The history of RF coaxial connectors is relatively short; the UHF connector, introduced in 1930, was the first of its kind. During World War II, the advancement of radar, radio, and microwave communications led to the creation of connector series such as N, C, BNC, and TNC; notably, the N-type connector was invented by Paul Neill, while the BNC connector was co-invented by Paul Neill and Carl Concelman.
Miniaturized products such as SMA, SMB, and SMC emerged after 1958. In 1964, the United States established the military standard MIL-C-39012 ("General Specification for RF Coaxial Connectors"), marking the beginning of a trend toward standardization, serialization, and universal compatibility in the industry. Specialized production of RF coaxial connectors in my country did not begin until the 1970s.
In 1996, I-PEX launched "CABLINE® I," the world's first micro-coaxial connector designed for differential digital signal transmission. In 2009, the company's CABLINE®-VS model was certified as the standard connector for the VESA "16:9 Wide-format Notebook Panel with LED Backlight" standard.
As complete system technologies evolve, RF coaxial connectors are trending toward miniaturization (and micro-miniaturization), higher frequencies, surface-mount technology, multifunctionality, high performance, and high power handling. These developments aim to meet the demands for high-frequency, high-speed, and high-density interconnectivity in sectors such as 5G/6G communications, automotive electronics, and aerospace.