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Gold Dot(TM) Technology to be Featured at DesignCon 2000

2 February 2000

Delphi Automotive Systems: Packard-Hughes Interconnect's Gold Dot(TM) Technology to be Featured at DesignCon 2000

    SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 2 -- Recent innovations in Packard-
Hughes Interconnect's (PHI) Gold Dot(TM) connection systems could bring
increased speed and more density to the products in the telecom switching,
computer networking and electronic test equipment markets, according to
leading PHI engineers.
    Eric Jensen, Ph.D., and Aaron Edwards, high-performance connection system
design engineers at PHI, a subsidiary of Delphi Automotive Systems
, are addressing the issues of designing flex-based connectors with
Gold Dot(TM) contacts today at DesignCon 2000, held here at the Santa Clara
Convention Center Jan. 31-Feb. 3.
    Dr. Jensen and Edwards will present their technical paper,
"Characterization of High-Speed, Differential Pair, Flex Based Interconnects,"
which they co-authored with Mike Resso, product manager of Agilent
Technologies, a subsidiary of Hewlett-Packard Co., and Bill Crumly and Laurie
Taira-Griffin, both of PHI.
    "At this conference, design engineers from market segments such as
telecom, computer systems and peripherals, and test and medical equipment will
obtain the information and tools they need to help develop the products that
their customers demand," Dr. Jensen said.
    Born out of advanced high-speed/high-density applications within the
military and aerospace markets, Gold Dot(TM) technology is now being used in
the demanding commercial telecom and automotive markets.  Gold Dot(TM)
connection systems consist of bump-shaped compression contacts that are
integrated onto flexible circuit material for use where space is limited and
superior electrical performance is important.
    "The impedance controlled, flex-based configurations and extraordinarily
small contact geometries provide continuous and clean transmission of signals
upwards of 2.5 GHz throughout the connection systems," said Edwards, PHI's
lead signal integrity engineer.  "This allows higher bandwidth, and bandwidth
is the name of the game."
    Gold Dot(TM) Jumper and Mezzanine connection systems help solve the
problem of emerging speed and density requirements of the telecommunications
industry, Dr. Jensen said.  Mezzanine, which connects stacked printed circuit
boards, and jumper, a flexible interconnect between two boards, are Gold
Dot(TM) products that support technical challenges of telecommunication
equipment.
    For applications where space is restricted, PHI offers the Gold Dot(TM)
Mini-mezzanine connection system, a low-profile connector.  It can be used in
analog and digital cellular telephone applications or personal digital
assistants (PDAs) as well as other portable electronics, connecting printed
circuit boards to liquid crystal displays (LCDs).
    Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Packard-Hughes Interconnect is a wholly
owned subsidiary of Delphi Automotive Systems.  PHI designs and manufactures
advanced interconnect components that can be used in computer, telecom,
semiconductor, commercial aviation, automotive, as well as military markets.
    Delphi Automotive Systems, headquartered in Troy, Mich., USA, is a world
leader in automotive components and systems technology.  Delphi's three
business sectors -- Dynamics & Propulsion; Safety, Thermal & Electrical
Architecture; and Electronics & Mobile Communication -- provide comprehensive
product solutions to complex customer needs.  As of December 31, 1999, Delphi
had approximately 203,000 employees and operated 166 wholly owned
manufacturing sites, 39 joint ventures, 51 customer centers and sales offices
and 27 technical centers in 37 countries.
    With the addition of Lucas Diesel Systems in January 2000, Delphi's
headcount grew to approximately 213,500 employees worldwide.  The company now
operates 175 wholly owned manufacturing sites, 41 joint ventures, 51 customer
centers and sales offices and 27 technical centers in 37 countries.  Regional
headquarters are located in Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo, Brazil.  Delphi can be
found on the Internet at http://www.delphiauto.com