Grypper sockets came as a solution for reliable and efficient testing in early 2000s when semiconductor applications grew manifold. They did what existing IC sockets could not – they helped test Ball Grid Array packages that had a finer pitch and large number of solder balls with no hassle.
These sockets were specifically designed to contact the solder balls of a BGA device directly.
One could simply insert the BGA device into the socket – no lid needed. This meant a traditional socket with individual contact pins could be eliminated.
You can see a live example right here: Grypper Insertion
This was a successful model because it allowed for a smaller footprint and higher signal integrity.
As a result, the Grypper Sockets’ reach expanded beyond semiconductor manufacturing to electronics testing, and research and development.
Applications of Grypper Sockets
Grypper sockets have been used in:
● RF (Radio Frequency) systems, which involve the transmission and reception of electromagnetic signals for wireless communication, commonly used in applications like telecommunications, radar, and IoT devices.
● ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits) and controllers, which are customized integrated circuits designed for a specific task or application, such as controlling hardware functions in embedded systems, consumer electronics, and industrial equipment.
● PMICs (Power Management Integrated Circuits), which are specialized circuits responsible for managing power distribution, voltage regulation, battery charging, and power sequencing in electronic devices to ensure optimal performance and efficiency.
Ironwood’s Grypper Sockets
Ironwood, Globetek’s exclusive partner in India has, over the years, pioneered in this technology – here’s a small sneakpeak:
1. Grypper Sockets for eMMC and Universal Flash Storage (UFS) devices:
This was designed for testing the latest generation of UFS 153 BGA form-factor devices, as well as all eMMC devices. This allows efficient and reliable testing of these high-speed storage devices.
2. Grypper DDR and other memory sockets:
Ironwood licensed its technology from HSIO Technologies to offer Grypper sockets for DDR and other memory devices. For instance, the DDR4 Grypper socket enables the testing of devices in their exact footprint. The benefit is that it:
● Offers excellent electrical performance with S21 -1dB to 40 GHz.
● Requires low insertion force requirements of approximately 95 grams per contact.
The above two advancements came in as recently as in the past two years.
3. Use of Grypper sockets as risers and interconnects:
Ironwood’s Grypper sockets can be used as risers between PCBs, enabling flexible and efficient system design.
4. High-performance, 0.65 mm+ pitch net zero package footprint engineering test sockets:
These sockets are designed for BGA-style packaged devices with over 200 ball counts. It offers great signal performance with low inductance and low insertion loss.
They also don’t require any lid – so probing, scoping, and troubleshooting of the device’s topside is very easy.
5. High-performance, higher insertion count surface mount sockets:
These sockets are designed for 0.35 mm+ pitch devices, including BGA, LGA, QFN, and others. Like others, they have near-zero footprint design specifically for applications that have space constraints. They come with screw-down lids and other options for added flexibility.
You can check out more about Grypper Sockets from Ironwood right here.
At Globetek India, we work with customers to not just source the sockets, but also work with them to design and customize it. Our expertise and reliable distribution network helps us ease the process of integrating and troubleshooting Grypper sockets into your development and testing processes.
If you need a custom IC socket for your prototype circuit design, we’re only happy to help!
