The technologies that make the connected car possible are on an accelerated evolutionary path. Some technologies are already on the roads and others are heading out in the near future, fueled by component innovations and high-speed access. When General Motors first introduced OnStar on its vehicles in 1996, it marked the birth of the “connectedRead More

Precision audio connectors and premium cables provide music aficionados with high-fidelity sound. With over 16.8 million vinyl records sold in 2018, hi-fi audiophile systems are no longer considered a relic from the past. Millennials are building their primary living spaces around equipment that resembles the audio systems of their grandparents’ generation, with a few high-techRead More

Consumers are now accustomed to instant, high-quality sound and image technology everywhere they go. For airlines, lightweight connector innovations make it possible to provide entertainment while keeping size and weight down. To enable more capabilities in systems and devices, aircraft designers are embedding more electronic components — including sensors, connectors, relays, and fiber-optics — throughoutRead More

Connectors are competing for space in today’s automated industrial processes. A next-generation miniature industrial connector format balances space constraints with data performance. Meet the iX Industrial. At the 2018 Hannover Fair, HARTING identified miniaturization as one of six trends defining the evolution of integrated industrial processes. The others are digitization, integration, e-mobility, modularization, and customization.Read More

When counterfeit connectors make it into the supply chain, they can cause big problems in equipment and systems that depend on them. Knock-offs of connectors and other electronic components can cause big problems for purchasers. These parts are often deliberately designed to superficially resemble or imitate premium parts that have been manufactured with more stringentRead More

As the need for bandwidth continues to increase, so does the need for higher data rates and smaller connectors capable of higher densities. What was once 1–3Gb/s moved to 4–8 Gb/s; then we saw the jump to 16Gb/s, then 28Gb/s, and now we are ready for 56Gb/s.   Although the datacom and telecom industries are pushing for higher data rates and smaller connectors capable of higher-density configurations, achieving thisRead More

Managing creepage and clearance is one design strategy that can help reduce risk in medical devices and systems. How to Reduce Risk in Medical Devices Medical equipment used to diagnose, treat, and monitor patients, such as electrocardiographs (ECGs), thermal cauteries, and monitors, has to meet extremely high safety requirements. The international standard IEC 60601-1 guidesRead More

Medical device designers face some of the biggest challenges in the electronic design industry and some of the most stringent requirements in the world. To both assure safety and hasten time to market, it is paramount for designers to proactively reduce any and all risks associated with medical device designs. Connector Designs for Medical DevicesRead More

The demand for SMA RF coaxial connectors has grown exponentially with the proliferation of wireless applications. We take a closer look at these connectors and the challenges they face in their quest to provide powerful data transmission. A wide range of electromechanical solutions have evolved to facilitate board-to-board connections and power and data transmission. VersatileRead More

Small, lightweight, and known for its high-reliability performance, the nano-D connector is taking the lead in ruggedized portable electronics. Today’s circuits face unprecedented demands. Modern applications subject systems to the rigors of portability in addition to a wide range of environmental hazards as they assist in tasks ranging from skin surface monitoring to deep spaceRead More

Microsatellites aren’t subject to deep-space electronics requirements but the connectors that enable these small devices must still be able to endure rigorous launch conditions and perform in low Earth orbit. Although the vast majority of space missions have been conducted in low Earth orbit (LEO), at altitudes between 99 and 1,200 miles (160–2000km) above theRead More

As rail operators encourage more people to consider public transportation, new connectivity technology is enhancing the customer experience.   From personal internet access via smartphones to instant onboard entertainment options to up-to-date travel information, passenger demands on public transportation continue to increase. These offerings are no longer luxuries; they’re necessities to an industry that isRead More