MicroTCA: Less is Sometimes Better

Relentless market pressure to offer greater functionality in smaller envelopes and at lower cost is the name of the game in today’s electronics industry. Designers in every market segment, from consumer to military, are looking for increased value in these tough economic times. Systems that conform to a packaging standard can minimize the need for scarce engineering resources. MicroTCA is the answer. more

Wind Energy Offers Breath of Fresh Air in a Stale Economy

The wind energy industry may offer an area of opportunity for jobs, manufacturing, and the connector industry. Jenny Bieksha gives us the market trends, connectors for the market, and which wind turbine manufacturers are growing. more

Embedded Computer Standards Proliferating
The embedded computer automates a wide variety of devices, from the mundane to the exotic. Rather than design a custom device from scratch to satisfy a new application, an off-the-shelf embedded computer in a variety of form factors can be quickly and economically adapted to many tasks. more

A Wild Ride
Metal prices are constantly fluctuating. What’s behind the rollercoaster ride that keeps manufacturers guessing what metal to use next, and how much to pay for it? more

U.S. Army Will Soon Have the First Fleet of All-Hybrid Vehicles
Electric engines offer both energy and environmental benefits by providing better fuel economy and lower emissions. Hypertronics has been instrumental in providing a harsh environment connector to the U.S. Army for use in its hybrid electric engines. more

Enhancing Quality Healthcare with Fiber Optics
The flexibility, miniaturization, and versatility of fiber optics make the technology a powerful partner in today’s medicine. Connectors play a key role in these developments. more

“Doctoring” Connectors for Medical Use
Medical conditions require special features in a connection. “Upgrading” proven connectors in medical applications allows for greater performance and lower cost. more

Reliable Medical Connections Require Quality Connector Plating
The OEM specification process comes together easier when working with a connector manufacturer experienced with medical requirements. more

Choosing the Right Connector Keeps Medical Equipment Shock-Free
Choosing the correct connectivity products can be a life or death matter when it comes to EMI/RFI shielding. Not only does the medical device require effective protection—the patient does too. more

Hasta la Vista, Baby!
Robots have moved from the realm of fantasy to reality, becoming part of myriad everyday and extraordinary applications. Thanks to a vast number of electronics systems, robotics offer a rich area of growing opportunity for the connector industry. more

An Executive Perspective: Automation and Miniaturization are the
Keys to Future Electrical/Electronic Architectures
Envision a future in which robots play increasing roles in connector assembly. Thanks to the rapid miniaturization of electronics systems, the future is already here, as a growing number of manufacturers look for the sure, small hand of an automated assembly process. more

Automotive Shifts Into Low Gear
While some may argue that the automotive market is at a dead stop, rather than in low gear, innovations to improve fuel economy and vehicle emissions are being developed right now to meet the demands of a more energy-conscious future. Consumers are beginning to demand the cars of the future now, and government incentives may get help spark innovations in this new technology area. more

Ruggedized Automotive Connector Applications
How does a new product make it to market amid a broadening field of tests, requirements, and customer objectives? One company shows us how. more

Greener Futures: An Introduction to Renewable Energy
Developing clean energy and energy intelligence will help global economies pull out of the current economic recession, improve quality of life and health, and protect sensitive environments. It will also provide an opportunity for the best minds in the connector industry to show off their ability to innovate and inspire. more

A Bright Solution
Solar energy rises to the challenge of providing clean energy, and constant innovations are bringing prices down and energy yields up. more

A Mighty Wind
Clean, emissions-free wind power is an increasingly important part of the answer to the twin global crises of energy security and climate change. more

The Future is Blowing in the Wind:
Connectors for Wind Power Ease Installation and Maintenance
As wind power matures as an affordable, green power source, the connector industry is integral to establishing standards and providing components that ensure that these critical systems operate smoothly. more

Saving the Environment—One Mandate at a Time
Just as we’re becoming comfortable with RoHS, other mandates are on the horizon, attempting—with mixed results—to clean up the electronics industry’s often toxic impact on the planet. Is your company in the running to become one of the leading “green” manufacturers? more

Parameters/Performance II: Contact Normal Force
Contact normal force is one of the more important parameters to consider in connector design, but it is not generally specified. Can you design a connector without heeding that requirement? Is it time to review the Tin Commandments? Dr. Bob takes us back in time to better understand this parameter and learn how it affects you today. more

Fiber Optics in Military Aerospace: Profits Before Progress?
Most experts in wiring and systems feel that widespread use of fiber optics in aircrafts is still a few years away. Now, the recession is compelling designers to make cost-effective decisions in their airframes, meaning fiber will probably wait even longer to supplant copper—despite the significant advantages it offers this sector. more

Fiber Optic Connectors: Expanded Beam vs. Physical Contact
Many factors enter into the selection of a fiber optic connector. Dr. Soren Grinderslev, Tyco Electronics, weighs the pros and cons of choosing either an expanded beam connector or physical contact connector. more

R&D Spotlight: The Taiwan Connection
R&D funding is not the driving force of the connector industry, but it’s an integral part of the process, and essential to reaching future goals and innovations. Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute is a leader in the R&D world. more

The Shift to 85-Ohms System Impedance and
Its Impact on Interconnect Links
The industry’s leading designers have adopted 85-ohm system impedance. But at what cost? Dave Sideck, FCI’s global marketing manager for high speed and power products, examines the benefits and drawbacks. more

Long Live the Copper Connector
It turns out the prediction of copper’s imminent demise were premature; designers are expanding the limits of the material into the future. more

New Connector Roadmap Helps Industry Navigate the Road Ahead
Would you like to know what lies ahead for the connector industry? The new 2009 Electronics Industry Technology Roadmap is the essential guide to the road into the future. This report details major electronic component and systems technology trends from 2009-2019. more

DesignCon 2009 in Review
Once again, DesignCon 2009 was rich in new products and innovation. The electronic connector industry was well represented; 14 connector and several more high-performance cable assembly manufacturers demonstrated their most advanced and inspiring products. more

Industrial Cable Assembly Market Trends
The economic stimulus packages in both the U.S. and China could help save a floundering industrial cable assembly market in 2009. Many manufacturers are available to provide the connectors. more

Full Steam Ahead
Army military vehicles roll forward into a period of assured growth unmatched in the cautious recession-era electronics market. more

The Not-So-Young Inventor’s Fair
I’m not an engineer—just a lowly journalist, but engineers intrigue, fascinate, and amaze me with their ideas, analytical thought process, and focus on detail. The following story gives you one perspective on what it’s like to try to get a product to market. Let me know what kind of experiences you’ve had. Contact me at atanghe@connectorsupplier.com, or visit me at booth 745 this week at DesignCon. more

HELP WANTED
iNEMI Focuses on Mission of Advancing Manufacturing Technology
What is the concept behind the organization of iNEMI, and how do its programs benefit the electronics manufacturing supply chain? iNEMI considers connector products a strategic supply-chain technology, and desires more participation by connector companies in iNEMI programs. Your input’s important. more

Green Progress:
Smaller, Faster, and Environmentally-Friendly Multi-Service Edge Routers Lead the Way
Global warming may seem like the territory of politics and Hollywood, but few would disagree that reducing pollution and energy costs are good things. If you are a telecommunications service provider, there is no controversy; reducing pollution and energy use is not only good citizenship, but it’s also very good for the bottom line. more

Specmanship: Parameters or Performance?
The discussion regarding “parameters or performance” has been going on for decades. Of all the connector design/materials decisions, choosing the contact finish is arguably the most complex move. This is, of course, because plating practices, and the “quality” of the resulting plating, are the most sensitive of all of the many processes necessary to connector manufacturing. As Max Peel notes in Peel’s Law, “Anyone that specifies a gold flash contact finish deserves all the problems he is going to get.” more

HDTV Growth Engine May Pause in 2009
But there is too much at stake to stop the train.
High Definition TV (HDTV) is one of the most significant technological developments in recent history. It was also a major catalyst for explosive growth in flat panel displays. I/O connector content, including HDMI, has also benefited from these developments. But changes are ahead for this often dazzling product category. more

Tune In to HDTV Connectors
Bishop & Associates’ Lynda Nolen provides a primer to the connectors you’ll find on your new HDTV. Get ready: Digital format television arrives February 17. more

Healthy Connections
One of the fastest growing end-use equipment sectors for interconnect products is the medical equipment sector. Innovative connectors help make today’s technology-enhanced medical breakthroughs possible. more

