• Bieksha, Jenny
   
• Hult, Bob
   
• MacWilliams, John
   
• Nolen, Lynda

Consumer Electronics Dominates the High Tech World
A tour of the tradeshow at CES 2012 suggests that innovation is being focused on the consumer marketplace. But this year, we’ll mainly see improvements on existing ideas.

Modeling is Key to Substrate-Embedded Magnetics for Next-Gen Connectors
The latest 3D PCB processes are being employed to manufacture wideband planar transformers and common-mode chokes embedded in substrate, using proven techniques to more efficiently manufacture reliable, highly consistent structures.

Predicting the Next Decade for the Electronics and Connectors Industry
Where is the industry heading? We’ve got a pretty good idea that it’s a gradual evolution of more of the same — barring any significant geopolitical events.

High-Speed Back and Midplane Connectors Continue to Evolve
This industry segment is evolving at hyper speed to meet the needs of a new generation of products that just won’t slow down.

2011 New Product Review
A continuous stream of new interfaces is coming from just about every connector manufacturer. The majority of these are evolutionary extensions of existing interfaces. Many of these new products reflect demand for interfaces that offer increased speed, smaller envelopes, greater power capacity, and greater design flexibility.

Top 10 Recent Innovations in the Electronics and Connectors Industries
What a short, strange trip it’s been. In the past 10 years, our world has been dramatically impacted by developments in the electronics world — enabled, of course, by developments in the connector world.

Smart Card Connectors Protect Consumers
Hackers are becoming more sophisticated. In response, smart card connectors are becoming smarter, smaller, and more secure.

Meeting the Challenges of the Smart Card
Connector Market
Smart cards are already a dominant force in Europe. Is the rest of the world ready to go cashless?

Turmoil in Europe
Everything we once assumed about the state of European business is thrown off balance by the state of Europe’s finances and politics. How does this affect the connector world?

Innovation Drives the Solar Industry
Despite the loss of government support in some areas, the solar industry is moving ahead with its revolutionary, life-changing, and life-saving innovations. Slowly but surely, the world is turning to the sun.

Opportunities for 40- and 100-Gigabit Ethernet
It’s been more than a year since the IEEE ratified the 40/100G standard (IEEE 802.3 802.3ba). In the last few months, local-area networking switch manufacturers have released 40G products and 100G in lab trials. Bishop sees only a slow adoption of connectors and cable assemblies for 40/100G Ethernet over the next few years, but in order to be part of the solution, products must be ready now.

Is The Trade Deficit About to Change?
There may be things our industry can do to hasten the return of manufacturing to the West.

Counterfeit Connectors
You may not be getting what you pay for — although you’ll pay for it in many other ways. Fake products have infiltrated the interconnect market.

Intelligent Design
The rail industry favors simple, well designed older interconnect products. Even as rail evolves to incorporate high-tech demands, those original connectors get the job done.

Medical Therapeutic Equipment: Growth of Respiratory Care Devices
The market for smaller, smarter medical devices is expanding, as home healthcare becomes a better option for many people. We explore respiratory devices, a top segment of this market and a lifesaver for millions of people — thanks to connectors.

Hybrid and Plug-in Electric Vehicle Report
Although the public is becoming more used to the idea of electric and hybrid vehicles, U.S. sales of the future-fuel cars are still small — for now.

Improving Data Communications Products with Planar Magnetics
Despite the fast pace of change we see in electronics product, electronic connecting devices have generally evolved rather slowly, driven by spectacular advances in chip and software technology. Every so often these incremental improvements in performance, packaging density, or manufacturability are interrupted by a breakthrough that solves a basic challenge and changes the roadmap to support emerging system requirements. RJ45 connectors with integrated magnetics offer improved high-speed performance in a single package that simplifies assembly while reducing part counts. As the industry continues to ramp up data transfer speeds, the traditional wire-wound core has become a performance and supply bottleneck. PlanarMag product technology from TE Connectivity is a solid-state solution that offers more consistent electrical performance, in a smaller package, using manufacturing techniques that can quickly support large swings in consumption. This is the type of “out of the box” thinking that will allow connectors to remain a key element in next-generation equipment.

Rugged Connectors Survive Harsh Environments
As technology permeates new realms, ruggedized connectors are adapting to enable the proliferation of sensitive devices into harsh environments. Designers have a wide array of versatile and specialized options.

I/O Connectors for Harsh Environments
With proper design, the common connector formats for I/O connections can often be used in applications that require ruggedized components. By carefully evaluating the specifications, design engineers may be able to avoid expensive connector formats with versatile, ruggedized commercial I/O connectors.

Road Ready
Rugged connectors are meeting the rapidly changing requirements of the modern automotive platform. Today’s vehicles are heading into new territory, thanks to smart and adaptable interconnect products.

Problem Solved: Modules and Connectors Cut Construction Costs
Innovative power and control connector systems speed and simplify on-site installation of modular Turbine Inlet Chilling systems. Phoenix Contact Pluscon connectors are part of the solution.

Hertz Stress II: Hertz Stress is Not a Useful Connector Design Parameter
Important interrelationships between contact force and contact geometry — the most important parameters in Hertz stress — limit the use of Hertz stress as a connector design parameter. 

Is Civil Aviation Interconnectivity Driven by Performance or Affordability?
Protecting our civil aviation system from terrorism may be a job for the interconnect industry. Key new protections have a technological basis, often originating in military-aerospace applications.

Wind Energy Market Forecast is Breezy and Steady
The wind energy market is steadily growing and steadily improving, as innovations in design, materials, and functionality bring down the price and raise the output of power.

