What is an Antenna Connector?
Antenna connectors are specialized RF coaxial connectors used to link antennas to coaxial or RF cables that connect to an electronic device such as a router, radio, transceiver, television, or wireless infrastructure. They are used in Wi-Fi and IoT devices, GNSS and navigation, aerospace and defense, and automotive systems. They carry radio-frequency signals through a shielded, controlled-impedance (typically 50 Ω) interface, keeping signal loss and leakage low at the point where the radio meets the antenna. This category includes SMA, RP-SMA, TNC, N-type, MMCX, and the U.FL/MHF families of connectors.
COAX Connectors designs and manufactures a full range of RF connectors for all antenna applications, from sub-miniature plugs to attach to a small antenna to large connectors for outdoor antenna installations, in both 50 and 75 ohm impedance.
Origin & Development
Antenna connectors originated with the coaxial connectors developed for radar and radio in the 1940s, when Bell Labs engineers Paul Neill and Carl Concelman produced the N-type, BNC, and TNC designs. The SMA followed in the 1960s as a solution for compact microwave antenna links, while micro-coaxial types such as MMCX and U.FL/MHF emerged in the 1990s and 2000s as a space-saving option for Wi-Fi and cellular modules. Reverse-polarity versions (RP-SMA, RP-TNC) became common in consumer Wi-Fi equipment after FCC rules discouraged user-swappable antennas.
Design Highlights
Engineers choose antenna connectors for a repeatable, shielded 50 Ω interface, with variations such as ruggedized outdoor feed lines (N-type, 7/16 DIN, 4.3-10) and board-level micro connectors (MMCX, U.FL) for applications where space is at a premium. Threaded coupling on SMA, TNC, and N-type resists vibration and supports sealing, while snap-on micro types are favored for smaller size applications. Many series are multi-sourced and interchangeable; SMA intermates with 3.5 mm and 2.92 mm precision connectors, and U.FL-style connectors are second-sourced as MHF and other variants, while reverse-polarity types will not mate with their standard counterparts.
ATTEND offers a range of RF connectors and cable assemblies that feature MMCX, SMA, and MHF interfaces suitable for antenna applications such as wireless infrastructure, military and aerospace, and RF Test & Measurement.
Markets & Applications
Major markets for antenna connectors include wireless and cellular infrastructure (5G/LTE base stations, small cells, distributed antenna systems), Wi-Fi and IoT, GNSS and navigation, military and aerospace (radios, radar, telemetry, satellite communications), transportation and automotive (telematics and V2X), Test & Measurement.
Applications include Wi-Fi router and access-point antennas (RP-SMA), cellular tower and base-station feed lines (N-type, 7/16 DIN, 4.3-10), vehicle GNSS, satellite radio, and telematics antennas (FAKRA), radios (SMA, BNC), LoRa and cellular IoT modules (U.FL, MHF), and embedded antennas in laptops and wireless modules (MMCX, U.FL). Test & Measurement labs also rely on SMA and N-type connectors on antenna test fixtures.
