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of the residents, and handle continuous data flow. The infrastructure must also possess sufficient flexibility to support a diverse array of software platforms and future technological implementations. Environmental challenges such as continuous exposure to water and dust necessitate solutions with high ingress protection and UV resistance for optimal longevity. Furthermore, systems must be resistant to vibration and fluctuating temperatures throughout the year. Therefore, connectors used in these environments must be proven, sealed solutions that can perform reliably in all circumstances. Connectivity: Wired and wireless To enable smart infrastructure, both wireless and wired connectivity have their advantages and disadvantages when it comes to communication between devices. Wired networks are ideal for smart city infrastructure applications that require high bandwidth and persistent reliability, such as traffic management systems and surveillance networks. These applications demand con- tinuous, low-latency data transmission. Wired networks provide enhanced stability with minimized exposure to electromagnetic interference and network outages.
Wireless networks are well-suited for dynamic or spa- tially constrained urban environments, including public transportation systems, intelligent lighting systems, environmental sensing infrastructure, and mobile service units. They facilitate rapid deployment and straightforward scalability, enabling cities to add devices efficiently or reposition them in response to evolving urban demands and operational requirements. IoT devices in wired applications require a connector and cable assembly which can handle the transmission of data for real-time monitoring and which is compact enough to prevent a cumbersome system design. Single-pair Ethernet (SPE) uses a single twisted pair of Ethernet wires to deliver Power-over-Data-Line (PoDL), meaning the IoT device can be powered and transmit data through the SPE connector. Utilizing this singular connection for the IoT device enables the miniaturiza- tion of the device, thereby expanding the possibility of integration within the infrastructure to collect data, and improving the efficiency of the infrastructure in that environment.
4000 Series single-pair Ethernet Connector, rated to IP68, suitable for smart city applications.
Future connectivity technologies In addition to SPE, other connectivity technologies are in development that will enable smart infrastructure. One of these, active optical systems, incorporates fiber optics for data transfer over traditional copper, thereby ex-
Example of a traffic management system using an environmentally sealed connector
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