Hirose U.FL, I-PEX MHF I[a], AMC[2] or UMCC[b] is a miniature RF connector for high-frequency signals up to 6 GHz manufactured by Hirose Electric Group,[3] I-PEX,[4] and others.
 Male U.FL connector | |||
| Type | RF coaxial connector | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Production history | |||
| Designed | 1991[1] | ||
| Manufacturer | Hirose Electric Group | ||
| General specifications | |||
| Diameter | 2.0 mm (0.079 in) | ||
| Cable | Coaxial | ||
| Passband | Typically 0-6 GHz | ||
U.FL connectors are commonly used in applications where space is of critical concern, such as in smartphones and laptop Wi-Fi cards. U.FL connectors are commonly used inside laptops and embedded systems to connect the Wi-Fi antenna to a Mini PCI, Mini PCIe or M.2 Wi-Fi card. Another common use is connecting GPS antennas.
Female U.FL connectors are not designed with reconnection in mind, and they are only rated for a few reconnects (approximately 30 mating cycles[5]) before replacement is needed. The female U.FL connectors are generally not sold separately, but rather as part of a pigtail with a high-quality 1.32 mm doubly shielded cable, which allows for a low-loss connection, insulated with fluorinated resin.
The male connectors are surface-mounted (SMT) and soldered directly to the printed circuit board (PCB). They are designed to have a characteristic impedance of 50 ohms. The mated connection is only 2.5 mm high and takes as little as 9 mm2 (3.0 × 3.1 mm2) of board space.[6][7][8]
Much like many other electronic components, Hirose U.FL connectors were protected by patents[1] and trademarks. However, compatible third party connectors are available under many other names, such as Sunridge MCB.
Hirose W.FL
edit| Type | RF coaxial connector | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Production history | |||
| Manufacturer | Hirose Electric Group | ||
| Cable | coaxial | ||
| Passband | 0-6 GHz | ||
The Hirose W.FL, also known as Amphenol AMMC,[9] is an ultra-small RF connector used in handheld electronic products. It is manufactured by Hirose Electric Group and has a frequency range up to 6 GHz.[10] Compared to its predecessor U.FL it occupies even less area (2.0 mm diameter) and height (1.4 mm).[7]
Like U.FL, W.FL also has many more names assigned to it by those producing compatible connectors.[11]
Variants
editMany confusingly-similar looking connectors are called U.FL. The same or compatible connectors can also confusingly have multiple names, coming from different vendors or being transcribed differently.
- H.FL
- E.FL
- older, bigger, footprint 3.4x3.4 mm, square area 2.8x2.8 mm, male outer diameter 2.0 mm, center pin diameter 0.5 mm, mated height 3.0 mm[13]
- up to 2 GHz, cable groups 0.81/1.32 mm
- U.FL, I-PEX MHF I, IPEX1, IPX1, MHF, MHF I, MHF1, AMC, MCRF, GS, TXR, UM, UMC, UMCX, ultra-miniature coaxial:[14]
- footprint 3.0x3.1 mm, square area 2.6x2.6 mm, male outer diameter 2.0 mm, center pin diameter 0.5 mm, mated height 2.4 mm (2.5 mm max) or 1.9 mm (2.5 mm max) for U.FL-LP(V)[15]
- most common
- up to 6 GHz, cable groups 0.81/1.13/1.32/1.37 mm (LP(V) only 0.81 mm), MHF1 also RG174 and RG178[16]
- MHF 1 LK with a slide-over mechanical lock
- N.FL variant with reduced mating height (1.4 mm (1.5 mm max), barrel portion height 0.25mm, total male connector height off board 0.8 mm), 6 GHz, cable group 0.81 mm[17]
- IPEX2, IPX2
- lower mated height than IPEX1, otherwise somewhat similar
- very rare
- IPEX3, IPX3, MHF III, MHF3:
- footprint 2.00x2.05 mm, square area 1.7x1.7 mm, male outer diameter 1.40 mm, center pin diameter 0.40 mm [18]
- some sources claim compatibility with W.FL (dubious?)
