During the ’60s and ’70s, the early mainframe computers and Telcom switches used complex dense wire-wrap technology. High-circuit-count copper backplanes and midplanes often relied on wire-wrap point-to-point, or pin-to-pin layouts. This involved lots of hook-up wire and singular micro-coax for the clock circuits. The wire-wrap pin backplane connectors at that time typically had round-wired edge […]
Basics
Four types of connectors for robots and drones
Many power and signal connectors are used in robot and drone sub-systems, such as sensors, motion, high-speed wired and wireless communications, and more. As industry 4.0 continues to unfold, more robots and more types of robots are being found in factories, warehouses, and other facilities to increase quality and efficiencies and reduce costs. Robots and […]
Six key considerations when selecting and integrating GHz connectors into 5G applications
Connectors are essential components in radio frequency (RF) systems, especially in high-frequency applications like Gigahertz (GHz) 5G devices. Designers have a broad range of connectors to choose from, but there are a few key parameters to consider when narrowing down the choices. Six keys to selecting and integrating GHz connectors include physical size, frequency range […]
What’s the status of EV charging connector standards?
Connectors for electric vehicle (EV) charging are both standardized and changing. On one level, EV charging connectors are standardized based on today’s technology limitations. There are standards in major regional markets, including North America, Japan, the European Union, and China. But current charging technologies are power limited. This FAQ begins with a review of EV […]
A complete guide to modular connectors
First developed in the 1960s and becoming more publicly available in the early 1970s, modular connectors were born out of necessity to provide a more simple, “modular” interconnection system for phone systems, data networks, and low-speed serial connections. During that same timeframe, the FCC developed a registration system for modular connectors, known as Registered Jacks […]
Where are wire-to-board connectors used?
By Frances Richards Wire-to-board connectors are used to connect a wire or group of discrete wires to a printed circuit board (PCB). These connectors serve as an efficient and cost-effective method for delivering power and signals to PCBs in automotive, industrial, lighting, and communication products. Commercial electronic equipment and household appliances often use wire-to-board connectors […]
Getting one wire to do more, Part 4 – headphone wire as antenna
Using one wire in two very different roles is widely done, requiring some simple circuity and basic components. Using a headphone wire as an FM antenna The earliest portable AM/FM portable radios used two antennas: an internal long wire wound on a ferrite core for the lower-frequency AM band (550-1600 kHz), and a “whip” antenna […]
Simple double-duty: How to get one wire to do more, Part 1: The rationale
Using one wire in two very different roles is widely done, requiring some simple circuity and basic components. It makes a lot of sense to use an individual single copper cable and its connection between two points to do more than it initially intended, especially if that additional function is aligned with the primary function […]
How accelerator IO interface connectors and cables offer more options
Accelerator I/O connectors and cables provide secure, electrical contact and transmission for high-speed data. These devices typically make up one of the largest unit percentages of data-center equipment in terms of use and assembly. This is particularly true compared to top-of-rack (TOR) switching fabric network interface cables, such as Ethernet or InfiniBand. TOR switching is […]
Liquid crystal polymers get an upgrade for high-speed signals
RF and high-speed digital signals have brought on the development of new liquid crystal polymer materials used in connectors, PCBs, and other interconnects. Liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) are experiencing a surge in demand resulting from high-speed communications technologies, particularly fine-pitch components such as high-frequency connectors, board-to-board connectors, and low-pass insulation supporters, or dipoles on active […]
