Transportation

Marine Vehicles Embrace Advanced Tech for Diverse Missions
Technology Trends
Marine Vehicles Embrace Advanced Tech for Diverse Missions
Submersible vehicles travel to the depths of the ocean with highly sophisticated electronics on board to gather and transmit data for exploration and scientific research, environmental protection and monitoring, security and defense, and search and salvage operations. The world’s oceans and waterways contain vast amounts of information that…
Listing of Market Articles
Marine Vehicles Embrace Advanced Tech for Diverse Missions
Marine Vehicles Embrace Advanced Tech for Diverse Missions
Submersible vehicles travel to the depths of the ocean with highly sophisticated electronics on board to gather and transmit data for exploration and scientific research, environmental protection and monitoring, security and defense, and search and salvage operations. The world’s oceans and waterways contain vast amounts of information that…
Six Considerations for Connectors Used in Marine Applications
Six Considerations for Connectors Used in Marine Applications
Watercraft engineers must heed the American Boat and Yacht Council standards. Beyond these basics, keep six directives in mind to design reliable connected systems for even the roughest of waters. By Rob Iversrud, Product and Category Manager, Waytek Electrical connectors used in boats and other marine applications must…
EWB Gives Tech Professionals a Chance to Change the World
EWB Gives Tech Professionals a Chance to Change the World
Some of the brightest minds in the electronics world are working with Engineers Without Borders on humanity’s biggest problems, including clean water, sustainable agriculture, energy solutions, and disaster relief.  Engineers Without Borders-USA, a non-profit founded in 2002 with regional branches in the UK, Australia, and other countries, connects…
What are GTMS Connectors?
What are GTMS Connectors?
Meet the Connector: GTMS Connectors GTMS (Glass-to-Metal Seal) connectors are a specialized electronic connector with a hermetic seal between glass and metal components. They are used in high-reliability applications where electrical connections need to be made in environments that require protection from moisture, gases, or fine particle contaminants.…
Sealed Connectors Product Roundup
Sealed Connectors Product Roundup
This week’s Product Roundup highlights sealed connectors from leading connector manufacturers and suppliers.   Sealed connectors JAE’s new MX80 series is a high performance, miniature sealed connector system for the automotive market that combines miniaturization with high performance. Every aspect of the MX80 design has been scrutinized and…
Small and Lightweight Interconnects Inspire the Rise of Personal Electric Vehicles
Small and Lightweight Interconnects Inspire the Rise of Personal Electric Vehicles
The hottest electric vehicles aren’t cars; an expanding world of personal transport options is changing the mobility landscape in cities around the world, thanks to the design possibilities afforded by powerful miniaturized interconnects. On an increasingly crowded planet, the ability to zip out of clogged traffic, park on…
Connected Skies: Enhancing Aviation Connectivity with Future-Focused Solutions
Connected Skies: Enhancing Aviation Connectivity with Future-Focused Solutions
In the aviation world, connectivity and interactivity between various systems includes integrating sensors, devices, and networks to facilitate the exchange of information and enable real-time monitoring, analysis, and decision-making. The rapid advancement of technology has led to increased aviation connectivity and interactivity between various components and systems. This…
Top 10 Connector Suppliers by World Sales 
Top 10 Connector Suppliers by World Sales 
Identifying the Top 10 companies is harder than you think. The answer depends on the definition of Top 10. For example, Top 10 in world sales? Top 10 in each geographic region? Top 10 in each product category? Top 10 in markets served? There are 59 companies that…
What are Mini-FAKRA Connectors?
What are Mini-FAKRA Connectors?
