Meet the Connector: Compression Connectors Compression connectors are interconnect devices that rely on pressure to make a secure connection. Compression may occur with the use of a tool; through the turn of a compression nut that is part of the housing, or through another mechanism. A wide variety of connector types may be described asRead More

As outdoor agriculture becomes less predictable, vertical farms are bringing the farm inside, where sealed interconnects, sensor systems, smart LEDs, and connected technologies optimize every aspect of the growing cycle. The summer of 2023 brought extreme challenges to farmers around the world. Storms, droughts, wildfires, and record-breaking temperatures wiped out many crop yields. Up toRead More

As growing conditions become less stable and predictable, Agriculture 4.0 is coming indoors and boosting agricultural productivity through connected technologies. Vertical farming, also known as smart agriculture and Agriculture 4.0, uses technology to enhance crop production by automatically tracking critical parameters such as soil nutrition, temperature, and moisture levels for planting, fertilization, irrigation, and harvesting.Read More

The agriculture industry is looking to connected technologies to improve outcomes and ease the amount of effort required to produce food for a growing planet. The future of the agriculture industry is on the horizon — one where technology will be leveraged to provide greater control over nearly every aspect of the growing process andRead More

Fieldbus is an industrial network used to connect instruments in manufacturing environments. Multiple types of fieldbus networks exist to serve a variety of applications, including EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, PROFIBUS, and DeviceNet. Fieldbus connectors simplify the process of linking fieldbus equipment to network segments. They eliminate the need for junction boxes using conventional terminal blocks. Coupling devicesRead More

The cables and connectors used in medical devices are based on common design rules and similar products are used in other markets. However, they are tailored to the unique demands of medical applications and are heavily scrutinized throughout production. Understandably, safety and reliability are at the forefront of considerations for implantable medical devices. The cablesRead More

Developing new wireless medical technologies involves more than great design. Learn about the Qi standard, charging strategies, and other steps in the process between concept and completed product. Advanced wireless charging technologies are transforming the market for portable medical devices, with new equipment for health monitoring, therapeutics, diagnostics, fitness, and wellness changing the healthcare landscape.Read More

As the data humans create and consume reaches once unimaginable volumes, a new nomenclature has been created to describe it. Carl Sagan, the eminent American astronomer, planetary scientist, cosmologist, astrophysicist, science communicator, author, and professor, invited people to imagine the huge number of stars in our galaxy. His famous quote, “billions upon billions of stars,”Read More

Meet the Connector: Single-Pin DC Connectors This common barrel-type plug is widely used in portable devices ranging from consumer radios to basic medical devices. But it’s not as simple as it looks. The term single-pin DC connector (also called single-pole connector) typically refers to a circular or barrel-shaped plastic connector with one electrical terminal orRead More

Rigorous testing of every element in an integrated circuit, from connectors to PCBs, is a critical step in the product design process. As more electronics move into complex and high-reliability application environments, the need to measure their attributes and performance, and test their endurance over time and under specific conditions, has become a critical stepRead More

Advances in semiconductor functionality, density, and chip-level integration are generating new challenges in testing. A test socket solution overcomes the challenges posed by traditional vertical spring probes and cantilever scrubbing contact designs, providing a new level of performance and reliability. Integrated circuit (IC) designers are increasingly migrating to quad flat no-lead (QFN) packages to meetRead More

For Test & Measurement applications, hybrid connectors enable effective and precise testing and monitoring. Learn how a vacuum manufacturer uses its industrial gas “sniffer” device with these versatile interconnects. Hybrid connectors move signal, power, and data — plus one or more other fluidic media such as gas, air, or liquids. In Test & Measurement applications,Read More