A host of new requirements and standards are aimed at improving compatibility, performance, and durability in complex designs.   RF Connector and Cable Changes New and updated standards and specifications for RF connectors and cabling are in process. These changes are designed to help interconnect suppliers standardize and better serve their customers in a rapidlyRead More

Like any aspect of machine vision, cable and connector selection is driven by speed and economy. Customers demand longer, faster, and cheaper cabling solutions, but aren’t always happy about adopting yet another new connector or protocol.   No Silver Bullet for Vision System Connectors The stringent demands of vision systems vary depending on distance, cost,Read More

As data speeds rise, the need for shielding can also increase. But shielding adds weight, cost, and can reduce flexibility, so it’s important to shield only when it’s necessary.   Determining When to Shield Aircraft Wiring A common question when it comes to designing an aircraft’s electrical wiring interconnect system (EWIS) is which of theRead 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

Seeking a way to deliver bandwidth more effectively, some have investigated the removal of high-speed circuits from the PCB by replacing them with discrete or ribbon twin-axial copper cables.   For many years, engineers have bemoaned the eventual limitations of copper printed circuit board conductors in ever-higher-speed circuits: Surely the laws of physics would create barriersRead More

From Wi-Fi hot spots to remote radio repeater sites, adapters speed technical work and eliminate costly multiple visits, as this case study from RF Industries demonstrates.     When Eric Black, the owner of LA Unplugged, sends his three installers to build a Wi-Fi hot spot or a wireless local area network (WLAN) to coverRead More

As the need for smaller cable assemblies continues, speed, precision, and quality control will be hot topics among manufacturers dealing with ultraminiature RF cable assemblies.     The key trend in mobile electronics today is to make products that are smaller, thinner, and lighter, yet mobile electronic devices, such as cell phones, tablets, and portableRead More

In today’s microwave cable assemblies, it is essential to identify the electrical, mechanical, environmental, and application-specific constraints that affect overall performance, which are impacted by the materials used for cable dielectric and jacketing.   Ensuring high-quality signal stability of cables for microwave applications means evaluating the dielectric and jacket materials for attributes that account for the harshRead More

Here is a sneak peek of Bishop & Associates’ upcoming research report on microwave, RF, and millimeter wave connectors.   Characteristic Impedance The basic definition of “characteristic” impedance is the value of impedance that causes no change in input when used to terminate a long cable, with “long” being one-tenth or longer than the electricalRead More

Depicted as “one cable to connect them all,” in reality there will be more than one type of USB-C cable. Mouser Electronics offers a primer on what you need to know about USB Type-C technology.   USB Type-C (USB-C) is a new technology that promises to de-clutter our lives by channeling up to 10Gb/s ofRead More

Manufacturers of rolling stock require high-quality electrical connection systems, and there is increasing demand for custom-tailored railway cabling solutions from connector manufacturers.      Like those in traditional mechanical engineering fields, manufacturers of rail vehicles face the increasing challenges of higher costs and time-to-market pressures. Electrical connections and cabling are one area where they canRead More

Infrastructure shapes mobility and influences rolling stock in much the same way that new and better highways impacted automobile design. In this excerpt from a Nexans white paper, the authors explain the latest trends in rail infrastructure and what customers will expect from cable suppliers in the future.     [quote]“Infrastructure shapes mobility. No majorRead More