TS-9 connectors & cables

TS-9 is a small coax connector that is commonly used to attach antennas to cellular devices such as LTE, GSM, 5G, 4G and 3G dongles, modems and data cards. TS-9 connectors closely resemble the CRC9 connectors, and features either gold or nickel plated circular barrel and a pin at the end of the threaded slot.   

Types of TS-9 cables

Data Alliance's 50-Ohm TS-9 coax connector is designed for use with low-loss double-shielded low-loss cable such as our LMR-100 coax. The TS-9 connector cables pair the TS-9 connector with the larger SMA connector that is widely used in cellular, LPWAN, and GPS networking.

The TS-9 (or TS9) connector is used predominantly in cellular networking applications. This small connector is not standardized but is characterized by its 3.5 mm inner diameter and 3.8 mm outer diameter and use in compact printed circuit board environments. This short guide provides you with the essentials of TS9 connectors and cables and their common applications.

Applications: TS-9 connectors are used for the following applications:

  • External Antennas for Cellular data applications:  Internet access via cellular devices
  • Terminate the end of TS-9 antenna cable to facilitate connections to an antenna or an RF device
  • Mobile telephone and hand-held radio antennas
  • USB wireless dongles (software-defined) and WiFi antenna systems
  • Cellular Wireless Infrastructure

Physical specifications of the TS-9 connector:

TS-9 connectors come in straight and right-angled variations, male or female. When choosing your connector, you need to match it to the cable type used, frequency support, impedance (50 to 75 ohms), voltage rating, insertion loss, environmental specifications, and cable size. TS-9 connectors and cables usually come with specifications on Impedance, Frequency Range, Working Voltage, Withstanding Voltage, Contact Resistance and Insulation Resistance. The connectors use crimp attachment method for effective and strong attachment. 

The TS9 male and female connectors are mated by slide-on or push-coupling. This simple mating does not provide a click or any tactile confirmation of correct mating. Mating is strong and secure and is rated for 5000 cycles or more.

TS-9 male connector (plug)

The male TS-9 connector is usually available assembled in pigtail adapters or coaxial cables, as well as being found on some antennas that directly connect to laptops or handheld wireless devices. Typical measurements of the brass connector body are 12.65 mm by 12.65 mm with a characteristic inner diameter of 3.5 mm and outer diameter of 3.8 mm. Within the gold or nickel-plated slotted circular barrel of the male plug is a connecting pin, that inserts into the female connector to create an electrical connector. 

TS-9 female connector (jack)

The female TS-9 connector functions as housing for the male connector. It is usually made of brass, with an outer diameter of 3.5mm. Inside it has a PTFE insulator. It is available in surface or edge-mounted configurations for mounting on PCBs.

TS-9 connector electrical specifications

  • Impedance: The TS-9 connector has a nominal impedance of 50 Ohm
  • Frequency range: The TS9 connector is a microwave connector that has a frequency range of DC to 3 GHz
  • VSWR: 1.3 max (up to 1 GHz) 1.5 max (1 GHz to 3GHz)
  • Voltage rating: 100 volts

TS-9 cable assemblies

TS9 pigtail adapters or cables use smaller diameter coax that is flexible and can be routed and handled in tight spaces. It is used with the following cables:

Coax diameter (mm)

 Inner conductor diameter (mm) Insulator diameter (mm) Outer conductor shielding Jacket diameter (mm) Impedance (ohms)
LMR 100 0.46 1.52 double 2.79 50
RG 174 0.48 1.52 single 2.79 50
RG 178 0.30 0.86 single 1.83 50
RG 316 0.51 2.06 single 2.59 50

In conclusion:

The TS-9 connector is a compact, yet mechanically strong connector that provides reliable performance in settings where mobility is essential. When in a cable assembly with an SMA connector, the TS-9 connector facilitates the connection of an external antenna to a PCB.

TS-9 Cables

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TS-9 connectors & cables

TS-9 is a small coax connector that is commonly used to attach antennas to cellular devices such as LTE, GSM, 5G, 4G and 3G dongles, modems and data cards. TS-9 connectors closely resemble the CRC9 connectors, and features either gold or nickel plated circular barrel and a pin at the end of the threaded slot.   

Types of TS-9 cables

Data Alliance's 50-Ohm TS-9 coax connector is designed for use with low-loss double-shielded low-loss cable such as our LMR-100 coax. The TS-9 connector cables pair the TS-9 connector with the larger SMA connector that is widely used in cellular, LPWAN, and GPS networking.

The TS-9 (or TS9) connector is used predominantly in cellular networking applications. This small connector is not standardized but is characterized by its 3.5 mm inner diameter and 3.8 mm outer diameter and use in compact printed circuit board environments. This short guide provides you with the essentials of TS9 connectors and cables and their common applications.

Applications: TS-9 connectors are used for the following applications:

  • External Antennas for Cellular data applications:  Internet access via cellular devices
  • Terminate the end of TS-9 antenna cable to facilitate connections to an antenna or an RF device
  • Mobile telephone and hand-held radio antennas
  • USB wireless dongles (software-defined) and WiFi antenna systems
  • Cellular Wireless Infrastructure

Physical specifications of the TS-9 connector:

TS-9 connectors come in straight and right-angled variations, male or female. When choosing your connector, you need to match it to the cable type used, frequency support, impedance (50 to 75 ohms), voltage rating, insertion loss, environmental specifications, and cable size. TS-9 connectors and cables usually come with specifications on Impedance, Frequency Range, Working Voltage, Withstanding Voltage, Contact Resistance and Insulation Resistance. The connectors use crimp attachment method for effective and strong attachment. 

The TS9 male and female connectors are mated by slide-on or push-coupling. This simple mating does not provide a click or any tactile confirmation of correct mating. Mating is strong and secure and is rated for 5000 cycles or more.

TS-9 male connector (plug)

The male TS-9 connector is usually available assembled in pigtail adapters or coaxial cables, as well as being found on some antennas that directly connect to laptops or handheld wireless devices. Typical measurements of the brass connector body are 12.65 mm by 12.65 mm with a characteristic inner diameter of 3.5 mm and outer diameter of 3.8 mm. Within the gold or nickel-plated slotted circular barrel of the male plug is a connecting pin, that inserts into the female connector to create an electrical connector. 

TS-9 female connector (jack)

The female TS-9 connector functions as housing for the male connector. It is usually made of brass, with an outer diameter of 3.5mm. Inside it has a PTFE insulator. It is available in surface or edge-mounted configurations for mounting on PCBs.

TS-9 connector electrical specifications

  • Impedance: The TS-9 connector has a nominal impedance of 50 Ohm
  • Frequency range: The TS9 connector is a microwave connector that has a frequency range of DC to 3 GHz
  • VSWR: 1.3 max (up to 1 GHz) 1.5 max (1 GHz to 3GHz)
  • Voltage rating: 100 volts

TS-9 cable assemblies

TS9 pigtail adapters or cables use smaller diameter coax that is flexible and can be routed and handled in tight spaces. It is used with the following cables:

Coax diameter (mm)

 Inner conductor diameter (mm) Insulator diameter (mm) Outer conductor shielding Jacket diameter (mm) Impedance (ohms)
LMR 100 0.46 1.52 double 2.79 50
RG 174 0.48 1.52 single 2.79 50
RG 178 0.30 0.86 single 1.83 50
RG 316 0.51 2.06 single 2.59 50

In conclusion:

The TS-9 connector is a compact, yet mechanically strong connector that provides reliable performance in settings where mobility is essential. When in a cable assembly with an SMA connector, the TS-9 connector facilitates the connection of an external antenna to a PCB.