Small Form Factor Defines Many Products - Small Form Factor is a catchy name that conveys the intended attribute, which is why it’s applied to a variety of products. But this can cause some confusion in the industry, especially when users expect I/O plug compatibility between equipment.

Dr. Bob: Hertz Stress as a Connector Design Parameter - As Dr. Bob was recently browsing through some old files, he came across a folder entitled “Hertz Stress.” Memories from 20 years ago recalled discussions about the concept, when using Hertz stress as a connector design parameter was raised as another attempt to find a “Golden Rule” for connector design. It got quite a bit of attention, but is it a good design parameter for connectors?

Sealed, Signed, and Delivered  - Well-designed connectors in harsh-environment applications depend on hermetic connector packaging to ensure contamination-free performance.

Soldiers Travel Lighter With Spring/Probe Connector Solutions - Harsh environment and mission-critical systems require connector solutions that deliver superior performance, reliability, and durability. At the same time, technology trends in military applications also call for highly dependable materials, reduced size and weight, and greater functionality. Can they have it all?

A Changing Landscape for the Computer Industry - Innovations in connector technology, changing consumer habits, and the ascendancy of Apple have changed the world for connector manufacturers.

The Industrial Market for Connectors: The Way Forward  - As the industry absorbs the dramatic shock and recovery of a rollercoaster-like global economy, we look forward to a future of moderate but sustained growth. In a world tasked with solving critical situations quickly, the solutions will be found in forward-looking technologies.

Bright Outlook for Solar - The rapid growth and development of renewable energy sources is making it clear that these futuristic fuels have become a thing of the here and now. This solar update shows just how quickly this technology has become a key part of the energy structure.

LANs: Transitioning from Gig to 10-Gig - While some datacom pundits talk about 40/100G Ethernet, the reality is that most networks are just starting to transition to 10G. This transition is taking place in the data center and coincides with a shift from copper structured cabling to copper interconnect and fiber cabling

The Problem with Power
The next generation of connectors will need to work in small, high-power applications that must keep their cool in difficult conditions. But a lack of standards and constant cost pressures means it won’t be easy. more

Small and Mighty: Signal and Power Connector Performance
Alternative connector solutions help bring down the form factor in today’s shrinking applications. more

Power Connector Features That Affect Performance – What Matters?
To stand out from the rest of the pack, specializing becomes more important than ever for connector companies. But for the system designer, all those new options lead to more questions about which connector is the best one for the job. more

Record Orders for Airbus Spells Good News For Connector Makers
A report from the 49^th International Paris Airshow le Bourget more

The Use of Composite Materials in the Military and Aerospace Industry
Composites are increasingly being designed into interconnect systems, as these new materials provide significant value in terms of weight reduction, performance enhancement, and safety. Military and aviation applications have evolved with the use of composites. Other industries are following. more

Innovation in the Electronics Industry
Software has taken the center stage in the electronics world, not least because it’s highly profitable. But does that mean hardware innovation is in the doldrums? What are inhibitors to future growth and innovation in electronics hardware? What recent innovation should be in any top 10 list? And most importantly, how does this affect connectors? more

Kinder Cuts:
Microtechnologies Enable Minimally Invasive Medical Procedures

A decade ago, many surgeries required a major incision and a long recovery. Today, tiny high-tech instruments have made the same procedures possible with minimal cutting, quicker recoveries, and better outcomes. more

Medical Connections
The medical environment will see dramatic changes as connectors enable smaller, portable, more affordable, and more powerful equipment to shape the care model of the future. Self-administered care and even remote surgical procedures will become common as equipment advances to make ideals a reality. more

Regulation Overload Impacts the Connector Industry
6-7-11 - The RoHS ban on lead has influenced the purchasing, sourcing, design, and manufacturing of connectors, making RoHS-certified parts the default standard. But as REACH and other standards get into the mix, paperwork becomes an ever-greater part of the design process. Is this progress or interference? more

The Added-Value Solution in Electronics:
Integrated Functionality in High-Temperature LDS Assemblies
6-7-11 - Laser Direct Structuring gives designers an effective new way to manufacture MIDs, and offers many performance advantages. more

Military Connectors from the Inside Out:
Picking the Right Insulator and Plating
6-7-11 - Recent design and material developments have enabled advancements in connector technology through new shell materials. Composites are replacing traditional materials, and they promise greater strength, excellent resistance to corrosion, and superior durability, yet weigh substantially less than their steel counterparts, helping the military meet its performance and environmental parameters. more

World Electronics Industry Confidence Index
6-7-11 - A survey of electronics industry personnel finds that confidence is high, despite the significant hit the industry took following the triple disasters in Japan. more

Japan’s Connector Industry Demonstrates Strength Amid Difficult Times
5-17-11 - Whenever there is a tragedy in any area of the world, thinking about the impact on business comes second to thinking about the impact on individuals. But restoring a stable business environment is one of the first steps in bringing about recovery. more

Wireless Backhaul – Can You Hear Me Now?
5-17-11 - The ever-expanding demand for cell phone and smartphone coverage has presented challenges for the wireless carriers in transmitting signals from the cell phone towers back to the providers’ metro office. Wireless backhaul of the traffic is often the answer. more

U.S. Electronics Manufacturing Metrics:
Building Blocks for a Roadmap
5-17-11 - Many organizations, including this one, do market forecasts. These forecasts are based on many different inputs and check points: data from manufacturers, analyses of equipment content, company financial statements, and data from other independent forecasters in the marketplace. Reliable market statistics provide one of the foundations upon which long-range forecasts are made. more

