Publish Time: 2025-09-30 Origin: LenoRF
RF connectors are essential components in modern communication and electronic systems, providing reliable interfaces for signal transmission across a wide range of frequencies and applications. A Comprehensive Guide to RF Connectors Worldwide serves as a detailed reference, covering the most widely used connector families along with their electrical performance, mechanical coupling methods, and industry applications.
The guide begins with standard connectors such as BNC, TNC, N-Type, and 7/16 DIN, which remain popular in test equipment, broadcast, and wireless infrastructure. It then explores miniature and subminiature series like SMA, SMB, and FAKRA, designed for compact devices, automotive systems, and mobile communication. For even smaller devices, microminiature connectors such as MMCX, U.FL, and SMP provide solutions where space and weight are critical.
Precision connectors, including 3.5 mm, 2.92 mm, and 1.0 mm, support high-frequency and millimeter-wave testing up to 110 GHz, ensuring accuracy in advanced research and measurement. High-voltage and high-power connectors, such as LC, SHV, and EIA flange types, meet the demands of nuclear instrumentation, industrial RF, and broadcasting.
Additionally, the guide highlights cluster connectors, triax solutions, RF adapters, and automotive interfaces like FAKRA, reflecting the diversity of today’s RF connector ecosystem.
This category includes some of the most widely used and recognized medium to large size RF connectors.
| Connector | Impedance (Ohms) | Frequency Range | Coupling Mechanism | Typical Applications |
| BNC | 50 or 75 | DC - 4 GHz | Bayonet | Test equipment, avionics, amateur radio, video signals |
| TNC | 50 | DC - 11 GHz | Threaded | RF/antenna connections, cellular phones, vibration-prone environments |
| N-Type | 50 or 75 | DC - 18 GHz | Threaded | High-power applications, base stations, radar, satellite communications |
| QN | 50 | DC - 11 GHz | Push-Pull | a quick disconnect version of the N-Type connector with similar internal construction, which enables fast and easy matings with minimum space requirements. |
| UHF (PL-259/SO-239) | Non-constant | Up to 300 MHz | Threaded | HF and CB radio, amateur radio |
| F-Type | 75 | DC - 1 GHz | Threaded | Cable television, satellite television, cable modems |
| C-Type | 50 | DC - 11 GHz | Bayonet (dual-stud) | High-voltage applications, older test equipment |
| 7/16 DIN | 50 | DC - 7.5 GHz | Threaded | High-power applications, base stations, cellular networks |
| 4.3-10 | 50 | DC - 12 GHz | Threaded | Base stations, small cells, distributed antenna systems (DAS) |
| 4.1/9.5 | 50 | DC - 14 GHz | Threaded | 4.1-9.5 interconnects are low PIM tested, making them ideal for mobile communication systems and wireless applications. |
| SC | 50 | DC - 11 GHz | Threaded | The SC-Type connector series is a medium size, 50 ohm series, with performance up to 11 GHz. |
These smaller connectors are ideal for applications where space is a constraint.
| Connector | Impedance (Ohms) | Frequency Range | Coupling Mechanism | Typical Applications |
| 2.2/5 | 50 | DC - 20 GHz | Threaded | A smaller version of the 4.3-10, about 53% smaller. It's designed for low PIM and high performance in a compact form factor. |
| NEX10 | 50 | DC - 20 GHz | Threaded | 30 % smaller than 4.3-10 connectors, 12.7 mm flange height. It's designed for low PIM and high performance in a compact form factor. |
| SMA | 50 | DC - 18 GHz | Threaded | Wi-Fi antennas, GPS, RF power amplifiers, microwave systems |
| QMA | 50 | DC - 18 GHz | Push-Pull | quick disconnect version of the SMA connector and shares the same internal construction, which allows the connector to have excellent performance up to 18 GHz. |
| SMB | 50 or 75 | DC - 4 GHz | Snap-on | Internal equipment connections, base stations, radio applications |
| SMC | 50 | DC - 10 GHz | Threaded | GPS, antennas, industrial control |
| Mini-UHF | 50 | Up to 2.5 GHz | Threaded | Mobile communication devices, antennas |
| FAKRA | 50 | DC - 6 GHz | SMB with plastic housing | Automotive applications (GPS, satellite radio, cellular) |
| 1.0/2.3 | 50/75 | DC - 12 GHz | Snap-on | European telecommunications market in the 1990s. The compact design allows for denser connector packing which makes this interface an ideal solution for applications where space constraints exist. |
| 1.6/5.6 | 75 | DC - 1 GHz | Threaded | miniature European design that permits dense connector packing, making them ideal solutions for applications where space limitation is a factor. |
| SMZ | 75 | DC - 2 GHz | Snap-on | 75 ohm impedance and are ideal for instrumentation applications. |
| FME | 50 | DC - 200 MHz | Threaded | miniature 50 ohm series offering performance from DC to 200 MHz. |
| G-Type | 75 | DC - 1 GHz | Snap-on | 75 ohm interface ideal for cable television (CATV), set top boxes and cable modems. |
| HD-BNC | 50/75 | DC - 6 GHz | Bayonet | enhance electrical and mechanical performance, the HD-BNC connector line |
| BMA | 50 | DC - 22 GHz | Snap-on | BMA was designed for high frequency rack and panel RF applications. It is standardized under IEC 60169-33. |
| SBMA | 50 | DC - 28 GHz | Snap-on | SBMA offers the performance of BMA in a 30% smaller version.The outer diameter of the interface is approx 3.50mm |
| SSMA | 50 | DC - 34 GHz | Threaded | a small version of the standard SMA connector. |
| SSMB | 50 | DC - 12.4 GHz | Snap-on | a small version of the standard SMB connector. |
| SSMC | 50 | DC - 12.4 GHz | Threaded | SSMC connectors are ideal for limited-space applications that require the security of a threaded coupling mechanism.. |
These are among the smallest RF connectors, used in compact and portable devices.
