N-Type Connector to MMCX: Antenna Cables

The MMCX connector

The Micro-Miniature CoaXial Connector (MMCX) is a micro-miniature radio frequency connector that was developed by Huber and Suhner in the 1980s. It is particularly noted for its robustness and reliability, with a snap-lock mechanism that withstands hundreds of mating cycles.

It is a miniaturized version of the MCX connector, itself an adaptation of the SMB connector, with a 35% size and weight reduction that makes it useful in applications that are component-dense or require a low footprint of the connector used.

MMCX connector physical features

  • EU specification CECC 22000
  • MMCX plug and jack diameter of 2.4 millimeters (0.09 inches)
  • Mated height of 5.2mm
  • Snap-on mating mechanism: snap ring carried by the male (plug) MMCX connector
  • Force required to engage and disengage the connector: 6 Newtons maximum
  • Center contact retention:10 Newtons.
  • 360-degree rotation of the mated connector around its axis.
  • MMCX jack and plug are made from brass with a Teflon insulator
  • Male MMCX connector: gold-plated brass center pin
  • Female MMCX connector: gold-plated complimentary beryllium copper receptacle.

Electrical characteristics of the MMCX connector

  • Broadband radio frequency connector
  • Maximum frequency: up to 6 GHz
  • Nominal impedance: 50 Ohms.
  • Max voltage: 170 Volts
  • VSWR: 1.25:1 at 6 GHz
  • Insulation resistance: 1,000 Megohms.
  • Dielectric withstanding voltage of the connector is 500 Volts.
  • The contact resistance: 5 milliohms
  • RF leakage for the MMCX connector: -60 dB at 2.5 GHz.

MMCX connector applications

The small diameter of the MMCX is useful for scaling down wireless networking hardware and increasing its efficiency. The MMCX snaps easily onto the jack of a router board or mini PCI card and will snap off as and when needed. This means that its use is widespread in a range of wireless devices and radio components including:

  • Computer peripheral devices
  • Wireless internet TV
  • External GPS antennas
  • Wireless audio
  • In-ear monitors
  • GPS and PDA receivers
  • Wi-Fi mini PCI cards and
  • Video transmitters for First Person View 

Cable for the MMCX connector

MMCX pigtail adapters use high-quality, low-loss, and flexible mini-coax to run between the micro-miniature connector and the medium-sized N connector. Quality MMCX to N connector pigtail adapters use LMR 100 or equivalent cable. Here are the specifications of LMR 100:

Physical specifications of LMR 100

  • Semi-rigid, low-loss coaxial cable with double shielding.
  • Bare copper-clad steel (BCCS) center conductor with a diameter of 0.018 inches (0.46mm)
  • Solid polyethylene (PE) dielectric with a diameter of 0.06 inches (1.52mm)
  • Unbonded aluminum tape outer conductor
  • Tinned copper outer braiding with a diameter of 0.083 inches (2.11mm)
  • Plastic outer jacket - total diameter of LMR 100 to 0.11 inches or (2.79mm)
  • Bend radius of 0.25 inches (6.24mm)

Electrical specifications of LMR 100

  • Nominal impedance: 50 Ohms
  • Capacitance: 30.8 pF/ft (100.1pF/m)
  • Inductance: 0.077uH/ft (0.25 uH/m).
  • Velocity of propagation (Vp): 66%.
  • Shielding effectiveness: more than 90 decibels
  • Maximum voltage: 500 volts.

Type N connector

The size and ruggedness of an N-connector make it useful for outdoor applications, so radio devices that are primarily used or installed outdoors use this connector. When used in a pigtail adapter with the MCX or MMCX connector, the N connector can be used to connect a larger antenna to a PCB-mounted MMCX connector. This is because the N connector is more rugged, easier to handle, and will withstand repeated mating.Here are the Type N connector specifications:

Physical specifications of the N connector

  • Threaded medium-size connector
  • 5/8 - 24 pitched UNEF threading
  • Mates by screw coupling; rated for 500+ mating cycles
  • Material: nickel-plated brass or stainless steel
  • Male N connector: diameter of 0.800 inches (20.3 millimeters) with internalized threads and hex nut
  • Female N connector: diameter of 0.620 inches (15.7 millimeters)with externalized threads
  • O-ring seal achieves an IP 67 rating, making the connection dust and moisture-free
  • Standard N connectors do not have a dielectric

Electrical specifications of the N connector

  • Nominal impedance: 50 ohms
  • Maximum frequency: up to 11 GHz
  • Peak voltage rating: 1500 volts
  • Dielectric withstanding voltage: up to 2500 volts.
  • VSWR of 1.3.
  • Contact resistance: 1 milliohm
  • Insertion loss: 0.15 dB.
  • Radio frequency leakage: -90 decibels at 3GHz.

