Tyco Electronics Signs Licensing Agreements
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Tyco Electronics Corp. has completed a licensing agreement that grants FCI Electronics rights to manufacture its SpeedPac I/O connector line. Both companies agree that FCI will be a fully compatible, intermateable second-source manufacturer. The SpeedPac I/O connector is a mechanical and electrical interface with the high-speed capability of 2.5 to 5.0 Gbps. The system consists of a paddle guard attached to a PCB plug-in card and a low-insertion force PCB connector. The modular design gives the flexibility to incorporate high-speed signal lines with low-speed signal and power contacts.
Tyco Electronics has also completed a licensing agreement that allows Molex Inc. to manufacture its AMP HSSDC2 connector line. The connector has been selected by the InfiniBand Trade Association for inclusion in the 1.0 specification. The connector has also been voted into the next revision of the National Committee on Information Technology's (NCIT's) T-11 Fibre Channel physical layer specification. The connector consists of a high-speed cable, die-cast plug with an internal, impedance-controlled, high-speed PCB.
The InfiniBand Trade Assocication Electrical Working Group has selected the SpeedPac I/O connector as the interconnect for next-generation InfiniBand backplane applications. The group has also selected the HSSDC2 connector as the 1X connector for next-generation InfiniBand I/O applications. The connectors will be used in a number of InfiniBand applications, including server I/O chassis, InfiniBand switches, and Target Channel Adapters connecting InfiniBand products to Fibre Channel and SCSI storage arrays.
Fiber Optic Connector Forecast
SAN MATEO, Calif. — According to a study by ElectroniCast Corp., the global fiber optic communication connector/mechanical splice consumption is being driven by an increase in bandwidth demand beyond the limits of copper. "Technological advances in fiber optics are assuring the migration of fiber closer and closer to the end user. This translates into demand for shorter links where connectors represent a substantial share of the total installation cost," said Saba Hailu, a senior analyst with the company. "The cost concerns are being addressed with the introduction of smaller, lower cost and easier to install connectors. Multifiber connector (more than two fibers) use, still relatively small, will be the choice for high-fiber-density interconnect applications," said Hailu.
The global fiber optic connector and mechanical splice consumption in 1999 was $716.5 million. The consumption value will increase at an annual growth rate of 18.9 percent per year over the next five years to $1.7 billion in 2004, with strongly rising quantity growth partially offset by declining average prices.
North America led in global consumption with 51 percent or $367.7 million in 1999. North American consumption will decrease to 48 percent by 2004 (see Figure 1). North American connector consumption will be driven by the proliferation of relatively shorter links used in private data and local loop networks. European connector consumption, 25 percent by 2004, will be led by the European Union member states as they transition to open competition in delivery of broadband services to business, as well as residential customers. Domestic consumption includes imported connectors (not embedded in equipment or higher level assembly when shipped), as well as connectors produced in domestic facilities for end use by that country or used in equipment/components produced for domestic consumption or export.
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Global singlemode connector use will grow from $396.3 million in 1999 to $966.8 or 57 percent share by 2004. The consumption of singlemode connectors is dominated by telecommunications networks. Private LAN/WAN use of singlemode connectors will be expanding fast as data rates go beyond 1,000 Mbps and as distances between nodes also increase.
3M to Acquire Robinson Nugent
AUSTIN, Texas and NEW ALBANY, Ind. — 3M and Robinson Nugent Inc. have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which 3M will acquire Robinson Nugent. The transaction has been approved by the board of directors of both companies and is expected to close late this year or in early 2001. Upon completion of the merger, Robinson Nugent will become a wholly owned subsidiary of 3M, and will be merged into 3M's Interconnect Solutions Div., which was formed in February 2000 to focus on electronic interconnect solutions.
John K. Woodworth, general manager of 3M Interconnect Solutions Div., said, "Robinson Nugent is an innovative company with talented people and fast-growing, quality products. This acquisition broadens our product base by giving us higher speed copper interconnects, complements our customer relationships and fits into our strategy to expand further into the telecommunications sector."
Teradyne Signs Molex as Second Source
NASHUA, N.H. — Teradyne Inc. and Molex Inc. have signed a second-source licensing agreement under which Teradyne grants Molex the right to manufacture, market and sell its High-Speed-Differential (HSD) version of the VHDM interconnect. In 1998, Molex and Teradyne signed a licensing agreement for the standard single-ended VHDM connector family.
Under terms of the agreement, Molex is licensed to make and sell HSD VHDM interconnects worldwide. Molex expects to begin production of HSD-8 and HSD-5 connectors in 2001.
VHDM is a metric-grid, pin-and-socket connector that combines integral stripline shielding to achieve a balance between high, usable signal pin density and high-speed signal integrity. HSD connectors arrange the signal pins into pairs to enhance speed and bandwidth. The 8-row HSD connector features three pairs of signal contacts and two ground pins; the 5-row HSD provides two pairs of signal contacts and one ground. HSD-8 and HSD-5, both covered in this agreement, are capable of data rates of 2.5 Gbps and greater.