Meet the Connector: Mini-FAKRA Connectors Mini-FAKRA Connectors are a scaled down version of the popular FAKRA connector that is used in automotive as well as personal electric vehicles (PEVs) and light electric vehicles (LEVs) because of their small size and lightweight, which is especially prized in electric mobility…
Subminiature RF Product Roundup  
Subminiature RF Product Roundup  
This week’s Product Roundup highlights subminiature RF connectors from leading connector manufacturers and suppliers. Subminiature RF connectors Molex's SMA RF connectors from Avnet are designed for mode-free operation from DC to 18 GHz. The connectors ensure a high degree of mechanical strength and durability. The threaded coupling ensures…
December 2023 New Connectivity Products
December 2023 New Connectivity Products
New-to-market connectivity products, including interconnects, wire, cable, and cable assemblies, sensors, antennas, materials, accessories, tools, and development kits. December 2023 New Connectivity Products December 2023 New Connectivity Products > Interconnects, etc. Fischer Connectors’ new high-speed connectors and cable assemblies for Ultra High Definition (UHD) provide audio/video data transfer at 18 Gb/s in demanding environments, matching the performance speed of…
Commercial Drones Lift Off with Lightweight Interconnects
Commercial Drones Lift Off with Lightweight Interconnects
Small, lightweight interconnects have given a new generation of unmanned aerial vehicles flight instructions for use in delivery, surveying, agriculture, and other industries. Look up, it’s a commercial drone delivering your neighbor’s new toothbrush. Or at least, that’s the dream. The use of commercial drones for delivery has…
Connectors in the Skies: 10 Considerations for Your Search for a Precision Contacts Manufacturer
Connectors in the Skies: 10 Considerations for Your Search for a Precision Contacts Manufacturer
Innovations, market trends, and costs influence aircraft design, but safety and security remain an unwavering commitment. Precision contacts play a crucial role in the connector design process. As the transportation industry rebounds from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, market trends, technology innovations, and cost factors are…
ARINC-Approved Product Roundup  
ARINC-Approved Product Roundup  
This week’s Product Roundup highlights ARINC-approved connectors from leading suppliers. ARINC-approved connectors TE Connectivity's ARINC 600 press-fit power and receptacle contacts, supplied by Avnet, allow a complete press-fit receptacle solution that will provide manufacturing cost savings by eliminating the PCB soldering process. They also enable up to 10%…
Small-but-Mighty Connectors Play a Big Role in Rail Safety
Small-but-Mighty Connectors Play a Big Role in Rail Safety
Billions of electrical connections control various aspects of rail transportation, playing a significant role in global freight and passenger movements. New secure, easy-to-maintain connections help make railways safer. Rail safety depends on multiple factors. Accidents result from human error and track defects, wheels and axles can break over…
Choosing the Best Connector for Analog Sensors
Choosing the Best Connector for Analog Sensors
Analog sensors gather data needed to track the activities and productivity of equipment, predict maintenance and make repairs, and enable the operations of connected systems. Which connectors should be used to connect these sensors? Analog sensors capture important information about the operations of electronic systems and the world…
What are the main coupling types for circular connectors?
What are the main coupling types for circular connectors?
Meet the Connector: Circular Connector Coupling Types Circular connectors are a mainstay of applications in every market. They are durable, reliable, and available in a wide variety of sizes, materials, and form factors. This product category is highly diverse, with suitable options for many use cases and environments,…
Sensors Make it Plain Sailing for a Smart Ferry
Sensors Make it Plain Sailing for a Smart Ferry
A smart ferry equipped with sensors and LoRaWAN gateways can track and monitor passenger comfort and cargo for a sustainable and reliable supply chain. Figure 1 The Stena Line ferry, MV Hollandica is equipped with a dual-band network using Semtech’s LoRa devices in the LongAP Pro gateway. (Image…
10 Common Connectivity Challenges in High-Power Electric Aircraft and How to Overcome Them
10 Common Connectivity Challenges in High-Power Electric Aircraft and How to Overcome Them
Design engineers must overcome many connectivity challenges when handling high voltage and high current levels in electric rotorcraft and urban air mobility (UAM) applications. Electric-powered vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, rotorcraft, and personal air vehicles (PAVs) employ significant amounts of electrical power to enable vehicle takeoff and…
What is ISOBUS?
What is ISOBUS?
Meet the Connector: ISOBUS ISOBUS specifies a method of interoperability between electronics systems for agricultural and forestry equipment, greatly simplifying the process of connecting equipment from different manufacturers. Also known as ISO11783, this standard specifies a method of interoperability between electronics systems for heavy duty equipment types that…
Interconnect Products by IRIS-Certified Manufacturers
Interconnect Products by IRIS-Certified Manufacturers
This week’s Product Roundup highlights interconnect products manufactured by IRIS-certified manufacturers. IRIS-Certified REP series from Smiths Interconnect is designed for quick and easy mating. The REP panel and cable connectors are a simple, reliable, and highly cost-effective interconnect system for rail applications. A full plastic solution offered in either wire…
Industrial and Commercial Transportation Goes Electric
Industrial and Commercial Transportation Goes Electric
Megawatt charging is on track to boost power and reduce charging times to make electrifying all sorts of industrial and commercial transportation vehicles a viable option. Vehicle makers throughout the industrial and commercial transportation market are embracing e-mobility. Electric versions of semi-trucks, vehicles used in mining and agriculture,…
Robust Fiber Optics are Flying High in Satellites and Low-Altitude eVTOL Aircraft 
Robust Fiber Optics are Flying High in Satellites and Low-Altitude eVTOL Aircraft 
Understanding how different flavors of fiber-optic technologies function in demanding aerospace applications can help designers select the most robust options. UAM (urban air mobility) and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft promise a greener, cleaner alternative to ground transport in cities. Constellations of LEO (low Earth orbit)…
What are Bayonet Connectors?
What are Bayonet Connectors?
