Teradyne Connector Systems’ innovative VHDM connectors combined ground-plane and lead-frame wafers. You may remember that AMP’s patent associated with the Z-pack 2mm HM (hard metric) with ground planes between wafers was not tooled for the 2mm HM connector, primarily because it was difficult to justify the additional cost and complexity with just two pairs per chicklet.Read More

Backplane connectors with large molded housings existed in the late 1980s but were expensive and very difficult to make. True position for all of the pins had to be accurate or the connector could not be placed easily on the boards and mated. Teradyne Connector Systems found a solution. Teradyne Connector Systems (TCS) was a divisionRead More

From wet silk thread to modern superconducting ribbon, interconnect technology has advanced along with the related electronic technology as it is critical to an electrical system’s operation. Add to that the realm of optical fiber, and you have a huge marketplace of mixed applications, technologies, and services.   With wireless technologies – both signal- andRead More

Chicklets revolutionized automation by increasing the overall speed and efficiency of designing in backplane connectors. The Germans are renowned for developing and enforcing mechanical standards that are used worldwide. German companies developed the DIN 41612 connector family and the Eurocard chassis standards, which remain the basis for many other standards, such as VME architectures usedRead More

What sources play a role in determining the idea for the next great connector? Bill Garver of APEX looks at the information that helps determine gaps in the market.   One of the most difficult aspects of the new product development process is determining when a new product idea is marketable, if it would be profitable, andRead More

Compliant press-fit pins are a key achievement in the development of backplane connector technology. Here’s how they work. Compliant pins, waferized connector designs, modular connectors, egg-crate shielding, air-dielectric designs – we can now look back on inventions like these and put them in perspective. It is interesting to see how a real understanding of the technologyRead More

Can the same connector be used in both through-hole reflow and surface-mount device processes? Weidmuller looks at how pin length can make all the difference in meeting the requirements of IPC-A-610 E. Today’s PCB is a platform for electronic components that creates circuits varying from simple to highly sophisticated. Requirements such as the miniaturization of components,Read More

If you feel secure because your exclusive design contains unique and patented components, you may want to think again, according to APEX Electrical Interconnection Consultants.      Patent infringement litigation is on the rise. A patent owner may view its intellectual property as a strategic asset. Although it has a limited lifespan, and may beRead More

To ensure the longevity of your test system, National Instruments explains the six things you need to know about USB instrument control.   With plug-and-play connectivity and the near ubiquity of USB ports on modern PCs and laptops, USB has become a popular choice for controlling standalone instrumentation. As more instrument manufacturers begin to includeRead More

Digi-Key Product Training Module – This presentation will address markets and applications and provide a product overview and roadmap along with the performance, features and benefits of Amphenol’s Harsh Environment Interconnect solutions.  

The increasing complexity of and demands on networks may be solved with USB technology, but to simplify installations, be sure to follow these 10 rules.   As an industrial, medical, laboratory, or field services interface, USB has many benefits that outweigh the risks. However, you can reduce your odds of disaster with simple fixes – likeRead More

Every once in a while, rather than seek an expansion of a connector manufacturer’s already-proven product, a customer will request a standard, off-the-shelf product that’s markedly different than the supplier’s current offerings. Tom Anderson of AVX explains how his team approached one such complex challenge.   Finding the right connector for a specific application can beRead More