TE Connectivity, Amphenol Industrial, Attend Technology, and Hirose Launch Industrial and Automotive Connectors
Engineers designing high-speed communication, industrial machinery, and automotive electronics face growing challenges with spatial constraints, mechanical durability, and reliable electrical connections. Addressing these common requirements, four manufacturers introduced new connector systems according to All About Circuits, bringing specialized components ranging from high-speed coaxial setups to floating board-to-board configurations.
TE Connectivity Mini Fakra High-Speed Data System
TE Connectivity introduced its Mini Fakra connector system to support high-speed data transmission in automotive applications. Depending on validation and configuration, these connectors deliver RF performance reaching 9 GHz alongside data rates as high as 24 Gbps. TE designed the system for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), cameras, antenna modules, and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications. The smaller footprint allows vehicle manufacturers to integrate more smart cameras, sensors, and communications into modern vehicles.
The TE Mini Fakra system includes anti-stubbing features to reduce contact damage caused by misalignment during mating. It also features a controlled insertion force to improve assembly consistency. These connectors are compatible with established Mini Fakra interfaces and support communication protocols including GMSL2/3, FPD-Link III/IV, and APIX3.
Amphenol Industrial UPT Series 12-Pin Configuration
Amphenol Industrial expanded its UPT circular connector family with a new 12-pin configuration built for industrial machinery, factory automation, and heavy equipment. The connector uses 12 size 16 contacts rated for 13 A and supports operating voltages up to 250 V AC. These connectors carry an IP57 rating when mated, operate across temperatures from -40°C to +125°C, and support up to 500 mating cycles.
Amphenol used a lightweight plastic housing combined with a metal bayonet coupling instead of a traditional all-metal shell. This design maintains a secure connection while reducing overall weight. The bayonet coupling and crimp contacts simplify installation and maintenance on equipment that gets disconnected regularly.
Attend Technology Blade Battery Connector Series
Attend Technology rolled out 13-blade battery connector solutions spanning its 204B and 304A product lines, tailored for everything from compact rechargeable gadgets to heavy-duty industrial battery setups used in e-mobility, robotics, and portable electronics. The 304A series features a 2.5-mm pitch and 7 A/30 VDC ratings, alongside up to 4,000 mating cycles. These connectors offer vertical and right-angle mounting options for tight spatial arrangements found in portable equipment, battery docks, and compact electronics.
The 304B series handles higher power requirements with 30-A power contacts, 5-A signal contacts, and a 0 VDC rating. Designed for AGVs, robotics, drones, and e-mobility equipment, the 304B line delivers IP67-rated sealing, accommodates up to 3,000 mating cycles, and provides choices between a six-power-contact layout or a combined arrangement of four power contacts and nine signal contacts.
Hirose FX36 Floating Board-to-Board Connector Family
Hirose expanded its FunctionMAX family with the FX36, a floating board-to-board connector designed for automotive electronics subjected to high temperatures and vibration. Built with a .5-mm contact pitch, the FX36 can tolerate temperatures reaching 125°C and provides up to +.7 mm of clearance for x and y-axis misalignment. It also provides +.5 mm of effective mating tolerance in the z direction.
The floating design gives engineers room for mechanical movement without placing excessive stress on the connection. Tolerating misalignment and vibration helps secure applications that cannot be fastened as rigidly as stationary systems, such as EV powertrains.
Common Engineering Challenges Addressed Across Industries
While the four products serve distinct applications, each manufacturer takes a different approach to shared design problems. TE Connectivity increases data throughput within a smaller automotive footprint, whereas Amphenol relies on a lightweight plastic housing rather than a traditional metal shell. Attend Technology targets varied power specifications in rechargeable equipment, and Hirose solves PCB misalignment and vibration issues common in mobile and powertrain applications.
Frequently Asked Questions About the New Connectors
What data rates does the TE Connectivity Mini Fakra system support?
The TE Mini Fakra connector system supports high-speed data transmission up to 24 Gbps and RF performance up to 9 GHz, depending on the specific configuration and validation.
What environmental and electrical ratings does the Amphenol UPT Series feature?
Amphenol’s 12-pin UPT Series connector uses 12 size 16 contacts rated for 13 A, supports operating voltages up to 250 V AC, carries an IP57 rating when mated, and operates from -40°C to +125°C.
How much misalignment can the Hirose FX36 floating connector accommodate?
The Hirose FX36 accommodates up to +.7 mm of misalignment in the x and y directions, alongside +.5 mm of effective mating tolerance in the z direction.
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