| Connector | Impedance (Ohms) | Frequency Range | Coupling Mechanism | Typical Applications |
| MCX | 50 or 75 | DC - 6 GHz | Snap-on | GPS, PCMCIA cards, wireless communications |
| MMCX | 50 | DC - 6 GHz | Snap-on | Wi-Fi cards, GPS, portable devices |
| U.FL (IPEX) | 50 | DC - 6 GHz | Snap-on | Laptops, embedded systems, Wi-Fi modules,mating height 2.4mm,mounting area is only 7.7mm, and weighs in at 15.7 mg |
| W.FL (IPEX MHF4L) | 50 | DC - 6 GHz | Snap-on | Smaller devices than U.FL, such as smartphones,mating height 1.4mm,mounting area is only 3.4mm square and a weight of 2.6 mg |
| GPO (SMP) | 50 | DC - 40 GHz | Push-on/Blind-mate | High-density interconnects, board-to-board connections |
| GPPO (SSMP) (SMPM) | 50 | DC - 65 GHz | Push-on/Blind-mate | Smaller than GPO, for even higher density applications |
| G3PO (SMPS) | 50 | DC - 100 GHz | Push-on/Blind-mate | Blind-mate / push-on design ,45% smaller than the SMP, 30% smaller than the SMPM,100GHz capability |
| G4PO | 50 | DC - 60 GHz | Push-on/Blind-mate | The G4PO interconnect series offers a blind mate interconnect that has a center-to-center spacing of 0.070 inch and weighs just 5.0 mg. |
| PSMP | 50 | DC - 10 GHz | Push-on/Blind-mate | board-to-board applications requiring high power. With a minimum board spacing of 12.6 mm, |
| SMP-MAX | 50 | DC - 6 GHz | Push-on/Blind-mate | Microminiature coaxial connectors, Power up to 300 Watts,Board to board distance misalignment |
These connectors are designed for high-frequency test and measurement applications where accuracy and repeatability are critical.
| Connector | Impedance (Ohms) | Frequency Range | Coupling Mechanism | Typical Applications |
| APC-7 | 50 | DC - 18 GHz | Threaded | APC-7 are genderless, design for VNA testing |
| 3.5mm | 50 | DC - 34 GHz | Threaded | Microwave test and measurement, compatible with SMA |
| 2.92mm (K) | 50 | DC - 40 GHz | Threaded | High-frequency test and measurement, compatible with 3.5mm and SMA |
| 2.4mm | 50 | DC - 50 GHz | Threaded | Millimeter-wave applications, test equipment |
| 1.85mm (V) | 50 | DC - 67 GHz | Threaded | High-frequency test and measurement, compatible with 2.4mm IEC 61169-32 |
| 1.35mm | 50 | DC up to 90 GHz, E-Band | Threaded | 1.35 mm interface by IEC (IEC 61169-65) and IEEE (IEEE STD 287) |
| 1.0mm (W) | 50 | DC - 110 GHz | Threaded | State-of-the-art test equipment, research and development IEC 61169-31 |
| 0.8mm | 50 | DC - 145 GHz D-Band | Threaded | mate with IEEE 287 & IEC 61169-64 standards |
| NMD 3.5 | 50 | DC - 34 GHz | Threaded | NMD connectors are usually available as 3.5mm, 2.9mm, 2.4mm, and 1.85mm connectors. They are ruggedized test-port connectors used on test sets and network analyzers. NMD connectors have a large threaded body that has been specially designed to stabalize the test port cable when attached to the front of the test set or VNA. |
| NMD 2.92 | 50 | DC - 40 GHz | Threaded | Same as before, the connector is 2.92 mm |
| NMD 2.4 | 50 | DC - 50 GHz | Threaded | Same as before, the connector is 2.4 mm |
| NMD 1.85 | 50 | DC - 67 GHz | Threaded | Same as before, the connector is 1.85 mm |
Designed for applications requiring high voltage ratings.