Cool Connections are Hot in High-Power Designs
The failure of a power connector can be a dramatic event and may have serious safety implications. Today’s design challenge is to create connectors that can withstand today’s high-heat applications. more

System Design Trends Drive Advances in Power Connector Technology
Increased performance demands for telecom, data, industrial, instrumentation, and medical equipment is driving a trend in today’s connector design toward channeling more power and signals in less space. more

2008 in Review: A Year of Connector Innovation
New product is the lifeblood of the connector industry, and 2008 has been a prime example of how connector manufacturers are scrambling to ensure that connectors do not become a technology bottleneck for the design of next-generation equipment. more

Looking Forward
Bishop & Associates’ market segment directors anticipate a challenging year ahead. more

Consumer Electronics Market Update
We’re all “shaking the dice” and trying to guess what will happen with the consumer electronics market. It doesn’t matter if you’re supplying connectors to the OEM, or if you are the OEM, we’re all trying to predict what the needs of an increasingly tech-savvy world will be—or how to adjust our plan for the consumer whose product budget is diminishing. more

Weathering the Storm
How will consumer electronics be impacted by the economy and changes within the marketplace? Connector manufacturers share their insights. more

Mass Data Storage Trends: HDD Technology
With the explosion of digitally converged computer, consumer, and communications applications, hard disk drive (HDD) technology has moved into many new high-volume applications, such as media players, iPods, GPS devices, and DVRs. In addition, a relatively new technology has arrived—Solid State Drives (SSD) and cards (SD) using NAND and NOR Flash Memory ICs. This has created new high-volume connector applications. In the future, a rapidly growing SSD technology will coexist with HDD, and in some areas may become dominant. more

Top 10 Trends in the Industry
#10: The Impact of Wireless Technology on the Internet
In 1952, the phrase, “I like Ike” was the talk of the day and the former Allied Supreme Commander of Europe, Gen. Dwight David Eisenhower became the 34th president of the United States, serving from 1953 through 1961. Among Ike’s many accomplishments was the establishment of the U.S. interstate highway system. Lesser known was his role in creating what is today referred to as the “information superhighway,” or the Internet. more

How to Sell Connectors to the Air Force
From wire harnesses to connectors to engine parts and avionics systems, numerous components are needed to build military aircraft. How do you get a piece of the action? more

Embedded Computers Connect to the World
The proliferation of new form factors is likely to continue as new applications for embedded computers expand. Developing low-profile, high-density, high-speed mezzanine connectors will continue to be an enabling technology in new embedded computers that must survive challenging environments, which range from unmanned weapons platforms to a teenager’s bedroom. more

An Air vs. Army Product Show Comparison
The military market is rich with opportunities for the connector industry, but the global financial crisis has brought about a reality check here, too. Scott Clay lets you know who’s buying, what’s selling, and where the market is going. more

A Guide to Connector Specsmanship
You know you need a connector in your product. So you request the specs from a couple comparable connector manufacturers. What kinds of tests were performed to create that spec sheet, and how do the products really compare? more

Meeting the Challenges of the Smart Card Connector Market
FCI’s Gijs Werner provides a global overview of the smart card market. There are major differences around the world: Europe has been at the forefront of smart card use for many years; Japan is forging new smart phone applications; and the U.S. favors magnetic stripe cards. more

Considerations in Specifying Smart Card Connectors
Jerome Smolinski of C&K Components speaks to the importance of the connector in smart card applications. Of particular interest are connector designs meant to foil intrusion by hackers at a smart card terminal, and designs that can extend connector insertion life to 500,000 cycles or more. more

To Fail or Not to Fail, That is the Question – Act II
While Dr. Bob defined two types of contact failure in our last issue, Max looks more closely at the two essential criteria used to establish resistance stability, and at the concerns about intermittent behavior of contacts. more

Evolving High-Density Contact Designs
Demands by system designers for higher density/pin counts and power capacity on smaller centerlines, continues to drive new contact development. Traditional stamped-and-formed manufacturing technology has made tremendous advances, but may be reaching practical limits, therefore opening the door to non-traditional interface alternatives. more

Will MaxPhase Replace Gold Plating?
A new coating material, MaxPhase, promises to replace plated hard gold for connectors, with similar corrosion and electrical properties, better mechanical wear properties, and at only a fraction of the material cost of gold. And, it’s environmentally safe. more

To Fail, or Not to Fail, That is the Question.
It is probably not necessary to say that the opinions Max Peel and Dr. Bob express in their articles for ConnectorSupplier.com are personal opinions, but they are opinions based on many years of experience in dealing with design, materials, testing, and failure analysis of connectors. The opinions in this article are more “theoretical,” and less “experiential” than is the general case. So, what does it take to fail? more

Design Tools: Characterizing 10+ Gb/s Channels
Connector manufacturers are providing an increasing array of design support tools to facilitate the successful implementation of their high-speed products. Lower overall design cost by minimizing or eliminating the need to build costly custom prototype development boards. more

Connecting with Aluminum:
When to Choose It and How to Use It
When you’re deciding what type of connector material works best in an electrical application, you may instinctively assume copper is the best choice. And indeed, it may be. But there are some applications for which aluminum poses an easier, more cost-effective, and longer-lasting alternative. more

Acceleration Factors and Connector Testing
The “review of a generic testing program,” based on EIE 364D, is complete. So it is now time to discuss issues relating to exposure severity and duration as they relate to testing purposes, particularly in performance verification and reliability assessment. Let’s get started! more

Taking the Plunge: Underwater Connections
When selecting a connector to be used in a wet or submerged environment, the answer to obtaining long life, highly reliable underwater electrical or electronic connections is to look beyond standard price and delivery. This is particularly true in underwater applications, where failure is most often associated with the inability of the connector to withstand the extreme operating and handling conditions associated with sub-sea installations. There is no need to hold your breath as you plunge into these underwater connections. more

A New Wave Has Hit Signal Integrity
Everything you ever wanted to know about the electrical performance of an interconnect is contained in a set of parameters in this article. Master this, and you master high-speed electrical performance. more

Top 10 Trends: Speed and Power
The quest to develop machines capable of performing complex tasks in less time goes back to the very first electronic computers that calculated the trajectory of artillery shells. Since those early days, advances in semiconductor technology have enabled the hand-held devices of today to have more computing power than mainframe computers from the 1960s. more

Air-to-Air Tanker Aircraft:
Northrup Grumman/EADS vs. Boeing
The battle for the contract for 179 in-flight refueling aircraft rages on. What’s at stake and what company has the better battle plan? more

Power Connectors Beat the Heat
The semiconductor industry is making significant progress in power reduction per device, but overall demand continues to grow in every market segment, including computing, telecom, medical, military/aerospace, and automotive. Connector manufacturers are blending a variety of incremental material and design improvements to meet the escalating demands for increased power in smaller packages. more

Power Connectors for Harsh Environments
Cooper Interconnect, one of several harsh-condition connector companies, provides some innovative connector solutions in challenging environments. more

Now, what else do I want to do?
Testing should be viewed as a useful diagnostic tool, one that builds confidence in the design and that has clear objectives. Those who create success test sequences (designed to pass) get full credit for a test’s successes—and shortcomings. Are you setting your connectors up for failure? more

Military Vehicles of the Future
Recent wars have highlighted the shortcomings of current military vehicles. Improvement in this category means new opportunities for connector manufacturers. more

The Hub of Connection: Networks Work Behind the Scenes to Make Connections
More than likely, if you are reading ConnectorSupplier.com, you are using a network. In fact, the majority of us spend a great deal of time using one or more networks every day. We communicate with co-workers and friends, share files, check inventory, surf the Internet, and download drawings and specifications. With what, who, and how are we making these connections? more

Top 10 Trends: Systems-in-Package
The ultimate future system is a single or few-chip package that communicates wirelessly with other systems. But this needs a human interface and possibly mechatronics capabilities. Perhaps that is where many future connector products will reside—unless, of course, wireless technologies eliminate I/O connectors too. more

Supplementary Tests, or, Oh yeah, I need this too!
The supplementary tests in EIA 364D Test Group 5 run the gamut from plating porosity, cable clamp and shell testing, environmental testing of sealed connectors, crimped connection testing, and more. In some cases, supplemental tests are destructive. Dr. Bob gives you the specifics. more

Security: Playing it Safe
In today’s world, safety and security play an increasingly vital role in every part of business and civic life. The connector industry is right there, providing the vital links that bring this technology to life. How is the connector industry supporting our efforts to keep the world safe? What developments will we need to make happen in order to stay on top of this rapidly changing field? more

