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 […]
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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 […]
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 […]
Would you trust your life to a 50-year old connector design?
As they say in Minnesota: “You Betcha!” In the mid-1950s, a Frenchman, Francois Bonhomme, invented a new connector to address the unique needs of the rail industry. The primary concern was maintaining stable electrical contact during the shock and vibration abuse that is routinely experienced during rail travel. The contact was sold through his company, […]
Breakthrough contact design spawned $500M+ connector company
One of the breakthrough connectors of the 20th century was the Berg PV contact. Some of you will know that Quentin Berg started Berg Electronics back in 1950. When Berg left AMP to start his own company, one of his key inventions and the basis of the company was the mini PV contact. This new […]
Industrial electrical connectors take on the Sharks
It’s not often that something on television translates to my job writing about interconnect technologies. But twice in the past week, I saw references to cables and connectors in pop culture. Most notably was a presentation on ABC’s Shark Tank, a television show in which budding inventors and entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to investment “sharks” […]
Learn how the IoT will impact connectors in our weekly Technology Tuesdays Podcast
In our first Design World Technology Tuesdays Podcasts for the month of February, I spoke with HARTING North America Inc.’s President & CEO Jon DeSouza about the impact Industry 4.0 or the Internet of Things (IoT) will have on interconnect technologies. In addition, DeSouza touches on wireless connectivity in industrial designs, and how this move […]
Electrical connector manufacturing and so much more
From my first assignment as a business reporter until now, there is nothing I value more than getting out into a factory or a company and really seeing what it makes and who is behind the scenes there. So I was happy earlier this week to make a visit to three different companies and get […]
Making connections at MD&M West
When I took on this beat covering interconnect technologies, one of the first things I did was to try to find trade shows where a large number of connector companies exhibit. I found that at MD&M West last week, where I was able to meet with several connector companies, many of whom I’ve dealt with […]
An introduction to circular connectors
The past week, I’ve seen several press releases come across my desk for circular connectors, so it got me thinking about what they are used for. I’m working on getting materials specifically about M12 circular connectors, but here’s a quick rundown on what circular connectors are used for, mostly in part from information supplied by […]