Omnetics Connector Corporation designs and provides micro-miniature and nano-miniature electronic connectors and interconnect solutions for the defense and aerospace industries, including unmanned systems and ground robotics.
Scott Unzen, Omnetics’ Director of Marketing & Market Development, shared insights into the company’s capabilities and how its solutions meet client demands.
In the development of ultra-lightweight electronic systems for defense and aerospace applications, small connectors are a critical component in the design process.
These connectors must endure the harsh environments in which such equipment operates, requiring them to be durable, reliable, and robust, despite their compact size.
Selecting a reliable partner for high-performance small connectors is essential in these demanding scenarios.
Early Connector Solutions
Omnetics was established over 35 years ago, originating from the merger of several companies. Unzen explained that a customer from one of those companies—a supercomputer manufacturer—approached them for assistance in developing a new connector solution.
The lead engineer at Omnetics at the time successfully created the Flex Pin contact connector, a design that remains in use today.
Unzen commented, “With that, the Omnetics operation was born. We started by focussing on micro and nano connectors, but now we also focus on high-reliability connectors. In our market, customers require connectors that will withstand high shock, vibration, G-forces and extreme temperature cycles.”
For years, Omnetics primarily manufactured simple strip connectors. In the 1990s, the military sought to establish an industry standard for the Nano-D connector. Omnetics contributed to the development of what became the MIL-STD-32139 standard.
Unzen added, “I believe there are currently just eight companies that are qualified to produce to that standard, of which Omnetics is one.”
Industries Served
Omnetics operates in industries requiring high-reliability connectors. Its products are integrated into numerous satellites and launch vehicles deploying CubeSats into space.
In the defense sector, these connectors support a range of applications, including gimbals, radar systems, disposable products, missile systems, and soldier-worn communication devices. These connectors are essential in reducing the weight of connectors and cables while maintaining reliability.
“When you look at the markets we’re in, it’s kind of an interesting dynamic,” stated Unzen. “We have military specifications that define a baseline minimum performance requirement, and Omnetics meets the specifications for MIL-STD-83513 – which is a Micro- D connector – and the specifications for MIL-STD-32139. We have also built connectors that perform to higher criteria. Whether there’s a specification or not, we build and test all our products to the same exact standards.”
Commitment to Customer Service
Unzen added that a key selling point for Omentics is the customer service it provides, “Because we’re dealing with very small connectors, a lot of customers come to our form factor when they don’t have the weight budget; they need smaller-size, lighter weight, high-performance connectors.
“If they need to modify the connector to meet the requirements of their design, we can respond very quickly and competitively. So, one key selling point is customer service, and being able to deliver application-specific designs that meet our customer’s demands and exceed their expectations.”
In the defense industry, Unzen noted a shift away from organizations building their own technology. With consumer market technologies advancing faster, military organizations now adapt and secure consumer components for ruggedized applications.
Meanwhile, demand for smaller connectors is growing in the consumer market due to smaller form factors. For example, retrofitting older equipment with modern electronics often necessitates smaller components, enabling additional functionality within the same space.
Omnetics is well positioned to take advantage of the growing demand for small connectors. Unzen said, “We were doing small when small was niche, when companies only used us because they couldn’t find anything else. Back then, for us, it was about finding the right designer that ran into a problem that we could help solve. Now, a lot of people are having to learn how to change processes and work with smaller systems. It involves redesigning your circuit boards with smaller trace lines.”
Unzen asserted that the growing trend of digitizing old analogue systems also presents opportunities for Omnetics, “I like to compare it to the evolution in television. With analogue, if there was interference, you had some lines or static across your screen – you could still see the action, it just wasn’t a clear picture. With digital televisions came much clearer pictures, but if there’s an issue with the signal, the image pixelates and freezes.
“Similar challenges can be seen with connectors, so it’s important for us to configure our connectors to meet the protocol requirements of the digital world. You see a lot more shielding and filtering and back shells to help protect the system from environmental noise. It’s a growing challenge for any manufacturer involved in building systems that can be relied upon in environments where failure is not an option.”
