Why Hermetically Seal RF Adapters and how is it done?

RF coaxial adapters are often the difference between expensive options of reordering RF cable assemblies, RF connectors, or even retrofitting RF assemblies with new RF coaxial connectors, and a few seconds of installing a quick fix. Also, RF adapters are useful in protecting/extending the life of the RF ports of expensive to service and replace RF assemblies and equipment. Another common use is mating different RF systems or networks when updating, upgrading, or otherwise servicing.

Given how indispensable RF coaxial adapters are, they are used in all environments RF systems are used in, which now is virtually every industrial, military/defense, aerospace, space, submarine, and other harsh environment application. This means that RF adapters with extreme environmental survivability are needed to pair with RF systems that are also rated at such. Otherwise, a less rugged RF adapter would be the weakest link in the signal chain.

One of the best ways to ensure that a RF system is protected against extreme environmental conditions is to hermetically seal the system assemblies and interconnect. With hermetic assemblies and connections, it is much less likely that undesirable and potentially damaging gasses, liquids, particulates, or other contaminants can enter the RF system. In many types of environments, this also means that all of the RF interconnect needs to be individually hermetically sealed. Without hermetically sealed RF adapters, the problems of not having the right cable or connector for a given RF assembly or component can emerge.

Hermetic RF adapters are made that are suitable for any environment where hermetically sealed electronics are desirable. Given the availability of hermetically sealed RF coaxial interconnect, such interconnect is also used for other electrical interconnects, especially if interference immunity or signal shielding is desirable. This includes high-speed digital interconnect, but also DC and analog systems as well.

The main considerations as to why a hermetic sealed RF adapter may be useful depends on the severity of the environment. If there are significant pressure differences between an RF system and the outside, then a hermetically sealed RF adapter may be useful. It may also be desirable to use hermetically sealed RF adapters in high temperature environments where the typical materials used as dielectrics for RF connectors would deteriorate or be destroyed. Hermetic seals are typically made using glass-to-metal or ceramic-to-metal bonding and are resistant to many corrosive chemicals. Other use cases of hermetically sealed RF adapters may be for high voltage or current applications, as this type of construction typically allows for higher operating temperatures and greater voltage tolerance.