Automotive Connectors for Industrial Applications

Modern vehicles need to work in some of the most demanding and varied environments on Earth. From oilfields in the Arctic to game reserves in Africa, drivers depend on their vehicles to work every time, as their very survival might depend upon them.

As vehicles become more sophisticated, it is hard to find a system within the modern car that is not controlled by an electronic device. Electronics currently represent about a third of the value of any new car, and this is projected to rise to over 50% by the year 2030. With such a dependence on electronics, and the potential for a fault to have dire consequences, automotive manufacturers must choose components they can rely on in the harshest conditions.

This has resulted in a range of connectors that are optimised for the tough conditions found on the road. However, it is no longer enough that connectors can cope with harsh environments. The growing sophistication of the latest vehicles is being driven by several key trends, all of which rely on data. From in-car controls that interface the driver’s smartphone into the onboard controls, to the latest Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that augment the driver’s skills to make the roads safer for all users, data will be vital for the next generation of vehicles.

ADAS in action

Automotive connectors are now available that can combine the robustness of the automotive environment with the performance to cater for high-density, high-bandwidth requirements. These features make automotive connectors ideally suited for a range of other industrial applications.

Industrial Applications

The technology that has made smartphones so successful will change how we use our vehicles. The use of touchscreen displays has combined with new methods to provide data to operators, including head-up displays (HUD) and the use of augmented reality (AR). In the domestic market, the car of the future has been described as the “third living space,” where drivers enjoy the same level of functionality that they might experience in the home or the workplace.

For commercial and industrial vehicles, the cabin is the workplace. The technology being integrated into today’s commercial and industrial vehicles matches and often exceeds that seen in even the most advanced domestic cars. Drivers and operators are equipped with application-specific controls, along with advanced navigation, monitoring and communication systems.

In the industrial environment, this connectivity will be even more important. Vehicles will form a key element of the smart factory, communicating wirelessly with other machines. Constantly reporting their position, tasking, and destination to the rest of the factory, vehicles will become an integrated element of the industrial process.

Automotive Solutions in the Industrial World

The demands of the latest vehicle designs have led to the need for compact connectors that can withstand the rigours of the road and still deliver the performance that the latest systems require. This combination of qualities makes them ideal for the industrial customer.

The field of robotics has evolved since the introduction of the first industrial machines. A range of technologies across multiple fields have all matured at the same time to create a new generation of devices known as autonomous mobile robots, or AMRs. At the heart of these AMRs is the processing power of modern microelectronics, but they are nothing without the advances in other areas of technology, from wireless connectivity to batteries and motors.

Autonomous Robots in Industry

The latest generation of AMRs has found applications in a wide range of industries in the real world. There is considerable interest in the deployment of robots into hazardous situations, performing tasks that would be too dangerous for a human worker to attempt. Examples can be found in scientific research and disaster relief, the vacuum of space, and the challenges of the battlefield.

AMRs use technology including sensors, vision systems, and machine learning to understand and environment around them. Gathering this information, they respond and adapt their actions to accomplish their assigned task. From navigating a busy factory floor to handling sensitive cargo, these robots can act autonomously by employing a form of artificial intelligence known as machine learning.

Like many other industrial machines, these robotic systems need to process a huge volume of data in tough conditions. The connectors that provide the link from the sensor to the processor must be able to withstand the vibration and shock of the industrial environment while delivering high data rates. RF connectors that are designed for the tough conditions of the automotive world are therefore ideal for a broad range of industries.

The needs of the automotive industry have given rise to many different innovations in the world of connectors. By making connectors that will work in some of the most demanding conditions in the world, Amphenol has also created a range of solutions that are ideal for the industrial designer. For more information about the range of coaxial and RF connectors from Amphenol RF, visit the RS website or click on the products featured on this page.