Featured Articles
  • A Five-Layer Clad Solution for High-Performance Battery Interconnects

    Battery connector design gets super-charged in a case study that demonstrates the power of materials science to solve new connectivity challenges. Article Contributed by Alyssa Koch, Materion Corporation Battery interconnect materials must satisfy a demanding combination of electrical, mechanical, joining, and environmental requirements, properties that are difficult to achieve with a single metal. When nickelRead More

  • 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

New Technologies

The Connector World Embraces Antennas and Sensors  

Acting in tandem with high-speed interconnects, antennas and sensors can collect and convey a world of data. They act as the eyes and ears of today’s connected world.   Everything is connected. But for once, we’re not talking about connectors. We’re taking a closer look at the passive technologies that enable the autonomous and interconnected functions of the Internet of Things (IoT), Industry 4.0, the rollout ofRead More

The AI Impact: Artificial Intelligence Influences Connector Development

AI technologies are being used to help analyze rapidly growing data sets, which is generating substantially more data and further increasing demand for ever more powerful connectors. Artificial intelligence has become a prominent element in many advanced system designs, including leading sensing and analysis tools used by data centers and military agencies. Though AI is a high-level software technology, it’s having a major impact on the development of electronics, including connector designs that can accommodateRead More

Coming Soon: Two New USB Connectors

The newly announced USB4 will handle the high speeds and data operations required by connected and automated systems. But first, USB 3.2 is about to make its appearance in the marketplace. USB 3.2 connectors will begin to appear in a variety of devices over the next few months. Announced in late 2017, the latest USBRead More

The Frustration of Archaic Traffic Control Systems

Emerging traffic management equipment represents a bright new market for advanced sensors and many types of related connectors. I like to consider myself reasonably adjusted to the challenges of living in the 21st century, except one: We continue to labor under the dictates of traffic control systems technology that dates from the early part ofRead More

OFC Spotlights Optical Connectivity

The Optical Fiber Communications Conference & Exhibition explored emerging optical connectivity technologies, including optical transmitters, multi-fiber cables, and connectors. The Optical Fiber Communications Conference & Exhibition recently held in San Diego is the prime showcase of current and next-generation optical network communication technology. With over 700 exhibitors and 15,000 registered attendees, this conference filled bothRead More

New Electronics Fuel Formula E Racing

As the racing series continues, we take a closer look inside the new Gen2 Formula E race car to learn about the new electronics packages that make this machine faster, safer, and more powerful than previous versions. The electronics industry takes a special interest in Formula E racing, as the championship series for electric vehiclesRead More

Smaller, Faster, Smarter: Miniature Industrial Connectors

Connectors are competing for space in today’s automated industrial processes. A next-generation miniature industrial connector format balances space constraints with data performance. Meet the iX Industrial. At the 2018 Hannover Fair, HARTING identified miniaturization as one of six trends defining the evolution of integrated industrial processes. The others are digitization, integration, e-mobility, modularization, and customization.Read More

High-Speed Products Dazzle at DesignCon 2019

The DesignCon conference never fails to live up to its reputation of being the premier platform for state-of-the-art chip and board technology, and DesignCon 2019 was no different. Once again, DesignCon demonstrated why it has become the most respected conference and exhibition for engineers engaged in high-performance chip, PCB, and system design. DesignCon 2019 featuredRead More

Connectors in a Futuristic World

TE Connectivity teams up with Hollywood to explore future technologies in the new film, “Alita: Battle Angel.” When Hollywood and Silicon Valley join forces to bring future technology to the big screen, the engineering community pays attention. A great story is key, but add some fantastic machines to the mix and you don’t just haveRead More

Connector Industry E-Commerce Evolves

Consumers expect instant gratification from the shopping experience. Engineers shopping for electronic components expect the same level of service, pushing connector companies and distributors to step up their game. Improved connector industry e-commerce options are one solution for more satisfied customers.   Amazon has proven beyond a doubt that convenience and speedy delivery have becomeRead More

A Simple Radio, a Complex Domestic Manufacturing Strategy

This single-channel FM radio is a rare example of US-made consumer electronics. Could other companies pull off this feat of manufacturing? The product made its debut on Kickstarter, as so many electronics startups do these days. But unlike most projects that appear on the crowdsourcing site, the Public Radio isn’t an attempt to get aRead More

New Connectors Deliver Lightning Fast Charging Solutions

Electric vehicle charging stations that can provide a full charge in less than five minutes are about to eliminate one of the key roadblocks to EV acceptance. Connectors that can handle the current and dissipate the heat are a key component of the technology. The electric vehicle (EV) sector took another step closer to theRead More

Analysis of the World’s Top 100 Electronic Connector Manufacturers
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