vendor for international space agencies including ESA, ISRO, JAXA and NASA, and have proudly delivered failure-free performance in numerous spaceflight programs.
We work globally with our customers and space agencies to design the next generation of solutions for launchers, satellites, manned space flight and ground systems support.
Smiths Interconnect designs compact and reliable spacecraft suitable products which minimize mass, footprint and volume. Our solutions use space approved materials and controlled processes ensuring long lifetime to space missions.
Latest News & Blog
Smiths Interconnect Optical Transceivers at the heart of SES-17 satellite
SpaceABLE optical modules are the backbone of the payload data path
SES-17, the very high-throughput satellite (VHTS) in geosynchronous orbit, was successfully launched on October 22nd 2021 from Arianespace’s Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. Built by Thales Alenia Space, the SES-17 multi-mission Ka-band satellite will provide comprehensive coverage across the Americas, the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean. From its orbital slot of 67.1 degrees West, the very high throughput geostationary (GEO) satellite incorporating cutting-edge technologies is set to deliver the best connectivity experience for SES customers operating in the aeronautical, maritime, enterprise, and government markets.
Smiths Interconnect Canada Inc. (former Reflex Photonics Inc.), is proud to be the supplier of the SpaceABLE® radiation-resistant optical transceivers that are the backbone of the SES-17 payload data path. The SpaceABLE® Series allows the interconnection and routing of an overall throughput of more than 15 Terabit/s and permit the use of the full Ka beam antennas bandwidth while being considerably lighter and more scalable than copper interconnects.
Smiths Interconnect’s cPCI launched on NASA Mars Perseverance Rover – Interconnect Product of the Year
cPCI launched on NASA Mars Perseverance Rover
Smiths Interconnect proudly announces that its cPCI launched on NASA Mars Perseverance Rover has been awarded in the “Interconnection product of the year” category at the Electronics Industry Awards ceremony held in London on October 21st.
“We are delighted of this recognition of our technology, and proud to support the Mars Perseverance Rover with a solution able to maintain signal integrity in the harsh environment of the Red Planet” said Roberta Rebora, Marketing Communications Director at Smiths Interconnect. “Congratulations to all who have contributed to this success with their hard work and dedication.”
Smiths Interconnect provides the Mars Perseverance Rover with high performance ruggedized cPCI 2mm connectors addressing NASA’s need for a high reliability connector solution to meet the mechanical, electrical and environmental performance requirements. Rigorous testing was performed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for extreme environmental conditions, including thermal excursions, corrosive atmospheres, excessive shock and vibration, contact engagement/separation cycling, and other key NASA requirements.
8 Applications where adding attenuation is a plus
When should attenuation be added to a RF/microwave application?
RF attenuators are passive electric components that decreases the amplitude level of an incoming signal. Attenuators can be fixed, switched or continuously variable. Adding an attenuator helps control and reduces signal levels in RF/Microwave systems. Below are 8 applications where adding an attenuator is beneficial.
Reduces VSWR mismatch between devices:
Engineers go to great lengths to match the input and output ports of devices such as a couplers, mixers, and amplifiers to a 50 Ohm transmission line. However, a perfect match is often not possible, especially over a wide frequency range. Mismatches can cause unpredictable variations in the response of the circuit resulting in amplitude and phase changes that may distort the signal. Attenuators, in the range of 1 to 3 dB (and sometimes even up to 6 dB) can minimize reflections which would be the source of these problems. Even though some of the desired signal amplitude is lost in the attenuator, the benefits from interstage matching often greatly outweigh the losses in gain which can be compensated for in a later gain stage in the form of increased amplification.