Press-Fit QSFP+ Cage Assembly for High-Density Backplanes
The TE Connectivity 2214574-5 is a QSFP+ receptacle with an integrated cage, ganged as a 1x4 configuration — four ports in a single body. It carries 152 total positions, laid out as 38 per port, and terminates via press-fit tails that push into plated through-holes without solder. The right-angle orientation places the cage parallel to the board, with the faceplate opening at the card edge for front-panel cable access. This is the 1x4 variant of the 2214574 base series, meaning a single connector handles four QSFP+ modules side by side, saving board real estate compared to four separate cages. The press-fit termination is a deliberate choice for backplane assemblies where solder rework is difficult and reliability depends on a gas-tight interference fit. Key features include an integrated EMI shield that contains radiated emissions from the high-speed differential pairs, and a built-in light pipe that routes the module's link-status LEDs to the faceplate — no separate light-pipe assembly needed.
What the Press-Fit and Right-Angle Mean for Your Board
Press-fit termination eliminates the thermal stress of wave or reflow soldering, which matters when the connector sits on a thick multilayer backplane with tight impedance control. The right-angle orientation means the cage overhangs the board edge — the PCB footprint must account for the cage body width and the light pipe protrusion beyond the edge. The 152 positions are arranged as four independent 38-position QSFP+ channels. Each channel carries four high-speed differential pairs plus sideband signals — enough for 4x 28 Gbps NRZ or 4x 56 Gbps PAM4 per port, depending on the module standard. The EMI shield is a stamped metal cage that contacts the faceplate bezel; the light pipe snaps into the cage top and aligns with the module's TX/RX indicators.
RoHS Compliance and Documentation
RoHS compliant per TE's standard declaration. The datasheet covers the full mechanical drawing, recommended PCB layout for the press-fit tails, and the light pipe installation detail. Request the current revision at quote time.