Meet the Connector: Bayonet Connector Versatile and secure bayonet connectors are useful for a wide range of markets and applications. Bayonet connectors are a circular connector that delivers a secure and easy to operate connection by turning the locking ring until it latches into the mechanism. This standardized…
Connectors for Rail Applications Product Roundup
Connectors for Rail Applications Product Roundup
This week’s Product Roundup highlights connectors for rail applications from leading suppliers. Connectors for Rail Applications Smiths Interconnect’s REP series multipole, sealed, plastic connectors, provide a quick and secure connection of embedded equipment across a wide range of applications for rail, such as sensors, brakes, lighting, air conditioning,…
Battery Connectors Product Roundup
Battery Connectors Product Roundup
This week’s Product Roundup highlights battery connectors from leading suppliers. Battery Connectors Globetech’s Butt Contact high-current probe energizes electronic devices simply by pressing the coil spring to have contact with the inspection module in the manufacturing of automobile parts, power semi-conductor modules, and other electronic devices. The canted…
Meeting the Connectivity Challenges of AAM & eVTOL
Meeting the Connectivity Challenges of AAM & eVTOL
AAM and eVTOL designs are being developed and executed quickly. In this start-up environment, suppliers must maneuver quickly to provide solutions. AAM and eVTOL (advanced air mobility and electric vertical takeoff and landing) designs are being developed and executed quickly, yet the strict requirements for safety, reliability, ruggedness,…
Harsh Environments No Longer Derail Reliability of Railroad Crossings
Harsh Environments No Longer Derail Reliability of Railroad Crossings
New connector technologies help make rail crossings safer, easier to maintain, and more resistant to weather and other environmental challenges. From Boston to Los Angeles and all around the world, drivers experience the frustration of waiting at a railroad crossing for a train to pass. While watching the…
2022 Top 10 Connector Manufacturers
2022 Top 10 Connector Manufacturers
The top 10 connector manufacturers collectively achieved $43.185 billion in recorded shipments sales in 2021, an increase of +19.3% from 2020 shipments of $36.211 billion. Every year, Bishop & Associates takes a comprehensive look at the connector industry in all its complexity, evaluating the activities of more than…
Connectors Designed for Commercial Vehicles Product Roundup
Connectors Designed for Commercial Vehicles Product Roundup
This week’s Product Roundup highlights connectors for commercial vehicles from leading suppliers. Connectors Designed for Commercial Vehicles Lumberg’s Series 72 press-fit connectors are a robust, highly configurable, and space-saving interconnect solution for trucks and commercial vehicles. These modes often move through rough surroundings and have diesel engines that…
Smart, Rugged Connectors for the New Age of Agriculture Technologies
Smart, Rugged Connectors for the New Age of Agriculture Technologies
A new age of high-tech farming is changing the way our food is produced. Pest control using drones, embedded sensors that monitor soil conditions, and LED-lit indoor vertical farms all depend on rugged connectors for agricultural equipment. Out of sheer frustration, many farmers are turning to new agricultural…
High-Speed Implement BUS for Heavy Equipment
High-Speed Implement BUS for Heavy Equipment
Heavy equipment doesn’t work alone. As agricultural and industrial machinery becomes part of connected networks with command centers and other equipment units, system architectures are incorporating CAN and ISOBUS to meet the growing data networking requirements. Controller Area Network (CAN) systems have been used in heavy equipment and…
Hybrid Connectors for Heavy-Duty Transportation
Hybrid Connectors for Heavy-Duty Transportation
Hybrid connectors reduce the number of connectors and cables needed for advanced agricultural machinery and other heavy equipment. A single modern hybrid connector can do the work of two, four, six, or even more traditional connectors. Today’s transportation, agricultural, and construction vehicles come feature-rich with computers, GPS systems,…
Connectors Used in Agriculture Applications Product Roundup
Connectors Used in Agriculture Applications Product Roundup
This week’s Product Roundup highlights connectors used in agriculture applications from leading suppliers. Connectors Used in Agriculture Applications The Buccaneer 4000 Series supplied by Allied Electronics & Automation has been developed to provide excellent sealing characteristics (IP66, IP68, and IP69K) to ensure true environmental protection in harsh conditions,…
What are Inline Splice Connectors?
What are Inline Splice Connectors?