MRAP Vehicles: The Soldier Protector
The Mine Resistant Ambush Protection (MRAP) vehicle platform has been an Army, Department of Defense, and political topic in Washington and in the press for the past two years. The actual concept of a medium-sized truck with armor plate on the sides is not new. The actual “technology” of such a vehicle is traced back to the South African and Rhodesian armed forces fighting insurgents in the countryside, and it was used on roads and tracks of both countries almost 30 years ago. What countries are also interested in this “soldier protector”? Is there a replacement in the wings? more

Test Group 5: Stress Relaxation
Stress relaxation refers to the exposure of mated connectors to an elevated temperature for a specific amount of time, also known as “temperature life” testing. The intention of such an exposure is to evaluate the effect of time and temperature on the materials of manufacture of the connector, and to further evaluate how those effects will influence important performance characteristics of the connector. more

The Top 10 Industry Trends
Trend 6: Miniaturization
Vacuum tube technology ushered in the electronic age, but those glowing tubes consumed a huge amount of space and power. The race to reduce began early: In 1947, the invention of the transistor set off the continuous evolution of electronic devices that offer greater functionality in smaller packages. Here’s what’s new. more

RoHS Rolling On
Few people question the value of protecting our environment. The rapid rise in population and the industrialization of China and India is putting a tremendous burden on limited resources, as well as creating unprecedented levels of pollution and hazardous waste. We find ourselves in a transition period where we are working through a myriad of individual environmental mandates, and they can be the source of frustration and additional costs for us all. more

Ask Dr. Bob
Mixed Flowing Gas—A Corrosion-Oriented Test
This harsh environment test is gaining in popularity. This is particularly true in applications where corrosion is of particular concern. It can also be a valuable tool to determine if the magnitude of porosity, and its location, will be problematic—or not. The MFG test, if used properly, can be viewed as a performance-oriented porosity test. more

Simulators: Military “Games” that Train
The flight training simulator for the F-15E Mission Training Center at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina is exact in every detail to an actual F-15E cockpit, right down to the parachute pack on the Aces II ejection seat. This particular simulator, built by a division of Boeing, cost from $15 to $20 million, but are so much like flying the real airplane that the Air Force is giving pilots a percentage of their monthly flight time requirements when they fly in approved simulators. more

Connector Counting with the Boeing AH-64D Apache Helicopter more

The Top 10 Industry Trends
No. 5: The 5Cs
The electronics industry, with its constant technologic advancements, is traveling at a rapid pace through the first decade of the 21^st century. Nothing is changing faster than the convergence and competition between the consumer, computer, and communications markets. more

Ask Dr. Bob
Test Group 4: Let’s Not Be Too Harsh
There are several factors to consider in determining what is a harsh environment when you are testing a connector system. Dr. Bob Mroczkowski tells you what to look for. more

Shrinking Connector Profiles
Consumer demand for greater portability of devices, which range from consumer entertainment to medical diagnostic equipment, is adding pressure to develop smaller and lighter devices that may expose I/O connectors to a wide range of potentially damaging environments. Here are some solutions to the problem. more

Hanover Fair 2008: Where are we heading in 2008?
Despite weak North American markets, fears of recession, record high raw material prices, and a historically strong euro, the German economy—a driving force in industrial markets throughout Europe—proved resilient and robust in the first quarter of 2008. For many companies, including connector companies, the weakness in North American markets was offset by a good performance in European and Asian markets. Connector companies at Hannover Messe demonstrated new products and business strategies for the balance of 2008. more

Meet Scott Clay, Bishop’s New Military/Aerospace Specialist
Scott Clay has worked for over 25 years in the connector and wiring systems markets. He has held various positions in field applications and marketing for Molex, Tyco, Methode, and ITT. For the past 15 years, Scott has focused on the military/aerospace sector, and five years ago formed his own company for consulting and application engineering. In this issue, Scott discusses the challenges that Boeing and Airbus are facing. Look for a more extensive article in the next issue of ConnectorSupplier.com, in which he'll cover many components and trends in the mil/aero market.

Today’s Challenge: Boeing vs. Airbus  more

Group 2A Tests:
Supplementary Connector Housing Testing Options
The Group 2A tests are a supplementary sequence of tests performed at the same time as Group 2 tests. The basic difference is that the Group 2 variable measurements concentrate on measuring low-level circuit resistance or contact resistance, and the supplementary group deals with insulation resistance and dielectric withstanding voltage. What is the best way to perform these tests? more

The Evolution of the Home Office
With a dazzling array of office and electronic equipment available to the consumer today, the home office is no longer just a home for your personal computer, telephone, and printer. What’s important to remember is that when selecting new equipment for your home office, making sure it has the right connections is the key to home office happiness. more

The Top 10 Industry Trends:
No. 4, Standardization
To be, or not to be a standards player—if yes, how much energy is devoted to an increasingly global and complex standards process? If no, how do you stay on the radar screen with your own special application connector products and customers? more

Advanced TCA and MicroTCA Find Their Niche
Suppliers of Advanced TCA connectors, card racks, and daughtercards are optimistic that products which have been in design and development for many years are finally nearing introduction and volume production. Concerns about the current global economy, together with adoption rates for advanced 3G wireless phones, may have a large impact on the entire telecom industry, as well as the connectors that support next-generation equipment. Which manufacturers will battle for market share? more

ATCA: From the Source
ATCA manufacturers are at the forefront of a dramatically changing marketplace—not to mention a rapidly changing world. Global issues, economic uncertainty, and the everyday demands of providing innovative products for ever-evolving customers make their role challenging. We asked a few ATCA manufacturers to share their perspective. David Givens, Samtec; Nathan Tracy, Tyco Electronics, Communications, Computer and Consumer Electronics Business Unit; David Sideck, FCI, Electronics Division; and Ed Garstkiewicz, HARTING Inc., gave us some insight into the challenges and selection of new ATCA products. more

Connector Testing EIA 364D Test Group 3:
The house is only as strong as the foundation
The connector housing has several functions. Its ability to support the contacts and maintain their spacing is critical to a strong connector foundation. The EIA 364D Test Group 3 helps determine how stable the polymer is in your connector housing. more

Putting the Screws to Test: Screw Machine Contacts
The technology of tomorrow needs to be prototyped and tested today. And when you need absolute precision and reliability, you need solid machined contacts. With a little help from our friends over at Swissturn USA, Positronics, IDI, Preci-Dip SA, Multi-Contact, and Mill-Max, we’ll tell you what’s happening in this area of the connector industry. more

APEC 2008: Applying Connector Power
Connectors play a critical role in supporting the increasing demand placed on power distribution systems, and connector manufacturers have met that demand with an array of new connectors. The key aspects of higher power ratings in smaller profile connectors, together with a modular design, were apparent in many of the interfaces on display at APEC 2008. more

The Top 10 Industry Trends:
No. 3, Outsourcing Changes the Manufacturing Alphabet
The manufacturing alphabet keeps changing because of outsourcing—the OEM moves from the CEM to the ODM. What kind of a “stew” does this create for the connector industry? Click here to read more about the third industry trend.

Humidity Testing—Worthwhile or Useless?
You’ve heard the statement, “it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity” that will get you, and that may be the case with humidity testing, too. Max Peel takes you through the process of testing a connector by thermal shock, and then adds a good dose of humidity. What’s important? And what’s not? Here are some reasons to look at testing a connector in a humid environment. more

Fiber Optics Continue to Connect Us to the Future
A single optic fiber can convey the same number of high-speed signals as a copper bundle of twisted pair conductors many times its size. Improved signal fidelity and reduced cable maintenance are also very attractive features of optic transmission. Fiber optics are good for the long-haul, but will it work for those short runs? more

Comparison and Performance: EIA 364D Test Group 2
Comparative testing and performance assessment are two connector testing purposes that are identified in this article. The requestor of the test sets up the parameters for the number of mating cycles that should be tested. Here are some additional considerations. more

The Top 10 Industry Trends:
No. 2, Consolidation
This issue features the second industry trend that we feel is affecting us all: consolidation. Just about every industry has gone through consolidation in recent years. Consolidation has been pervasive in the electronics industry, influencing the total supply chain and significantly changing the competitive landscape. Click here to read more about the second industry trend.

