5G, electric cars, autonomous driving, Internet of things... These new concept products and applications are permeating every aspect of our lives. In order to verify whether the scheme can meet the design requirements at the design stage, or whether it can work normally in the use of the product, test and measurement equipment is essential. Moreover, the requirements for testing and measuring equipment are also developing with the progress of technology.

In summary, the following characteristics are increasingly important for today's test and measurement equipment:

1. High accuracy: Higher accuracy means more accurate data, which is critical in the data-fueled intelligent age.

2, high speed: data processing and transmission rates continue to climb, will naturally require the "speed" of test and measurement equipment to keep up with the pace of technological progress.

3, reliability: in the automotive, industrial, aerospace and other use of complex environment, or more sensitive to the reliability of test and measurement applications, test and measurement equipment must be strong enough to withstand the test.

4, miniaturization: from heavy fixed equipment to more flexible mobile, handheld and other small equipment, such a trend is also happening in the field of test and measurement.

5. Scalability: The equipment should not only cope with the current test and measurement requirements, but also have the ability to cope with the future platform upgrade and technology iteration, which requires the equipment to have good scalability.

6. Interoperability: In a test and measurement system composed of multiple devices, devices need to be easily interconnected and compatible with each other to facilitate data interaction and sharing.

The impact of these new changes on the test and measurement equipment will inevitably be transmitted to the upstream components and put forward new requirements for them. Connectors, for example, have to evolve new features and functions to meet the requirements of today's test and measurement equipment.

The evolution of connectors for test measurement equipment has several obvious features:

1, higher interconnection performance: the signal connector will pursue higher data transmission rate; And the power connector will be in the current, pressure ability and so on more advanced. And as performance improves, it also brings new challenges, such as signal integrity when data transmission rates exceed a certain level.

2, more reliable work: in the tolerance of mechanical external force, resistance to thermal impact, avoid EMI interference, prevent impurities invasion and other aspects, will require the connector in the material, structural design, electromagnetic shielding, waterproof and dustproof design to consider more comprehensive.

3, higher connection density: on the basis of not affecting the interconnection performance, as far as possible to reduce the connector pin spacing, shell width and stack height, in order to maximize the connection density in unit space.

4, richer product portfolio: based on a product platform, the formation of a complete and segmented product series, is a common strategy of connector manufacturers, on the one hand, it can quickly adapt to the growing range of applications, on the other hand, it is also conducive to help users smooth transition and upgrade to the new generation of products.


These changes in the testing and measurement field of connectors, in better meet the new requirements of new applications, but also inevitably bring problems to connector selection: on the one hand, the increase in demand, developers need to comprehensively consider a product from more dimensions, the load of selection work will increase; On the other hand, the increasing complexity of equipment has led to an increase in the number of types and types of connectors, and different industries and application scenarios have different requirements for interconnection solutions -- the combination of these two challenges makes the selection of test and measurement connectors a "laborious" task.


The good news is that in order to help users effectively address this challenge, competent connector vendors are often combining marketable connector products into a complete solution. In this way, we in the connector selection, the field of vision will be more focused, practical operation will be more convenient.

For example, TE ConnecTIvity (hereinafter referred to as TE) has selected five categories of connector products including line-to-board, board-to-board, input/output (I/O), power supply and video (RF), packaged into a "family bucket", which is obviously a good solution to the dilemma of having no way to start the complicated "menu".

Let's take a look at what's in TE's "Family bucket".

Wire-to-board connector

TE's flexible film connector product line -- including FFC, FPC and strip connectors -- offers flexible, compact solutions for connecting cables and circuit boards in test and measurement equipment.

Board-to-board connector

Board-to-board connectors facilitate high-density signal connections between two PCBS. TE's board-level interconnection solution can provide higher performance in extremely demanding applications to meet the design and application requirements of high performance, high speed, high reliability and miniaturization of test and measurement equipment.

I/O connector

TE's broad range of I/O interconnect products, from high-speed, high-density I/O pluggable connectors to traditional D-Sub and modular socket connectors, can meet the needs of different markets, from high-speed data transmission to durable industrial communications, allowing you to cope with the challenges of data rate and spatial size.

Power connector

TE power connectors ensure reliable power connections through optimized contact design and can offer A wide product portfolio from 5A to 1,000A, providing efficient power supply and distribution solutions for equipment.

RF connector

TE's RF connectors are unique in the industry, providing a standard and custom product portfolio for wireless applications in the test and measurement field.


In short, more and more innovative applications require the empowerment of advanced test and measurement solutions. Connectors are important components in test and measurement equipment, and correct selection is very important to ensure the performance and function of test and measurement. TE's comprehensive product portfolio and total solution for test and measurement can provide an efficient solution to this challenge.