Board-to-board (BTB) connectors provide electrical connectivity and mechanical stability across stacked, parallel, or orthogonal printed circuit board (PCB) configurations. Reliable connector engagement requires managing cumulative tolerances from PCB fabrication, component placement, solder reflow, and thermal cycling. Without effective alignment strategies, tolerance stack-up can prevent proper mating, stress solder joints, and degrade signal integrity. This tutorial […]
How 800 V+ architectures impact EV connector and contactor requirements
Electric vehicle (EV) architectures operating at 800 V and above deliver measurable efficiency gains by reducing current for a given power level. Because resistive losses scale with the square of current, lower current reduces conduction losses across cables, busbars, and switching components. At the same time, higher bus voltage shifts design constraints across the entire […]
How to select circular connector locking mechanisms
Circular connector locking mechanisms secure mated connections against vibration, shock, and accidental disconnection. Engineers select threaded, bayonet, push-pull, and breakaway mechanisms based on retention force, mating cycles, and application requirements. This article compares their operating principles and performance tradeoffs to guide connector selection. Operating principles of circular connector coupling mechanisms Threaded couplings use a coupling […]
How adhesives and sealants impact EV connector reliability and service life
Electric vehicle (EV) connectors must operate reliably despite intense vibration, thermal cycling, moisture exposure, and elevated temperatures. Adhesives and sealants applied to connector housings, cable entries, and termination points significantly improve sealing performance, vibration resistance, and mechanical stability. These materials can also introduce long-term failure modes driven by thermal expansion mismatch, chemical aging, and environmental […]
Derating connector current ratings for real-world PCB power designs
Many datasheet connector current ratings are based on test conditions that rarely reflect real-world printed circuit board (PCB) power designs. These values typically represent performance in free air at controlled ambient temperatures, with optimal copper distribution and without the thermal constraints imposed by dense board layouts, enclosures, or altitude. Engineers who apply these ratings directly […]
What connectors and interconnects are used in pacemakers and ICDs?
Pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are small, battery-powered devices implanted under the skin to manage abnormal heart rhythms. Pacemakers deliver low-energy electrical impulses to treat bradycardia, while ICDs monitor life-threatening arrhythmias and deliver controlled, high-energy shocks. Despite their functional differences, both devices rely on specialized connectors and interconnects to ensure safe, long-term performance. This […]
What are the different types of wearable military connectors?
Many soldier-worn systems integrate advanced sensors and communications technologies into uniforms, helmets, and tactical vests. These technologies rely on rugged, lightweight connectors to link disparate systems, deliver power safely, and ensure reliable data transmission on the battlefield. This article explores the evolution of soldier-worn military technologies and the role of wearable connectors in enabling seamless […]
What is the role of interconnects in continuous glucose monitors (CGMs)?
Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) rely on precision electronic components — including specialized connectors and interconnects — to ensure accurate sensing, signal integrity, and reliable data transmission. This article reviews the core functionality of CGMs and highlights the key role of interconnects in these critical medical devices. It also explores how miniaturization drives next-generation CGM design, […]
What type of interconnects and connectors link accelerator cards in AI data centers?
Many data centers are packed with racks of high-performance graphics processing units (GPUs) and tensor processing units (TPUs). These accelerators process massive artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) datasets, executing complex operations in parallel and exchanging data at high speed. This article explores the interconnects and connectors that link AI accelerator clusters together. Scaling […]
What types of connectors are used in medical devices?
Medical devices of all sizes and types rely on connectors to ensure safe and reliable power delivery, data transmission, and fluid management. Many of these medical-grade connectors are rated for biocompatibility (ISO 10993), environmental sealing (IEC 60529), and electromagnetic interference (EMI) resistance (IEC 60601-1-2). This article highlights various medical connectors, such as implantable devices, card-edge […]
