Meet the Connector: ix Industrial The ix Industrial connector is a miniature high-speed Ethernet connector used in industrial applications. It is also known as an IP20 Industrial Ethernet connector, referring to its ingress protection, which protects connections from the harsh operating environments present in factories and other industrial network applications. The connector provides a moreRead More

Meet the Connector: ZIF and LIF Connectors Zero insertion force and low insertion force connectors protect the IC from damage during mating and unmating. ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) and LIF (Low Insertion Force) connectors are used in electronic devices such as computer hardware, medical devices, robotics, and many other applications between two components, such asRead More

Meet the Connector: What is the fieldbus protocol? A fieldbus is a serial bus system used to exchange data between different system components over long distances and under high external load. Fieldbus is a communication protocol used in automation and control systems to facilitate real-time data exchanges between different connected devices and equipment. For example,Read More

Meet the Connector: MTL-DTL-55116 Connectors The MIL-DTL-55116 connector is an electrical connector that has been used for more than five decades to connect audio and radio frequency (RF) devices in military and aerospace applications. It was introduced by the United States Department of Defense (DoD) in 1969 to meet the military’s need for robust andRead More

Meet the Connector: Microminiature and Ultraminiature RF Connectors RF (radio frequency) connectors work with radio frequencies in the multi-megahertz range. Technology advanced significantly in the 2000s to meet the demand for inexpensive, high-data-rate wireless transceivers. Wire-to-wire, wire-to-board, and board-to-board micro-miniature RF connectors and ultraminiature RF connectors were developed to work in smaller and smaller devices.Read More

Meet the Connector: USB connectors USB gained popularity due to its compatibility with numerous platforms and operating systems, its low implementation cost, and its ease of use. The connectors are available in a variety of shapes and sizes with an array of features. USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard developed in the 1990sRead More

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

Meet the Connector: Fieldbus Connectors 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 usingRead 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

Meet the Connector: Test & Measurement Connectors As systems become more complex and integrate more functions on a circuit. semiconductor testing has become a particularly significant area for connectors used in Test & Measurement. Test equipment measures the electrical or mechanical properties, performance, and behavior of components or systems. Connectors of all types are subjectRead More

Meet the Connector: Custom Connectors Despite the millions of commercial interconnects ready to serve every market and application type, certain situations call for something entirely, or just slightly, new.  When off-the-shelf connectors aren’t the right fit for a new application, custom solutions come into play. Because connectors are often the last consideration in product design,Read More

Meet the Connector: MIL-DTL-32689 MIL-DTL-32689 is a relatively new MIL-spec defines high-density, lightweight circular connectors that are well-suited for military and aerospace applications because of their quick disconnection, tri-start threaded coupling, and environment-resistant features. MIL-DTL-32689 provides multi-sourcing for Mini/Micro-D38999 Series III connectors, miniature versions of MIL-DTL-38999. At about 70% lighter and typically 50% smaller than D38999 connectors with similar contactRead More