Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Issue 7, 11/11/13
ATT-002-290-041
RF Connector and Weatherproofing Guidelines
Audience:
State(s): Vendor/Supplier:
Effective Date:
Expires On: NA
Author(s):
Ming Ho ATTUID mh8532
Table Of Contents
INTRODUCTION
Reason For Current Issue
1. Overview 2
2. About This Document 2
2.1. Purpose 2
2.2. Scope 3
2.3. Audience 3
2.4. Related Documentation 3
2.5. Acronyms and Terms 4
2.6. Trademarks 4
2.7. Contacts 4
3. Connector Overview 4
3.1. Connector Mating 4
3.2. Connector Types 5
3.2.1. 7-16 DIN Connector 5
3.2.2. N Connector 6
3.2.3. SMA Connector 6
3.2.4. SMB Connector 6
3.2.5. QMA Connector 6
3.2.6. 1.0/2.3 mm Connector 7
3.2.7. AISG Connector 7
4. Connector Guidelines 7
5. Weatherproofing Guidelines 8
A. Recommended Torque for Connector Coupling Nuts 10
B. Weatherproofing Methods 11
B.A. Butyl Tape 11
B.B. Plastic Enclosure 12
B.C. Heat Shrinkable Tubing 15
B.D. Self Bonding Tape 16
B.E. Sealant Injection 16
B.F. Cable Entry Boot 17
B.G. 3M Pull N Shrink Tubing 17
C. IP Rating System 18
Revision Log 10
To view updated content in a document, look for the green 'NEW/UPDATED' indicators. Use the arrows to navigate to
the previous or next NEW/UPDATED indicators, if they exist. Authors making content changes may choose not to use
the indicator for updates, e.g., spelling corrections.
INTRODUCTION
This document details the connector types and weatherproofing specifications used on connectors.
09/18/2002 1.0 First document for release Gregory Long Dave Saska
6/27/2008 4.0 Included more connector (1.0/2.3 mm) and Ming Ho Adnan Naqvi
weatherproofing information
3/10/2010 4.1 Included more plastic enclosure information Ming Ho Kaushik Gohel
Typos corrected.
2/9/2011 Ming Ho Kaushik Gohel
Conversion format errors corrected
Added 3M Tubing.
RACI
Patrick Ward
Tim Regan
RF HW Task Force
1. Overview
This document details the requirements for selection and use of 7-16 DIN coaxial connectors to reduce intermodulation
interference. The 7-16 DIN (Deutsche Industrie Normen) will replace the N-Type connector at new site builds, when
repairing or upgrading RF coaxial cable systems external to the base station cabinet, and are the preferred connector for
the BSS vendor to use.
In addition, this document provides various methods to weatherproof all outdoor connectors.
2.1. Purpose
This document provides a company-wide standard that describes and specifies the use of the 7-16 DIN coaxial connec-
tors. It provides guidelines for reliable and consistent installation of RF connector weatherproofing, where necessary.
2.2. Scope
This document describes and specifies requirements for selection of 7-16 DIN coaxial connectors and provides justification
for specifying their use.
Specific standard provisions and practices may be modified when there is clear justification due to legal, physical, or
environmental limitations.
2.3. Audience
This document is intended for AT&T Mobility employees, engineers, and contractors that specify, design, install, or inspect
coaxial transmission cables for wireless network facilities.
For AT&T Mobility network guidelines and documents, visit the APEX web site at:
http://apex.web.att.com/search/active_docs.jsp
2.6. Trademarks
The trademarks used in this document are the property of their respective owners.
2.7. Contacts
For questions or comments about this document's technical content or to request changes to the document, contact:
3. Connector Overview
All RF coax connectors are designed to have low VSWR (typically 1.1:1 or better) and very low insertion loss (<0.05 dB
typical) over a very wide bandwidth with a minimum of variations. Its power handling is a function of the diameter of the
dielectric, the dielectric material used internally and the frequency size of the center pin.
Threaded Mating: Connectors with threaded mating (screw-on types) can be hand-tightened or torqued with a
wrench. It is noted that this type of connector must be properly torqued per manufacture's specification. Under-
torqued connector is a main contributor of Passive Intermodulation (PIM). Over-torqued connector may be damaged
because the coupling nuts of threaded connectors are prone to pull-off. Typical thread mating connectors include
7-16 DIN, N, SMA and TNC.
Bayonet Mating: Connectors with bayonet-type mating engage initially with a straight push to insert the external
studs of the jack into the lands inside the plug coupling nut. The coupling nut is then rotated to seat the studs into
a retaining relief in the bottom of the lands. Bayonet mating is quick and convenient and is frequently used where
numerous quick connect/disconnect insertions are required. Typical bayonet mating connector is BNC.
Push-on Mating: Connectors that mate with a straight push and unmate with a straight pull such as QMA, MMCX,
SMB and 1.0/2.3 mm connectors.
The coupling mechanism of the 7-16 DIN interface provides higher contact pressure. The coupling nut torque is
about 10 times greater than the type N. This provides about three times greater contact pressure at the outer body
connection.
A special contact zone is provided at the tip of the inner contact, which ensures a reliable 360-degree contact.
Mating of the 7-16 DIN is easier and more reliable and, once mated, it has greater resistance to environmental and
structural forces.
