Connector + Sensor = Excellent Development Opportunity (1)

As more and more sensors are used in the Internet of Things, and at the same time complement each other with connector applications, some companies are expanding their professional R & D teams and related research to combine these two elements.

Just like human eyes and ears, electronic sensors detect, measure, and report data on physical characteristics that enable electronic systems to perform certain functions. The application of all types of sensors is growing rapidly because they are the key link between the physical world and electronic devices that use data generated by sensors for monitoring and feedback.

Our world is full of sensors, and there are more new sensors in development and manufacturing. The smartphone has up to 14 sensors, which can realize advanced functions such as high-definition video, fingerprint recognition, biometric identification and face recognition. The automotive market is one of the largest sales and fastest-growing applications of automotive sensor connectors.

At present, all functions of automotive sensors, from quantifying the efficiency of the combustion cycle to the temperature required by the passenger compartment, are used. Dozens of sensors process signals and function transmission, and if a collision sensor is found, it will immediately trigger the airbag.

New vehicles with driving assistance functions have added more sensors, while driverless cars will require new internal and external sensors that must operate with extremely high reliability in a variety of challenging environments.

Sensors will play an increasingly important role in homes (smart homes), factories (industry 4.0), hospitals, public places, and power grids (smart cities). Some electrical connector manufacturers who are looking for new growth points have not lost the new business opportunities brought by sensors, and connectors have become an indispensable part of modern products and equipment.

The connector industry has accumulated years of steady growth and profitability, driven by new interfaces that are constantly emerging. These interfaces provide higher current, bandwidth, packaging density, and more advanced signal integrity and durability.

Many standard connectors have become commercial products with little profit margin. A series of environmental requirements promoted by the EU will enable connector manufacturers to use more expensive materials and change the manufacturing process.

The advantages of wireless interconnection will continue to affect traditional copper core cables. Connector design engineers have been able to increase the bandwidth of copper connectors by optimizing the signal path length, but we may be increasingly inclined to optical fiber alternatives, which will become a more cost-effective option. Some of these factors may eventually begin to inhibit the traditional growth of micro electrical connectors.