MIL-STD-1553 has been incorporated in every type of air, land, and sea vehicle built by the U.S. military in the last half-century. There is something eminently satisfying about a technology that simply works. One of the more enduring standards in the mil-aerospace industry is MIL-STD-1553, which defines the mechanical, electrical, and functional characteristics of aRead More

Meet the Connector: Nuclear Grade Connectors Nuclear grade connectors must be exceptionally reliable and rugged enough to withstand extreme conditions such as chemical exposure, high temperatures, radiation, and seismic activity. Connectors used in the nuclear energy industry must be exceptionally reliable and rugged enough to withstand extreme conditions such as chemical exposure, high temperatures, radiation, andRead More

This week’s Product Roundup highlights radiation-resistant interconnects from leading connector manufacturers and suppliers. Radiation-resistant interconnects SpaceNXT QT Series from Smiths Interconnect offers improved phase stability over a wide range of temperatures found in space environments while meeting all NASA/ESA outgassing specifications. It is equipped with ETFE radiation resistant jacket materials. This combination enables customers toRead More

Superior performance, longer lifespans, efficiency, affordability, and design flexibility make LEDs the obvious choice for most automotive lighting applications, from headlights and taillights to interior ambient lighting, indicators, and controls. One of the most visible advancements in automotive design can be spotted from a mile away: LED lighting is now in widespread use in vehiclesRead More

As new levels of automation and connected technologies move into the most hazardous environments on Earth, Ethernet-APL is bringing field devices together. Ethernet-APL (Advanced Physical Layer), an extension of Ethernet technology, hit the standards scene in 2022 and it’s already accelerating high speed connectivity and real-time data exchange and diagnostics in the process automation industry.Read More

Design is a multi-faceted challenge. Not only are engineers expected to deliver products with higher performance and more features in ever smaller form factors, they must also complete designs in short timeframes to secure competitive advantage. In addition, there is a growing need for designs to be manufactured at high speeds without compromising quality orRead More

Meet the Connector: Metrical Connectors Metrical connectors, also called M-type connectors and metric circular connectors, are a standardized circular connector that is widely used in industrial applications, including robotics, factory automation equipment, and sensor systems. They are cylindrical in shape and feature a secure locking mechanism in order to ensure connections remain tight in environmentsRead More

This week’s Product Roundup highlights SPE (single-pair Ethernet) connectors from leading connector manufacturers and suppliers. SPE (single-pair Ethernet) connectors As part of the SPE Industrial Partner Network, KYOCERA AVX offers SPE products that meet the standards according to IEC 63171-6 and IEEE 802.3. As the Industrial Ethernet market continues to grow, designers continue to lookRead More

New-to-market connectivity products, including interconnects, wire, cable, and cable assemblies, sensors, antennas, materials, accessories, tools, and development kits. October 2024 New Connectivity Products October 2024 New Connectivity Products > Interconnects, etc. TE Connectivity’s Aerospace, Defense, & Marine engineering team spent two years developing a next-generation VPX connector to meet the defense industry’s increasing requirements for connectivity and bandwidth. Their hard work has paid off: TE’sRead More

What companies led the connector industry in 2023? A new 10-chapter market research report by Bishop & Associates explores the 100 companies that accounted for more than 82% of the industry’s sales. Bishop & Associates new 10-chapter research report provides a comprehensive analysis of the world’s Top 100 Electronic Connector Manufacturers, with detailed statistics thatRead More

Connector customization takes different forms to meet the needs of device manufacturers, designers, and end users. Printing, marking, and keying are forms of customization that get right to the heart of making safe, secure, user-friendly connections. Most technology comes down to having the correct plugs mated to the correct sockets in a way that isRead More

The use of non-standard connectors is more common than most designers think. Many common connectors can be modified to achieve the performance, features, and format needed in high-performance systems. Designers typically try to use standard interconnects in their end products. Most cite availability as to why they stick with standard, off-the-shelf products. However, there are timesRead More