New prototyping tools and processes make custom solutions more accessible and affordable. When an off-the-shelf solution won’t do, a custom connector can be created. Advanced design software and manufacturing tools such as CNC and 3D printing enable suppliers to very quickly create sophisticated prototypes of custom connectors. A few years ago, this would have beenRead More

Gold over nickel plating is an excellent choice for signal transmission in RF PCB connectors. However, an excess amount of gold in the solder joint can create a gold-tin compound, making the solder joint susceptible to breakage. A custom solution solves the problem. By SV Microwave Gold over nickel plating is an excellent choice forRead More

Case Study: The Supply Chain Path Behind Digital Farming Solutions By DigiKey Today’s growers are using innovative technology to combat issues related to rising input costs, climate change, soil degradation, water scarcity, and other challenges.  Digital farming tools monitor soil moisture, manage fertilizer and watering systems, and strategically guide plant maturation to improve crop yieldsRead More

Vehicles face some of the harshest conditions imaginable. From mud to salt, this equipment requires every component inside to be rugged and reliable to keep systems running smoothly. In today’s transportation industry, vehicles and machinery face some of the harshest conditions imaginable. From navigating muddy construction sites to braving salt-laden marine environments, this equipment requiresRead More

When choosing a connector for a medical application, one must consider not only the typical ratings for voltage and current, but also the constraints on physical size, temperature, and durability. Article contributed by KYOCERA AVX Medical devices include a broad range of equipment, ranging from small implantable stimulators to room-sized MRI machines. This equipment fallsRead More

Ruggedized, heavy-duty connectors are an essential element in remote tower installations. The structure and its electronics must be able to endure continuous outdoor environmental conditions. Heavy-duty connectivity solutions are an essential part of successful outdoor communications infrastructure. Tower Solutions, located in Pine City, Minnesota, a manufacturer of mobile tower platforms for surveillance, communications, tactical support,Read More

Wiring harnesses save installation time, optimize space, and help protect circuits from shock, vibration, debris, and other hazardous conditions. Good decisions at the design stage can protect the harness and the application. Wiring harnesses save installation time, optimize space, and help secure and protect electrical circuits from shock, vibration, debris, and other hazardous conditions. AlsoRead More

Safe and reliable power distribution is critical in industrial, energy storage, renewable energy, transportation and agricultural equipment. Selecting among the many good connector choices can be challenging. Designers of power distribution systems must look beyond the foundational specifications of voltage, current, operating temperature, and basic shock and vibration needs when selecting industrial connectors to alsoRead More

The reuse of serial communication cable for IP applications depends on various factors. In a series of comprehensive evaluations, Phoenix Contact set out to test various cables to determine the maximum length through which they could enable IP communications when used as an SPE physical layer and create guidelines for cable reuse. Serial communications forRead More

Using a spring probe grid array allows designers to customize the number of ground pins used to optimize the performance of connectors used in MRI systems, serving specific frequencies/coil designs, saving size, weight, and cost while maintaining the performance of a coax channel where needed. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) systems provide a clear and detailedRead More

Heat has a direct effect on device reliability. As the internal temperature of a chip exceeds its maximum rating, reliability begins to drop off. This results in a shortened life or complete chip failure. Advancing the limits of computing performance has been a constant defining objective of system designers since the first commercial computers wereRead More

Eye diagrams are an indispensable tool for optimizing digital communications systems and components. They enable engineers to diagnose issues, fine-tune performance, and ensure compliance with industry standards. Eye diagrams are a test used to analyze the fidelity of high-speed digital transmissions. By overlaying multiple instances of a signal’s waveform, the test provides a visual representationRead More