Pulse Electronics intros pin-in-paste RF MoCA filter modules

USA: Pulse Electronics Corp. has introduced RF MoCA (Multimedia over Cable Alliance) filter modules that are pin-in-paste compatible. Pin-in-paste manufacturing uses a reflow instead of a wave soldering process to apply solder to the components, saving time, increasing throughput, and reducing costs.

These filters are compliant with MoCA 1.1 and 2.0 requirements and are qualified with leading MoCA silicon vendors. A filter module can be configured as a multiband diplexer/triplexer with CATV (Cable TV), satellite, and DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) frequencies with an optional built-in surge protection. They can withstand a maximum reflow temperature of 260°C and operate over an extended temperature range of -40° to +85°C.

“The ability to use pin-in-paste technology to reflow solder these modules to a circuit board presents significant savings to set-top box manufacturers,” explained Muhammad Khan, product manager, RF Products, Pulse Electronics. “In addition, you get the advantage of having filter modules that meet the highest industry requirements and that can operate in rugged environments over an extended temperature range.”

The pin-in-paste method (also called pin-in-hole, intrusive reflow, or through-hole reflow technology) is a process that allows through-hole components to be reflow soldered instead of wave or hand soldered. Using solder reflow eliminates the cost of wave soldering equipment, saves manufacturing floor space, is a no-clean soldering process, reduces heat stress at the component level, is compatible with existing processes, and results in higher reliability at the printed circuit board level due to fewer soldering processes.

With pin-in-paste technology, the RF filters can also be inserted into the PCB using industry standard pick-and-place equipment, eliminating the need for manual component placement.

Pulse’s RF filters are designed to provide maximum isolation between the bands with excellent return and insertion loss. Pulse offers catalog and MoCA IC suppliers qualified filters to meet the specific needs of each customer. Even in high volume production, these filters are 100% tested to the specifications.