Meet the Connector. Inline Splice Connectors  Inline splice connectors are used to connect two physical cables or to split an existing cable into two separate entities while maintaining signal continuity between them. Inline splices are designed to provide a quick and efficient solution to customer wiring requirements.  Single…
Onboard Technologies Chart Plain Sailing for Autonomous Shipping
Onboard Technologies Chart Plain Sailing for Autonomous Shipping
Onboard technologies, including networks of instruments and high-tech navigation equipment, have prepared boats and ships for the next step: autonomous operation. A proven history of semi-autonomous operation using networked instruments means that the maritime industry is well prepared for the next autonomous phase. Companies like Garmin supply chart…
Passenger Information Systems Keep Rail Riders Informed
Passenger Information Systems Keep Rail Riders Informed
Passenger Information Systems technologies that deliver timely and accurate travel information help make commuter rail networks efficient and user-friendly. Reliable and rugged interconnects are an essential link in the network. Passenger Information Systems In today’s sophisticated rail networks, timeliness is designed into the tightly controlled system. That means…
Power Connectors Used in Transportation Applications Product Roundup
Power Connectors Used in Transportation Applications Product Roundup
This week’s Product Roundup highlights power connectors for transportation applications from leading suppliers. Power Connectors Used in Transportation Applications Amphenol Sine AT Series connectors supplied by Allied Electronics & Automation are a high-performance, cost-effective solution for use in transportation and other applications. They contain superior environmental seals and seal…
Cold Weather Connectivity
Cold Weather Connectivity
For special installations like the Winter Olympics, as well as applications such as vehicles and devices that routinely operate in cold climates, electronics must be ruggedized against low temperatures. The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics showcased human endurance in the most extreme cold conditions as athletes performed on ice,…
Route Vehicles: Designing for High Voltages and High Temperatures
Route Vehicles: Designing for High Voltages and High Temperatures
Route or fleet vehicles operate near continuously under harsh environment conditions. As electrification expands in this market, it’s critical that connectors can endure the influence of high voltages as well as the rigors of the road. Commercial vehicles operate in uncontrolled environments, subject to heat, moisture, vibration, and…
Battery Connectors for Transportation Applications Product Roundup
Battery Connectors for Transportation Applications Product Roundup
This week’s Product Roundup highlights battery connectors for transportation from leading suppliers. Battery Connectors for Transportation Applications Amphenol ICC offers reliable and robust custom IP67/IP68 connector solutions for e-bikes and swappable battery stations. The Dual Beam contact design for receptacle contacts aids in establishing a reliable electric connection. These…
What are ARINC 600 Connectors?
What are ARINC 600 Connectors?
What are ARINC 600 Rack and Panel Connectors? Meet the Connector: ARINC 600 Rack and Panel Connectors ARINC 600 connectors are a standardized rack and panel connector used primarily for avionics applications. This modular packaging standard provides mechanical, electrical, and environmental interfaces between line-replaceable units (LRUs) and racks…
Lidar Systems Give Vision to Vehicles
Lidar Systems Give Vision to Vehicles
Every lidar application requires connectivity. Choosing the right connectors starts with understanding the environment that the technology will operate in. Lidar technology has grown into a highly competitive and rapidly evolving industry. Its use in vehicle applications has enabled systems like ADAS, autonomous transportation systems, and  diverse applications…
Four Key Features to Consider When Choosing Connectors for Vehicles
Four Key Features to Consider When Choosing Connectors for Vehicles
As transportation technologies evolve, the connectors that have served the industry well for decades are being joined by a new generation of small, lightweight, versatile, and powerful interconnects.  Many connectors for vehicles that designers and manufacturers rely on have been on the market for decades. Modern cars, light…
Interactive Design Module Simplifies Customization for Board-to-Board Connectors
Interactive Design Module Simplifies Customization for Board-to-Board Connectors
Online configuration tools are changing the way we specify connectors. 3D modules help designers create the right product for their application. Board-to-board connectors are designed to connect two PCBs with precisely controlled spacing in between. For example, when customizing a pin header, numerous parameters must be considered, such…
Connected Technologies Help Advance Forest Management
Connected Technologies Help Advance Forest Management
From seed to harvest, a range of digitalized heavy equipment and small electronic technologies are changing the way forests are managed. [caption id="attachment_35041" align="aligncenter" width="601"] John Deere’s small-size H423 harvester head and the large-size H425 and H425HD attachments are used to cut and bunch small trees.[/caption] Around 15 billion…
Connector Housings Provide Crucial Component Integrity
Connector Housings Provide Crucial Component Integrity
Also known as shells, backshells, blocks, or bodies, these sub-components are much more than just a simple piece of metal or plastic. Housings are the metal or plastic portions that encompass the raw connector. They may also be referred to as shells, backshells, blocks, or bodies. But let’s…
How to Maximize UL Voltage Ratings in Electrical Devices Intended for Mobile Equipment
How to Maximize UL Voltage Ratings in Electrical Devices Intended for Mobile Equipment