7-16 DIN connector can achieve the PIM performance better than -155dBc. To ensure that a coaxial cable system has
the lowest level of PIM, a cable with solid outer and inner connectors is required. The following list of criteria will be used
in selecting 7-16 DIN connectors for use in AT&T Mobility networks:
Silver plated contacts with a copper strike under plating between the silver and copper alloy materials, or equivalent,
such as Huber-Suhner sucoplate.
MIL STD 348, Connector Interface Dimensional Requirements Designed for use with coaxial cable.
For female 7-16 DIN connector, 'long neck' is necessary for ease of weatherproofing. The desired length from the
flange to the top of the connector is more than 1.0'.
3.2.2. N Connector
N connectors are one of the oldest high performance coax connectors that were developed in the 1940's to satisfy the
need for a durable, weatherproof, medium-size RF connector with consistent performance through 11 GHz. Their primary
applications are the termination of medium to miniature size coaxial cable. N connectors are popular on test equipment
RF ports and also are used in some filter and RX-AIT tray (input port).
4. Connector Guidelines
All threaded mating RF connectors must be properly torqued with a wrench per manufacture's specification.
Typical thread mating connectors include 7-16 DIN, N, SMA and TNC.
All outdoor RF connection must be weatherproofed per recommendations listed in Section 5 of this
document.
For relatively high-Q devices such as duplexers, unused ports must be terminated with a 50 Ohm
load.
Connector cover or cap can be used for the following devices to keep the connector clean. A cover
with gasket is recommended.
5. Weatherproofing Guidelines
ALL outdoor RF and DC connectors/connections used in the AT&T Mobility network must be weatherproo-
fed after it has been installed and the final connection made.
All primary RF connections including from feeder to jumper cable or jumper cable to RF components such as
antenna, TMA, diplexer, Bias-T, surge arrestor etc. Typically they are 7-16 DIN connection. Tighten all connec-
tion with proper torque to ensure that correct internal seals and surface contacts are made.
DC connections such as at Bias-T (SMA, SMB or other) should be weatherproofed if placed outdoor.
Cable grounding.
Ground lug of RF ancillary equipment typically is not a through hole. Weatherproofing is not required.
Some connectors like 7-16 DIN have o-rings internal to the connector that serve as weather barriers. However,
the corrugated outer conductor shield of the semi-rigid coax has imperfections that may corrode on contact
with water vapor and compromise the effectiveness of the o-rings.
Cable/jumper boot or entry panel should be installed at the entry points to the outdoor cabinet or into the shelter
to prevent moisture and support cables.
'Drip loop' must be formed to prevent the water migration to the equipment.
AISG RET connections are weatherproofed if properly connected. Additional weatherproofing may be
needed per vendor recommendation and/or markets own requirement.
The AISG cable should be ordered from RET vendor directly to ensure proper mating of AISG connections.
AISG connection should be hand-tighten only (0.36 - 0.73 lb/ft.) but full thread engagement is necessary to
ensure proper compression of the o-ring seal.
Extra weatherproofing (like heatshrink, self-bonding tape) is OK for Kathrein and Powerwave, however, Andrew
is adamant about no extra weatherproofing.
Use Self Amalgamating tape on DC, Fiber and RET cables connections at the Remote Radio Head (RRH)
and Air Antenna (AA).
DC Connection: Start applying the self-amalgamating (self-fusing) tape approximately 50 mm below the lower
edge of each connector. Overlap each turn by 50%. Proceed all the way up to the edge of the RRUS.
Apply two, half-overlapped, slightly-stretched layers of insulating tape. For each layer, start 30 mm below the
lower end of the self-amalgamating (self-fusing) tape and proceed all the way up to the edge of the RRUS.
Revision Log
Added 3M Tubing
Type (in-lbs)[2]
N Stainless steel 15
SMA Brass 5
TNC Brass 5
B. Weatherproofing Methods
Installation
Butyl tape weatherproofing must follow manufacturer's installation instructions with the following modification to the
first tape pass to provide a courtesy wrap to avoid the permanently adhering to the coax connector.
Start tape approximately 5 inches from the connector and wrap 2 inches toward the connector, then reverse the
tape a half turn or so that the sticky side is up. Continue wrapping the tape over the connector until 3 inches beyond
the connector and reverse the tape a half turn again or so that the sticky side is down for another 2 inches.
When applied, the tape must be above 32F (0C) to ensure adhesion.
Do not stretch the tape and do not pull the tape to tear it - always cut it. Pulled tape eventually unravels, decreasing
protection.
Tightly wrap the rubber tape with 2 layers of vinyl insulating tape.
Antenna Integrated Radio (AIR) Antennas should use plastic enclosures on the non-integrated radio DIN RF connectors
Andrew WeatherShield TM
RFS WSHIELD
Installation
Installation of the shrink tubing with butt against RF component body and extend a minimum of 2 along the coax
from the end of the connector body. When using heat shrinkable tubing, only one heat shrink tube will be used for
each connector or connection.
The heat shrink must be fully installed with no air pockets of jagged edges
[1] Low power termination such as 2 Watts should be sufficient. It is noted that the termination should be removed before
performing any high power transmit test such as PIM (Passive InterModulation) test.
C. IP Rating System
IP stands for Ingress Protection. The ratings first number indicates the ingress protection against solid/dust object The
second number relates to the ingress protection against water.