RF Interconnects

Which Technological Shifts and Design Innovations Are Elevating RF Interconnect Performance?
The RF interconnect market is witnessing significant innovation across materials, geometry, and performance characteristics to support emerging high-frequency applications. One major trend is the development of low-loss dielectric materials and advanced shielding to reduce signal attenuation and electromagnetic interference (EMI). Innovations in connector design—such as push-on and blind-mate solutions—are streamlining installations in densely packed systems, including modular test setups and compact aerospace payloads.

The demand for higher data rates and lower latency is pushing manufacturers to develop RF interconnects that operate at frequencies beyond 40 GHz, with some ultra-high-frequency solutions targeting mmWave bands (up to 110 GHz). Miniaturization is another focus area, with micro-coax and board-to-board RF connectors becoming essential in compact devices like wearables, UAVs, and autonomous vehicle sensors. Additionally, precision phase-matched cable assemblies are increasingly used in applications requiring tight synchronization, such as phased array radar and 5G MIMO systems.

Advances in flexible and semi-rigid cable technology are enabling custom RF routing in environments where mechanical constraints and vibration resistance are critical—such as satellites, aircraft, and military field equipment. Moreover, 3D electromagnetic simulation tools are being widely adopted in RF interconnect design, allowing engineers to optimize performance while minimizing size, weight, and cost.

How Are End-Use Applications Diversifying the Demand for RF Interconnect Solutions?
The scope of RF interconnect usage is broadening rapidly across multiple verticals, each with its own technical requirements and compliance demands. In the telecom sector, the expansion of 5G infrastructure—including small cells, base stations, and fiber backhaul—has spurred demand for high-frequency, low-loss RF cable assemblies and connectors. Similarly, in aerospace and defense, RF interconnects are crucial for radar systems, electronic warfare, satellite communications, and avionics, where high durability, low VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio), and phase stability are critical.

Automotive applications, especially with the rise of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications, are generating demand for compact and rugged RF solutions capable of operating in harsh conditions. In the medical field, RF interconnects are used in diagnostic imaging systems like MRI and in wearable or implantable health-monitoring devices that require high-frequency, low-power signal transmission. The semiconductor and test & measurement industry is also a key user, where RF interconnects facilitate high-frequency testing of ICs, RF modules, and network components in production and R&D settings.

Additionally, the emergence of satellite-based broadband, private 5G networks, and high-throughput satellite (HTS) systems is expanding the scope for high-performance RF interconnects in both terrestrial and space-based systems. Customized solutions, often co-developed with OEMs and system integrators, are in high demand to meet the complex performance, environmental, and regulatory standards across these sectors.

What Factors Are Driving the Growth of the Global RF Interconnect Market?
The growth in the global RF interconnect market is driven by several factors, including the rapid rollout of 5G networks, growing adoption of mmWave technologies, and rising demand for high-frequency, low-latency data transmission across industrial, defense, and commercial sectors. The expansion of wireless communication infrastructure, from urban dense networks to rural connectivity initiatives, is significantly boosting the demand for reliable and scalable RF interconnect components.

Technological advancements in satellite communications, aerospace payloads, and low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations are also contributing to increased adoption of robust, lightweight, and low-loss interconnect solutions. Furthermore, the growing sophistication of electronic systems in automotive, defense, and test & measurement applications is pushing OEMs to demand high-performance, custom-engineered RF interconnect assemblies.

Miniaturization of devices, the increasing integration of RF functionality in consumer electronics, and the need for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) in densely packed systems are additional factors fueling market expansion. Investment in smart manufacturing, IoT, and connected devices—alongside rising R&D in quantum communication and 6G technologies—is expected to further accelerate demand. Collectively, these trends are creating a high-growth environment for RF interconnect solutions across global markets, driven by innovation, precision engineering, and evolving application complexity.

• Amphenol RF
• Carlisle Interconnect Technologies
• Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions
• Corning Incorporated
• Delta Electronics, Inc.
• Ducommun Incorporated
• ETL Systems Ltd.
• Flann Microwave Ltd.
• Glenair
• Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.
• HUBER+SUHNER
• Jupiter Microwave Components Inc.
• Lighthorse Technologies Inc.
• MegaPhase
• Microchip Technology Inc.
• Molex
• NXP Semiconductors N.V.
• Omni Spectra Inc.
• Penn Engineering Components
• Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

TARIFF IMPACT FACTOR

Our new release incorporates impact of tariffs on geographical markets as we predict a shift in competitiveness of companies based on HQ country, manufacturing base, exports and imports (finished goods and OEM). This intricate and multifaceted market reality will impact competitors by artificially increasing the COGS, reducing profitability, reconfiguring supply chains, amongst other micro and macro market dynamics.

We are diligently following expert opinions of leading Chief Economists (14,949), Think Tanks (62), Trade & Industry bodies (171) worldwide, as they assess impact and address new market realities for their ecosystems. Experts and economists from every major country are tracked for their opinions on tariffs and how they will impact their countries.

We expect this chaos to play out over the next 2-3 months and a new world order is established with more clarity. We are tracking these developments on a real time basis.

As we release this report, U.S. Trade Representatives are pushing their counterparts in 183 countries for an early closure to bilateral tariff negotiations. Most of the major trading partners also have initiated trade agreements with other key trading nations, outside of those in the works with the United States. We are tracking such secondary fallouts as supply chains shift.

To our valued clients, we say, we have your back. We will present a simplified market reassessment by incorporating these changes!

APRIL 2025: NEGOTIATION PHASE

Our April release addresses the impact of tariffs on the overall global market and presents market adjustments by geography. Our trajectories are based on historic data and evolving market impacting factors.

JULY 2025 FINAL TARIFF RESET

Complimentary Update: Our clients will also receive a complimentary update in July after a final reset is announced between nations. The final updated version incorporates clearly defined Tariff Impact Analyses.

Reciprocal and Bilateral Trade & Tariff Impact Analyses:

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176 OTHER COUNTRIES.

Leading Economists - Our knowledge base tracks 14,949 economists including a select group of most influential Chief Economists of nations, think tanks, trade and industry bodies, big enterprises, and domain experts who are sharing views on the fallout of this unprecedented paradigm shift in the global econometric landscape. Most of our 16,491+ reports have incorporated this two-stage release schedule based on milestones.