Hirose U.FL
 | It has been suggested that Hirose W.FL be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since November 2019. |
 Male U.FL connector | |||
| Type | RF coaxial connector | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Production history | |||
| Designed | 1991[1] | ||
| Manufacturer | Hirose Electric Group | ||
| General specifications | |||
| Diameter | 2.0 mm (0.079 in) | ||
| Cable | Coaxial | ||
| Passband | Typically 0-6 GHz | ||
Hirose U.FL, I-PEX MHF,[a] IPX,[2] AMC[3] or UMCC[b] is a miniature RF connector for high-frequency signals up to 6 GHz manufactured by Hirose Electric Group[4], I-PEX[5], and others.
U.FL connectors are commonly used in applications where space is of critical concern, most often Mini PCI cards for laptop computers and WiFi cards. U.FL connectors are commonly used inside laptops and embedded systems to connect the Wi-Fi antenna to a Mini PCI card. Another common use is connecting GPS antennas.
Female U.FL connectors are not designed with reconnection in mind, and they are only rated for a few reconnects (approximately 30 mating cycles[6]) before replacement is needed. The female U.FL connectors are generally not sold separately, but rather as part of a pigtail with a high-quality 1.32 mm doubly shielded cable, which allows for a low-loss connection.
The male connectors are surface-mounted and soldered directly to the printed circuit board. They are designed to have a characteristic impedance of 50 ohms. The mated connection is only 2.5 mm high and takes as little as 9 mm2 (3.0 × 3.1 mm2) of board space.[7][8]
Much like many other electronic components, Hirose U.FL connectors were protected by patents[1] and trademarks. However, compatible third party connectors are available under many other names, e.g. Sunridge MCB.
Notes
References
- ^ a b Surface-mounted, high-frequency coaxial connector. US Patent 5180315 (1993)
- ^ Lighthorse Technologies INC catalog (I-PEX MHF/IPX)
- ^ "AMC Ultra Miniature Connectors | Amphenol RF". www.amphenolrf.com. Retrieved 2018-10-15.
- ^ Ultra Small Surface Mount Coaxial Connectors - Low Profile 1.9 mm or 2.4 mm Mated Height U.FL Series. Hirose data sheet.
- ^ MHF I - 9 GHz, 2.5 mm mated height
- ^ SMT Ultra-Miniature Coaxial Connectors - Product Specifications
- ^ IPX datasheet
- ^ "U.FL and W.FL Series Connectors - Hirose │ DigiKey". www.digikey.hk. Retrieved 7 November 2019.