By Ed Cady, contributing editor MXC connectors are a new type of fiber-optical connector and cabling system initially optimized for 850nm VCSELs that is having a successful rate of deployment within 21st century data centers. The MXC connector brand was developed by US CONEC and is supplied to interconnect suppliers to produce cable assemblies. While […]
Basics
How and where are SFP connectors and cabling used?
By Ed Cady, Contributing Editor Small FormFactor Pluggable (SFP) connectors and cables are long time primary types of high-speed IO interface interconnect systems used to connect server, storage, switch, video and communication systems. Major market segment implementations include cloud datacenters, enterprise datacenters, HPC (High Performance Computing) labs, camera surveillance systems, Internet provider systems and machine […]
How does Fischer’s Core series of push-pull connectors work?
In this video from our archives, Design World’s Senior Editor Miles Budimir and I discuss Fischer Connectors’ Core series of circular push-pull connectors, which use a tough locking mechanism to keep them securely attached to the devices and cables they are connecting. The push-pull feature means these connectors are tough and cannot be accidentally disconnected. […]
Rugged self-aligning, floating board-to-board connector
Hirose has designed a board-to-board connector with a highly reliable floating contact mechanism and self-alignment structure that simplifies assembly. Providing +/- 0.6mm floating in the X and Y axis directions, the FX20 Series absorbs mounting misalignment from multiple stacking connectors as well as PCB shrinkage caused by high temperatures. Ideal for industrial and vehicle applications, […]
Where are super low profile mezzanine solutions used?
With today’s handheld and wearable devices, there is not much room left for connectors, especially in the thickness dimension. Devices in this category include the ubiquitous smartphones, as well as tablets, gaming devices, and wearables—anything that you want to be as small as possible. In devices like these, there are lots of low profile mezzanine […]
Can edge card connectors be exciting?
Most people think of edge card connectors as being the Neanderthals of the connector industry; old, primitive and crude. I disagree with that and will show you that edge card connectors have evolved rapidly and that you will find them in almost every electronic device, even the fastest ones. Edge card connectors are famous for […]
Stamped versus screw machine connector technology
The majority of connector designs use stamped and formed contacts. These are made from reels of flat stock material. Copper alloy producers combine precise amounts of copper, nickel, tin, zinc or other metals in a melt that is then cast into an ingot. The ingot then travels to a rolling mill where it is rolled […]
Miniaturized electronics pose board connector challenges
Wearable and mobile electronics are getting smaller, and that’s a big problem. Their lack of internal space makes it difficult to find electrical components that will not only fit, but also perform reliably. This difficulty can be particularly noticeable when it comes to board level connectors. You can now source high-density connectors with terminal pitches […]
ZIF socket and connectors: What are the advantages?
In my last post, I wrote about the Bendix—Amphenol Bristle Brush connectors that had mating forces of 1.5 oz per contact. (To compare, most dual beam contact designs have mating forces in the range of 5 oz per contact.) High mating forces can be a problem for many connector designs, including IO connectors that are […]
Bendix connectors keep planes flying with new bristle brush design
Some connector applications put a high priority on very low mating forces. Examples include: Connectors with very high numbers of conductors Insufficient room in a system for injector/ejector hardware Awkward position inside the box that does not permit the operator to apply a lot of force Bendix Connector Corp., now absorbed into the Amphenol Military-Aerospace […]