Most of the connectors used in the small, hand-launched military UAVs typical of swarming drones are very small, lightweight, low-profile, D-shaped, or flat-nano connectors. By Ann R. Thryft Military UAV In a swarm of robots or a natural swarm of ants or bees, all units communicate with each other and act collectively. Swarm robotics looksRead More

The VITA 76.0 connector ensures exceptional signal integrity for high-speed interconnects over maximum cable length on size-, weight-, and power (SWaP)-constrained ground, airborne, and naval platforms. By Mike Southworth, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions, and Ken Braund, Meritec In 2015, VITA adopted the VITA 76.0 standard, “High Performance Cable – Ruggedized 10 Gbaud Bulkhead Connector for CuRead More

The demand for twisted pair differential signal cable has skyrocketed to serve a new generation of high-speed military products ranging from surveillance devices to portable computers. By Bob Stanton, Director of Technology, Omnetics Connector Corporation Twisted Pair Cable for High-Speed Interconnections As high-speed digital circuit design evolves for use in portable and other environmentally challengingRead More

The myriad electronic systems used to equip modern luxury yachts require a number of connectors, often with a demand for customization. By Terry Costlow Anywhere there’s water, there are boats. More people want them, and more buyers have money to buy fancy watercraft, creating a huge market for luxury yachts, which opens a large marketRead More

The results of the 2018 Bishop & Associates US Customer Satisfaction Survey of the Electronic Connector Industry are in. We reveal the top 10 connector suppliers for overall best performance. View additional survey results. 2018 Top 10 Connector Suppliers Bishop & Associates has completed its biennial US customer survey, which evaluated 31 connector manufacturers. A totalRead More

US-based aircraft have a new equipment mandate to improve surveillance and communications. The deadline is fast approaching, but operators have numerous options to get compliant. New ADS-B Standards Nearly a decade ago, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) set in place a timeline to transition from radar to next-generation, surveillance-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) to manage theRead More

The developing trade war could bring significant consequences to the electronics industry. The Connector Industry Braces for the Impact of Tariffs The US government has weighed imposing tariffs on imports for over a year, and in recent weeks these discussions have escalated into action as tariffs have come into effect on trade relationships around theRead More

As sensors increasingly work in tandem with connectors in IoT applications, some companies are expanding their expertise to encompass both of these elements.  Much like human eyes and ears, electronic sensors detect, measure, and report data on physical properties that enable electronic systems to react. Sensors of all types are proliferating as they become theRead More

The Internet of Things is expanding into every aspect of infrastructure, putting greater demands on the sensors and connectors that keep these systems on constant guard. Electricity was just the beginning. Today’s built environment has integrated technology into every aspect of the form and function of buildings of every type.  Our homes, schools, office buildings,Read More

The growing complexity of automotive electronics and wiring is prompting automakers to augment geometric models with functional tools. By Terry Costlow Modeling and Simulation Tools Automakers are relying more on electronic technologies to differentiate products and add safety systems that pave the way to autonomous driving. The resulting increase in complexity is prompting OEMs toRead More

In the past 20 years, connectivity has become a defining feature for vehicle performance, function, and experience. By Amphenol RF Rapid Evolution of the Connected Car The automotive industry has seen monumental changes in recent years as the Internet of Things (IoT) has infiltrated nearly every function of cars, from in-vehicle entertainment systems to performanceRead More

TE Connectivity looks back on a season of innovation and excitement in all-electric auto racing. Season 4 of the world’s premier electric auto racing championship series is over, but Season 5 — and an all-new car — is just around the bend. On Sunday, the TECHEETAH team and driver Jean-Éric Vergne took the championship inRead More