SMITHS INTERCONNECT L & N Series connectors in Automotive Test Applications

Automotive test equipment requires exceptionally robust components to withstand the rigors of the continuous testing of the electronic systems used in today’s ever more complex vehicles. Often these systems are tested on automatic equipment, without the direct involvement of a human operator. The connectors which interface to this equipment must be rugged, compliant to slight misalignments, and able to withstand multiple mating cycles over an extended period of time, without failure.

Increasingly, these automotive systems manage a variety of critical controls and safety functions on cars and trucks, such as engine control modules, anti-lock braking, automatic braking, lane keeping systems, electronic transmission controls, dynamic cruise control, airbag systems, navigation, infotainment, and even autonomous driving features. Therefore, they must be thoroughly tested to assure that they work, every time, under a wide variety of real-world conditions.

This testing can occur during various steps in the process, such as in-process testing during production, end of the line testing of the device, post production stress testing, as well as in-car testing. And, there can’t be any question that the interconnection, between these systems and the test equipment, is absolutely reliable.

The market for automotive test equipment is growing continuously due to expanding demand for (resulting in increasing production of) new cars and trucks, tougher pollution and fuel economy regulations, the expansion of in-vehicle electronics, as well as enhancements in the design and performance of the test equipment itself. This growth is expected to result in a world-wide market value of $2.9B (US) by the middle of the next decade (according to MarketsandMarkets™ Inc.).

See also:
SMITHS INTERCONNECT L & N Series connectors in Automotive Test Applications (pdf) for more product information, specifications and ordering information.