Meet the Antenna: Shark Fin Antennas Discreet, low-profile shark fin antennas have become an essential part of connected systems in automotive and transportation applications. They may also be called paddle antennas. Typically roof-mounted, they have an aerodynamic and stylish form modeled after a shark’s dorsal fin. The housing contains multiple antennas to receive AM/FM andRead More

Meet the Connector: Semi-Rigid Coax Cable This semi-rigid transmission line can be formed as needed and will hold its shape to fit the needs of various applications. Semi-rigid coax cable is a coaxial transmission line that can be formed to fit the needs and dimensions of a specific application. Custom assemblies can also be madeRead More

Weidmuller USA’s new CEO joined the company just in time to celebrate the company’s 50th year in North America. But Randy Sadler’s own history with the company goes back decades, too — he joined as a college student and moved all the way up through the ranks. From Richmond, Virginia, he brings German engineering toRead More

Meet the Connector: MIL-DTL-22992 Connectors MIL-DTL-22992 connectors are the largest heavy-duty cylindrical connectors used for high-power military and industrial applications. The MIL-DTL-22992 military specification defines its interface, materials, performance, and environmental resistance. The 22992 connector features threaded coupling for secure connections and has high resistance to moisture, shock, and vibration, making it suitable for harsh environmentRead More

From predictive maintenance on railcars and tracks to timetable management and Smart City integration, AI and machine learning are transforming modern railways. High-speed trains, electrification, and the integration of artificial intelligence are transforming global rail networks. Two centuries into its evolution, the rail industry is in a period of rapid and transformative change. Incoming technologiesRead More

Meet the Connector: IEC 60601-Compliant Connectors IEC 60601 is a technical standard that ensures the basic safety and essential performance of electrical medical equipment and systems for use in the home healthcare environment. IEC 60601-compliant connectors adhere to a specific pin layout, meet insulation requirements, feature specific grounding measures, as well as protect against electricalRead More

Meet the Cable: MTP/MPO Cables MTP and MPO cables are critical components in telecommunication networks and high-speed computing environments such as data centers. These optical cables deliver the higher transmission speeds and larger capacity requirements of cloud computing in the era of big data. MTP and MPO cables have similar appearances, but there are severalRead More

EV charging infrastructure is rapidly improving. With strategic design changes, including materials innovations throughout the charging system, it is becoming possible to deliver a recharge in minutes. Significant developments for EV charging are set to unfold in 2025, bringing millions of high-tech opportunities for design engineers, installation workers, and electronics professionals. In 2024, global salesRead More

If you can’t beat them, join them. Companies acquired new capabilities through strategic moves in 2024. Plus, the big acquisition everyone was talking about at the end of the year. The connector industry keeps making connections — with other companies. In 2024, we saw a continuation of acquisition activity as suppliers expanded services, capabilities, products,Read More

Meet the Connector: VITA 67 VITA 67 connectors are a family of standards under the VITA (VMEbus International Trade Association) organization, specifically designed for coaxial and RF (Radio Frequency) interconnects in VPX systems (VITA 46). These connectors are used to integrate high-frequency signals into ruggedized embedded computing systems, making them ideal for applications that requireRead More

Charging an electric car still takes longer than filling up a gas car. But that is about to change, and it all comes down to the connectors. The latest charging connectors are ready to dramatically upgrade charging infrastructure. At the moment, the slow EV charging experience remains one of the key barriers to electric carRead More

Meet the Connector: High-Speed Data Connectors High-speed data connectors, also called HSDs, address the low-voltage, high-speed data requirements of a wide range of automotive applications. These compact, shielded connectors transmit high-frequency signals and are commonly used in automotive and industrial applications for systems like Ethernet, USB, and LVDS, as well as limited consumer electronics. They provideRead More