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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?

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.

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 14 - August 2, 2011

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. more

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. more

Growth Continues for Semiconductors and Connectors
Semiconductors and connectors could expect to have an off year after a spectacular 2010 and amid economic challenges around the globe. But instead, they are registering respectable, even surprising, growth. more


I
n Memoriam: Dale Reed
We are very sorry to report that Dale Reed, Emerson Vice President-Sales, North America, and president of the IICIT and board member of the IWCS, passed away recently. Dale was a long-term, enthusiastic supporter of our industries. His dedication, keen intellect, and good humor will be missed by all of us. more

World Electronics Industry Confidence Index, July 2011
According to industry personnel, confidence in future business conditions, although positive, is declining in much of the world. Japan’s challenges are being addressed, and they’re cautiously optimistic about the future. more

Volume 7, Issue 13 - July 19, 2011

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

World Electronics Industry Confidence Index, June 2011
According to industry personnel, confidence in future business conditions is declining sharply in the U.S., Japan, and Europe, although they remain generally positive. more

Each month we ask personnel working in the electronics industry their opinion on business conditions now and their speculation on business 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.

Record Orders for Airbus Spells Good News For Connector Makers
A report from the 49th 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

Volume 7, Issue 12 - June 21, 2011

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

Apple Is Ripe for Biting
This month, Apple surpassed the market capitalization of Intel and Microsoft combined. Can this once-underdog continue to lead the way? Bishop analyst John MacWilliams sounds off. 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

Top 10 Connector Companies Report Stellar 2010 Sales
2010 was a year of dramatic recovery for much of the connector industry, and the top 10 companies had a great year. We take a look at the numbers. more

Cool Precision: ERNI Electronics Grows
By Keeping Quality and Excellence in Focus

ERNI has established itself as a dependable company for precision-designed interconnect products. Slow but steady growth has given it strength and stability over more than five decades. more

Volume 7, Issue 11 - June 7, 2011

Regulation Overload Impacts the Connector Industry
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

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

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

Connector Industry Forecast
We’ve seen boom and we’ve seen bust. Get ready for the next ride up in the connector industry business cycle. more

World Electronics Industry Confidence Index
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

Each month we ask personnel working in the electronics industry their opinion on business conditions now and their speculation on business 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.

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