Whether you are a general consumer, professional electronics user or a datacenter support technician/engineer, the appearance and handling of connectors and cables has been and can still be a sometimes bewildering or even gnarly experience. There are many factors to consider. Let’s take a backward, current and near future look at the evolution of I/O […]
What are MPO connectors?
MPO—Multi-fiber Push On—is a type of optical connector that has been the primary multiple fiber connector for high-speed telecom and data communications networks. It has been standardized within the IEC 61754-7 and TIA 604-5. This connector and cabling system first supported telecommunications systems especially in the Central and Branch offices. Later it became the primary […]
What developments are impacting Extoll IO connectors and cables?
The current 10Gbps per lane Extoll IO interface system uses high-speed interconnects based on SAMTEC’s HD16 connectors and cable assemblies. This 12 lane connector system was chosen because it is smaller and lighter than the CXP 12 lane InfiniBand connector as has increased port density on the front plate of a network switch. This IO […]
What is going on with SAS storage connectors and cable assemblies?
SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) storage systems I/O interface and its data transmission rate and interconnect types are expanding again. SCSITA, the SCSI Trade Association, has been marketing, driving and supporting the next generation SAS 4.0 running at 24Gbps per lane. The Industry standards group INCITS-T10 is working with www.SFFcommittee.org on developing a new higher-speed […]
Why are backplane 24-56G cables replacing many PCBA types?
The advent of digital signaling higher frequencies and data rates at 24G SAS, 25G Ethernet, 26G InfinBand and 28G FibreChannel have caused the need to evaluate and develop alternative media types versus traditional FR4 PCB substrates which can no longer provide acceptable transmission performance. The exponential cost of newer improved dielectric PCB substrates, from 5x […]
What’s new in infrastructure CAT-5 and CAT-8 balanced pair connectors?
CAT-5e or Category 5 enhanced, a second generation CAT-5 infrastructure interconnect using non-shielded RJ-45 jack and plug connectors, has been a dominant 1 GbE port high volume market for several years. However its usage for LAN is past its peak as many more 10 GbE ports requiring CAT-6a or CAT-7a connectors are being shipped and […]
