Cinch Connectivity Solutions announced it’s now stocking Qualified Parts for Space (QPS) Terminations by Midwest Microwave Solutions. Midwest Microwave offers space-qualified SMA terminations designed to meet space and military industry standards and are suitable for high-grade satellites, deep space explorations, and thermo-vacuum chamber testing. With three standard screening levels and male and female versions available, […]
Connector enhances automotive technology with improved design
With the implementation of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and other technologies, automobiles are rapidly transforming. Cars are increasingly resembling computers on wheels, with electronic devices becoming more sophisticated and complex. Concurrently, the automotive industry focuses on improving fuel and electricity efficiency, enhancing safety performance, and reducing vehicle weight. To address these market demands, I-PEX […]
Vertical type board-in connector enhances space efficiency for automotive headlamps
I-PEX is adding a vertical type board-in connector to its IARPB® connector series, which has gained popularity in the automotive market for its lightweight and compact design. With the addition of functions such as adaptive driving beam (ADB) to headlamps, there is an ongoing demand for space-saving components. To meet this demand, I-PEX has developed […]
What are the PHY implementations of multidrop SPE?
There are three common physical layer (PHY) variants for multidrop single pair Ethernet (SPE), basic PHY, media access controller (MAC) PHY, and transceiver. They rely on different interfaces, including a media-independent interface (MII), reduced media-independent interface (RMII), serial peripheral interface (SPI), OPEN Alliance 3-pin (OA-3P), and Ethernet advanced physical layer (Ethernet-APL). This article begins with […]
What are the (almost) nine IEEE single-pair Ethernet standards?
Eight existing IEEE single-pair Ethernet (SPE) standards exist, with a ninth expected to be announced next year. Current standards include 802.3bw (100BASE-T1), two types of 802.3bp (1000BASE-T1), 802.3ch (10BASE-T1) optimized for automated environments, three versions of 802.3cg (10BASE-T1S, 10BASE-T1L, and 10BASE-T1M), and the 802.3da single-pair multidrop segments enhancement standard that was approved in 2023. This […]
Self-aligning panel connectors support up to 3 A
Hirose has expanded its miniature connector offering to include a version with blind mating ability. Constructed with self-aligning elements, the HR34P Series panel mount connector guides itself into the correct mating position. Commonly used for rack-to-panel connectivity in base stations, industrial machinery, medical equipment, and more, the blind mating connector is designed for applications where the electrical […]
How does multidrop SPE work?
Multidrop capability is included in several IEEE single-pair Ethernet (SPE) standards, including 802.3cg substandards 10BASE-T1S and 10BASE-T1M and the newer 802.3da, which provides enhancements to 10BASE-T1M. This article begins with a brief review of SPE multidrop standards and then digs into the bus timing requirements and the use of Physical Layer Collision Avoidance (PLCA) and […]
Memory card connectors offer versatile configurations
CUI Devices’ Interconnect Group announced the addition of memory card connectors to its connectors product portfolio. Available in a variety of SD and microSD card connectors as well as SIM, micro-SIM, nano-SIM, and smart card connector types, CUI Devices’ memory card connectors offer multiple configurations to meet the requirements of a range of memory and consumer electronic applications. The […]
DCI pluggable connectors support evolving applications
IO interface groups are supported by AI developers, HPC, Enterprise, and other market segment leaders, driving connector/cabling solutions using higher speed rates, varying lane counts, and pin counts. Besides supporting the very high volume pluggable Hyperscale market segment, various pluggable connector systems support other new applications and network topologies that are driving the use of […]
Board-to-board connectors enable mezzanine PCB arrangements with up to 30 Gbps data rates
The space-saving board-to-board connectors in Phoenix Contact’s FS 0.635 series enable mezzanine PCB arrangements with high-speed data transmission rates up to 30 Gbps. The floating system features a tolerance compensation of up to 0.7 mm in the “x” and “y” directions, as well as 0.6 mm in the “z” direction. This flexibility within the board-to-board […]
Connector series simplifies automotive cabling
Molex continues to build on its automotive industry expertise with the introduction of its MX-DaSH family of data-signal hybrid connectors that unify power, signal, and high-speed data connectivity in a single connector system. These innovative wire-to-wire and wire-to-board connectors are designed to support the transition to zonal architecture and address the full range of emerging applications […]
Connector and cable interconnects solving problems and providing a path forward
Past and current data center hardware systems developers occasionally require and evaluate unexpected or previously unimagined connectivity solutions. These novel solutions often require a very short development cycle and low cost of ownership targets. Leading-edge test and measurement equipment developers sometimes need a good fast solution as a bridge product before qualifying a new connector […]
