Modern rf and microwave electronics make it possible to work with low amplitude signals and poor signal to noise ratios, enabling advanced communications and measurement systems. In such applications, connectors play a critical role, since they contribute to signal degradation.
In many systems, particularly those aimed at mass markets, careful selection is required to balance cost against performance. On the other hand, the design of measurement system connectors is perhaps driven less by cost, rather by stringent quality requirements.
Although measurement systems use error correction routinely to provide high accuracy and dynamic range, the achievable performance is dependent upon the performance and repeatability of the connectors. More than a dozen basic types of coaxial connector are available, designed to match application requirements (for example, the APC range developed by Agilent and Amphenol consists of three types for frequencies ranging from dc to 50GHz).
Connector technology and design is continually improving, driven by market requirements and enabled by improvements in materials, manufacturing methods and computer simulation.
Much of the coaxial connector industry still designs products with the aid of analytic models, followed by prototype manufacture, measurement and evolution. This process takes time and money.