Cinch offers a variety of RF and coax connectors and cables for antenna applications. See Cinch’s RF & Microwave 101: Design Tips & Selection Guide
Technical Specifications
| IDENTIFICATION | |
| Product / Series Name | SMA; RP-SMA; TNC; RP-TNC; N-type; BNC; MCX; MMCX; SMB; U.FL / MHF; FAKRA; 7/16 DIN; 4.3-10 |
| Manufacturer(s) | Amphenol RF; TE Connectivity; Molex; Rosenberger; Hirose (U.FL); I-PEX (MHF); Cinch Connectivity Solutions (Johnson); Radiall |
| Industry Category | RF / Coaxial |
| Relevant Standards | MIL-PRF-39012 (SMA, TNC, N, BNC, SMB); IEC 61169 series; DIN 72594 / ISO 20860-1 (FAKRA); MCX, MMCX, and U.FL |
| MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Shell / Housing Shape | Circular (coaxial) |
| Shell Material & Finish | Brass; stainless steel; beryllium copper (micro types); gold, nickel, tri-metal (white bronze), or passivated finishes |
| Overall Dimensions | Threaded couplings: SMA 1/4-36 UNS; TNC 7/16-28 UNEF; N-type 5/8-24 UNEF; Micro types (MCX, MMCX, U.FL): sub-6 mm profiles; U.FL approx. 3 mm × 3 mm footprint, ~2.5 mm mated height |
| Mounting Type(s) | Panel / bulkhead; PCB (through-hole, edge-launch, SMT); in-line cable |
| Plug Types | Straight; Right-angle; Crimp / solder cable plug; Reverse-polarity; Pigtail / cable assembly; Between-series adapters |
| Receptacle Mounting Styles | Jam-nut / locknut; Flange (2-hole, 4-hole); Bulkhead; Edge-launch; SMT; Through-hole |
| Mating Cycles (rated) | Typically 500 (SMA, TNC, N, BNC, MCX, MMCX); ~30 (U.FL / MHF) |
| Locking Mechanism | Threaded (SMA, TNC, N, 7/16 DIN); Bayonet (BNC); Snap-on (MCX, MMCX, SMB, U.FL); Latch (FAKRA) |
| CONTACT SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Contact Count (range) | 1 (single coaxial center contact); multi-port and ganged housings available |
| Contact Size(s) / AWG | Coaxial; sized per series to maintain impedance; typical cables: RG-174, RG-316, RG-58, LMR-195 / 400; 1.13 mm / 1.37 mm micro-coax (U.FL) |
| Contact Material & Plating | Beryllium copper; brass; phosphor bronze; gold, silver, or nickel plating |
| Termination Method(s) | Solder; crimp; clamp; PCB through-hole; PCB edge-launch; SMT |
| Voltage Rating | Varies by series; typical examples: SMA ~335 V RMS working / 1,000 V RMS dielectric withstanding; N-type ~500 V RMS working / 1,500 V RMS dielectric withstanding (verify against datasheet) |
| SEALING & ENVIRONMENTAL | |
| IP Rating | IP67 (sealed N-type, TNC, 7/16 DIN, 4.3-10, waterproof FAKRA); IP68 on select series |
| Sealing Type & Material | O-ring / gasket (silicone; EPDM; neoprene); Interfacial seals; Glass-to-metal hermetic (aerospace / space) |
| Operating Temperature Range | −65 °C to +165 °C (PTFE-dielectric SMA, TNC, N); −40 °C to +85 °C typical (MCX, MMCX, U.FL); −40 °C to +105 °C or higher (automotive FAKRA) |
| EMI / RFI Shielding | Shielded (360° coaxial); typically ≥ 90 dB for threaded series, varies by series |
| MATERIALS & COMPLIANCE | |
| Insulator Material | PTFE (most common); PEEK; polypropylene; LCP (micro types); glass (hermetic) |
| RoHS / REACH / Halogen Free | RoHS / REACH-compliant versions widely available; some MIL-grade parts use exempt finishes; halogen-free status varies by part number |
| ELECTRICAL PERFORMANCE | |
| Impedance (if controlled) | 50 Ω (standard); 75 Ω variants (BNC, SMB, N-type) for broadcast / video |
| Data Rate / Bandwidth | Frequency-based: SMA DC–18 GHz (to 26.5 GHz precision); TNC DC–11 GHz; N-type DC–11 GHz (to 18 GHz precision); BNC to ~4 GHz; MCX / MMCX / U.FL to ~6 GHz; 7/16 DIN to ~7.5 GHz; 4.3-10 to ~6 GHz |
I-PEX’s MHF-TI is an RF connector engineered with high retention force to meet the harsh operating conditions of telematics networks and Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS).
SUPPLIERS
Adam Tech, ATTEND, Cinch Connectivity Solutions, COAX Connectors, Hirose Electric, I-PEX, Molex, Radiall, Rosenberger, TE Connectivity
Distributors CDM, DigiKey, Heilind Electronics, ICC (Interstate Connecting Components), Kensington Electronics, Mouser PEI Genesis, Powell Electronics, Sager Electronics, TTI Inc.
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