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MX-DaSH static and modular automotive connectors.

MX-DaSH Connector System

The MX-DaSH (Molex data-signal hybrid) Connector System integrates power, signal and high-speed data into a single compact connector replacing multiple traditional connectors in vehicle applications. Consolidating connectors reduces weight, size and cost requirements; simplifies assembly operations; and supports zonal and centralized architectures. Modular wire-to-wire variants offer cartridge-level flexibility to tailor power and signal connections to specific applications without changing the outer housing, providing exceptional scalability and reducing engineering costs.

 

Configurations Terminal Sizes Data Connections
Sealed or unsealed wire-to-wire and wire-to-board designs; static and modular interfaces 0.50, 0.64, 1.20, 1.50, 2.80 and 4.80mm High-Speed FAKRA-Mini (HFM), High-Speed Modular Twisted-Pair Data (H-MTD)

Wire-to-Wire Modular Interface

MX-DaSH Modular Wire-to-Wire Connector and receptacle.

Wire-to-Wire Static Interface

MX-DaSH unsealed, static-interface wire-to-wire connector and receptacle.

Features and Benefits


Today’s automotive platforms face significant challenges as zonal and centralized architectures proliferate. As the complexity of vehicle wiring increases, designers must find alternatives to traditional harnesses that use separate power and signal connectors, increasing size and weight. New electronic control units (ECUs) in rapidly evolving vehicle designs incur additional costs for retooling and validation, calling for more versatile components. Manual harness assembly also introduces variability and delays, making it more important to incorporate automation-friendly designs.

By consolidating multiple connectors into a single interface, designers can reduce wiring harness complexity, save space and reduce weight. Reducing the number of connections also simplifies assembly and minimizes the potential for installation errors, improving overall system reliability. Using connectors designed for automated assembly further enhances reliability and reduces assembly times.

The MX-DaSH system supports zonal and centralized architectures by combining multiple data, signal and power connections into one hybrid interface. This significantly reduces harness weight, packaging size and installation time. Automation-friendly features, such as independent secondary lock (ISL), keying and blade-stabilization options, support faster and more reliable assembly. MX-DaSH Modular Connector variants use configurable cartridges that allow circuit changes without altering the housing, enhancing flexibility and scalability across platforms while minimizing nonrecurring engineering costs.

Wire-to-Wire Solutions

By consolidating multiple connectors into one, harness design can be optimized to support the growing number of in-vehicle devices. Available in both static and modular interface options, MX-DaSH Connectors simplify harness installation and enable cartridge-level customization, supporting platform flexibility and scalability.

MX-DaSH unsealed, static-interface wire-to-wire connector and receptacle.

Wire-to-Board Solutions

MX-DaSH Connectors used for zonal controllers and high-performance computers inside of the cabin provide significant flexibility to adapt the connector to the desired content by leveraging its modular capability. The same form factor can be used across multiple automotive platforms to reduce complexity and validation time.

Modular wire-to-board MX-DaSH connectors.

Design Optimization

MX-DaSH is a new approach to optimizing the vehicle harness for weight and cost savings. The connector portfolio enables designers to optimize wiring layout and manufacturability by providing flexibility and consolidating multiple connectors into one.

Image showing MX-DaSH connectors reducing the number of connectors in a wiring harness.

Simplifies wiring harness architecture across vehicle systems
Consolidating multiple power, signal and data connectors into a single hybrid connector reduces the number of interfaces and accelerates assembly operations.

Enhances design flexibility by ensuring broad terminal compatibility
The system supports 0.50, 0.64, 1.20, 1.50, 2.80 and 4.80mm terminals as well as HFM and H-MTD high-speed coaxial interfaces, minimizing design constraints and simplifying engineering work.

Delivers reliable operation in harsh conditions
T2/V1/S3-rated sealing with integrated mat seals eliminates the need for individual cable seals, reducing package size and increasing reliability in demanding conditions inside or outside the cabin.

Ensures secure mating and terminal retention
Features including an ISL, pin protection plate (PPP) and male blade stabilization provide proper terminal alignment, maintain mating integrity and help prevent disconnection due to vibration.

Supports platform scalability and reduces validation requirements
Modular wire-to-wire options provide cartridge-based architecture that enables designers to tailor power, signal and data connections within the connector. This maintains the same external footprint, reducing engineering and validation time.

Offers automation-ready assembly and preassembled options
Preassembled male and female housings minimize manual steps and reduce the risk of improper assembly, while modular versions support high-volume automated production.

Helps prevent mis-mating and minimizes assembly errors
Six unique mechanical keying options help ensure proper orientation and reduce installation errors during harness assembly.

Sealed and Unsealed Connectors


Multiple circuit counts, power and signal combinations, and static or modular interfaces provide compact, hybrid connectivity for a range of automotive applications needing high-speed signal transmission in both in-cable and I/O applications.

