The question was simple enough: leave or remain? But nothing has been simple since. As the second deadline for the UK to leave the EU approaches, we take a look at the preparations and obstacles involved in this momentous decision. More than three years ago, on June 24, 2016, the UK was reeling from aRead More

Avnet’s Lou Lutostanski says the promise of full IoT connectivity has been slow to arrive, but it’s real and it’s coming. It’ll just take a little more education, simplification, and standardization to make widespread adoption happen. The Internet of Things (IoT) has been the talk of the town for the past few of years. SoRead More

Designing and specifying cable assemblies for use in harsh environments presents a number of challenges. Industrial equipment can be subjected to harsh conditions, such as high temperatures, water, high humidity, particulate ingress, electromagnetic interference (EMI), vibration, and impact from close proximity to moving factory components. Over time, exposure to these conditions begins to impede assemblyRead More

5G has yet to fully arrive, but low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) activity is already influencing design trends in a wide range of connected products. The number and variety of wireless devices in use across every aspect of society is increasing exponentially, creating new worlds of opportunity for electromechanical component suppliers, not only inside the cellularRead More

Fire poses real risks to sensitive electronics in data centers, building structures, vehicles, and other high-density electronics applications, especially as our reliance on connectivity continues to grow. New materials designed to protect wire and cables from fire improve overall system safety and safeguard critical connectivity functions. Heat presents challenges for electronics. Components and assembled electronicRead More

Sales of electric vehicles are growing, but still account for only 2.1% of new car sales worldwide. What does the industry need to address to reach a tipping point for mass adoption? Electric vehicles (EVs) are a popular theoretical choice but few countries are seeing the driving public’s enthusiasm converting into sales. The International EnergyRead More

As the connected world of the 21st century comes into existence, the next decade will give rise to new technologies like connected vehicles that will continue to transform and automate our everyday lives. To fully realize the potential of these technologies, we still need to overcome some key technical limitations. Edge computing can help. ByRead More

Fleets of autonomous cars and trucks aren’t taking over the roads quite yet, but several technology companies are combining forces to solve the remaining challenges to making autonomy a reality. A year ago, autonomous vehicles were rumored to be so close to ready for market that ride share companies and transportation logistics firms were preparingRead More

As medical equipment continues to scale down in size and up in connectivity and capabilities, new materials, device designs, and industry standards combine to create innovative medical connectivity components that satisfy rigorous form, fit, safety, and performance requirements. By John Koon and Connector Supplier medical connectivity components As medical equipment continues to scale down inRead More

Chip-on-tip endoscopy technology relies on microminiature sensors, illumination, and lenses. Market pressures are driving these critical medical devices to shrink in diameter and cost while maintaining, if not adding, functionality. Meeting these demands requires ingenuitive engineering and manufacturing techniques. Chip-on-tip technology is dramatically improving medical care by enabling minimally invasive imaging. The term chip-on-tip typicallyRead More

There are many misperceptions regarding custom connectors: They are too risky, too expensive, and take too long to develop. But new processes are addressing these concerns. Device development is undergoing a transformation. Pressure to reduce costs, reduce size, and make devices that can leverage the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G is driving a lotRead More

Air travelers and crew increasingly rely on in-flight connectivity. An expanding array of advanced products and design strategies gives airlines options for how to deliver both in-flight entertainment and critical communications.t connectivity Over the five-year period spanning 2018 to 2023, in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems are projected to grow from an estimated value of $5 billionRead More