Distribution 101:
Electronic Component Distributors Need to Add Value to Succeed
5-17-11 - What do distributors do for you? Here’s a quick reminder. more

Solid State Lighting the Way
5-3-11 - Even something as tried and true as the century-old incandescent light bulb can be improved upon. We are about to see a revolution in the way we light the world, thanks to modern-day innovations. more

Key Enhancement Enables Mass-Market LED Adoption
5-3-11 - The challenges of LED design engineering have been simplified with a new lighting module from Molex. A flick of the wrist and it’s connected. more

The Artificial Eye: Machine Vision Technology
5-3-11 - Monitoring your production processes with machine vision technology can help reduce costs and ensure that your quality is consistent and meets high standards, thus increasing competitiveness. more

Faster LED Connections
5-3-11 - It is now possible to produce LED connection systems and modules in just one SMT process, and at a good price point. It is also possible to connect the conductors without any noticeable differences to a through-hole technology PCB terminal. Phoenix Contact lights the way. more

The Perpetual Domination of Circular Connectors in Military Applications

Specifying Circular Connectors for Industrial Automation and Communication
4-19-11 - Circular connectors are used in many automation technology applications, such as sensor signal transmission and low power supply, or for data communication in field bus technology. There are many connector formats available for the signals, power, and data needs of these applications. CONEC’s Fred Kozlof guides you through the options available. more

The Defense Market and the Middle East
4-19-11 - How geopolitical tensions and emerging democracies will affect the defense industry. more

A Roadmap: The Present and Future of Electronics Manufacturing
in Advanced World Economies
4-19-11 - Bishop & Associates’ John MacWilliams presents a topic that is controversial to some and a fait accompli’ to others. That is the past, current, and future state of electronics manufacturing after the onslaught of China. He examines the geographic differences of major world economies, and predicts what may happen in the future as the industry changes and evolves. more

Intel Thunderbolt Ups the I/O Ante
Thunderbolt, the new Intel I/O connection on steroids, offers some unique characteristics that may impact connectivity in a wide range of electronic products. more

Electronics Industry Roadmap to the Future
The 2011 iNEMI Roadmap is a must-read for technology planners throughout the industry. It will increase one’s understanding of the interrelationships between technologies. It will also bring home the fact that while competitive, this industry has the foresight to share detailed technological data to help everyone plan for the future. more

Renewable Energy Update
Wind Power Tackles Challenging Global Conditions
Once again China takes the lead in industry growth, and this time wind power is the market. The desire to reduce China’s carbon intensity is a driving force, and government subsidies provide confidence and stability for manufacturers in this market. more

Connected by Rails
Although the U.S. railways are suffering from a lack of investment and continued car preferences, the story is just the opposite elsewhere. Across Europe and Asia, good planning has led to popular and thriving rail systems. And that has opened up a world of opportunity for the interconnect industry. more

Advancements in Rail Connectors
Many rail customers are seeking smaller, lighter, more dynamic solutions that meet the rail industry’s stringent performance and durability specifications. ITT’s Mike Gardiner provides recent design and material developments that have enabled advancements in connector technology to meet these demanding performance and environmental parameters. more

DesignCon 2011: Innovation is Alive and Well
Several connector manufacturers demonstrated the results of research in new interface technology that will likely set the stage for improvements in system packaging and performance—an encouraging sign that innovation is alive and well in the connector industry. more

Changing Landscape of Test and Burn-In Sockets
The test and burn-in socket methods and technologies have remained a steady part of the industry, but rising IC test costs, greater performance requirements, and new packaging requirements may cause this product area to evolve. Centipede Systems’ Dr. Tom Di Stefano and Bishop & Associates’ John MacWilliams explain a new way to look at test and burn-in sockets. more

Geophysical Connections: The Power to Provide
As oil and natural gas reserves become smaller and more complex to access, the interconnect industry will be called upon to provide more rugged, technical, and versatile equipment to the exploration industry. more

Fiber-To-The-?
Fiber optic networks for voice, Internet, and TV have sprung up in many metropolitan areas, but exactly what is FTTx and what interconnect does it contain? more

The Perception of Connector Testing
Tom Peel, Contech Research director of test program development and Dr. Bob’s seminar colleague, provides the process for developing a proper connector test program and reminds us why it’s so important to take these steps. more

Consumer Electronics Show Continues to Dazzle
As usual, hundreds of new products made their debut at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show. Most are evolutionary improvements on existing technology. Yet the combination of new LED-backlit, high-resolution LCDs, signal integrity advances, mobile electronics, iPad-like tablets, and a host of other new products, still dazzle. And the connector industry seems to move along throughout all of this. more

Designing for EMC
The increasingly complex environment for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is apparent in our homes, offices, and automobiles. But insidious interference can impair even the most carefully crafted circuit. The objective is to design products that neither radiate harmful EMI nor are affected by external sources of EMI. Designing for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is the process by which this goal is achieved. more

Seeing Into the Future:
Medical Imaging and Diagnostics Guide Advances in Healthcare
Medical device companies continue to develop new products and upgrades that allow price increases and sizeable profit margins, despite pressure to reduce costs on high-tech products and the uncertainty about future reimbursement policies. Sustaining innovation, while delivering stronger value propositions and fueling long-term growth, will challenge the medical industry moving forward. more

The Convergence of Electronics and Medical Device Innovation
How are designers of diagnostic, imaging, surgical, and therapeutic equipment leveraging advanced connector technologies to engineer an amazing array of cutting-edge healthcare products? Molex tells all. more

