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High-Density Multiport Connectors for Military & Avionics Systems

By AJ Born | March 11, 2025

Smaller, lighter, and more efficient systems enable advanced military and avionics applications, ensuring mission-critical performance in high-frequency, high-vibration environments.

High-density multiport connectors are transforming RF (radio frequency) interconnect technology, built on a legacy of innovation that stretches as far back as WWII. Significant advances in electronic warfare, communications, and radar were key to the development of flexible coaxial cables using polyethylene dielectric and PVC jacketing materials. During the Cold War era, military applications demanded performance beyond the capabilities of traditional RG systems that had been standardized in the 1940s. By the 1970s, low-density PTFE began to replace polyethylene in high-performance coaxial cables as airborne electronic warfare systems required extremely lightweight, low insertion loss solutions. As fighter jets became lighter and faster, the technology on board had to be smaller and lighter while withstanding more intense environmental conditions and maximizing performance.

“A signal on an aircraft is picked up with an antenna and travels through a cable assembly into that next avionics unit where it is processed and turned into useful data that the system understands,” said Matthew Radicchi, director of military airframe programs at Times Microwave Systems. Cable and connectors essentially create the connection between the antenna and avionics box. Originally, this involved threaded TNC connectors on the boxes. “If you had multiple transmission lines going into an avionics box, you would have to make many individual threaded connections, which is extremely time consuming and labor intensive. And typically, because these are in high vibration environments, those threaded TNC connectors also had to be locked using lockwire — another very time-consuming process.” Lockwire also increases the risk of injury and can create FOD (foreign object debris) which is dangerous during flight.

M8 Multiport system from Times Microwave Systems replaced the threaded connections with a spring loaded, push on connection. This ensured more efficient transmission of RF power through proper connection and low VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio), a measure of how efficiently RF power is transmitted without signal reflection.

The average threaded TNC connectors also have a large footprint, and they are heavier than an M8 contact. Maintenance is complicated because troubleshooting requires disconnecting multiple connectors. These connectors are more vulnerable to loosening in high-vibration environments, resulting in degraded signal quality.

V8 Multiport system from Times Microwave is built for high-speed, high-vibration aircraft. Titanium construction reduces weight and enhances durability. The improved spring-finger mechanism ensures stable connections.

High density multiport interconnect systems were developed to address these issues. They reduced the overall size and weight of the interconnect system and reduced the labor required for installation, maintenance, and repair. “We developed our M8 multiport system, so we could go from many individual different threaded connectors to one multiport with a smaller footprint and the same number of contacts. When you hook that multiport connector to the mating multiport on the box, all eight channels can mate and install onto the box with just one Jack screw right in the middle,” said Radicchi.

The Mini Multiport next-gen high-density solution from Times Microwave was inspired by MIL-DTL-38999 and evolved into a rectangular design for even higher density. MMP has direct PCB mount compatibility.

Minimizing the size of these RF lines and the weight of the lines and the connectors is a priority. “Having eight or 12 individual connectors takes a lot more space, and they are harder to connect because they are so close together,” said Joana Rodrigues, marketing communications manager at Times Microwave. Compact multiport solutions address Swap (size, weight, and power) concerns by reducing the footprint required for those connections. Multiport solutions also eliminate the risk of plugging something into the wrong place. Because they are preassembled, the cables can’t be mixed up.

Moisture is another concern. “As aircrafts change altitude and experience wide temperature and pressure changes, the environment tries to drive moisture and other fluids such as fuel and corrosive liquids into the transmission lines. A drop of moisture into one of these coax cables could degrade the whole system. Our Miltech high performance cable assemblies provide a very tight vapor seal that eliminates any risk of moisture ingress into the cable assembly and into these transmission lines,” said Radicchi.

Miltech hermetically sealed RF and microwave assemblies are designed for high-performance, high-reliability applications. Ruggedized construction ensures durability in extreme environments. The vapor-sealed design protects against moisture and contaminants.

Multiport connector systems are durable, reliable, and easy to install and maintain. The lightweight, compact design reduces cable routing complexity and improves accessibility. Maximizing the performance and reliability of the system protects the pilot in the aircraft.

“What we do at Times Microwave Systems has always been about pride for the armed forces and pride for our country, doing everything we can to work together to ensure that our war fighters are brought back home safe to their families,” Radicchi said.