TTI MarketEYE Articles

Electric Planes Are Getting Ready to Take Off 
10/28/2024 // Murray Slovick in: New Technology
As with the automotive industry, the world of aviation is going through a transition phase, moving towards electric, battery-powered aircraft. These aircraft rely on electric systems rather than traditional combustion ones and also often eschew hydraulic and pneumatic systems, resulting in better fuel efficiency and a lower carbon emissions impact.

The Four Engineering Trends Shaping Military Connector Product Development
08/04/2023 // Gia Hayes in: TTI Insights
In the high-intensity world of military operations, the technology that supports the troops is essential to deliver performance and safety when it matters most. Even the smallest components—like military connectors—can play a pivotal role in ensuring the equipment operates at its peak performance.

Three Critical Components for Keeping Pace in the Space Race
07/07/2023 // Gia Hayes in: TTI Insights
In the early 1960s, President John F. Kennedy set the goal of landing a man on the moon within the decade. He reasoned, “No nation which expects to be the leader of other nations can expect to stay behind in the race for space.”

The Future of Warfare is Now – and It Is Electronic
04/03/2023 // Gia Hayes in: TTI Insights
Today’s weapons are more sophisticated and dangerous, its battles are more diverse and far-reaching and the stakes are more consequential than ever. That means the electronic components enabling the complicated systems used in the military battlespace from below the sea, to surface units, to airborne and orbital platforms must be equally as precise, dependable and coordinated.

Space-Based Passive Electronic Components: Products, Markets, Competition and Outlook for 2022-2027
09/23/2022 // Dennis M. Zogbi in: Passives
Paumanok Industrial Market Research (IMR) estimates that the global core passive component spend for spacecraft and rockets is between $300 and $400 million worldwide for 2022. These include ceramic capacitors, tantalum capacitors, aluminum capacitors, plastic film capacitors; ruthenium, tantalum nitride, tin oxide and nickel chromium resistors; and ferrite cores, ferrite beads, ceramic chip coils and conical inductors.

Preparing for Growth in Space and Aviation
03/16/2022 // Gia Hayes in: TTI Insights
A new era of innovation and competition in commercial spaceflight could combine with post-pandemic recovery in aviation to create more demand than ever for space-ready and mil-spec electronic components.

High-Reliability Markets for Passive Components
12/06/2021 // Dennis M. Zogbi in: Passives
As revenues and sales volumes for electronic components reach all-time highs, Dennis Zogbi examines market opportunities for specific categories, and how these contribute both to sales and to the development of robust parts for harsh-environment applications.

Research Labs Race to Develop Next-Generation Supercapacitors
01/29/2021 // Murray Slovick in: New Technology
New research into supercapacitors based on graphene, nickel cobaltite and other materials could create components that exceed the energy density and cycle life of today’s lithium batteries. (more)

Tantalum Supply Routes for Mil-Spec Capacitors: From Ore, to Powder, to Part
01/09/2020 // Dennis M. Zogbi
Tantalum, a key dielectric material for capacitors, is also considered a “strategic material” by the United States Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) because of its unique attributes. This article addresses the unique supply chain for tantalum capacitors that carry a military specification. (more)

Aerospace & Defense Articles

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White Papers

Filter Array Whitepaper for Innovative Filtering Approach by Knowles The following Knowles Whitepaper explains how the RF spectrum can become crowded, leaving RF designers challenged with addressing issues stemming from increased spectral noise and interference. RF designers then figure out how to enhance signal transmission power, all while reducing SWaP. Learn more about reducing SWaP and increasing the performance of phased arrays with an innovative filtering approach.

Cause and Effect: The Fundamentals of Aerospace Failure Analysis by Tech Briefs There are millions of large and small parts, assembled components, subsystems, and structures built by a myriad of suppliers that all must come together to manufacture the modern aircraft. From wires, cables, fasteners, and LED displays to fuel tanks, wing assemblies, and fire suppression systems, today’s planes are among the most complex machines ever constructed. Pair that with the fact that many fly upwards of 20 hours a day, some for 20 years or more, and it’s no surprise that things break.

