An age-old connector technology is being “rediscovered” as a better solution for power connector density issues. The quest to manufacture electronics in smaller and smaller packages continues as consumer demand for palm-sized computers and pen-sized communications equipment grows. The Holy Grail seems to be a computer on a pinhead and entertainment electronics oneRead More
Manufacturers of rolling stock require high-quality electrical connection systems, and there is increasing demand for custom-tailored railway cabling solutions from connector manufacturers. Like those in traditional mechanical engineering fields, manufacturers of rail vehicles face the increasing challenges of higher costs and time-to-market pressures. Electrical connections and cabling are one area where they canRead More
With new electronic technologies aimed at growing US rail ridership, physical limitations challenge system engineers to adopt greater flexibility in interconnection requirements. Designers seeking new opportunities for competitive advantages in railway vehicles are constantly imposing greater demands on electrical and electronic system interconnections: Wi-Fi connectivity helps attract and retain ridership; infotainment screens enhance the riderRead More
End launch connectors are intended for critical applications that require high-performance results. Bishop & Associate’s Dave Shaff looks at the technology that drives that performance and offers a primer on specification for particular applications. End launch connectors are used to transition microwave energy from coaxial to planar transmission-line structures. Test boards, chip demo sets, andRead More
The primary purpose of a connector design review is to evaluate if the new product meets customer requirements. Here, Bill Garver of APEX Electrical Interconnection Consultants discusses the steps in the process and how to navigate them successfully. There are usually several design reviews conducted throughout the new product development cycle for electrical connectors. These reviews occurRead More
There are a number of variables to consider when choosing Mini-SAS HD interconnects, and here TE offers tips on how to specify Mini-SAS HD connectors and cable assemblies to achieve the necessary performance level. † Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) connectors are essential for interconnecting storage systems in the data center. SAS defines the standard interconnectRead More
As the volume of counterfeit components increases in the marketplace, new solutions are needed to improve electronics supply chain integrity and stability. As a serious challenge to today’s global electronics supply chain, counterfeiting and gray market diversion of electronics components threaten the integrity of products for manufacturers. Counterfeits and obsolete electronic components contribute toRead More
Interconnect quality and reliability play a fundamental role in determining overall system quality and reliability. By choosing precision parts, engineers can create an interconnect solution optimized for the unique requirements of each application. Connectors play a critical role in the electrical systems of just about any product we can imagine, yet the interconnectRead More
The right disaster preparedness plan can keep you up and running, protect your employees, and may even identify issues in your facility that can be fixed before they cause an emergency. Creation of an emergency operations plan plays a very important role in keeping your facility up and running and your people safe.Read More
40-gigabit applications over various media types are intended to reduce bottlenecks by providing improved speed within and between data centers. The exponential growth of Internet and mobile device data traffic has had a huge impact on data center servers, high-performance computing clusters, and network storage equipment that serve and manage this traffic. 40-gigabit applicationsRead More
Despite the pervasiveness of the digital multimeter, its features are often not fully understood, which can lead to overlooking advanced measurement capabilities as well as its limitations. The handheld digital multimeter (DMM) is the most common of all electrical and electronic test instruments. Despite the pervasiveness of the the DMM, its specifications andRead More
Today, redundancy is the de facto standard for any network cabling system, and there are a variety of ways to accomplish it. Years ago it seemed as if disaster preparedness and redundant cabling systems were considered forward-thinking (and something of a luxury) for many network and data center owners and operators. Today, however,Read More
