Radio Frequency (RF) connectors are critical components in wireless communication systems, they are responsible for transmitting high frequency signals between antennas and wireless devices. The design and manufacture of these connectors requires consideration of terminology such as signal transmission quality, reflection loss, standing wave ratio (VSWR), impedance matching and electromagnetic compatibility to ensure efficient and accurate signal transmission.

Globally recognised RF connector brands such as TE Connectivity, Amphenol, Hirose, JST and Molex offer a wide range of RF connector solutions to meet the needs of different wireless communication standards.

     TE Connectivity's RF series connectors are known for their high performance and reliability and are used in a wide range of military, aerospace and communications infrastructures. These connectors feature precise impedance control and optimised signal path design to reduce reflection loss and VSWR in signal transmission.

     Amphenol's RF connectors are recognised in the marketplace for their stability and low loss characteristics in high frequency signal transmission.Amphenol's product line encompasses a wide range of RF connector types, including SMA, N-type, and BNC, which offer excellent electrical performance and mechanical stability.

  Amphenol   RF connectors   http://www.amphenol.com/

Hirose's RF connectors, such as the U.FL and SMA series, are popular in the mobile communications and consumer electronics fields for their compact design and high performance. These connectors are designed with high frequency signal transmission characteristics in mind, such as low insertion loss and high return loss.

      JST's RF connectors, such as the SMA and MCX series, are suitable for space-constrained applications due to their compact size and excellent electrical performance.JST's products are designed with a focus on impedance matching and signal integrity to ensure stable transmission of high frequency signals.

     Molex's RF connectors, such as the 7-16 and MCX series, are recognised for their use in high-speed data communications and video transmission.Molex's products are designed with EMC and signal integrity in mind and are suitable for use in wireless local area networks (WLAN) and radio frequency identification (RFID) systems.

In RF connector terminology, ‘impedance matching’ refers to equal impedance between the connector and the transmission line to minimise signal reflection and loss. VSWR is a measure of how much a signal is reflected during transmission, and a low VSWR means high efficiency in signal transmission.

  ‘Reflection loss is the power loss caused by the reflection of the signal at the connector, while insertion loss is the power loss of the signal as it passes through the connector. These parameters are critical for evaluating the performance of RF connectors.

      Through these examples of well-known brands, we can see the high standards of RF connectors in terms of design, material selection, performance testing and environmental suitability. The use of terminology such as ‘impedance matching’, ‘VSWR’, ‘reflection loss’, ‘insertion loss’, and ‘EMC’ are all used. ‘Electromagnetic compatibility’, not only reflects the professionalism of the RF connector industry, but also helps wireless communication equipment manufacturers and users to more accurately assess the performance and technical requirements of connectors.