Antenna Connectors

The N-Type connector is commonly found on large form factor antennas or bi-static technology using a separate port for transmit or recieve on the actual antenna. The most common configuration will use a N-Type Female on the antenna that can be connected with a cable using a N-Type Male connector. Below are examples of this connector both male and female as well as the readers and antennas that use the N-Type connection.

• Note: To order the correct antenna cables check what connector is used on your intended reader and what connector is used on your intended antenna. The most common configuration for a cable will require a RP-TNC Male to connect to the reader and then the appropriate end to connect to the antenna of your choice. 
• To order the correct the cable for your application choose the opposite gender for the cable connectors vs. the ones used on the reader and the antenna. 
• For example if the reader uses a RP-TNC Female and the antenna uses an N-Type Male (Motorola setup); then the cable should have a RP-TNC Male with an N-Type Female connector.

Examples:

• N-Type Male Connector

• N-Type Female Connector 

Readers that use this connector: (N-Type Female)

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• NA

 

Readers that use this connector: (N-Type Male)

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• NA

 

Antennas that use this connector: (N-Type Female)

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• Motorola: AN200, AN400 (2 connectors),  AN480,  AN710, AN720, AN610, AN620

 

Antennas that use this connector: (N-Type Male)

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• NA

The SMA connector is commonly used on smaller form factor antennas. This connector is also used in many WiFi router antennas. The most common configuration will use a SMA Female on the antenna that can be connected with a cable using a SMA Male connector. Below are examples of this connector both male and female as well as the readers and antennas that use the SMA connection.

• Note: To order the correct antenna cables check what connector is used on your intended reader and what connector is used on your intended antenna. The most common configuration for a cable will require a RP-TNC Male to connect to the reader and then the appropriate end to connect to the antenna of your choice. 
• To order the correct the cable for your application choose the opposite gender for the cable connectors vs. the ones used on the reader and the antenna. 
• For example if the reader uses a RP-TNC Female and the antenna uses an N-Type Male (Motorola setup); then the cable should have a RP-TNC Male with an N-Type Female connector.

Examples:

• SMA Male Connector

• SMA Female Connector 

Readers that use this connector: (SMA Female)

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• NA

 

Readers that use this connector: (SMA Male)

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• NA

 

Antennas that use this connector: (SMA Female)

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• Impinj: Threshold, Matchbox, Guardwall, Mini Guardwall, Antenna Hub

 

Antennas that use this connector: (SMA Male)

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• NA

Connector polarity can be a very confusing topic for most new RFID engineers so these rules will help you understand standard vs. reverse polarity

• Connector polarity is determined by the tip used in the connector. If a male tip (a metal tip) is used in a male connector it is considered standard polarity
• If the opposite tip is used, for example, if a female tip (receives a male tip) is used in a male connector than it is considered to be a reverse polarity connector 

• TNC Male Connector

• Reverse Polarity TNC Male Connector (also called RP-TNC)

To determine if a connector is male or female look at the threads used on the connector. If the connector threads are on a housing that spins you have the male version of that connector. 

Conversely, if the threads are not on a spinning housing but are instead on the outside of the connector than you have a female connector

NOTE: Most professionals assume that the connector tip is what determines male vs female. The connector tip determines the polarity of the connector.

• SMA Male Connector

 

• SMA Female Connector