microwave technical FAQs

What are the key advantages of the GPO vs. the SMA?
Is the GPO much more expensive than the SMA?
What if I need a custom design?
What is a detent?
Is the GPO push-on connector mechanically secure?
What is a bullet?
What is a shroud?

What are the key advantages of the GPO vs. the SMA?

The GPO is a push-on style connector. The GPO operates up to 26.5 Ghz with extended performance up to 40 Ghz. The push-on style is blindmatable making modular designs easy to implement. There are no bulky nuts with the GPO. This means that the GPO takes less space and that is a big help to today’s engineers who need to achieve compact designs. The GPO push-on design also simplifies manufacturing assembly. The GPO allows for greater axial and radial misalignment providing inherent advantages in designing for manufacturability.

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Is the GPO much more expensive than the SMA?

The precision machining required for the GPO does add costs over the SMA. However, if you choose one of our standard catalog products for a program application, you’ll be surprised how cost effective a GPO interconnect can be. And, don’t forget to consider the cost savings you can realize in your product assembly. No coupling nuts and blindmating = reduced time and cost!

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What if I need a custom design?

Corning Gilbert has a technical team ready to design a connector that is optimized for your application. Just contact our Technical Support Team for details.

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What is a detent?

The detent is the captivation mechanism of a GPO or GPPO. Click here for a detailed description of a detent.

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Is the GPO push-on connector mechanically secure?

The GPO push-on connector has been used in many space and military applications where shock and mechanical vibration performance are critical. The GPO has been environmentally shock tested per MIL-PERF-39012.

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What is a bullet?

A bullet is the Corning Gilbert terminology for a Female to Female within series adapter. It is sometimes also referred to as a barrel connector. The bullet is at the heart of the GPO interconnect system and is what enables both axial and radial misalignment with minimal degradation in VSWR performance.

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What is a shroud?

A shroud is the outer conductor most often associated with the male connector in the GPO system. The shroud contains the detent feature. The bullet is inserted into the shroud.

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