Bench Talk

Join journalist Tommy Cummings for a weekly look at all things interesting, new, and noteworthy for design engineers.

The momentum behind the development of smarter, data-driven vehicles can’t be stopped. The genie can't be put back in the bottle. Vehicles are requiring more connectors to collect and transmit data, and the ever-expanding EV industry is adding to the need for advanced electronics.

This growth also means design engineers have opportunities to develop devices and test product solutions that give smart vehicles their sensing abilities on the road. Backup cameras kicked off this development, and the technology is expanding.

Today, an array of cameras, sensors, and antennas are integrated into vehicle systems to handle and manage the firehose of data transmissions that are required. This means a dramatic increase in the number of devices that collect and transmit within vehicles, which drives the need for higher bandwidth requirements and higher density, radio-frequency interconnect technology.

The connectors are ideal for automotive applications such as autonomous vehicles, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and 360-degree, surround-view cameras. They’re also applicable for global positioning system (GPS) navigation, 3D instrument clusters, high-bandwidth infotainment, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2X) communications, and remote start and vehicle controls.

In this week's New Tech Tuesdays, we’ll look at Amphenol RF AUTOMATE^® Type A Mini-FAKRA Connectors and their applications in new automotive design.

The increased integration of connectors and other devices within an EV means size matters, and Amphenol RF AUTOMATE^® Type A Mini-FAKRA Connectors offer the space-saving solution. These connectors reduce installation space requirements up to 80 percent (compared with previous FAKRA products) while supporting 20Gbps data transmission.

Designers will appreciate the color-coded housings that provide visual guidance during the push-on mating assembly process. The connectors are also mechanically keyed to prevent mismating. Once securely connected, the connectors provide audible confirmation, and an optional terminal position assurance (TPA) secondary latch can ensure proper contact position and restrict cable movement to increase reliability.

AUTOMATE Type A connectors are available in right angle PCB and cable-mount configurations and are fully compatible with existing mini-FAKRA connectors. Designers will be pleased to know that custom cable assemblies and IP-rated sealed solutions are available by request.

To learn more about specifications, visit the Mini-FAKRA connector microsite at Mouser.com.

Look into the latest vehicles and you’ll typically see a video console to monitor data coming from all the collection and transmission points, effectively a hub for Internet of Things devices within a vehicle. To further the point, raise the hood of today’s EVs and you’re not going to see the traditional engine block with carburetors, batteries, and hoses. Instead, you’ll see a series of modules with connectors that process the data coming in through cameras, sensors, and antennas. To keep up with smart vehicle development, design engineers will need easy-to-assemble, space-saving solutions, and AUTOMATE Mini-FAKRA connectors are a part of that solution.