Taking the Plunge: Underwater Connections
When selecting a connector to be used in a wet or submerged environment, the answer to obtaining long life, highly reliable underwater electrical or electronic connections is to look beyond standard price and delivery. This is particularly true in underwater applications, where failure is most often associated with the inability of the connector to withstand the extreme operating and handling conditions associated with sub-sea installations. There is no need to hold your breath as you plunge into these underwater connections. more

A New Wave Has Hit Signal Integrity
Everything you ever wanted to know about the electrical performance of an interconnect is contained in a set of parameters in this article. Master this, and you master high-speed electrical performance. more

Top 10 Trends: Speed and Power
The quest to develop machines capable of performing complex tasks in less time goes back to the very first electronic computers that calculated the trajectory of artillery shells. Since those early days, advances in semiconductor technology have enabled the hand-held devices of today to have more computing power than mainframe computers from the 1960s. more

Air-to-Air Tanker Aircraft:
Northrup Grumman/EADS vs. Boeing
The battle for the contract for 179 in-flight refueling aircraft rages on. What’s at stake and what company has the better battle plan? more

Power Connectors Beat the Heat
The semiconductor industry is making significant progress in power reduction per device, but overall demand continues to grow in every market segment, including computing, telecom, medical, military/aerospace, and automotive. Connector manufacturers are blending a variety of incremental material and design improvements to meet the escalating demands for increased power in smaller packages. more

Power Connectors for Harsh Environments
Cooper Interconnect, one of several harsh-condition connector companies, provides some innovative connector solutions in challenging environments. more

Now, what else do I want to do?
Testing should be viewed as a useful diagnostic tool, one that builds confidence in the design and that has clear objectives. Those who create success test sequences (designed to pass) get full credit for a test’s successes—and shortcomings. Are you setting your connectors up for failure? more

Military Vehicles of the Future
Recent wars have highlighted the shortcomings of current military vehicles. Improvement in this category means new opportunities for connector manufacturers. more

The Hub of Connection: Networks Work Behind the Scenes to Make Connections
More than likely, if you are reading ConnectorSupplier.com, you are using a network. In fact, the majority of us spend a great deal of time using one or more networks every day. We communicate with co-workers and friends, share files, check inventory, surf the Internet, and download drawings and specifications. With what, who, and how are we making these connections? more

Top 10 Trends: Systems-in-Package
The ultimate future system is a single or few-chip package that communicates wirelessly with other systems. But this needs a human interface and possibly mechatronics capabilities. Perhaps that is where many future connector products will reside—unless, of course, wireless technologies eliminate I/O connectors too. more

Supplementary Tests, or, Oh yeah, I need this too!
The supplementary tests in EIA 364D Test Group 5 run the gamut from plating porosity, cable clamp and shell testing, environmental testing of sealed connectors, crimped connection testing, and more. In some cases, supplemental tests are destructive. Dr. Bob gives you the specifics. more

Security: Playing it Safe
In today’s world, safety and security play an increasingly vital role in every part of business and civic life. The connector industry is right there, providing the vital links that bring this technology to life. How is the connector industry supporting our efforts to keep the world safe? What developments will we need to make happen in order to stay on top of this rapidly changing field? more

MRAP Vehicles: The Soldier Protector
The Mine Resistant Ambush Protection (MRAP) vehicle platform has been an Army, Department of Defense, and political topic in Washington and in the press for the past two years. The actual concept of a medium-sized truck with armor plate on the sides is not new. The actual “technology” of such a vehicle is traced back to the South African and Rhodesian armed forces fighting insurgents in the countryside, and it was used on roads and tracks of both countries almost 30 years ago. What countries are also interested in this “soldier protector”? Is there a replacement in the wings? more

Test Group 5: Stress Relaxation
Stress relaxation refers to the exposure of mated connectors to an elevated temperature for a specific amount of time, also known as “temperature life” testing. The intention of such an exposure is to evaluate the effect of time and temperature on the materials of manufacture of the connector, and to further evaluate how those effects will influence important performance characteristics of the connector. more

The Top 10 Industry Trends
Trend 6: Miniaturization
Vacuum tube technology ushered in the electronic age, but those glowing tubes consumed a huge amount of space and power. The race to reduce began early: In 1947, the invention of the transistor set off the continuous evolution of electronic devices that offer greater functionality in smaller packages. Here’s what’s new. more