Navigating the SOSA Technical Standard 1.0 for Interconnect Selection by TE Connectivity The Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA™) Consortium has released the Technical Standard for SOSA™ Reference Architecture Edition 1.0, which will have a significant role in standardizing embedded systems of the future. This white paper outlines the interconnect defined within the SOSA Technical Standard and explains how a system designer can use the standard (and related standards) to select appropriate connector and cabling options. 

Evolutions of the NanoRF Interconnect by TE Connectivity With the growth of OpenVPX system architecture for rugged embedded computing came requirements for RF (radio frequency) signaling in VPX-based products such as tuners, software defined radios, and RF switches. TE Connectivity (TE) developed the original modular multi-position coaxial contact solution defined in VITA 67 standards.

Thermal Management Solutions for Automotive and Mil/Aero by 3M IoT technology can be a two-edged sword. On the one hand as connectivity is integrated into all forms of smart devices, increased performance is a significant benefit, bringing cloud capabilities directly to the users and devices that need them. 

Moving Data Fast in Rugged Environments by Glenair High data-rate transmission protocols—and interconnect hardware—have undergone significant upgrades over the past decade. Glenair has stayed on the forefront of this evolution by developing contacts, connector and wiring solutions with increasingly faster and better performance. 

RF and Microwave Designers Take-On the Cluttered Spectrum by Laird Performance Materials  Systems built for low size, weight, and power consumption (SWaP) and industry standards like SOSA are dominating applications ranging from satellite navigation to next-generation 5G communications.

Addressing the Demands of Today's Test & Measurement Applications by TE Connectivity Most companies are always looking for ways to lower capital and operational expenses while at the same time use new and advanced technology to become more dynamic in manufacturing, network capacity, autonomous funcionality and more. 

The Connected Flight: On-Board Ethernet Networks for Commercial Aircraft by ITT Cannon Wireless Internet is currently one of the primary applications driving the need for high-speed Ethernet networks in aircraft cabins. The introduction of 802.11 and 802.11ac wireless access specifications, along with existing passenger data and content delivery systems are pushing aircraft network performance requirements higher.

Potential of 'LPTA' to Drive Further Innovation by Harwin In response to continued cuts in military spending, the U.S. government has chosen to follow a more cost driven approach to its contract activity over recent years. This practice is commonly referred to as Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA), and critics of the practice raise concerns that decisions on products are purely based on pricing and don’t take any other criteria into account. Some are of the view that it will only encourage military contractors to cut corners to win bids, and that emphasis on maintaining quality solutions by using quality product is lost.

Commercial Protocols and Aerospace Cabling: Finding the Right Balance by Robert Moore, Principal Engineer – High Speed Specialist Commercial protocols in aerospace applications present designers with challenges of balancing the standard against special needs of the application. In the physical layer, the cables used for Gigabit and 10 Gigabit Ethernet, USB, IEEE 1394 and others are a prime example of this balancing act. ...

Integrated Modular and Distributed Avionics Take Flight by Russell W. Graves, Global Commercial Aerospace Market Development Manager  For embedded computing applications in aerospace, Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) are an important driver in achieving flexibility.  With distributed avionics gaining new popularity as a way of achieving IMA, aircraft designers are taking advantage of recent advances in packaging to make distributed systems simpler and more cost-effective. ...

Intelligent Overcurrent Protection with Smart Contactors by Karl Kitts, Director of Development Engineering for High-Performance Relays, TE Connectivity
Think carefully when you answer this question: What's one of the fastest, most precise ways to prevent overcurrents from damaging the power circuits used aboard today's more-electrical and all-electrical Aircraft? A thoughtful answer would be "smart power contactors" ...

Expand Your Imagination with The Surprising Versatility of MIL-DTL-38999 Circular Connectors by Scott Miller, Manager, Product Management Aerospace and Defense
Introduced in the 1970s and still widely used today, MIL-DTL-38999 circular crimp connectors are sometimes taken for granted. In fact, the 38999-connector family continues to adapt new composite materials and form factors to meet demanding weight and size requirements, while design derivatives have evolved to support higher speeds and higher frequencies in this surprisingly versatile I/O connector family. ...