How the iPhone Impacts U.S. Trade Deficit with China
A deeper examination of this single product’s impact reveals surprising new information. more

Incredible India, Enchanting Electronics Growth
India’s emerging technology prowess, developing skilled labor force, and rapid entry into global markets is making it a country to be admired and watched closely. more

Automotive Safety Systems:
The Last Bastion for Explosive Automotive Connector Market Growth
Unlike fuel economy and emission systems regulations, the safety systems growth phenomenon is unique in that global automakers and governments are united in pushing these innovations. Safety is in focus like never before. more

FCI Offers Full Range of Innovative Products for Auto Safety
Throughout this decade of rapid market change, FCI has further developed its position as a market leader in the design and manufacture of connectors for airbag and other safety retention systems. A wide variety of ABS housings, sensor housings, terminals, electronic control units, pin headers, and airbag squib connectors in FCI’s product portfolio play a role in nearly all main passenger cars on the market today. more

Copper and Fiber Vie for Position
Copper conductors will continue to reign supreme for many years, but basic laws of physics are pointing to limitations, and increasingly, fiber can provide more cost-effective solutions. Are you willing to bet on when this will occur? more

electronica 2010: After the Big Bang, What’s Next?
Without a doubt, the exhibitors and visitors at the electronica 2010 trade show in Munich are optimistic about their future. Once again, the industry is “in the black” and the outlook for 2011 will show at least single digit growth. With a slowing but growing world GDP, and given the diversity of the interconnect industry and a new era of mobility and personalized interconnectivity at our doorstep, connector manufacturers can make and build their own future in 2011. more

2010 Connector Product Review
Many of the new interconnect products introduced in 2010 reflect demand for attributes the end user has come to expect: improved power, increased packaging density, increased speed, portability, and ruggedness, to name a few. Yet in many cases, these new interfaces are more evolutionary than revolutionary. more

Spectroscopy: A Rainbow of Energy
Spectroscopic instruments have become essential analytical tools in multiple environments, performing tasks such as monitoring processes, identifying compounds, and measuring energy from celestial objects. This has resulted in an increased demand for spectrometers, expanding the market into a multibillion-dollar industry today. more

POW-er Marketing and the Successful Campaign
Ken Talentino describes the positive impact of a fully integrated marketing campaign in maximizing sales and profits. To paraphrase Dwight Eisenhower, “A plan is nothing; planning is everything.” more

This is the final article in a three-part series about technical-based marketing. The concepts and materials used in this article are from Ken Talentino’s book, The Curve.

Military/Aerospace: Standing Tall in 2009
Connectors used in the military/aerospace sector provide the important power and signal link between machine and machine, man and machine, and man and man. Jeff Clarke, Array Connector Corporation, provides insight as to why this sector will continue to rise above much of the industry. more

ARINC 600 Next Generation:
Stamped-and-Formed Signal Contacts Lower Costs, Save Weight
The drive to lower costs and save weight in military/aerospace applications has spurred the development of stamped-and-formed signal contacts at Tyco Electronics. Steven McIntires considers the strengths and differences between an ARINC 600 screw-machined contact and a stamped-and-formed contact. more

Special Report: China’s Labor Struggles
A first-hand report on the changes occurring in China’s workforce. This huge and changing labor pool is critical to today’s connector industry, but equally critical is understanding and managing its complexities with care. more

Smart Marketing Keeps Good Companies off the Downward Spiral
Ken Talentino offers some tips for marketing’s role in developing new products and programs—how to go from zero to hero. more

Power Connectors: Moving Up the Curve
In the past 10 years, the market has seen the infusion of many new connectors designed for power delivery applications, and even more innovations are in the pipeline. Newer connector families feature modular design, higher current ratings, and support of system cooling strategies. more

Power Connectors Evolve to Meet Emerging Industry Trends
Increased performance demands apply across various market segments—data, telecom, and datcom/networking, to name a few—and are driving component manufacturers toward significant advances in product technology. New products feature lower contact resistance and maximized linear current density in more compact, lower-profile packages. more

Is “sales” part of marketing? Are the Marines part of the Navy?
Define the individual roles of your marketing and sales departments. By understanding their place in the business, they’ll better be able to work together to help it thrive and grow. more

Shanghai World EXPO 2010 - The Preparation
A Danish connector professional in China gives an eyewitness report on the world of change that's unfolded around him as he works in a rapidly evolving China. How does an ancient city with millions of residents transform itself from a modern metropolis into a city of the future for a once-in-a-lifetime event? By creating a clean slate, then adding high-tech transportation, housing, and asking citizens to step up as well. more

Circling Around the Military and Commercial Market
This connector family has continued to grow in popularity, alongside more recently developed connector types, due to its ability to change and adapt to the ever-changing world of electronics. What was once a true mil/spec or commercial connector is now considered both. The lines have blurred. What does that mean for you? more

IPTV : Watching Bits and Bytes
IPTV is a growing market in Europe and the Pacific Rim, and it’s starting to catch on in North America. At the end of 2009, an estimated 26 million homes subscribed to IPTV. Now Apple and Google have stepped into the fray. What is IPTV and what is the impact on the interconnect industry? more

Finding the Right Niche
Striving to be the biggest in the industry may not be the best strategy for everyone. Niche connector manufacturers fill critical gaps in the electronics industry, as many lower-volume applications require unique interconnect solutions that may not be supported by large industry leaders. more

