Connectors should be a central focus for engineers in today’s network-centric and data-intensive markets. Connectivity is the lifeblood of today’s technology-driven world. The term has taken on many dimensions, from reference to the internet and data networks, to home appliances and devices of all sizes. With continuing advances in technology, the connection between parts ofRead More

Connector solutions for automotive LED applications must combine ruggedness, reliability, long-term operation, increased functionality, apex performance, and ease of assembly — and all within a miniature and lightweight package. Automotive lighting uses one of three technologies for the headlamps: LEDs, high-intensity discharge (HID) Xenon, or halogen. LED technology has been disruptive in many markets andRead More

It’s imperative that medical device manufacturers use authentic connectors. Counterfeit connectors and other fake components can pose serious risks to patients, providers, and companies. Counterfeit connectors are always a problem. When they are used in medical devices, they can pose a serious risk of harm or even death to the patients who use them. OutfittingRead More

Designing electronic medical devices with use-limiting technology safeguards patients and operators by preventing unauthorized reuse or refurbishment. By David Smith, Sr. Electrical Engineer, and Tyler Yang, Mechanical Engineer, ATL Technology  It’s no secret that cost is often a critical component of medical care, so it’s no surprise that cost is often the primary factor impactingRead More

Product designers have to account for the real possibility that a small consumer device will get splashed on or dropped into the drink. The right waterproof connector can save the day. Spilling a drink or splashing water on portable device chargers and ports has long resulted in inevitable device damage. However, the increased prevalence ofRead More

A network of authorized secondary distributors stocks rare or discontinued connectors. Every year, thousands of new connector designs enter the market. Many of these products meet the needs of new applications, but others replace a previous generation of a similar product. Typically, component manufacturers anticipate these changes and reduce production towards the end of aRead More

In traditional office environments, Ethernet connections are typically made using the standard RJ45 connector. However, when Ethernet migrates to industrial environments, a wide range of contaminants come into play, making M12 connectors a more durable choice. Ethernet first came into use in computer networking technologies in the 1980s, providing communications on local and wide areaRead More

Underwater connectors in military electronics designed for submarines and other deep-sea applications must endure pressure, temperature cycling, seawater corrosion, and different types of shock. One of the harshest environments military electronics systems must withstand is the deep sea. Unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) that dive deep must stand up to high pressure, while submarines must withstandRead More

The Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable Double Density (QSFP-DD) is the industry’s smallest 400GbE module and provides the highest port bandwidth density. Rigorous tests verify its suitability as a next-generation high-density, high-speed pluggable module. The thermal performance of the Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable Double Density (QSFP-DD) module has been extensively evaluated for use in aRead More

The technologies that make the connected car possible are on an accelerated evolutionary path. Some technologies are already on the roads and others are heading out in the near future, fueled by component innovations and high-speed access. When General Motors first introduced OnStar on its vehicles in 1996, it marked the birth of the “connectedRead More

Precision audio connectors and premium cables provide music aficionados with high-fidelity sound. With over 16.8 million vinyl records sold in 2018, hi-fi audiophile systems are no longer considered a relic from the past. Millennials are building their primary living spaces around equipment that resembles the audio systems of their grandparents’ generation, with a few high-techRead More

Consumers are now accustomed to instant, high-quality sound and image technology everywhere they go. For airlines, lightweight connector innovations make it possible to provide entertainment while keeping size and weight down. To enable more capabilities in systems and devices, aircraft designers are embedding more electronic components — including sensors, connectors, relays, and fiber-optics — throughoutRead More