Wire Processing Line a Success at ATExpo
ROSEMONT, Ill. — The Wiring Harness Manufacturers Association (WHMA) provided a 30 X 100', fully functional wire processing assembly line at this year's Assembly Technology Expo, Sept. 26-28, 2000. The manufacturing cell shrunk a 42,000 sq. ft. cutting, stripping, terminating, housing, harnessing, testing and labeling operation down to 3,000 sq. ft. of convention hall space.
"Our intent was to provide OEMs with a first-hand look at the manufacturing process while giving our members a chance to showcase their companies' technical capabilities and equipment," said Andy Larsen, executive director of the WHMA. Based on feedback, Larsen goes on to say that the WHMA plans on having two wire processing assembly lines at the expo next year.
Companies that volunteered their supplies and equipment to the line include: Tyco Electronics Corp., Anixter Inc. (Skokie, Ill.), Cirris Systems Corp. (Salt Lake City), Daniels Mfg. Corp. (Orlando, Fla.), Hellerman Tyton (Milwaukee), Komax Corp. (Buffalo Grove, Ill.) and Schleuniger Inc. (Manchester, N.H.).
Clarification
In the June/July 2000 issue of Connector Specifier, in the article, "COTS Fiber Optic Environments for Harsh Environments," by Dennis Horwitz, p. 16-19, some inaccurate statements were made regarding Packard Hughes Interconnect products. The M28876 fiber optic connector is available in sizes addressing applications for two fibers up to and including 31 fibers, and not four to 31 fibers. The connector is also singlemode-capable. It has been qualified for Navy shipboard applications and is qualified for multimode and singlemode MIL-Spec applications.
NEWS BRIEFS
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Manufacturers' Services Names President
CONCORD, Mass. — Manufacturers' Services Ltd. announced that Sam Landol has been appointed its first president of Americas Operations. As president, Landol will direct the company's sales and manufacturing operations throughout North America and play a role in the company's expansion into key markets in Latin America.
OnQ Technology Appoints Vice President
AUSTIN, Texas — onQ Technology has appointed William A. Flaherty to the position of vice president, Sales and Marketing. Flaherty spent over 20 years at Raychem Corp. onQ provides component packaging services for the backend semiconductor and electronics industries.
Solectron Names Presidents
MILPITAS, Calif. — Solectron Corp. has appointed long-time IBM Corp. execu-tive George W. Moore as its corporate vice president and president of Solectron Americas. As president, Moore is responsible for manufacturing operations in the company's North and South America regions. Solectron has also appointed Alejandro Gomez-Montoy as president of Solectron Latin America. Most recently, Gomez-Montoy was the vice president and president of Solectron Mexico.
Flextronics Forms New Unit and Announces Acquisition
SINGAPORE — Flextronics International Ltd. has formed the Flextronics Enclosures business unit to provide design, manufacturing, integration and deployment services. Ross Manire was appointed president of the new unit. The unit allows Flextronics to provide all components of a complete system to its customer base; offer integrated solutions, including the enclosure, power system, thermal- management system, backplanes, cable assemblies, drives and process cards; and perform low- and high-volume operations for small to large form-factor systems. Also, Flextronics has signed an agreement for a merger with JIT Holdings, a worldwide CM with manufacturing operations in Singapore, Malaysia, China, Hungary and Indonesia.
Newark Electronics Announces Appointments
CHICAGO — Newark Electronics, part of global Premier Farnell plc, has appointed Donald Klink as vice president and CFO. Klink oversees all finance activities for the company, and he brings 18 years' experience in finance management and operations. Newark also announced Ian Heller as vice president, Marketing. In this new position, Heller is responsible for developing marketing strategy and other marketing functions.
Electronic Connections to Distribute Phoenix Contact
ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. — Electronic Connections Inc. (ECI) is a franchised distributor for Phoenix Contact's entire line of electronic and industrial connectors, industrial control system components and automation control software. ECI is covering Northern New Jersey and Metro New York City.
Alpha Wire Signs Agreement
ELIZABETH, N.J. — Alpha Wire Co. has named McNaughton-McKay Electric Co. as a premier distributor. The agreement is intended to drive the company's Industrial Series and Xtra-Guard High-performance Cables in the robotics and factory automation markets.
Advanced Interconnections Distributes Adapters
WEST WARWICK, R.I. — Advanced Interconnections Corp. has been named the exclusive distributor for world sales by Sunhayato Corp. (Tokyo). Advanced Interconnections is distributing Sunhayato's standard adapters for IC package conversion, test and emulation applications.
Rifocs to Distribute Europlus Products
CAMARILLO, Calif. — Rifocs Corp.'s Components Div. is a full-line distributor of Suffolk, England-based Europlus Services Ltd.'s fiber optic products. These include fiber management systems for PCBs, device mounts and other hardware.
