This second article in the new Technology Trends Series by Bob Hult examines the trends and technologies that have shaped USB connectors over the past 20 years. The last 20 years have been called the decades of disruption for good reason. Over this period, new technologies and products have been introduced, peaked, and become obsoleteRead More

Audiovisual equipment is integrating with increasingly sophisticated signal equipment to support 8K video and even machine learning. Things have changed dramatically since the days when long delays and grainy images were common during the broadcast of live events. Today, when broadcasters transmit images from international events like the Olympics, viewers expect minimal latency, or delayRead More

Contact materials can make a critical difference in the integrity, reliability, and durability of connectors. But not every application requires the highest-quality option. By Steve Smashey, President, and Mike Conte, General Manager, SOS Engineering, Inc. contact materials Small details in the quality and construction of interconnects can make a big difference in a system’s performanceRead 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

Proper shielding is necessary to protect mission-critical systems and components from interference in increasingly busy electronics environments.  By Lesa Smith, Marketing Communications Manager, and Neil Mahaffy, Senior Product Engineer, ITT Cannon  EMI/RFI shielding As aerospace and defense platforms and environments continue to evolve digitally, the proliferation of embedded electronics systems and portable electronic devices (PEDs),Read More

As modern train systems integrate passenger comforts, supply chain visibility, and smart infrastructure connectivity, quality components become more critical. Increasing demand for connected technologies in rail networks extends from new trains and signaling systems to updates for existing equipment, including high-speed connectivity for rail operators and passengers, real-time tracking and visibility for cargo, and integrationRead More

Metal connectors can endure the very roughest conditions. Plastic connectors offer exceptional resistance against moisture. Each material has advantages and disadvantages that make it important to select the right one for your harsh environment application. Anyone in search of a rugged connector for a harsh-environment application will be confronted with a wide range of choices.Read More

As small consumer electronic devices infiltrate every aspect of our lives, they endure lots of rough handling and occasional accidents. The connectors that empower these systems must protect functionality and signal integrity when a device is splashed on, spilled on, or even dropped into water. Waterproof USBs are up to the challenge.  Consumer electronic productsRead 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

The proliferation of connected technologies is placing new technical demands on industrial connectors. Higher speeds, higher frequency performance, and reduced form factors are required, along with ruggedness, reliability, and immunity against electromagnetic interference. The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the wireless interconnectivity of electronic devices ranging from appliances and vehicles to building control systemsRead More

Modern elevators feature a wide variety of electronic nodes, from controls that operate the lift to sensors that count passengers and touchscreen user interfaces. These unique building transport systems function depend on unique heavy-duty industrial connectors as well as small, lightweight, consumer-type products. Today’s connected building technologies manage a wide range of functions, including usage-timedRead More

As the Internet of Things extends into rugged territories, the connector that fulfills every requirement for some applications in development may not yet exist. That’s where customization comes in. Rugged connectors — power, signal, fiber optic, and hybrid — are designed to withstand extreme environments. No one-size-fits-all solution is available in this diverse market. MostRead More