Where Everybody Knows Your Name:
Doing business with the small company
How does the smaller company find its niche in the marketplace? Most companies will tell you they give the best service, at the best price. But how can a smaller company compete with the big guy that is able to undersell and devote more resources to a fancy website and customer service? The first and most obvious answer to that is to use your smaller size as an advantage, because in many ways it is. more

Connecting the World:
A Short History of the Globalization of Connector Engineering and Manufacturing
Simple connector manufacturing was once a solid part of North American industry. Now the connectors are far from simple, and the industry has spread across the world. more

VITA’s 2010 State of the VME Technology Industry
VITA’s executive director Ray Alderman’s perspective on the VME industry is presented in this mid-year report. His six-month reflection is about business conditions, mergers and acquisitions, market overviews for the mil/aero, Smart grid, industrial controls, healthcare, and telecom sectors, and some final thoughts on how “thinking small” may save us all. more

In-Car Interconnection Systems Evolve to Meet New Challenges
The automotive industry has traveled a long way from the time when cars were essentially a mechanical product. Today’s consumers expect much more than just a means of getting from point A to point B. However, the increasing use of electronic products inside the automobile is putting pressure on systems makers, and on the design practices and components they use. more

Telemedicine: Remote Remedies
Telemedicine could be a powerful tool to improve efficiency in the delivery of health care. Multiple products, services, and industries are in development to serve various telemedicine applications, including information technology vendors, medical device manufacturers, pharmacies, hospitals, and nursing homes. And of course, connectors are needed in all areas. more

Medical Electronics:
The Delicate Job of Connecting Man to Machine
Connectors play a pivotal role in medical electronics because they constitute the interface between man and machine. A trusted and experienced supplier of medical connectors is an important ally when designing medical products. more

Making it in Space
Designing electronic components that can operate properly, safely, and efficiently in space applications is a unique challenge to the electronic connector manufacturer. Although countries operate under the guidelines of different space agencies, consortiums, or organizations with their own set of standards and criteria for space-grade connectors, most, if not all of these standards are similar in context and design. Having the capability to meet these standards and criteria is what sets the connector manufacturer of space-grade connectors miles above their competition. more

Connector Trends in Consumer Electronics
Goodbye netbooks, desktop PCs, CDs, and DVDs. Hello smaller, faster, smarter, safer, and more connected green electronic devices. more

Shrinking Connectors Create Challenges and Opportunities
Connector manufacturers are researching entirely new interconnect devices and materials meeting the challenge of providing better stability and durability in a smaller package. more

Miniature Plug Connectors:
Evolving in Concert With a Changing Electronics World
New mini plug connectors allow for quicker wiring and more compact device dimensions. Using an integrated spring-cage or IDC technology, wires with cross sections up to 24 AWG can give more board space to greater functioning boards. more

RFID: Tag, You’re It!
Whether you like it or not, everything you buy and everywhere you go may soon be tracked by a tiny but powerful piece of technology: The RFID. This technology is changing the way our world works at an incredibly rapid pace, and it’s already all around us—soon, perhaps, even in us. more

Telecom in Transition, Moving at Hyper-Speed
Many of us remember rotary phones. Others remember their first cell phone as being anything but pocket-sized. Now, we’re literally carrying a computer in our pocket. Just as your personal phone is changing, the behind-the-scenes equipment that enables these improvements is also in transition. more

Power Contacts and Connectors, Part 1: Power Distribution
High-current contacts, several tens of amperes, require low and stable connector resistance to minimize Joule heating. These requirements drive both material and design decisions. more

Rough and Rugged:
New High-Speed Backplane Connectors Shake Up the Market
Can a backplane connector that is accustomed to a clean and tidy environment adapt to the rugged, weather-beaten environment of the military and industrial world? Several manufacturers have new—and proven—products that fill the need. more

Global Renewable Energy Update
Collectively, developing countries represent more than half of global renewable power activities. China now leads the world in several indicators of growth in this market. India is fifth worldwide in total existing wind power capacity and is rapidly expanding many forms of rural renewable, including solar PV. Is your company part of this forward-looking market? more

Connector Roadmap to the Future…Drawn With Your Input
Millions of pages of media are produced every day. Less than .01 percent seek your input. Guess what? This article is part of the .01 percent. Take advantage of it. more

4G Wireless: The Next Generation is Here
We can expect to see connectors change as fourth generation telecommunications technology is implemented. What kinds of challenges will this advancing technology pose to connector manufacturers? more

The Customer is Always Right, and the Right Customer is Always Right
Well-chosen customers lead to connections that are built to last. more

PCB Design and Material Selection Drive High-Speed Performance
Backplane-based systems present a series of challenges that must be addressed at each stage of the layout, fabrication, and assembly process in order to achieve specified performance. The design of the board and choice of PCB materials are two very basic areas that will have a huge influence on the ultimate success or failure of your product. more

The Ripple Effect:
Mezzanine Connector Options Proliferate to Meet Increased Bandwidths
The industry trends driving increased I/O port and backplane connector bandwidth density are also impacting mezzanine connector requirements. Today, mezzanine connector systems must provide superior electrical performance at higher data rates, with higher signal density, and with the lowest insertion force compared to previous connector generations. more

Extreme Connecting
Many companies design for harsh environments, but only a few products are certified to perform when those harsh environments turn hazardous, or even explosive—and that can happen in situations far from the battlefield. more

OEM Strategic Selling: The Basics vs. the “Buzz”
Online catalogs, interactive spec sheets, and searchable databases make it easier than ever for interconnect companies to automate their sales processes. But it is dangerous to let the technology do too much of the work for you. Consultant Ken Talentino reminds us that basic sales skills are still essential in the first of a new series of articles focused on the sales side of our business. more

