MMCX and MCX Cables: Specifications, Applications, Wireless Protocols

MMCX is a Small Version of MCX

The Micro Miniature Coaxial (MMCX) is a smaller version of the Micro coaxial connector (MCX) that are radio frequency connectors first designed in the 1980s. Besides GPS applications, they are used in broadband frequency bands from DC to 6GHz. Both have an impedance of 50 Ohms.

• Both connectors are designed with a lock-snap mechanism that makes it possible to rotate the antennas 360 degrees.
• Both are frequently used with GPS devices.
• Swapping or removing antennas is easier when using MMCX connectors than when using U.FL, MHF4 and W.FL connectors.

MCX Connector Characteristics

MCX (micro coaxial) connectors are coaxial RF connectors that have a snap-on interface and a 50 Ohm impedance. They offer broadband capability from DC to 6 GHz. The contact surfaces are gold-plated. They have the same inner contact and insulator dimensions as the SMB connector but are 30% smaller.

• MCX and the smaller MMCX version are frequently used to connect external antennas to GPS receivers. They are also common on USB DVB-T tuners for computers and laptops, to connect an external antenna to the tuner. MCX is the external antenna port for Apple Airport Extreme Base Station.
• The outer diameter of the MCX male is approximately 3.6 mm or 0.140 inch. MCX male is also called MCX plug.
• Our MCX connectors are precision machined and gold-plated for low loss.
• MCX connectors are much smaller than SMA connectors: Smaller by 30% in diameter compared to SMA coaxial RF connectors.

MMCX Connector Characteristics

The small diameter of MMCX makes miniaturization of the hardware of the wireless networks even more efficient. They will easily snap on to the jack of a router board or mini PCI card and will also easily snap off when you need them to. The connectors are smaller than the original MCX and can be crimped onto RG 178, RG 316, or RG 174 coaxial cables.

The cables are flexible thin and comfortable yet they can stand up to high vibration conditions without getting damaged or disconnecting. You can also quickly and easily swap them out without damaging them. MMCX connectors are typically made of stainless steel or brass with nickel plating for the solder and gold plating for the contacts.

The MMCX is similar to MCX, but it’s only a lot smaller. The connector can be crimped onto RG 174, RG 316 or RG 178 coaxial cables. These cables are thin, flexible and comfortable. The connectors can withstand high vibration environments without disconnecting or damage. They can easily and quickly be swapped without a high risk of damage. Connectors are mainly made of brass or stainless steel with gold plating on the contacts and nickel plating on the soldering tips.

MMCX connectors are available in straight through, and right angle connectors, which make them convenient for flexibility. MMCX connectors and cable are small, lightweight and flexible, making them favored in small, handheld and portable devices.

MMCX Applications

• Computer peripheral devices
• External GPS antennas
• In-ear monitors
• PDAs and GPS receivers
• Video transmitters for First-Person View (FPV)
• WiFi mini-PCI cards
• Wireless audio
• Wireless internet TV

MMCX jacks lock-snap that enables rotation at contact, its micro-miniature scale, flexibility, and comfort is ideal for use in a variety of areas.

MMCX conforms to the European CECC 22000 specification.