Rethinking Power Delivery in Compact Designs

As devices get smaller and power demands grow, connector selection is becoming more critical than ever.

Designing for performance in a tight footprint is one of the most persistent challenges in modern electronics. Whether you’re building embedded computing modules, industrial automation systems, or next-gen edge devices, there’s a growing demand for high-efficiency power delivery in increasingly compact board-to-board applications.

But there’s a catch.

While processors, memory, and other components continue to shrink and become more power-dense, connectors haven’t always kept up. Traditional mezzanine power connectors can become a bottleneck—either too bulky for your layout or unable to support the required current levels without thermal concerns.

That’s where rethinking the interconnect becomes essential.

The Power Bottleneck in Miniaturized Systems

Power integrity is no longer just a matter of the PSU—it’s a layout-level decision. Engineers often find themselves forced to tradeoff between form factor and performance:

• Too large, and the connector dominates the board space.

• Too small, and it struggles to handle the current, raising concerns about voltage drop or heat dissipation.

This challenge becomes even more pressing in applications like compact computing blades, telecom systems, and modular industrial controllers—where space is limited but power requirements are rising.

Miniature Connector, Major Impact

To address this, engineers are turning to new connector architectures designed for high-density, high-current mezzanine applications. One such example is the Amphenol PwrBlade® MiniMezz, a low-profile power + signal connector that delivers up to 30A per power contact while maintaining a compact 8.4mm mated height.

Here’s why it stands out:

• Dual-function interface: Power and signal in a single package reduces component count and simplifies routing.

• High current capacity: Delivers up to 60A per power bank—ideal for feeding high-performance processing modules.

• Design flexibility: Configurable contact options make it easy to tune for your system’s power and data needs.

• Rugged and compact: Suited for high-vibration environments without compromising board real estate.

This kind of connector makes it possible to keep power delivery clean and efficient without redesigning your entire board around a bulky solution.

Final Thoughts

As systems continue to demand more performance in less space, power delivery can’t be an afterthought. Connectors like the PwrBlade® MiniMezz offer a streamlined, scalable solution for engineers who need to push power without sacrificing layout.

If your design is running into power density issues at the interconnect level, it might be time to revisit your connector strategy.

Want to explore the PwrBlade® MiniMezz?
👉 Check it out here