Some new techniques in the design of connectors for use on airborne electronic equipment

The increasingly stringent environmental requirements associated with military airborne electronic equipment have led to some important changes in plug and socket designs. The paper reviews some recent connector designs incorporating high-temperature resilient insert materials and removable crimped contacts, which have improved performances over conventional connectors with rigid inserts and soldered contacts. A rack-and-panel connector with low insertion and withdrawal forces is described, and some comments are made on the requirements for printed-circuit connectors. Some aspects of current connector specifications in respect of contact-resistance measurement and moisture-sealing tests are discussed.