FAQ

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 […]

Wiring harnesses, sometimes called cable assemblies or cable looms, are used in every corner of the electronics industry, including consumer appliances, commercial devices, robotics and industrial systems, computers and servers, telecommunications equipment, medical systems, aerospace platforms, and of course, trucks and automobiles. However, the wiring harnesses used in electric vehicles (EVs) are among the most […]

Unique traits of fingers and hands are commonly used biometric markers. Those traits include fingerprints, finger vein recognition, hand recognition, and finger geometry. Hybrid identification systems have been developed that combine fingerprints and finger vein recognition. Artificial intelligence (AI) has recently been applied to fingerprint analysis, and it promises to increase its utility. Fingerprint and […]

A body odor recognition system uses an electronic nose (E-nose) with numerous chemical sensors to detect and identify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air. General-purpose E-noses are available to detect and identify complex chemical mixtures that constitute aromas, odors, fragrances, and formulations. Breathalyzers are specialized E-noses used to measure the amount of alcohol in […]

Vehicle wiring harnesses without a zonal architecture can have over 1,000 wires connecting over a hundred ECUs. They are difficult to fabricate and install, and changes can be difficult and costly to implement. However, using modular wiring harnesses in zonal architectures can overcome those challenges. A zonal architecture places electronic control units (ECUs) in multiple […]

A biometric trait must be reliable to be a useful security tool. This article begins with an overview of the seven characteristics used to compare the reliability of biometric traits. It then looks at how well some common biometric traits satisfy those requirements. It considers how multimodal authentication and sensor fusion can enhance security and […]

Camera Link (CL) standardizes the hardware connection between cameras and frame grabbers. It includes specifications for data transfer, camera timing, serial communication, and real-time signaling. Camera Link variants include base, medium, full, deca, high speed (CLHS), PoCL (power over Camera Link), and PoCL Lite. Camera Link is a serial communication protocol standard maintained and administered […]

Camera Link (CL) standardizes the hardware connection between cameras and frame grabbers. It includes specifications for data transfer, camera timing, serial communication, and real-time signaling. Camera Link variants include base, medium, full, deca, high speed (CLHS), PoCL (power over Camera Link), and PoCL Lite. Camera Link is a serial communication protocol standard maintained and administered […]

Machine vision (MV) is an important tool in Industry 4.0, autonomous driving, and other advanced technologies. Various standard data connectors and application-specific vision system connectors support it. MV hardware consists of a camera or other imaging sensor and a computer that analyzes the images. Reliable, high-speed connectivity is required to link them. Examples of standard […]

Machine vision (MV) is an important tool in Industry 4.0, autonomous driving, and other advanced technologies. Various standard data connectors and application-specific vision system connectors support it. MV hardware consists of a camera or other imaging sensor and a computer that analyzes the images. Reliable, high-speed connectivity is required to link them. Examples of standard […]

This article examines how modern backshell technologies contribute to high-performance interconnects’ electrical and mechanical integrity and some key factors to consider during the specification phase. Today’s aerospace, defense, and medical applications demand connectors that offer high-speed and compact interconnections, withstand vibrations and shocks, and maintain immunity against electromagnetic and RF interference (EMI/RFI). Achieving this requires […]

This article examines how modern backshell technologies contribute to high-performance interconnects’ electrical and mechanical integrity and some key factors to consider during the specification phase. Today’s aerospace, defense, and medical applications demand connectors that offer high-speed and compact interconnections, withstand vibrations and shocks, and maintain immunity against electromagnetic and RF interference (EMI/RFI). Achieving this requires […]

Car camera bus (C2B) and flat panel display (FPD) Link are both technologies used in automotive vision systems, but they differ in their use cases, performance, and cost. Automotive high-definition link (AHL) is another choice for video connectivity, as is automotive Ethernet, a general-purpose networking technology. This article briefly compares FPD Link, C2B, and AHL. […]

This article reviews resolution, definition, frame rate, and bit depth and how they impact connectivity bandwidth requirements. It then looks at a practical example of the requirements for an effective automotive pedestrian imaging system, including the importance of the Johnson criteria for night vision. Pixels, their sizes, numbers, and composition are the bedrock upon which […]

Part 1 of this FAQ looked at the optical rotary encoder, a low-cost, high-resolution, easy-to-use sensor for indicating incremental shaft position (although it can be “upgraded” to indicate absolute position as well). Q: What is the basic principle of the magnetic encoder? A: The magnetic encoder uses a rotating gear made of ferrous metal, and […]

Accurate measurement of rotary shaft motion, including position, velocity, and acceleration, is crucial in numerous applications. This is typically achieved by incorporating a rotary encoder into the motor or shaft assembly. While “rotary encoder” is often abbreviated to “encoder,” it should not be confused with other electromechanical or electronic encoding devices used for data format […]

Industry 4.0 automates (Figure 1) industrial, manufacturing, and logistics processes, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to increase operational efficiency. Cables and connectors play a crucial role in Industry 4.0 networks, ensuring the seamless transmission of power, data, and signals. This article explains how Gigabit Ethernet forms the backbone of Industry 4.0 networks. […]

The thermistor is a widely used temperature sensor and an attractive alternative to thermocouples and RTDs — but only in some applications. Temperature is the most commonly assessed and measured physical parameter if you add all the consumer, industrial, commercial, medical, food-related, product tests and measurements and other places where it needs to be sensed. […]

The high-performance computing platforms used for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in hyperscale data centers need high-speed interconnects like 112 Gbps PAM 4 and faster inside the servers. High-speed interconnects are also required between the servers and storage devices. Twin axial (Twinax) cable assemblies are one way to address those needs. This article […]

224 Gigabits per second (Gbps) pulse-amplitude modulation 4-level (PAM 4) technology is foundational for the hyperscale data centers needed for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) training and implementation. This article begins by examining the multiple uses of 224 G connectivity in servers and storage devices. It then considers how multiple 224 G lanes […]

By Anson Yeganegi and Song Li, InvenSense Sensors can improve player safety and performance through data collection. Both soccer and American football have embraced advanced technologies to varying degrees, including the use of sensors to elevate tracking and data collection in both games. The first sensor-enabled game ball using Connected Ball Technology, for instance, was […]