| Connector | Impedance (Ohms) | Frequency Range | Coupling Mechanism | Typical Applications |
| LC | 50 | DC - 1 GHz | Threaded | The LC coaxial connectors are typically used in high power or high voltage applications. LC can typically handle up to 5,000 Vrms. |
| SHV | 50 | DC - 300 MHz | Bayonet | Photomultiplier tubes, nuclear instrumentation, high-voltage power supplies |
| MHV | 50 | DC - 100 MHz | Bayonet | Older high-voltage applications, less safe than SHV |
| HN | 50 | DC - 4 GHz | Threaded | High-voltage and moderate power applications |
| EIA | 50 | DC - 6 GHz | Flange | High-voltage and moderate power applications |
These connectors have the gender of the center pin and the outer conductor reversed to prevent incorrect connections, often used in consumer-grade Wi-Fi equipment to comply with regulations. Common types include :
| RP-BNC |
| RP-MCX |
| RP-N-TYPE |
| RP-SMA |
| RP-SMB |
| RP-TNC |
| RP-Triax |
These are primarily used in broadcast (FM, TV), high-power industrial RF, and scientific applications. Their names correspond to the flange size;
| EIA Size (Inches) | Impedance (Ohms) | Max Frequency (Approx.) | Typical Average Power Handling | Typical Applications |
| 7/8" | 50 | ~ 5.2 GHz | > 2.2 kW @ 900 MHz | Low to medium power broadcast (FM/TV), cellular base stations, industrial heating |
| 1-5/8" | 50 | ~ 3.0 GHz | > 4.9 kW @ 900 MHz | Medium to high-power broadcast transmitters (FM/TV), particle accelerators |
| 3-1/8" | 50 | ~ 1.0 GHz | > 10.9 kW @ 960 MHz | Very high-power TV and FM broadcast transmitters, industrial RF power systems |
| 4-1/2" | 50 | ~ 960 MHz | > 17.5 kW @ 960 MHz | Extremely high-power broadcast applications, research facilities |
| 6-1/8" | 50 | ~ 860 MHz | > 25.5 kW @ 860 MHz | The largest standard size, for the most powerful broadcast transmitters in the world |
Design for triax cable for maximum RF shielding and minimum noise radiation
| Connector | Impedance (Ohms) | Frequency Range |
| Triax-C | Non-Constant | DC - 300 MHz |
| Triax BNC | Non-Constant | DC - 500 MHz |
| Triax TNC | Non-Constant | DC - 500 MHz |
A cluster connector is multi-port RF connector assembly that integrates several RF connectors into one compact housing.
| Connector | Impedance (Ohms) | Frequency Range | Coupling Mechanism | Typical Applications |
| MQ4 | 50 | DC - 6 GHz | Threaded | Mechanical coding avoids any mismating,Rugged and watertight design (IP68),Four or five PIM-stable connections,Reduced installation time,IEC 63138-2 |
| MQ5 | 50 | DC - 6 GHz | Threaded | Mechanical coding avoids any mismating,Rugged and watertight design (IP68),Four or five PIM-stable connections,Reduced installation time,IEC 63138-3 |
An RF Adapter is a passive component used to connect two RF connectors that have different types, genders, or orientations. They allow systems to be flexible when testing, prototyping, or integrating RF equipment.
| In Series | Two sides are same connectors, example SMA female to female adapter | |
| Between Series | Two sides are different connectors, example SMA female to N adapter | |
An Automobile RF Connector is a specialized RF interface designed for use in vehicles, where reliability, safety, and compact size are critical. These connectors support communication, navigation, infotainment, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
| FAKRA |
| MINI-FAKRA |
| H-MTD |
RF Inserts are specialized coaxial contact elements designed to be integrated into multi-pin connector systems such as D-Sub, DIN, or custom housings. Instead of using a standalone RF connector (like SMA or BNC), RF inserts allow high-frequency signals to be transmitted within a larger mixed-signal connector assembly that may also carry power, control, or data lines.
| Inserts D-Sub |
| Inserts DIN 41626 |
| Inserts Mini-Coax |
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