The accidental removal of a 50 Ω termination will, at best, cause measurement errors or degrade system performance. At worst, it can cause an expensive component such as a power amplifier to fail. To prevent this possibility, Cinch Connectivity Solutions developed a family of “security” terminations that can only be removed with a special tool.
The security termination is a stainless steel, passivated shell that will hold any of three Midwest Microwave’s TRM-244x SMA male 50 Ω terminations. The three models in the TRM-244x family provide frequency coverage to 8, 18 or 26.5 GHz with maximum VSWR of 1.11, 1.19 and 1.3, respectively. Average power handling is 0.5 W at +25°C, and the operating temperature range for the family is from −55° to +125°C.
To attach, the security termination is first screwed on the mating connector by hand until the security shell begins to slip. The security termination tool is then aligned with the security termination openings and the insert inside the termination. The tool is turned clockwise by hand until the termination is tight. Using an SMA torque wrench, the final mating torque is applied: 3 to 5 in-lbs for brass SMA interfaces and 7 to 10 in-lbs for stainless steel interfaces. The termination is now secure and can only be removed with the tool. To remove the security termination, the tool is aligned with the termination openings and inserted inside the termination. With an SMA wrench, the termination is loosened by turning in a counter-clockwise direction. Once completely loose, the security termination can be removed by hand.
Not previously available in the market, Cinch Connectivity Solutions’ security terminations are being used on test equipment in test labs, production test systems and equipment in the field.
Cinch Connectivity Solutions
Waseca, Minn.
www.cinch.com