The USB Promoter Group recently announced the November release of the USB4 Version 2.0 specification, a significant update to enable up to 80 Gbps of data performance over the USB Type-C cable and connector. The USB Type-C and USB Power Delivery (USB PD) specifications will also be updated to enable this higher level of data […]
Will internal IO copper cables for data centers become standardized?
Data-center passive DAC external cables have been standardized and interoperable for decades. However, the mating, inside-the-box cables have yet to be fully standardized. In general, inside-the-box IO interface interconnections have been a competitive value point for those OEMs and suppliers that offer quality options. Providing reliable connectors and twin-axial cables configured in an ideal layout […]
New developments in 212+G per-lane data-center connectors and cables
Several deep-packet inspection chips and test instrumentation applications are using next-generation speed-rate IO application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chips. These chips combine several circuits in one and are customized for a particular use. This is different than what the current server and switch markets are typically using. These developers are experienced with the 200+ per lane […]
How QSFP-DD and OSFP Loopback modules are supporting multiple IO interfaces
IO Loopbacks connect digital data streams to their source without purposeful processing or modification. This serves as a diagnostic test for a device and other nodes in the network infrastructure. The return signal is compared with the transmitted signal. For several generations of electronic equipment, using a short cable assembly, molded very-high-density cable interconnect (VHDCI), […]
Driving standards: The latest liquid-cooling cables and connectors for data centers
Passive and active direct liquid cooling for modules and chassis immersion implementations are becoming more commonly used to cool high-wattage devices — such as graphics processing units (GPUs) and switch application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). This seems to be driving an expanding fluid connector and cable market with higher-volume units as applications now include hyperscaler and […]
The evolution of woven fiber optic circuit boards and connectors
During the ’60s and ’70s, the early mainframe computers and Telcom switches used complex dense wire-wrap technology. High-circuit-count copper backplanes and midplanes often relied on wire-wrap point-to-point, or pin-to-pin layouts. This involved lots of hook-up wire and singular micro-coax for the clock circuits. The wire-wrap pin backplane connectors at that time typically had round-wired edge […]
Wire and fiber optic geometries offer high-speed cable transmission options
The latest high-speed transmission cables are benefitting from the use of optic-fiber and copper wire options, which are offering unique form factors and customizable solutions. Typically, data-transmission copper wire and optical-fiber conductors are round or cylindrical. The addition of silver plating on the copper conductor facilitates the high-frequency electrical transmission path. Fiber conductors are foundry […]
How the digital-interface standards for cables and connectors are changing
CoaXPress (CXP) is a popular, digital-interface standard developed for high-speed transmission of data, videos, and still images. This interface was introduced in 2008 and has been used in industrial automation for years, with advanced machine vision and robotics applications following suit. It has been driven by reliability and simplicity, which includes its cables and connectors. […]
How system fabric I/O interface cables and connectors are evolving
Newer fabric network input/output (I/O) cables and connectors support higher speeds, reduce latency, and support the latest interfaces — including the IEEE-802.3df Ethernet 200G per-lane specification project and modified versions, such as the RoCE and iWARP Ethernet. Other new cable and connector developments are working to include standard InfiniBand XDR 200G and modified versions, such […]
How HDD and controller connectors and internal cables are evolving
NVMe Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) are a new storage system product family currently going through development and validation. It’s expected that some of these products will be released in 2023 or 2024. HDDs store memory on a spinning disk and are slower than solid-state drives (SSDs). So, why new HDDs? The new devices are said […]
