Rigorous testing of every element in an integrated circuit, from connectors to PCBs, is a critical step in the product design process. As more electronics move into complex and high-reliability application environments, the need to measure their attributes and performance, and test their endurance over time and under specific conditions, has become a critical stepRead More

Advances in semiconductor functionality, density, and chip-level integration are generating new challenges in testing. A test socket solution overcomes the challenges posed by traditional vertical spring probes and cantilever scrubbing contact designs, providing a new level of performance and reliability. Integrated circuit (IC) designers are increasingly migrating to quad flat no-lead (QFN) packages to meetRead More

For Test & Measurement applications, hybrid connectors enable effective and precise testing and monitoring. Learn how a vacuum manufacturer uses its industrial gas “sniffer” device with these versatile interconnects. Hybrid connectors move signal, power, and data — plus one or more other fluidic media such as gas, air, or liquids. In Test & Measurement applications,Read More

Heavy-duty and safety-critical applications and their interconnect systems must be designed to resist mechanical stress and environmental conditions without degrading power, signal, or data transmission. Four tests help ensure high reliability. Ruggedization methods and processes apply to the entire design, engineering, and manufacturing cycle in the creation of high-performance connectivity solutions. From choosing high-quality materialsRead More

Meet the Connector: Butt Contacts and High-Current Probes A butt contact is an energizing connector that functions as a high current probe by directly pressing it to an electrical current-carrying surface, according to Globetech, a Tokyo-based supplier of custom connectors for industrial electrical machinery. Traditionally, a screw or a standard contact probe is used toRead More

Development platforms like Arduino and Raspberry Pi enabled an explosion of creativity among electronic designers at every level. Development kits make it easier to design, build, perfect, test, and manufacture electronic products. In little more than a decade since its release, the tiny British single-circuit computer board known as the Raspberry Pi and the Italian controller boardRead More

A conversation with Signal Integrity Evangelist Eric Bogatin. As system speeds continue to rise and new product design cycles shrink, the ability to design circuits that have a high probability of meeting system specifications with the first iteration has become a top priority. Signal integrity (SI) analysis has become an integral part of the circuitRead More

Meet the Connector: USCAR-Approved Interconnects USCAR connectors are part of a wide range of interconnect products that meet the specifications of the United States Council for Automotive Research (USCAR), a collaborative automotive research company founded in 1992 to “strengthen the technology base of the U.S. auto industry through cooperative research and development.” Comprised of aRead More

Meet the Connector: ISOBUS ISOBUS specifies a method of interoperability between electronics systems for agricultural and forestry equipment, greatly simplifying the process of connecting equipment from different manufacturers. Also known as ISO11783, this standard specifies a method of interoperability between electronics systems for heavy duty equipment types that use separable implements. Technical development of theRead More

Meet the Connector: ECU Connectors ECU Connectors, also called PCM connectors, are used to connect different types of controllers, particularly in vehicle applications. An electronic control unit (ECU) or electronic control module (ECM) is an embedded system that controls one or more of the electrical systems or subsystems in a car or other vehicle. One side of the connector interfaces with the ECU (orRead More

New-to-market connectivity products, including interconnects, wire, cable, and cable assemblies, sensors, antennas, materials, accessories, tools, and development kits. January 2023 New Connectivity Products  January 2023 New Connectivity Products > Interconnects, etc. binder USA expanded its series 707 portfolio with an M5 connector designed for use in exceptionally small spaces. With 360° shielding, the new connector provides reliable signal transmission in industrial environments exposed to electromagneticRead More

Meet the Connector: Bulkhead Mount Connectors The term bulkhead mount refers to the mounting style of the connector. In this case, it is the method used to attach a connector to a product casing, enclosure, or panel from the front or rear side. Normally, it involves a threaded body or a push-pull device. The connectorRead More