MIL-DTL-38999 - Connecting Past To Future of Military Aviation by Scott Miller, Manager, Product Management Aerospace and Defense It can be argued that no single invention has played a larger role in enabling the evolution of military aerospace technology than one of its smallest components: the circular connector. ...

Multigig RT 2-R Connectors by Matthew R. McAlonis More. That’s the essence of “pushing the performance envelope.” This requires connectors not only capable of handling the high data rates, but also offering increased ruggedness to provide reliable operation in harsh environments. 

EMI Filtering for High-Reliability Applications by Amanda Ison, AVX Electromagnetic interference (EMI), or electrical noise, is generated by everything from cellphones to solar flares and can make accurate signal transmission as difficult as trying to have a clear conversation in a noisy room. To improve signal clarity in electronic circuits, device designers turn to EMI suppression filters. ...

High-Reliability Solid Tantalum Capacitors by Bob Fairey Solid tantalum capacitors are among the most popular types of small, surface-mount capacitors for electronic applications across the consumer, automotive, aerospace, and medical device markets. This paper will provide some context on the development of tantalum capacitor technology and address issues frequently faced by users. ...

Evaluating Connectors for Gigabit and 10 Gigabit Ethernet in Military and Aerospace Applications by Robert Moore As military and aerospace application move toward Gigabit and 10G networks, standard military connector technology has not kept pace. To evaluate the suitability of various connectors, we tested differential near-end crosstalk in links containing a traditional MILDTL-38999 connector and two connectors from TE Connectivity (TE) designed specifically for gigabit and 10G applications.

Additional Resources

MIL-PRF vs. AEC-Q200: What Engineers Need to Know                                                                                                  Manufacturers of commercial space and avionics systems sometimes turn to AEC-Q200 automotive-rated parts for non-mission critical applications. However, engineers considering AEC-Q200 parts for non-mission-critical applications must consider each supplier’s production processes, test conditions, test limits and quality systems/certifications.

Space Product Solutions E-book "Outer Space Solutions With Down-to-Earth Applications" by Honeywell
Honeywell aerospace sensors, switches and controls are designed to meet challenges – whether it is to meet military/ commercial industry standards or excelling in unique high-performance environment applications.

Modern Defense Applications Need a New Breed of Component Supplier
Bidding for defense contracts can be a very tricky business, with the companies involved facing a variety of different challenges. These can be of a technical, commercial or organizational nature.

Alternative Connector Solutions For SWaP-Optimized Applications                                                                                      The D-type connector format has been around for several decades having first appeared in the 1960s. These components provided engineers with interconnect solutions that were relatively compact and had good overall mechanical robustness. Because of these characteristics, they saw deployment in a wide range of high-reliability (HiRel) applications where there are space limitations, including in military and aerospace systems.

Connectors Lighten the SWaP Burden in UAV/MUMT Aircraft Electronics
Combat is being transformed by MannedUnmanned Teaming (MUMT) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technologies that improve a warrior’s situational awareness. When a multi-platform communications system is employed, operators get the big picture of the entire fight as it unfolds. The time between sensors detecting threats and operators making decisions is dramatically slashed.

Designing Connectivity Solutions for an Electric Aircraft Future
Industry engineer and researchers are accelerating product development by building numerical simulation applications and deploying them throughout their organizations. COMSOL Multiphysics enables you to build specialized applications, and COMSOL server and COMSOL Compiler help you distribute them to the right contributors at the right time in your product development workflow.

Flex Circuit or Cable? from Harwin
When you need to transfer signal current from one PCB to another, there is a choice of different methods to make the connection. In many instances the two boards cannot be connected directly but need a linking method. Understanding the advantages and restrictions of the different methods will help you achieve the correct choice for your build. In this article we cover the main differences between flex printed circuit connections and cable connections. These two options are a good choice for using with high-reliability connectors, to resist extreme environments. There are other choices that might work in commercial or cost-first designs in applicable markets, but for now we will compare just two options.