Vibration Testing: Shake, Rattle, and Roll—No Shock!
Max Peel takes you through the process of shaking, rattling, and rolling a connector to ensure its mechanical and electrical stability for a final product. Many items factor into the qualification process. Here are some highlights of vibration testing. more

Assessing Manufacturability and Solder Joint Reliability of SMT Connectors
There has been a massive shift of electronic manufacturing from OEMs to the Electronic Manufacturing Services Industry (EMS). As a result, one might wonder what is happening to those R&D, development, and process engineering disciplines necessary for world-class manufacturing. The following Celestica model may not be universal, but this is one EMS company, formerly a subsidiary of IBM, that is doing a lot to both transition and uphold former OEM engineering excellence. more

Lasers in Medicine: A Technology Primer
Lasers are creating some amazing advancements in modern medicine. Whether you need to remove a regretted tattoo, have an old football knee injury that needs repair, or require diabetic retinopathy eye repair, a laser session may be in your future. Karl Jalbert, Bishop & Associates, gives you the how, when, and why of how lasers support today’s medical achievements. more

Fiber Optic Beam Delivery for Laser Medicine more

Shock, Rattle, and Vibrate with the EIA 364D: Group 1 Test
Qualification or specification testing of connectors is performed according to the EIA 364D test specifications. The mechanical stability of a connector is evaluated, according to contact resistance criteria, by a series of exposures, including shock and vibration. Here’s how it’s done. more

Reflections on the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show
It doesn’t seem to make any difference if you’re forecasting connector usage and development from the management chair at a connector manufacturer’s desk, or seated in front of your new plasma TV at home: The Consumer Electronics Show always manages to create some excitement for “what’s new” in the world of consumer toys. more

RF Cable Assemblies Signal Growth
RF cable assemblies are manufactured for many markets and dominate several high-growth markets, such as telecom, datacom, automotive, and mil-aero. Manufacturers are looking for ways to serve their clients locally. Here’s what one manufacturer is doing. more

RF From Another Perspective
Top RF manufacturers share their perspective of what’s happening in the RF world. What changes are they making to their product lines to adapt to a changing marketplace? What are they doing to satisfy their customer’s needs? And, what RF cable assembly services do they provide? Product experts from Tyco, Molex, Telegaertner, and IMS Connector Systems respond. more

The Top 10 Industry Trends
Each month, the second issue of ConnectorSupplier.com will feature a different industry trend that we feel is affecting us all. The electronics industry is a fast moving and rapidly changing environment. Selecting only 10 trends was a challenge. Click here to read about the first trend. more

Contact Resistance: Key to Success
Well-tested connectors pay back the effort with better performance. Here are some factors to include in your testing plan. more

Gigabit Ethernet: Transforming the Network Landscape
Staying current in the fast-moving electronics industry can be a challenge. Advances in materials and technologies can quickly convert today’s state-of-the-art products into tomorrow’s dinosaurs. The Ethernet standard for local area networks is a perfect example of a technology that continues to evolve to meet the industries it serves. more

Measure Twice, Test Once
All test sequences begin with a measurement to establish the baseline for the parameter of interest intended to simulate some field condition or degradation mechanism. In this article, Dr. Bob discusses electrical resistance measurements as used in the first test group. more

2007: The Year of the Backplane
An escalation in the race for supremacy in backplane technology has been evident throughout 2007, as four leading contenders have announced a continuous stream of new products that push the limits of both bandwidth and signal density. There is also a level of sharing of design and manufacturing detail from these four manufacturers that is unprecedented in such a highly competitive market, but that shared information has become an absolute requirement of the backplane user. more

Costa Rica: A near-shore alternative
A wide range of human resource capabilities, convenient geographical location, free trade zone parks, tax benefits, and a lower worker wage, all make Costa Rica an attractive country in which to do business. Plus, it’s not a bad place for a company retreat! Find out more about Costa Rica’s advantages as a manufacturing center. more

Devil or Angel? Connector Testing
You’re working on a new product and you have the “devil” on one shoulder urging you to manufacture without testing and risk the consequences. The “angel” is on your other shoulder encouraging you to do the “right” thing, but boy, will you pay for that decision, and with hard, cold cash. Which do you choose? more

Non-Automotive Transportation Revs Up
In the high-tech world of global connector manufacturers, the word NAT does not mean a small bothersome insect that lives in the ground. NAT is the acronym for the non-automotive transportation connector market. more

Automotive Connectors: Driven By High-Tech Requirements
FCI’s automotive division offers design solutions to help vehicle manufacturers keep up with the increasing number of features and functions of the modern car. more

The How and Why of Connector Testing Programs
Dr. Bob begins a series of articles on connector testing programs, starting with an overview of connector testing programs in terms of procedures and purposes—the “how” and “why” of connector testing. more

Backplane Sources Shifting
Competition for backplane assemblies that are variations of an industry standard has become fierce, as OEMs increasingly adopt the economic and time-to-market advantages that standards-based systems offer. The timeless suppliers are adjusting to the market and a newcomer surfaces. more

Navigating the Channel: An Overview of High-Speed Backplane Interconnects
Whichever backplane design is chosen to meet ever-changing speed and performance requirements, design engineers ultimately need to consider what’s to come beyond current standards. To lower applied costs and extend the system’s lifecycle, a backplane’s infrastructure needs to have forward-compatibility that enables product use years down the road. Here are some options. more

The M12 Evolves—Will it Become the Industrial Automation Standard?
Industrial automation plays an increasingly important role in the global economy. Not only does this automation improve productivity costs, it also improves the quality of the products produced. Equipment manufacturers look for reliable, low-cost, and rugged connectors. Will the M12 be the solution? more

From DMC to Test, Dr. Bob’s New Connector Series Begins
Dr. Bob introduces a new series of connector articles which will explore the relationship of connector degradation mechanism to connector testing. The new series will include discussions on developing a testing program, testing procedures for conditioning and evaluation, and experiences in connector testing. Max Peel will partner with Dr. Bob.  more

Mezzanine Connectors are Stacking Up
Cramming greater functionality into smaller boxes, while producing a modular system that permits user repair and future upgrades, is an ongoing challenge to system packaging engineers. Does the mezzanine connector fit the bill? more

China: Navigating the New Frontier
While navigating any new frontier, it’s always a good idea to take a couple friends along that can make the trip less treacherous, more rewarding, and you’ll have someone to share the burdens and the joys of the journey. Joseph Likens with Synergetic Sourcing, and Christopher Memet from François Frères, have ventured into the world of Chinese manufacturing and sourcing. Their experiences may help you on your trek to this new world of opportunity. more

World Cable Assembly Market: Shifting Industry Market Structure
Traditionally regarded as mature and stable, the cable assembly manufacturing industry may be poised for significant change through the remainder of the decade. more

Mobile Phone Production Continues to Soar
There are approximately 15 significant mobile phone manufacturers, however, Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, Siemens, Sony-Ericsson, and LG Electronics account for approximately 80 percent of the total market. In a typical one-year period, each of the major suppliers will put more than 20 new mobile phone designs into production. That is a lot of new product design and, also, a lot of component design-in activity. more

A Review of the Apple iPhone
John MacWilliams has had a couple months to play, tinker, and bond with his iPhone. He offers us his thoughts on what works, what could be improved, and what’s not so hot. more

Connector Basics
Degradation Mechanisms: Loss in contact normal force.
The degradation concern for contact force loss is addressed by proper material selection to counter the effects of stress relaxation, and by proper mating practices to prevent overstressing of contact beams during application of the connectors. These issues are important because of their potential impact on connector susceptibility to micromotions. Dr. Bob explains how to do this. more

Tried-and-True, Or Something New? Connector standards have disadvantages, but using one could help generate innovation elsewhere in the product design.
Electronic connectors conforming to a standard have been part of the product mix since the beginning of the electronics age. An industry-accepted standard interface opens the market to multiple suppliers building equipment that can be assured of both mechanical, as well as electrical, compatibility. more

Important Reading! The 2007 iNEMI Roadmap:
Emerging Markets, Emerging Technologies
The 2007 iNEMI Roadmap identifies that digital convergence is occurring rapidly for existing markets and many key emerging markets, which are driven by consumer demand and social values, including health care, energy conservation, and homeland security. The findings from this study could affect us all, both professionally and personally. more

The Return of Fiber Optics
Many people believed fiber optics would be the future of electronic interconnect. In the ‘80s and ‘90s, hundreds of millions were invested in research and development to pave the way for that anticipated nirvana. And then 2000 rolled around. more

Manufacturers of electronic products have always faced the destructive effects of sudden user-generated voltage surges, and have utilized a combination of defenses at the system, PCB, and chip levels to combat the problem. As chip transistor sizes shrink, susceptibility to damage increases. The profusion of portable devices exposes a greater range of electronic products to unwanted spikes in voltage. Here are some solutions to the ESD problem. more

The potential electrical advantages offered by surface mount connectors are a lively topic of debate among engineers, but justified concerns still exist regarding the use of larger surface-mounted connectors. Solder joint fatigue, connector registration, and coplanarity issues must be resolved, and solutions must be fully documented before the industry adopts surface mount connectors as mainstream technology. more

Advances in SMT Backplane Connectors
Presenters: Phil Stokoe, Burke Hunsaker, and Douglas Cannon, Amphenol TCS

With recent gains by semi-conductor manufacturers resulting in the widespread availability of devices capable of driving high-speed signals over longer printed circuit board traces, system designers are presently considering product designs that have data rates up to 25 Gb/s. This requirement challenges the physical capabilities of further compliant pin miniaturization.