Battery packs and other attachments used with mobile applications must demonstrate UL certification that coincides with that of the main equipment body. [caption id="attachment_35049" align="aligncenter" width="599"] Enabling components, like the connector on the left, must match the UL-rated voltage for the devices they are designed into, like the…
Rail Connectivity Trends
Rail Connectivity Trends
Despite setbacks related to the pandemic, passenger and cargo rail expansion is continuing around the globe. We examine key trends that are advancing this critical transportation mode and influencing connectors used for rail. The transportation sector took major hits in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted public activities…
Interconnect Solutions Drive the Evolution of Rail Mobility
Interconnect Solutions Drive the Evolution of Rail Mobility
Core rail interconnect innovations have supported transportation industry goals to provide faster, safer, and more comfortable services. By Chiara Pieri, Marcom Manager, Tom Kannally, Product Specialist – Connectors, Riadh Gazdallah, Commercial Connectors Product Manager, Smiths Interconnect The need and desire for faster, safer, and more comfortable rail services…
Maximize UL Voltage Ratings in Power and Control Systems for Mobile Equipment
Maximize UL Voltage Ratings in Power and Control Systems for Mobile Equipment
Rail and other connected mobile systems depend on control devices that meet specific UL guidelines. Coordinating components can maximize actual achievable voltage levels. Power and control devices for mobility applications are designed with specific application voltage ratings in mind. The components used to electrically connect these devices to…
Circular Connector Coupling Mechanisms for Extreme Environments
Circular Connector Coupling Mechanisms for Extreme Environments
The classic circular connector design is available with a wide range of materials, coupling mechanisms, and protection levels to reliably serve applications that operate in harsh environments.  Power, signal, and high-speed data are essential to the nervous system of modern electronics, and secure interconnect coupling mechanisms are critical…
Wire-to-Board Connectors Product Roundup
Wire-to-Board Connectors Product Roundup
This week’s Product Roundup highlights wire-to-board connectors from leading suppliers. Wire-to-Board Connectors Allied Electronics & Automation supplies Molex KK connector systems. The KK connectors are customizable for a variety of power and signal applications. Available in industry-standard 2.54, 3.96, and 5.08 mm pitch sizes, this single-row, wire-to-board, and…
Connector Sales Soar as Post-Pandemic Production Rebounds
Connector Sales Soar as Post-Pandemic Production Rebounds
Bishop & Associates predicts continuing high demand for connectivity products as OEMs ramp up to meet connector demand in every market. Despite the incredible challenges of 2020, demand for connectors remained strong across markets. In fact, after the shutdown period of the spring, most companies managed to regain…
A Booming Market for Construction Equipment Includes Smarter Machines
A Booming Market for Construction Equipment Includes Smarter Machines
Heavy-duty machinery is essential for a range of energy, infrastructure, and development projects. Today, construction equipment is including more smart technologies and the interconnect solutions in these powerful machines need to facilitate high-level connectivity under rugged conditions. A period of massive construction and redevelopment is about to transform…
Heavy-Duty Connectors for Off-Highway Applications
Heavy-Duty Connectors for Off-Highway Applications
Off-highway vehicles require heavy-duty connectors that can handle demanding power requirements, withstand the elements, and stay connected through the jostling and vibrations that this rugged category of vehicles experiences in the field. Off-highway vehicles used for construction, agriculture, mining, or other demanding applications require connectors that differ significantly…
M12 and M8 Connectors: The Perfect Choice for Industry’s Harsh Environments
M12 and M8 Connectors: The Perfect Choice for Industry’s Harsh Environments
M12s and M8s deliver even in the most disruptive conditions. These workhorse connectors are available with extensive options that serve many different industrial environments.  Challenging Conditions  Today, electronic connections and communications are needed in harsh environments at sea, in space, and in various conditions on Earth. These activities…
Off-Highway Equipment Connectors Product Roundup
Off-Highway Equipment Connectors Product Roundup
This week’s Product Roundup highlights off-highway equipment connectors from leading suppliers. Off-Highway Equipment Connectors Phoenix Contact’s new DT-to-M12 adapters make it quick and easy to adapt harness applications for connected systems in heavy-duty industrial, agricultural, and off-highway equipment without any splicing. These splice-free DT adapters reduce labor requirements…
When is a Custom Connector the Best Option?
When is a Custom Connector the Best Option?
With millions of connector products ready for order from trusted suppliers and distributors, designers should be able to find a suitable solution for their project. But sometimes, they can’t. That’s when customization comes in. A quick search of any major distributor’s inventory turns up millions of connector products.…
Top 12 Technology Trends: The Evolution of Proprietary to Open Source Connectors
Top 12 Technology Trends: The Evolution of Proprietary to Open Source Connectors
Sometimes a custom connector design will remain a limited-use product. Other times, it may become a popular proprietary connector. In some instances, the evolution continues and the connector experiences widespread use as a commercial or open-source product. This is the eighth installment in the Technology Trends series by…
Sealed Connectors Protect Against the Hazards of the Transportation Industry
Sealed Connectors Protect Against the Hazards of the Transportation Industry
When it comes to sealing, not all connectors are created equal. Sealed connectors destined for use in transportation equipment must be rugged and protected in order to provide reliable performance. A variety of sealing strategies ensure smoother travels. The world of transportation represents a combination of some of…
