Superior performance, longer lifespans, efficiency, affordability, and design flexibility make LEDs the obvious choice for most automotive lighting applications, from headlights and taillights to interior ambient lighting, indicators, and controls. One of the most visible advancements in automotive design can be spotted from a mile away: LED lighting is now in widespread use in vehiclesRead More

Smart grids will support new applications that produce and monetize energy, facilitate EV return of energy to the grid, and export renewable-generated electricity to other countries. E-Mobility has grown fast over the past several years, particularly in Europe and Asia, due in large part to Electric vehicle (EV) innovation, favorable regulations, significant investment, and sustainabilityRead More

Meet the Connector: Variable Reluctance Speed Sensors Engine speed and position sensing enhance vehicle performance and safety. Engine management, fuel efficiency, and emissions reduction all rely on the accurate measurement of rotational speed. The advancement of this technology is in line with increased demand for high-performance and eco-friendly vehicles. Variable reluctance speed (VRS) sensors measureRead More

FIRST Robotics has become an important force in the development of future engineers. Many of the young professionals working on the latest automotive technologies, from EVs to automation, got their start on a FIRST team, and many interconnect professionals volunteer as mentors with the organization. In an exclusive interview, FIRST founder Dean Kamen and MouserRead More

What are automotive terminals? Meet the Connector: Automotive Terminals Automotive terminals are used for connecting fuses, battery terminals, and vehicle sensors. They are found in cars, trucks, motorcycles, motorhomes, off-road and construction vehicles, and electric vehicles. Today’s automobiles contain about a mile of wire and thousands of electrical connections. These connections power and control theRead More

For several decades, teams of students from universities around the world have been competing to build the best solar car, gaining valuable skills and building relationships along the way. Electric vehicles (EVs) continue to gain popularity, yet issues around charging speed, range, and accessibility are still deterrents to wider acceptance. What if an EV couldRead More

Automotive electrification, connected transportation infrastructure, and high-speed communication systems are converging to create a safer, more efficient, and more connected automotive ecosystem in cities around the world. Automotive electrification has transformed every vehicle, not just EVs. Safety systems, driver assist technologies, and connected entertainment, navigation, and communication tools have transformed the driving experience. In theRead More

The first wave of devices based on the Automotive SerDes Alliance Motion Link Ethernet (ASA-MLE) draft specification are coming out now. These devices will become components of critical infrastructure for the next generation of intelligent Software Defined Vehicles. A new automotive SerDes technology standard is rapidly coming into view: the Automotive SerDes Alliance Motion Link Ethernet (ASA-MLE)Read More

Meet the Connector: HSL/High-Speed Link Connectors What are HSL/high-speed link connectors?  HSL/High-speed link connectors are used to facilitate high-speed data communication between different components within electronic systems, such as computers, servers, telecommunications equipment, and other digital devices. The term HSL refers to a broad category of high-speed, high-performance interconnects that are capable of supporting dataRead More

Telematics is having its moment as the key to an array of advanced data and communications capabilities— from lane retention and blind spot warnings (available today) to instant crash avoidance notifications and coordinated traffic lights (on the horizon). The practice of collecting vehicle operation data began in the 1950s, when mechanical devices were installed inRead More

New interconnect technologies help design more efficient, more powerful electric vehicles beginning with the battery pack. The foundation of any electric powertrain is the EV battery pack, as it is here that electrical energy supplied by charging infrastructure is stored. When the vehicle is moving, the battery is responsible for delivering this energy to theRead More

Meet the Connector: Busbars A busbar is a metallic strip or bar used to conduct electricity from a power source (such as a transformer or generator) to various electrical loads. Busbars provide connection points for electrical devices, such as circuit breakers, fuses, switches, and other components that are mounted directly onto the busbar or connectedRead More