Electronic power and signal connectors will play a key role in the exploration, development, management, and distribution of sustainable energy production. A funny thing happened on the way to American energy production independence. Reducing our reliance on not-so-friendly foreign countries for such a critical resource had become a national security priority. Starting around 2009, aRead More

Hyperscale data centers around the globe are in the middle of a foundational transformation that is changing the way data is communicated both internally and externally. Copper cables have traditionally served most network links between servers, routers, and switches. With data centers that are now measured in acres and house several hundred thousand devices, systemRead More

The Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market landscape is pushing the technological boundaries of the old tried-and-true methodologies, including new aircraft certification. However, they must still adhere to fundamental safety regulations. The aerospace industry has historically been one of tried-and-true technology and processes. However, with the explosion of markets within the industry, including the Advanced AirRead More

Connector companies demonstrated high-speed, high-performance systems, co-packaged optics, over-the-board cable solutions, and next-generation interconnects at an industry gathering that was nearly normal — except for its April dates.  The 27th edition of DesignCon proved to be the latest example of hope that the world is nearing a new normal post-Covid era. The masks mostly cameRead More

Limited materials access, ongoing labor shortages, and war are squeezing supply chains and affecting electronics manufacturing. We talk to Ron Bishop about the implications for manufacturers, innovators, and the markets that depend on interconnects. Bishop & Associates has closely monitored the connector industry since 1985. Led by founder Ron Bishop, the market research firm hasRead More

The 2020s will be a decade of transformation in every aspect of life. In 2022, we’ll see technology continue to play a role in solving humanity’s challenges. We entered 2021 with the expectation that the COVID-19 pandemic would recede and the world’s people and economies would be on the road to normalcy. Multiple highly effective vaccines became availableRead More

Sensor technologies are bringing incredible new functionality to smart devices and systems. From medical products used to fight the pandemic to sensing devices that animate the IoT, innovation is rampant across industries with the help of this vital product category. The sensor market has expanded exponentially in the past five years as connectivity trends increasinglyRead More

Connected technologies can bring significant benefits to OEMs, but companies need to carefully evaluate their goals and their existing resources in order to adopt successful digitalization strategies. The digitalization of production systems can help OEMs create more efficient supply chains, stronger production processes, and better tracking solutions for supply chains, inventory, and finished goods. WhenRead More

We talk to ECIA’s chief analyst Dale Ford about how the electronics industry weathered a challenging year with success and how the lessons learned will impact the way it operates in the years ahead. Dale Ford, chief analyst at the Electronic Components Industry Association (ECIA), described 2020 as an “unforgettable year.” If that’s one ofRead More

Longtime industry observer Bob Hult shares his informed opinions, saying that it’s time for all levels of government and industry to recognize that China has become a pragmatic competitor fully capable of disruptive innovation. Doing so may help Western economies better prepare to confront the challenges ahead.  The United States has enjoyed decades of recognition as the world’s economic, technology, and military leader. Innovators including ThomasRead More

In 10 years, the automotive experience will be vastly different than it is today. Automotive capabilities, fueling strategies, usage and ownership patterns, and the overall driving experience are rapidly changing, in large part to innovations that begin at the connector level. The automotive industry is undergoing an incredibly dynamic period of innovation that will resultRead More

IPC is known as the premier standards organization in the electronics manufacturing industry. But as the industry faces tariffs, COVID, and other complex challenges, it’s also become a problem-solving enterprise. When John Mitchell became the president and CEO of IPC in 2012, the organization’s focus was on standards development for the electronics assembly industries, withRead More