Integrated Circuit (IC) Obsolescence from Molex
Manufacturers of long-life systems are constantly searching for cost-effective and time-efficient methods for mitigating the drawbacks of IC obsolescence. Because of the cost, redesign is not always a viable option for companies. Fortunately, there are other feasible alternatives to mitigate IC obsolescence such as footprint conversion adapters or module interposers, which provide more cost-efficient results.

Amphenol RF Military & Aerospace Market
RF components perform vital functions in mission-critical systems for military aerospace. Such products require superior performance and reliability under conditions of stress and in hostile environments. ...

API Delevan Aerospace & Defense Solutions
The United States military requires a superior line of RF and Power inductors for their applications. That’s why they depend on the quality, durability and tested reliability of API Delevan products for their critical applications such as aerospace, satellite, radar, sonar, GPS and guidance, radio, security and classified special mission usage. ...

API Delevan Space Applications
For nearly 70 years, API Delevan has provided the highest quality electronic components for human and robotic mission-critical applications to the world’s most stringent markets, including aerospace and defense, medical and space. ...

API Technology Space Capabilities
Presentation on API Space Capabilities. ...

Cornell Dubilier Capacitors for Mil/Aero
Cornell Dubilier Electronics excels with capacitor technology to meet the demanding requirements for military and aerospace applications. Our capacitors are used extensively in power supplies, inverters and communication systems for commercial and military aircraft and sea-going vessels. ...

Souriau Interconnect Solutions for Space
Solutions guide ...

Mission-Critical Solutions for Aerospace & Defense
Getting the job done demands high-performance electronic solutions that withstand strict testing regimes and the harshest operating conditions imaginable while still remaining field serviceable. ...

Cable Products for the Aerospace & Defense Industry
At Molex, we manufacture some of the most innovative and reliable integrated products in the world. Our broad portfolio, combined with our comprehensive expertise, provides unlimited possibilities for applications in the military and aerospace electronics industry. ...

Webinar:  Technology and the Modern Soldier
How many of today’s standard technologies were nothing more than the fantasies of science-fiction buffs a few years ago? If the trend of innovation in sensors and wireless technology continues, what impact will it have on the soldiers of the future? ...

The Need for Speed: Avionics Connectors Evolve To Meet Today’s Bandwidth Requirements
The constant push for increased bandwidth requirements means that avionics engineers must continually design connectors that handle ever-higher data rates. As connector designs focus more squarely on data rates, all kinds of users are asking for the most cutting-edge technology - all within a small package.

Higher-Density RF is On Your Radar With VITA 67.3 Standard
These days, multifunction radars handle functions from surveillance to jamming to fire control and can track multiple targets in both short- and long-range threats. That means one thing for your active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar design--you need a lot more signal processing power. ...

Fiber Optic Electronic Packaging Gets Ruggedized
TE Connectivity in Harrisburg, Pa., is introducing optical flex circuit cable assemblies for high-speed electronic packaging in the harsh environments of aerospace, commercial and military aircraft, and defense systems.

TE Connectivity named a 'Top 100 Global Innovator'
"Innovation is at the heart of our culture and our company values, so we are proud to be recognized as a global innovator for the seventh straight year," said CEO Terrence Curtin. "We continually challenge ourselves to develop new and improved technologies for our customers and to drive the innovation that creates a safer, sustainable, productive and connected future." ...

VPX Routes High-Bandwidth Optical, Coax on Backplane
Thanks to VITA 66 and VITA 67, optical and coax connectors can be placed in the P2 slot, enabling a ruggedized board to simply slide in and connect to the interface. ...

Introducing Gen 5 VPX
A new, higher-performance era of VPX (VITA 46) computing was launched in January – at the Embedded Tech Trends (ETT) 2018 Conference in Austin, Texas – with the announcement that Gen 5 VPX data rates will run on today’s standard VPX connector. ...

Underwater Connectors Increase Availability
TE Connectivity is implementing two improvements to its SEACON Micro WET-CON connectors that are intended to result in faster product turn-around and expedited delivery to customers. This connector series is miniature, light-weight, and wet-mateable, and therefore enables connections to be made underwater, on-deck or in any weather condition. ...