What This Cage Does in the Assembly
It accepts up to six QSFP+ or QSFP28 modules side-by-side, providing the mechanical retention, thermal management, and EMI containment those modules need at the board edge.
Integrated Features: Light Pipe and EMI Shielding
This cage carries an integrated light pipe and EMI shielding. The light pipe routes the module's link-status LED to the faceplate so an operator sees port activity without needing a separate board-mounted LED. The EMI shielding is essential at the data rates QSFP+ (40 Gbps) and QSFP28 (100 Gbps) modules run — the cage acts as a Faraday enclosure around each module port, keeping radiated emissions inside the chassis and external noise out of the high-speed signal lanes.
The press-fit termination uses compliant pins that cold-form into the plated through-hole barrel, creating a gas-tight joint without solder. For the board layout engineer, this means the PCB footprint must match the press-fit tail diameter and the recommended hole size — the datasheet's keep-out zone around each hole is non-negotiable because the insertion force during press-fit can damage traces or vias placed too close. The right-angle through-hole mounting also defines the cage's standoff height from the board, which sets the module's insertion plane relative to the PCB surface.