Aerospace Systems
RF Interfaces for Cockpit Electronics
Behind a flight deck panel there is very little room and even less access. The RF interfaces feeding primary displays, navigation receivers and comm panels have to fit in the space left over, survive the vibration a flight deck actually sees, and be serviceable by someone working upside down under a glareshield.
SMA
TNC
DO-160
Panel Mount
Vibration
DC–18 GHz
Coverage
15 g
Vibration
DO-160
Qualification
Design Notes
Designing for the Flight Deck
Five constraints that shape connector choice behind a panel.
01
Space Behind the Panel
Depth behind a display is often the binding constraint. Right-angle bodies and compact formats exist because a straight connector plus its bend radius simply will not fit.
02
Vibration Endurance
A flight deck is structurally quiet compared with an engine pylon, but it vibrates continuously for the whole life of the aircraft. Threaded couplings are preferred where a push-on would slowly work loose.
03
EMI Environment
Displays, radios and power conversion share a very small volume. Shield continuity through the connector is what stops one system appearing in another.
04
Maintenance Access
Line maintenance happens in awkward positions and under time pressure. Interfaces that can be mated by feel, with a defined torque, reduce the chance of a marginal joint.
05
Certification Evidence
Everything installed forward of the bulkhead needs a paper trail. Material declarations and qualification data are part of the deliverable, not an afterthought.
Reference Data
Typical Cockpit Requirements
Programme and certification basis govern. These are representative conditions.
| Parameter | Typical Requirement | Relevant Series | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency | DC to 18 GHz | SMA, TNC | Nav, comm and transponder bands |
| Coupling | Threaded | SMA, TNC | Resists vibration loosening |
| Vibration | Per DO-160 Section 8 | Qualified series | Category by installation zone |
| Temperature | -55 °C to +125 °C | All aerospace series | Pressurised zone is the mild case |
| Shield continuity | 360° through the backshell | EMI backshells | Panel EMI environment |
| Mounting | Panel, bulkhead, right angle | Panel-mount series | Depth is usually the constraint |
Our Role
What We Supply for Flight Decks
01
Compact Threaded Interfaces
SMA and TNC bodies in the panel and right-angle formats that fit the depth actually available behind a display.
02
Assemblies to the Drawing
Jumpers built to your routing length and bend radius, so nothing is forced into a radius that stresses the joint.
03
Certification Paperwork
Material declarations, lot traceability and measured data in the format certification submissions expect.
Selected Products
Interfaces for Flight Deck Equipment
Typical starting points for cockpit interconnect. Send us the panel depth and the band and we will propose the format.
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SMA Male to SMA Male System Interconnect Low-Loss RF Cable Assembly – Use CFS150H6 Coax
$20.00 Add to cartQuick View -
SMA Female 4-Hole Flange Mount RF Connector – Field Replaceable, 8.64mm Hole Spacing, 0.23mm Pin Diameter
$22.00 Add to cartQuick View -
SMA Female to SMA Female RF Adapter
$22.00 Add to cartQuick View -
SMA Male to SMA Male RF Adapter
$22.00 Add to cartQuick View
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Avionics Engineering Support
Fitting RF Behind a Panel?
Send us the available depth, the band and the vibration category, and our engineers will propose the interface.