In today’s microwave cable assemblies, it is essential to identify the electrical, mechanical, environmental, and application-specific constraints that affect overall performance, which are impacted by the materials used for cable dielectric and jacketing.   Ensuring high-quality signal stability of cables for microwave applications means evaluating the dielectric and jacket materials for attributes that account for the harshRead More

Considering connectors at the start of the design process results in an optimized LED lighting design.   LED lighting is very different from traditional lighting systems. Modern LED assemblies offer vastly improved power efficiency and longevity, and they can be extremely compact. However, their electronics are much more complex to design than those of incandescent lightRead More

A new direct-plug solution makes connecting LED strips almost as easy as screwing in a light bulb.      Electronics designers and developers are always looking for suitable connection solutions for flexible LED strips. Reliability, functionality, size, and electrical requirements are important considerations in connection systems for electronic assemblies involving LEDs. A new direct-plug solutionRead More

Finding the right connector for LED lighting systems continues to be a challenge for designers. Connectors for automotive applications deliver the necessary functionality and guarantee the highest level of reliability in active and passive safety and driver assistance systems due to extra security features.   The automotive market demands advanced components and systems that enable significantRead More

Software has come to dominate the conversation about the Cloud, but the Internet of Things won’t work unless data and power can reach the devices involved.   For all of the hype and promise of the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud-related services and functionalities, the fact is that nothing works without a proper hardware infrastructure. The mostRead More

Today, data centers contain thousands of computer servers that generate lots of heat, which can cause servers to crash. A Microsoft prototype could reduce the need for expensive air-conditioning systems with a data center built hundreds of feet below the surface of the ocean.   Microsoft has tested a prototype of a self-contained data center that canRead More

Currency fluctuation and the cooling of China’s economy notwithstanding, Apple’s predicament is a reflection of tough times across the board in the mobile phone industry.   To industry pundits and casual observers, it came as a shock earlier this year when Apple projected that growth for its iPhone sales would hit the slowest pace since 2007,Read More

Keeping with the fair’s theme of “Integrated Industry – Discover Solutions,” Hannover Messe 2016 visitors will discover promising ideas to make their factories and energy systems smart by means of digital technology.      Only in Hannover can you find five leading international trade fairs taking place at the same time, under one roof. AllRead More

Can the same connector be used in both through-hole reflow and surface-mount device processes? Weidmuller looks at how pin length can make all the difference in meeting the requirements of IPC-A-610 E. Today’s PCB is a platform for electronic components that creates circuits varying from simple to highly sophisticated. Requirements such as the miniaturization of components,Read More

If you feel secure because your exclusive design contains unique and patented components, you may want to think again, according to APEX Electrical Interconnection Consultants.      Patent infringement litigation is on the rise. A patent owner may view its intellectual property as a strategic asset. Although it has a limited lifespan, and may beRead More

As networks are required to move more data faster than ever before, Bishop & Associates’ Lisa Huff looks at the current state of data center networking and makes her forecast for the future.   Ethernet dwarfs other networking technologies in the data center market with 10G, 25G, 40G, and 100G data rates currently being used,Read More

As autonomous vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems become mainstream, LiDAR sensors become smaller, cheaper, and consumer-friendly. Will this impact automotive connector design?   Light Detection and Ranging, or LiDAR, is a core source of data for driverless car systems like that being developed by Google, and the huge, expensive, mechanical LiDAR units used onRead More