RoHS Rolling On
Few people question the value of protecting our environment. The rapid rise in population and the industrialization of China and India is putting a tremendous burden on limited resources, as well as creating unprecedented levels of pollution and hazardous waste. We find ourselves in a transition period where we are working through a myriad of individual environmental mandates, and they can be the source of frustration and additional costs for us all. more

Ask Dr. Bob
Mixed Flowing Gas—A Corrosion-Oriented Test
This harsh environment test is gaining in popularity. This is particularly true in applications where corrosion is of particular concern. It can also be a valuable tool to determine if the magnitude of porosity, and its location, will be problematic—or not. The MFG test, if used properly, can be viewed as a performance-oriented porosity test. more

Simulators: Military “Games” that Train
The flight training simulator for the F-15E Mission Training Center at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina is exact in every detail to an actual F-15E cockpit, right down to the parachute pack on the Aces II ejection seat. This particular simulator, built by a division of Boeing, cost from $15 to $20 million, but are so much like flying the real airplane that the Air Force is giving pilots a percentage of their monthly flight time requirements when they fly in approved simulators. more

Connector Counting with the Boeing AH-64D Apache Helicopter more

The Top 10 Industry Trends
No. 5: The 5Cs
The electronics industry, with its constant technologic advancements, is traveling at a rapid pace through the first decade of the 21^st century. Nothing is changing faster than the convergence and competition between the consumer, computer, and communications markets. more

Ask Dr. Bob
Test Group 4: Let’s Not Be Too Harsh
There are several factors to consider in determining what is a harsh environment when you are testing a connector system. Dr. Bob Mroczkowski tells you what to look for. more

Shrinking Connector Profiles
Consumer demand for greater portability of devices, which range from consumer entertainment to medical diagnostic equipment, is adding pressure to develop smaller and lighter devices that may expose I/O connectors to a wide range of potentially damaging environments. Here are some solutions to the problem. more

Hanover Fair 2008: Where are we heading in 2008?
Despite weak North American markets, fears of recession, record high raw material prices, and a historically strong euro, the German economy—a driving force in industrial markets throughout Europe—proved resilient and robust in the first quarter of 2008. For many companies, including connector companies, the weakness in North American markets was offset by a good performance in European and Asian markets. Connector companies at Hannover Messe demonstrated new products and business strategies for the balance of 2008. more

Meet Scott Clay, Bishop’s New Military/Aerospace Specialist
Scott Clay has worked for over 25 years in the connector and wiring systems markets. He has held various positions in field applications and marketing for Molex, Tyco, Methode, and ITT. For the past 15 years, Scott has focused on the military/aerospace sector, and five years ago formed his own company for consulting and application engineering. In this issue, Scott discusses the challenges that Boeing and Airbus are facing. Look for a more extensive article in the next issue of ConnectorSupplier.com, in which he'll cover many components and trends in the mil/aero market.

Today’s Challenge: Boeing vs. Airbus  more

Group 2A Tests:
Supplementary Connector Housing Testing Options
The Group 2A tests are a supplementary sequence of tests performed at the same time as Group 2 tests. The basic difference is that the Group 2 variable measurements concentrate on measuring low-level circuit resistance or contact resistance, and the supplementary group deals with insulation resistance and dielectric withstanding voltage. What is the best way to perform these tests? more

The Evolution of the Home Office
With a dazzling array of office and electronic equipment available to the consumer today, the home office is no longer just a home for your personal computer, telephone, and printer. What’s important to remember is that when selecting new equipment for your home office, making sure it has the right connections is the key to home office happiness. more

The Top 10 Industry Trends:
No. 4, Standardization
To be, or not to be a standards player—if yes, how much energy is devoted to an increasingly global and complex standards process? If no, how do you stay on the radar screen with your own special application connector products and customers? more

Advanced TCA and MicroTCA Find Their Niche
Suppliers of Advanced TCA connectors, card racks, and daughtercards are optimistic that products which have been in design and development for many years are finally nearing introduction and volume production. Concerns about the current global economy, together with adoption rates for advanced 3G wireless phones, may have a large impact on the entire telecom industry, as well as the connectors that support next-generation equipment. Which manufacturers will battle for market share? more