The paper, Advances in SMT Backplane Connectors, describes a significant advancement in the development of surface mount backplane connectors that meet industry standards of reliability and reparability. The connector has a board footprint and via structure that can meet the electrical performance needed to satisfy future system requirements.

Request a copy of this paper.

Connector Basics:
Connector Degradation Mechanisms—Corrosion Part II
The importance of a nickel underplate in gold-plated connector systems cannot be overemphasized. Why is nickel underplate so important, and what effect does it have on corrosion degradation?  more

Sockets Succeed in a Continually Evolving Marketplace
The socket market accounts for approximately five percent of total world connector sales. The health and vitality of the computer and semiconductor markets are major factors in how well the socket market will do this year. Here’s what to expect...more.

Problem Solved:
Socket Adapters Resolve RoHS-Compliant Soldering Problems
Many printed circuit boards are now completely converted to RoHS compliancy, while many others are still manufactured in the “old way.” Lead-free BGA-to-tin/lead BGA adapters are one solution to this compatibility dilemma. more

Connector Basics:
Connector Degradation Mechanisms—Corrosion Part I
The kinetics of corrosion mechanisms in connectors can be very complex, but for the purposes of this discussion, two such mechanisms will be highlighted: surface corrosion and motion-induced corrosion, or fretting corrosion. What can be done about it? There are two general approaches to fretting corrosion prevention, one directed at preventing fretting, and one at preventing corrosion. more

Industry Outlook:
Is the White-Hot Consumer Electronics Market Poised to Cool?
Growth has been substantial in consumer electronics during the last few years, but one wonders whether double-digit rates can continue, particularly since we are in the fifth year of the current economic expansion. more

Life after Lead: Emerging Environmental Mandates
Spur Innovations in Connector Development
Global efforts to reduce the amount of potentially harmful substances released into the environment has gained traction over the past few years, and will likely play a significant role in the electronic equipment market for the foreseeable future. The possibility of total bans on the use of additional materials commonly found in connectors today may require substantial changes in connector design and fabrication processes, including the ability to economically reclaim all materials. Connector manufacturers must continue to closely monitor evolving environmental mandates to anticipate unintended consequences of these efforts and develop responses that minimize the cost impact. What else is required of the connector manufacturers? more

The Shape of Things to Come:
Rectangular Connectors Find Their Place in the Future
Over the next five years, I/O rectangular growth is anticipated to be slightly above overall connector growth. Much of this growth will be in high-speed connectors used in cable assemblies. Here’s a look at the products and market. more

Connector Basics: Connector Degradation Mechanism
This is the first in a series of articles about connector degradation mechanisms. The purpose of this article is to provide a rationale as to why they are important to connector performance. Following articles will discuss degradation mechanisms in additional detail. At the end of this article, you will be able to provide feedback on this subject and also be able to participate in an online discussion with others in the industry. If you have specific questions regarding future topics, email them to questions@connectorsupplier.com, and we will respond. more

Shielded vs. Unshielded High-Speed Backplane Connectors
The market for high-speed backplane, mezzanine, and midplane connectors has evolved into shielded and unshielded categories, both claiming performance to support 10+ Gb/s signaling. The general perception is that shielded connectors can provide greater bandwidth than their unshielded relatives, but practical application at speeds typical of today’s systems have proven unshielded connectors are capable of acceptable performance. What factors are important in deciding which connector type to use? more

Hanover Fair 1947-2007 in Review
With over 230,000 visitors, Germany’s Hannover Messe reconfirmed its position as a leading technology event for the industry. Connector manufacturers that specifically service the industrial market, and sell products for applications in harsh environments, consider the Hanover Fair an excellent event to showcase their products to the industry. Here’s what’s new. more

New Connector Products Bring On the Future
Chalk it up to increasing technical challenges, intense competitive pressure, advanced packaging demands, or several profitable years, but the connector industry is currently introducing new products at a furious pace. Here's what's new. more

Computer Industry Trends
The computer and peripherals industry is among the largest markets for connectors, totaling $8.087 billion in 2006, with an anticipated market of $12.067 billion in 2011. Click here for the significant business and technology forces that affect this industry.

Pumping up the Power
Management of power and thermal issues has become a prime consideration in the development of new computing and communications equipment. The challenge of packing greater system functionality and speed in smaller spaces has impacted every component in the product, including connectors. more

Solid Contacts Make the Connection With Smaller Technologies
Positronics’ provides a new look at an age-old interconnect design, solid machined power contacts. If size reduction is key to your system design and power connectors are part of that issue, solid machined power contacts may offer the highest density solution, if not best all-around technical choice. more

Beat me, Soak me, Freeze me: The World of Harsh Environment Connectors
Whether it is on a drilling platform operating in the middle of an ocean, in a factory where caustic chemicals are being utilized, or in another extreme environment, industrial manufacturers are building equipment that operates effectively and reliably in challenging situations. Selecting connector technology and materials that can meet tough requirements is key to successfully building equipment for these conditions. more

LEMO’s Dennis Warren On Connector Design For Extreme Environments
ConnectorSupplier.com editor Alice Tanghe asked Dennis Warren, applications engineer for Lemo USA, what design features should be considered when designing a connector for harsh environments. Don’t miss the tip at the end of the article regarding maintenance. more

Connector Reliability: The Role of Contact Spring Alloys
Contact resistance stability is controlled by having sufficient mechanical force in the connector spring members to insure adequate metal-to-metal contact area for electrical conduction across the numerous constrictions on the microscopically-rough contact interfaces. A minimum contact force is required to insure low and stable contact resistance, and the minimum contact force varies with the metals that comprise the contact interface. Read this guide to choose the correct metal for your connector design. more

DesignCon 2007 in Review
Couldn’t find your way to San Jose? Bishop and Associates’ Bob Hult shows you the interconnect product highlights for this year’s DesignCon, and provides some insight into how this will affect the industry. more

From the Beginning: A Short History of RF Technology
Some RF history, a few fun facts, and a great RF identifier. more

Center contacts in coaxial male connectors: why do we add this feature to our products?
Growing adoption of HDTV and digital media centers in the home means that the slightest degradations in signal quality will be magnified. Here are a few tips for selecting the best connector for this product. more

RF-Controlled Robo-Warriors
There are several technological challenges to overcome before an armed autonomous robot war fighter hits the battlefield. But don’t fool yourself: The machines are coming. It’s not a question of whether they will; it’s a question of when.  more 

Rediscovering Connector Technology
All issues concerned with good connector design and end-use require an understanding of basic contact theory and a good knowledge of design and connector materials—the lack of understanding and appreciation of these issues poses a serious threat to the development of reliable new products. Have changes in the industry created a concern that some of the basic principles of connector design and utilization have been lost?  more

Connector Basics
Electrical Contact Resistance: Review of Elementary Concepts
The service life of electrical interconnections is affected by many factors that compromise the integrity of the contact interfaces, and lead to the degradation and failure of all electrical connections. Failure is always preceded by a significant increase in contact resistance at the electrical interfaces. Learn the basics of electrical contact resistance.

Consumers, Computers & Connectors
Hundreds of companies and 200,000 attendees celebrated yet another Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in early January. more

Our Overview of the World Terminal Block Market
While the terminal block market is, and always has been, a strong and somewhat resilient product line, worldwide factors could affect what we see in the future. Which industry will carry the line? more

Connector Basics
Terminal Blocks: A Guide to Getting Better Connected
When making a terminal block connection decision it is important to look carefully at your application and what field wiring technology would be accepted. Additionally, you should look at what you can save in installation time by using IDC, push-in, or tension clamp technology instead of screw clamp technology, as they offer additional benefits. Click here to make an informed choice.

