Meet the Cable: Ribbon or Flat Cable Ribbon cables, also known as flat or planar cables, feature a row of conductive wires running in parallel within a wide, flat, ribbon-shaped cable substrate. Ribbon cable can be folded and bent, providing great design flexibility. The ribbon cable was invented in 1956 by the Cicoil Corporation (aRead More

Meet the Connector: MIL-STD-1760-compliant Connectors MIL-STD-1760 is a military standard developed in the 1980s out of a need to standardize weapon interface and integration requirements in military aircraft. It defines requirements for electrical connectors that establish a cross-platform interface between the aircraft and its weapons systems, as well as with other stores such as equipment pods.Read More

Blade-type connectors handle high power loads with flat, durable conductive terminal blades. Meet the Connector: Blade Connectors  Also referred to as blade-type contacts, blade-type connectors are characterized by flat, conductive, blade-shaped terminals. Blade terminals are an early and ubiquitous connectivity design and are widely favored for their ease of use and power handling ability. TheRead More

Meet the Connector: DC Power Direct current is gaining wider adoption, driven by the rise of renewable energy sources, energy storage systems, and battery-powered devices. The race to electrify the world in the late 1800s was essentially a fierce competition between alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC), each with its own supporters among prominentRead More

Meet the Sensor: Flow Sensors Flow sensors are electromechanical devices used to measure the flow of liquids, gases, or non-Newtonian fluids. Flow sensors use both mechanical and electrical subsystems to measure changes in the fluid’s physical attributes and calculate its flow. Optical gas flow meters use laser beams to sense the velocity of microscopic particulatesRead More

Meet the Connector: Precision RF Connectors Precision RF connectors are used to transmit an RF (radio frequency) signal from one point to another. They are typically used for higher frequencies in test and calibration applications that require high performance. Precision RF connectors are generally broken down into two key categories, instrument-grade connectors (IGC) and metrology-gradeRead More

Meet the Connector: Micro-Strip Connectors Micro-strip connectors are extremely small, low-profile board-to-wire, I/O, and wire-to-wire interconnects that offer a high-reliability solution for designers of critical applications where size and weight must be kept to an absolute minimum. They are a powerful and flexible design option for high-reliability and critical applications. Micro-strip connectors are available withRead More

Meet the Connector: MIL-STD-1560 Connectors MIL-STD-1560 is the standard that ensures the reliability and interoperability of  MIL-DTL-38999, MIL-DTL-27599, AND SAE-AS29600 Series A electrical circular connectors by specifying insert and contact arrangements. This is especially significant for connectors used in ruggedized, harsh military, space, and aerospace environments. Interoperability refers to the ability for designers to interchangeRead More

Meet the Antenna: Shark Fin Antennas Discreet, low-profile shark fin antennas have become an essential part of connected systems in automotive and transportation applications. They may also be called paddle antennas. Typically roof-mounted, they have an aerodynamic and stylish form modeled after a shark’s dorsal fin. The housing contains multiple antennas to receive AM/FM andRead More

Meet the Connector: Proximity and Position Sensors Robotics and control systems depend on proximity and position sensors employing methods such as infrared, ultrasonic, or capacitive sensing to correctly park, position, and orient their motion in relation to the environment around them. Proximity sensors Proximity sensors detect the presence of nearby objects, often called targets, withoutRead More

Meet the Connector: Semi-Rigid Coax Cable This semi-rigid transmission line can be formed as needed and will hold its shape to fit the needs of various applications. Semi-rigid coax cable is a coaxial transmission line that can be formed to fit the needs and dimensions of a specific application. Custom assemblies can also be madeRead More

Meet the Connector: DIN 41612 Connectors DIN 41612, a standard for electrical connectors used in rack-based electrical systems, defines 13 different types of connectors. DIN 41612/IEC 60603-2 connectors are used to establish a connection between the plug-in card and backplane, mainly for 19-inch racks. The wide variety of connector types combined with the high levelRead More