Recessed threads (left), Protruding threads (right) |
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| Type | RF coaxial connector | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Production history | |||
| Manufacturer | Originally Amphenol, then Hewlett-Packard, then others | ||
| General specifications | |||
| Diameter | 7 mm (0.28 in) | ||
| Passband | 0-18 GHz | ||
The APC-7 connector (all referred to as a 7 mm connector) is a precision coaxial connector that was used on laboratory microwave test equipment for frequencies up to 18 GHz. APC-7 connectors were advantageous because they have a low-reflection coefficient, make repeatable coaxial connections, and are genderless. (Hewlett-Packard 1979, p. 90) The connectors are expensive, so they are seldom used outside the laboratory where their cost can be justified by their accuracy and convenience. Due to their high cost, their 18 GHz frequency limitation, and new laboratory practices,[1] the connectors are now uncommon. Modern low frequency microwave equipment often uses the less expensive 3.5 mm (26.5 GHz) connector. Higher frequency equipment must use higher performance connectors such as the 2.92 mm (40 GHz), 2.4 mm (50 GHz), or 1.0 mm (110 GHz) connectors.[2]
Contents |
APC-7 connector pairs have several desirable features:
The APC-7 connector required adapters to change from the connectors used in the laboratory to those used on everyday products. These adapters are expensive precision devices. For example, an APC-7 to type N (f) cost $105 in 1979. (Hewlett-Packard 1979, p. 87)
"APC" stands for Amphenol Precision Connector and "-7" for 7 millimetres.[3] Hewlett-Packard started developing the connector in the mid-1960s. Amphenol improved the design and manufactured the connector. (Hewlett-Packard 1979, p. 90) Companies will often change the first letter of the acronym to match theirs, for example, RPC-7 from Rosenberger Micro-Coax. To address this, the abbreviation GPC-7 was designated to mean "General Precision Connector-7".
LPC-7 (Laboratory Precision Connector-7) refers to inner conductors with only air dielectrics. This means that LPC-7 can only refer to unsupported air lines.
As GPC-7 started to be used for lower grades of the same type, a catch all of PC-7 (Precision Connector-7) is now often used.
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