BNC

The BNC (Bayonet Neill-Councilman) connector is a common type of RF connector

used for the coaxial cable which connects much radio, television, and other radio-
frequency electronic equipment. It is usually applied for frequencies 3 GHz

Use
The BNC connector is used for radio-frequency (RF) signal connections. These include
those for

• analog and serial digital interface video signals

• amateur radio antennas
• aviation electronics (avionics)
• Test equipment in these and many other areas.

It is an alternative to the RCA connector when used for composite video on commercial
video devices, although many consumer electronics devices with RCA jacks can be used
with BNC-only commercial video equipment via a simple adapter. BNC connectors were
commonly used on 10base2 thin Ethernet networks, both on cable interconnections and
network cards. The TNC (threaded) connector is used for stable performance at higher
frequencies than used with the BNC connector.

BNC connections can also be found in recording studios. Digital recording equipment
uses the connection for synchronization of various components via the transmission of
word clock timing signals.
 RCA
An RCA connector, sometimes called a Phono connector or cinch connector, is a type
of electrical connector commonly used to carry audio and video signals. The name
"RCA" derives from the Radio Corporation of America, which introduced the design by
the early 1940s to allow mono phonograph players to be connected to amplifiers.

They began to replace the older TRS connectors (also called jack plugs) for many other
applications in the audio world when component high fidelity systems started becoming
popular in the 1950s. However, mini TRS connectors (3.5 mm jacks) and sub-miniature
(2.5 mm) jacks have been overtaking RCA connectors in some recent applications such
as MP3 players.

The connection's plug is called an RCA plug or phono plug, for "phonograph". The name
"phono plug" is sometimes confused with a "phone plug" which refers to anything from a
TRS connector plug to a British phone plug to an RJ14 registered jack plug.

Uses
RCA sockets, or jacks here used for YPbPr video output.

In the most normal usage, cables have a standard plug on each end, consisting of a central
male connector, surrounded by a ring. The ring is often segmented for flexibility. Devices
mount the socket (female jack), consisting of a central hole with a ring of metal around it.
The ring is slightly smaller in diameter and longer than the ring on the plug, allowing the
plug's ring to fit tightly over it. The jack has a small area between the outer and inner
rings which is filled with an insulator, typically plastic (very early versions, or those
made for use as RF connectors used ceramic).
 RF connector

Male Type N RF connector.

A coaxial RF connector is an electrical connector designed to work at radio frequencies

in the multi-megahertz range. RF connectors are typically used with coaxial cables and
are designed to maintain the shielding that the coaxial design offers. Better models also
minimize the change in transmission line impedance at the connection. Mechanically they
provide a fastening mechanism (thread, bayonet, braces, push pull) and springs for a low
ohmic electric contact while sparing the gold surface thus allowing above 1000
reconnects and reducing the insertion force. Research activity in the area of radio-
frequency (RF) circuit design has surged in the last decade in direct response to the
enormous market demand for inexpensive, high data rate wireless transceivers.[1]

Standard types

• 7/16 DIN connector, a high power 50 Ω connector originally developed by

Spinner[2]
• BNC (bayonet Neil Councilman)
• C connector (Councilman)
• Deific connector, hermaphrodite connector used mainly by Rohde & Schwarz
• IEC 169-2 connector, also called Belling Lee connector or PAL, used throughout
Europe and some other countries for domestic television installations and as FM
connector for radio. It is standardized in EN 60169-2.
• F connector, used for domestic television installations and domestic satellite
LNBs (75 Ω) world wide.
• GR connector (General Radio)
• HN connector, a high voltage version of the N connector
• MiniQuick
• Motorola connector, standard AM/FM antenna connector used for automotive
radios
• Musa connector, a 50 Ω connector used in telecommunications and broadcast
video
• N connector (Neill)
• NMO mount (new Motorola mount), for removable mobile antennas. Large
threaded base for durability in wind.
 XLR

XLR3 cable connectors, female on left and male on right

The XLR connector is an electrical connector design. XLR plugs and sockets are used
mostly in professional audio and video electronics cabling applications, for microphones
and line level signals. Home audio and video electronics normally use RCA connectors
for line level signals generated by a preamplifier. Phone plugs are also used for
microphones in home and computer applications.

In reference to its original manufacturer, James H. Cannon, founder of Cannon Electric in

Los Angeles, California (now part of ITT Corporation), the connector is colloquially
known as a cannon plug or cannon connector. Originally the Cannon X series,
subsequent versions added a latch (Cannon XL) and then a rubber compound surrounding
the contacts, which led to the abbreviation XLR.[1] Many companies now make XLRs.
The initials XLR have nothing to do with the pin out of the connector. XLR connectors
can have other numbers of pins besides three.

They are superficially similar to the older and smaller DIN connector range, but are not
physically compatible with them.

Pin Function 1 Chassis ground (cable

shield) 2 Positive polarity terminal (hot) 3 Return terminal [2] (cold)
 PHONO
The Phono connector was invented for use in telephone switchboards in the 20th century
and is still widely used, both in its original ¼″ (exactly 6.35 mm) size and in miniaturized
versions: 3.5 mm (approx. ⅛″) and 2.5 mm (approx. 3/32″). In the UK, the terms jack
plug and jack socket are commonly used for the respectively male and female Phono
connectors.[2]

In the U.S., a stationary (more fixed) connector is called a jack.[3][4] The terms phone plug
and phone jack are sometimes used to refer to Phono connectors,[5] but are also
sometimes used colloquially to refer to RJ11 and older telephone plugs and the
corresponding jacks that connect wired telephones to wall outlets (the similar terms
phono plug and phono jack refer to RCA connectors though both plug types are used in
tandem when a computer or MP3 player connects to a stereo). In conversation, the
diameter is often added to specify which size: quarter-inch phone plug or 3.5 mm phone
jack for the unbalanced two-channel three-contact version, and balanced Phono jack or
Phono phone plug for the balanced one-channel three-contact version.

Uses
Some common uses of jack plugs and their matching sockets are:

• Headphone and earphone jacks on a wide range of equipment. 1/4″ plugs are
common on home and professional component equipment, while 3.5 mm plugs
are nearly universal for portable audio equipment. 2.5 mm plugs are not as
common, but are used on communication equipment such as cordless phones,
mobile phones, and two-way radios.
• Consumer electronics devices such as digital cameras, camcorders, and portable
DVD players use 3.5 mm connectors for composite video and audio output.
Typically, a Phono connection is used for mono audio plus video, and a Phono S
connection for stereo audio plus video. Cables designed for this use are often
terminated with RCA connectors on the other end.
• Microphone inputs on tape and cassette recorders, sometimes with remote control
switching on the ring.
• Patching points (insert points) on a wide range of equipment.
• Personal computers, sometimes using a sound card plugged into the computer.
Stereo 3.5 mm jacks are used for:
o Line in (stereo)
o Line out (stereo)
o Headphones/loudspeaker out (stereo)
o Microphone input (mono, usually with 5 volt power available on the ring.
Note that traditional, incompatible, use of a stereo plug for a mono
microphone is for balanced output)