Connector Types and Definitions

There are combinations of antenna types and cables required to provide a satisfactory connection to the AP. One confusing factor is “reverse polarity”. Reverse polarity is the FCC's requirement for each WLAN manufacturer to have unique access point connectors.

  • • 2.4 GHz is Reverse polarity BNC female (RP-BNC-F)
  • • 5 GHz is reverse polarity SMA female (RP-SMA-F)
Note

Note

Reverse polarity presents confusion because of a lack of a standardized definition from connector manufactures. Reverse polarity provides a center element, which should not be confused with a male connector. A male connector is defined by the outer jacket of the connector rather than the center element.

The following are the connectors used within this guide:

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RP-BNC-F
Graphics/RP_BNC_F.png
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RP-BNC-M
Graphics/RP_BNC_M.png
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RP-SMA-F
Graphics/RP_SMA_F.png
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RP-SMA-M
Graphics/RP_SMA_M.png

Additionally, antennas deployed outdoors and industry standard accessories (like lightening arrestors) use Type-N connectors (as displayed below). Therefore, with the combinations devices required (access points/ports, antennas, cable extensions, and lightening arrestors), various adapter cables are required to connect an antenna to an access point/port.

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Type N-F
Graphics/N-Type-F.png
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Type N-M
Graphics/N-Type-M.png