Sunny Days at Electronica 2006
The 2006 Electronica Fair in Munich was blessed with plenty of sunshine not only outside, but also inside the exhibition halls. The economic upturn most of us experienced in 2006 radiated in every hall and at every booth. more

I/O Interfaces: Copper Still Dominates
I/O connectors have been through a significant transformation. Most of this is a result of the change in the computing architecture and the emergence of high-speed copper interconnects. Once thought to be the domain of optical interconnects, the high-speed copper I/O technologies are now leading the connector world. more

Flexibility is Key for Today's Embedded Computer Market
Embedded computers are often connector intensive, as they typically require communication and power from external sources. An embedded computer may be utilized in many different products, making connection flexibility a key attribute of the unit. more

Moving Beyond the GHz Era
While In-Stat’s Fall 2006 Microprocessor Forum was not meant to deal specifically with connectors, it did provide a perspective of the technology trends driving microprocessors (MPUs)—and by association, the electronic equipment fostered by these technology developments. more

New Tools Support High-Speed Connectors
Engineers are faced with many connector design issues while developing new products. They have discovered that accurate modeling and simulation of high-speed circuits has become an essential step in the design process. Connector suppliers that have these interface design tools provide a great value-added service. more

Flexible Printed Circuits: Bend or Break?
In the past decade, FPCs have been redesigned to save space and weight, while increasing signal transfer speed and circuit complexity. The widespread use in various market sectors and numerous applications proves the reliability and economic value of FPC. What’s new? more

Designing for a Flexible Market
FPCs provide new options to address electronic space constraints.  more

The Ubiquitous Nature of Networks
Networks permeate the communications and computer landscape. The main connector used in these Ethernet networks is the RJ-45 modular jack. What kind of implications will there be for the connector industry as we move to 10 Gbits? more

World Competitors Wrangle for the Industrial Connector Market
The world is made up of industrial and business consumers, and the industrial market exists to provide the products they will consume. Much automated equipment is required to satisfy these needs, and there are a multitude of companies around the world that build equipment for these industries. Here's what's happening with the industrial connector market. more

The Evolution of Contact Design
Designing an effective connector requires a delicate balance between potentially conflicting electrical and mechanical requirements. Bob Hult gives you the inside line on new contact designs. more

PCI Express Connectors: Meeting the Challenge
How is PCI Express meeting the challenge of high-performance connecting, yet remaining compatible with legacy PCI software? Bob Hult, of Bishop & Associates, answers your PCI Express questions. more

Demystifying the World of RF Connectors
What input and output connectors are used with Wi-Fi ® certified products? Many of these connectors are not easily recognizable. We will try to give you a little background on the common Wi-Fi connectors and some tips to help you identify them. more

Emerging Connector Markets in Central and Eastern Europe
Bishop & Associates have completed a new research report dedicated to the emerging connector markets in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). During the last five years the region has been somewhat in the shadow of China when it comes to (reports on) the electronics industry. Nevertheless, a lot of investments have been flowing into the region during the past 15 years, and continue to do so. OEMs and EMS companies, even some from Asia and China, have built huge production plants in the region. Following their lead are component suppliers that want to stay close to their customers and exploit the local potential. more

Connectors: Less mechanical, more electrical
Designs of high performance connectors, whether expensive backplane connectors or inexpensive standard connectors used on the latest personal computer, begin life with a defined electrical performance requirement. The primary responsibility for this design function goes to the signal integrity engineer. What's behind this change and, will the copper connector soon reach its limit? more

Memory Module Connector Future
Does FRAM make other modules a DIMM memory?
Higher performance PCs with new forms of memory will create room for a new memory module connector. Bishop & Associates’ Rick Lewis’ discussion of ferromagnetic random access memory (FRAM) and magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) devices help you look into the future of these connectors. more

Bigger May Not Be Better
The convergence of data, voice, and video has sparked an impressive flow of new innovative products that inform and entertain, as well as provide a platform to conduct work. Mobile access to these and many new services is just the most recent expansion of this evolving market for connectors. Bishop & Associastes' Bob Hult gives you the update on what's happening with AdvancedTCA, AMC, and MicroTCA. more

FTTx: Wherever Fiber Will Go
The outlook for fiber optic networks and apparatus is an exciting one, driven by intense competition among service providers, the shift to packet technology, and the growing demand for broadband services. However, that was not what the buzz on the OSP Expo exhibit floor was all about. more

Core Technology Update
There are thousands of standard and application specific connectors used in every conceivable type of electrical and electronic equipment. And, while not as pervasive as resistors and capacitors, billions of connectors are used every year to “connect” circuits, packages, chassis, cables, and systems. Connectors have certain core technologies that are at the heart of design and manufacturing processes. These competencies are well advanced in the industry, with many years of experience behind them. more

Serial Attached SCSI vs. Serial ATA
Speed, heat, space... all important variables to consider when making a connector design decision. Bishop & Associates' Rick Lewis compares two primary interfaces and tells you what's new. more

Midplane Connectors – Bridging the Gap
Market potential for connectors specifically designed for differential orthogonal applications are apparently driving the development of new products from Tyco Electronics and Amphenol TCS, and may become the preferred architecture to support 12+ Gb/s systems. Connector specialist Bob Hult explains the technology and offers more new products to peruse. more

The iNEMI Roadmap 2007 Connector Preview
Industry dynamics, a market review, and key trends in the connector industry are highlighted in this preview of the iNEMI 2007 Roadmap. more

Final Countdown to RoHS
By far the largest impact RoHS has had on the electronics industry is the elimination of lead from solder and contact plating. The wave soldered PCB joint has proven to be a reliable and cost-effective method of mechanically and electrically attaching both active and passive devices to the board. Many exemptions have been requested by a variety of industries claiming the lack of acceptable alternative materials to lead, or that critical reliability could not be verified in the allowed timeframes. Do you qualify for an exemption? more

Military Connectors Stepping to a Commercial Beat
A significant reduction in equipment being procured with full military specifications is now in progress. The ramifications have been felt throughout the supply chain. For the connector industry, it means that the potential for sale of standard products is greatly enhanced and that even connector companies without full mil-spec parts may have an opportunity in what was once a closed market. more

Connector Value-Added Business: Should I stay or should I go?
Not all connector companies have stayed away from value-added products and services. Given the breadth of the electronic industry and its multiplicity of opportunities, there are many different types of value-added businesses to be had. There are companies in the connector industry—Foxconn, Tyco, Molex, and others—who have significant value-added activities in other product categories such as fiber optic transceivers, switches, relays, membrane keyboards, and others. Does this add value to their core connector business ...or not? more

Socket Evolution
With a market value of over $2 billion worldwide, sockets are a viable part of the connector world. John MacWIliams explains the evolution of the socket from a basic IC-holder to a multi-faceted component of its own.There seems to be no end in sight to where the socket and it's various applications will go. more

Bluetooth is “Gold” in Wireless Market
The market that has developed around the Bluetooth technology has quickly evolved. Consumer products, computer equipment, and automobiles are more and more Bluetooth-enabled and have adopted the technology to suit the application and it allows the devices to communicate with each other. In 2004, Bluetooth-enabled product sales were still dominated by mobile phones. Last November, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) announced that the Bluetooth market had passed the milestone of 9.5 million Bluetooth units shipped per week. more

Standards: Setting the Pace of Interconnects
Global competition and a significant reduction in design cycles have taken a toll on profit margins across the spectrum of electronic equipment manufacturers. Designers no longer have the luxury of carefully evaluating individual components to insure performance in each new application. Involvement in creating industry standards for interconnects can help you be a leader in product design. more

PCI Express Ramps Up
How long will it take for the PC OEMs to replace all of the PCI slots with PCIe slots? Customer demand will determine how fast the change-over occurs, but it will happen, and the move in that direction has already started. more

CeBIT 2006: Connector Types and Technologies Poised for Growth
Miniaturization, mobility, and wireless communication technologies evolve rapidly and portable devices are becoming more and more powerful tools for communicating, computing, entertaining, and organizing. CeBIT offers us a good opportunity to have a closer look at some of the connector types and technologies poised for growth by examining new products that use these interfaces in the consumer market. Here's what we saw...more

Roadmapping the Connector Industry
Plan a successful "trip" and avoid as many roadblocks as you can
All companies want to be on the road to high profits and successful products but, not one roadmap fits all. Some companies or organizations will do an internal roadmap, others an industry roadmap, or both. For instance, if your business depends on I/O connectors and cable assemblies, you might want to be roadmapping the impact of WiFi on your business. Or a wafer scale, flip chip, and chip scale packaging roadmap may be more appropriate if you make test sockets.  more

Blades Cutting into Server Market
The blade server market is set to grow. Each year the products mature and the capability increases. The capability of the blades in a fault-tolerant environment, coupled with the advances in software to manage and configure the systems, will only enhance the place of blade servers in the marketplace. more

Infiniband  Finding Its Niche
When InfiniBand was first proposed, it was touted as the next generation I/O for servers, with many believing its application would reach down to the desktop PC. Multiple connectors were specified and the connector market was forecast at hundreds of millions dollars. But, what started with great fanfare soon faded when development delays, migration problems, chip complexities, and cost began to take its toll. In spite of all the predictions of doom, InfiniBand is still a viable and useful technology. Here's what's happening today. more

The Anatomy of a Pore in Gold Plated Contacts
Cost pressures have increased on all components, particularly those used in high-volume computer, communications, and consumer applications. Many of these applications are subject to offshore outsourcing and subcontractor manufacturing in the supply chain to meet these cost pressures.

