A unified standard for Ethernet networks developed four decades ago still serves as the foundation of today’s incredible connectivity.  In 1973, engineer Bob Metcalfe proposed a simple but revolutionary method to connect computers in local area networks (LANs) using coaxial cable and a modular connector. Ethernet was born. But that was just the beginning. At first, systems designers were on their own and a wide variety of configurations proliferated across theRead More

Automotive and engineering companies have reworked their production lines to produce ventilators and other critical medical supplies needed to fight the virus. The medical technology companies that originally designed these devices have led the way by sharing their designs. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the COVID-19 coronavirus is an infectious disease that hasRead More

The 2020 Optical Fiber Communications Conference & Exhibition celebrated 50 years of optical connectivity with a combination of exhibits on the show floor and remote presentations. The 2020 Optical Fiber Communications Conference & Exhibition (OFC 2020), scheduled for March 8–12, had grand plans to celebrate 50 years of optical communication. Groundbreaking technologies, including low-loss opticalRead More

Summary coverage of new-to-market connectivity products, including interconnects, wire and cable, cable assemblies, materials, accessories, tools, development kits, and connector-adjacent technologies, such as sensors and antennas. April 2020 New Connectivity Products April 2020 New Connectivity Products > Interconnects, etc. Hirose’s new ZE064W Series waterproof wire-to-wire connectors are designed for use in demanding automotive and off-highwayRead More

As Industrial Ethernet brings network connections into harsh environments, it’s essential to protect connectivity products from rugged conditions.  The proliferation of digital information, the Internet of Things, and Ethernet into every facet of our lives means that network connections are in more places than ever before, including the factory floor. Industrial Ethernet is replacing manyRead More

This week’s Product Roundup highlights microwave and millimeter-wave RF connectors, cable assemblies, materials, and tooling from leading suppliers. All of the connector products collected here are ideally suited for use in telecom and networking applications, and several are also well suited for use in military and aerospace and autonomous vehicle applications. Microwave and Millimeter-Wave RFRead More

This second article in the new Technology Trends Series by Bob Hult examines the trends and technologies that have shaped USB connectors over the past 20 years. The last 20 years have been called the decades of disruption for good reason. Over this period, new technologies and products have been introduced, peaked, and become obsoleteRead More

Audiovisual equipment is integrating with increasingly sophisticated signal equipment to support 8K video and even machine learning. Things have changed dramatically since the days when long delays and grainy images were common during the broadcast of live events. Today, when broadcasters transmit images from international events like the Olympics, viewers expect minimal latency, or delayRead More

Contact materials can make a critical difference in the integrity, reliability, and durability of connectors. But not every application requires the highest-quality option. By Steve Smashey, President, and Mike Conte, General Manager, SOS Engineering, Inc. contact materials Small details in the quality and construction of interconnects can make a big difference in a system’s performanceRead More

This week’s Product Roundup highlights connectivity solutions ideally suited for smart home technologies and other consumer electronics, networking, and telecom applications. Smart Home Connectivity Products PRECI-DIP developed a trio of miniature, high-performance connector solutions for compact applications with telecommunications capabilities, including consumer electronics, smart home devices, and mil/aero communications systems. Its three-way battery connector featuresRead More

The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting supply chains, cooling demand, and affecting businesses in virtually all market segments. How will this impact the connector industry? History may have some clues. A black swan event is defined as an extremely rare, unpredictable, and unexpected occurrence that has significant negative impact on an economy. The COVID-19 pandemic isRead More

Digitization is transforming the oil and gas industry. Starting with the equipment used in oil exploration and drilling and extending to automation, remote monitoring, data security, and logistics, connected systems play a key role. The oil and gas industry is in the spotlight, as petroleum and shale oil producers fight for dominance in a marketplaceRead More