Small RF Connectors

Today, there are many applications that require high frequency transmission: mobile phones, wireless communication devices, electronic measuring instruments, GPS, wireless LAN, Bluetooth, and so on. While connectors aren't the first thing that comes to mind when talking about wireless, they are essential in routing the signals to and from the device’s electronics.
 
Unlike older generations of coaxial interconnects, a new generation is smaller, taking up little room on a pc board with their low height and minimal footprint. Further they are designed for surface mounting; the connectors that mate with cables can be placed on a PC board using automation.

One example is the 6-GHz Hirose W.FL Series. With its 2 x 2-mm maximum footprint and its height of 0.86 mm, the connector is about 55% smaller than the company’s U.FL Series connector. The PCB layout for the W.FL Series is the same as for W.FL2 and X.FL Series (although it is not compatible with those unit). Further, it weighs only 5.6 mg, and so has little impact on end-product's weight. The board connector is designed to mate with a right-angle plug to provide a maximum connection height of 1.55 or 1.85mm.

Amphenol RF has just introduced its Amphenol Micro Miniature Coaxial (AMMC) connector, which is also a low-mated-profile connector with al 2 x 2-mm footprint. The connector is fully compatible with both the Hirose W.FL cables and IPEX MHF III series cables, providing easy snap-on/off mating. They too are designed to be surface mounted, and come packaged in 3,000-piece reels.

 
Undoubtedly, as the IoT takes off, connectors like these will experience strong demand and increasing competition.