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Pasternack Blog
There is a wide variety of different coaxial transmission line hardware types and configurations. Hence, there are a wide range of accessories to go with these various coaxial connector, adapter, cable, and assembly arrangements. This blog covers a quick overview of a few of this, namely SMPS adapters with features such as spring loading, adapter bullets, and full detents, as well as BNC open circuit connector caps. Examples of these accessories include SMPS Spring Loaded Adapter, SMPS Female Adapter Bullet, SMPS Full Detent to 1.85 mm Adapter, and BNC Male Open Circuit Connector Cap.
Spring Loaded Adapters
Typical coaxial adapters are screw types that may be male or female and of one or more coaxial connector types. In the case of spring-loaded adapters, these adapters are not usually of the screw type coaxial connector and are instead usually of the blind-mate or push-connect type. The spring loaded allows for some tolerance in motion along the direction of the adapter while still maintaining a mechanical and electrical connection with the matching coaxial connector. Without the spring force holding the connection, in some applications, shock or vibration could eventually allow for the connection to lose or disconnect entirely.
Coaxial Bullet Adapters
Bullet adapters are simply round coaxial adapters with minimal material and profile and typically of the same coaxial connector type. The term “bullet” is used to describe many cylindrical and simple in-line connector types throughout the electronics industry.
Full Detent Adapters
There are three levels of detents specified for SMP, and hence SMPS, connector types in MIL-STD-348, the full detent, limited detent, and smooth bore. The full detent is used to provide the highest level of insertion and withdrawal forces, followed by the limited detent and then the smooth bore. Full detents are used when the cable withdrawal forces need to be high, such as with cable assembly applications or when a connection needs to withstand significant shock and vibration and concern of damaging the connected electronics with a high withdrawal force isn’t a primary concern.
Open Circuit Connector Caps
Where most coaxial terminations are typically matched loads, this is not always the case. There are also open circuit and closed-circuit connector caps or terminators. It is less common to call open circuit or closed-circuit caps terminations or loads, though this is technically correct, as that might create confusion with matched terminations/loads. In many cases open or closed-circuit terminations are specifically chosen for this purpose as the circuitry connected to the external port requiring the cap is best connected as an open circuit or closed circuit instead of a matched load.