This paper discusses an important and technical aspect of connector design and manufacturing which must be properly addressed in the application design, and then controlled, to prevent field failure. If the connector plating process is not properly specified and controlled, the plating and its susceptibility to porosity-related problems will occur. This is not an area for cost cuts. more

How Small Can We Go?
An update on memory cards
Memory cards have gone through a decade-long process of evolution ─ from the early PCMCIA days to the micro-miniature cards and sockets available today. This evolution has been driven by market trends toward smaller and smaller mobile devices and the introduction of digital still cameras. What's available in memory cards today? more

Revisiting DesignCon 2006
DesignCon 2006 has proven again to be the premier showcase for the semiconductor and electronic design engineering communities in the U.S. The conference, held each year at the Santa Clara Convention Center, drew a record number of exhibitors and over 5,000 registered attendees. Here's what's new in connectors. more

Industrial Ethernet… and then there was light!
Connector manufacturers have started to expand their portfolios for fiber optic connectors. The barrier that once existed with end-users, due to the difficult handling of fiber optic connectors and the loss of signal, has been largely overcome by the connector manufacturers by using new innovative solutions and technology.  more

Amphenol on the Move
The playing field among major connector suppliers is in a period of transition. The acquisition of Teradyne TCS by Amphenol, the purchase of FCI Electronics by Bain Capital, and the recently announced spin-off of Tyco Electronics from Tyco International reflects the repositioning that is occurring throughout the industry. CS.com takes a close look at the Amphenol-TCS acquisition.  more

Backplane Interconnects: a Solution for Every Application
After nearly 25 years of evolutionary development, standards-based backplane and interconnection systems are undergoing rapid change. The nature and pace of the more recent technical developments are nothing short of revolutionary, which, for the equipment designer, means not only more platforms to choose from, but also more powerful platforms that address next generation equipment performance and cost requirements. more

Consumer Electronics at its Best: CES and MacWorld

John MacWilliams tells us what he experienced at the Consumer Electronics and MacWorld shows and gives us some idea of how this huge market will impact the connector industry and the consumer products you are designing. How many connectors will the televisions of the future have? What's new for the socket market? Check it out...more

Packaging Levels Help Organize Interconnect Systems
Poke your head into just about any piece of electronic gear today and what you encounter is a maze of interconnected modules and sub-assemblies. From cell phones to mainframe computers, the glue that brings all of these elements together is a huge variety of connectors of every style and size.  more

Part II: Connectors for a Wireless World
Your choice of RF connectors can have a significant impact on achieving good system design. The best choice will allow for increasing the packaging density of panels and RF modules found within wireless infrastructure equipment and can also result in reducing costs associated with the initial installation, as well as the ongoing costs of maintenance and equipment upgrading. Here are the connectors you'll need. more

Industrial Ethernet PoE: May the Force be with You
Over the next few years, PoE (Power over Ethernet) is expected to become a standard feature on all high-end switches and routers. PoE has also made successful inroads into industrial Ethernet networks and, connector manufacturers have seized the opportunity to release PoE compliant connectors to support and even help create the market demand.  more

Connectors for a Wireless World
Growing demand for RF communication products continues unabated. RF equipment designers that are successfully answering this demand require optimal packaging and interconnection design. Here's what RF connector manufacturers are doing to help. more

Size always matters
Offering a small footprint, high-density interface, the Molex iPass connector system frees up valuable PCB surface area while doubling the effective port density. more 

The Electronics Chameleon: Copper
Changing to Meet the Need for Speed
Copper’s many useful properties are indispensable to the modern world. Essentially, all of today’s electronics require the use of copper in one form or another. Souriau engineer, Tam Nguyen, describes how high-performance RF connectors fit in this world of copper. more 

Connector Innovation from Teradyne
The market for high-performance connectors is becoming quite full, but the specific needs of selected markets continue to drive innovation in new interconnects. Here’s what’s new at Teradyne.  more

Staying Close to Your Supply Chain Partners – A Global Imperative
Companies that get their supply chain right are increasingly recognized for outstanding financial performance. How do they do it?  more

The good, the bad, and the ugly ‑ more change in the cable assembly industry...

Z-Pack — Packing New Options
Instead of promoting a universal interface intended to satisfy all applications, Tyco looks at the specific needs of each market segment and develops products that are tuned to those unique requirements. Bob Hult, connector specialist with Bishop & Associates, looks at the building blocks Tyco has put together in creating the Z-Pack high-speed backplane connector system. more

Connector Philosophies Generate More Options
The debate between physical and virtual shields in high-speed backplane connectors has become a contentious issue in the industry today. Like the folks at the food store asking your preference for paper or plastic, the advantages of air or plastic dielectrics within the interface is being hotly debated. We compare the products of FCI, Tyco, and Teradyne. more

World Market Dynamics and the Future of Connectors
Electronics and connector growth over the next decade are tied to several key socio-economic variables. Here's what you should look for. more

Changing Competitive Dynamics in the Cable Assembly Industry
The cost of labor is one of the key determinants of competitiveness in the wiring harness industry. There are other factors you should consider when choosing an assembler. more

Product Review: Teradyne's GbX Pushes the Bandwidth
Connector specialist, Bob Hult of Bishop & Associates, reviews Teradyne's newest addition to its GbX line of high-speed backplane connectors.  more

Harnessing the Tools to Move Ahead in Cable and Wire Assembly
The Wiring Harness Manufacturer’s Association (www.whma.org) was established in 1993 and is the only organization exclusively serving American manufacturers of wiring harnesses, electronic cable assemblies, and cord sets. Lyle Fahning, the chairman of WHMA and president of Technical Services for Electronics, gives CS.com readers some insight into the organization and industry today.  more

Evolving Automotive Connectors
Consumers have begun to expect the same level of comfort, convenience, and security that is in their home to be available in their cars. The transition to the digital auto has begun and the introduction of new automotive features will mandate the creation of an entirely new breed of interconnect. more

Connector Basics: The Development of Application Specific Connectors
Connector manufacturer ODU lets you know what you can expect if your product requires a connector that's not off-the-shelf. more

Connector Basics: Applying the Design Process
Learn how to apply the principles of good connector design to develop a specific PCI Express connector. A team of Molex product engineers and developers give us all the tips. more

Connector Basics: Designing High-Speed Connectors
The development of high-speed connectors requires consideration of many factors that determine the performance of the interface. A team of Molex product design and development engineers give us the lowdown on the process they use to bring a new connector from concept to production. more

Connector Basics - Where in the World do Connectors Fit?
Whether you design or purchase connectors, understanding connector technology and discussing technology trends requires a basic look at where connectors fit into the world of electrical/electronic applications. The following feature will give you an explanation of that relationship and set the stage for an ongoing series of articles on connector basics.   more

RoHS Rules Roil the Industry
How will manufacturers handle the challenges of implementing “greener” components and end-products into the electronics industry? These guidelines will help your company meet the July 2006 deadline.  more

There’s no such thing as a free launch!
The PCB launch of high-speed backplane connectors has been identified as a major contributor of distortion, in some cases severely limiting the performance capabilities of the connector itself. These suggestions will help with your design.  more

Industrial Ethernet: the Mother of all Networks?
Whether you’re designing for the office or the factory floor, the following guidelines and options will help in making the correct connection. more

