Technology Articles

Volume 8, Issue 2 - January 24, 2012

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.

Say Cheese!

People outside of our industry may think connectors are limited to computers and high-tech devices. But this continuation of our European connectors series illustrates that connectors make nearly everything in our world work — even cheesemaking.

New European Standards Organization Forming:
Is This Another Search For Cold Fusion?

The small form factor marketplace is already buffeted by dozens of standards and specifications. So why is a group organizing to add more? Ray Alderman, executive director of VITA, has some strong feelings about the proposed changes and "sounds off." What do you think? 

Volume 8, Issue 1 - January 10, 2012

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.

Connector Industry Price Trends
Everything gets more expensive every year…except for connectors. Historically, downward pressure has benefitted connector buyers, but connector manufacturers have been hit hard by rising material prices. Now we’re seeing some correction.

Confidence Starts to Rise
Way to go! We're starting the new year on a good note: Confidence in business conditions is starting to rise. This is apparent in all regions of the world, except one.

World Electronics Industry Confidence Index (EICI)
Each month we ask personnel working in the electronics industry their opinion on business conditions now and in six months from now. People from all over the world respond to this survey. If you would like to take part in next month’s survey, please click here.

Volume 7, Issue 22 - December 6, 2011

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.

Apple, Are You Listening?
We think American workers should be building America’s best products. And our readers agree.

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?

The State of the VME Technology Industry
VITA Executive Director Ray Alderman reports on the state of the VME industry in his usual frank and enlightening perspective. VITA is the trade association dedicated to fostering American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited, open system architectures in critical embedded system applications. Visit VITA online.

Volume 7, Issue 21 - November 15, 2011

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?

How does the sovereign debt crisis in Europe affect your connector business?

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.

Hey Apple, Bring iPhone Manufacturing Back to the U.S.!
We’ve come to believe that electronics need to be manufactured in Asia in order to be affordable. But what if that’s not actually true? What if we were willing to pay a few bucks more to create jobs in the U.S. making an iconic American product? Ron Bishop, president and founder of Bishop & Associates, challenges Apple to bring manufacturing of the iconic iPhone back to the United States.

Volume 7, Issue 20 - November 1, 2011

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.

Soft Sales Dog Semiconductors
Semiconductor sales continue to move at a slow pace, but business is expected to pick up in 2012. Are we at the bottom of the trough? Hang on and plan for better times.

Focus on: Dr. Kurt Woelfl, ODU
As CEO, Kurt Woelfl has helped ODU GmbH profitably grow their business on a global level. ODU, located in Muhldorf a. Inn-Germany, has been providing interconnect solutions for 60 years. The company is best known for medical and military push-pull connectors, and also manufactures heavy duty, power, rectangular, single contact, surface mount, and IDC connectors. ODU is also well known for their innovative custom cable assemblies.

ODU is recognized as one of the best performing companies in the industry and is highly respected by customers and competitors for their high quality products and their ethical approach to business.

Volume 7, Issue 19 - October 18, 2011

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.

2011 Customer Distribution Survey: Websites
Is a dazzling website the key to customer satisfaction, or merely a basic part of doing business today? Digi-Key hits the top of your electronic distribution survey once again.

World Electronics Industry Confidence Index (EICI)
Confidence in Business Conditions Continues to Drop
Western markets are responding to global instability and stock market swings with a dour outlook. But in Asia, confidence in business conditions remains high. The outlook depends on where you are doing business.

Volume 7, Issue 18 - October 4, 2011

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. 

2011 Customer Distribution Survey:
Specialist vs. Broadline – Customers Weigh In  
A distributor that can do it all may the best choice for you company. But a distributor that specializes in your area may be able to better understand your needs. Who do your colleagues feel do the best job in getting out the products?

Is the PC Dead?
The PC industry is in a period of disruptive innovation, transition, and guarded anticipation of the future. More and more consumers are turning to hand-portable devices. Tablets are moving to center stage. Apple is arguably now the technology leader. The volume leader, HP, is having second thoughts. Does this all mean the PC is dying, or are we transitioning to the next big thing?

Volume 7, Issue 17 - September 20, 2011

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.

2011 Customer Distribution Survey:
No Surprise — Pricing is Most Important to Customers
Bishop & Associates new 2011 Customer Survey of the Electronics Distribution Industry reveals, to no one's surprise, that pricing is one of the most important factors when choosing a distributor. It also reveals some preferences that were a surprise.

September 2011
World Electronics Industry Confidence Index
Confidence in business conditions continues to drop.

Volume 7, Issue 16 - September 6, 2011

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?

The 2011 Customer Survey of the
Electronic Distribution Industry
Distributors stock your connectors, work to provide fair pricing, deliver just-in-time orders, and offer design assistance…what more can you ask? Our readers answer that question.

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?

Volume 7, Issue 15 - August 16, 2011

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. more

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. more

Solid Connector Growth, But Demand is Changing
Bishop and Associates looks at the balance of 2011 and predicts how we’ll end the year.  more

World Electronics Industry Confidence Index, August 2011
Confidence in North America drops steeply. World confidence drops to 53.5. more

Volume 7, Issue 12 - June 21, 2011

Volume 7, Issue 11 - June 7, 2011