Angled Fingers TNC Connector for Low PIM
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Solution Overview
Problem
TNC connectors cause significant passive intermodulation distortion due to non-linear behavior at metal and oxide junctions, which is problematic in satellite systems where transmit signal power is much greater than receive signal power, leading to potential interference.
Innovation Solution
The design features a TNC connector with angled fingers formed from beryllium copper and plated with silver, which are deformed to extend at an angle to the longitudinal axis, providing high connection pressure and minimizing intermodulation distortion by penetrating metal oxide layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If standard TNC connector design is used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but passive intermodulation distortion is high due to non-linear behavior at metal and oxide junctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the fingers from parallel to the longitudinal axis to angled relative to the longitudinal axis. This parameter change modifies the contact pressure distribution and junction characteristics, reducing non-linear behavior at metal and oxide junctions, thereby lowering passive intermodulation distortion while maintaining manufacturability through standard deformation processes
2Force
If fingers are deformed to extend at an angle, then connection pressure is improved and intermodulation distortion is minimized, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary deformation to the fingers during manufacturing to pre-set them at an angle to the longitudinal axis. This preliminary action ensures that when the connector is assembled, the fingers naturally exert optimized contact pressure on the contact surfaces, minimizing intermodulation distortion without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or additional components
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution achieves very low passive intermodulation distortion levels of up to −145 dBm at L-band frequencies, significantly improving performance compared to standard TNC connectors.
Implementation Method 1
deforming the fingers to extend at an angle to the longitudinal axis... providing high connection pressure and minimizing intermodulation distortion by penetrating metal oxide layers
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes an outer connection element and an inner connection element. One of the outer connection element and inner connection element includes a plurality of fingers extending at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the connector.