Connectivity is crucial for the seamless operation of technologies in industries that operate under extreme conditions. A harsh environment is typically defined by factors such as extreme temperatures, high humidity, corrosive substances, excessive dust, and significant vibration. These conditions can severely impact the performance and longevity of electronic components, making ruggedized connectors essential. Article ContributedRead More

Agentic or “agent”-based computers are goal oriented and are built around one or more autonomous agents that can plan, make decisions, and act over time to achieve goals. Computers have evolved into many forms, often to address specific applications or market segments. The mainframe computer from the 1960s was the genesis of a proliferation ofRead More

Elastomeric connectors are used wherever a solder-free, zero-insertion-force interface is needed between a PCB and a flat or fragile substrate.  Elastomeric Connectors (also known as ZEBRA connectors) feature alternating, parallel layers of electrically conductive and non-conductive silicone elastomer. The elastomeric connector was invented by Joseph Asscher in the early 1970s by Elastomeric Technologies Inc. (ETI)Read More

Cable and connector assemblies for drones must deliver low weight, high reliability, and serve UAV platforms in both military and commercial markets. The unmanned aerial vehicle market has grown faster than the components designed to support it. For years, UAV designers reaching for high-reliability interconnects had to choose from products originally developed for conventional mannedRead More

Overmolded cable assemblies help ensure the integrity of mission-critical signal transmission in navigation, data, power, communication, and control systems. Learn how to specify this essential element of primary and secondary flight control designs. Article contributed by Robert Grzib Signal integrity, which measures the quality of an electrical signal, is inarguably the most critical factor toRead More

This new standard defines compact, rugged, modular, open systems architecture for high performance embedded computing that supports RF, video, and optical signal applications. In February 2026, VITA 90 VNX+ ratification marked the culmination of nearly a decade of work since the transition from VITA 74 began. The VITA 90 family of standards defines compact, rugged,Read More

Meet the Connector: VME64x Connectors VME64x is a standard for VMEbus ruggedized, high-performance embedded systems in defense, aerospace, industrial control, and medical imaging. A superset to the VME64 standard, VME64x (VME64 Extensions) was adopted by the VITA Standards Organization in 1997. VME64x added many new capabilities, including: a new 160 pin connector family a 95Read More

The buildout of AI infrastructure and expanding electrification are increasing demand for base metals. Now, unprecedented price increases in the gold, silver, and copper markets are putting pressure on connector manufacturers in a direct challenge to cost structures, pricing strategies, and supply chain resilience. Connector and cable manufacturers are navigating a challenging raw materials environmentRead More

From autonomous drones to robotic ground vehicles, AI is increasingly embedded in modern defense systems. While the adoption of AI offers strategic advantages, it also introduces risks, ethical debates, and operational challenges. Article contributed by PEI-Genesis The integration of AI into defense systems is a global trend. At the 2025 Global Summit on responsible AIRead More

Meet the Connector: Mil-C-24217 Connectors MIL-C-24217 is the U.S. military specification for rugged, metal-shell electrical connectors.  Designed for deep submergence submarine applications. MIL-C-24217 is the U.S. military specification for rugged, metal-shell electrical connectors designed for U.S. Navy deep submergence submarine applications. They are made to withstand hydrostatic pressures up to 10,000 psi and are usedRead More

The smallest satellites fit in the palm of your hand. Larger installations are critical to telecom, datacom, surveillance, and electronic warfare systems. Regardless of size, satellites must be built to withstand the harsh low temperatures of space, the heat and g-forces of launch, radiation and vacuum conditions, and protect the precise instruments inside to deliverRead More

For decades, the subminiature push-on connector has been a mainstay of RF applications. However, in complex architectures, the SMP interface had challenges in blind mating situations. A solderless coax connector presents an alternative. Article Contributed by Smiths Interconnect The landscape of high-speed radio frequency (RF) interconnects is continuously evolving, driven by the need for enhancedRead More