U.FL connectors are commonly used in applications where space is of critical concern, such as in smartphones and laptop Wi-Fi cards. U.FL connectors are commonly used inside laptops and embedded systems to connect the Wi-Fi antenna to a Mini PCI, Mini PCIe or M.2 Wi-Fi card. Another common use is connecting GPS antennas.
Female U.FL connectors are not designed with reconnection in mind, and they are only rated for a few reconnects (approximately 30 mating cycles[5]) before replacement is needed. The female U.FL connectors are generally not sold separately, but rather as part of a pigtail with a high-quality 1.32mm doubly shielded cable, which allows for a low-loss connection, insulated with fluorinated resin.
Much like many other electronic components, Hirose U.FL connectors were protected by patents[1] and trademarks. However, compatible third party connectors are available under many other names, such as Sunridge MCB.
The Hirose W.FL, also known as Amphenol AMMC,[9] is an ultra-small RF connector used in handheld electronic products. It is manufactured by Hirose Electric Group and has a frequency range up to 6GHz.[10] W.FL occupies even less area (2.0mm diameter) and height (1.4mm) than U.FL.[7] Like U.FL, W.FL also has many more names assigned to it by those producing compatible connectors.[11]
Variants
Many confusingly-similar looking connectors are called U.FL. The same or compatible connectors can also confusingly have multiple names, coming from different vendors or being transcribed differently.
H.FL
older, bigger, footprint 5x4.5 mm, square area 4.5x4 mm, male outer diameter 2.4 mm, center pin diameter 0.5 mm, mated height 3.0 mm[12]
up to 3 GHz, cable groups 1.32/1.37/1.48 mm and RG178
E.FL
older, bigger, footprint 3.4x3.4 mm, square area 2.8x2.8 mm, male outer diameter 2.0 mm, center pin diameter 0.5 mm, mated height 3.0 mm[13]
up to 2 GHz, cable groups 0.81/1.32 mm
U.FL, I-PEX MHF I, IPEX1, IPX1, MHF, MHF I, MHF1, AMC, MCRF, GS, TXR, UM, UMC, UMCX, ultra-miniature coaxial:[14]
footprint 3.0x3.1 mm, square area 2.6x2.6 mm, male outer diameter 2.0 mm, center pin diameter 0.5 mm, mated height 2.4 mm (2.5 mm max) or 1.9 mm (2.5 mm max) for U.FL-LP(V)[15]
most common
up to 6 GHz, cable groups 0.81/1.13/1.32/1.37 mm (LP(V) only 0.81 mm), MHF1 also RG174 and RG178[16]
MHF 1 LK with a slide-over mechanical lock
N.FL variant with reduced mating height (1.4 mm (1.5 mm max), barrel portion height 0.25mm, total male connector height off board 0.8 mm), 6 GHz, cable group 0.81 mm[17]
IPEX2, IPX2
lower mated height than IPEX1, otherwise somewhat similar
very rare
IPEX3, IPX3, MHF III, MHF3:
footprint 2.00x2.05 mm, square area 1.7x1.7 mm, male outer diameter 1.40 mm, center pin diameter 0.40 mm [18]
some sources claim compatibility with W.FL (dubious?)
W.FL, IPEX4, IPX4, MHF IV, MHF4, MHF4/4L, AMC4, HSC, MXHP32:[19][20]
footprint 2.0x2.0 mm, square area 1.76x1.68 mm, male outer diameter 1.5 mm, center pin diameter 0.45 mm, mated height 1.2 mm (1.4 and 1.7 mm for thicker cables)[21][22]
increasingly common, especially with 5GHz devices and 5G
up to 6 or 9 GHz, cable group 0.81 mm, MHF4L also 0.64, 0.95, 1.13 and 1.37 mm[23][24][25]
MHF4L up to 12 GHz, or to 9 GHz when mated with MHF4 female
footprint 2x2 mm, square area 1.7x1.7 mm, male outer diameter 1.40 mm, mated height max. 1 mm (MHF5) or 1.3mm (MHF5L)[29]
up to 12 GHz, MHF 5L up to 15 GHz; cable groups 0.5/0.64/0.81/1.13 mm
incompatible with W.FL/W.FL2
MHF7
MHF7S
footprint 2x2 mm, square area 2.0x2.0 mm, male outer diameter 1.5 mm, center pin diameter 0.35 mm, mated height 1.4 mm max, male total height from board 0.53 mm[30]
up to 15 GHz,[31] full EMI shield, for 5GmmWave applications
Other similar connectors with male on board: JSC, KSC, LSC, MHF-A, OSMT (dissimilar)
With female on board: MHF-SW23, MMS, MMT, MS-156C, MS-162, MS-166, MS-180, SWD, SWF, SWG, SWH, SWJ
↑"IPEX MHF3 Mini Coax Connector". Wellshow -RF Connector, RF Coaxial Cable Assembly, GSM, GPS, WiFi Antenna Manufacturer. 21 October 2009. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2020. IPEX MHF3 RF coaxial connector is compatible to Hirose W.FL series, Sunridge MCD series, and Amphenol MHC251/ MHC250 series.
