Challenges with Safety and Automated Features on Commercial Vehicles

Q. What are the main technical differences between Heavy Duty Sealed Connector Series and MATEnet connectors?

A. Heavy Duty Sealed Connector Series is a connector system that supports hybrid signal and power. MATEnet is a connector family that supports automotive ethernet protocols.

Q. Do we have an overview of which data exchange protocols can be used to exchange the data for long distances - like 20m in commercial vehicles? e.g. Single Edge Nibble Transmission (SENT) is specified only up to 5m distances.

A. Certain low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) protocols will support longer than 15m lengths and new ethernet protocols - like 1000BASE-T1 type B under IEEE 802.3 bp - have been proposed to support up 40m in length. 

Q. In order to calculate the reliability of the connector, do we need to consider the mean time between failures (MTBF) value?

A. Reliability is better measured with proven history on the applications. There are too many variables to use MTBF as a reliability indicator.

Q. When do we need to consider the Creepage distance/Clearance distance 2.54 or 5.08?

A. Creepage & clearance is more important for high voltage applications. When transmitting data, generally there won't be issues with creepage &/ clearance. If you try to run power over the data line, then you need to ensure creepage & clearance requirements. We generally use IEC guidelines to support connector design.

Q. For the transportation industry, do we need to consider the UL 94 V0 and flammability when we are selecting the connectors?

A. Yes, it's important to consider depending on your application.

Q. What is your point of view with respect to Electrostatic discharge (ESD)?

A. Generally, protocols have guidelines for noise immunity and other types of electrostatic discharge requirements. It's important to follow the guidelines in the protocol and ensure components meet those guidelines as well.

Q. How about Electromagnetic interference (EMI) issues related to connectors? Any recommendation?

A. It's important connector components comply with s-parameters and meet channel performance requirements as established by the communication protocol.