The popular, robust Edge Rate contact system features a long, 1.39mm contact wipe distance, and the connector can be “zippered” during connector mating and unmating. Additionally, because the system has gold plating, and since the mating edge of the contact is a smooth, broad, milled surface, the wear-life of the system is improved (i.e., more cycles). This system is ideal for high cycle and high speed applications at 7GHz with a 3db insertion loss. This interconnect is a low-cost alternative to Samtec’s popular high speed Q Strip Series and comes in surface mount or right angle configurations. Rugged metal latching systems are available and the ERF8/ERM8 is a perfect solution for micro backplane applications thanks to the right angle and edgemount configurations. The system allows for blind mating and some degree of zippering, which are common factors in micro backplane applications.