ATCA: From the Source
ATCA manufacturers are at the forefront of a dramatically changing marketplace—not to mention a rapidly changing world. Global issues, economic uncertainty, and the everyday demands of providing innovative products for ever-evolving customers make their role challenging. We asked a few ATCA manufacturers to share their perspective. David Givens, Samtec; Nathan Tracy, Tyco Electronics, Communications, Computer and Consumer Electronics Business Unit; David Sideck, FCI, Electronics Division; and Ed Garstkiewicz, HARTING Inc., gave us some insight into the challenges and selection of new ATCA products. more

Connector Testing EIA 364D Test Group 3:
The house is only as strong as the foundation
The connector housing has several functions. Its ability to support the contacts and maintain their spacing is critical to a strong connector foundation. The EIA 364D Test Group 3 helps determine how stable the polymer is in your connector housing. more

Putting the Screws to Test: Screw Machine Contacts
The technology of tomorrow needs to be prototyped and tested today. And when you need absolute precision and reliability, you need solid machined contacts. With a little help from our friends over at Swissturn USA, Positronics, IDI, Preci-Dip SA, Multi-Contact, and Mill-Max, we’ll tell you what’s happening in this area of the connector industry. more

APEC 2008: Applying Connector Power
Connectors play a critical role in supporting the increasing demand placed on power distribution systems, and connector manufacturers have met that demand with an array of new connectors. The key aspects of higher power ratings in smaller profile connectors, together with a modular design, were apparent in many of the interfaces on display at APEC 2008. more

The Top 10 Industry Trends:
No. 3, Outsourcing Changes the Manufacturing Alphabet
The manufacturing alphabet keeps changing because of outsourcing—the OEM moves from the CEM to the ODM. What kind of a “stew” does this create for the connector industry? Click here to read more about the third industry trend.

Humidity Testing—Worthwhile or Useless?
You’ve heard the statement, “it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity” that will get you, and that may be the case with humidity testing, too. Max Peel takes you through the process of testing a connector by thermal shock, and then adds a good dose of humidity. What’s important? And what’s not? Here are some reasons to look at testing a connector in a humid environment. more

Fiber Optics Continue to Connect Us to the Future
A single optic fiber can convey the same number of high-speed signals as a copper bundle of twisted pair conductors many times its size. Improved signal fidelity and reduced cable maintenance are also very attractive features of optic transmission. Fiber optics are good for the long-haul, but will it work for those short runs? more

Comparison and Performance: EIA 364D Test Group 2
Comparative testing and performance assessment are two connector testing purposes that are identified in this article. The requestor of the test sets up the parameters for the number of mating cycles that should be tested. Here are some additional considerations. more

The Top 10 Industry Trends:
No. 2, Consolidation
This issue features the second industry trend that we feel is affecting us all: consolidation. Just about every industry has gone through consolidation in recent years. Consolidation has been pervasive in the electronics industry, influencing the total supply chain and significantly changing the competitive landscape. Click here to read more about the second industry trend.

Vibration Testing: Shake, Rattle, and Roll—No Shock!
Max Peel takes you through the process of shaking, rattling, and rolling a connector to ensure its mechanical and electrical stability for a final product. Many items factor into the qualification process. Here are some highlights of vibration testing. more

Assessing Manufacturability and Solder Joint Reliability of SMT Connectors
There has been a massive shift of electronic manufacturing from OEMs to the Electronic Manufacturing Services Industry (EMS). As a result, one might wonder what is happening to those R&D, development, and process engineering disciplines necessary for world-class manufacturing. The following Celestica model may not be universal, but this is one EMS company, formerly a subsidiary of IBM, that is doing a lot to both transition and uphold former OEM engineering excellence. more

Lasers in Medicine: A Technology Primer
Lasers are creating some amazing advancements in modern medicine. Whether you need to remove a regretted tattoo, have an old football knee injury that needs repair, or require diabetic retinopathy eye repair, a laser session may be in your future. Karl Jalbert, Bishop & Associates, gives you the how, when, and why of how lasers support today’s medical achievements. more

Fiber Optic Beam Delivery for Laser Medicine more

Shock, Rattle, and Vibrate with the EIA 364D: Group 1 Test
Qualification or specification testing of connectors is performed according to the EIA 364D test specifications. The mechanical stability of a connector is evaluated, according to contact resistance criteria, by a series of exposures, including shock and vibration. Here’s how it’s done. more

