A unified standard for Ethernet networks developed four decades ago still serves as the foundation of today’s incredible connectivity.  In 1973, engineer Bob Metcalfe proposed a simple but revolutionary method to connect computers in local area networks (LANs) using coaxial cable and a modular connector. Ethernet was born. But that was just the beginning. At first, systems designers were on their own and a wide variety of configurations proliferated across theRead More

The 2020 Optical Fiber Communications Conference & Exhibition celebrated 50 years of optical connectivity with a combination of exhibits on the show floor and remote presentations. The 2020 Optical Fiber Communications Conference & Exhibition (OFC 2020), scheduled for March 8–12, had grand plans to celebrate 50 years of optical communication. Groundbreaking technologies, including low-loss opticalRead More

Summary coverage of new-to-market connectivity products, including interconnects, wire and cable, cable assemblies, materials, accessories, tools, development kits, and connector-adjacent technologies, such as sensors and antennas. April 2020 New Connectivity Products April 2020 New Connectivity Products > Interconnects, etc. Hirose’s new ZE064W Series waterproof wire-to-wire connectors are designed for use in demanding automotive and off-highwayRead More

As Industrial Ethernet brings network connections into harsh environments, it’s essential to protect connectivity products from rugged conditions.  The proliferation of digital information, the Internet of Things, and Ethernet into every facet of our lives means that network connections are in more places than ever before, including the factory floor. Industrial Ethernet is replacing manyRead More

This week’s Product Roundup highlights microwave and millimeter-wave RF connectors, cable assemblies, materials, and tooling from leading suppliers. All of the connector products collected here are ideally suited for use in telecom and networking applications, and several are also well suited for use in military and aerospace and autonomous vehicle applications. Microwave and Millimeter-Wave RFRead More

The recent Embedded Tech Trends conference highlighted a trend: Boards and subsystems for military applications are increasingly employing optical cable. Fiber optic technology is continuing its push into high-end military systems as engineers increasingly choose it to meet accelerating speed demands. This marks a change from its traditional role as a technology for long-distance communications.Read More

Fiber optic, shielded copper, and foil-shielded, unshielded-twisted-pair (UTP) cables are among the hardware solutions implemented to meet stringent data security networking protocols. Critical computer networks dedicated to the storage and transmission of sensitive government, military, and national security data safeguard such information with robust security parameters and processes including firewalls, passwords, biometrics, and access cards.Read More

Summary coverage of new-to-market connectivity products, including interconnects, wire and cable, cable assemblies, materials, accessories, tools, development kits, and connector-adjacent technologies, such as sensors and antennas. Supplier names are generally linked to product announcements and product names are generally linked to product pages or datasheets. March 24, 2020 New Connectivity Products March 24, 2020 NewRead More

This week’s Product Roundup highlights hybrid connector products from leading suppliers. Hybrid Connector Products Positronic EC Series Eclipse hybrid power and signal connectors combine precision-machined low-resistance, gold-plated copper alloy power contacts with cost-effective formed signal contact clusters to deliver a high price-performance ratio, high linear current density, and robust performance ideal for use in powerRead More

Internal and external systems that include an expanded range of connected technologies will bring autonomy to the automotive world and make driverless cars a reality. By Guido Dornbusch, Senior Director, Network Connected Devices Segment, Molex CMS; Alex Bormuth, Director Business Development, Molex CMS; and Dr. Ayman Duzdar, Senior Director of Engineering, Vehicle Antenna Solutions, MolexRead 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

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