FME connectors
What is FME connector?
A tiny 50-ohm radio frequency (RF) coaxial connector is known as an FME (For Mobile Equipment) connector. It is especially well-suited for portable and mobile communication equipment due to its threaded coupling mechanism and small size. Before a larger adapter is connected at the destination, cables can be readily routed through tight locations, like within boat compartments or car dashboards, to the connector’s compact size.
Features
The following are important traits and attributes of FME connectors:
- Tiny Dimensions Flexible and discrete installations are made possible by the tiny form factor. In particular, the FME female connector’s low diameter makes it easier to snaak cables through automobiles’ narrow access holes.
- Threaded Connection Strong mechanical stability is provided by the secure threaded coupling, guaranteeing a steady and dependable connection even under shock and vibration. The centre pin features a radiused end with a diameter of 1.14-1.22 mm, and the thread standard is 8mm*0.75 mm pitch.
- Performance At frequencies like GSM, CDMA, LTE, and GPS that are frequently used for mobile communications, FME connectors provide exceptional performance. Although certain contemporary designs, such as the Amphenol 81-169, can stretch to higher frequencies, notably 2.4GHz, they normally function from DC up to 200 MHz.
- System of Adapters The use of adapters is a key component of the FME system. On a coaxial cable, an FME female connector is frequently permanently terminated. Depending on the situation, other inter-series adapters (such as to BNC, SMA, or N-Type) can be connected. To make extensions, splices, or transitions easier, a wide variety of FME inter-series adapters and male cable connectors for RG-58 and RG-174 type cables are available.
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Applications
The main applications for FME connectors are many, particularly in situations where devices are constantly moving:
- Systems for Vehicle Communication They attach antennas to telematics equipment, GPS receivers, and cellular repeaters.
- Boats and other maritime vessels use marine equipment for navigation and communication systems where wires must be run through tight places.
- Wireless and cellular modems To strengthen the signal, they attach external antennas to routers and modems.
- Equipment for RF Testing Some test and measurement applications also make use of them.
- Devices for General Mobile Communication Cell phones, GPS receivers, and wireless routers are examples of devices that enable connections to external antennas in order to enhance signal strength and reception.
By allowing external antennas to be connected, FME connectors greatly increase the performance of mobile communication devices. This improves signal strength, coverage, and dependability, which benefits users who are constantly on the go.
Regarding cable types and lengths
- RG-58 or similar coaxial cables are commonly used with FME connectors. These cables transmit radio frequency communications with low interference and loss.
- Depending on the application, cable lengths are normally maintained short to reduce signal loss and preserve signal integrity. They might range from a few inches to several feet.
Within particular frequency ranges, FME connectors support a number of wireless communication standards, including:
- The bands used by GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) are around 900 MHz and 1800 MHz.
- The frequencies covered by CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) are close to 800 MHz and 1900 MHz.
- The frequency bands that LTE (Long-Term Evolution) uses for operation are 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2600 MHz.
- The Global Positioning System, or GPS, uses frequencies that are approximately 1575.42 MHz in operation.
Compared to other RF connectors
- FME vs. BNC: The threaded FME has superior vibration resistance, making it more suited for moving vehicles, but BNC connectors use a rapid bayonet lock, making them ideal for repeated connections in test situations.
- SMA vs. FME: SMA connectors are made for higher frequency applications, frequently up to 18 GHz, but they are also threaded and small. FME is more appropriate for lower-frequency and mobile applications where cable routing ease is crucial.
F-type connectors
What is F type connector?
One particular kind of coaxial radio frequency (RF) connector that is mostly utilized with coaxial cables is the F-type connector, sometimes referred to as a F connector. They were made for cable modems, satellite television, cable television (CATV), and “over the air” terrestrial television. In CATV and cable modem applications, these connectors are seen to be an affordable choice for terminating coaxial cables.
Features and Design
An affordable, threaded, gendered, compression connector for radio frequency transmissions is the F-type connector. Its 75 Ω (ohm) impedance match, which is the norm for the majority of video signals and permits frequencies far over 1 GHz with usable bandwidth up to several GHz, is a crucial characteristic.