Terminal Blocks for Heavy Duty Applications
Terminal Blocks for Heavy Duty Applications
Terminal blocks are a simple, inexpensive, and useful type of connector. They are a good choice for simple circuits and have a long history of use in transportation and industrial equipment. Terminal blocks or terminal connectors are a simple, useful, cost-effective, and often crucial component in transportation applications.…
Connectivity Solutions for Marine Environment Electronics
Connectivity Solutions for Marine Environment Electronics
This week’s Product Roundup highlights connectors and cable assemblies for marine environment electronics. Connectivity Solutions for Marine Environment Electronics Allied Electronics & Automation supplies Amphenol Sine Systems’ eco|mate Aquarius waterproof connectors, which provide a range of flexible and economical solutions designed to reduce system complexity and minimize installation…
Connector Basics: 3 Types Of Electrical Connectors
Connector Basics: 3 Types Of Electrical Connectors
Do you know your connector basics? In this excerpt from the new book, “Electrical Connectors: Design, Manufacture, Test, and Selection,” two professors share fundamental knowledge about the principles of interconnect technology. By Michael Pecht and San Kyeong electrical connectors An electronic system is a hierarchical interconnection network that…
E-Mobility Expands in Recreational Vehicles
E-Mobility Expands in Recreational Vehicles
Electric drivetrains are moving into more off-road categories of recreational vehicles. Snowmobiles, personal watercraft, ATVs, and other powersport vehicles are actively adopting connectivity solutions used in motorcycle, e-bike, and automotive designs. Although the development of electric drivetrains for cars, trucks, and mass transit is well underway, two-stroke-engine powersport…
New Technologies Force Heavy Equipment OEMs to Rethink Connector Solutions
New Technologies Force Heavy Equipment OEMs to Rethink Connector Solutions
As new technologies are introduced in transportation, agriculture, and heavy equipment markets, traditional connector choices are being challenged. Are M8 and M12 connectors still the right choice? By Mike Schreiner, DC Solutions Engineering and Market Development Manager, Phoenix Contact USA Should heavy equipment OEMs try to wedge traditional…
Magnetic Connectors: The Latest in Hybrid Connectivity for e-Mobility Applications
Magnetic Connectors: The Latest in Hybrid Connectivity for e-Mobility Applications
Hybrid magnetic connectors provide the same power and signal capabilities as traditional connectors in a robust, self-aligning, zero-force, self-mating interface designed to address the needs of various e-mobility applications. Hybrid magnetic connectors with self-locating designs offer an innovative alternative to standard mechanical coupling connectors for powering and light…
Autonomous Tractors Take the Farmer Out of the Fields
Autonomous Tractors Take the Farmer Out of the Fields
New partially and fully autonomous tractors and agricultural equipment leverage the evolution of connected automotive technologies to bring e-mobility to the farm. As engineers race to fulfill OEMs’ desire to be amongst the first to have driverless cars hit the highway, the advanced electronics contributing to these innovations…
M12 and M8 Connectors: The Perfect Choice for Harsh Environments
M12 and M8 Connectors: The Perfect Choice for Harsh Environments
Water, dust, and mud present challenging conditions for vehicle and equipment electronics in transportation, agriculture, and other off-road and outdoor operating environments.  Modern industrial operations that feature outdoor installations and equipment depend on resilient and reliable electronic connections to facilitate communications between equipment and operators in harsh environments.…
5G Wireless Networks and Connected Cars Advance Interconnect Technology
5G Wireless Networks and Connected Cars Advance Interconnect Technology
New connector families have evolved to meet increasing bandwidth and connectivity needs as the rollout of 5G and the era of advanced vehicle technologies approaches. Wireless 5G and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies may eventually affect almost everything we do. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has prevented the mobile…
Eight Steps to Determine the Right Rugged Connectors for Your Harsh-Environment Application
Eight Steps to Determine the Right Rugged Connectors for Your Harsh-Environment Application
Designing for harsh-environment connectivity elicits a number of challenges. This guide will help you ask the right questions to determine the proper rugged connectors for your demanding application. Rugged connectors are built for harsh-environment conditions. Both the internal and external components of rugged connectors are made to withstand…
High-Tech e-Bikes Become the Perfect Alternative to Public Transportation
High-Tech e-Bikes Become the Perfect Alternative to Public Transportation
Innovations from the electric vehicle world, like refined battery systems, sensor-rich technologies, and data gathering capabilities, have helped electric bicycle sales boom in 2020. Electric bicycle manufacturers expected 2020 to be a subdued year, as tariffs pushed up prices on their products. Instead, it has turned out to…
Four Key Trends Guide the Future of Transportation Technologies
Four Key Trends Guide the Future of Transportation Technologies
TTI predicts that safety, automation, connectivity, and electrification will increase demand in electronic content across all modes of transportation. If the connector industry has a crystal ball, it’s probably housed somewhere in the offices of TTI. TTI monitors signals from its family of components distributors and semiconductor companies,…
Designing Durable Connectors for Commercial Trucks
Designing Durable Connectors for Commercial Trucks
Heavy-duty trucks log long miles on rough roads in all conditions to bring essential goods and materials to businesses and consumers. The connectors these vehicles depend on must be exceptionally reliable and rugged. Even when the rest of the world shuts down, commercial transport vehicles keep on trucking.…
