Connector basics

Five Considerations When Specifying RF Coaxial Connectors for High Speed with Signal Integrity Applications

RF/microwave technologies are increasingly used in high-speed digital data exchange applications and the mix of connector and cable technologies is becoming more complex. In the next generation of wireless technology, higher data rates and the accompanying need for high signal integrity will require higher performance capabilities in all RF interconnection.   To meet these highRead More

Why Connectors are the Enabler of Industry 4.0

Industry 4.0. Industrial Internet of Things, IIoT, Smart Factory. These aren’t just buzzwords; they are generation-defining trends that are changing manufacturing. Connectors play an important role in enabling the future of industrial automation. That raises the question: how can a single component play such a huge role in revolutionizing the entire manufacturing process?  More thanRead More

Hidden Connectors

Sleek designs, subtle colors, and hidden locations help connectors blend in when applications need to look good or not be seen at all. While most connectors and electronic circuits are hidden “inside the box” or within the packaging of a device, charging ports and other external connection points are necessarily visible. In some situations, that’sRead More

Hyperboloid Contact Technology is Still Going Strong

From transportation to MIL/Aero to medical and more, hyperboloid contacts continue to be vital in the evolving world of electronics. Francois Robert Bonhomme invented the hyperboloid contact in 1956 in response to the need for more reliable connectors used in railway applications. By that time, rail systems had lighting and ventilation, but due to theRead More

Sensors Take Center Stage as the Need for Data Grows

Updated: January 2023 Smart connectivity has grown out of the need for better information gathering. Sensors allow more data than ever to be collected at the source and transmitted to stakeholders where it can be analyzed quickly for decision-making, troubleshooting, maintenance, safety, and other critical functions. Sophisticated sensors are employed to gather and transmit specific,Read More

Connect, Network, Evolve: The Intersection Between Reliability and High-Speed Industrial Communications

Real-time communication in industrial processes allows for process optimization and reduction in downtime. It requires reliable connector and cabling solutions that meet the demands of industrial environments while enabling high-speed data transmission and supporting various industrial communications protocols.   The evolution of industrial communications has increased the need for intelligence built into field devices, so theseRead More

Hybrid Connectors for Heavy-Duty Transportation

Hybrid connectors reduce the number of connectors and cables needed for advanced agricultural machinery and other heavy equipment. A single modern hybrid connector can do the work of two, four, six, or even more traditional connectors. Today’s transportation, agricultural, and construction vehicles come feature-rich with computers, GPS systems, and an array of other electronic features.Read More

60-Year-Old SMA Connector Design Still Popular

SMAs represent the most connector sales in the coax connector category. This early, innovative design continues to serve microwave technologies into the 5G era and beyond. Are you familiar with the SMA connector? Bet you don’t know all the hundreds of variations in use. Worldwide, SMAs have the highest dollar sales of all coax connectorRead More

What are 3-Pin Connectors?

Meet the Connector: 3-Pin Connectors While many connectors feature a configuration with three pins, the term 3-pin connector is often used to refer to a simple white nylon pin receptacle with three tin contacts that is typically used in small, low-power computing products, most notably computer fans. The connector and its contacts can be purchasedRead More

Custom, Semi-Custom Configurators, and Surface Treatments Create the Perfect Connector

New design, manufacturing, and processing options enable OEMs to achieve a semi-custom connector or cable assembly without the time and costs of a fully custom product. With literally millions of connectors to choose from, in every size, shape, speed, configuration, material, and function, what more could we possibly ask for?Sometimes a new material, a smallerRead More

What are Configurable Connector Systems?

Meet the Connector: Configurable Connector Systems Configurable connector systems, also called build-your-own, semi-custom, or modular connectors (not to be confused with modular RJ45s), are available from many suppliers as an alternative to costly fully custom connector products. In cases in which an existing connector is close, but not quite right for a particular application, theseRead More

2023 Harsh Environment eBook
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