| Hirose U.FL | |
| Type: | RF coaxial connector |
| Design Date: | 1991 |
| Manufacturer: | Hirose Electric Group |
| Diameter: | 2mm |
| Cable: | Coaxial |
| Passband: | Typically 0-6 GHz |
Hirose U.FL, I-PEX MHF I, AMC[1] or UMCC is a miniature RF connector for high-frequency signals up to 6 GHz manufactured by Hirose Electric Group,[2] I-PEX,[3] and others.
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[4]) 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.[5] [6] [7]
Much like many other electronic components, Hirose U.FL connectors were protected by patents[8] and trademarks. However, compatible third party connectors are available under many other names, such as Sunridge MCB.
| Hirose W.FL | |
| Type: | RF coaxial connector |
| 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).[11]
Like U.FL, W.FL also has many more names assigned to it by those producing compatible connectors.[12]