Featured Articles
  • USB-C Serves Industrial Design with Rugged Variants 

    The USB-C connector has quickly moved from consumer applications into harsh environments. With 20 Gb/s data rates and IP-rated sealed variants, this connector can handle industrial conditions and serve in controllers, robotics, and peripherals for the factory floor. A new class of rugged USB-Cs and cables elevates this ubiquitous interface. It’s been nearly two years sinceRead More

  • The Power of Having Options

    The input/output panel of AI equipment is a prime example of how evolving demands have spawned the introduction of alternative solutions that address bandwidth demand, signal density, field serviceability, energy efficiency, thermal management, and utilization of both copper and fiber optic options. Most people would agree that having multiple choices to solve a problem isRead More

Technology

Embedded Computing Systems Evolve to CompactPCI Serial For High Performance

CompactPCI has served many industries well, but it’s time to consider CompactPCI Serial for today’s high-speed applications. By Justin Moll, Vice President of Marketing, PICMG For nearly 20 years, CompactPCI has been a highly successful architecture. Used with the PCIbus, it’s been utilized in telecom and datacom applications because of its high reliability, hot-swap, monitoring,Read More

The Quest to Keep Electronics Cool

When I/O connectors block airflow, a toolbox of solutions is required to keep today’s fast, dense, and hot systems cool. Lithium ion batteries are not the only source of excessive heat in electronic devices. A nasty combination of dense system packaging and increased power consumption tends to concentrate heat inside the box, causing component stressRead More

High-Speed Signals Take the High Road

Very early computers were a mass of discrete point-to-point wires. The combination of physics and economics is bringing that interconnect architecture back full circle. Design engineers have been grappling for years with the challenge of propagating ever-increasing signal rates in printed circuit boards. As data rates pushed into RF regions, signal modeling transitioned from simpleRead More

Connectors Fly High at the Paris Air Show

The legendary aerospace gathering brings together the industry’s most inventive people, planes, and electronics.   Once again, members of the global aviation electronics industry are preparing to demonstrate their esprit de corps at the International Paris Air Show. The 52nd annual event will be held June 19–25 at the Le Bourget Parc des Expositions, withRead More

New Military and Aerospace Systems Drive Changes in Connector and Cable Design

High-speed, lightweight electronics are making soldiers safer and military operations more successful. Bob Stanton, Director, Omnetics Corporation   Advanced electronics in high-reliability systems are improving military and aerospace equipment to meet the significant challenges that lie ahead. As new technologies expand and spread around the world, however, so has the potential threat from possible foesRead More

Electrical Interconnect Applications for Carbon Nanotubes in Military Aerospace Systems

Flexible, lightweight, and versatile CNTs are becoming a valuable material in conductor applications for the military and a host of other markets.   Carbon nanotubes are one of the most unique and interesting materials developed in the last decade. These products, widely known as CNTs, can be manufactured by various methods, but are most commonlyRead More

Ground Transit Evolves with Advanced Interconnect Products

From light rail to school buses, advanced interconnects are enabling cities to relieve traffic congestion, reduce pollution, drive economic growth, and modernize our transit systems.  Public transit is changing. A new generation of vehicles is joining our transportation networks to provide expanded service, meet pollution reduction goals, and connect growing city centers with the surroundingRead More

Derating Wire Harnesses Can Achieve Weight, Space, and Heat Goals

Designers can use derating to capture the advantages of lighter-weight wires without sacrificing performance. By Michael Traskos, EWIS Designated Engineering Representative (DER) and President, Lectromec   By derating wire harnesses, designers can expand their options to choose materials that can perform in a greater range of applications and environments. The temperature rating of a wireRead More

Wireless Communications Protocols and Standards Proliferate

From ZigBee to Z-Wave, plus 802.n options, wireless communications choices seem limitless.   Projected market demand for 5G and other future communications applications is prompting the development of different wireless technologies. Some are in direct competition with each other, and there are overlapping frequencies. Other standards have moved from initial engineering groups, such as IEEE, toRead More

Five Add-Ons That Improve Cord Grip Performance in Industrial Applications

Cord grip add-ons offer increased protection and reliability in harsh industrial conditions By Mark Sweeney, President/COO, Remke Industries   Add-ons for standard cord grips allow designers to quickly and easily improve the performance of industrial electrical connectors in a broad range of applications. Add-ons can address application demands including environmental protection from problems such asRead More

UL Certification Roadmap Helps Unlock Global Opportunities

Expanding the application of your connector products for global markets doesn’t have to be complex. This roadmap of UL certification considerations will help you simplify the process. By Son Do, Staff Engineer, and Chuck Kurten, Primary Designated Engineer, UL   At first glance, navigating the vast connector market can be intimidating. With hundreds of differentRead More

North American PCB Order Growth Boosts Book-to-Bill Ratio

IPC Releases PCB Industry Results for March 2017 IPC — Association Connecting Electronics Industries® announced the March 2017 findings from its monthly North American Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Statistical Program. Although sales and orders continued below last year’s levels, the PCB book-to-bill ratio continued upward, reaching 1.07. Total North American PCB shipments in March 2017 wereRead More

Analysis of the World’s Top 100 Electronic Connector Manufacturers
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