A variety of new materials and designs are helping connector manufacturers meet the demand for more rugged and water-tight electronic components. Water may be the enemy of electronics, but properly sealed and protected connectors are at work in complex applications such as outdoor weather stations, naval equipment, traffic infrastructure, lighting systems, outdoor screen technologies, andRead More

Since the launch of Google Glass in 2013 and the development of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality, mixed reality, and now AI, smart glasses have been finding practical application in a wide range of areas such as healthcare, education, industrial settings, and consumer experiences. ATTEND’s Leon Hung explains the connectivity demands of this wearable technology. Since the launch of Google Glass in 2013 and the development ofRead More

Linear optical transceivers and co-packaged optics are evolving interconnect technologies that target the spiraling increase of power consumption. Strategies like these will be key to enabling future generations of high-performance computing systems. A common mantra in the computer design community today is the urgent quest to slow the growth of power consumption. Industry pundits debateRead More

For some, the ultimate form of mobility is the robotaxi, a fully autonomous ride-on-demand vehicle that relieves passengers of the headaches of ownership. How close is this dream to reality? It has been 100 years since Francis Houdina operated his radio-controlled automobile through New York, barreling down Broadway and Fifth Streets. While the vehicle —Read More

Heat pump technology has emerged as a powerful solution in the push toward energy efficiency for a wide variety of applications. Heat pumps can be utilized in residential and industrial HVAC systems, appliances such as clothes dryers and water heaters, and even electric vehicles. Unlike conventional heating systems that generate heat through combustion or resistance,Read More

Robots offer transformative functionality to harsh environments. In situations such as the battlefield, radiation zones, and space, robots can accomplish tasks that would be dangerous or impossible for humans. Add in AI, and they become able to analyze, adapt, interact in intelligent ways.   The latest development in the rapidly evolving field of automation isRead More

Quantum engineers must consider the complex needs of today’s computing systems as well as plan for future needs as performance expectations inevitably scale up. Three areas of consideration help guide component selection. Article contributed by SV Microwave The field of quantum computing is undergoing a rapid evolution with the arrival of new material innovations, softwareRead More

Integrating renewable energy into HVAC systems redefines the landscape of building climate control. Engineers are leveraging renewable technologies alongside advanced heat pumps, smart controls, and hybrid system architectures to achieve greater efficiencies. By Jim Beneke, vice president for Tria Technologies, an Avnet brand Integrating renewable energy into heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems redefinesRead More

As data center infrastructures upgrade to transition to higher bandwidths, LPOs are emerging as a promising solution to enable faster, more energy-efficient, and cost-effective optical connectivity. A few days before the OFC 2025 optical networking conference, the LPO MSA (Linear Pluggable Optics Multi-Source Agreement) Group announced the completion of the 100 Gb/s per lane Linear Pluggable OpticsRead More

Rated boost current, in which short-term currents exceed the rated continuous current, reduces EV charging times. New innovations in contact technology make it a viable solution. By Joydip Sanyal, a Chartered Mechanical Engineer, Smiths Interconnect Expanding and updating the EV charging infrastructure to deliver ultrafast CCS (combined charging system), particularly along highways and in majorRead More

OSFP-XD pluggables are targeting AI applications in data centers, high-performance computing (HPC), and select telecom networks. Connectors designed to transfer information in and out of a server, switch, or router have long been recognized as a potential data bottleneck. Processing chips often spend half their time waiting to receive information necessary to function, resulting inRead More

At twice the speed of PCIe 6.0, the new specification supports AI, machine learning, data centers, and high-speed and high-performance computing across numerous application areas. The PCI-SIG (Peripheral Component Interconnect Special Interest Group) has released the PCI Express 7.0 (PCIe 7.0) specification to members, marking a major advancement in high-speed interconnect performance. Designed to meetRead More