Round-up of RF Quick Connect/Quick Disconnect Connectors

From Threaded to Quick

The technology for RF threaded connectors began in the early days of UHF communications and, since that time, other RF connectors have been developed to meet the needs of advancing technologies in the communications industry. In the early 1990’s, RF manufactures needed RF cable assemblies with interconnects that could manage the higher power and higher voltage of emerging technologies. The trend in the RF Microwave industry has evolved over the years from threaded coupling connectors to quick disconnect style coupling with push-on, blindmate, and quick disconnect interfaces.

Advantages of Quick Connect/Quick Disconnect Connectors

Advantages of using quick connect connectors are the speed of installation, flexibility of connection, and efficient use of space. This means less downtime during installation and maintenance, no special tooling when making RF connections,

And ease of mating of RF connections in challenging installation systems. Consider that many RF connections are in difficult to reach areas and mating and unmating these connections is often performed with limited line of sight or by feel. Using a torque wrench in these difficult to reach areas can be problematic. Quick connect/quick disconnect connectors eliminates many of the logistical difficulties by providing a mechanism for an easy and safe connection without the use of threads or assembly tools. Other installation advantages of quick connect/quick disconnect connectors include:

<  replaces traditional threaded connection of SMA and N with a snap-fastening to allow for faster mating and demating

< eliminates the need for a torque wrench

< decreases the overall size of the connector while maintaining the performance and reliability

< allows for 360° cable rotation after installation.

Types of Quick Connect/Quick Disconnect Connectors

QMA and QN connectors are quick connect RF connectors that were designed to replace the common SMA and Type N connectors. RF connectors are built in male, female, plug, jack, receptacle or sexless gender with 50 Ohm or 75 Ohm Impedance and in standard polarity, reverse polarity or reverse thread designs supporting an operating frequency range of from DC to 40 GHz. Designs for RF quick connect/disconnect connectors are available with QMA, QN, 4.3-10, SMP, SMP-M and BMA connectors with rapid snap-on or push-on mating. Many of these modern connectors provide a VSWR as low as 1.1:1 with an Input power up to 2W maximum.