Bishop & Associates has been tracking the connector industry since 1980 by product type, by end-use market sector, and by major geographic region. When we initially starting reporting on the industry, China’s connector sales were so insignificant we included China’s numbers as part of the Asia Pacific region. Bishop & Associates began reporting China connectorRead More

For centuries, curious minds have formulated laws of physics, mathematics, and electricity. These scientific laws formed the foundations of the modern electronics industry. Humans have been aware of electricity for thousands of years. Lightning was thought to be a tool of the gods and although gods often laid down laws, they seemed unbound by them.Read More

From smart appliances to industrial automation, IoT technologies enable seamless connectivity. A new biography explores the life and mind of the technologist behind the theory of ubiquitous computing — or as we know it today, the Internet of Things. The Internet of Things is all around us, invisibly connecting and automating billions of devices. FromRead More

2023 Update: How’s the Connector Industry Performing? The electronics industry and related supply chains are still absorbing the shocks of the pandemic era. After months of record sales, sales have entered a down cycle, yet encouraging signs are present. What do the semiconductor sales say about future sales? More importantly, what does Bishop & AssociatesRead More

Six years after the historic Brexit referendum, trade ties have finally been severed between the United Kingdom and the EU. How is the U.K. connector industry handling the breakup? When the U.K. Parliament passed the Withdrawal Agreement Act in January 2020, 53% of businesses cited Brexit as the top source of uncertainty. Six years passedRead More

Failure-proof cable selection is especially important in dangerous or harsh environments where water, sunlight, temperature extremes, chemicals, dust, or other hazards are present. Failure-proof cable selection starts with an evaluation of how the cable will be used and the environmental conditions that surround the application. This is especially important in dangerous or harsh environments whereRead More

As communications applications approach THz frequencies, current 5G and future 6G introduce new RF connectors. Trends for miniaturization, higher frequency, and more RF power push connector suppliers to optimize designs and develop new products to meet industry needs. Most RF coaxial connectors can be used in many different end-use applications and markets. For example, theRead More

But what does 2023 hold for connector sales? Bishop & Associates’ Ron Bishop takes a look at the technologies and markets that use connectors to give us some clues about what the year ahead will bring. The final connector industry sales results from 2022 are coming in, and preliminary sales figures for the year showRead More

Connector companies play a big role in advancing the technology behind electric powertrains and battery management systems. The Formula E race series showcases the progress in the high-performance vehicle market. The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship electric car racing series is a proving ground for electric mobility, advancing the technology for everyday use asRead More

The increasing demand for mobile tactical power and communications capabilities presents new interconnect and cable assembly design challenges. The increasing demand for mobile tactical power and communications capabilities for military use presents new interconnect and cable assembly design challenges. In addition to demanding the utmost in durability and universal connectivity, military requirements make the optimizationRead More

The ever-increasing demand for greater bandwidth, data density, and reach using less energy has resulted in several new technologies that favor fiber optical channels. Engineers have long recognized the performance advantages of replacing electrical signals with pulses of light. Increased bandwidth capacity and reach, coupled with reduced cable bulk and immunity from external noise, areRead More

Learn how to design systems that minimize signal integrity loss and interference and maximize performance. The bar is higher than ever for high-speed performance, and PCB components have the potential to be either a great asset or an Achilles’ heel, especially if signal integrity is not given the foremost consideration while testing the design. WhatRead More