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.
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.
Browse RF Connector Series
| Series | Description | Max. Freq. Sort descending | Image |
|---|---|---|---|
UHF |
The UHF series is a low cost, low frequency connector with a screw coupling. The maximum usable frequency is limited to 200 MHz, as the impedance of the connector is not controlled. Flexible cables up to 11 mm in diameter can be used. Soldering and crimping techniques are used for terminating these connectors. Applications for the UHF connectors are for low-frequency communication equipment. Also known as |
0 GHz | 
|
FME |
FME "For Mobile Equipment", RF connectors are a simple, low cost UHF band series connector offering acceptable performance up to 2 GHz. They are also known as SAP connectors and are easily identified by their unusual interfacing, whereby the female jack body contains the coupling nut. Solder and crimp techniques are used to terminate this series. The series uses a M8 x 0.75 interfacing thread. FME ... Also known as For Mobile Equipment, SAP |
2 GHz | 
|
CRC9 |
CRC9 is an uncommon RF coaxial connector almost exclusively used in cellular devices such as mobile broadband modems to support connection of an external antenna. The connector passes frequencies up to 3 GHz. Used almost exclusively on Chinese manufactured devices such as Huawei 4G LTE modems, the CRC9 Female connector comprises a very simple circular brass housing with an outer diameter of 3 mm ... Also known as |
3 GHz | 
|
TS-9 |
TS-9 (or TS9) is an uncommon RF coaxial connector found in cellular devices such as 3G and 4G mobile broadband modems to support connection of an external antenna. The connector passes frequencies up to around 3 GHz. The TS-9 Female connector comprises a very simple circular brass housing with an outer diameter of 3.5 mm. The connector is typically attached to the PCB by a Surface Mount or End ... Also known as |
3 GHz | 
|
SSMB |
The SSMB series of connectors utilise a snap coupling and is suitable for applications up to a frequency of 3 GHz. The impedance is controlled at 50 Ω. Connector designs are available for flexible cables like RG-316 and RG-178. Styles are available for mounting to printed circuit boards using thru-hole soldered assembly. Solder and crimp techniques are used to terminate this series to the cables ... Also known as |
3 GHz | 
|
SMB |
The SMB "SubMiniature B" connector series was designed as a smaller snap-on coupling replacement for the SMA connector. Gender designation can be confusing, with the smaller 'jack' body containing the male pin and as such the smaller connector is male, and larger connector having the female receptacle. Built in accordance with MIL-C-39012, IEC 60169-10, and CECC 22130, SMB connectors can be mated ... Also known as SubMiniature B |
4 GHz | 
|
BNC |
BNC "Bayonet Neill–Concelman" are a two-stud bayonet-style connector designed for quick mating. BNC connectors are one of the worlds most popular type of RF connector. Originally designed for early military communications, BNC connectors are now commonly used in UHF, radio, electronic equipment, and broadcast up to 4 GHz. Above 4 GHz, BNC slots begin radiating resulting in a hard limit to the ... Also known as Bayonet Neill–Concelman |
4 GHz | 
|
MHF4 |
The MHF4 (or IPEX4) RF connector is characterized by its small physical size and high-frequency electrical performance. With a mated height of 1.2 mm and a maximum width of 2.0 mm, it is designed for applications where space is at a premium. Despite its small size, it is robust, with a mating durability of up to 30 cycles. Electrically, the MHF4 RF connector can handle frequencies up to 6 GHz ... Also known as IPEX4 |
6 GHz | 
|
U.FL |
U.FL RF connectors, also known as Ultra Miniature Coaxial connectors, are PCB/board-mount miniature RF connectors designed by Hirose Electric. These connectors are characterised by their small size, lightweight, and high-frequency performance, making them ideal for applications in space-constrained environments. Physically, U.FL connectors are compact, with a nominal impedance of 50 ohms. They ... Also known as IPEX MHF, LTI IPX, AMC, UMCC |
6 GHz | 
|
FAKRA (SMB) |
FAKRA "FAchKReis Automobile" is an interface standard for the vehicle industry comprising of an SMB RF connector and colour-coded housing. FAKRA connectors are employed to support the complex communication and RF systems present in modern day vehicles. These systems include DSRC, GPS, WiFi, cellular, keyless entry, remote start, proximity sensors, and more. FAKRA is standardised under USCAR and ... Also known as |
6 GHz | 
|
MMCX |
The Micro-Miniature CoaXial (MMCX) is a miniaturised version of the MCX RF connector and features snap-on coupling. The series is only 2.4 mm in diameter, ideal for lightweight and space-limited applications. MMCX has the same inner and outer contact interface dimensions as SMB but 45% smaller. The connector utilises a slot-less design to minimise RF leakage, and has been standardised under IEC ... Also known as Micro-Miniature CoaXial |
6 GHz | 
|
MCX |
The Micro CoaXial (MCX) is a miniature RF connector featuring snap-on coupling. The series is ideal for lightweight and space-limited applications, with has the same inner and outer contact interface dimensions as SMB but 30% smaller. The connector design has been standardised under European CECC 22220, and IEC 61169-36 specifications. Despite standards identifying an operating frequency to 3 GHz ... Also known as Micro CoaXial |
6 GHz | 
|
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. The ... Also known as |
6 GHz | 
|
7/16 DIN |
The 7/16 DIN connector is a robust, high power handling RF connector with relatively good PIM performance, typically used in broadcast and cellular base station antennas. The name of the connector comes from the nominal values of 16 mm at the interface for the internal diameter of the outer conductor, and 7 mm for the diameter of the centre conductor. The exact ratio is chosen such that it gives a ... Also known as |
8 GHz | 
|
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. 1.0/2.3 RF connectors are characterised by high mechanical and electrical stability. The connectors are designed for high density applications, offering a 40% size reduction to ... Also known as DIN 47297 |
10 GHz | 
|
RF Series by Frequency
The chart below depicts the maximum operating frequency range of RF Connector Series. The maximum value of a series may include precision variations and as such does not apply for all manufacturer variations.