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

When an interconnection network is inserted within a transmission line between an IC device and the attaching PCB, the connectors used must provide superior electrical performance while also meeting a range of mechanical requirements. Integrated circuits have transformed electronic device design. Integrated circuits, also called ICs or semiconductor devices, have enabled designers to continually increaseRead More

Integrated connector modules (ICMs) are making it possible to build or upgrade networks to support the higher speeds and bandwidths of 5G and the higher volumes of data traffic that are coming with full implementation. By Bel Magnetic Solutions As the installation of 5G infrastructure continues to advance, more consumers are gaining access to theRead More

Interconnects used in automotive testing processes endure the rugged conditions of life on the road, before a car is even assembled. Modular rack and panel connectors offer durability, flexibility, and dependability under test conditions. Auto buyers expect new cars to provide a smoother, quieter, and easier driving experience while also providing greater safety and lessRead More

Durable, user-friendly connectors used in gaming consoles, smartphones, laptops, and other connected devices continue to evolve as consumers become more entwined with technology. If, like me, you are old enough to remember the birth of the computer games industry, you may remember what it was like getting to grips with this new technology. At theRead More

The audiovisual industry is a dynamic environment for connected technologies, as sound, light, video, and production technologies converge to elevate live and digital experiences. The professional audiovisual (AV) industry is characterized by dynamic, often-changing configurations. The successful creation, production, and broadcasting of live events and digital experiences depend on precision interconnects that can deliver powerRead 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

The classic circular connector design is available with a wide range of materials, coupling mechanisms, and protection levels to reliably serve applications that operate in harsh environments.  Power, signal, and high-speed data are essential to the nervous system of modern electronics, and secure interconnect coupling mechanisms are critical to the reliability and integrity of theirRead More

Backplanes using copper conductors have come a long way over the past 50 years and will likely remain the most common form of system architecture well into the future. This is the 10th installment in the Technology Trends series by Bob Hult, a collection of articles that review leading technology trends that have had a significantRead More

Careful materials selection and specialty outgassing processes help reduce volatile gases present in connected systems. On Earth, our concerns about outgassing center on the impact of particulate chemicals on human health. The synthetic materials in petroleum- and chemical-based products such as plastics, furniture, carpet, paint, and adhesives release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other airborneRead More

Enhanced versions of pluggable I/O connectors are providing a clear migration path from current 40 and 100 Gb/s Ethernet and InfiniBand EDR specifications to 800 Gb and beyond. A spectacular escalation of data rates has been a hallmark of computing equipment over the past 50+ years. The ability to create literally billions of transistors onRead More

Innovative connector solutions are needed to address space and heat limitations for high-density data centers as digital growth continues to escalate. More power and higher speeds are needed but keeping heat and energy use down is a pressing priority.  The COVID-19 global pandemic has dramatically altered the way we live, work, and connect. Across theRead More