Stop the Noise! Filter Connectors 101
Design engineers that anticipate EMC issues, and use filtered connectors at the start of a design, can more easily work toward an integrated solution that includes proper grounding, shielding, good PCB and cable design, as well as filtering. Adding a filter connector late in the design cycle often causes PCB changes, panel cutout modifications, increased system costs, as well as design delays. Here’s how to avoid those problems… more

Power Connectors are Heating Up
It appears that advancing technology has finally reached the power connector market segment and positive things are happening. Innovative contact designs will continue to result in connectors that increase performance, consume less space, generate less heat, and cost less.   more

FCI's Problem Solving Approach Changes Market
Every so often someone takes an entirely new approach to a problem and comes up with a solution that offers advantages that change the shape of the market. The FCI AirMax VS™ may be just such a solution.  more

Interconnect Innovation at its Best
Creativity within the connector industry occurs at every level—from the largest global suppliers, to the independent concept developers hoping to carve out a new niche. Demands for higher density, bandwidth, and power ratings, together with ease of application and reduced cost, have resulted in new interconnect systems that can support next generation products. What are these new products? more

Lead-free is Not Free
The huge global expansion of electronic products is generating alarm in environmental quarters about the amount of “e-waste” that is piling up in our landfills. Lead is one of several culprits that have been targeted for reduction, which puts traditional tin/lead solder in the crosshairs. Connector manufacturers are looking for ways to contain costs while implementing lead-free components and processes into the industry. This is what the industry is doing to “get the lead out”…more

Schaltbau: Creating Safe Connections
Schaltbau’s extensive experience in developing highly reliable and rugged connectors for the railway industry has set the stage for expansion into other markets. A safe connection is the standard at Schaltbau. more

Caplugs Has It All Covered
For 60 years, Caplugs has protected products in almost all industries—providing caps, plugs, wraps, tubes, and netting—ensuring your products arrive at the end-user damage-free. more

CWB Electronics Moves to U.S.
Chinese-owned CWB Electronics brings its connectors and wiring harness capabilities to the U.S. as long-time industry professional, Richard Powell, begins the work of creating a distribution and manufacturer’s representative network. more

Multi-Contact: Meeting the Demand for High Performance
Multi-Contact is a manufacturer of precision electrical and electronic connectors and interconnection systems for the most demanding applications in aerospace, robotics, test and measurement, medical, solar energy, power distribution, and other industries. Read more about what this company has to offer.

Fischer Connectors
High performance connector and cable system solutions
For more than 50 years, Fischer Connectors has been designing, manufacturing, and distributing high-performance circular push-pull connectors, while helping you through the challenging process of selecting the right connector for your needs. Click here for more information on Fischer.

Yamaichi—World Class Reliability
With its versatility and highly reliable products, Yamaichi is poised to make major contributions to the development of industries that are fulfilling today’s wide-ranging information technology requirements. more

IMS Connector Systems: Global Markets Expand With New Products
As a technology driven, internationally active company, IMS Connector Systems develops and manufactures a large selection of RF products for many diverse markets. Its latest venture is in the medical market. more

Meet Your Supplier: NICOMATIC
NICOMATIC has made a name for itself by designing the building blocks of better connections for consumer, high-tech, and military applications. more

Methode - Providing Technology Leadership
With an in-house team of design engineers, state-of-the-art CAD capabilities, and rapid prototyping, Methode Connector Products is ready to customize solutions to suit each customer's specific need.  more

Molex - Worldwide Design, Production, and Service
Global manufacturing capabilities are only enhanced by the localized support Molex provides its customers. Their delivery, design, and cost expectations are met with a worldwide team of over 21,000 employees.  more

People, Power, Partnership -- the Guiding Forces at HARTING
Increasing customer benefits has been the main goal of HARTING for the last ten years. Strategic development of products, strengthening customer service, and a worldwide network for sales and design support has been the foundation to achieving this goal.  more

Meet Your Supplier – ERNI
With a stronghold in the telecommunications market, ERNI has moved ahead to develop greater diversity in its product offering and lessen the impact of any market segment’s influence on stability. ERNI introduced a number of new products in 2004 that had applications in a variety of markets and has more plans for the future. more

Is This Our Crystal Ball?
A Statistical Look at the European Electronics Industry
What can statistics show you? Do they provide a basis for reflection on what has happened, or help you predict and prepare for the future? Bishop’s Arthur Visser provides a picture of the European market. more

1Q09 is History
Have the last six months left you feeling like you’d been hit by a Mack truck? The following facts and figures for first quarter 2009 will help you understand what really happened. more

Telecom Market Disconnects in First Quarter
The first quarter of this year is one many in the telecom equipment industry would like to forget. The decline varies by region and market segment. How bad is it in your area? more

Automotive Cable Assembly Market Trends
Everything is changing in the automotive industry, starting with the way electrical systems are put together. more

February 2009 Connector Sales Results
Are you looking for some positive news about the connector industry? Promising numbers in February ended five consecutive months in which orders declined. Let’s see what March will bring. more

Semiconductor Sales Down 24%
As the semiconductor market goes, so goes the connector industry. Gartner believes the 2008-2009 recession will not be as severe as the 2001-2002 fiasco. What do you think? more

The Industry Outlook—First Quarter 2009
The current economic situation is definitely reflected in the connector sales numbers for first quarter 2009. Relief is promised. When will it come? more

Semiconductor Watch - Visualize the Impact on Connectors
Silicon's impact is profound. It enables new system designs, sweeps older applications away, and integrates still others into systems-in-package [SiP] or systems-on-chip [SoC] circuitry. These trends are positive for connectors, because they result in system volume increases or new applications that outpace any reductions in connector content.  more

He Said, and then, He Said
Dr. Bob,
I love your articles and look forward to reading them every month. I also have much respect for Max Peel, although, over the years, he has made some unsubstantiated statements concerning many aspects of the connector industry. There is a classic example this month in the article, “Devil or Angel? Connector Testing.” And, Max responds. more

Connectors Stack-Up for Increased Functionality
One of the challenges facing design engineers of electrically powered equipment is to manage the tangle of individual wires that are often required to provide power and control signals for various functions. ITT Cannon met this challenge—and more—with a stacking interconnect, which is also good for harsh environments. The Stacking Signal & Power Interconnect is a compact, cost effective, mechanically and environmentally robust, as well as highly functional solution for battery powered equipment requiring several connections. more

Form-Factor Issues Drive Card Edge Cabling Solutions
Some industry analysts and other experts estimate that at least 15 percent of all electrical system interface applications are not able to use standard interconnect implementations. This is especially true for popular interfaces like PCI Express, which is designed in most electronic equipment market segments and many niches. The normal standard juxtaposition of certain boards, modules, blades, boxes, chassis, and connector systems may not support certain asymmetrical form-factor product design requirements. Meritec has solved the problem. more

Finding the right “mix” of connectors
Read how Harting works with a food producer to create a more uniform process for accurately filling its product packages. For manufacturers of bulk food products, the accumulation and control of accurate packaging data is key to a successful operation. more

The Plight of the Military Connector
When are commercial standards OK for military connectors and the resulting military products? Max Peel says never. And this is why. more

Why Toyota Won
The latest bad news is now in from GM and Ford: 60,000 U.S. and Canadian jobs will go in the next few years, 24 giant factories will close, and North American losses in the billions will continue. Clearly MoTown needs a new approach and it's natural in the car industry to think that the secret must be a killer model—a Toyota Prius hybrid or some other concept to replace the big pickups and SUVs that floated the American firms for 15 years. more

Roadmapping the Connector Industry
Plan a successful "trip" and avoid as many roadblocks as you can
All companies want to be on the road to high profits and successful products but, not one roadmap fits all. Some companies or organizations will do an internal roadmap, others an industry roadmap, or both. For instance, if your business depends on I/O connectors and cable assemblies, you might want to be roadmapping the impact of WiFi on your business. Or a wafer scale, flip chip, and chip scale packaging roadmap may be more appropriate if you make test sockets.  more

Globalization – Flexibility is the Key to Success
Bishop & Associates' John MacWilliams started examining issues of global competitiveness years ago. He attended meetings and noticed initiatives that were being established in Washington and at the state level  to promote competitiveness in the soon-to-be global marketplace. What has happened in those few short years and what can we learn from his studies? more

Solving the High-Speed Challenge in Tight Spaces
Over the past several years, system designers have been concerned about the escalating demands for power and the resulting heat. Efficient power distribution and thermal management have become key aspects of new system design. Teradyne offers several backplane interfaces that feature integrated power connectors to handle the increasing current loads. Here’s how this problem is solved.  more