RF connector

Male Type N RF connector.

A coaxial RF connector is an electrical connector designed to work at radio frequencies in the multi-megahertz range. RF connectors are typically used with coaxial cables and are designed to maintain the shielding that the coaxial design offers. Better models also minimize the change in transmission line impedance at the connection. Mechanically, they provide a fastening mechanism (thread, bayonet, braces, push pull) and springs for a low ohmic electric contact while sparing the gold surface, thus allowing above 1000 reconnects and reducing the insertion force. Research activity in the area of radio-frequency (RF) circuit design has surged in the last decade in direct response to the enormous market demand for inexpensive, high-data-rate wireless transceivers.

Types

The coaxial connector Miniquick

N right-angle direct male connector, solder-type, for semi-rigid .141 cable

Standard types

• 7/16 DIN connector, a high-power 50 Ω connector originally developed by Spinner
• BNC connector (Bayonet Neill-Concelman)
• Blind mate BMA, also known as OSP (Omni Spectra push-on)
• C connector (Concelman)
• Dezifix connector, hermaphrodite connector used mainly by Rohde & Schwarz
• F connector, used for domestic television installations and domestic satellite LNBs (75 Ω) world wide.
• GR connector (General Radio)
• HN connector, a high voltage version of the N connector
• IEC 169-2 connector, also called Belling Lee connector or PAL, used throughout Europe and some other countries for domestic television installations and as FM connector for radio. It is standardized in EN 60169-2.
• MiniQuick
• Motorola connector, standard AM/FM antenna connector used for automotive radios
• Musa connector, a 50 Ω connector used in telecommunications and broadcast video
• N connector (Neill)
• NMO mount (new Motorola mount), for removable mobile antennas. Large threaded base for durability in wind.
• SC connector, screw version of C connector
• SMA connector, SubMiniature version A - also listed below in SubMiniature - is a very popular lab equipment standard connector.
• TNC connector (threaded Neill-Concelman)
• Twin lead
• UHF connector (e.g., PL-259/SO-239). Also referred to as an M-type connector by Japanese manufacturers such as Kenwood

Miniature types

• Miniature BNC connectors
• Miniature UHF connectors
• DIN 47223 connectors
• IPX connector
• SMZ connector - System 43 (BT43 and High Density HD43) for use in DDF

Micro-miniature types

• IMP connector
• MMT connector
• MMS connector
• U.FL connector
• UMP connector

Sub-miniature types

• MCX connector
• MMCX connector
  • FME connector
• SMA connector, including variants:
  • 3.5 and 2.92 mm connectors, which cross-mate with SMA, and
  • 2.4, 1.85 and 1.0 mm connectors, which do not cross-mate with SMA
• SMB connector
• SMC connector
• SMP connector

Precision types

• APC-7 connector

Flange connectors

• EIA RF Connectors series of RF flange connectors

Quick-lock connectors

• QMA and QN connector
• QLS connector
• SnapN connector
• Mini-QMA connector
• WQMA (Waterproof QMA)
• HPQN connector

See also

• Antenna socket
• MHV connector, a coaxial connector designed for high voltages
• SHV connector, a safer coaxial connector designed for high voltages

The following audio and video connectors are sometimes used for RF, but are not generally considered to be RF connectors:

• DIN connector (not to be confused with the "7/16 DIN" connector)
• RCA connector (Radio Corporation of America) originally introduced for audio, but now widely used for video as well
• SCART
• List of coaxial connectors
• Concentric twinax connector

External links

• Microwave connector reference
• RF connectors for upper frequencies
• Common Coaxial Connectors
• Connector Reference List