Reflections on the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show
It doesn’t seem to make any difference if you’re forecasting connector usage and development from the management chair at a connector manufacturer’s desk, or seated in front of your new plasma TV at home: The Consumer Electronics Show always manages to create some excitement for “what’s new” in the world of consumer toys. more

RF Cable Assemblies Signal Growth
RF cable assemblies are manufactured for many markets and dominate several high-growth markets, such as telecom, datacom, automotive, and mil-aero. Manufacturers are looking for ways to serve their clients locally. Here’s what one manufacturer is doing. more

RF From Another Perspective
Top RF manufacturers share their perspective of what’s happening in the RF world. What changes are they making to their product lines to adapt to a changing marketplace? What are they doing to satisfy their customer’s needs? And, what RF cable assembly services do they provide? Product experts from Tyco, Molex, Telegaertner, and IMS Connector Systems respond. more

The Top 10 Industry Trends
Each month, the second issue of ConnectorSupplier.com will feature a different industry trend that we feel is affecting us all. The electronics industry is a fast moving and rapidly changing environment. Selecting only 10 trends was a challenge. Click here to read about the first trend. more

Contact Resistance: Key to Success
Well-tested connectors pay back the effort with better performance. Here are some factors to include in your testing plan. more

Gigabit Ethernet: Transforming the Network Landscape
Staying current in the fast-moving electronics industry can be a challenge. Advances in materials and technologies can quickly convert today’s state-of-the-art products into tomorrow’s dinosaurs. The Ethernet standard for local area networks is a perfect example of a technology that continues to evolve to meet the industries it serves. more

Measure Twice, Test Once
All test sequences begin with a measurement to establish the baseline for the parameter of interest intended to simulate some field condition or degradation mechanism. In this article, Dr. Bob discusses electrical resistance measurements as used in the first test group. more

2007: The Year of the Backplane
An escalation in the race for supremacy in backplane technology has been evident throughout 2007, as four leading contenders have announced a continuous stream of new products that push the limits of both bandwidth and signal density. There is also a level of sharing of design and manufacturing detail from these four manufacturers that is unprecedented in such a highly competitive market, but that shared information has become an absolute requirement of the backplane user. more

Costa Rica: A near-shore alternative
A wide range of human resource capabilities, convenient geographical location, free trade zone parks, tax benefits, and a lower worker wage, all make Costa Rica an attractive country in which to do business. Plus, it’s not a bad place for a company retreat! Find out more about Costa Rica’s advantages as a manufacturing center. more

Devil or Angel? Connector Testing
You’re working on a new product and you have the “devil” on one shoulder urging you to manufacture without testing and risk the consequences. The “angel” is on your other shoulder encouraging you to do the “right” thing, but boy, will you pay for that decision, and with hard, cold cash. Which do you choose? more

Non-Automotive Transportation Revs Up
In the high-tech world of global connector manufacturers, the word NAT does not mean a small bothersome insect that lives in the ground. NAT is the acronym for the non-automotive transportation connector market. more

Automotive Connectors: Driven By High-Tech Requirements
FCI’s automotive division offers design solutions to help vehicle manufacturers keep up with the increasing number of features and functions of the modern car. more

The How and Why of Connector Testing Programs
Dr. Bob begins a series of articles on connector testing programs, starting with an overview of connector testing programs in terms of procedures and purposes—the “how” and “why” of connector testing. more

Backplane Sources Shifting
Competition for backplane assemblies that are variations of an industry standard has become fierce, as OEMs increasingly adopt the economic and time-to-market advantages that standards-based systems offer. The timeless suppliers are adjusting to the market and a newcomer surfaces. more

Navigating the Channel: An Overview of High-Speed Backplane Interconnects
Whichever backplane design is chosen to meet ever-changing speed and performance requirements, design engineers ultimately need to consider what’s to come beyond current standards. To lower applied costs and extend the system’s lifecycle, a backplane’s infrastructure needs to have forward-compatibility that enables product use years down the road. Here are some options. more

