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Table of Contents Departments News Analyst says lack of U.S. funding sending R&D overseas In its most recent Telecommunications Market Review and Forecast, the Telecommunications Industry Association of the United States (TIA; www.tiaonline.org) commented that U.S. government funding for communications research is on a steady decline. FireWire group aiming for in-vehicle multimedia networks The 1394 Trade Association (www.1394ta.org), which supports and enhances technology based on the IEEE’s 1394 FireWire specifications, recently formed a task group to complete the IDB-1394 copper specifications for use of copper in 1394-based vehicle entertainment networks. Connector platform promises 20-Gbit support Amphenol TCS (www.amphenol.com) says its recently introduced XCede connector platform is designed to enable future data rate requirements-including and beyond 20 Gbits/sec-for datacom, telecom, storage, and wireless equipment. Electro-optical assembly designed for 10x reach in data centers Billed as the first fully integrated cable product for connecting enterprise data centers and high-performance computer clusters, Zarlink Semiconductor’s (www.zarlink.com) ZLynx fiber-optic cables with integrated electrical-optical-electrical (EOE) assemblies are designed to drive interconnect reach in the data center 10× further than copper while eliminating weight, interference and flexibility concerns as the data center expands. Newsmakers News briefs Servomotor technology promises space savings New servomotor interconnect system technology from ITT Electronic Components (www.ittcannon.com) is designed to replace two traditional circular connectors for a wide range of servomotor sizes, and can provide design engineers with a space-saving and flexible motor connector. Editor's View Harnessing the opportunity In this issue, you will find the premier of our newest section, Wire & Harness Specifier, on pages 19 and 20. Wire & Harness Specifier Next-generation software for cable-test system CAMI Research has released a major software upgrade for the CableEye cable and wire harness tester. High-voltage wire harness analyzer tests up to 20,000 points Cirris Systems Corporation recently announced the easy-wire CH2 high-voltage wiring harness/backplane tester. High-density connector housing A new 0.165-inch/4.2-mm pitched large-scale, high-density, connector housing from General Electronic Materials Technology plays a heavy-duty role in high-current, rigidized wire-harness applications (such as automobile industries) where low engagement force couple-decouple with high durability is necessary. Disposable parts for adhesives in med, electronic assemblies Dispensing-system provider I&J Fisnar recently issued ‘best practices’ information concerning the use of disposable parts used for dispensing adhesives commonly used in medical and electronic assemblies. Products New Products WHAT’S NEW CONNECTORS COAXIAL CONNECTORS FIBEROPTIC CONNECTORS CABLING & CONNECTOR SUPPORT MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT & TOOLS Features Taking the mystery out of cabling specs While the technical requirements of TIA and ISO standards are similar for various grades of cabling, knowing the terminology details is key to understanding connectivity performance. Next-gen direct attach technology hinges on ribbonized configuration Advanced joining techniques combine best of common methods to target high-speed, high-performance cable assemblies. RoHS enforcement a non-issue, but…China initiative looms large With no major wrist-slaps coming out of Europe, attention shifts to the soon-to-awaken giant.

This Issue Volume 23 Issue 2 May 2007 Subscribe View Past Issues

Wiring Harness

Communications Connectivity

Standards

Materials and Distribution

Design and Test

Connector Applications

Business