The human brain is very good at understanding the world around us. An everyday example can be found when driving a car. An experienced driver will be able to judge how large their car is, and how close they can approach an obstacle. The driver does not need to think about or analyze the situation. Instead, they simply respond instinctively. Other examples can be found in sports. Baseball players regularly hit a ball that is less than 3 inches across, traveling towards them at nearly … [Read more...]
Video Games Taught Me Skills
I am a child of the 80s. I grew up when the idea of home computing was very new. My first experience of any kind of computer was an Apple II that my Dad brought home from work. It was the only computer his company possessed, and every few weeks he would need to create a report that took nearly all weekend. I would wait patiently for Dad to finish because that’s when he would let me load the 5 ¼" floppy disc into the machine and play Galaxians. I loved that game. As … [Read more...]
Engineers, Assemble!
There are many historical innovations that are the product of adversity, and the current situation is an extreme example. While it is not the first time that humanity has faced a truly global challenge like the COVID-19 pandemic, this time the world is connected by technology in a completely unprecedented way. The response has been incredible. Within hours of the true scale of the current emergency becoming apparent, engineers around the world had started to collaborate, innovate … [Read more...]
The Fine Art of Contact Plating
In the first article of this series, we looked at how contacts are formed. This time, we'll investigate the next step in the manufacturing process - plating. Have you ever looked closely at an electrical contact? Contacts may be small and hard to see, but they are the most important component in any connector. With their intricate design and shiny gold plating, they have as much in common with fine art as they do with electronic components. But connector manufacturers do not invest huge … [Read more...]
Samtec Expands Harrisburg Design Center
At Samtec, we are always looking to expand our Signal Integrity capabilities. From downloadable 3D models to 24 hour EE support, our resources and focus on SI rapidly continue to grow. Therefore, in order to fill this increased demand, we have relocated and expanded our Signal Integrity Design Center in Mechanicsburg, PA a suburb of Harrisburg, PA. Selected for its centralized location in what is known as the "Connector Capital of the World", this new office will allow for … [Read more...]
DesignCon 2017
With over 20 years of experience and success, DesignCon 2017 is the largest tradeshow for chip, board, and system designers in the country. From design theory to crosstalk, DesignCon features any and all PCB-design related topics offering more than 100 sessions over 14 information tracks. In addition, over 185 leaders in the electronics industry will have exhibitions on the latest advances on signal integrity and board layout. Other major topics include: Integration of photonic and … [Read more...]