Board-To-Board RF PCB Bullets

SV Microwave board‑to‑board RF PCB bullets from Amphenol Military & Aerospace provide a compact, spring‑loaded coaxial link for mating two printed circuit boards directly without cabling. Each bullet functions as a precision 50 Ω coupler that maintains stable impedance through the full range of mechanical compression, ensuring consistent RF performance even where board tolerances vary.

Design and Function

The bullets incorporate an internal spring mechanism that applies constant axial pressure between opposing sockets. This design creates reliable electrical contact and mitigates performance degradation from alignment variance or tolerance stack‑up. By eliminating fixed cable lengths and solder joints, they simplify board‑to‑board RF transitions and reduce assembly complexity in ganged and blind‑mate systems.

Interface Options

• Available for SMP, SMPM, and SMPS precision push‑on connector series
• 50 Ω broadband impedance with low‑VSWR performance across the compression range
• Multiple standard lengths supporting varied board spacing
• Custom lengths available upon request for non‑standard stack heights

Applications

• High‑density, multi‑channel blind‑mate arrays
• Board‑stack connections within radar, EW, and SATCOM modules
• Aerospace and military instrumentation systems requiring repeatable microwave alignment
• Compact embedded architectures where space and phase consistency are critical

Engineering Considerations

These spring‑loaded RF bullets support consistent electrical performance through the entire compression range, minimizing return‑loss variation across repeated assembly cycles. Their precision machining and material control align with Amphenol’s defense‑grade manufacturing standards for rugged performance in vibration and temperature extremes.

Integration Guidance

Designers should select bullet length and interface type corresponding to target board spacing and connector series. Proper mechanical support and alignment features—such as dowel pins or receptacle guides—help ensure optimal compression and VSWR. When used in multi‑port clusters, bullets enable simultaneous engagement of numerous RF channels in dense mechanical packages.