When an end product fails due to a faulty connector, the team that takes the blame may not be the group that was ultimately responsible for the final purchasing choice. In the end, who owns connector selection responsibility? Many times, when a field problem is tied to specific connector, the question asked is, “Who selectedRead More

First designed more than 100 years ago, electric cars are making a “comeback.” So what’s driving the electric vehicle market? Electric vehicles were all the rage 100 years ago. They were quiet, reliable, and did not require strenuous manual cranking or shifting. They ran 35 to 50 miles between recharges, with some able to runRead More

The latest automotive technology is sensor-based, but to make self-driving vehicles a reality, technology convergence is necessary. This article, based on research by KPMG, sheds light on what may be next in automotive connectors and other technology. This article is excerpted from a white paper published by KPMG. Can we build a safe, self-driving vehicle?Read More

There are a number of factors to consider when deciding between custom or off-the-shelf medical connectors, and the pros and cons of each might surprise you. When designing a new medical device, one of the decisions manufacturers face is choosing a connector and mating receptacle. For some applications, a standard (or off-the-shelf) connector is a viableRead More

After two years of incubation and development, TE Connectivity (TE) unveiled the company’s latest advancement in fiber optics: Coolbit optical engines. TE’s Nathan Tracy answered our questions about the future of optical technology. CS: Rather than build an optical engine using off-the-shelf components, TE chose to differentiate its products by focusing the design on the twoRead More

When designing medical devices, connector performance is a critical part of the accuracy, durability, and safety of the end system. Here are five things you need to know about medical connector reliability. When you think about medical connectors, the first thought that likely comes to mind is reliability. But what does this mean? Where doRead More

As average sales prices for devices decrease, the cost of testing needs to decrease at the same or greater rate. The PXI platform for semiconductor ATE may be the answer. This is an excerpt from a white paper available from Geotest – Marvin Test Systems. The electronics industry is under constant pressure to lower itsRead More

Cable stress and failure in high-flex applications have a direct impact on reliability of automation equipment. This information is an excerpt of a white paper from W.L. Gore &  Associates.  The latest process automation machines are designed to operate much faster than previous generations and incorporate vision and numerous sensors. This new operating environment canRead More

As goes the semiconductor market, so go interconnects. The Semiconductor Industry Association shares the five things to know about global semiconductor sales now. 1. Global semiconductor sales reached a record high in 2013. Worldwide semiconductor sales for 2013 reached $305.6 billion, the industry’s highest-ever annual total and an increase of 4.8% from the 2012 totalRead More

Wondering how to select a connector supplier? The selection method must ensure the supplier can meet all established performance, cost, lead-time, and service requirements. Once several manufacturers’ connectors have been evaluated for a specific application, it is likely that the ultimate selection will be made from at least three or four manufacturers (and maybe moreRead More

Using multi-contact coax connectors and VITA standards can preserve space on the front panel and facilitate insertion/removal of cards for installation, repair, and upgrades. A growing trend in electronic packaging for military and aerospace applications is the availability of multi-contact coaxial interconnects. A key driver is the desire to provide RF disconnect capability at the backplane/daughtercardRead More

Think you know everything about RF Coaxial Connectors? Here are five things to know before you start your next design. 1. Radio frequency (RF) coaxial contacts maintain signal integrity. RF coaxial connectors have historically been used to transmit radio signals over copper lines so the signal can be processed into an audible or visible medium.Read More