Fischer Connectors, the global leader in high-performance connectivity solutions, has brought its world-renowned Swiss engineering expertise to the universal USB-C standard. The Fischer UltiMate™ Series, the company’s flagship range for harsh environments, now includes a pre-cabled USB-C connector equipped with Fischer Connectors’ new Ratchet Locking System (RLS). This connector provides unmatched resistance to vibration and shock, ensuring safe connections for high-speed data transfer under extreme operating conditions in sectors such as defence, mining, construction, motorsports and railways. The newly released Fischer UltiMate USB-C connector with the Ratchet Locking System (RLS) combines high-speed data transmission with the robust mechanical performance Fischer Connectors is known for.Leveraging its core competencies in ruggedisation, sealing, miniaturisation, and data transmission, Fischer Connectors designed the connector to provide optimal reliability in mission-critical environments, ensuring safe and stable connections in demanding applications and markets, such as defence armored vehicles, UAVs, and UGVs, mining, heavy machinery at construction sites, motorsports, and railways. These environments are characterised by high levels of vibration and shock.Ratchet Locking System (RLS) designed to resist high vibration and shockAt the heart of this innovation is the new Ratchet Locking System (RLS). Its fastening mechanism uses an asymmetrical tooth profile to securely lock under load and resist loosening under high vibration. Key benefits include exceptional vibration resistance (by maintaining lock under high-frequency vibration), tool-free operation (easy mating and unmating in the field, even with gloves), and durability with high rates of mating cycles.Logically, Fischer Connectors has introduced the RLS to its most robust product line, UltiMate. In the Fischer UltiMate’s classical size 15 contact block (with up to 27 pins and 25.8-mm receptacle diameter), the RLS system achieves the best vibration and shock resistance in the entire Fischer Connectors product portfolio, withstanding 37.8 Grms of random vibration and 300 g of shock amplitude.Ruggedised USB-C connector for harsh environmentsThe new UltiMate USB-C connector with RLS has been independently validated to withstand 5.35 Grms of random vibration (50–2000 Hz, 3x1.5 hrs, no discontinuity >1 μs), 10 g of sinus vibration (10–500 Hz, 3x3 hrs, no discontinuity >1 μs), and shock up to 100 g (half sine pulse, 6 ms, no discontinuity >1 μs).Additional features include an IP68 sealing for the plug; hermeticity for the receptacle (