The M12 Evolves—Will it Become the Industrial Automation Standard?
Industrial automation plays an increasingly important role in the global economy. Not only does this automation improve productivity costs, it also improves the quality of the products produced. Equipment manufacturers look for reliable, low-cost, and rugged connectors. Will the M12 be the solution? more

From DMC to Test, Dr. Bob’s New Connector Series Begins
Dr. Bob introduces a new series of connector articles which will explore the relationship of connector degradation mechanism to connector testing. The new series will include discussions on developing a testing program, testing procedures for conditioning and evaluation, and experiences in connector testing. Max Peel will partner with Dr. Bob.  more

Mezzanine Connectors are Stacking Up
Cramming greater functionality into smaller boxes, while producing a modular system that permits user repair and future upgrades, is an ongoing challenge to system packaging engineers. Does the mezzanine connector fit the bill? more

China: Navigating the New Frontier
While navigating any new frontier, it’s always a good idea to take a couple friends along that can make the trip less treacherous, more rewarding, and you’ll have someone to share the burdens and the joys of the journey. Joseph Likens with Synergetic Sourcing, and Christopher Memet from François Frères, have ventured into the world of Chinese manufacturing and sourcing. Their experiences may help you on your trek to this new world of opportunity. more

World Cable Assembly Market: Shifting Industry Market Structure
Traditionally regarded as mature and stable, the cable assembly manufacturing industry may be poised for significant change through the remainder of the decade. more

Mobile Phone Production Continues to Soar
There are approximately 15 significant mobile phone manufacturers, however, Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, Siemens, Sony-Ericsson, and LG Electronics account for approximately 80 percent of the total market. In a typical one-year period, each of the major suppliers will put more than 20 new mobile phone designs into production. That is a lot of new product design and, also, a lot of component design-in activity. more

A Review of the Apple iPhone
John MacWilliams has had a couple months to play, tinker, and bond with his iPhone. He offers us his thoughts on what works, what could be improved, and what’s not so hot. more

Connector Basics
Degradation Mechanisms: Loss in contact normal force.
The degradation concern for contact force loss is addressed by proper material selection to counter the effects of stress relaxation, and by proper mating practices to prevent overstressing of contact beams during application of the connectors. These issues are important because of their potential impact on connector susceptibility to micromotions. Dr. Bob explains how to do this. more

Tried-and-True, Or Something New? Connector standards have disadvantages, but using one could help generate innovation elsewhere in the product design.
Electronic connectors conforming to a standard have been part of the product mix since the beginning of the electronics age. An industry-accepted standard interface opens the market to multiple suppliers building equipment that can be assured of both mechanical, as well as electrical, compatibility. more

Important Reading! The 2007 iNEMI Roadmap:
Emerging Markets, Emerging Technologies
The 2007 iNEMI Roadmap identifies that digital convergence is occurring rapidly for existing markets and many key emerging markets, which are driven by consumer demand and social values, including health care, energy conservation, and homeland security. The findings from this study could affect us all, both professionally and personally. more

The Return of Fiber Optics
Many people believed fiber optics would be the future of electronic interconnect. In the ‘80s and ‘90s, hundreds of millions were invested in research and development to pave the way for that anticipated nirvana. And then 2000 rolled around. more

Manufacturers of electronic products have always faced the destructive effects of sudden user-generated voltage surges, and have utilized a combination of defenses at the system, PCB, and chip levels to combat the problem. As chip transistor sizes shrink, susceptibility to damage increases. The profusion of portable devices exposes a greater range of electronic products to unwanted spikes in voltage. Here are some solutions to the ESD problem. more

The potential electrical advantages offered by surface mount connectors are a lively topic of debate among engineers, but justified concerns still exist regarding the use of larger surface-mounted connectors. Solder joint fatigue, connector registration, and coplanarity issues must be resolved, and solutions must be fully documented before the industry adopts surface mount connectors as mainstream technology. more

Advances in SMT Backplane Connectors
Presenters: Phil Stokoe, Burke Hunsaker, and Douglas Cannon, Amphenol TCS

With recent gains by semi-conductor manufacturers resulting in the widespread availability of devices capable of driving high-speed signals over longer printed circuit board traces, system designers are presently considering product designs that have data rates up to 25 Gb/s. This requirement challenges the physical capabilities of further compliant pin miniaturization.

