Copper is important in supporting renewable energy and electric vehicles (EVs). For example, there’s about 5.5 tons of copper used per megawatt (MW) of photovoltaic generation and there’s 183 pounds of copper in an EV, compared with only 48 pounds in an internal combustion engine (IEC) vehicle. Not all copper is the same; there’s a […]
How can carbon nanotubes improve interconnect performance?
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been proposed for reducing fretting wear in connectors used in high-vibration environments like vehicles. They can also be used to make contacts with lower contact resistance and higher corrosion resistance compared with silver (Ag) plating, and they have been used to reduce the weight in some shielded cables by 25% or […]
Circular connector range now include M5 types for industrial and automation applications
CUI Devices’ Interconnect Group announced the addition of M5 connector types to its line of circular connectors and circular cable assemblies. The CDM5 family offers a range of male or female jack or plug versions with contact position options of 3 or 4 pins. These M5 connectors and cables are all A-coded to support 1 Gbit […]
Board-to-board connector line expanded to include 0.635 mm pitch versions
Samtec has expanded its successful line of Edge Rate board-to-board connectors to include a higher density mated set that is half the width of previous designs and offers a lower-profile 5 mm mated height (ERF6 & ERM6 Series). ERF6 & ERM6 Series Edge Rate connectors support 56 Gbps PAM4 high-speed, rugged mezzanine applications for industrial, embedded vision, […]
Magnetically attached connectors attach to boards and cables
Mill-Max Manufacturing Corp., Inc. is proud to introduce new Maxnetic connectors available in a variety of termination styles. These connectors provide designers flexibility in choosing the right magnetic connector combination for their interconnect needs. Magnetic connectors are ideal for applications requiring connections to be made quickly and easily such as charging systems for communications equipment; […]
Front-mounted IP67 bulkhead jacks added to panel mount receptacles
Amphenol RF is pleased to expand our versatile SMA product portfolio with additional reverse polarity front mount bulkhead jacks. The bulkhead jacks are engineered to accommodate a variety of micro coax cable types including 0.081 mm, 1.32 mm, 1.37 mm, and RG-178 and are IP67 rated. This makes them ideal for applications in demanding environments […]
Ruggedized USB-C connector withstands harsh mil-aero environments
Amphenol Socapex announces the release of a ruggedized USB Type-C connector, USB3CFTV, based on the MIL-DTL-38999 series III standard. The USB3CFTV is a ruggedized solution designed to withstand harsh environments and demanding applications such as military communications, military planes, aerospace, commercial air, and naval applications. The connector features a Tri start thread coupling mechanism that […]
Interconnect system flies over circuits at 28 Gbits/s
Samtec, Inc. is shipping the Optical FireFly Micro Flyover System, the first interconnect system with the flexibility to use micro-footprint high-performance optical and copper interconnects interchangeably. Consisting of a transceiver, two-piece connector system, and cable, the FireFly Micro Flyover System supports 14, 16, 25, and 28 Gbps designs in x4, x8, and x12 configurations. The […]
Wire-to-board connector line now includes branch connector
Hirose has expanded its low-profile DF51 wire-to-board connector series to include a branch connector. The DF51B Series enables the splitting of the cable into two separate paths. This not only simplifies the design and wiring process but also enables smaller and lighter end-products. Part of the SignalBee connector family, the 2.0 mm pitch DF51B Series […]
Board-to-board connectors pass 16 Gb/sec digital signals
Hirose has expanded its DF40 board-to-board floating connector series to support PCI-ex Gen.4 (16Gbps) and MIPI D-PHY Ver.1.1 (1.5Gbps). The DF40F Series provides high-density mounting, significant space-savings, and high-temperature resistance to 125 degrees for automotive applications. The DF40F Series is most commonly used in in-vehicle sensor applications including cameras, LIDAR, millimeter-wave radar, and more. Simplifying […]
Fiber optical rotatory joints for installation in tight spaces
Orbex Group announces its 700 Series of fiber optic rotary joint (FORJ) assemblies, supporting either single- or multi-mode operation with options for wavelengths of 1310 or 1550 nanometers. Both the 1310- and 1550-nanometer options feature an outer diameter of 7 millimeters for installation in tight spaces. Additionally, each FORJ assembly features an insertion loss of […]
What are ZIF and LIF connectors and where are they used?
