Meet the Antenna: GNSS Antennas GNSS antennas receive signals containing positioning and timing data from satellite constellations. They are used in a wide variety of applications from smart transportation and navigation to surveying and infrastructure inspections. GNSS (global navigation satellite system) antennas receive signals from satellite systems: GPS in the United States, Galileo in theRead More
Meet the Connector: Bullet Connectors Bullet connectors are widely used for simple, impermanent electrical connections in automotive and transportation applications as well as HVAC, entertainment systems, and lighting. Bullet connectors are a simple wire connector named for its compact, circular form factor. They are commonly specified for impermanent electrical connections in automotive and transportation applicationsRead More
Meet the Cable: Coaxial Cables Their design was first used in 1858 and patented by mathematician Oliver Heaviside in 1880, yet these reliable and cost-effective cables are still widely used to transmit data, video, and voice communication. Today, they are even used for power in certain applications. Coaxial or coax cable is used to transmitRead More
Meet the Connector: Terminals A terminal is the conductive element that provides an electrical contact point that enables electricity to flow through an electrical circuit. At its most basic level, a terminal is simply a conductive bare wire that is secured through crimping or soldering, often to a terminal block. However, the word terminal isRead More
The process of ensuring signal integrity is not a precise science. Even the tiniest nuance anywhere along a channel can cause reflections, crosstalk, or prohibited levels of emitted radiation. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, designers of high-speed digital circuits could quickly verify performance by building a physical “breadboard” prototype. EngineersRead More
Meet the Connector: MIL-C-24231 Connectors MIL-C-24231 specifies standards for the design, manufacturing, and testing of electrical connectors and related components for use in applications where pressure and water ingress are significant concerns, such as harsh underwater environments. MIL-C-24231 is a Navy specification that covers pressure-proof single and multiple cable connectors, plugs, receptacles, adapters, hull inserts,Read More
This article is included in Connector Supplier’s latest e-Book, Braving the Elements, a compilation of expert insights into overcoming the performance obstacles electronics face every day in increasingly challenging environments. Download your free copy here. Manufacturers use the IP rating system to describe the level of protection that their equipment can deliver. IP ratings haveRead More
Meet the Connector: SAS Connectors SAS connectors are used for high-speed, reliable data transfer in high-speed storage applications. SAS connectors are rectangular connectors used for high-speed, reliable data transfer in high-speed storage applications. SAS supports both serial and parallel communication and can be backward compatible with SAS 1.0 and 2.0 devices. SAS is a point-to-pointRead More
Meet the Sensor: Motion Sensors Motion sensors are integrated into electronic devices to detect movement within a specified area. Within a connected system, these sensors can activate an alert or initiate a task sequence in response to that motion. They are widely used in industrial equipment, smart lighting equipment, home or building controls, videogame equipment,Read More
Meet the Antenna: PCB-mount Antennas PCB-mount antennas are integrated directly into a PCB (printed circuit board). Rather than attaching to the PCB as a separate component, the antenna structure is part of the PCB itself. This makes the antenna less susceptible to damage compared to external antennas. Wireless communication applications such as IoT devices, wirelessRead More
Meet the Cable: Subsea Cables Subsea cables (also called submarine cables) are specialized, highly ruggedized fiber optic cables that cross the seabed between land-based stations to carry telecommunications signals. They are the backbone of global internet and data communications and transmit data such as internet traffic, telephone calls, and private data. Subsea optical cables carryRead More
Meet the Connector: Disposable Connectors Disposable single-use and limited-reuse connectors must do the same job as reusable versions, but cost, functionality, and environmental impact play a bigger role in their design. Disposables are largely used in medical applications to maximize patient safety by preventing cross-contamination and infection. They are also used in food processing, researchRead More