The paper, Advances in SMT Backplane Connectors, describes a significant advancement in the development of surface mount backplane connectors that meet industry standards of reliability and reparability. The connector has a board footprint and via structure that can meet the electrical performance needed to satisfy future system requirements.

Request a copy of this paper.

Connector Basics:
Connector Degradation Mechanisms—Corrosion Part II
The importance of a nickel underplate in gold-plated connector systems cannot be overemphasized. Why is nickel underplate so important, and what effect does it have on corrosion degradation?  more

Sockets Succeed in a Continually Evolving Marketplace
The socket market accounts for approximately five percent of total world connector sales. The health and vitality of the computer and semiconductor markets are major factors in how well the socket market will do this year. Here’s what to expect...more.

Problem Solved:
Socket Adapters Resolve RoHS-Compliant Soldering Problems
Many printed circuit boards are now completely converted to RoHS compliancy, while many others are still manufactured in the “old way.” Lead-free BGA-to-tin/lead BGA adapters are one solution to this compatibility dilemma. more

Connector Basics:
Connector Degradation Mechanisms—Corrosion Part I
The kinetics of corrosion mechanisms in connectors can be very complex, but for the purposes of this discussion, two such mechanisms will be highlighted: surface corrosion and motion-induced corrosion, or fretting corrosion. What can be done about it? There are two general approaches to fretting corrosion prevention, one directed at preventing fretting, and one at preventing corrosion. more

Industry Outlook:
Is the White-Hot Consumer Electronics Market Poised to Cool?
Growth has been substantial in consumer electronics during the last few years, but one wonders whether double-digit rates can continue, particularly since we are in the fifth year of the current economic expansion. more

Life after Lead: Emerging Environmental Mandates
Spur Innovations in Connector Development
Global efforts to reduce the amount of potentially harmful substances released into the environment has gained traction over the past few years, and will likely play a significant role in the electronic equipment market for the foreseeable future. The possibility of total bans on the use of additional materials commonly found in connectors today may require substantial changes in connector design and fabrication processes, including the ability to economically reclaim all materials. Connector manufacturers must continue to closely monitor evolving environmental mandates to anticipate unintended consequences of these efforts and develop responses that minimize the cost impact. What else is required of the connector manufacturers? more

The Shape of Things to Come:
Rectangular Connectors Find Their Place in the Future
Over the next five years, I/O rectangular growth is anticipated to be slightly above overall connector growth. Much of this growth will be in high-speed connectors used in cable assemblies. Here’s a look at the products and market. more

Connector Basics: Connector Degradation Mechanism
This is the first in a series of articles about connector degradation mechanisms. The purpose of this article is to provide a rationale as to why they are important to connector performance. Following articles will discuss degradation mechanisms in additional detail. At the end of this article, you will be able to provide feedback on this subject and also be able to participate in an online discussion with others in the industry. If you have specific questions regarding future topics, email them to questions@connectorsupplier.com, and we will respond. more

Shielded vs. Unshielded High-Speed Backplane Connectors
The market for high-speed backplane, mezzanine, and midplane connectors has evolved into shielded and unshielded categories, both claiming performance to support 10+ Gb/s signaling. The general perception is that shielded connectors can provide greater bandwidth than their unshielded relatives, but practical application at speeds typical of today’s systems have proven unshielded connectors are capable of acceptable performance. What factors are important in deciding which connector type to use? more

Hanover Fair 1947-2007 in Review
With over 230,000 visitors, Germany’s Hannover Messe reconfirmed its position as a leading technology event for the industry. Connector manufacturers that specifically service the industrial market, and sell products for applications in harsh environments, consider the Hanover Fair an excellent event to showcase their products to the industry. Here’s what’s new. more

New Connector Products Bring On the Future
Chalk it up to increasing technical challenges, intense competitive pressure, advanced packaging demands, or several profitable years, but the connector industry is currently introducing new products at a furious pace. Here's what's new. more

Computer Industry Trends
The computer and peripherals industry is among the largest markets for connectors, totaling $8.087 billion in 2006, with an anticipated market of $12.067 billion in 2011. Click here for the significant business and technology forces that affect this industry.

Pumping up the Power
Management of power and thermal issues has become a prime consideration in the development of new computing and communications equipment. The challenge of packing greater system functionality and speed in smaller spaces has impacted every component in the product, including connectors. more