This document has been composed to provide a industry reference for radio frequency connectors. The table below has been compiled against applicable ISO/IEC/MIL standards, with the generous assistance from industry leading manufacturers who have been listed below. While comprehensive, this list is not to be considered exhaustive and does not include manufacturer-specific designs. For all PCB-based RF connectors please see Micro RF Connector Types.
Gender Designation
RF connector genders are designated either Male (Plug) or Female (Jack) based on the physical characteristics of the connector body and centre contact. IEEE Std 315-1975 provides limited insight stating only that the female/receptacle/jack is usually stationary, and the male/plug is usually movable. IEC 61169 suggests gender is designated on the basis of whether the centre contact consists of a pin or socket. In the absence of any restrictive standard, the accepted practice is to designate on the basis of the following:
- Male or Plug Connector: Centre contact consists of a pin. Body typically features the active part of the coupling mechanism (e.g. coupling nut).
- Female or Jack Connector: Centre contact consists of a receptacle/socket. Body features a coupling mechanism complementary to the plug.
- Genderless Connector: Coupling mechanism does not utilise standard pin-socket contacts. Connector has both male and female (hermaphrodic) elements or surfaces.
Certain connector series, such as SMB, complicate the above ruling whereby the Male connector (i.e., connector with the pin) has a Jack body (i.e., body has no active coupling mechanism), and Female (i.e., connector with the socket) has a Plug body featuring the active coupling mechanism.
Reverse Polarisation
Several connector series also offer a reverse-polarised sub-series in which the connector gender is reversed by swapping the pin and receptacle into the opposing gender's body. For example, a Reverse Polarity Male connector will consist of the Male body with a female socket/receptacle. Reverse Polarity series are named by conjoining the prefix "RP-" to the connector series name, for example, Reverse Polarity SMA connectors are named RP-SMA.
RF Connector Series
Click on any series name to learn more.
| Series Name | Description | Male Body | Female Body |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 mm (W) | There are two subtypes of 1.0 mm coaxial connectors in use; Laboratory Precision Connectors (LPC), and General Precision connectors (GPC). Laboratory Precision Connectors and General Precision Connectors differ only by permitted tolerances - clearance, flatness, and pin depth. The interface for both LPC and GPC subtypes is air dielectric with the contact supported by a short dielectric bead. |
|
|
| 1.0/2.3 | 1.0/2.3 series (often called DIN 1.0/2.3) are either a 50 Ω connector with a 10 GHz cutoff, or a 75 Ω connector with a 4 GHz cutoff featuring a smaller centre conductor, both variations are covered by the DIN 47297 standard. |
|
|
| 1.6/5.6 | 1.6/5.6 series (often called DIN 1.6/5.6) are a 75 Ω connector with a 1 GHz cutoff, covered by the DIN 47295 standard. 1.6/5.6 RF connectors are characterised by high mechanical and electrical stability. There are several subtypes featuring different coupling mechanisms, listed below. It should be noted however that not all manufacturers produce all subtypes. |
|
|
| 1.85 mm (V) | The 1.85 mm connector is a pin and socket type connector that uses an air dielectric filled interface that assures mode free operation up to 65 GHz. It is also known as the Type V connector. Some manufacturers have demonstrated performance up to 67 GHz. The design has been introduced as an open standard under the IEEE 287 Precision Connector Standards Committee. |
|
|
| Microdot S-50 | Microdot S-50 is a proprietary coaxial connector interface developed by Microdot (now Tyco Electronics). While Microdot manufactured a range of connectors, the screw-on S-50 design was the only to gain relative popularity. The connector features a compact form factor using a 10-32 (0.190-32 UNF2B) thread, and performance up to 2 GHz. |
|
|
| 2.4 mm (Q) | The 2.4 mm connector is a pin and socket type connector that uses an air dielectric filled interface that assures mode free operation up to 50 GHz. It is also known as the Type Q, or OS-50 connector. Some manufacturers have demonstrated performance up to 60 GHz. The design has been introduced as an open standard under the IEEE 287 Precision Connector Standards Committee. |
|
|
| 2.92 mm (K) | The 2.92 mm connector is a pin and socket type connector that uses an air dielectric filled interface that assures mode free operation up to 40 GHz. It is also known as the Type K connector. The connector interfaces mechanically with 3.5 mm and SMA connectors, however the junction introduces a discontinuity which must be accounted for. |
|
|
| 3.5 mm | The 3.5 mm connector is a pin and socket type connector that uses an air dielectric filled interface and closely controlled centre conductor support bead providing mechanical interface tolerances similar to hermaphroditic connectors. |
|
|
| 4.1/9.5 | The 4.1/9.5 "Mini-DIN" RF connector has been designed as a compact and low PIM replacement to traditional 7/16 DIN connectors. The 4.1/9.5 connector features a screw on, low torque coupling system, which allows for a secure mate between connectors. As a matter of correctness the 4.1/9.5 connector is often, incorrectly, written as "4.1-9.5". |
|
|
| 4.3-10 | The 4.3-10 RF connector has been designed as a compact and low PIM replacement to traditional 7/16 DIN connectors, and an iterative improvement over even the more recently developed 4.1/9.5 "Mini-DIN" connector. The 4.3-10 connector features a screw-on, low torque coupling system, with a separation of the electrical from the mechanical plane ensuring performance does not vary with torquing. |
|
|