Department of Defense Standards (DoD)<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Acquisition Streamlining and Standardization Information System (ASSIST) database is a list of defense and federal standardization documents as well as adopted non-government standards (NGS), and Materiel International Standardization Agreements (ISAs). The approved standardization documents in the database include:<\/p>\n
><\/strong> Defense specifications, standards, and handbooks<\/p>\n> <\/strong>Commercial item descriptions (CIDs) and federal specifications and standards<\/p>\n> <\/strong>NGS created by consensus procedures in non-government standards organizations<\/p>\n> <\/strong>Materiel ISAs within NATO countries which have been ratified by the US.<\/p>\nWhen developing defense standards and specifications, one must be authorized by a military defense agency or department as a Standardization Management Activities (SMA) organization. Military standardization documents in the DoD Index of Specifications and Standards can be found at the DoD Single Stock Point in Philadelphia while the Industry standards, for example, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and American National Standards Institute, are available from the specific association that authored the standards and specifications. It is important to note that military specifications can change at any time and it\u2019s a good practice to check to make sure that the latest revision is being referenced. These standards are often referred to by their acronyms such as, “MIL-STD” Military Standard, “MIL-SPEC” Military Specifications or “MilSpecs.” According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), military specifications serve to “describe the physical and\/or operational characteristics of a product” while military standards “detail the processes and materials to be used to make the product.”<\/p>\n
MIL-DTL-17 <\/strong><\/p>\nCoaxial cables for military and aerospace applications must meet the standards and specifications in MIL-DTL-17 which details specifications for flexible and semi-rigid coaxial cables with solid and semisolid dielectric cores as well as single, dual, twin, and triaxial conductors intended for use in radio frequency applications. The most current version of MIL-DTL-17 is revision \u201cJ\u201d produced in 2014. To locate a regulation for a specific part or its specifications, a Part or Identifying Number (PIN) is assigned which begins with the letter \u201cM\u201d for Military followed by the specification number, the corresponding slash sheet number, and the assigned dash number or “RG” number.<\/p>\n
MIL-PRF-39012<\/strong><\/p>\nCoaxial connectors for military and aerospace applications must meet the standards and specifications in MIL-PRF-39012 which provides general requirements and test methods for RF connectors used with flexible and semirigid coaxial cables. This standard gives the following classification standards:<\/p>\n
><\/strong> Class 1 is a connector with \u201csuperior RF performance at specified frequencies\u201d and<\/p>\n><\/strong> Class 2 is \u00a0a connector that provides a \u00a0mechanical connection within an RF circuit.<\/p>\nThis standard also describes categories by which connectors are classified:<\/p>\n
\n- \u2022 A \u00a0= field serviceable<\/li>\n
- \u2022 B \u00a0= non-field replaceable<\/li>\n
- \u2022 C \u00a0= field replaceable solder center contact<\/li>\n
- \u2022 D \u00a0= field replaceable crimp center contact<\/li>\n
- \u2022 E \u00a0= field replaceable and<\/li>\n
- \u2022 F \u00a0= field replaceable crimp, for semi-rigid cable<\/li>\n
- <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Recommendations for Engineers and Designers<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n- 1. Start with the mission profile.<\/span><\/b>
\nIdentify environmental factors (temperature, humidity, shock, vibration, altitude) before selecting a cable or connector.<\/span><\/li>\n- 2. Verify compliance documentation.<\/span><\/b>
\nAlways request the latest MIL-spec certification, including test reports and lot traceability.<\/span><\/li>\n- 3. Match the connector class to your needs.<\/span><\/b>\n
\n- \u2022 Class 1: <\/span><\/b>High-frequency, precision, and low-VSWR systems.<\/span><\/li>\n
- \u2022 Class 2: <\/span><\/b>General-purpose interconnects with moderate performance.<\/span> Use matched assemblies.<\/span><\/b>
\nCombining MIL-DTL-17 coaxial cable with MIL-PRF-39012 connectors ensures consistent impedance and performance.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n- 4. Inspect for plating and corrosion protection.<\/span><\/b>
\nChoose materials like nickel, passivated stainless steel, or gold for harsh or high-humid\u00a0environments.<\/span><\/li>\n- 5. Consult with a qualified RF supplier.<\/span><\/b>
\nPartnering with a provider like Pasternack ensures proper\u00a0specification of\u00a0matching and long-term availability.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n- <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
MIL-PRF-39012\u2019s latest amendment \u201cE\u201d in 2014 (section 3.3.5) adds that recycled, recovered, or environmentally friendly materials \u201cshould be used to the maximum extent possible, provided that the material meets or exceeds the operational and maintenance requirements, and promotes economically advantageous life cycle costs.\u201d MIL-PRF-39012 Rev. F specification sheet, produced in 2016, gives the PIN for connectors. For example, MIL-PRF-39012\/55 is the PIN referring to an RF coaxial SMA connector plug with a pin contact where the letter \u201cM\u201d is followed by the basic specification sheet number, and a sequentially assigned four-digit dash number. The first digit in the dash number designates the material and plating of the connector body as in \u201c0\u201d for silver plated brass, \u201c3\u201d for passivated corrosion resistant steel, \u201c4\u201d for gold plated copper beryllium, or “7” for nickel plated brass. More specifically, M39012\/55 – 3028 refers to an SMA connector pin made of passivated corrosion resistant steel.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Many coaxial cable and connector types are available in the RF and microwave industry designed for specific purposes and applications; compatibility with other RF microwave components is achieved with universally accepted cable and connector standards. The US Department of Defense (DOD) develops standards for materials, facilities, engineering, and testing practices in order to improve military ..<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[301],"tags":[433,434,435],"class_list":["post-1074","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-coaxial-cable","tag-dod-standards","tag-mil-dtl-17","tag-mil-prf-39012"],"yoast_head":"\n
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