Intelliconnect, a leading RF and Microwave interconnect product supplier for many of the leading American and European Defense, Medical, and Marine OEMs, has developed standard and reliable waterproof interconnect solutions. The Pisces series are waterproof connectors and adapters that are available in multiple connector types including TNC, SMA, N Type and MCX. These connectors can be used in a wide range of industries including applications such as water quality monitoring and control systems.
A UK manufacturer of remote water monitoring and control systems for irrigation, drainage systems, and data loggers wanted to use RF telemetry to provide feedback on the status and situation of their equipment in the field. Many items are installed in boreholes and often subject to immersion under flood conditions and need to operate reliably under these conditions.
The manufacturer required SMA interface waterproof adaptors for connecting to the GPS antenna, and a second SMA interface to connect to the RF transmission antenna to provide location and system status. Internal connections needed to be done via an MCX cable link. This allowed ease of equipment installation and assembly and the possibility to upgrade or replace internal components when necessary. They also require external connectors to be sealed to IP68 standards, unused connectors installed to allow for future upgrades (i.e. activation of GPS) needed blanking caps fitted. They wanted all this to be done using commercial products at competitive pricing.
This project needed a customer liaison to ensure all the performance requirements could be met using a standard SMA/MCX waterproof adaptor. The customization of the cable assembly to the correct length was needed, along with a disposable dustcap that offered environmental protection of any unused connection whilst installed in situ.
This solution developed used a standard SMA/MCX waterproof adaptor, so the customer's prototype designs were evaluated using samples held in stock (the first samples were shipped direct to the customer at a trade show to fit into his demonstration unit). Prototypes and qualification samples were provided over the next two years and the product went into production in 2014.
Click here to learn more about this waterproof connector and adapter series.