How mmWaves affect cables, connectors, and PCB traces
Millimeter-wave signals used in 5G networks provide wide bandwidth and high data rates. Signal losses, both over the air and through interconnects, bring design challenges. by Ketan Thakkar, Cinch Connectivity Millimeter wave (mmWave) signals offer engineers countless application possibilities, including ranging, object detection, and mapping. Unfortunately, mmWaves bring numerous design challenges. Not only do mmWave […]
Interconnect product folio expanded to include pogo and PCB pins
CUI Devices’ Interconnect Group announced the addition of pogo pins and PCB pins to its connectors product portfolio. The CPG family of pogo and PCB pins offers gold-plated contacts for high reliability as well as a variety of pin sizes and configurations to meet an array of interconnect needs. CUI Devices’ line of pogo pins features […]
RF edge connectors shrink in size, cover DC to 67 GHz
Samtec has released a new line of RF edge launch connectors with a narrow body design that is 33% smaller than traditional edge launch connectors. These connectors are commonly used in a lab setting for high-frequency test and measurement applications, high-speed digital component tests, and evaluation boards. Frequency capabilities are DC to 67 GHz (185-EL Series), […]
PCI serial interface offers configurable RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485 ports
Sealevel Systems announces the release of the 7804c PCI Serial Interface with eight field-selectable RS 232/422/485 asynchronous serial ports. The 7804c supports data rates exceeding 1 Mbps for industrial automation and control applications. The range of configurability enabled by the 7804c PCI Serial Interface allows users to implement standard serial COM port requirements via RS-232. RS-422 mode can be used […]
USB proliferation of capabilities and compatibilities
USB4 represents a significant change from past standards from the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF). It is based on the Thunderbolt 3 protocol. Support of Thunderbolt 3 interoperability is required on all ports for USB4 docks, for downward-facing ports on hubs, and is optional for USB4 hosts and peripheral devices. Like Thunderbolt, USB4 allows tunneling of […]
A guide to USB standards from 1.0 to USB4
The evolution of USB standards has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of modern computing and connectivity. From the basic functionality of USB 1.0 to the enhanced capabilities of USB4, each iteration has brought significant improvements in data transfer speeds, power delivery, and device compatibility. As a result of USB’s rapid advancement, the constantly changing […]
How does OPC UA PubSub data support connector digital twins?
The use of digital twins can be an important factor in maximizing the performance and flexibility of Industry 4.0 factories. Open Platform Communications (OPC) is the interoperability standard for the secure and reliable exchange of data in industrial automation environments. OPC has been expanded to include the unified architecture (UA), standardized as IEC 62541, that […]
How do connectors made with conductive plastics contribute to sustainability?
Basic plastics are electrically insulating, but with the proper additives, they can become conductive. Electrically conductive plastics can be used to replace metal components and improve sustainability in several areas of connector construction. They take less energy to fabricate and are lighter, reducing system weight, a very important consideration in applications like electric vehicles (EVs). […]
Amphenol communication solutions extends high-speed cable product portfolio
Enterprise Server Solution Providers Launches EDSFF, OCP, Power Shelf, and PCIe® DirectAttached® Cable Solutions. Amphenol Communications Solutions is pleased to announce the release of its high-speed cable solutions with options to meet PCIe®, EDSFF, OCP specifications, and power shelf requirements. In close collaboration with the PCI-SIG association, the PCIe®DirectAttached® cable riser solution eliminates PCB trace and vias and […]
How does UCIe on chiplets enable optical interconnects in data centers?
Chiplets enable heterogeneous integration of various process nodes and materials to maximize performance. UCIe is a new die-to-die interconnect standard for high-bandwidth, low-latency, power-efficient, and cost-effective connectivity between chiplets. UCIe is also the first specification to include an interface that is compatible with optical links. Large computing systems needed to support high-performance computing (HPC) applications […]
What are the key design and selection considerations for MIL-SPEC connectors?
MIL-SPEC connectors are designed to operate reliably in challenging conditions and extreme environments. First developed in the 1930s for the US Armed Forces, military standard connectors are now used across multiple industries, from energy and aerospace to maritime and automotive. This article discusses key MIL-SPEC connector design requirements and reviews crucial connector selection criteria. It […]
What is the best copper alloy for connectors in renewable energy and EV applications?
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 […]