Aspects of the disclosure can relate to an adapter for power and communication connections between electronic devices in a drill string. In embodiments, the adapter can include a first terminal configured to couple with an output terminal of a first tool and a second terminal configured to couple with an input terminal of a second tool. The adapter can further include a power converter that adjusts a voltage received at the first terminal and supplies the adjusted voltage to the second terminal and a communications adapter that converts a signal format of a communications signal received at the first terminal to a second signal format for the second terminal.