Telematics is having its moment as the key to an array of advanced data and communications capabilities— from lane retention and blind spot warnings (available today) to instant crash avoidance notifications and coordinated traffic lights (on the horizon). The practice of collecting vehicle operation data began in the 1950s, when mechanical devices were installed inRead More

New interconnect technologies help design more efficient, more powerful electric vehicles beginning with the battery pack. The foundation of any electric powertrain is the EV battery pack, as it is here that electrical energy supplied by charging infrastructure is stored. When the vehicle is moving, the battery is responsible for delivering this energy to theRead More

Meet the Connector: Busbars A busbar is a metallic strip or bar used to conduct electricity from a power source (such as a transformer or generator) to various electrical loads. Busbars provide connection points for electrical devices, such as circuit breakers, fuses, switches, and other components that are mounted directly onto the busbar or connectedRead More

As the data humans create and consume reaches once unimaginable volumes, a new nomenclature has been created to describe it. Carl Sagan, the eminent American astronomer, planetary scientist, cosmologist, astrophysicist, science communicator, author, and professor, invited people to imagine the huge number of stars in our galaxy. His famous quote, “billions upon billions of stars,”Read More

This week’s product roundup highlights FFC and FPC connector solutions from top suppliers. I-PEX Connectors’ DW5 two-way FPC and discrete wire connectors can accommodate 0.2mm-thick (±0.3mm) FPC cables or 34AWG discrete wire using the same PCB and receptacle combination, making them ideal for use in a variety of space-constrained portable electronics, including laptop screens. TheseRead More

This week’s product roundup highlights some of the highest-performance compression connector products currently available on the market. Compression Connector Products AVX Interconnect’s 9155-400 Series two-piece battery connectors have a 4mm pitch and a unique angled contact lead-in on both sides, which, unlike most other connectors in this category, allows pluggable devices to engage from eitherRead More

If you have not attended a theatrical performance recently, you may be surprised by the extent that advanced digital lighting contributes to your experience. Theatrical lighting has evolved from candlelight foot lamps to laser video projection systems. Until late in the 17th century, theatrical performances were held outdoors in the daytime using only natural light.Read More

Consumer connectivity helped drive miniaturization trends. Now R&D is focused on doing more within existing form factors. We talk to a supplier on the cutting edge of consumer design to learn what’s coming next. Consumer design has been a key driver of the miniaturization of electronic components. Guided by Moore’s Law, the evolution of computingRead More

Compact wearable devices often lack sufficient PCB space for the additional hardware that increases device capabilities. Hybrid connectors offer a solution. Consumers desire sleek and comfortable wearable electronics with reliable performance and a long battery life. However, compact wearable devices often lack sufficient PCB space for the integration and mating of systems such as displayRead More

From farm to table, via industrial processing, packaging, and shipping, food requires special considerations to keep it fresh and free from contamination. Interconnects that are designed specifically for the food and beverage industry are an important part of the system that keeps our food safe to eat. Food safety standards apply at every stage ofRead More

When it comes to sensor and actuator applications, the M12 circular connector with A-coding is the first choice. Regardless of whether it is a matter of transmitting signals, data, or electrical power, M12 connectors have become indispensable as an interface for device networking. M12 circular connectors have become the common standard for industrial plug connections.Read 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 have become an essential part of the manufacturing world. Facilitating seamless communications between a wide range of devicesRead More

Submersible vehicles travel to the depths of the ocean with highly sophisticated electronics on board to gather and transmit data for exploration and scientific research, environmental protection and monitoring, security and defense, and search and salvage operations. The world’s oceans and waterways contain vast amounts of information that is more easily gathered and studied todayRead More

Watercraft engineers must heed the American Boat and Yacht Council standards. Beyond these basics, keep six directives in mind to design reliable connected systems for even the roughest of waters. By Rob Iversrud, Product and Category Manager, Waytek Electrical connectors used in boats and other marine applications must meet exacting standards, especially when it comesRead More

Some of the brightest minds in the electronics world are working with Engineers Without Borders on humanity’s biggest problems, including clean water, sustainable agriculture, energy solutions, and disaster relief.  Engineers Without Borders-USA, a non-profit founded in 2002 with regional branches in the UK, Australia, and other countries, connects engineering expertise with communities in need ofRead More

Amphenol LTW’s GM Luc Kan travels for work half of the year. Learn what keeps this connector entrepreneur and road warrior excited about technology — and how he stays serene while always in motion. Under the guidance of General Manager Luc Kan, Amphenol LTW has enjoyed a meteoric rise. Founded in 1993 as a waterproofRead More

Overmolding is the hard-working protection solution for electronic components in the field.  Innovative technologies ensure connections in medical, industrial, and other harsh environment applications. Overmolding is the process of encasing electronic components with a covering to create a single, integrated part. The process is done mainly for environmental protection, ease of installation, and to meet desiredRead More

In-circuit and post-manufacture functional testing are critical steps to ensuring PCB dependability. Test probes provide the flexibility to make the electrical connections between the test system and the contact points on the PCB. Learn how to select the correct one for your process. Many factors affect a test probe’s ability to make reliable electrical contact.Read More

SDR has brought about a new golden age of radio that can deliver secure, interoperable, and quality broadcast connections even under duress with the help of sophisticated miniaturized and RF interconnects. Software-defined radio has brought one of the earliest forms of wireless communication into the 21st century, giving this traditional format new power and capabilities.Read More

The challenges of space are extreme: Outgassing, UV radiation, vacuum and oxygen conditions, and the unique harsh environment factors of low Earth orbit require careful consideration in component selection. Humanity launched the first rocket into space in 1949 and in the decades since, we’ve sent manned space shuttles, stations, low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, probes,Read More

What are ARINC 801 Connectors? Meet the Connector: ARINC 801 ARINC 801 connectors are precision fiber optic, multi-channel connectors and termini designed for harsh environments and high-speed, high-performance data transfer. They comply with ARINC 801 specifications and 38999 Series III standards. They feature removable alignment sleeve retainers and have the advantage of fitting standard D38999Read More

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

A system cannot sustainably operate if all components are constantly at maximum stress capacity. The ticket to longevity lies in designing a component system that can tolerate electrical fluctuations as well as physical movement of the hardware. Data centers, data storage, data display on screens – managing the amount of data and the many venuesRead More

Bishop & Associates’ new report details global connector sales by region, market, and product category for 2022-2023, with insights into 2023 and beyond. In brief: Sales were down in 2022 — except where they were up. Bishop & Associates has been tracking the activities of the global connector industry for more than 40 years, includingRead More

This week’s product roundup highlights RF connector solutions from top suppliers. I-PEX Connectors’ MHF® I LK Connector System delivers simple, secure connections in applications exposed to high shock and vibration, including: automobiles, aircraft, and drones, and is the only RF connector/harness system with a built-in locking feature that doesn’t require epoxy or tape to keepRead More

This week’s product roundup highlights push-pull connectors from leading suppliers. Heilind Electronics offers the MediSpec™ Medical Plastic Circular (MPC) Interconnect System from Molex, which delivers high-reliability electrical performance especially designed to meet stringent medical standards at a fraction of the cost of competing machined-contact systems. This system features lightweight, medical-grade plastic housings compatible with autoclave,Read More

This week’s product roundup highlights some of the most robust, reliable, and highest-performance wire and cable products available on today’s market. Stewart Connector’s SealJack™ Cable Applied Series preassembled cable assemblies provide high-reliability connectivity in harsh-environment Ethernet applications, including those within the IoT umbrella. They can be customized with IP67 and RJ45 ends using CAT 5eRead More