To ensure a successful product launch, manufacturers need to optimize the talents of their employees to be sure critical needs are addressed. We continue the “Connector Basics” series with a look at the necessary skills for successful new connector development. This article was contributed by APEX Electrical Interconnection Consultants. Successful new product development and releases toRead More
Connector designers understand that many variables impact contact area and how adequately the contacts do their job. This next article in the “Connector Basics” series explains why even minor increases in contact resistance matter. When a contact is mated, only a relatively small area is actually touching. All of the current must flow through this smallRead More
As fiber optic technology continues to expand and evolve at an increasingly rapid rate, we asked the Fiber Optic Association to provide our readers with a simple guide on how to specify single-mode and multimode FO connectors. Visit the Fiber Optic Association online for more valuable information about specifying these connectors, as well as forRead More
Recently we spoke to Julian Ferry, high-speed R&D manager at Samtec, to learn more about the latest developments in high-speed interconnects, which applications are driving them, and how Samtec is meeting the challenges. Read on for more from Samtec on signal integrity. CS: What are the primary applications in which system designers would look to high-speedRead More
David Weaver from Bulgin discusses the always-on demands of the industrial market and its need for robust connections, looking at how the latest high-power, waterproof, push-pull power connectors can help to meet these needs. In today’s “always-on” world, there is an ever-increasing need to ensure uninterrupted connectivity in the harshest environments; equipment is expected toRead More
We’ve been hearing about 4G mobile phones for several years now, and though they’re now mainstream, their full capabilities remain in short usage. Even though we do not have true 4G yet, mobile network operators push on to 5G. The evolution of the mobile phone networks, while seemingly slow, has made great progress over the lastRead More
As data rates increase, the bandwidth of signals increases and its rise time decreases. ALL signal integrity problems get worse with higher signal bandwidth and shorter rise time. Here, Dr. Eric Bogatin examines the connector challenges for high-speed serial link applications. Thanks in part to Netflix and YouTube, which together comprise as much as 50% ofRead More
Network data communications has evolved rapidly from “high-speed” gigabit Ethernet LANs to the integration of cloud-based information technology and data streams demanding terabytes of data. Engineers at TE Connectivity discuss how fiber optic advances push the bandwidth envelope in datacom and drive the next level of capabilities. Network data communications has evolved rapidly from “high-speed” gigabitRead More
Fiber optic cable no longer stops at the base of the cell tower, and as mobile communication network operators deploy advanced 3G LTE/4G networks, it’s time to take a closer look at fiber management solutions to the cell tower. This white paper excerpt was provided by 3M. Fiber optic cable no longer stops at theRead More
Cable manufacturer Northwire deploys anti-counterfeit technology to protect customers against the flourishing counterfeit wire industry. Here are its tips on challenges and solutions for designing failsafes into your products. The next generation of anti-counterfeit verification tools safeguards consumers against hazards that can range from injury to revenue loss. The sophisticated multi-billion-dollar global “gray market” demands cooperative efforts betweenRead More
The semiconductor market maintains its momentum so far in 2014, which is good news given how closely trends in the connector market follow trends in the semiconductor market. Global semiconductor market performance in early 2014 has continued where 2013 left off – with positive sales growth. As the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) reported at the beginning ofRead More
Custom connectors that utilize spring probe technology offer compliance, blind mating, and space savings. Gina Prieto of Smiths Connectors offers advice on how to specify spring probe connectors. Custom connectors utilizing spring probe technology offer a number of advantages over other contact types: compliance, blind mating, and space savings. Most often overlooked, however, is their designRead More
