Connector Imperatives to Support Next Generation Electronic Equipment

Bishop and Associates has just released a new eight-Chapter research report analyzing Connector Imperatives to Support Next Generation Electronic Equipment. This new report identifies emerging electrical, mechanical and economic attributes of connectors anticipated by the electronic system design community as well as provide examples of new products connector suppliers have released or are developing in order to address these emerging needs. The report is focused on three industry segments that are experiencing the most rapid and dramatic changes, and represent some of the most fertile markets for innovation in connector technology (Computers, Telecom and Automotive). Statistics are presented showing historical and forecast connector shipments for the years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2011.

The key objectives of this new report are to identify specific attributes of electronic connectors as reported by the connector using community, and to compare them with new development work as well as recently released connectors from the connector manufacturing industry. Product extensions of existing features as well as new capabilities are reviewed.

Some Of The Issues Explored In This Report

• Are connectors currently available on the market today capable of providing performance adequate to support systems for the foreseeable future?
• What new connector attributes or features will be required that may not exist today? When must these be in place? Will customers be willing to pay for these features?
• How has advanced transceiver chip technology enabled connectors to extend their design bandwidth?
• What role will emerging industry standards organizations and special interest groups play in influencing connector design, development and implementation in the future?
• Which electronic products or market segments are driving the need for higher connector performance? Why?
• What is the timetable required for new enhanced feature connectors to meet volume production requirements?
• What are the U.S. domestic, European, and Asian connector market values today and forecasts for connectors in the computer, telecom and automotive markets?
• Will new connector technologies being developed by small independent companies be able to influence system design using non-traditional interfaces or system packaging schemes?
• What are the greatest connector challenges now being faced by next generation system design engineers? What new products or technologies are connector users identifying as being critical to the successful development of their new systems?
• What new interconnect technologies now in the concept or development stage; have the potential to change traditional connector paradigms?
• Will contract manufacturers take over an increasing responsibility for actual system design? How will the use of EMS / ODMs in the manufacturing design process influence the migration of new interconnect technology into new systems? How will that change the OEM/connector vendor relationship?
• Is the plated through hole in a PCB reaching a high-speed performance limit? Will surface mounted connectors or some other technology become the high-speed PCB interface of choice?
• How must power connectors evolve in order to address the growing thermal management issue? What new products have been introduced to address these needs?
• Is the process by which new connectors are developed and introduced changing? How, why?
• How has the lead-free and other environmental initiatives influenced connector design, performance, and cost?
• Will new materials and manufacturing processes developed from nanotechnology play a significant role in next generation connector designs?
• How are connector manufacturers marketing their new interfaces given the movement of design engineering to offshore locations? How is technical support being provided on a global 24/7 basis?
• Is the connector-using community ready to make major paradigm shifts regarding interconnect technology and architecture?
• Which connector suppliers are perceived as leading the industry in new interconnect technology?
• How will connector companies protect their intellectual property as the manufacturing and design migration to offshore locations increases?
• How are leading connector companies responding to customer demand for a viable second source on all critical interconnects?
• How will the expansion of wireless technology influence the use of traditional copper connectors?