FAQ

When connecting cable assemblies to PCBs, you need more than just a physical connection. These interfaces must meet specific industry standards to deliver minimal performance across different applications. Understanding the right standards for your project is necessary when applying to both consumer electronics and aerospace systems. This FAQ discusses the most common standards for the […]

Government regulations, such as European Union (EU) General Safety Regulations and various New Car Assessment Programs (NCAP) requiring driver monitoring system (DMS) and the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandating child presence detection (CPD) systems in new cars, are incentivizing car makers and system suppliers to add more sophisticated sensors inside of new vehicles. The […]

Tools used for calibrating sensors range from basic multimeters and multi-product calibrators to application-specific tools, like pressure calibrators, calibration baths, and infrared blackbody calibrators, depending on the type of sensor and the measurement requirements. As sensors get more sophisticated and precise, so do the tools used to calibrate them. Sensors require calibration to deliver consistent […]

Many soldier-worn systems integrate advanced sensors and communications technologies into uniforms, helmets, and tactical vests. These technologies rely on rugged, lightweight connectors to link disparate systems, deliver power safely, and ensure reliable data transmission on the battlefield. This article explores the evolution of soldier-worn military technologies and the role of wearable connectors in enabling seamless […]

Maxwell’s equations are fundamental tools for electric and magnetic fields, while Maxwell’s relations focus on thermodynamic quantities like temperature, pressure, volume, and entropy. For more on Maxwell’s equations, see “What are the fundamentals of Maxwell’s equations and how do they relate to TENGs?” Maxwell’s relations give designers a powerful tool for analyzing thermodynamic systems like […]

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) rely on precision electronic components — including specialized connectors and interconnects — to ensure accurate sensing, signal integrity, and reliable data transmission. This article reviews the core functionality of CGMs and highlights the key role of interconnects in these critical medical devices. It also explores how miniaturization drives next-generation CGM design, […]

Many data centers are packed with racks of high-performance graphics processing units (GPUs) and tensor processing units (TPUs). These accelerators process massive artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) datasets, executing complex operations in parallel and exchanging data at high speed. This article explores the interconnects and connectors that link AI accelerator clusters together. Scaling […]

The industrial and embedded systems world is undergoing a rapid transformation, placing unprecedented demands on system design and component selection. These systems, which once operated under relatively stable conditions, are now expected to function reliably in harsher environments, with tighter tolerances, and with far greater data loads due to the proliferation of industrial IoT systems. […]

A kinematic model is a mathematical representation of a robot’s motion that focuses on the geometric relationships between elements and ignores external forces that affect motion. Kinematic models are used for planning and controlling the paths of industrial robots.  Forward kinematics determines the current position and orientation of the end effector based on the angles […]

Cryogenic (cryo) microwave (µw) power measurements are vital for advancing quantum computing. Delicate quantum devices require operation at cryo temperatures to maintain coherence and stability. Accurate power measurements at cryo temperatures are also required to optimize and debug quantum hardware. This article begins by reviewing cryo zones in a quantum computer and the related µw […]

By Karsten Köhler, Business Development Manager at TDK-Micronas The auto industry is amid two transformative trends: the gradual transition from internal combustion engines (ICE) to electric motors and drivetrains and the ongoing development of driver assistance and self-driving features. Sensor technology is famously integral to both trends, but electrification and assisted driving account for only […]

Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are used in biomedical sensors because they emit highly focused, coherent light at specific wavelengths, enabling precise detection and analysis of biomolecules. Applications include blood oxygen level monitoring, optical coherence tomography (OCT) for imaging tissue structures, fluorescence microscopy, and analysis of live biomolecules in lab-on-a-chip systems. VCSELs offer a third option […]

The 50-ohm impedance is standard in RF design, while 75 ohms is also used, so it’s important to understand the attributes of each and not confuse them. One of the issues that beginning electronic engineers must grasp is the concept of impedance and impedance matching, especially concerning transmission lines, cables, and connectors. This FAQ will […]

The mathematics that enable sensor fusion include probabilistic modeling and statistical estimation using Bayesian inference and techniques like particle filters, Kalman filters, and α-β-γ filters, which allow for combining data from multiple sensors while accounting for noise and uncertainty to produce a more accurate overall picture of a system or environment. Neural networks (NNs) are […]

A light source and photosensor combine for effective, reliable, non-contact proximity detection of nearby objects. Part 1 of this article looked at the principles and three basic approaches to optical proximity sensing, also called photoelectric sensing. This part looks at physical implementations of the system, input/output specifics, and other considerations. Q: Is this a relatively […]

The Open Compute Project (OCP) is focused on developing scalable computing for cloud data centers, artificial intelligence, and other large-scale computing applications. Immersion cooling can improve the energy efficiency and sustainability of those facilities. So, the interest of the OCP in immersion cooling is not surprising. The OCP immersion cooling requirements define materials compatibility needs […]

A light source and photosensor combine for effective, reliable, non-contact proximity detection of nearby objects. Non-contact proximity sensors detect the presence or absence of nearby objects (including animals and people) using basic physics phenomena such as capacitive and inductive electromagnetic fields, light, or sound. Many techniques are used for this sensing, each offering different operational […]

Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) connectors are primarily used in military, aerospace, and industrial applications to provide enhanced protection from electromagnetic interference (EMI). Power and signal connections must have access to the system. Those access points can be weak links in EMC performance. EMC connectors and cabling systems often have features like enhanced shielding, EMI gaskets, cable […]

EEG sensing can improve driving safety.

Electro-optic sensors span a wide range of technologies, from various types of imaging devices to infrared (IR) detectors. They are used for various defense applications that enhance situational awareness, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), search and rescue, threat detection and target identification, and protection against IR-guided missiles. Electro-optic and IR (EO/IR) sensors convert electromagnetic […]

Connectors in hypersonic missiles need to be small and lightweight and provide robust signal integrity for high-speed connectivity. The challenge is to provide the required performance and durability while enduring extremely high temperatures and high levels of shock and vibration. This article briefly examines the inside of a hypersonic missile and its operating environment. It […]

The SPM3 and SMPS RF coax connectors are similar but slightly different. They are not entirely interchangeable, so we have two standards. If you research SMP3 and SMPS RF coax connectors, you might conclude that they are the same, completely interoperable, and interchangeable. They are indeed quite similar, with comparable performance specs and dimensions. Both […]

In the era of face masks, ear recognition can provide a viable alternative to more commonly used facial recognition. The human ear remains relatively unchanged, making it suitable for security authentication applications. It can also be easier to extract information from since it is not subject to variations like facial expressions. Ear recognition biometrics analyze […]

In Cognitive Market Research’s recently published 7th edition of Home Smart Sensors Market Report 2024, the report’s author says the global home smart sensors market will witness significant growth soon. In addition to sensors for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and lighting systems, sensors for safety and security are specifically addressed in the […]

Iris scan biometrics is one of two techniques that use unique eyeball characteristics for security and identification purposes. The other technique is retinal scanning. Iris scans are more commonly used because they are quicker and less invasive, but retinal scanning can be more accurate. The two techniques also have different applications. A retinal scan requires […]