The growing demand for high-density electrical connectors in the medical market is being driven by an overwhelming trend towards smaller, lighter, and more ergonomically conscious medical devices. By John Holloway, Principal Engineer at ATL Technology high-density electrical connectors These demands can be met with an array of standard and custom solutions, but coming up with theRead More

Commonly used in military, defense, industrial, and other harsh-environment applications, M39029 contacts are available in a variety of options. As a result, not every M39029 contact is created equal. By Steve Smashey, President, and Mike Conte, General Manager, SOS Engineering, Inc. M39029 To manufacture a reliable, high-performance connector for harsh-environment applications, the design process shouldRead More

As automation and the Internet of Things transform industrial environments, demand is increasing for electronics with interfaces for signal, data, and power transmission, as well as shielding from harsh environmental conditions. Board-to-board connectors are an important component in the fourth industrial revolution or Industry 4.0. By Markus Sonderer, Senior Director of Product Marketing and Development,Read More

Breakaway connectors can quickly disconnect to protect people and equipment, yet still provide the same pin and housing durability as their mechanically secured counterparts. By Steven Lassen, Product Applications Engineer, and Julie Carlson, Marketing Communications, LEMO Breakaway connector Breakaway connectors break the rules of device design that expect electronic connectors to make a secure attachment —Read More

Smart appliances create new challenges for device designers, who must integrate additional components and manage power, data transfer, size, and heat considerations in compact, unobtrusive packages that satisfy consumer demands. Consumers who value the improved control, energy efficiency, reliability, and convenience of smart home devices are driving the trend toward high-end connected appliances that canRead More

Connector solutions for automotive LED applications must combine ruggedness, reliability, long-term operation, increased functionality, apex performance, and ease of assembly — and all within a miniature and lightweight package. Automotive lighting uses one of three technologies for the headlamps: LEDs, high-intensity discharge (HID) Xenon, or halogen. LED technology has been disruptive in many markets andRead More

A new generation of fiber optic cable and high-speed connectivity products is laying the groundwork required to make 5G networks possible. Providers of fiber optic cables, high-speed connectors, and cable management systems are all gearing up to meet the challenges of developing the infrastructure required for 5G network deployment. The impending arrival of 5G networksRead More

HEV/EV charging system technology presents some of the most dynamic engineering challenges in the current global market. The ongoing quest for greater vehicle range and shorter battery recharging times present exciting challenges to companies in the field. Connector Solutions for HEV/EV Charging Systems, by ODU USA The hybrid electric and electric vehicle (HEV/EV) market hasRead More

Designing electronic medical devices with use-limiting technology safeguards patients and operators by preventing unauthorized reuse or refurbishment. By David Smith, Sr. Electrical Engineer, and Tyler Yang, Mechanical Engineer, ATL Technology  It’s no secret that cost is often a critical component of medical care, so it’s no surprise that cost is often the primary factor impactingRead More

Connectors are competing for space in today’s automated industrial processes. A next-generation miniature industrial connector format balances space constraints with data performance. Meet the iX Industrial. At the 2018 Hannover Fair, HARTING identified miniaturization as one of six trends defining the evolution of integrated industrial processes. The others are digitization, integration, e-mobility, modularization, and customization.Read More

When counterfeit connectors make it into the supply chain, they can cause big problems in equipment and systems that depend on them. Knock-offs of connectors and other electronic components can cause big problems for purchasers. These parts are often deliberately designed to superficially resemble or imitate premium parts that have been manufactured with more stringentRead More

As the need for bandwidth continues to increase, so does the need for higher data rates and smaller connectors capable of higher densities. What was once 1–3Gb/s moved to 4–8 Gb/s; then we saw the jump to 16Gb/s, then 28Gb/s, and now we are ready for 56Gb/s.   Although the datacom and telecom industries are pushing for higher data rates and smaller connectors capable of higher-density configurations, achieving thisRead More