Made in Germany
Hannover Messe 2010 proves that things are looking up for the connector industry—and German innovation is leading the way. It is no surprise that Germany is an economic powerhouse in Europe and the rest of the world. “Made in Germany“ is a label still associated with quality, functionality, and excellence, and German connector manufacturers managed not only to keep their market position in the global connector market this year, but in most cases, strengthened their position by introducing innovative products and solutions that bring value to their customers. more

Ringing In the New Smartphones
No matter where you’re at with your communication needs, you can’t help but be aware of some of the new products available in the telecom area. If you’re an OEM designing these phones, you must feel the anticipation of contributing product to a world-changing phenomena. What new connector designs are manufacturers creating? We asked connector manufacturers I-PEX, Molex, and Tyco Electronics to let us know what they’re doing to meet your needs. more

Let There Be Solid State Light
The replacement of candles and oil lamps with electric light bulbs forever changed our living and working habits. Now, a series of emerging technologies combined with increasing environmental concerns have set the stage for the development of a better source of light. more

The Electric Car Revolution is Here
For years, it seemed the electric car would remain a mythological machine, great in concept but too hard to make it a reality. Today, the myth has been busted by the force of innovation, and a fleet of cars unlike any others is about to hit the road. Top connector companies are banking on the future and getting inside the ride of the future. more

The New Electric Navy
The Navy is changing the way it builds ships. Not only will new attention to budgets demand that builders reign in cost overruns, but the products they are building look to the future, not the past. A more versatile, more capable, more high tech fleet is in the works, and it will be packed with connectors. more

Keep Your Eyes on the Road Ahead! Non-Auto Revs Up
Although the recreational and non-auto transportation industry saw its fortunes fall in the disastrous fourth quarter 2008 and first quarter 2009, this varied and interesting sector is on the rebound—which means opportunities for interconnect products are expanding. more

Near and Far: Connector and Semiconductor Industries
The semiconductor industry is larger and leads the way in the industry, but the connector market keeps up in many ways. How can the connector market develop an even stronger base? more

Possibility Thinking: What the iPad Taught Us
Sir Richard Branson of Virgin Airlines said it best: “My interest in life comes from setting myself huge, apparently unachievable challenges and trying to rise above them.” After Apple sold $150 million worth of iPads in one weekend, branding expert David Brier asked, “How did they do that?” more

Power Contacts/Connectors III: Current Rating 2
In his ongoing series on the processes involved in testing connectors, Dr. Bob stresses the importance of consistency. more

Turn Down the Noise
Filtered Connectors Provide Solutions to Reduce EMI/ESD Distortion
High-speed signal distortion created by electromagnetic interference can delay or kill a new product in development. Anyone who has drawn a quarter-inch arc between a wall switch and their finger has experienced the power of an electrostatic discharge. Protecting a system from EMI and ESD has become a critical requirement in electronic product design. more

Acing the Test
The test, measurement, and instrumentation sector covers a wide variety of devices, ranging from large automated test equipment that evaluates hundreds of devices simultaneously to small handheld testers. more

Power Contacts/Connectors III: Current Rating 1
When testing a connector to make sure it remains reliable under the stresses of a current, you must consider both practical and philosophical questions. more

Who’s Got Your Back?
Choose a connector that can stand up to the highest demands
Whether it involves providing more sophisticated sensing, detection, and analyzing equipment, or providing new or replacement connectors and assemblies to nuclear power plants, the world of CBNR is highly dependent on the connector manufacturer. Their ability to supply high quality, ruggedized connectors and assemblies to this growing market allows even the most pessimistic of us to feel more secure. more

Customized Interconnects for Harsh Environments
Hypertac and Radiall prove that there is indeed a substantial market for custom-designed connectors, and that a company can build its growth strategy on this particular market for custom-designed interconnect solutions. more

Vroom, Vroom: The 2010 Army Vehicle Programs
The U.S. Department of Defense is busy repairing, expanding, and improving its fleet of combat and support vehicles. Here are the numbers. more

Ask Dr. Bob - Power Contacts/Connectors, Part II: Current Concerns
Understand the different properties of each current type to make a good connector choice—and avoid a meltdown. more

Switzerland: Land of Giants
Switzerland, a country with just over seven million inhabitants, is home to an exceptional range of connector manufacturers. These manufacturers have established themselves over the past decades as reliable manufacturers of interconnect products, designed for specific markets and applications. They may not appear in the top 10 of the largest global connector manufacturers, but in their field of expertise they are Swiss Giants. more

Consumer Demand Drives Rebound in Telecom/Datacom Market
Consumer demand is driving the need for increased I/O bandwidth density in telecom/datacom infrastructure. Is your company ready to step up and fill the need? more

Developing I/O Systems for Today’s Telecom/Datacom Needs
YouTube, Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter did not even exist five years ago, but these activities are driving an insatiable demand for increased bandwidth. What are today’s connector manufacturers doing to satisfy this need? more

A Resurgence of Growth in Renewable Energy
The supply chain to the international wind power industry has expanded significantly. Only two years after the supply chain was stretched for several key components for this young industry, the wind turbine industry and its suppliers are now able to meet anticipated global demand going into 2013. A large number of new suppliers have entered the market, particularly in China and the U.S., the two fastest growing wind power markets in the world. This turnaround in supply is certain to lead to extreme competition and an increased focus on quality improvement and cost reduction. more

