Digital technology has become an integral part of everyday life. Despite the familiarity of personal devices such as smartphones, some of the most important applications can be found in the workplace. Whether on the farm, in the factory or on the toughest roads, users and operators have come to expect full access to data and control systems, regardless of the conditions.
These applications means that the latest technologies are being deployed into extremely tough environments. Many industries are embracing the use of wireless technology, but there are many situations such as high-speed networks in which a physical connection is the only way to provide a secure and reliable connection. Weather conditions, contaminants, and the physical challenges of these dynamic environments place severe demands on the connectors that are used to provide power, data and signal between devices.
Network Connectors for Harsh Environments
A common trend over the last few years has been to employ “hardened” or harsh-environment versions of common data connectors. This trend began with the RJ45 networking connector to provide a solution for users who were looking to extend the traditional computer network into demanding industrial and defence environments. Normally placed within a waterproof circular connector shell, this approach offered huge advantages for users in tough conditions.
The common interface delivered a level of confidence as users could work with a connector that was familiar. It also provided easy integration with existing equipment, allowing users to extend their reach into tough conditions without having to replace large amounts of existing infrastructure. Waterproof alternatives to existing cables and connectors are used where the conditions demand, while existing infrastructure is employed in protected locations, vastly reducing the cost and complication of developing new solutions. Designers in a wide range of industries have been able to benefit from these developments. The success of the harsh-environment RJ45 connector has led to the same solution being applied to other formats, notably the popular USB connector and, more recently, USB type-C and Single Pair Ethernet (SPE).
Connected Everything
These connectors provide ideal solutions for the Internet of things (IoT). The IoT is a global network of machines that share data with each other. This data is collected by sensors and communicated to other machines over the internet. This is enabling an entirely new generation of devices, from the smart home to the factory floor.
Many of the devices required for these applications will be deployed beyond the sheltered conditions of the home or the office. In these situations, the environment is the greatest challenge for designers. A combination of exposure to the elements and extremes of temperature, along with constant shock and vibration, make the automotive environment one of the toughest in the world. Whether this new technology is deployed on the smart farm or in largest mining facilities, protecting sensitive electronics demands enclosures that provide a tight seal against the ingress of water, whether in the form of rain showers on full immersion in bodies of water for days.
The Power of Visuals Displays
One of the effects of the Internet of Things is the volume of information that is being collected. Understanding this complex data is made enormously easier if presented in a visual manner. Alongside conventional computer displays, new technologies that were previously confined to high-performance aerospace applications are being employed. These include head-up displays (HUD) and augmented reality which are significantly simplifying the control of today’s complex equipment.
The use of advanced display technology depends on dedicated connectors that are optimised to deliver high-definition data, and one of the most capable is the HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface). The latest generation HDMI 2.1 connector is optimised to deliver up to 8K high-definition images. For industrial operations, these displays provide instant visual feedback and unparalleled accuracy.
Alongside industrial machinery, the automotive market is adopting these new levels of precision for the driver. The in-vehicle experience is being augmented by high-definition displays, with commercial and agricultural vehicles especially benefitting from the precision that they can deliver. The technology integrated into today’s commercial and industrial vehicles can be more advanced that the systems seen in domestic cars. Drivers and operators are equipped with application-specific controls, along with advanced navigation, monitoring and communication systems.
Connecting High-Definition Displays
Using high-definition displays in these industrial applications exposes them to harsh conditions. The standard HDMI connector is not designed to protect against these demanded conditions, and so a robust solution is required, one that can cope with the rigors of industrial use.
The Buccaneer family of circular industrial connectors is available with a variety of data interfaces, including HDMI. The circular screw-locking design of these data connectors delivers the same performance in harsh environments as the standard Buccaneer family, sealed to IP68 and IP69K and is even capable of limited immersion in water. The interface is compliant with the latest HDMI 2.1 standard, capable of delivering 8K ultra high-definition video, even in the roughest conditions. Despite this, it is fully compatible with commercial HDMI connectors when used in less demanding environments.
Digital displays are vital in even the most demanding environments, requiring robust connectors for secure and reliable data transfer. Harsh-environment connectors from the Bulgin Buccaneer family ensure functionality under the most extreme conditions. High-definition HDMI 2.1 displays form part of smart industry, precision farming and IoT applications, providing enhanced control and visualization. Buccaneer circular connectors deliver durable HDMI interfaces, meeting the most exacting industrial needs.
Get in touch today to find out more about Bulgin’s range of environmentally sealed connectors and components.
