In a previous blog, I wrote about Electrostatic Discharge (ESD), and why it needs to be controlled in an electronic system. Since connectors are passive devices, there really isn't much that can be affected by ESD on the connector system; however, this does not mean that Samtec doesn't have measures in place to prevent it and test connectors against it. While Relative Humidity can help mask a gap in your ESD program, it does not control ESD. Ionization, however, in conjunction with other … [Read more...]
Keysight Quickens Samtec 112 Gbps PAM4 Test and Development Time
Quicken design cycles. Shorter test times. Faster time to market. System architects, product designers and testing engineers have no doubt heard these mantras with every new project they start. Maybe they have had nightmares about these phrases as well! In any case, shorter design and test times and faster time to market are necessary in today's uber-competitive world. Samtec's product development team lives and breathes these mantras everyday. Thankfully, partners like Keysight help … [Read more...]
Providing the Highway for the Information Superhighway
The name “information superhighway” was familiar at the beginning of the internet age. At the time that the internet was introduced, the most common communication used a point-to-point system. A user would dial the telephone number of the recipient, and all communications took place between one and the other. The electrical connection between the two was a series of wires travelling via telephone exchanges, connected for the purpose of that call, and broken once it … [Read more...]
Understanding NRZ and PAM4 Signaling
As a mechanical engineer (ME), I honestly never figured that I would need to know much more than your typical V=IR (Ohm's Law), and if I were even more honest, I would say my intention was to completely forget it after my electrical engineering (EE) class of the master's program. In fact my professor, Dr. Kamel, even stated "Here is this equation you don't care about, and will soon forget..." Boy was she incorrect in my case. As fate, or perhaps my employer, should have it; Ohm's law would … [Read more...]
Selecting the Right Connector, Part 1
Thomas Edison, circa 1910 Inventing the light bulb, phonograph, motion picture technologies, film, the mimeograph, and holding a record 1,093 patents is impressive. But, I bet Thomas Edison never had the truly difficult job of selecting the right connector system for his printed circuit boards (PCB), nor did he have to work with process or quality engineers to make sure said connector systems were designed-for-manufacturability. That's where Phil Eckert comes in. Phil is Samtec’s Customer … [Read more...]
Avnet XRF16™ Features Samtec Interconnect for 5G Applications
The roll-out of 5G continues despite COVID-19. 5G system development moves on for any number of applications. These include Test and Measurement, Remote Radio Heads (RRHs) and Active Antenna Systems (AAS), Network Equipment and more. The demand for data means design engineers need to quicken time to market. Modular system design provides peace of mind and commonalities from development to production for design-intensive 5G applications. Avnet XRF16™ RFSoC System-on-Module The … [Read more...]
Challenges Of Aligning Multiple Connector Sets
Increased density, shrinking footprints, higher data rates, and thermal management are but a few of the challenges affecting the design and fabrication of printed circuit boards (PCBs) in today’s electronic systems. And did I mention cost? An important, although sometimes overlooked consideration, is these increasingly sophisticated PCBs often require more complex connector systems. Most of the aforementioned design factors also affect connector design and performance, including smaller … [Read more...]
Samtec Launches gEEk® spEEk Webinar Series
Given the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, it appears the WFH “trend” may become permanent. Indirectly, or maybe directly, the present situation has provided us with yet another way to engage with design engineers and SI experts globally. At home, video streaming is growing exponentially. Professionally, webinars abound on many topics. So, without further ado . . . Samtec is pleased to launch gEEk® spEEk! What is gEEk® spEEk? DesignCon attendees typically look forward every year to … [Read more...]
Take a Little Time
Now more than ever it is important that we take the time to do something we enjoy. It is also the perfect time to catch up with some of the engineers who are doing fascinating work on the internet. And so, to help you spend some time, I am going to take a look at a few blogs, podcasts and videos that you might have missed. Grant Imahara Let's start with someone you might have seen before. Grant Imahara is a well-known engineer and technology presenter whose career serves as an … [Read more...]
The Digital Thread
The development of 3D modelling has revolutionized mechanical computer-aided design (MCAD). It has enabled engineers to develop new products quickly, in collaboration with colleagues around the world, and respond rapidly to changing demands. We have already looked at some of the advantages that 3D design brings to engineers. However, the mechanical aspect of any design is only part of the process. The creation of any device represents the blending of different … [Read more...]
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