Coaxial Connectors (RF)

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
72981 Pomona Electronics	CONN SMB PLUG STR 50 OHM CRIMP	37
6741 Pomona Electronics	CONN BNC JACK STR 75 OHM SOLDER	377
72971 Pomona Electronics	CONN SMA RCPT R/A 50 OHM PCB	300
6718 Pomona Electronics	CONN BNC JACK R/A 75 OHM PCB	0
72945 Pomona Electronics	CONN SMA PLUG STR 50 OHM CRIMP	8
5219 Pomona Electronics	CONN BNC TRIAX JACK STR 50 OHM	185
5307 Pomona Electronics	CONN BNC PLUG STR 50 OHM SOLDER	165
73061 Pomona Electronics	CONN BNC PLUG R/A 50 OHM CRIMP	0
5056 Pomona Electronics	CONN BNC TRIAX PLUG STR 50 OHM	151
72960 Pomona Electronics	CONN SMA PLUG R/A 50 OHM CRIMP	33
4979 Pomona Electronics	CONN BNC RCPT STR 50 OHM SOLDER	22
73000 Pomona Electronics	CONN SMB PLUG STR 50 OHM CRIMP	89
73104-6 Pomona Electronics	INSUL BNC (M) CONNCTR/50 OHM BLU	70
72997 Pomona Electronics	CONN SMB RCPT R/A 50 OHM PCB	293
73054 Pomona Electronics	CONN TNC PLUG R/A 50 OHM CRIMP	16
72996 Pomona Electronics	CONN SMB JACK STR 50 OHM PCB	0
73012 Pomona Electronics	CONN MCX JACK STR 75 OHM PUSH	120
73104-0 Pomona Electronics	INSUL BNC (M) CONNCTR/50 OHM BLK	75
72953 Pomona Electronics	CONN SMA JACK STR 50 OHM CRIMP	207
6735 Pomona Electronics	CONN BNC PLUG STR 75 OHM SOLDER	30

Coaxial Connectors (RF)

1. Overview

RF coaxial connectors are electro-mechanical devices designed to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals between components or systems. They maintain signal integrity in coaxial cables by preserving impedance matching and shielding performance. These connectors are critical in telecommunications, aerospace, defense, and test equipment, enabling reliable high-frequency signal transmission up to 110 GHz in modern applications.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Features	Typical Applications
BNC	Bayonet coupling, 50/75 impedance, quick-connect	Test instruments, video systems, 10BASE-T Ethernet
N-Type	Threaded coupling, 50 , weatherproof	Cellular base stations, microwave links, broadcast equipment
SMA	Threaded, 0-18 GHz range, compact size	Wi-Fi antennas, GPS modules, RF modules
F-Type	Compression fitting, 75 impedance	Cable TV, satellite TV, CATV systems
LC	Miniature threaded, low PIM design	High-density telecom equipment, 5G infrastructure

3. Structure and Components

A typical RF coaxial connector consists of four key elements:

Center Conductor: Precision-machined pin/socket (beryllium copper or phosphor bronze) for signal transmission
Dielectric Insulator: PTFE or ceramic material maintaining 50/75 impedance and spacing
Outer Conductor: Brass or stainless steel shell providing 360 shielding (typical attenuation >80dB)
Connection Mechanism: Threaded (N, SMA), bayonet (BNC), or compression (F-type) interface with anti-rotation features

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Description	Importance
Frequency Range	0.01-110 GHz (varies by type)	Determines maximum usable bandwidth
Impedance	50 (standard) or 75	Matches cable/system requirements
VSWR	1.2:1 (typical) - 1.5:1 (high-performance)	Measures signal reflection efficiency
Insertion Loss	0.1-0.5 dB (varies with frequency)	Impacts signal strength preservation
Withstanding Voltage	500V-3000V AC	Safety and insulation capability

5. Application Fields

Telecommunications: 5G base stations (N-Type/LC), fiber modems (SC/FC)
Military/Aerospace: Radar systems (high-reliability N-Type), avionics (MIL-STD-348 compliant)
Test & Measurement: Spectrum analyzers (Precision SMA), oscilloscopes (BNC)
Consumer Electronics: Cable TV (F-Type), Wi-Fi routers (RP-SMA)
Industrial IoT: Wireless sensors (TNC), RFID readers (MMCX)

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Manufacturer	Key Products	Special Features
Amphenol	Series 5000 N-Type	IP68 rating, 0-11 GHz
TE Connectivity	Deutsch DMC	Military-grade vibration resistance
Rosenberger	4.3-10 Connector	70% smaller than N-Type, 6 GHz
Huber+Suhner	RadiX Hybrid	Combines RF and power in single interface
Southern California RF	Mini 50	High-density SMA alternative

7. Selection Recommendations

Key selection criteria include:

Frequency Requirements: BNC ( 4 GHz) vs SMA ( 18 GHz) vs 2.92mm ( 40 GHz)
Environmental Factors: Outdoor applications require IP67+ rated N-Type
Mechanical Durability: >500 mating cycles for test environments
Impedance Matching: 75 for video/cable TV systems
Space Constraints: Miniaturized options (MMCX, U.FL) for mobile devices

Case Study: In 5G massive MIMO systems, engineers prefer 4.3-10 connectors over traditional N-Type due to 30% size reduction and improved PIM performance (<-160dBc).

8. Industry Trends

Emerging development directions include:

Extreme Frequency: 110 GHz+ connectors for 6G and automotive radar
Miniaturization: 1.0mm connectors for wearable IoT devices
High-Density Integration: Multi-port arrays with integrated filters
Material Innovation: Graphene-enhanced contacts for reduced insertion loss
Smart Connectivity: Embedded sensors for real-time VSWR monitoring

Market forecasts indicate a CAGR of 7.2% (2023-2028), driven by 5G expansion and satellite internet demand.