The current carrying capacity of a connector is not a fixed absolute value; it is always the result of a thermal consideration. Since insulating materials, contact springs, and plating systems are specified only up to a certain temperature limit, the permissible current must be reduced as the ambient temperature increases. This relationship is exactly whatRead More

From high-speed 5G networks and satellites to connected devices and automotive radar systems, radio frequency systems underpin the essential communication networks shaping our world. Article Contributed by: Shawn Luke, technical marketing engineer for DigiKey RF design demands a blend of theoretical knowledge, practical expertise, and creative problem-solving. Unlike digital systems, where signals are binary andRead More

DesignCon 2026 opened the 26th edition of this premier technical conference reflecting the incredible advances in technology and products being driven by artificial intelligence. 2025 was an outstanding year for revenue growth in nearly every segment of the computing equipment and component market including electronic connectors which grew 14.7%, according to Bishop & Associates. ExpectationsRead More

The world’s foremost microwave conference, the IMS symposium features everything from basic technologies to components to systems, including the newest 0.6 mm connectors, waveguides, and interconnect technologies. The IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium is the world’s foremost conference covering RF through millimeter wave and terahertz. Microwave Week combines IMS with the IEEE RFIC Symposium andRead More

The process of ensuring signal integrity is not a precise science. Even the tiniest nuance anywhere along a channel can cause reflections, crosstalk, or prohibited levels of emitted radiation. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, designers of high-speed digital circuits could quickly verify performance by building a physical “breadboard” prototype. EngineersRead More

Using a spring probe grid array allows designers to customize the number of ground pins used to optimize the performance of connectors used in MRI systems, serving specific frequencies/coil designs, saving size, weight, and cost while maintaining the performance of a coax channel where needed. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) systems provide a clear and detailedRead More

Eye diagrams are an indispensable tool for optimizing digital communications systems and components. They enable engineers to diagnose issues, fine-tune performance, and ensure compliance with industry standards. Eye diagrams are a test used to analyze the fidelity of high-speed digital transmissions. By overlaying multiple instances of a signal’s waveform, the test provides a visual representationRead More

The technical advances showcased at this year’s event were outstanding. More than ever, IMS is much more than an exhibition. The IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium, held June 16-21, 2024, in Washington, D.C., combined the RFIC, IMS2024, and ARFTG conferences. The event brought together the foremost entities in the global RF industry, from ICs toRead More

From chips to connectors, from qualification to production, testing is a necessary step to ensuring that electronic components function as expected. We all love our technology until it doesn’t work properly or at all. When a tool or convenience that we’ve come to rely on fails, it’s frustrating. Sometimes, however, equipment failure is a matterRead More

Electronic systems that can stand up to the demands of harsh military, industrial, and transportation environments depend on interconnects that have been tested to the max — in system designs and in the test equipment itself. The common goal of all test equipment is to aid manufacturers in monitoring and enhancing the quality, safety, andRead More

Printed Circuit Boards (PCB) are an essential part of the many electronic products we rely on every day. Both in-circuit and functional testing after manufacturing are critical steps to ensuring PCB dependability. Test probes play an important part in this process by providing the flexibility to make the electrical connections between the test system andRead More

Meet the Connector: NMD (Network Measurement Division) Connectors NMD (Network Measurement Division) connectors are used specifically in network measurement equipment and setups. The name for these precision connectors was coined by Agilent Technologies, the Hewlett Packard business unit that produced the Agilent 8510A and 8720A analyzers and was spun off in 1999. These connectors areRead More