Three Trends Point to the Convergence of Industrial Components for Transportation Systems
Three Trends Point to the Convergence of Industrial Components for Transportation Systems
Electrification, automation, and connectivity across systems and command centers are changing the types of connectors that are used in many transportation vehicles.  By Aditya Sharma, Business Development Manager, North America, PEI-Genesis transportation Rapid innovation in the heavy transportation market is driving demand for an array of new product-…
How Key Trends in the Transportation Market Will Impact Electronics Growth
How Key Trends in the Transportation Market Will Impact Electronics Growth
Safety, efficiency, and environmental impact are three key trends driving the selection of electronic components and systems deployed in new transportation industry applications. The non-automotive transportation market includes most vehicles and forms of transportation, except for passenger cars, light trucks, and vans. Each of these forms of transportation…
Quality Connectors Boost Rail Industry Dependability
Quality Connectors Boost Rail Industry Dependability
As modern train systems integrate passenger comforts, supply chain visibility, and smart infrastructure connectivity, quality components become more critical. Increasing demand for connected technologies in rail networks extends from new trains and signaling systems to updates for existing equipment, including high-speed connectivity for rail operators and passengers, real-time…
Plastic and Metal Connectors for Harsh-Environment Applications: A Pros and Cons Selection Guide
Plastic and Metal Connectors for Harsh-Environment Applications: A Pros and Cons Selection Guide
Metal connectors can endure the very roughest conditions. Plastic connectors offer exceptional resistance against moisture. Each material has advantages and disadvantages that make it important to select the right one for your harsh environment application. Anyone in search of a rugged connector for a harsh-environment application will be…
Strategic Acquisitions Continued in the Connector Industry in 2019
Strategic Acquisitions Continued in the Connector Industry in 2019
Connector-adjacent technologies were the key focus of many 2019 acquisitions as companies expanded to a whole-ecosystem approach. Once again, Amphenol led the industry in acquisitions, completing more acquisitions than any other company in the connector, cable, or cable assembly field in 2019. Amphenol has acquired more than 60…
High-Speed Connectivity Accelerates the Development of Intelligent Transportation Systems
High-Speed Connectivity Accelerates the Development of Intelligent Transportation Systems
As 5G networks are activated, connected and automated vehicle systems will evolve from emerging technologies into widespread intelligent transportation systems (ITS) that guide the multimodal transport of goods, people, and transportation-related information. The transportation sector is poised to see profound changes as 5G continues its rollout. The fifth…
Connectors Fly High on Commercial Aircraft
Connectors Fly High on Commercial Aircraft
Thousands of new commercial aircraft are currently in production. They will contain lightweight, powerful, high-speed electronics systems that will enable connectivity on a level the skies have never seen. Commercial aircraft come in many shapes and sizes, from small executive jets to large, long-haul, wide-body planes that carry…
Short- and Long-Haul Trucking: Driving Towards an Emissions-Free Future
Short- and Long-Haul Trucking: Driving Towards an Emissions-Free Future
Trucking is getting greener as sensor-based technologies make diesel engines more efficient and lithium-ion batteries and hydrogen fuel cells offer an alternative to petroleum. Trucking is vital to the way we live. Long-haul trucks carry what’s needed to where it’s needed quickly and affordably, and short-haul trucks trek…
Five Ways the Industrial Internet of Things is Making Rail Better
Five Ways the Industrial Internet of Things is Making Rail Better
Connected technologies are making cargo and passenger rail transport more efficient, transparent, and secure. Dramatic changes are occurring in rail travel and transport as connected technologies come into use for scheduling, tracking and monitoring, autonomous systems, safety and performance systems, and passenger amenities. Examples around the world show…
Increased In-Flight Connectivity Drives Demand for Lightweight Connector Products
Increased In-Flight Connectivity Drives Demand for Lightweight Connector Products
Air travelers and crew increasingly rely on in-flight connectivity. An expanding array of advanced products and design strategies gives airlines options for how to deliver both in-flight entertainment and critical communications.t connectivity Over the five-year period spanning 2018 to 2023, in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems are projected to grow…
The Differences Between MIL-DTL-38999 Series I, II, and III Connectors
The Differences Between MIL-DTL-38999 Series I, II, and III Connectors
These circular connectors were originally designed to meet requirements for cable-to-panel applications in the military and aerospace market. Now they are used across a wide range of industries that benefit from their high-performance qualities. By Air Electro, Inc. The engineers and procurement professionals in both the civil and…
2019 Paris Air Show: The Future of Aircraft is Electric and Connected
2019 Paris Air Show: The Future of Aircraft is Electric and Connected
The 2019 Paris Air Show heralded the next era of aircraft evolution as electronics take a leading role in navigation, control, power management, and comfort. Humanity has reached new highs in air travel. As you read this, about 10,000 planes are circling the planet, with 5,000 over the…
Proper Cable Protection Supports Secure Connections in Rail Industry Applications
Proper Cable Protection Supports Secure Connections in Rail Industry Applications
