A special category of interconnects that adhere to AISG standards make it possible to remotely monitor antennas, maintain system performance, enhance security, and build new base stations quickly. Three years after 5G was officially launched, the slow rollout of this high-speed technology continues as wireless operators around the world steadily install more base stations. SomeRead More

Sensors are on the front line of an application’s exposure to harsh operating conditions. Specifying the right connector for sensors ensures reliability and performance for the entire sensing system, even under duress. Detection of environmental conditions requires connectors for sensors that can survive the harshest situations. Temperature fluctuations, airflow and air pressure, high vibration, corrosiveRead More

Meet the Connector: M8 Connector Due to their design and functionality, as well as compact size and reliable connectivity, M8 connectors play a crucial role in a wide range of industries, from industrial automation to automotive applications. M8 connectors are commonly used in industrial settings as sensor and actuator connections. With an 8 mm lockingRead More

Can signal integrity (SI) performance be improved by using a connector with a paddle card? In a test case, a paddle card with high SI performance is combined with a low connector height to achieve an ideal solution. Infrastructure telecommunications equipment, such as servers and switches, has become increasingly faster for enterprise computing environments. Therefore, signalRead More

A half century after its inception, this ground-breaking technology is still a major player in the evolving world of connectivity. In May 1973, Xerox PARC (Palo Alto Research Center) researcher Bob Metcalfe sent out a memo that outlined a new broadcast communication network to connect computers within a building. His design used coaxial cable, butRead More

Bishop & Associates has been tracking the connector industry since 1980 by product type, by end-use market sector, and by major geographic region. When we initially starting reporting on the industry, China’s connector sales were so insignificant we included China’s numbers as part of the Asia Pacific region. Bishop & Associates began reporting China connectorRead More

Meet the Connector: ix Industrial The ix Industrial connector is a miniature high-speed Ethernet connector used in industrial applications. It is also known as an IP20 Industrial Ethernet connector, referring to its ingress protection, which protects connections from the harsh operating environments present in factories and other industrial network applications. The connector provides a moreRead More

This week’s Product Roundup highlights photovoltaic solutions from leading connector manufacturers and suppliers. Photovoltaics Amphenol Industrial Solar Technologies’ H4 PV Connector, supplied by RS, carries more amps than the industry standard connector. It features quick and easy secure snap-lock mating, long-term UV and ozone resistance, low contact resistance, and meets the NEC 2008/2011 standard “as is,”Read More

A new generation of wearable sensors are making cardiatrics, diabetes management, biometric monitoring, and medication delivery more comfortable and effective. Wireless health monitoring has been transformed by the possibilities afforded by miniaturized electronics. The first mass market of wearable medical devices took the form of fitness trackers and smartwatches embedded with biometrics sensors that monitorRead More

As robots become ubiquitous and the tasks they take on grow more complex, one constant remains: they must be able to endure harsh environment conditions without interruption or performance impacts. The definition of “harsh” varies significantly across the many operating environments that require automated processes. Some robots may be working in a highly controlled cleanRead More

Understanding how connectors are manufactured can help designers and engineers make the right choices for their product designs. Electrical connectors play a huge role in the ability of electronic devices to perform complex functions in a wide variety of applications. Connectors are continually adapting to accommodate technological advances, meet new standards, withstand harsh conditions, andRead More

Meet the Connector: ZIF and LIF Connectors Zero insertion force and low insertion force connectors protect the IC from damage during mating and unmating. ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) and LIF (Low Insertion Force) connectors are used in electronic devices such as computer hardware, medical devices, robotics, and many other applications between two components, such asRead More