From software architecture to design, and systems to application, software runs the devices, interfaces, and world that we live in. Explore our resources to get technical expertise and stay up to date with software trends and technology.

An ICM, or integrated connector module is a type of connector that integrates all the magnetics required to meet the Ethernet standard for xBASE-T connections. They provide a quick and easy solution for Ethernet connectivity, but how do you know whic

Selecting an Ethernet ICM the easy way

By Marco Enge - July 25, 2018

An ICM, or integrated connector module is a type of connector that integrates all the magnetics required to meet the Ethernet standard for xBASE-T connections. They provide a quick and easy solution for Ethernet connectivity, but how do you know whic

The new era of home security won’t just be an alarm that rings when a lock is picked or a window broken. With the rise of new technology comes the added need to protect a home’s hardware and its software.

Security and surveillance: Two sides of the coin in smart homes

By Martin Keenan - July 9, 2018

The new era of home security won’t just be an alarm that rings when a lock is picked or a window broken. With the rise of new technology comes the added need to protect a home’s hardware and its software.

You've selected your wireless protocol, and you're ready to start designing. But should you take the modular route or build a discrete solution?

Wireless modules point the way for IoT connectivity

By Martin Keenan - June 26, 2018

You've selected your wireless protocol, and you're ready to start designing. But should you take the modular route or build a discrete solution?

The lighting industry is not short of options for digital connectivity, but what it needs is a standard that adapts itself to change. Enter Bluetooth 5.

Future proofing lighting systems with Bluetooth

By Alessandro Mastellari - May 9, 2018

The lighting industry is not short of options for digital connectivity, but what it needs is a standard that adapts itself to change. Enter Bluetooth 5.

Wireless technology is endemic in modern society; broadly speaking we rely on cellular technology to stay connected when we’re travelling, and probably WiFi when we’re not.

Choosing the right wireless technology for your IoT end-device

By Adam Chidley - May 4, 2018

Wireless communications will connect the IoT, but it’s not quite as straightforward as adding a Wi-Fi access point to your home broadband. Avnet Abacus’ Adam Chidley takes a look at low power WANs and why they will be essential in connecting thin

The role of the battery in product design has become increasingly important. In fact, you could say it has provoked a change in design methodology, albeit with a bit of help from legislative bodies.

Optimising battery designs with supercapacitors

By Tim Parker - April 30, 2018

The role of the battery in product design has become increasingly important. In fact, you could say it has provoked a change in design methodology, albeit with a bit of help from legislative bodies.

Man controlling home devices via his watch

Let your home do the work so you don't have to

By Martin Keenan - March 29, 2018

Today, we need to interact with connected products in the home deliberately. But it does not have to stay this way.

Numbers of EV charging points are set to increase dramatically under a draft EU directive expected to come into effect in 2019, but the design challenges for EV charging solutions are many and varied.

EV charging points set to rapidly increase in numbers

By Marco Enge - January 18, 2018

Numbers of EV charging points are set to increase dramatically under a draft EU directive expected to come into effect in 2019, but the design challenges for EV charging solutions are many and varied.

Electronics used in outdoor locations have to contend with harsh weather conditions, including direct sunlight, rain, ice, and even earthquakes. But that’s not the whole story.

Protecting outdoor electronics against vandals

By Jerry Moss - December 18, 2017

Electronics used in outdoor locations have to contend with harsh weather conditions, including direct sunlight, rain, ice, and even earthquakes. But that’s not the whole story.

Connector manufacturers are working hard to enhance the performance of rugged connectors, writes Martin Keenan, Avnet Abacus

Balancing performance, speed and cost for rugged interconnect technologies

By Martin Keenan - November 2, 2017

Connector manufacturers are working hard to enhance the performance of rugged connectors, writes Martin Keenan, Avnet Abacus

RF When considering the exponential growth of transferred data, most headlines are captured by wireless innovation, but advances continue to be made in the wired domain, not least in RF connectors.

Advances and trends in RF connection

By Marco Enge - October 19, 2017

When considering the exponential growth of transferred data, most headlines are captured by wireless innovation, but advances continue to be made in the wired domain, not least in RF connectors.

Do you know where your product has been and where it is going right now? This is the challenge that many manufacturers and logistics companies face in the management of their supply chains, but how can RFID technology solve it?

Enabling smart tracking for the supply chain and Industry 4.0 with RFID

By Adam Chidley - September 27, 2017

Do you know where your product has been and where it is going right now? This is the challenge that many manufacturers and logistics companies face in the management of their supply chains, but how can RFID technology solve it?

As pressure on the world’s lithium reserves increases, wireless power transfer simplifies charging and enables designers to use lower-capacity batteries and create new types of smart devices.

How wireless power transfer can help make the world’s lithium go further

By Martin Keenan - September 19, 2017

As pressure on the world’s lithium reserves increases, wireless power transfer simplifies charging and enables designers to use lower-capacity batteries and create new types of smart devices.

As the intelligence of vehicle electronic systems increases, wireless connectivity is becoming an important feature, enabling passenger communications and cloud connectivity for advanced features instances of emergency such as eCall.

Automotive telematics become mandatory with eCall

By Alan Jermyn - August 1, 2017

As the intelligence of vehicle electronic systems increases, wireless connectivity is becoming an important feature, enabling passenger communications and cloud connectivity for advanced features instances of emergency such as eCall.