How low contact resistance is achieved can be a key differentiator between zero insertion force (ZIF) and low insertion force (LIF) connectors. Many LIF connectors have a low contact resistance of about 30 mΩ when mated without needing a locking mechanism. ZIF connectors generally require a locking mechanism to achieve low contact resistance and a […]
Waterproof connectors able to immerse in water to depth of 1.8 M for one hour
Amphenol distributor Inelco Hunter has announced the availability of the Sine Systems’ ecomate Aquarius Fathom Lock Series of waterproof connectors for industrial applications. In a mated condition, the system offers an IP67/69K rating, enabling immersion in water to a depth of 1.8M for one hour. The ecomate Aquarius connectors incorporate the latest technology, offering a […]
Wire-to-board connector now available in SMT version
Hirose has expanded its low-profile DF51K wire-to-board connector series to include a surface mount technology (SMT) version. Compatible with automated assembly processes, including pick-and-place machines, the DF51K SMT Series simplifies the assembly process and saves significant manufacturing time and cost. The compact SMT connector features a center lock design to offer high-density mounting on the PCB. […]
How do the three types of shielded cables work?
The three basic types of shielding for electromagnetic interference (EMI) in cables include strands of braided copper and similar metals, spiral shields, and foil or tape shields. They can be used separately or in combination. This FAQ begins with a review of the three types of shielding, then considers how they are used in combinations […]
What are the six connector locking mechanisms?
Various locking mechanisms are found on connectors including bayonet, latch, lever, push-pull, screw, and snap-in. These represent the more common styles, not an exhaustive list. Locking connectors can support several functions like assisting coupling and uncoupling and improving the environmental ruggedness of the connection in addition to enhancing mechanical performance and preventing accidental uncoupling. This […]
What are the five connector contact termination styles used for?
The five basic connector contact termination styles include solder, press-fit, clamp, crimp, and insulation displacement (IDC). In some cases, there are variations. This FAQ focuses on the termination of electrical signals, not fiber optic termination styles. Selecting the best termination style is important since the terminations provide stable electrical and mechanical connections and need to […]
PCB connector design eliminates tools, creates fast connections
Phoenix Contact introduces the XPC 1.5 connector, the first PCB connector to feature Push-X connection technology. Push-X uses a mousetrap-like design to create fast and tool-free connections for rigid and flexible conductors with or without ferrules. Push-X technology uses a contact spring inside the XPC PCB connector that catches the conductor and holds it securely […]
Spring-loaded pins use gold-plated, brass ball in place of plunger
Mill-Max presents two new Omniball spring-loaded pins, one for low-profile purposes and one that provides greater stroke and higher current carrying capacity. These new pins expand the lineup of Omniball spring-loaded products, broadening their scope of use for interconnect opportunities. Since the introduction of the patented Omniball spring-loaded contacts three years ago, designers have been […]
Retimer supports 800G AECs for generative AI networks
The rise of generative AI and AI/ML technologies is fueling demand for more high-speed connections and, in turn, the push toward 800G connectivity in backend data center networks and applications. This can be optimally addressed using Active Electrical Cables (AECs), but there are numerous design and development hurdles for cable vendors to overcome. To address […]
1400-G3 devices convert USB host connection to RS0232/422/485 serial protocol signals
Legacy serial devices remain commonplace in industrial plants, a situation that is leaving technicians using modern laptops, workstation PCs, or thin clients unable to connect to them for maintenance. Moxa is bringing needed serial port expansion to industrial networks with its UPort 1400-G2 Series of 4-port USB-to-Serial Converters ruggedly engineered for harsh environments. An essential accessory for […]
Integrated connector modules now include 60 W and 100 W PoE versions
Bel Fuse Inc announced the expansion of its single port, 10G, NBase-T, 60W, and 100W power over Ethernet (PoE), MagJack integrated connector modules (ICMs). Suitable for a wide range of uses, such as industrial controllers, video cameras, Wi-Fi access points, or any applications requiring a single port Ethernet connector. The new ICM products are aimed […]
High-speed connectors and cable assemblies for UHD data transfer at 18 Gbit/s
Fischer Connectors has released new high-speed connectors and cable assemblies for Ultra High Definition (UHD) audio/video data transfer at 18 Gbit/s in demanding environments, matching the performance speed of HDMI 2.0. Fischer Connectors’ new UHD solutions are available in the flagship Fischer MiniMax and Fischer Core product lines with 10’000 mating cycles, 360° EMI protection, […]
HDMI connectors now available in Type A receptacle versions
CUI Devices’ Interconnect Group announced the addition of HDMI connectors to its connectors product portfolio. Available in Type A receptacle versions, CUI Devices’ HDMI connectors all conform to the HDMI 2.0 standard. The models offer surface mount, mid-mount SMT, or through-hole mounting styles with horizontal or vertical orientations, giving engineers several options for their audio/video design […]
Design World presents the 2023 LEAP Awards Winners: Connectivity
Now in its sixth year, Design World’s LEAP Awards continue to showcase the best engineering innovations across several design categories. It’s a large undertaking that wouldn’t be possible without the commitment and support of the engineering community. Each year, the editorial team assembles OEM design engineers and academics to create an independent judging panel. Below […]