New technology allows multiple types of data to move along the same path without any sacrifices on either end, ultimately increasing capacity and achieving cost savings. By Richard Weatherburn, Global Vertical Marketing Manager – Transportation, Belden Inc. The need for reliable transportation is greater than ever, driven by urbanization and increased business pressures for efficiencyRead More

Embraced by consumers, businesses, and governments, LED lighting is the clear winner in the battle of the bulbs and is now being integrated into an array of IoT technologies. This opens opportunities for the interconnects they rely on. It’s safe to say that LEDs have won the battle of the bulbs. In the last threeRead More

Components for LED lighting connections and controls have evolved alongside current bulb options. Lukas Muth, Product Marketing PCBs and Connection Technology, Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG, Blomberg, Germany The emergence of LED technology spurred a rapid transformation in the lighting industry. At first, preexisting solutions from the fields of device connection and control technologyRead More

Internal combustion engines continue to fuel the market, pushing connector designers to improve reliability for components destined for harsh under-hood environments. By Terry Costlow Many factors are changing the types of connectors used in the auto industry, but for the foreseeable future, products made for powertrains are going to remain fairly immune to major changes.Read More

Connector products are evolving to accommodate the new technologies that make the 21st century automobile an incredible machine. By Tom Anderson, Connector Product Manager, AVX Interconnect Electronic systems are behind the latest safety, efficiency, reliability, and drive experience innovations that have transformed cars in recent years. From improved connection options to durable new materials andRead More

Connectors that carry fluid or air through a bore, paired with connectors that carry signal and power, are a critical component in modern medicine. Electronic connectors typically handle power and signal. In the world of medical equipment, however, connectors can often take on additional jobs, carrying fluid, gases, and light. These specialty or hybrid connectors, whichRead More

Electrical connectors play a key role in advancing product capabilities and ensuring consistent, reliable performance in medical electrical and electronic equipment, especially in today’s IT- enabled and interoperable world. By Patrick Kinyanjui, Principal Engineer, Fischer Connectors, Inc. Connectors are an important element to consider when developing a risk assessment for a new or updated device.Read More

Networks of fully programmable wire processing equipment enable enhanced efficiency and faster changeovers, eliminate operator error, reduce lead times and WIP jobs, and improve traceability. Pete Doyon, VP Product Management, Schleuniger Inc. The wire processing industry has experienced significant changes and improvements over the course of the last 30 years, many of which were madeRead More

Observers have claimed Fibre Channel, which powers Storage Area Networks (SANs), has been in decline for years, replaced by newer, faster standards. But innovations in storage network software and infrastructure may help keep demand for Fibre Channel and its dedicated connectors and cables alive. By Neil Shurtz Computing applications are continuing to grow in complexity.Read More

The Consortium for On-Board Optics (COBO) has released the industry’s first on-board optics specification. What does this mean for you? In April 2018, the Consortium for On-Board Optics (COBO) released its first specification for optics that reside on the motherboard. COBO has specified modules capable of 400G and 800G rates. The designs will also supportRead More

A speck of dust can spell disaster for a fiber network. The correct cleaning methods make all the difference in protecting the optical signal. By Mike Jones, Vice-President, MicroCare Corp. When optical networks are exposed to even miniscule amounts of contamination, performance can suffer. In typical operating conditions, dust and debris can accumulate on the fiberRead More

Hyperboloid contacts improve contact density, mating force, functionality, and cycle-life in high-density rectangular connectors designed for mil/aero applications. Robert Lascelles, Product Manager – integraMate®, QA Technology Company, Inc.  Rectangular Connectors In mil/aero applications, high-line-count rectangular connectors are often used as the interface between PCBs, between internal subassemblies, at input-output bulkheads, and between the equipment andRead More