Shielded micro- and nano-sized cables save space and weight in portable electronics. By Bob Stanton, Omnetics Connector Corporation Design teams are constantly demanding higher density connections to increase the functionality of each part of their instruments. The problem is, the amount of space available for the internal wiring systems required to route signals from oneRead More

Replacing traditional signaling with four-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM4) may be exactly the solution the industry is looking for. System design engineers have been dealing with the challenges elicited by ever-increasing data rates for many years. High-speed connector manufacturers have collaborated with their bleeding-edge customers and chip manufacturers to develop cost-effective interconnects that deliver aRead More

Wireless Level 2 vehicle-charging stations are an ideal solution for fast-approaching driverless vehicle technologies. Randy Sumner, Director of Global Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Business and Technology Development, Delphi Automotive   The global race to be the first company to bring a fully autonomous vehicle to the marketplace depends on a number of both hardware andRead More

VPX open architecture is shaping new radar and electronic warfare platform designs. By Michael Walmsley, Global Product Manager, TE Connectivity   Today’s military applications detect and track targets at faster speeds and longer ranges using active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, which has placed new demands on radio frequency (RF) signal processing. In response, fireRead More

IDC can achieve a true cold-welded, gas-tight connection, which makes it ideal for high-endurance, high-reliability apps like transportation. Tom Anderson, Connector Product Manager, AVX   Electronic applications for vehicles continue to push the envelope. Consumer road vehicles and harsh-environment, off-road machines alike are continually evolving to integrate new, tech-driven safety features, as well as theRead More

From ZigBee to Z-Wave, plus 802.n options, wireless communications choices seem limitless.   Projected market demand for 5G and other future communications applications is prompting the development of different wireless technologies. Some are in direct competition with each other, and there are overlapping frequencies. Other standards have moved from initial engineering groups, such as IEEE, toRead More

Medical devices benefit from the dependability and resiliency provided by glass-sealed connectors as protection against autoclaving conditions. by Jochen Herzberg, SCHOTT Electronic Packaging In today’s era of rapid technological advancement, medical devices have become more complex and capable than ever thanks to the integration of advanced electronic components. Steam sterilization in the autoclave is aRead More

Automotive applications can benefit from a combination of IDC and press-fit contacts thanks to their contact geometries and high-performance base materials By Tom Anderson, Connector Product Manager, AVX   For more than a decade, insulation displacement contact (IDC) and press-fit or compliant pin technology have proven to be two of the most reliable contact systemsRead More

Circuit board modules used for watch band concept   The ability to cram more powerful electronics into smaller spaces has made portable equipment a pace-setting field for the electronics industry. Smartphones have become the flag bearer for this movement, but smart watches are rapidly ramping up the competition. Early generation watches were fairly large, soRead More

Connector Supplier interviewed Ulrich Schmidt, Managing Director of Lumberg Group and Member of the Shareholder Family, on the company’s plans for combining IDT and SKEDD technology.   Lumberg, based in Schalksmuehle, Germany, plans to start production of SKEDD connectors that use IDT this year (2017). What made Lumberg decide to sign the license agreement forRead More

Connector makers upgraded lines, extended product families and unveiled new interfaces to meet customer demands for increased circuit density and higher data rates.   2016 Connector Trends In a continuation of trends we’ve seen for several years now, a host of faster, smaller, and more affordable electronic components propelled the connector industry forward in 2016. ConnectorRead More

Change has been an integral part of human experience since the beginning. What is new is the incredible rate and volume of change that is impacting the entire electronics industry. What disruptive innovations will impact your world? Over much of its existence, the electronic connector industry has been able to support new interconnect requirements throughRead More