Main types of RF connectors

RF coaxial connectors are used to transmit RF signals over a wide range of frequencies, up to 18 GHz or higher, and are mainly used in radar, communications, data transmission and aerospace equipment.

The basic structure of a coaxial connector consists of a center conductor (a positive or negative center contact); a dielectric material, or insulator, outside the inner conductor; and the outermost part is the outer contact, which plays a role as the outer shield of a coaxial cable, i.e., transmits signals, serves as a shield, or grounding element of a circuit.

RF coaxial connectors can be divided into many types, the following are common types:

N-Connector

Type N connector (Type N connector), a threaded connection that rotates and locks. It is one of the first connectors that can be used to transmit microwave frequency signals and was invented in the 1940s by Paul Neill of Bell Labs and named after Neill's initials.Type N connectors support signals in the frequency range of 0 to 11 GHz, with enhancement types up to 18 GHz.There are 2 types of characteristic impedance, 50 ohms (widely used for mobile communications, wireless data, paging systems, etc.) and 75 ohms (mainly used in cable television systems).

BNC Connectors

BNC connector is also often seen in one of the RF connectors, is a small can realize the fast connection bayonet type connector, BNC full name is Bayonet Nut Connector (snap fit connector, this name image describes the shape of this kind of connector), the original meaning of BNC (Bayonet Neill - Concelman) is actually from two inventors Paul Neill and Carl Concelman last name initials. Concelman) is actually from two inventors, Paul Neill and Carl Concelman's last name initials, Paul Neill is also the inventor of the N-type connector. BNC connectors are widely used in wireless communication systems, television, test equipment, other radio frequency electronic equipment, early BNC connectors are used in wireless communication systems, television, test equipment, and other RF electronic equipment, and were also used in early computer networks.BNC connectors support signals in the frequency range of 0 to 4 GHz.There are two types of characteristic impedance: 50 ohms and 75 ohms.

SMA Connectors

SMA connector is a widely used small threaded coaxial connector with wide bandwidth, excellent performance, high reliability, and long life.SMA connectors are suitable for connecting RF cables or microstrip lines in the RF circuits of microwave equipment and digital communication systems, and they are commonly used in wireless equipment for the GPS clock interfaces on the veneer boards and test ports of RF modules of the base stations.The full name of SMA is SubMiniature version A. SMA connectors have been used for the following applications: SMA connectors, SMA connectors, SMA connectors, SMA connectors, SMA connectors, and SMA connectors. The full name of SMA is SubMiniature version A, which was invented in the 1960's. SMA connectors support signals ranging from DC to 18GHz, and some types can support up to 26.5GHz with a characteristic impedance of 50 ohms.

SMB Connectors

SMB full name is SubMiniature version B, is a small push-lock type RF coaxial connector, has a small size, light weight, easy to use, excellent electrical properties, etc., suitable for radio equipment and electronic instruments in the high-frequency circuit to connect the coaxial cable with. In the wireless equipment is commonly used in base station side E1 transmission cable connected to the base station DDF small transmission box to use.SMB connector invented in the 1960s, the size is smaller than the SMA connector. There are two types of characteristic impedance: 50 ohm and 75 ohm. It has excellent electrical characteristics in the frequency range of DC to 4GHz.SSMB is a mini version of SMB connector which can support up to 12.4GHz.

SMC Connectors

The full name of SMC is SubMiniature version C. It is also an RF coaxial connector invented in the 1960s. It utilizes a #10-32 UNF threaded interface and provides excellent electrical performance from DC to 10 GHz. the SMC male has external threads and the SMC female has a mating nut. Available in two types of characteristic impedance: 50 ohms and 75 ohms, it provides a means of interconnecting small coaxial cables and printed circuit boards where size is a concern.

F-type connectors

The F-type connector is an RF connector that you will see in your daily life. It is widely used in the fields of cable TV, satellite TV, and the connection between cable modems and TV sets. It can be used in occasions with impedance matching requirements, and can also be used in non-matching places, which is characterized by threaded connection, easy insertion and closure. F-type connector was invented by Eric Winston in the early 1950's, in the 1970's in the United States has become a common visible VHF TV antenna connection connector. f-type connector is very cheap, the characteristic impedance is 75 ohms, the highest frequency can generally support up to 1GHz or 2.4GHz.

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