N to MMCX Cables

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N-Type Connector to MMCX: Antenna Cables

The MMCX connector

The Micro-Miniature CoaXial Connector (MMCX) is a micro-miniature radio frequency connector that was developed by Huber and Suhner in the 1980s. It is particularly noted for its robustness and reliability, with a snap-lock mechanism that withstands hundreds of mating cycles.

It is a miniaturized version of the MCX connector, itself an adaptation of the SMB connector, with a 35% size and weight reduction that makes it useful in applications that are component-dense or require a low footprint of the connector used.

MMCX connector physical features

  • EU specification CECC 22000
  • MMCX plug and jack diameter of 2.4 millimeters (0.09 inches)
  • Mated height of 5.2mm
  • Snap-on mating mechanism: snap ring carried by the male (plug) MMCX connector
  • Force required to engage and disengage the connector: 6 Newtons maximum
  • Center contact retention:10 Newtons.
  • 360-degree rotation of the mated connector around its axis.
  • MMCX jack and plug are made from brass with a Teflon insulator
  • Male MMCX connector: gold-plated brass center pin
  • Female MMCX connector: gold-plated complimentary beryllium copper receptacle.

Electrical characteristics of the MMCX connector

  • Broadband radio frequency connector
  • Maximum frequency: up to 6 GHz
  • Nominal impedance: 50 Ohms.
  • Max voltage: 170 Volts
  • VSWR: 1.25:1 at 6 GHz
  • Insulation resistance: 1,000 Megohms.
  • Dielectric withstanding voltage of the connector is 500 Volts.
  • The contact resistance: 5 milliohms
  • RF leakage for the MMCX connector: -60 dB at 2.5 GHz.

MMCX connector applications

The small diameter of the MMCX is useful for scaling down wireless networking hardware and increasing its efficiency. The MMCX snaps easily onto the jack of a router board or mini PCI card and will snap off as and when needed. This means that its use is widespread in a range of wireless devices and radio components including:

  • Computer peripheral devices
  • Wireless internet TV
  • External GPS antennas
  • Wireless audio
  • In-ear monitors
  • GPS and PDA receivers
  • Wi-Fi mini PCI cards and
  • Video transmitters for First Person View 

Cable for the MMCX connector

MMCX pigtail adapters use high-quality, low-loss, and flexible mini-coax to run between the micro-miniature connector and the medium-sized N connector. Quality MMCX to N connector pigtail adapters use LMR 100 or equivalent cable. Here are the specifications of LMR 100:

Physical specifications of LMR 100

  • Semi-rigid, low-loss coaxial cable with double shielding.
  • Bare copper-clad steel (BCCS) center conductor with a diameter of 0.018 inches (0.46mm)
  • Solid polyethylene (PE) dielectric with a diameter of 0.06 inches (1.52mm)
  • Unbonded aluminum tape outer conductor
  • Tinned copper outer braiding with a diameter of 0.083 inches (2.11mm)
  • Plastic outer jacket - total diameter of LMR 100 to 0.11 inches or (2.79mm)
  • Bend radius of 0.25 inches (6.24mm)

Electrical specifications of LMR 100

  • Nominal impedance: 50 Ohms
  • Capacitance: 30.8 pF/ft (100.1pF/m)
  • Inductance: 0.077uH/ft (0.25 uH/m).
  • Velocity of propagation (Vp): 66%.
  • Shielding effectiveness: more than 90 decibels
  • Maximum voltage: 500 volts.

Type N connector

The size and ruggedness of an N-connector make it useful for outdoor applications, so radio devices that are primarily used or installed outdoors use this connector. When used in a pigtail adapter with the MCX or MMCX connector, the N connector can be used to connect a larger antenna to a PCB-mounted MMCX connector. This is because the N connector is more rugged, easier to handle, and will withstand repeated mating.Here are the Type N connector specifications:

Physical specifications of the N connector

  • Threaded medium-size connector
  • 5/8 - 24 pitched UNEF threading
  • Mates by screw coupling; rated for 500+ mating cycles
  • Material: nickel-plated brass or stainless steel
  • Male N connector: diameter of 0.800 inches (20.3 millimeters) with internalized threads and hex nut
  • Female N connector: diameter of 0.620 inches (15.7 millimeters)with externalized threads
  • O-ring seal achieves an IP 67 rating, making the connection dust and moisture-free
  • Standard N connectors do not have a dielectric

Electrical specifications of the N connector

  • Nominal impedance: 50 ohms
  • Maximum frequency: up to 11 GHz
  • Peak voltage rating: 1500 volts
  • Dielectric withstanding voltage: up to 2500 volts.
  • VSWR of 1.3.
  • Contact resistance: 1 milliohm
  • Insertion loss: 0.15 dB.
  • Radio frequency leakage: -90 decibels at 3GHz.