To keep RF interconnection costs low, and to ensure high levels of electrical and mechanical performance for telematics applications, such as Global Positioning Satellite, Satellite Radio, Vehicular Internet Access, Remote vehicle diagnostics and Bluetooth, the German and American automotive industries have standardized a high-performing, cost-effective RF connector based on the FAKRA and USCSR standards. Utilizing a standard metal SMB connector embedded within a plastic housing that can be designed with multiple colored codes for easy identification, FAKRA connectors are designed to perform up to 4 GHz and meet the particular mechanical and environmental requirements of the automotive industry.

Amphenol RFs industry leading product line meets both the FAKRA and USCAR standards with such features as 12 different mechanical and color codes, plastic housing with locking feature and audible clicking noise, minimum of 100 mating cycles and a frequency range of DC-4 GHz. These connectors are available in numerous configurations with straight, and right angle solutions for cable applications, as well as edge-launch and PCB designs. Additionally, they are usable on multiple coaxial cables (RG-58, RG-174, RG-316, RG-178 and other micro-cables).

Technologies Supported:

Satellite Radio - Originating at a broadcast center, the broadcast signal is beamed from earth-station antennas to broadcast satellites. These satellites don't move and are positioned more than 22,000 miles above the earth in geo-stationary orbit. Their beams combine to span the entire contiguous U.S. while remaining stationary with respect to the land below.
GPS - Short for Global Positioning System. A worldwide MEO satellite navigational system formed by 24 satellites orbiting the earth and their corresponding receivers on the earth. The GPS satellites continuously transmit digital radio signals that contain data on the satellites location and the exact time to the earth-bound receivers.
Cellular / PCS - Short for personal communications service, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) term used to describe a set of digital cellular technologies being deployed in the U.S. It is also referred to as digital cellular.
SMR - SMR (specialized mobile radio) - A dispatch radio and interconnect service for businesses. SMR covers frequencies in the 220 MHz, 800 MHz and 900 MHz bands.
Broadband - A type of data transmission in which a single medium (wire) can carry several channels at once. Cable TV, for example, uses broadband transmission.
Bluetooth - A short-range radio technology aimed at simplifying communications among Internet devices, between devices and the Internet. It also aims to simplify data synchronization between Internet devices and other computers.
Wireless Vehicle Controls - Remote starting, remote keyless entry and door/window controls.