Rail industry electronics must perform under extremely harsh conditions. A rigorous set of tests and standards helps protect connectors and cables and the power and data they deliver to modern rail transport applications ranging from engines and alternators to passenger Wi-Fi. In rail industry electronics, the loss of…
Electric Motorcycles Rev Up International Interest
Electric Motorcycles Rev Up International Interest
As electric car technology advances, personal transportation modes are adopting those electronics systems and innovating their own unique wiring and charging strategies. We look at the progress made and what lies ahead for the e-motorcycle market. In spring 2019, Japanese motorcycle manufacturers Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha announced…
How to Specify Rail-Industry Ethernet Networks: Five Key Considerations and Why Connectors Are Critical
How to Specify Rail-Industry Ethernet Networks: Five Key Considerations and Why Connectors Are Critical
Data demands are exceeding what legacy technology can handle. See why more train manufacturers and system integrators are moving towards rail-industry Ethernet. The rail industry’s accelerating demand for higher bandwidth requirements has outpaced what the existing Train Communication Network (TCN) standard for data communication can provide. Designed for…
Heavy-Duty Connectors for Heavy-Duty Trucks
Heavy-Duty Connectors for Heavy-Duty Trucks
Businesses are buying more heavy-duty trucks to accommodate changing consumption patterns and interconnect suppliers are designing hardier and more functional heavy-duty connectors to help these trucks endure the rigors of the road. Heavy-Duty Connectors Help Trucks Withstand the Rigors of the Road Our consumption patterns have changed. Instead…
Connector Solutions for HEV/EV Charging Systems
Connector Solutions for HEV/EV Charging Systems
HEV/EV charging system technology presents some of the most dynamic engineering challenges in the current global market. The ongoing quest for greater vehicle range and shorter battery recharging times present exciting challenges to companies in the field. Connector Solutions for HEV/EV Charging Systems, by ODU USA The hybrid…
The Frustration of Archaic Traffic Control Systems
The Frustration of Archaic Traffic Control Systems
Emerging traffic management equipment represents a bright new market for advanced sensors and many types of related connectors. I like to consider myself reasonably adjusted to the challenges of living in the 21st century, except one: We continue to labor under the dictates of traffic control systems technology…
Ethernet Cable for the Internet of Things
Ethernet Cable for the Internet of Things
Ethernet is the leading network protocol in LAN applications. Today, it’s gaining ground in transportation, automotive, and industrial applications, thanks to new cabling strategies. In the early 1980s, at the start of the Ethernet era, coaxial cabling dominated and cheap yellow Ethernet cable became ubiquitous. In the 1990s,…
Industrial Wireless Enhances the Rail Experience
Industrial Wireless Enhances the Rail Experience
As rail operators encourage more people to consider public transportation, new connectivity technology is enhancing the customer experience.   From personal internet access via smartphones to instant onboard entertainment options to up-to-date travel information, passenger demands on public transportation continue to increase. These offerings are no longer luxuries;…
New Season, New Car for Formula E Racing
New Season, New Car for Formula E Racing
The new Gen2 Formula E race car shows off the rapid speed of technological advancement in electric vehicles. The fifth season of Formula E racing is off to a bold start with a dazzling new vehicle. The Gen2 car made its debut on December 15, 2018, at the…
Designers Innovate in Response to Global Interest in e-Bikes
Designers Innovate in Response to Global Interest in e-Bikes
The phrase “to soft pedal” may have to be reviewed as e-bikes experience encouraging growth. Connector developers are helping e-bike designers make these next-gen two-wheelers lightweight, rugged, and reliable. By Caroline Hayes e-bike In 2015, singer Katie Meluha told us that there were nine million bicycles in Beijing,…
Connectors and Cable Assemblies for Cabin Interior and IFE Applications
Connectors and Cable Assemblies for Cabin Interior and IFE Applications
This week’s Product Roundup highlights connectors and cable assemblies for cabin interior and in-flight entertainment (IFE) applications. ITT Cannon’s OctoGig™ 10Gb Ethernet (GbE) interconnect solution for commercial aviation, military aircraft, and marine applications, including in-flight entertainment, navigation, radar, surveillance, imaging, and sensing systems, is smaller, lighter, and easier…
Transportation Connectors Go the Extra Mile
Transportation Connectors Go the Extra Mile
A roundtable discussion with ITT Cannon, TE Connectivity, and AVX Interconnect about connectors and cabling in cross-market, automotive, off-highway and agricultural vehicle, rail, and commercial aviation markets. We talk to three of the connector companies that are innovating components for the transportation market. They share insights on what’s…
High-Reliability Automotive Connector and Cabling Products
High-Reliability Automotive Connector and Cabling Products
This week’s Product Roundup highlights leading high-reliability connector and cabling solutions for critical automotive applications, including advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). AVX’s 53-8702 Series IDC/Press-Fit WTB connectors combine the two most reliable contact technologies in the automotive industry in a single package that delivers robust, double-ended, cold-welded, and…
Golf Carts Drive Towards Autonomy
Golf Carts Drive Towards Autonomy
Driverless golf carts and neighborhood electric vehicles may become mainstream well before autonomous cars become common. By Terry Costlow Golf cart suppliers have beat the auto industry in the race to electric power. Now they’re striving to make big inroads into the autonomous vehicle field. The challenges and…
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