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 […]
Industry News
C&K Components names John Boucher CEO
C&K Components, Newton, Mass., has announced the appointment of John J. Boucher as chief executive officer. Boucher brings more than 30 years of diversified experience with leading global companies within the high-tech electronics manufacturing and services segment to C&K. Boucher most recently served as president and CEO of ModusLink and, before joining ModusLink, served as […]
What are Type C USB connectors and cables?
By Ed Cady, Contributing Editor USB 3.1 Type C is a new copper and optical cabling interconnect solution developed, released and supported by the USB-IF (Industry Forum) consortium. Type C USB connectors are getting a lot of attention because they are also being adopted by several AV standards like DisplayPort, HDMI, MHL and Thunderbolt. Talk […]
Molex acquires Interconnect Systems, Inc.
Molex, Lisle, Ill., announced today the acquisition of Interconnect Systems, Inc. (ISI) which specializes in the design and manufacture of high-density silicon packaging with advanced interconnect technologies. According to Tim Ruff, senior vice president, Molex, the acquisition enables Molex to offer a wider range of fully integrated solutions to customers worldwide. “We are excited about […]
QSFP-DD interconnect is in major development mode
By Ed Cady, Contributing Editor QSFP-DD (double density) interconnect is an 8 lane x 25 Gbps, NRZ modulation = 200 Gbps and also, 8 lane x 50 Gbps PAM4 modulation = 400 Gbps system. It is based on the widely adapted QSFP interconnection system that is especially used in datacenters and HPC centers. It has […]
TE Connectivity announces STRADA Whisper DPO configuration connectors
TE Connectivity (TE) today announced its new STRADA Whisper direct plug orthogonal (DPO) connectors, which enable designers to eliminate midplane connectivity to reduce costs and improve airflow in switches, servers, base stations and other types of communications equipment. STRADA Whisper DPO connectors are an extension of TE’s STRADA Whisper backplane connector family. Developed for high-performing, […]
Hirose opens new centrally located NA headquarters
Hirose has relocated its North American headquarters to Downers Grove, IL, a suburb of Chicago. The new centrally located headquarters aligns with Hirose’s long-term strategy to achieve sustainable growth in the North American market. The Chicago headquarters is home to a customer service and technology support center that strengthens Hirose’s capability to meet customers’ critical […]
Throwback Thursday: IP68 connectors enable watertight amphibious drones
Drones are all the rage and a day doesn’t go by when there isn’t a story in the mainstream news about them. The latest news from the FAA that it expects to see 7 million drones in the sky by 2020 simply astounded me. It also got me thinking about how the technologies I write […]
OCuLink connectors and cables support new PCIe standard
By Ed Cady, Contributing Editor OCuLink-2—Optical Copper (Cu) Link 2nd generation—is an interconnect system for inside and outside the box that supports the new PCI Express 4.0 spec running at 16 Gbps per lane. The PCI-SIG committee selected Molex’s NanoPitch connector and cable assembly system for this OCuLink spec and it is an option for […]
Fairview Microwave introduces new family of programmable attenuators
Fairview Microwave Inc. announces the release of its new digitally controlled programmable attenuators with performance up to 40 GHz and up to 60 dB attenuation range with 0.03 dB minimum step size. These programmable attenuators are commonly used in electronic warfare, military and space communication systems, radar and test and measurement applications. Fairview’s digitally controlled […]