Connector Innovations for Renewable and Alternative Energy Applications
Materials and contact construction play a pivotal role in a connector’s suitability for renewable energy applications, and ultimately impact the proper performance of the overall system. Tellurium, stainless steel, robust contact construction, and touch-proof systems are just a few of the design considerations an engineer must address. more

Large vs. Small Connector Company Perspective
Over the years, both large and small companies have contributed new ideas and technology to the connector industry and its customers. The big are getting bigger and more niche-driven, but does that mean the smaller companies are becoming less important in the connector market? more

Connectors in the Heartland
Will future farmers be able to work the land from the comfort of their offices? One of the oldest jobs in the world is undergoing changes that would not have been thought possible a generation ago. more

Non-Automotive Transportation Connector Market Update
A rough 2009 is best contemplated through the rearview mirror. more

PCB Attachment Options Continue to Grow
It took nearly 10 years for PCB assemblers to accept the reliability of compliant pin technology. A variety of factors, including contact density, size of the connector, intended environment, pin count, availability of process equipment, and cost, influence the choice of future PCB attachment methods. Change is slow. more

Ask Dr. Bob - Power Contacts and Connectors, Part I: What is Power?
Everyone agrees that a connector carrying 100 amperes is a power connector, but the current capacity of a conductor depends on its size. What parameters guide the design of a connection for a power application? Dr. Bob knows. more

The Past Decade: Industry’s Top Developments
So far, it’s been an incredible century from a technological point of view. How do we determine which innovations of the last decade should make the top 10 list? What’s next? more

Consumer Electronics Diversify in a Global Market
Can 20,000 new consumer-related products satisfy the wants of a techno-hungry world? Will the new wireless trends put us all in the soup line? The recent Consumer Electronics Show provides us with some answers. more

Flying High:
The 2010 Outlook is Bright for the Rotorcraft/Helicopter Sector
The multi-faceted face of the helicopter market ensures a smoother ride in this economy. Civilian and military use is on the rise, and many projects—with many connectors—are in the works. more

The Revival of an Ailing Medical Market
After a rocky year, the medical market is looking forward to a smoother, more predictable 2010. Medical connector manufacturers ODU, Molex, FCI, C&K, Radiall, and ITT share their new products and reflect on current trends. more

In-Depth with Hypertronics
The medical marketplace offers growing opportunities for interconnect companies. Hypertronics shares their insights into the future of this sector. more

Protecting Intellectual Property in the Connector Industry
Cultivating secondary sources for connectors is important to securing new designs, but how much do manufacturers give up in intellectual property rights while doing this? Is global manufacturing creating a hotbed of counterfeit connector products? more

IP Best Practices
Learn how to protect your most valuable investments with these tips from NextLabs.

NextLabs creates software that helps companies stay compliant with various industry regulations, privacy laws, and corporate governance. To protect its intellectual property investments, it has developed a comprehensive system to prevent data breaches inside and outside the company, across supply chains, and in collaborations involving customers. Now you can apply these principles to your company protocols.

Click here to read NextLabs' IP Protection Best Practices white paper.

Industry Insider - Molex CEO Martin Slark
Martin Slark was able to advance from an inside sales position within Molex U.K. to the chief executive officer role because Molex encourages all employees to take initiative, make decisions, and take positive action on behalf of the customer. Molex cross-trains promising employees in various management disciplines, including transfers to international assignments. As a result, many of the company's second- and third-tier managers have international experience, know the connector industry intimately, and have developed leadership skills. Many have been with the company for over a quarter of a century. People like to work at Molex.
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2009 New Product Review
In spite of a deep recession, 2009 proved to be a particularly prolific year for the development and introduction of new interconnect systems. Will the innovations continue in 2010, or will we stop and savor the strides that have been made in 2009? Here’s your 2009 product review. more

Problem Solved: Fiber Optic Interconnect Solutions
A major broadcaster hesitated before committing to fiber optic cable. In the end, it turned out to be a cost-effective, versatile, and empowering solution, in part thanks to a solution presented by Winchester Electronics. “If we use an all-fiber distribution infrastructure, we can realize some amazing savings; in long runs and central distribution, you can eliminate DAs (distribution amplifiers), which not only incur costs for the initial purchase, but also for maintenance, power, cooling, and use of floor space to rack up.” more

Recognizing “Best” Engineers: Bill Garrett
Scott Manahl, western regional manager for Amphenol Commercial Products, said, “I would like to nominate William (Bill) Garrett, component engineer at Western Digital in Lake Forest, Calif. With more than 20 years of sales and sales management experience at Deutsch, Cinch, Spectrum Control, and Amphenol, I have worked with many OEMs, CEMs, ODMs, and other connector-related organizations. During this time I have witnessed the demise of the traditional “Connector Guru.” While a few remain, very few, if any, match the background, experience, durability, and design portfolio of Bill Garrett. His years of design experience at WD have produced several patents, numerous design innovations, and been integral in WD’s ongoing march to a leadership position in the HDD market.” more

Emerging Markets: A China Perspective
China has already begun to rebound from the economic crisis. Is this due to the country’s substantial investment in stimulus money or to its natural advantages as an emerging market? Take a look at this land of opportunity from the perspective of a company at the center of the action. more

RAST, the Old/New Appliance Standard
What was old is new again. Today’s appliance designers are looking at a decades-old connector standard to help manufacturers conform to the global marketplace. Ease of repair and assembly are two key components in reevaluated RAST. more

