FMC-DAC adapter for DAC31X1 EVM

Hi,

It has been a while since the FMC-DAC adapter has been designed, and since then many of our EVMs have switched to a similar connector that has posts that help the connectors snap together and not pop loose on the bench when the SMA cables start to pull on the assembly.  We have not updated the FMC-DAC adapter to use these locking connectors.

 I think we will have to physically modify the DAC EVM that you have to remove the locking posts so that the adapter will connect to your DAC EVM.    If you wished to return the DAC EVM to us then we could do that modification here and return the DAC EVM to you.  Else, if you were comfortable in doing some cutting on the DAC EVM yourself then that would be quickest. 

I am attaching a picture showing the modification necessary.  (This picture was taken using the 2-segment Samtec connector that we use on our ADC EVMs, rather than the 3-segment connector used on the DAC EVMs. But the modification is the same.)   Take a look at what is needed and decide if you wish to do this yourself. 

I like to use a loose blade from a metal-cutting hacksaw and cut through the plastic shell of the connector all the way through the plastic down almost to the circuit board.  A hacksaw blade has fine teeth so it cuts plastic quite cleanly.  Or, a rotary cutting wheel on a dremel tool can cut quite cleanly and quicker but with some heat generated.    Then with a large solder iron I melt the solder holding the post to the board and with a pair of pliers I pull off the piece I had just cut loose.  If I cut the plastic *almost* all the way through then I can stop cutting before I start marking up the solder mask of the board but still be able to pull the plastic end off the board.   You can see a bit of an angled portion of the plastic prior to the cut on the EVM connector, and this is where the cut must be done so that the portion of the connector that remains fits inside the plastic shell of the adapter board. 

Regards,

RIchard P.