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Regarding design:
- A 3/8-32 United Extra Fine (UNEF) thread is used for connector mate.
- The female F connection has exterior threads and a centre socket. Usually, these are located as couplers or on bulkheads.
- A captive nut with internal threads and a central pin are features of the male F connection. One distinctive feature of the straightforward design of the male connection is that the pin is formed by the solid-core centre conductor of the coaxial cable. Because there is no longer a need for a separate, finely toleranced centre pin inside the connector itself, this design streamlines production and lowers costs. Additionally, the cable dielectric reaches the connector’s mating face.
Historical Background
While working on the creation of cable television for Jerrold Electronics in the early 1950s, Eric E. Winston created the F connector. It replaced twin-lead cables as the standard for VHF and subsequently UHF television antenna hookups in the United States by the 1970s. IEC 61169-24:2019 currently specifies the F connection.
Uses
Numerous residential and business contexts make extensive use of F-type connectors, including:
- Connecting coaxial cables from wall outlets to televisions and set-top boxes is known as cable television, or CATV.
- Satellite Television: Linking satellite dishes to receivers, including DC power/signaling from LNBs in Europe and block down-converted satellite signals (950–2150 MHz).
- Terminating coaxial cables from TV antennas is a common practice in over-the-air terrestrial television.
- Cable Internet: Connecting a cable modem, like the Cisco uBR905 cable access router, to the wall.
- Home theatre and closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems.
Usually, they are connected to coaxial cable types like RG-59 or the suggested RG-6.
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F-Connector Types
Based on how they are installed, F-type connections are often divided into three primary types:
- Screw-on/twist-on connectors: These are the easiest to install since they don’t require any special tools and can be screwed straight onto the coaxial line. They are perfect for field termination, especially for over-the-air antennas, and are reusable. They are the least dependable kind, though, and a bad connection may cause signal loss or leakage.
- Crimp-on Connectors: These require the metal ferrule of the connector to be pinched onto the cable’s braid using a specialised crimp tool. They have mostly been superseded by compression versions because they are more dependable and weather-resistant, even if they can offer superior sealing if built correctly.
- Compression connectors: Professionals use these extensively and are thought to be the most dependable kind. By squeezing the back end to the front end, they provide a robust, dustproof, and waterproof seal, guaranteeing excellent signal integrity. A specific compression tool is needed for installation. Compression and crimp-on connectors are non-reusable once fitted.
Although push-on variants, commonly referred to as Flex F connections, are also available, they offer less protection against microwave signals with high field strengths and may leak if bent or partially broken.
Installation
The F-connector should be hand-tightened until it is finger-tight before receiving an extra 1/6 turn with a wrench for a general installation. Avoiding overtightening is essential because it might result in damage. In the case of screw-on kinds, the centre conductor is exposed by removing the cable jacket and insulation, after which the braided shielding is arranged, and the connector is slid and twisted firmly onto the cable. Compression kinds involve thoroughly seating the connection onto the coaxial cable, inserting it into a compression tool, and then pressing the tool firmly to achieve complete compression.
Weatherproofing
The F connection is not waterproof by nature; a watertight seal is not provided by either its threads or the joint between the male connector body and captive nut. Male connections are frequently improved with a little o-ring (about 7 mm) within the captive nut to seal between the mating faces in order to increase protection. Waterproof versions or enclosures are advised for outdoor use. By applying silicone grease to exposed copper wires and connectors, corrosion resistance, electrical conduction dependability, and water resistance can all be improved.
Comparing This Connector to Others
- F-type connectors are mainly used for home cabling, such as cable television and modems, whereas N-type connectors are made for commercial cables, high-frequency (UHF) antennas, and radios.
- Unlike the 75-ohm F-type, SMA connectors are 50-ohm coaxial connections that are employed in high-frequency applications for better performance.
- Unlike the only 75-ohm F-type, BNC connections come in both 50-ohm (for data and RF) and 75-ohm (for video) types. BNC connectors use a faster twist-and-lock method similar to that of a bayonet, but F-connectors use a safe, threaded screw-on connection. BNC connectors are more robust and recommended for professional and testing applications that require regular connections, whilst F-connectors are more affordable and ideal for static installations in homes.
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