Recognizing “Best” Engineers: Howard W. Johnson, Ph.D.
Mike Wondolowski, engineer at Zebra Technologies, said, “Dr. Johnson has the ability to bring to bear his vast experience in signal integrity (SI) in addressing complex SI issues. He then organizes this information in a clear and concise way that benefits the many engineers who read his newsletter, attend his classes, or read his writings.”more

Are Standards Driving New Interconnect Technology?
While collaboration can be beneficial in many decision-making processes, conflicting forces may hinder the development of a new interconnect standard. Who gets to be a member, what’s the benefit to a company for participating, and what pitfalls could prevent a company from wanting to be involved? more

The Hunt is On: Obsolete Connectors
Sure, good manufacturers and distributors keep you abreast of product changes and inventories. But sometimes things fall through the cracks, and you find yourself in a bind, trying to locate a part for older equipment. Where are you going to look? And will the supplier who carries the part be one you want to work with again? more

Top 10 Concerns for Signal Connections
Three product managers from Phoenix Contact surveyed end-users to discover the top 10 concerns for signal connections. Do you agree? more

Recognizing “Best” Engineers: David R. Hargis
The person who nominated Dave Hargis said, “Every product David designs get into production without difficulties. He knows what needs to be done.” more

Making the Connection in a Harsh Environment
We are hearing a lot about “harsh environment” or “ruggedized” connectors lately. But do you know what that really means? Connector manufacturers must consider many extreme conditions when creating customized product for OEMs in need of this type of connection. more

Sourcing Reliable Connectors for Ship, Rail, and Energy Environments
Engaging with a connector manufacturer that is experienced in harsh environment connections takes the guesswork out of designing for high temperatures, high-pressure interfaces, and myriad other design challenges. Follow these tips for a successful fit. more

Recognizing “Best” Engineers: Eric Bogatin
The person who nominated Eric Bogatin said, “Eric is honest and is eager to share his knowledge with all engineers. He continually keeps himself up-to-date and is a true ‘Renaissance Man,’ even writing science fiction.” more

Growing Up: The Fifth Generation of Fighter Aircraft Takes Off
The first generation of aircraft took flight less than 100 years ago. Defense experts classify aircraft in “generations” as a way to compare the performance and level of technology of modern planes with earlier versions. Scott Clay describes the defining characteristics of each generation of flight, from “birth” to the present day. more

USB 3.0: Pushing I/O Performance
USB is one connector even non-industry people recognize by name—that’s how “universal” it is. The USB connector is defined by industry standards that are flexible enough to continually adapt to performance increases. The upgrades, from 1.0 to 2.0 and now 3.0, must have backward compatibility, while also facilitating the newest products and technology. more

Ask Dr. Bob: Contact Spring Material Selection
Conductivity, stress relaxation, and the yield strength of a contact spring are critical factors in designing a connector. Dr. Bob tells you when to consider using higher conductivity alloys and why contact normal force is arguably the most important connector design parameter. more

The Less-Than-Sexy Industrial Market Remains Viable
Factory automation doesn’t have the pizzazz of high-tech medical or consumer electronics markets, but slow and steady may win the race. Sparked by an increased demanded for factory automation and energy generation and distribution equipment, the industrial equipment sector has fared remarkably well in comparison to other sectors. more

Copper Alloy Metallurgy Limitations
Copper alloys are used extensively in connector products because of their strength, formability, and conductivity. But copper isn’t a perfect material for every application. Be aware of its limitations before designing it into your product. more

2009 IC Socket Market Review
New products and new applications will positively affect the IC socket market. Many changes are also occurring in the supply chain. Will the power of the EMSs and their manufacturing methods have an impact on future socket development? more

Another Problem Solver: 3M’s 2mm Hard Metric Connector
A new 3M connector allows designers to increase speed while helping protect client investment in CompactPCI systems. more

Dr. Bob: Focus On Electrical/Electronic Connector Contact Spring Materials
You probably already know that copper alloys are the most commonly used contact spring materials because they provide the best balance of electrical and mechanical properties at an acceptable cost. But are there other performance requirements that should be considered? Dr. Bob explores the matter in a new, three-part series. more

A Salute to Military Robots
Harsh environment connections are imperative for military robotics that roam in all types of terrain. In the field, these vital parts save soldiers lives and convey up-to-the-minute information in critical situations. more

Second Source—First Priority
In years past, connectors manufactured by different companies could mate and perform to a certain specification—but if a conflict arose, the two suppliers might blame the other for the failure, leaving the OEM to solve the problem. Now, connector manufacturers are working together to provide solid, problem-free second-sourcing for the OEM. more

Are you getting the real thing?
Counterfeit products and the theft of intellectual property account for almost seven percent of the annual global economy. That’s a fact. Some of these fakes could end up in your products. What’s at stake for your company when you don’t get the real thing? more

Positronic’s Posiband: What makes this contact interface a “significant innovation?” more

Dimensional Gymnastics—Flexible Printed Circuit Assemblies
Flexible printed circuit connectors and assemblies have developed to accommodate the growing demands in all markets for smaller and transportable devices. more

Considerations in Choosing a Flex Connector
Although introduced in the 1970s, flexible cable connectors are still widely used in many applications. Today’s connector manufacturers continue to evolve and improve their performance, most often by designing advanced insertion and retention features. FCI’s knowledge and experience in designing flex connectors provides the guidelines you’ll need to select a flex connector. more

“Whirlybirds” Drive Mil-Aero Connector Opportunities Skyward
Helicopter production for the U.S. Marines and Army provides many opportunities for connector growth in the mil/aero sector. What are the sales projections and how long will it continue? more

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 th