Modern digital technology has transformed the face of the broadcast and television industry. From the way the images are captured to the delivery of content to consumers, the world of TV broadcast has undergone a dramatic shift in the last quarter century. Television producers and filmmakers no longer rely on physical film stock or magnetic tape to store images. Modern computer technology allows huge amounts of video information to be stored easily and recalled quickly.  Except for a … [Read more...]

We have been talking about renewable energy recently, and we have been looking in some detail into the subject of charging infrastructure for the latest electric vehicles. The rise of the electric vehicle seems unstoppable but there might be another, even more useful, alternative. This is the power of hydrogen as a fuel source. The search for an alternative to fossil fuels is one of our biggest challenges. The effects of our fossil-fuel economy on the environment have been clearly … [Read more...]

As I write this article, Europe is recovering from its latest heatwave. Here in the UK, we saw record-breaking temperatures of 40°C or 104°F, sparking fears of rails buckling in the heat or road surfaces melting. What does this have to do with electronics? Thermal management and temperature derating have always been something that designers have had to plan for to keep their products safe. Temperature and power are closely linked, especially when it comes to connectors. The … [Read more...]

As consumers, we have come to expect an unprecedented level of reliability from our technology. Whether it is our smartphone or our family car, we have grown to expect that devices will work the first time, every time they are used. That modern devices deliver this remarkable reliability is a testament not only to the capabilities of modern electronics but also to the intensive testing regime of any product that is carried out before it is released. These testing plans rely on sensitive … [Read more...]

Data is the raw material of the future. The advent of the Internet of Things has transformed many activities in the modern world, from growing the food we eat to the way our healthcare is provided. Enabled by the increased capabilities of modern processors and the speed of the latest communication, data will become just as important as steel and energy. The Internet of Things is allowing machines to share information with each other for the first time. In just one example, machines in the … [Read more...]

The Internet of Things is bringing with it new requirements for safety and security.  Using the IoT, operators can benefit from complex and distributed installations. In addition, autonomous systems are becoming increasingly important in the functioning of modern industry. From manufacturing to agriculture, these remote operations need instrumentation to provide constant monitoring to provide safety and security.  These systems must communicate quickly and accurately, allowing operators … [Read more...]

It is easy for many of us to take connectivity for granted.  With Bluetooth, WiFi, and the latest 5G wireless technology, we are having to use fewer connectors in everyday life.  Coaxial or Radio Frequency (RF) connectors are not as common now as they were a generation ago, and yet with the demand for high-speed wireless communications growing relentlessly, the world of precision RF connectors is evolving rapidly.  With demand growing for higher frequencies and greater data … [Read more...]

Modern vehicles, whether family cars or heavy transportation, are growing in sophistication. Manufacturers are constantly developing new technologies for safety and convenience, from regenerative braking to the very latest head-up displays. With the huge growth in the demand for electric vehicles and the prospect of autonomous cars closer than ever, the architecture of electronic systems within cars is under pressure. Electronic Control Units For many years, manufacturers introduced … [Read more...]