Frequency coverage to 65 GHz was once considered the exclusive domain of waveguide. But the instantaneous bandwidth of a waveguide is relatively narrow (part of an octave) is limited by its physical dimensions. With refinements in coaxial connectors, however, coverage to 65 GHz was made possible many years ago by the Anritsu V Connector^®. The new VP Connector line from Anritsu Co. (Morgan Hill, CA) provides push-on ease of use and easy installation with continuous frequency coverage from DC to 65 GHz.

The wide continuous bandwidth of the VP Connectors (see figure) makes them ideally suited for OC-192 and OC-768 optical-communications modules, as well as traditional microwave and millimeter-wave applications. The VP Connector family includes the model VP101F VP-to-semirigid-cable connector, the model VP102F VP Bullet, and the VP103F VP-VF adapter. The family features the VP shroud, a proprietary Anritsu design that integrates a glass bead into a receptacle that includes bead compensation and a snap-in feature. The VP shroud has an innovative ground lip that provides a simpler method of achieving a high-quality ground connection at the connector.

The ground lip allows a substrate ground to be attached directly to the connector, eliminating long ground paths. The short ground path improves return-loss performance (typically better than 15 dB), especially at the upper bandedge. The integrated design of the VP Connectors helps reduce design and manufacturing costs for optical and microwave/millimeter-wave housings.

Two shroud types are available to accommodate a variety of design requirements. The models VP100BMS10, VP100BMS75, VP100BCPW, and VP100BNL are solder-in versions, while the VP100B is a screw-in type.

The VP bullet is designed with six slots in the outer conductor and four slots in the center conductor. The higher number of slots in the outer conductor reduces the insertion and extraction force to less than one-half of that required for conventional SMP connectors, helping to reduce wear when engaging and disengaging the connectors. P&A: 2 to 4 wks. Anritsu Co., Microwave Measurements Div., 490 Jarvis Dr., Morgan Hill, CA 95037-2809; (800) ANRITSU, (408) 778-2000, FAX: (408) 778-0239, Internet: www.us.anritsu.com.