The Racetech Racing Team at TU Bergakademie Freiberg is developing and building an electric race car as part of the Formula Student student design competition. To ensure accurate temperature measurement of the high-voltage battery installed in the car, the Racetech Team uses the zero8 PCB connector to connect two circuit boards.

Power converters are undergoing a major transformation: new materials are enabling higher switching frequencies and more compact designs. These technological advances are driving progress in power converters (AC/DC and DC/DC converters) in particular—key components of modern applications such as e-mobility and renewable energy systems. As part of this development, innovative connection technologies are also gaining importance, enabling greater efficiency, miniaturization, and functionality.

SDV is transforming the vehicle electrical system: centralized, scalable, and secure—laying the foundation for autonomous driving, updates, and new driving experiences in the next generation of vehicles. This transformation is drastically changing the requirements. Board-to-board connectors must be more powerful, scalable, and centralized. They must be capable of handling ever-increasing data volumes while meeting strict requirements for safety and real-time processing.

In medical technology, microcomputers and embedded systems perform important functions, such as real-time image processing in diagnostic devices. When it comes to their reliability, precision, and safety, ept’s board-to-board connectors are a key component responsible for the mechanical and electrical connection of system modules.

In this interview, our COO Philipp Hoßfeld answers questions about the future outlook for the automotive market and the challenges facing both connector manufacturers and the automotive industry as a whole.

Industrial automation is undergoing a transformation. These developments are influencing the systems and components used. Connectors, in particular, play a crucial role as central interfaces in every automation solution. In this context, ept’s Zero8 connector family offers a future-proof, high-performance, and sustainable solution.

August 2024Rosenberger Hochfrequenztechnik GmbH & Co. KG (“Rosenberger”) and ept GmbH (“ept”) are combining their expertise to jointly develop hybrid connectors for automotive applications. By integrating the strengths of both companies, the newly developed hybrid connector system offers a wide range of benefits for OEMs and their suppliers. Additional benefits may include space savings, enhanced reliability under challenging environmental conditions, and simplified assembly processes.

Modern automotive wiring harnesses are evolving, particularly in response to the demands of e-mobility, autonomous driving, and 4K HD infotainment. Board-to-board connectors, with their specialized features, play a key role in managing this transformation by ensuring high data transfer rates with low latency. 

In medical technology, connected medtech devices equipped with an increasing number of smart sensors will dominate the landscape. Strictest regulations and the highest level of failure protection dictate the path that the products and components used must follow. Miniaturization, data transfer rates, and electromagnetic radiation are the specific requirements that board-to-board connectors must meet. For hardware developers, these are criteria that significantly shape device design.

Industrially manufactured goods are increasingly being put to the test. In addition to high quality standards and compliance with technical specifications, the environmental sustainability of all elements of the supply chain is becoming increasingly important. The market for connectors is no exception. ept GmbH has traditionally coordinated all production and delivery processes in such a way that, in addition to ensuring the highest level of quality, all conceivable criteria for sustainable corporate management are also met.

When the absolute reliability of a connector must be guaranteed over the long term even under demanding operating and environmental conditions, gold-plated contact surfaces remain the first choice. In many applications, however, performance requirements can also be met using a plating system that requires a lower gold content.

Increased electrical demands resulting from the shift toward e-mobility, autonomous driving, and infotainment systems with 4K HD resolution require new in-vehicle electrical architecture in the automotive industry. The traditional decentralized electrical architecture is reaching its limits due to its complexity and the required high-speed capabilities. ept offers the right board-to-board connectors to meet these challenges.

Battery management systems and power electronics play a key role in electric mobility, as they connect the various components within an electric vehicle. The connectors are responsible for the connection function within the inverters. They must reliably, safely, and quickly control and transmit signals, data, and high currents without loss, despite the demanding operating conditions. To do this, the connectors must meet certain requirements in terms of temperature resistance, compactness, and flexibility, as well as performance and robustness.

The electronics industry is undergoing a transformation: whether in the automotive sector, solar and wind power, or industrial automation, electrification is taking place across all sectors. However, with the steady increase in connectivity, the number of electronic failures has also risen in recent years—by as much as 29%, according to the Center for Automotive Research. Depending on the expected environmental influences, component protection for electronic components is therefore necessary. This ensures that the electronics are reliably protected—but to achieve this, users also need a connection solution that is compatible with potting compounds.

Is your single-board solution no longer sufficient? With our board-to-board connectors, you gain the freedom to expand your single-board solutions. We offer the right board-to-board connection for your specific application. The wide range of applications extends from rugged PCB connectors for hammer drills to high-speed board-to-board mezzanine connectors for high-tech computers. Our PCB-to-PCB connectors support data transfer rates ranging from 3 Gbit/s to 16+ Gbit/s, and they are available with pin counts from 12 to 440. When space precludes a direct board-to-board connection, the rugged One27 PCB connector also provides a wire-to-board option.

For use in its slot machines, adp MERKUR developed the “adp Mini-PC,” a control unit designed specifically for applications with low power requirements. The focus is on terminal solutions and products related to youth protection. The SMARC standard used allows the CPU’s performance to be scaled and thus adapted to specific requirements. 

Miniaturization, high-speed data transmission, and ruggedness: Current trends in industrial automation are placing increasing demands on sensors and camera systems, as well as on their internal components. When selecting the right connector, it is therefore important to consider various criteria depending on the specific application.

March 2022Take advantage of maximum efficiency, contact reliability, signal integrity, speed, and durability starting today. You can customize the connector design, stacking height, number of pins, and shielding to meet your specific requirements. With ScaleX double-sided contact technology, you benefit from a fully scalable connector system.

We explain how board-to-board connectors achieve durability and what factors influence a connector’s durability. This will help you prepare your PCB connectors to withstand any stress.

Free white paper on the basics of press-fit technology

Free White Paper on the Right Connectors for High-Speed Applications

Free white paper on the basics of press-fit technology