Molex, a global leader in electronics and connectivity innovation, has launched the industry’s first space-saving Quad-Row Shield Connector. This breakthrough connector features a unique four-row signal pin design combined with a metal EMI shield, delivering up to a 25dB reduction in electromagnetic interference compared to non-shielded Quad-Row connectors. It’s ideal for compact devices such as smartwatches, wearables, mobile gadgets, AR/VR gear, laptops, gaming systems, and home appliances.
Staggered-Circuit Layout with EMI Shield Targets EMI Challenges at 2.4-6 GHz and Beyond
Originally introduced in July 2020, Molex’s patented Quad-Row Board-to-Board connector set a new standard for space savings with about 30% smaller footprint than typical dual-row designs. The latest Quad-Row Shield enhances this proven layout by integrating a built-in EMI shield that combats both electromagnetic and radio frequency interference, ensuring better signal integrity and minimal noise. This embedded shielding offers a crucial advantage for designers aiming to maintain error-free performance within increasingly compact device architectures.
Setting New Standards for Next-Generation Consumer Electronics
Molex’s long-standing collaboration with product developers from major device and gaming manufacturers supports continued enhancements, including the development of the new EMI shielding. Together, Molex and its customer engineering teams addressed the most significant requirements related to signal interference and incremental power requirements, specifically how best to achieve 80 times the signal connections and four times the power delivery compared to a single-pin connector. The new Quad-Row Shield provides power input and output aligned to a delivery model featuring up to 80 pins within a single board-to-board connector. In addition, S-parameter input specifications may be assigned to a preferred pin layout in an 80-pin signal design.
The highly innovative Quad-Row Shield significantly reduces electromagnetic interference and meets stringent EMI/EMC standards to lower regulatory testing burdens and speed product approvals. The shielding feature also enables error-free communication while seamlessly supporting operations and maintenance requirements to boost overall system uptime.
Availability
Molex Quad-Row Shield samples are available now to support custom inquiries, and commercial availability will follow in Q2 2026.
Molex Consumer & Commercial Solutions
The Molex legacy of delivering critical connections extends across the entire consumer electronic device ecosystem with proven expertise in 5G, mmWave, RF, signal integrity, antenna, power, camera and display technologies. Precision, volume manufacturing and miniaturization enable Molex to meet dynamic market demands worldwide while providing leading device manufacturers and their suppliers with the smallest, densest and most advanced connectors available.
