The MS-901 RF connector from Insert, Taiwan, measures 3x3x1.75mm and has a 6Gbps frequency, 300VAC withstand voltage and 500Mohms insulation resistance

RF connectors are among the strongest electronic components segments in Greater China. The product line boasts of huge export potential and a rapidly expanding application range.

Although hounded by fierce competition from the United States, the United Kingdom and France, the RF connector industry in Greater China is bullish, sustained by the robust telecom and military markets.

The growth of mainland China-manufactured RF connectors is forecast to remain at a sustainable 8 percent to 10 percent, although a slight drop is imminent as construction of telecom base stations—one of this product range's biggest applications—is expected to slow down in the coming years. Small-sized RF connectors with a frequency of at least 110GHz, including MMCX, SSMA and SSMB versions for compact-sized electronic products, are most likely to account for the largest production share, according to the China Electronic Components Association (CECA).

Low-end RF connectors, particularly Bayonet Neil-Concelman types (BNCs), are the domain of mainland China makers. This is because mainland makers have a slight advantage in the production of this connector type due to its labor intensive nature, particularly at final assembly stage. Manufacturers in the region say that because their workers are more accustomed to manual assembly, the quality of their products is very much comparable to that of foreign companies.

There are hundreds of RF connector makers in mainland China, mostly small-scale, located in Shaanxi, Sichuan, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. These include active manufacturer-exporters such as Chuanglian Electronic Component (Group) Co. Ltd (CLEC), Guizhou Space Appliance Co. Ltd, Hon Hai Precision Co. Ltd (Foxconn), Sichuan Huafeng Ent. Group and Xi'an Connector Technology Ltd. Companies based in Jiangsu and Zhejiang are mostly private enterprises with manpower of less than 200. Most of those located in Shaannxi and Sichuan, on the other hand, are formerly state-owned military factories.

Most Taiwan makers specialize in high-end products that typically feature high frequency. While they lag behind mainland China makers in competitive pricing, Taiwan makers' core competency is their expertise in product integration and international marketing. Driven by the growing wireless industry, volume production in Taiwan is more focused on RF connectors for GPS devices, networking hardware, antennas and telecom systems.

The Taiwan RF connector industry is likewise composed of small- to medium-scale companies that are staffed with about 200 personnel. These makers generally produce RF connectors as part of a complete line of connectors. Most of them subcontract some manufacturing processes to keep production overheads low.

	The BNC connector offered by Danyang Beite, mainland China, is mainly used in telecom products, medical equipment, computer networks and instruments

As new models of consumer electronics get smaller, even smaller components with more functions are required. Thus, surface-mount models with higher frequency and enhanced anti-EMI capability are fast becoming mainstream.

CLEC can produce surface-mount connectors suitable for mobile phones and handheld electronics, although presently at limited quantities. Wang Ronghao, export sales manager, says the quality of CLEC's surface-mount connectors has yet to catch up with Japan's, but development efforts are underway to bridge the gap. CLEC is certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 14000, as well as MIL, UL, IEC and GJB standards.

CLEC manufactures RF connectors for communication equipment. Its mainstream products are MMCX, SSMA, SSMB and N types. Its BNC series of RF connectors are suitable for 75 ohms systems, and is specifically designed to be a drop-in replacement.

CLEC's RF connectors have a bayonet locking coupling mechanism. These have a frequency of up to 2GHz, ≤1.30 VSWR, ≥5000Mohms insulation resistance and 1.5kV dielectric withstanding voltage. Certified to MIL-C-39012 standards, the products have a lifespan of 500 cycles. The company's annual capacity for RF connectors reached 80 million units in 2006.

Danyang Beite Electron Co. Ltd produces RF connectors mostly for industrial instruments and telecom products. Its products mainly come in BNC, N, SMA, SMB, UHF, mini UHF, TNC, FME, MMCX and types. Established in 1994, the company also manufactures A/V connectors and cables. All its RF connectors are RoHS compliant and CE certified.

Although Taiwan makers offer an extensive range of RF connectors, most specialize in high-frequency modes with a frequency of 6GHz and up, including SMA, SMB, MCX and MMCX types. However, BNC, TNC and F types are also offered by most Taiwan manufacturers, particularly those with factories on the mainland, where production costs are relatively lower.