- W.FL, IPEX4, IPX4, MHF IV, MHF4, MHF4/4L, AMC4, HSC, MXHP32:[19][20]
- footprint 2.0x2.0 mm, square area 1.76x1.68 mm, male outer diameter 1.5 mm, center pin diameter 0.45 mm, mated height 1.2 mm (1.4 and 1.7 mm for thicker cables)[21][22]
- increasingly common, especially with 5GHz devices and 5G
- up to 6 or 9 GHz, cable group 0.81 mm, MHF4L also 0.64, 0.95, 1.13 and 1.37 mm[23][24][25]
- MHF4L up to 12 GHz, or to 9 GHz when mated with MHF4 female
- M.2 standard (MHF4L)
- W.FL2 variant with mated height 1.2 mm
- MHF 4 LK with a slide-over mechanical lock
- may be slight difference between MHF4 and W.FL, MHF4(L) said to be compatible[26]
- X.FL, IPEX5, IPX5, MHF5, MHF5L:[27][28]
- footprint 2x2 mm, square area 1.7x1.7 mm, male outer diameter 1.40 mm, mated height max. 1 mm (MHF5) or 1.3mm (MHF5L)[29]
- up to 12 GHz, MHF 5L up to 15 GHz; cable groups 0.5/0.64/0.81/1.13 mm
- incompatible with W.FL/W.FL2
- MHF7
- MHF7S
Other similar connectors with male on board: JSC, KSC, LSC, MHF-A, OSMT (dissimilar)
With female on board: MHF-SW23, MMS, MMT, MS-156C, MS-162, MS-166, MS-180, SWD, SWF, SWG, SWH, SWJ
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Surface-mounted, high-frequency coaxial connector. US Patent 5180315 (1993)
- ^ "AMC Ultra Miniature Connectors | Amphenol RF". www.amphenolrf.com. Retrieved 2018-10-15.
- ^ Ultra Small Surface Mount Coaxial Connectors - Low Profile 1.9 mm or 2.4 mm Mated Height U.FL Series. Hirose data sheet.
- ^ MHF I - 9 GHz, 2.5 mm mated height
- ^ SMT Ultra-Miniature Coaxial Connectors - Product Specifications
- ^ IPX datasheet
- ^ a b "U.FL and W.FL Series Connectors - Hirose │ DigiKey". www.digikey.hk. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
- ^ "PDF of Hirose introduction to W.FL and U.FL Coaxial connector series Product Training Module (PTM)" (PDF). Mouser Electronics. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-06-12. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ AMMC series datasheet
- ^ "Hirose W.FL Coaxial Cable Connector". Wellshow Technology. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
- ^ "IPEX MHF3 Mini Coax Connector". Wellshow -RF Connector, RF Coaxial Cable Assembly, GSM, GPS, WiFi Antenna Manufacturer.
IPEX MHF3 RF coaxial connector is compatible to Hirose W.FL series, Sunridge MCD series, and Amphenol MHC251/ MHC250 series.
- ^ https://www.hirose.com/en/product/document?clcode=&productname=&series=H.FL&documenttype=Catalog&lang=en&documentid=en_H.FL_CAT
- ^ https://www.hirose.com/en/product/document?clcode=&productname=&series=E.FL&documenttype=Catalog&lang=en&documentid=D49667_en
- ^ https://connectorbook.com/identification.html?N=&n=mini_rf_cable_to_board_conn&c=U.FL
- ^ https://diyshop.com.ua/image/cache/catalog/product/quadrocopter/konnektors/i-pex/MHF%201-650x650.jpg
- ^ https://www.data-alliance.net/mhf-series-mhf1-mhf3-mhf4/
- ^ https://www.wellshow.com/spec/connector/hirose/N.FL.pdf
- ^ https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/H261166db561b4588a4d0de32e6e22d48o/10PCS-LOT-uFL-u-FL-IPX-IPEX-1-Male-Plug-PCB-Soldering-Panel-IPEX1-PCB-RF.jpg
- ^ https://connectorbook.com/identification.html?N=&n=mini_rf_cable_to_board_conn&c=MHF-4
- ^ https://www.i-pex.com/sites/default/files/downloads/pdf/CATALOG_MHF_4_E.pdf
- ^ https://diyshop.com.ua/image/cache/catalog/product/quadrocopter/konnektors/i-pex/MHF%204-650x650.jpg
- ^ https://www.i-pex.com/product/mhf-4
- ^ https://www.data-alliance.net/mhf-series-mhf1-mhf3-mhf4/
- ^ https://www.i-pex.com/product/mhf-4l
- ^ https://www.i-pex.com/product/mhf-4
- ^ https://www.grand-tek.com/fr/news-2020072901-ipex-mhf-vs-hrs-uw-fl-series-comparison.aspx
- ^ https://connectorbook.com/identification.html?N=&n=mini_rf_cable_to_board_conn&c=MHF-5
- ^ https://www.i-pex.com/sites/default/files/downloads/pdf/CATALOG_MHF_5_E.pdf
- ^ https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/S1cd645c5bd8345ecbb33c57ecd260e51M.png
- ^ https://www.i-pex.com/sites/default/files/downloads/pdf/2D_MHF_7S_RECEPTACLE_20981C5.pdf
- ^ https://www.i-pex.com/product/rf
External links
edit- U.FL Series
- SMT Ultra-Miniature Coaxial Connectors
- UMCC — Ultraminiature Coax Connector and Cable Assembly Series
- Official website
