Carrier connectivity extends from the computing resources behind freight optimization and tracking software to IoT systems that keep an eye on the cargo to the heavy-duty interconnects that empower the freight vehicles that move packages, materials, animals, and goods around the world. From connectors to antennas, a full array of interconnects is involved in theseRead More
Energy storage systems and uninterruptible power supplies have become integral parts of industrial environments. Vehicles and equipment that require power, such as autonomous mobile robots and AGVs, put the focus on power connectors. Article Contributed by JAE High-current connections in industrial equipment traditionally meant bolted busbars or screw-terminal blocks. However, these solutions required assembly time,Read More
Crimp terminals, a solderless connection option, enable the rapid, consistent, and reliable connections that are essential for mass production and high-vibration environments. A crimp terminal is a solderless electrical connector for terminating stranded wire used to join wires and components. The crimp terminal has a metal barrel that, with the use of a crimping tool, getsRead More
Artificial intelligence has become the primary driver of advanced high-speed copper and optical technology and products. The 2026 edition of the Optical Fiber Communications Conference and Exhibition filled both the south and west exhibition halls of the Los Angeles Convention Center, with some presentations spilling out to nearby hotel venues. Attendance continues to grow withRead More
This streamlined network makes upgrading to a faster network cost effective for companies that want more than 4G but don’t need all the bells and whistles of 5G. The arrival of the 5G mobile network brought several major improvements including ultra-fast speeds (eMBB), ultra-low latency (URLLC), and massive device connectivity (mMTC). Compared to 4G, 5GRead More
Meet the Connector: TNC Connectors A threaded variant of the BNC, this RF connector is favored for applications in which vibration or shock is present. TNC connectors are a threaded version of the popular BNC, a circular radio frequency connector used to connect RF cables and devices. Its 7/16″-28 threads can be tightened to reinforceRead More
This week’s Product Roundup highlights RF & coaxial interconnects from leading connector manufacturers and suppliers. RF & Coaxial Interconnects SV Microwave’s SMPM-XT RF interconnects are designed to maintain reliable electrical performance, even when mechanical tolerances vary. These SMPM interconnects accommodate a greater degree of axial tolerance, ensuring repeatable board-to-board connections up to 12 GHz. ThisRead More
From high-speed 5G networks and satellites to connected devices and automotive radar systems, radio frequency systems underpin the essential communication networks shaping our world. Article Contributed by: Shawn Luke, technical marketing engineer for DigiKey RF design demands a blend of theoretical knowledge, practical expertise, and creative problem-solving. Unlike digital systems, where signals are binary andRead 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
