New regulations impact the more than 500,000 types of medical devices and in vitro diagnostic (IVD) medical devices in Europe. What do these regulations mean for device manufacturers? European Union Medical Devices Regulation (2017/745/ EU) (MDR) represents a major update to the Medical Devices Directive (93/42/EEC) (MDD) and the Active Implantable Medical Devices Directive (90/385/EEC)Read More

The new Class 4 UL classification standard was published in August 2022 in Article 726 of the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC), specifically for Class 4 cables intended for use with fault-managed power systems. These requirements cover 60-250 °C (140-482 °F), single- and multiple-conductor, jacketed cables for use as fixed wiring within buildings. Class 4 Power, alsoRead More

Heavy equipment doesn’t work alone. As agricultural and industrial machinery becomes part of connected networks with command centers and other equipment units, system architectures are incorporating CAN and ISOBUS to meet the growing data networking requirements. Controller Area Network (CAN) systems have been used in heavy equipment and industrial machinery applications since the 1990s asRead More

Updated: January 2023 The Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) Consortium has created an agile, modular, open reference standard for designers of sensor-rich military and commercial applications as they integrate these powerful connectivity components into new embedded designs. Compliance testing is now underway on connectivity products that support embedded computing systems in military and aerospace applicationsRead More

Do we need yet another single-pair Ethernet interface? Advocates say twisted-pair technology in an M8 or M12 interface would bring huge benefits to autonomous systems.  Single-pair Ethernet (SPE) will greatly improve the flexibility of automation within the connected industrial environment. Previously, Ethernet connections allowed the cloud to talk to the main control room (where software controls the entire manufacturing process), which, inRead More

A new high-density MT-based optical interconnect is coming soon. With up to four MT ferrules accommodating up to 96 optical channels, VITA 87 brings big bandwidth in a small footprint.     The addition of complex embedded systems to the next generation of multi-functional military equipment is driving a new wave of development in associated components. More speed, greater density, and higher levelsRead More

As products featuring the USB Type-C port come into widespread use, it’s the cable that makes all the difference. The USB Type-C connector is taking over. Although the high-speed standard was released in 2017, this oval-shaped connector is only now reaching widespread adoption. At CES 2022, companies introduced a host of computing and peripheral productsRead More

The VITA 67 standards define the RF connector modules used in VPX architectures. Learn more about these important standards, including the latest, VITA 67.3. Embedded computing is a critical part of many military and aerospace applications. Along with the proliferation of these applications, the VITA OpenVPX standards have also enjoyed growing popularity with increasing numbersRead More

An update on activities related to SPE standardization and implementation in industrial and automated applications. Single-pair Ethernet (SPE) promises to revolutionize industrial applications with speeds up to 1 gigabit per second (Gb/s) over a single pair. Yet there are still questions surrounding standardization and the benefits of SPE when compared to industrial RJ45 and otherRead More

In 2021, the 62368-1 safety standard took effect, requiring that interconnects in AV and ICT equipment provide new levels of protection for users. As digital technologies proliferate in consumer spaces, infiltrating nearly every aspect of life, product safety is a greater priority than ever. Standards are evolving to encompass recent advances made in consumer devicesRead More

Specifying locking M12 push-pull connectors has become easier with the arrival of a unified standard that ensures compatibility across manufacturers. Locking M12 push-pull connectors are a common choice for industrial and harsh environment applications due to their versatility, durability, ruggedness, and reliability even in high-vibration conditions. These sealed, circular interconnects have become a mainstay inRead More

As e-mobility continues to gain acceptance in both consumer and commercial markets, EV charging infrastructure equipped with safe and secure charging connectors provides a critical link between the power grid, vehicles, and payment systems. The number of electric vehicles (EVs) on the roads is expected to rise dramatically around the world as manufacturers work toRead More