0620 Mw Rohde And Schwarz E Band Coax Connector Figure 5ee3b9245e6b7

R&S Deploys 1.35-mm, E-band Coaxial Connector on Thermal Power Sensors

June 12, 2020

The new interconnect, which fills the gap between the 1.85-mm V-band and 1.00-mm W-band connectors, is the product of a four-party German expert group.

David Maliniak

A new coaxial connector optimized for E-band frequencies up to 90 GHz has emerged from a joint development effort involving four German entities, and that connector has been pressed into service by one of the four, Rohde & Schwarz, for use in a pair of thermal power sensors.

Emerging applications for automotive radar from 76 to 81 GHz, plus the WiGig extension (IEEE 802.11ay) operating up to 71 GHz, highlighted the need for a novel, robust coaxial connector suitable for industrial applications at frequencies up to 90 GHz. The development was carried out Germany's national metrology institute, the Physikalisch-Technische-Bundesanstalt (PTB); Rohde & Schwarz; Rosenberger Hochfrequenztechnik; and Spinner Group.

The E connector closes the gap between the well-established 1.85-mm V-band connector and the 1.00-mm W-band connector. The V-band connector was introduced more than 30 years ago and is suitably robust for industrial applications; however, it is restricted to a maximum frequency of 70 GHz. While the W-band connector supports a maximum frequency of 110 GHz, it requires fine mechanical accuracy during assembly and frequently loosens in use.

The 1.35-mm connector sports a precise metric fine thread, a reliable pin-gap, and an integrated groove for optional push-pull locking. The design was accepted in 2019 for the next edition of the IEEE 287-2007 for precision coaxial connectors, and also by the IEC, which will publish it as the IEC 61169-65.

Rohde & Schwarz has implemented the E connector for the first time in a test-and-measurement instrument in the company’s NRP90T and NRP90TN thermal power sensors for frequencies up to 90 GHz. Like all other members of the family, the new models feature both high accuracy and high measurement speed. The R&S NRPxxT power sensors operate locally, connected to a PC, selected Rohde & Schwarz instruments, or an R&S NRX base unit. The R&S NRPxxTN sensors can also be operated remotely via a LAN.

Rohde & Schwarz, www.rohde-schwarz.com

About the Author

David Maliniak | Executive Editor, Microwaves & RF

I am Executive Editor of Microwaves & RF, an all-digital publication that broadly covers all aspects of wireless communications. More particularly, we're keeping a close eye on technologies in the consumer-oriented 5G, 6G, IoT, M2M, and V2X markets, in which much of the wireless market's growth will occur in this decade and beyond. I work with a great team of editors to provide engineers, developers, and technical managers with interesting and useful articles and videos on a regular basis. Check out our free newsletters to see the latest content.

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About me:

In his long career in the B2B electronics-industry media, David Maliniak has held editorial roles as both generalist and specialist. As Components Editor and, later, as Editor in Chief of EE Product News, David gained breadth of experience in covering the industry at large. In serving as EDA/Test and Measurement Technology Editor at Electronic Design, he developed deep insight into those complex areas of technology. Most recently, David worked in technical marketing communications at Teledyne LeCroy, leaving to rejoin the EOEM B2B publishing world in January 2020. David earned a B.A. in journalism at New York University.