 

  Configuration Terminal Sizes Circuits Validation Specifications

Sealed 10+2 Way and 10+1+1 Way Connectors

MX-DaSH
Static wire-to-wire 1.50mm (power and ground circuits) + HFM <1 Gbps 10 x 1.50mm
2 x HFM or
1 x 2.80mm + 1 x HFM
USCAR2 rev 8
USCAR17 rev5
USCAR49
T2/V1/S2

Sealed 15+1-Way Connectors
MX-DaSH

Static wire-to-wire 1.20mm (power and ground circuits) + HFM <1 Gbps 15 x 1.20mm
1 x HFM
GMW3191
T2/V1/S3
USCAR2 rev8
USCAR17 rev5
USCAR49 

Unsealed 22+1-Way Connectors
MX-DaSH

Static wire-to-wire 1.20mm (power and ground circuits) + HFM <1 Gbps  22 x 1.20mm
1 x HFM
USCAR2 rev8
USCAR17 rev5
USCAR49

Unsealed 31+1-Way Connectors
MX-DaSH

Static wire-to-wire  1.20mm/2.80mm (power and ground circuits) + HFM <1 Gbps  19 x 1.20mm (0.75mm2)
8 x 1.20mm (1.50mm2)
4 x 2.80mm
1 x HFM
B217050 revE (Peugeot)
IEC 62153-4-3:2013 (E)
IEC 6215-4-7:2015

Unsealed Modular Connectors

MX-DaSH
Modular wire-to-wire Four cartridges offering a mix of 0.50, 1.20, 2.80, 4.80 and 6.30mm terminals 46 to 70 circuits, depending on configuration USCAR2 rev7

 

Applications by Industry


Autonomous driving modules
Camera systems
Computing modules
Electrical/electronic architecture components
Gateway/switch modules
GPS devices
High-resolution displays (4K displays)
High-speed cable networking
Infotainment devices
Instrument panel-to-body harness connectors
LiDAR devices
Seat power and signal connections
Sensor-device connectivity
Surround-view cameras
Zonal harnesses

This is not a definitive list of applications for this product. It represents some of the more common uses.

Frequently Asked Questions


What is MX-DaSH and how is it different from traditional connector systems?

The MX-DaSH system is a modular, hybrid connector system that integrates power, signal and high-speed data into a single, compact interface. It eliminates the need for multiple separate connectors, reducing complexity, space and cost in modern vehicle architectures.  

What types of configurations are available in the MX-DaSH family?

Three main MX-DaSH variants are currently available: MX-DaSH Wire-to-Wire, a sealed or unsealed static hybrid configuration for harness junctions; MX-DaSH Micro, a sealed wire-to-board static interface configuration for high-pin-count zonal and ADAS control unit connections; and MX-DaSH Modular, an unsealed wire-to-wire/wire-to-board cartridge-based system optimized for platform scalability.

Does the MX-DaSH system support high-speed data interfaces like Ethernet or coaxial connectors?

Yes, the MX-DaSH system supports high-speed protocols via integrated HFM, H-MTD and Mate-AX cartridges for Ethernet and coaxial data transmission.

Can MX-DaSH Connectors be used in both sealed and unsealed applications?

Yes, MX-DaSH Connectors come in both sealed and unsealed variants to support cabin and exterior (IP6K9K-rated) environments.

Is the MX-DaSH system validated to industry standards?

Yes, MX-DaSH Connectors are validated to global automotive standards, including USCAR2, USCAR17, USCAR49, IEC and GB/T, based on the variant and region.

Can the MX-DaSH system be integrated with automated harness assembly processes?

Yes, absolutely. The design includes features like ISL and blade stabilization to enable reliable automation in high-volume production environments.

What current and voltage ratings does the MX-DaSH system support?

MX-DaSH Connectors typically operate at 12 to 14V and support current ratings as high as 15.9A (with 2.80mm terminals in modular connectors). HFM or H-MTD data connections can provide up to 25Gbps data transmission speeds.

What terminal sizes and types are supported?

MX-DaSH Connectors can support a mix of various terminal sizes including 0.50, 0.64, 1.20, 1.50, 2.80, 4.80 and 6.30mm power and signal terminals as well as HFM, H-MTD and Mate-AX high-speed data connections. This versatility enables flexible integration across different circuit loads and signal types.

What sealing and environmental protection options are available?

MX-DaSH Micro and sealed wire-to-wire variants target IP6K9K sealing for use in harsh environments. Modular and unsealed variants are optimized for interior ECU placement where sealing is not crucial. Material selection and gasket design help ensure compliance with industry specifications for thermal, moisture and vibration resistance.

What is the typical operating temperature range?

MX-DaSH Connectors are validated for an operating temperature range of -40 to +125°C and storage temperatures up to +85°C. All variants meet automotive-grade temperature cycling and aging requirements per USCAR and GMW standards.

How do MX-DaSH Connectors handle vibration and mechanical robustness?

Vibration testing (up to eight hours per axis from 10 to 1,000 Hz with thermal cycling) confirms resistance to micro-cuts and contact degradation. Male blade stabilization and ISL features improve connector robustness under mechanical stress.

What electromagnetic compatibility/electromagnetic interference (EMC/EMI) shielding options are available?

MX-DaSH Modular and MX-DaSH Micro versions incorporate fully shielded coaxial and twisted-pair terminals (HFM or H-MTD) with validated shielding effectiveness per IEC 62153-4-3 and -4-7 specifications. Testing and validation for surface transfer impedance and screening attenuation have been completed.

What is the mating/unmating force and durability specification for MX-DaSH Connectors?

The typical mating forces are <66N for standard modules and <82N for high-speed data modules. Connectors are durability tested for up to 18 cycles with connector position assurance activation and validated with tensile strain tests at 160N without mechanical degradation.

What CAD or 3D model resources are available for MX-DaSH Connectors?

Molex provides full 2D/3D CAD files, pinouts and wiring diagrams via the product detail pages or directly upon request.

Resources