For some, the ultimate form of mobility is the robotaxi, a fully autonomous ride-on-demand vehicle that relieves passengers of the headaches of ownership. How close is this dream to reality? It has been 100 years since Francis Houdina operated his radio-controlled automobile through New York, barreling down Broadway and Fifth Streets. While the vehicle —Read More
Meet the Connector: Thermocouple Modules Thermocouple modules are a compact subsystem or interface circuit device that connects a thermocouple sensor to an electronic system. A thermocouple module converts small millivolt signals from thermocouples into usable digital or analog signals. Integrating one into a circuit makes temperature sensing plug-and-play, especially common in embedded systems and industrialRead More
Robots offer transformative functionality to harsh environments. In situations such as the battlefield, radiation zones, and space, robots can accomplish tasks that would be dangerous or impossible for humans. Add in AI, and they become able to analyze, adapt, interact in intelligent ways. The latest development in the rapidly evolving field of automation isRead More
Meet the Connector: MIL-PRF-39012 Connectors MIL-PRF-39012 connectors bring high reliability to a wide range of RF devices and assemblies such as amplifiers, transceivers, filters, antennas, and more. Previously referred to as MIL-C-39012, this standard defines the materials, quality conformance, qualification, and verification for coaxial connectors. As industries continue to adopt high-reliability coaxial cable assemblies, MIL-PRF-39012Read More
New-to-market connectivity products, including interconnects, wire, cable, and cable assemblies, sensors, antennas, materials, accessories, tools, and development kits. August 2025 New Connectivity Products August 2025 New Connectivity Products > Interconnects, etc. Phoenix Contact offers right-angle M12 connectors for through-hole reflow (THR) soldering processes. Previously, angled M12 PCB connectors required manual assembly and additional drilling to accommodate the snap-hook design. The new connectors are compatible with pick-and-placeRead More
Meet the Connector: Terminals A terminal is the conductive element that provides an electrical contact point that enables electricity to flow through an electrical circuit. At its most basic level, a terminal is simply a conductive bare wire that is secured through crimping or soldering, often to a terminal block. However, the word terminal isRead More
Meet the Connector: Gas Sensors Gas sensors are a category of electronic devices that detect and measure the presence of various gases. Also known as air or air quality sensors, these electronic devices are essential parts of safety systems, industrial operations, and pollution controls, and they identify substances that may pose a threat to humansRead More
New-to-market connectivity products, including interconnects, wire, cable, and cable assemblies, sensors, antennas, materials, accessories, tools, and development kits. July 2025 New Connectivity Products July 2025 New Connectivity Products > Interconnects, etc. Smiths Interconnect added two new types of data transmission modules to its high density modular and minimodular connector ranges that are easy to assemble, based on the principle of building blocks with a systemRead More
Meet the Antenna: PCB-mount Antennas PCB-mount antennas are integrated directly into a PCB (printed circuit board). Rather than attaching to the PCB as a separate component, the antenna structure is part of the PCB itself. This makes the antenna less susceptible to damage compared to external antennas. Wireless communication applications such as IoT devices, wirelessRead More
Upcoming industry events, as well as recent award, partnership, promotion, personnel, facility, distribution, standards, association, and certification news from across the connector industry. June 2025 Connector Industry News June 2025 Connector Industry News > Event News Waldom Electronics sponsors the official robotics team of Miami Beach Senior High School — FIRST Robotics Team 7652, theRead More
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