Aliner Industries Inc. manufactures RF connectors in MMCX, SMA, SMB and SSMB versions. Its RF switch-type connector series with MC card interface capability is its flagship product. The company has a monthly capacity of 10 million RF connector units. Its annual production output reached 56 million units in 2006, and is expected to increase by 20 percent in 2007.

As a Sony Green Partner, the company offers eco-friendly and RoHS-compliant products. Its factories are certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 9002. Its 13,750sqm factory in Kunshan in mainland China is equipped with 138 CNC precision machines, 227 CAM machines and 72 secondary operation equipment. It also has six factories in Taipei, Taiwan fitted with more than 280 units of automated production equipment.

All of Aliner's manufacturing machinery, as well as several QC equipment, are imported from Japan, Germany and Switzerland suppliers. The company plans to invest about $4 million in production and testing equipment in 2007.

Insert Ent. Co. Ltd produces ultra-miniature RF connectors with frequency of at least 6GHz. Some 80 percent of the company's ultra-miniature RF connectors are used in laptops. Insert's monthly capacity is about 1.8 million units.

Product development emphasis continues to be on high-frequency RF connectors. With an increasing number of customers requesting for more user-friendly models, the company is also focusing on the mechanical aspect of its connectors. All products are compliant to RoHS directives. In 2006, Insert invested about 35 percent of its annual sales on product development and technology upgrades. Some 40 percent of the 2007 budget will be used to purchase manufacturing equipment.

Established in 1987, Insert maintains two factories in Taipei, both of which are certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 9002. The company's other product lines include fiber-optic components.

Hantechnic Inc. specializes in 6GHz-and-up RF connectors. It offers mainly BNC, TNC, FME, UHF and mini-UHF types, but also produces connectors in SMA, SMB, MCX and MMCX versions. It has acquired numerous patents for many of the mechanical parts of its RF connectors.

Hantechnic's general product development focus is on RF connectors for antennas, GPS devises and wireless products. Future product development undertakings will be on high-end RF connectors for military and aeronautical applications.

The production of Hantechnic's connectors is mostly conducted in-house. The company uses different kinds of automated equipment, which include CNC precision machines made by Japan companies.

	Aliner's, Taiwan, 25-501B0 series of vertical type MMCX connectors are suitable for wireless network communications

Most mainland China makers export about 20 percent to 30 percent of their total of RF connector output. CECA predicts that should plans push though to integrate makers' development efforts, enhance their R&D capability and fully automate production in the coming years, the overall export share is bound to increase significantly.

Exports account for 10 percent of CLEC's annual sales. The United States, Canada, Europe and Southeast Asia are its main export destinations. CLEC, one of the top 100 electronic component manufacturers in mainland China, has 14 subsidiaries, and made over $76 million in sales in 2006.

The market for CLEC's RF connectors was between 20 percent and 40 percent of sales according to Wang. Now, RF connectors account for up to 70 percent. CLEC is a supplier of Huawei and ZTE.

Aggregate sales, including exports, of RF connectors from Danyang Beite were estimated at $4 million in 2006. The company also provides ODM services to its clients.

Lusion Technology Co. Ltd ships its RF connectors to the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia. At least 50 percent of its production is earmarked for exports. Sales reached $2 million in 2006, and are forecast to increase by 20 percent in 2007 as the company realizes plans to expand its export by 20 percent and production by 30 percent.

Established in 2001, Lusion maintains a factory in Jiangsu in mainland China, where it produces RF connectors and cable assemblies. In cooperation with the Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Lusion founded a research center in 2004. All its products comply with RoHS directives and bear SGS certification.

Taiwan RF connector makers' major export markets are the United States, Europe and Asia. Most of them offer OEM and ODM services.

Most of Insert's connectors are sold to Europe and Japan. Thirty percent of annual sales are from OEM and ODM; 70 percent is from own-brand sales. Europe absorbs 90 percent of shipments while Asia takes in 10 percent. The current export percentage of Hantechnic is about 80 percent. The United States absorbs 48 percent of shipments; Europe, 30 percent; and Asia, 2 percent. About 50 percent of the company's annual sales are from OEM and ODM. RF connectors represent 30 percent of annual sales.

With no raw material cost hikes expected in the near future, prices of Taiwan's RF connectors are expected to remain stable. However, some makers are opting to cut quotes between 5 percent and 10 percent this year.