TNC connector

The TNC (threaded Neill-Concelman) connector is a threaded version of the BNC connector. The connector has a 50 Ω impedance and operates best in the 0–11 GHz frequency spectrum. It has better performance than the BNC connector at microwave frequencies. Invented in the late 1950s and named after Paul Neill of Bell Labs and Carl Concelman of Amphenol, the TNC connector has been employed in a wide range of radio and wired applications.

Variations

Reverse-polarity TNC

Reverse-polarity TNC (RP-TNC) is a variation of the TNC specification which reverses the polarity of the interface. This is usually achieved by incorporating the female contacts normally found in jacks into the plug, and the male contacts normally found in plugs into the jack. RP-TNC connectors are widely used by Wi-Fi equipment manufacturers to comply with specific local regulations, i.e. those from the FCC, which are designed to prevent consumers from connecting aerials which exhibit gain and therefore breach compliance. This is the case for the popular Cisco line of Wi-Fi products. RP-TNC can also be abbreviated as RTNC.

75 Ohm TNC

Most TNC connectors are 50-ohm type even when used with coaxial cable of other impedances,fact|date=July 2007 but a 75-ohm series is also available, providing a good SWR to about 1 GHz. [http://www.hubersuhner.com/products/hs-p-rf/hs-rf-connectors/hs-p-rf-con-gr/hs-p-rf-con-gr-series/hs-p-rf-con-gr-series-tnc75.htm] These can be recognized by a reduced amount of dielectric in the mating ends. They are intermatable with standard types.

Retail uses

Linksys, a manufacturer of consumer networking equipment, uses RP-TNC connectors for several of its Wi-Fi-certified routers, including the popular WRT54G. Linksys also sells [http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?childpagename=US%2FLayout&packedargs=c%3DL_Product_C2%26cid%3D1115416829339&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper add-on antennas] for its routers which use the connector.

Telex Communications, a manufacturer of hearing aids and audio equipment, uses TNC connectors on its Radiocom BTR-800 partyline intercom base station for the transmit and receive antennas.

References

* [http://www.amphenolrf.com/products/tnc.asp TNC Connector Series] . URL accessed on 19 July 2005