Coaxial Connectors (RF)

Image	Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity	Rfq
	CBNC8X Laird - Antennas	CONN BNC PLUG CRIMP	0
	CBNC316 Laird - Antennas	CONN BNC PLUG STR CRIMP	0
	CN214 Laird - Antennas	CONN N PLUG CRIMP	0
	CTNC174FBH Laird - Antennas	CONN TNC JACK	0
	CSMAFBH58RP Laird - Antennas	BULK HEAD CONN RSMA FEM RG58	0
	CPL9CF Laird - Antennas	CONN UHF JACK STR CRIMP	0
	CMUHFF58 Laird - Antennas	CONN MINI UHF JACK CRIMP	0
	CTNC174 Laird - Antennas	CONN TNC PLUG CRIMP	0
	CNF900 Laird - Antennas	CONN N JACK CRIMP	0
	CSMPF316S Laird - Antennas	CONN SMP JACK	0
	CTNC240RP Laird - Antennas	CONN RTNC MALE FOR LMR240	0
	CPL9CE Laird - Antennas	CONN UHF PLUG CRIMP	0

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.