In an increasingly connected world, performance demands on antennas are greater than ever. These increased performance demands also have to be balanced with cost, and of course, the limits imposed by the laws of physics, which make antenna design a t

Customising and optimising antennas with materials science and manufacturing techniques

By Martin Keenan - July 14, 2017

In an increasingly connected world, performance demands on antennas are greater than ever. These increased performance demands also have to be balanced with cost, and of course, the limits imposed by the laws of physics, which make antenna design a t

Specialised enclosures and switches are required for electronics’ survival in the great outdoors, writes Jerry Moss, Avnet Abacus.

Weather, corrosion and vandals: Protecting outdoor electronics

By Jerry Moss - June 30, 2017

Specialised enclosures and switches are required for electronics’ survival in the great outdoors, writes Jerry Moss, Avnet Abacus.

Most modern power conversion topologies use switched-mode techniques for highest efficiency and smallest size and cost.

Keeping the noise down: Converter and inverter output filtering

By Adam Chidley - May 31, 2017

Most modern power conversion topologies use switched-mode techniques for highest efficiency and smallest size and cost. Inevitably, switching noise is produced and output filters are required to minimise EMI and provide reliable operation of the powe

‘DC-link’ capacitors feature in many power conversion topologies and must be chosen carefully to give the best trade-off between cost, size and performance.

Selecting DC-link capacitors in power converters

By Adam Chidley - May 10, 2017

‘DC-link’ capacitors feature in many power conversion topologies and must be chosen carefully to give the best trade-off between cost, size and performance.

Inverters and converters have become basic building blocks for many modern power applications. These applications must meet statutory and practical requirements for input EMI filtering and protection against injury to personnel and equipment

Input filtering and protection for switched mode inverters and converters

By Adam Chidley - April 25, 2017

Inverters and converters have become basic building blocks for many modern power applications. These applications must meet statutory and practical requirements for input EMI filtering and protection against injury to personnel and equipment

Chip-to-chip at the speed of light

By Marco Enge - March 31, 2017

As data centres and data farms continue to expand and grow, better solutions are required for system architectures that allow faster communication and more efficient operation.

The threat of explosion is real in many of today’s industrial applications, and connectors are critical to explosion proofing since they have the potential to create arcs and sparks as part of normal operation.

Specifying explosion-proof connectors

By Marco Enge - March 30, 2017

The threat of explosion is real in many of today’s industrial applications, and connectors are critical to explosion proofing since they have the potential to create arcs and sparks as part of normal operation.

Supercapacitors are commonly used as an alternative to a rechargeable battery wherever a quick energy boost is needed, however there is another type of device on the market which combines the best features of EDLCs and Li-ion batteries.

Hybrid capacitors combine technologies to get the best of both worlds

By Martin Keenan - March 15, 2017

Supercapacitors are commonly used as an alternative to a rechargeable battery wherever a quick energy boost is needed, however there is another type of device on the market which combines the best features of EDLCs and Li-ion batteries.

Adam Chidley explains how component diversity has made selecting the best capacitors for power-related applications more complex than ever, and why taking independent advice makes sense.

Understanding ESR in electrolytic capacitors

By Adam Chidley - March 1, 2017

Adam Chidley explains how component diversity has made selecting the best capacitors for power-related applications more complex than ever, and why taking independent advice makes sense.

If you’re adding wired Ethernet to a design, you will of course have to consider magnetics.

Ethernet magnetics – Discrete or integrated?

By Adam Chidley - July 29, 2016

If you’re adding wired Ethernet to a design, you will of course have to consider magnetics.

Selecting the right cable and/or connector assembly for a fibre optic installation need not be complex, but it is important to understand the requirements of the environment and the application.

Selecting fibre optic cables

By Marco Enge - July 12, 2016

Selecting the right cable and/or connector assembly for a fibre optic installation need not be complex, but it is important to understand the requirements of the environment and the application.

Industry 4.0 and the digitisation of the manufacturing sector will have repercussions for all sectors of industrial electronics.

Evolving component technologies will make Industry 4.0 viable

By Martin Keenan - May 22, 2016

Industry 4.0 and the digitisation of the manufacturing sector will have repercussions for all sectors of industrial electronics.

Thermal management is of critical importance in LED lighting systems. LEDs themselves give off heat when lit due to their own inefficiencies, and knock on effects of that heat can rapidly reduce the LEDs’ lifespan if it isn’t managed carefully.

Calculating LED heatsinks

By Giovanna Monari - May 22, 2016

Thermal management is of critical importance in LED lighting systems. LEDs themselves give off heat when lit due to their own inefficiencies, and knock on effects of that heat can rapidly reduce the LEDs’ lifespan if it isn’t managed carefully.

Aluminium electrolytic and polymer wound aluminium electrolytic capacitors may seem similar at first glance, but the technologies offer very different performance characteristics.

‘Wet’ aluminium and polymer aluminium capacitors – what’s the difference?

By Ekaterina Rachel - April 1, 2016

Aluminium electrolytic and polymer wound aluminium electrolytic capacitors may seem similar at first glance, but the technologies offer very different performance characteristics.

Although they’ve been superseded in some applications by newer technologies such as solid state relays (SSRs), electromechanical relays (EMRs) still have a lot to offer.

Modern electromechanical relays meet today’s reliability demands

By Giovanna Monari - February 2, 2016

Although they’ve been superseded in some applications by newer technologies such as solid state relays (SSRs), electromechanical relays (EMRs) still have a lot to offer.

LEDs are widely touted as the perfect solution for lighting applications because, in theory at least, they last forever.What’s less frequently spoken about is that circuit protection can make or break the design.

Circuit protection is vital for long lifetimes in LED lighting

By Adam Chidley - January 7, 2016

LEDs are widely touted as the perfect solution for lighting applications because, in theory at least, they last forever.What’s less frequently spoken about is that circuit protection can make or break the design.

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