In compact electronics design, every millimeter of board space and every decibel of signal integrity matters. To meet rising demands in wearables, AR/VR devices, and ultra-thin consumer electronics, Molex has launched its new Quad-Row Shield board-to-board connector — the industry’s first four-row connector format with built-in metal EMI shielding.
What’s Changed
Compared with earlier dual-row connectors, the Quad-Row layout delivers a 30% reduction in footprint thanks to increased pin density and a staggered circuit arrangement. The Shield version builds on this by integrating a metal EMI shield directly into the connector stack, achieving up to 25 dB reduction in electromagnetic and RF interference versus non-shielded versions.
By embedding the shield, designers no longer need large external shielding parts or complex grounding schemes to meet signal-integrity requirements. That means fewer components, simplified assembly, and more board real estate for other functions.
Key Technical Benefits
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Up to 80 signal pins and dual power-pin sets in a compact board-to-board stack
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Four-fold increase in power delivery capability compared to earlier single-pin solutions
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Support for high-speed signal performance and EMI/EMC compliance at frequencies in the 2.4 GHz to 6 GHz range and beyond
Design Engineers Should Take Note
For devices where space is at a premium and signal integrity cannot be compromised, the Quad-Row Shield connector offers several system-level advantages:
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Footprint reduction: Smaller connectors free up board area for more features or smaller form factors
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Simplified layout and assembly: The integrated EMI shield reduces external shielding needs and simplifies grounding paths
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Reliability and signal fidelity: Lower EMI means fewer data errors, better compliance, and easier certification
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Power delivery in tight spaces: More pins for power and signal allow high-function devices like advanced wearables, thin laptops, or mobile gaming gear to maintain compact profiles without sacrificing performance
Applications and Outlook
Ideal applications include smart watches, AR/VR headsets, ultra-thin notebooks, and mobile devices where both board real estate and signal quality are critical. As next-generation wireless and high-speed interfaces push products toward smaller formats and higher integration, connectors like this become enablers rather than constraints.
Molex’s Quad-Row Shield connector directly addresses two of the biggest challenges in advanced electronics design — space and signal integrity — offering engineers a practical path to achieve both miniaturization and high performance in one solution.
