According to the Drones Industry Insights Report 2020, the worldwide drone industry is predicted to increase at a 13.8% CAGR to $42.8 billion by 2025. Advancements in sensor technology are fueling innovation in the drone industry. In addition, increased embedded Ethernet speeds (2.5 Gbps, 5 Gbps, and 10 Gbps) enable faster throughput for the multitude of sensors found in drones.
However, for this technology to work, new innovations must be compact and light because extra weight on a drone reduces the payload size and flying time. There is a huge need for SWaP-optimized network hardware without sacrificing data rates. This is where solutions from Samtec and BotBlox can help.
BotBlox 1” GigaBit Ethernet Switch
BotBlox designs and manufactures the world’s most compact networking hardware for drones and robots. One of BotBlox’s products is the GigaBlox Nano which is the most compact solution for Gigabit ethernet currently available. The GigaBlox Nano platform provides 4x GbE ports in a miniature 26 mm x 26 mm footprint.
Another benefit of the platform is its modularity. The 4 ports are placed onto a stackable header that allows direct integration of GigaBlox Nano into any daughterboard design. GigaBlox Nano users can design simple breakout boards with full connector flexibility.
Samtec Razor Beam™ Fine Pitch Self-Mating Connectors
A number of Samtec interconnects combine density and high-mating cycles ideal for modular, field-installable designs. Samtec’s 0.50 mm Razor Beam High-Speed Hermaphroditic Strips is a good example. The LSHM series featured on GigaBlox Nano saves PCB real estate and supports high data rates.
Razor Beam headers benefit GigaBlox Nano in many ways. The LSHM series connectors are compact and rugged with a strong mating forces ideal for high vibration environments like drones. The hermaphroditic connectors are self-mating and simplify the system BOM. This is no small feat given the global supply chain challenges. Cost-effectiveness and optional shielding provide additional benefits.
For More Information
With Drone technology becoming increasingly more popular, the need for compact, lightweight, and rugged solutions are on the rise. The Samtec Razor Beam is a cost-effective, compact, rugged, high-speed, and high-density solution ideal for many drone applications.
For more information on BotBlox’s solutions, please visit https://botblox.io/.
For more information on Samtecs Razor Beam, please visit https://www.samtec.com/razorbeam.
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