Heat, shock, vibration, and radiation are all in a day’s work for the special components that explore worlds beyond our own. by Ann R. Thryft The most mission-critical of military/aerospace systems are the ones that go into space, where they encounter the toughest environments. Mil/aero systems must be tough enough on Earth to withstand theRead More

In critical mil/aero applications, a connector’s dependability begins where the pins and sockets meet: the contact system. By Robert Kleinschmidt, Senior Vice President, Air & Defense Business Unit, AirBorn, Inc. Many electronic systems in the military, defense, and aeronautics industries are designed to excel in some of the harshest environments imaginable. Deep-sea systems must endureRead More

It’s easy to overlook backshells, but they play a critical role in protecting connectors, cables, and overall system reliability. Mike Kahn, Director of Marketing, NorComp Connector reliability is essential to the performance of electronic systems in transportation applications. Off-highway equipment, long-haul freighters, bus and rail systems, and all other modes depend on critical systems includingRead More

Innovative, high-density connectors deliver higher current-carrying capacity and help usher in new levels of performance for electric and hybrid vehicles. By Kirk Nelson, Director of Sales – Automotive, Hirose Electric The continued development of hybrid vehicles (HEV) and electric vehicles (EV) is central to most car manufacturers’ future strategies. One day in the not tooRead More

In an effort to safeguard the electronics within nuclear power plants, connector companies have turned to an age-old material. Nuclear power is an important source of high-density, long-lasting, and low-emissions energy. A critical part of a diverse global energy mix, nuclear power plants provide 10% of the world’s energy, with some countries, like the USRead More

Achieving a controlled finished surface suitable for wire bonding is essential for mission-critical applications. Here are the qualities you should look for. By Sussex Wire, Inc. Wire-bonded glass-to-metal and ceramic-to-metal hermetic assemblies are extensively employed in commercial, industrial, and mission-critical energy, military/aerospace, automotive, and medical applications. Products cover a wide range of assemblies, including vacuum feedthroughs,Read More

The exploding growth of the medical device market is putting more pressure than ever on the components that make today’s life-saving technologies possible. By Jean Thilmany New Materials Expand the Capabilities of Medical Connectors Connectors destined for use in medical devices face a number of unique challenges. They must be able to withstand frequent connectRead More

Cabled interconnects could help system designers configure their architectures to achieve greater flexibility, performance, and cost savings. By Lucas Benson, Senior Business Development Manager and Manager of Global Product Management, TE Connectivity Global data consumption is driving faster silicon I/O speeds, from PCIe Gen 3 (8Gb/s) and Gen 4 (16Gb/s) to PCIe Gen 5 (32Gb/s).  Similarly, Ethernet I/O speedsRead More

The myriad electronic systems used to equip modern luxury yachts require a number of connectors, often with a demand for customization. By Terry Costlow Anywhere there’s water, there are boats. More people want them, and more buyers have money to buy fancy watercraft, creating a huge market for luxury yachts, which opens a large marketRead More

Custom molded connectors and cordsets offer numerous advantages, and many designers find that superior performance comes at a reasonable price. Mark Sweeney, President/COO, Remke Industries Specifying Custom Molded Connectors and Cordsets Molded connectors and cordsets are commonly used with sensors and control devices that require easy disconnect. Molded connector and cordset solutions are widely available, butRead More

Water is the enemy of electronics. Yet equipment ranging from our pocket-dwelling consumer devices to complex military gear has the potential for exposure to moisture. Good seals on cables and connectors can keep it out. Dana Stoica, Global Marketing Manager, ODU-USA, Inc. Hostile environments often expose the weakest parts of electronic systems, and these frequentlyRead More

Versatile wireless Ethernet gateway products can streamline designs and clean up complex cable situations. Wireless Ethernet gateways are a versatile all-in-one product, combining the function of a wireless access point with a router, while also serving as a firewall. Adding these devices to a design provides wireless connectivity to multiple users and pieces of equipment.Read More