It may be necessary to replace copper wiring with aluminum in automotive applications to reduce vehicle weight and achieve the aggressive future fuel-economy standards, but design engineers must be mindful of the significant differences between aluminum and copper wire terminations.   Aluminum wiring has been used for many years in several different industries. Utility companies have successfullyRead More

Coaxial/RF cable assemblies comprised $13.5 billion of the $142 billion worldwide market for cable assemblies in 2015. How coax cable and connectors are terminated affects quality and performance, so learn how to choose the right coaxial cable termination options for your application. Whether it’s ultralight, radiation-resistant sensor cable assemblies in the Mars Rover; a cabledRead More

The way the RJ45 connector is wired to Cat 5, 5e, and 6 cables differs depending upon the type of cable required. To understand why, it’s necessary to understand how computers communicate with the network.   RJ45 modular connectors, also known as 8P8C connectors, are used to connect computers to local area networks. The wayRead More

Military organizations throughout the world are working hard to lighten the load soldiers carry into battle; connector and cabling designs may offer solutions for miniaturization of military electronics.   There is a great sense of urgency in military organizations worldwide to modernize their operations. According to National Defense Magazine, there is an “innovation gap” that isRead More

The results are in for the 2016 Bishop & Associates US Customer Satisfaction Survey of the Electronic Connector Industry, and in this issue we reveal the top 10 connector suppliers for website usability. View survey results from all survey years. Bishop & Associates just completed its biennial US customer survey, which evaluated 52 connector manufacturers. ARead More

As armed robots become reality, a tug-of-war is building over humans’ place in the decision-making loop during battle.   On July 7, a sniper opened fire on a crowded street protest in downtown Dallas, Tex., killing five police officers and injuring others. A long standoff followed inside a parking garage, where the shooter was said toRead More

With potentially thousands of control and sensor data channels entering and exiting in engine test-stand vacuum chamber applications, it is essential for hermetically sealed conductor feedthroughs to solve cross-talk and leakage challenges as well as provide flexibility to meet future custom data needs. NASA worked with Douglas Electrical Components to provide such solutions for itsRead More

Connector-pin design has been caught up in a race to meet the needs of an ever-broadening range of applications, but military and aerospace applications have very serious environmental requirements that must be met first.     We often look at a device and wonder, “Would the best connector for my design use a flat pinRead More

 Presented by TE Connectivity Aircraft need higher bandwidth systems that are smaller and lighter, which brings us to fiber optic systems. TE Connectivity packed more signals into a smaller space while still meeting aerospace requirements with its PRO BEAM EB connectors.   In aerospace applications, space is always at a premium, and reducing weight isRead More

Robotic carsharing services will put fleets of autonomous vehicles at our app-driven beck and call. What do these super-cheap, super-safe connected vehicle systems mean for the transportation industry?   Most cars spend most of their time parked and not being of any use to anyone, but carsharing schemes are changing that. “Street rental” services like GetaroundRead More

End products intended for use in harsh applications are often potted or overmolded to make them impact-resistant and/or waterproof. Although beneficial for the end consumer, this final encapsulation process can negatively affect the electrical and mechanical integrity of the product’s connections.    With so many connector options available, it can be difficult to filter throughRead More

With technology costs decreasing, growing consumer interest in connected home applications, and greater reliance on the efficiency of the Cloud, solutions for home and commercial building automation become more sophisticated and accessible. Intelligent Buildings and Smart Homes The global home automation market now encompasses all controllable elements in the modern home. Connected lighting, appliances, entertainment, andRead More