Automotive applications can benefit from a combination of IDC and press-fit contacts thanks to their contact geometries and high-performance base materials By Tom Anderson, Connector Product Manager, AVX   For more than a decade, insulation displacement contact (IDC) and press-fit or compliant pin technology have proven to be two of the most reliable contact systemsRead More

Networking, safety, infotainment, and electric powertrains are driving a changing automotive market for connector manufacturers.   Automakers are adding safety systems, enhancing infotainment technology, and revamping powertrains to boost mileage and decrease emissions. All these changes are altering the landscape for connector makers, who must develop a range of options that all meet a primaryRead More

Delphi partners with otonomo, Valens, and Rosenberger to boost high-speed data and services for connected cars   Delphi announced three separate strategic agreements with leading technology companies to enhance capabilities in high-speed signal and power distribution and data management for automakers. These partnerships will help the company move data faster, throughout the vehicle, and connectRead More

Today’s FAKRA connectors perform up to 6GHz and meet the rugged mechanical and environmental requirements of the automotive industry. Higher Frequency RF Adds to System Complexity Vehicles are incorporating an ever-increasing amount of telecommunications technology, ranging from data I/O to safety systems, that involves wireless connectivity for cellular, short range, and broadcast capabilities. These connectedRead More

Reliability, integration, and automation are three of the top trends currently driving the development of next-gen automotive interconnects.   Next-Gen Automotive Interconnects Reliability Proven contact technology in automotive applications is mission critical. Cold-welded connections to a PCB will assure continuous gas-tight interfaces in even the harshest automotive and transportation environments. Press-fit or compliant pin contactsRead More

Autonomous vehicle technology is driving the need for increased speed and bandwidth in electronic connectors.   The Evolution of Automotive Connectivity: Autonomous Vehicle Technology Drives the Need For Both Speed and Bandwidth Automotive electronics have come a long way since the Ford Model T entered the market as the first mass-produced automobile in America moreRead More

Connectors associated with automotive applications have recently been a bright spot in the overall connector market, but are likely at the early stage of an incredible growth curve. Bishop & Associates recently reported the global connector market grew 4.1% in 2016 over 2015, while the automotive connector segment expanded by 8.1%, totaling nearly $13 billionRead More

Check out this week’s transportation product roundup for information about some of the newest and most impactful transportation solutions available in the connector and cabling industry.   Transportation Products Murrelektronik recently released the new xtreme DB distribution blocks. Currently available in five configurations, the series delivers three times the current capacity of comparably sized blocks,Read More

Huge growth in sensors is helping fuel a shift to Ethernet and other alternatives as a way to reduce the bulk of wiring harnesses. Connector demand should grow as more modules are added.   Vehicle Networking The number of sensors on passenger cars has exploded over the past few years, and there’s no sign ofRead More

GM is investing $1 billion in US factories, possibly foretelling a strong market for industrial products. Record setting robot sales also portend growth for connector makers that focus on the severe demands for ruggedized components.   A General Motors plan to invest $1 billion in its US factories may herald an expansion in manufacturing. TheRead More

The marriage of high-reliability connectors and sensors brings a new facet of connectivity to the interconnect industry. Connector Manufacturers Connect to Sensors The physical and digital worlds are merging and sensors of all types are on the front line of that evolution. The emerging Internet of Things is essentially a network of connected sensors thatRead More

It may be necessary to replace copper wiring with aluminum in automotive applications to reduce vehicle weight and achieve the aggressive future fuel-economy standards, but design engineers must be mindful of the significant differences between aluminum and copper wire terminations.   Aluminum wiring has been used for many years in several different industries. Utility companies have successfullyRead More