Bob Hult shares the phenomenal advances in high-speed optical communications showcased at OFC 2024, including interconnects for 200G per lane optical transmission, liquid cooling, co-packaged optics, PAM6, and other technologies that take us far beyond the reach of copper. The 2024 Optical Networking and Communication Conference and Exposition March 24-April 3 in San Diego nearlyRead More
ODVA standards help ensure interoperability, safety, and security in facilities that that are integrating advanced information and communication technologies into industrial automation. From materials sourcing to the production of goods to final-mile logistics, multiple levels of connectivity are an essential part of the manufacturing world. Facilitating seamless communications between the many devices and systems usedRead More
3D printing technology is reaching new levels of quality, giving electronics engineers a powerful prototyping and design tool. But is 3D printing ready for component manufacturing? Can you 3D print a connector? Certainly. But is it any good—can you actually use it in a circuit? Increasingly, the answer is yes. Recent improvements in industrial gradeRead More
Automation technologies are transforming the warehouse, logistics, and manufacturing worlds. Learn how one company integrated sensors, robots, and artificial intelligence into its manufacturing line to meet new production goals. The pressure is on: Connector suppliers are being asked to increase production, reduce prices, shift operations out of China, increase component functionality, shrink form factors, maintainRead More
Motion control systems harvest data to help create faster, more precise, and more resilient manufacturing processes. A host of sensors help unlock deep insights into factory operations. Motion control is the process by which the elements in a manufacturing process are set into a precise and controlled system of motion. These systems must meet theRead More
Connector suppliers shared new high-speed solutions for IoT, signal processing, electric vehicles, energy storage, machine learning and AI, photonics, 5G, and other technologies at DesignCon 2024. Cloudy skies and drenching rain failed to dampen attendance and enthusiasm at this year’s edition of DesignCon, held in Santa Clara, California, January 28 to February 1. Broad topicsRead More
The technical challenges of designing and building devices that pack tremendous computing power into tiny packages are considerable. But new high density semiconductor technologies offer a path to keeping Moore’s Law alive. For nearly 60 years, Moore’s Law has set the pace of advancements in semiconductor chip density, but a combination of physics and economicsRead More
The OPC has grown into a collaborative community in which interconnect suppliers work with technology innovators to drive innovation and efficiency in data center infrastructure through open-source hardware. The Open Compute Project (OCP) is an initiative that aims to design and share open-source hardware technologies, including interconnects, to help create more efficient data centers.Read More
Lessons learned in the high-stakes performance racing market transfer to the evolution of automotive and autonomous technologies. High-speed interconnects are key to these designs. In the rapidly changing landscape of motorsports, Formula E has redefined the boundaries of racing by combining adrenaline-fueled competition with a commitment to sustainable innovation. Formula E also serves asRead More
In the years to come, it is projected that consumers worldwide will pivot from owning private cars, that they only use a fraction of the time to instead accessing mobility as a service (MaaS). With the breathless coverage of electric vehicles (EVs), it would be easy to believe that they represent a significant disruption toRead More
Guidelines for Connector Specification During Product Design Connectors, unfortunately, may contribute to an unacceptably high product failure rate. One reason for this is that connectors are typically a low priority in the initial design phase of the system. This can lead to a design engineer getting boxed in with limited connector space and access ifRead More
The reliable and easy-to-implement interface solution connects cells to the control board in an EV battery module, eliminating the need to daisy chain wires. Eight years ago, Molex took a leap and heavily invested in the equipment and capabilities to develop its cell contacting system in support of a market no one was sure wouldRead More
