Nano SIM cards are a staple in various machine-to-machine communication-related tasks. With the KP13 series, Hirose reduces the space required by connectors on printed circuit boards and in assembled systems.

Inserting Nano SIM cards via the push-pull mechanism is a process well-known from modems and IoT devices. Most members of the Hirose KP13 family implement this interaction scheme; SKU KP13TS is an exception, as it works with a SIM tray instead. This mechanical component can be sourced on the open market, as shown in the figure below.

Rated to 5000 SIM Card Exchanges

Returning to the push-pull-based designs, Hirose promises a cycle count of 5000 insertion/removal cycles. This means that SIM card slot repairs will not be required in all practical scenarios, both for embedded devices and cell phone / pager applications.

SKUs KP13C and KP13CH manage to impress with their extremely compact design dimensions. Both SKUs are only 1.12mm in height, barely exceeding the minimal amount of space required by the NanoSIM itself.

Hirose's "Buckling prevention Design" technology uses a two-pronged connector tongue. This increases mechanical rigidity to finger touches, thereby ensuring that the connectors will be reliable under all conditions. Furthermore, the low contact resistance (less than 0.1 Ohms) ensures that SIM card signals are available in high fidelity at all times.

Spring Action Prevents Card Fly-Away

Exchanging SIM cards in the field can be an enjoyable task. In some push-pull SIM slot designs, the card retainer spring accelerates the SIM card significantly as it is being ejected. On the KP13B family, Hirose addresses this problem via a specially calibrated spring system.

All other electrical and mechanical properties of the Nano SIM card slot remain unchanged. However, the design height is slightly higher with 1.18 mm.

Conclusion

If an embedded system needs a SIM slot, using the Hirose Electric KP13 family is always a good idea. The slots make do with a minimal amount of space, and are rated for an extremely high cycle count. Thanks to their robust internal construction, the system's long-term reliability is guaranteed.