The arrival of new, category-defining products and technologies has significantly impacted the connector industry in recent decades. We take a look at the evolution of these electronic technology trends. We are beginning a series of articles that will review 12 technology trends that have had a significant impact on the electronic industry and, in someRead More

Innovation is happening at warp speed as machine learning, AI, and autonomy come into broad use. Product designers must work closely with component manufacturers to ensure that these enabling electronics meet the requirements of the future.

As small consumer electronic devices infiltrate every aspect of our lives, they endure lots of rough handling and occasional accidents. The connectors that empower these systems must protect functionality and signal integrity when a device is splashed on, spilled on, or even dropped into water. Waterproof USBs are up to the challenge.  Consumer electronic productsRead More

This week’s Product Roundup highlights RAST connectors for home appliances from leading suppliers. Formalized as an international terminal block standard for the home appliances market in the 1980s, RAST (Raster Anschluss Steck Technik, which German for “grid connection plug technology”) connectors typically employ insulation displacement contact (IDC) technology, which eases and hastens installation processes, enablesRead More

As more robots and other connected devices join the factory floor, the challenge is to protect sensitive electronics from dirt, debris, vibration, and other barriers to performance. As the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) continues to expand, it brings more electronic devices to the factory floor. There, they are exposed to harsh environments including dust,Read More

The proliferation of connected technologies is placing new technical demands on industrial connectors. Higher speeds, higher frequency performance, and reduced form factors are required, along with ruggedness, reliability, and immunity against electromagnetic interference. The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the wireless interconnectivity of electronic devices ranging from appliances and vehicles to building control systemsRead More

This week’s Product Roundup highlights Ex- and ATEX-approved explosion-proof connector products for harsh-environment, hazardous-atmosphere applications including industrial, marine, oil and gas, and alternative energy equipment. Ex- and ATEX-Approved Connectors  Phoenix Contact offers a range of PCB terminal blocks and PCB connectors with IECEx approval for use in potentially explosive environments, including lighting and building automationRead More

Modern elevators feature a wide variety of electronic nodes, from controls that operate the lift to sensors that count passengers and touchscreen user interfaces. These unique building transport systems function depend on unique heavy-duty industrial connectors as well as small, lightweight, consumer-type products. Today’s connected building technologies manage a wide range of functions, including usage-timedRead More

Summary coverage of upcoming industry events, as well as recent award, partnership, promotion, personnel, facility, distribution, standards, association, and certification news from across the connector industry. February 2020 Connector Industry News  February 2020 Connector Industry News > Event News TE Connectivity is showcasing a wide range of connectivity and sensor solutions for topside and subseaRead More

The DesignCon conference and expo celebrated its 25th anniversary with an array of impressive high-speed developments. DesignCon 2020 celebrated its 25th anniversary with an impressive program of keynote speakers, tutorials, technical sessions, and product showcases. Over 100 presentations and panel discussions spanning 14 conference tracks focused on advances in leading-edge high-speed chip, board, and systemRead More

Active optical cables are key components in the high-speed systems needed to handle the exponential increase in data traffic that will come with 5G. Connector companies are helping data centers upgrade with these smart solutions. According to the figure being passed around at DesignCon 2020, only 15% of the 5G infrastructure has been installed soRead More

As 5G networks are activated, connected and automated vehicle systems will evolve from emerging technologies into widespread intelligent transportation systems (ITS) that guide the multimodal transport of goods, people, and transportation-related information. The transportation sector is poised to see profound changes as 5G continues its rollout. The fifth generation of wireless networks will provide theRead More