Despite setbacks related to the pandemic, passenger and cargo rail expansion is continuing around the globe. We examine key trends that are advancing this critical transportation mode and influencing connectors used for rail. The transportation sector took major hits in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted public activities and logistics operations. Consumers backed away fromRead More
Core rail interconnect innovations have supported transportation industry goals to provide faster, safer, and more comfortable services. By Chiara Pieri, Marcom Manager, Tom Kannally, Product Specialist – Connectors, Riadh Gazdallah, Commercial Connectors Product Manager, Smiths Interconnect The need and desire for faster, safer, and more comfortable rail services has grown significantly in the past twoRead More
Rail and other connected mobile systems depend on control devices that meet specific UL guidelines. Coordinating components can maximize actual achievable voltage levels. Power and control devices for mobility applications are designed with specific application voltage ratings in mind. The components used to electrically connect these devices to mobile equipment, from elevators to rail systems,Read More
In high-use automation applications, repeated mating cycles can result in wear that compromises connectivity and reliability. Contactless connectors offer a new alternative. By Weidmueller Mechanical connections present challenges in industrial applications that endure repeated mating cycles. When two mating interfaces interact, inevitable wear and friction cause a range of contact-related failures and maintenance issues. AsRead More
An update on activities related to SPE standardization and implementation in industrial and automated applications. Single-pair Ethernet (SPE) promises to revolutionize industrial applications with speeds up to 1 gigabit per second (Gb/s) over a single pair. Yet there are still questions surrounding standardization and the benefits of SPE when compared to industrial RJ45 and otherRead More
The small aircraft marketplace is booming and the push to develop fully electric vehicles is driving design changes that are even trickling back to traditional aircraft. Smaller, lighter, faster — a mantra throughout the electronics industry — certainly applies to the small aircraft market. Growing demand for high-performance, energy-efficient, less-polluting aircraft is propelling the increasedRead More
The precision and performance benefits of custom connectors are brought within reach through design for assembly principles. By Advanced Interconnections Corp. Military and aerospace applications specify high-reliability connectors to meet performance requirements that lower-cost commodity connectors cannot provide. One of the ways to offset the additional expense of high-reliability (hi-rel) connectors is to consider howRead More
When an interconnection network is inserted within a transmission line between an IC device and the attaching PCB, the connectors used must provide superior electrical performance while also meeting a range of mechanical requirements. Integrated circuits have transformed electronic device design. Integrated circuits, also called ICs or semiconductor devices, have enabled designers to continually increaseRead More
The 2021 International Microwave Symposium presented new coax and waveguide technologies including mmWave connectors. After a virtual year, Bishop & Associates’ David Shaff visited the 2021 show in person. Here’s what he saw. After a year of COVID-19 lockdowns, attendees were anxious to attend the 2021 International Microwave Symposium (IMS) live event, to meet withRead More
Integrated connector modules (ICMs) are making it possible to build or upgrade networks to support the higher speeds and bandwidths of 5G and the higher volumes of data traffic that are coming with full implementation. By Bel Magnetic Solutions As the installation of 5G infrastructure continues to advance, more consumers are gaining access to theRead More
The influential executive brought a love of international travel and culture to his work with the company, and in doing so, he expanded Molex’s reach to the world. Somewhere in your home, phone, or vehicle, there’s a Molex product — most likely, many of them. That’s in large part due to the efforts of FredRead More
The rise of connected car technologies will have enormous implications for the way people and goods travel. This mass exchange of data will create business efficiencies, safer travels, and faster deliveries. But persistent challenges remain before these technologies can be fully implemented. Not so long ago, the only wireless links in a car were theRead More
