Meet the Connector: TCA Connectors TCA connectors, or thermal compression anisotropic (TCA) connectors, are technically not connectors, but rather a termination technique. This seldom-used process was devised in the 1970s for use in electronics and telecommunications applications. TCA connectors use a liquid strip or solid pad of conductive material to create a solid-state bond. TheRead More

Meet the Connector: MICE Connectors MICE connectors are a category of ruggedized connectors designed for harsh industrial environments that require robust and reliable connections. MICE is an acronym for Mechanical, Ingress, Climatic, and Electromagnetic protection. The concept of MICE gained traction in the late 20th century as industries began to ask for more durable andRead More

Batteries, battery management systems, and battery energy storage technologies have rapidly evolved, alongside interconnects, to make transformative new electronics possible. Batteries are becoming the latest disruptive technology as their size and weight decreases, their performance, safety, and energy density increases, and their prices come down, enabling an increasing range of technologies across every sector toRead More

Meet the Cable: Multimode Cable Multimode cable is a type of fiber optic cable designed to carry multiple light modes or paths simultaneously, enabling high-bandwidth data transmission over relatively short distances, commonly used in data centers and local area networks. Optical fibers were first developed in the 1950s and 1960s by researchers such as CharlesRead More

GNSS and GPS modules are smaller than ever, enabling them to be designed into moving assets, track individual people or animals, and identify precise locations. Yet these systems require coordination with real-time kinematic (RTK) corrections and other technologies to achieve centimeter-level precision. GPS (Global Positioning System) was the first satellite navigation system to be developedRead More

Meet the Connector: EWIS Connectors EWIS connectors and cables are components used in the Electrical Wiring Interconnection System (EWIS) of an aircraft. The EWIS represents a unified approach to aircraft wiring design that encompasses all the wiring, connectors, terminals, and related devices necessary for transmitting electrical power and signals, and carries information from the sensor systemsRead More

New processes and products are leading the way as the connector industry looks for solutions to the problem of electronics waste. Electronic waste (e-waste) is the world’s fastest growing solid waste stream and its harms include the introduction of as many as 1,000 different chemical substances into the environment, including microplastics, neurotoxins, and airborne particulateRead More

Indoor farming technologies centered around intelligent LEDs help grow new “superfood” crops that serve pharmaceutical and nutritional industries New indoor farming technologies that can create perfect growing conditions are taking the element of chance out of crop production. As climate change makes traditional farming less predictable, indoor vertical farming operations offer protected and optimized growingRead More

Meet the Connector: Push-pull Connectors Push-pull connectors are circular connectors that have a spring-action cylindrical sleeve surrounding — or within — the integral connector housing that self-latches during mating. The connection is released through a squeeze-and-pull, rotate-and-pull, or other specific unlocking action that prevents accidental disconnection. Push-pull circular connectors are available in numerous sizes, voltages,Read More

The U.S. Commerce Department has released its strategic vision for the U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute to advance AI with safety and responsible innovation. Hardware development is an important part of the conversation.  The rapid development and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into various aspects of society necessitate the development of standards and guidelines toRead More

The first wave of devices based on the Automotive SerDes Alliance Motion Link Ethernet (ASA-MLE) draft specification are coming out now. These devices will become components of critical infrastructure for the next generation of intelligent Software Defined Vehicles. A new automotive SerDes technology standard is rapidly coming into view: the Automotive SerDes Alliance Motion Link Ethernet (ASA-MLE)Read More

Meet the Connector: HSL/High-Speed Link Connectors HSL/High-speed link connectors are used to facilitate high-speed data communication between different components within electronic systems, such as computers, servers, telecommunications equipment, and other digital devices. The term HSL refers to a broad category of high-speed, high-performance interconnects that are capable of supporting data rates that can reach multipleRead More