FAKRA connectors are common in automotive RF cable assemblies, especially where GPS, radio, cellular, WiFi, camera, or antenna signals need a secure coaxial connection. But choosing a FAKRA connector is not simply a matter of picking the housing color. The color code, mechanical keying, cable type, mounting direction, impedance, frequency range, and installation environment all affect whether the connector can work correctly in the final system. A clear selection process helps avoid mismating, signal loss, poor cable fit, and unnecessary part changes later in the project.
What Is a FAKRA Connector?
A FAKRA connector is an automotive RF connector used to carry coaxial signals between antennas, control units, communication modules, and vehicle electronic systems. It is commonly selected for vehicle antenna links, GPS and navigation systems, AM/FM radio, cellular modules, WiFi connections, telematics units, infotainment related RF links, and other automotive RF cable assemblies. It is based on an SMB style coaxial interface, but the metal RF contact is placed inside a coded plastic housing. This outer housing gives the connector its recognizable color code, locking structure, and mechanical keying, which help reduce mismating during vehicle cable assembly.
Most standard FAKRA connectors are designed for 50 Ω RF systems, with a frequency range commonly specified from DC to 6 GHz. Some product lines also list return loss, insertion loss, temperature range, mating cycles, and coding options as part of the selection data. For buyers and engineers, the housing color is only the first check. The final part still needs to match the RF interface, coaxial cable type, connector gender, coding, mounting form, and assembly environment of the cable assembly.
If you need a more detailed explanation of FAKRA connector structure, color coding, and automotive application scenarios, please refer to our article FAKRA Connectors Explained: Structure, Coding System, and Applications.
FAKRA Color Code and Keying
FAKRA connector selection usually begins with the housing code. The colored housing helps separate different automotive RF links, but the code must match the physical keying of the mating connector. Standard FAKRA interfaces are available with multiple mechanical and color codings, plus a neutral coding option, so the selected part should be checked against the mating side before it is used in an RF cable assembly.
Color coding makes assembly easier when several automotive RF connector links are placed close to each other, such as GPS, radio, cellular, WiFi, camera, and antenna connections. For part selection, the code should be checked together with connector gender, mating side, cable exit direction, and the internal RF interface. A connector with the right color but the wrong key position or mating side still cannot be used in the cable assembly.
Code Z is the neutral coding option. It can give more mating flexibility than a fixed coded housing, but it should not be treated as a universal replacement for every FAKRA cable assembly. For production cable harnesses, Code Z is better used only when it is written into the project drawing and matches the required mating connector.
Cable Compatibility and FAKRA Connector Fit
After the code and keying are confirmed, the next check is the coaxial cable. FAKRA connectors are made for specific cable groups, and each cable group has its own impedance and cable types. Common groups include 50 Ω cable options such as RG 178, RG 196, RG 316/U, RG 174, and RG 58, as well as 75 Ω options such as RG 179 and RG 59.
The cable group affects how the connector is terminated. Cable outside diameter, dielectric size, braid structure, jacket thickness, and shielding design all change the required ferrule and crimp dimension. If the connector is made for the wrong coax cable, the crimp may not hold the braid correctly, or the cable may not fit into the connector body and plastic housing.
For compact vehicle routing, smaller coax cable types such as RG 174 or RG 316/U are often easier to place inside a cable harness. Larger cables such as RG 58 or RG 59 may be selected when the assembly needs a different cable structure or impedance option.
Mounting Style and Cable Exit Direction
After the housing code and coaxial cable type are confirmed, the next step is the connector form. FAKRA connectors are available in cable mounted, PCB mounted, panel mounted, straight, right angle, single, and multi versions. PCB types may use SMD or pin in paste soldering processes, while cable mounted versions are used when the connector becomes part of a coaxial cable assembly or cable harness.
Straight and right angle versions should be chosen by looking at the cable route around the module, housing, or antenna position. A straight FAKRA connector works well when the coax cable can leave the connection point directly. A right angle connector is better when the cable needs to turn close to a PCB, enclosure wall, or tight vehicle interior space. The wrong direction can put stress on the cable, bend the coax too sharply, or make the connector difficult to lock during assembly.
Panel mount and waterproof FAKRA connectors are usually considered when the connection point passes through a housing, bracket, or exposed installation area. Single versions are used for one RF channel, while multi versions can group several automotive RF connector links in a smaller space.
Electrical Specifications to Confirm
Housing color and keying can confirm the mating structure, but the electrical data decides whether the FAKRA connector fits the signal path. Standard FAKRA connectors are commonly specified for 50 Ω RF applications, and many product series are rated up to 6 GHz. The exact frequency range should still be checked on the selected connector and cable assembly. When the system involves GPS, radio, cellular, camera, or infotainment signals, the connector frequency rating should match the working frequency of the module and coaxial cable assembly.
Return loss and insertion loss also need to be checked, especially when the cable run is long or the signal margin is limited. A lower loss connector and a suitable coax cable can reduce unnecessary signal degradation across the RF cable assembly. Temperature range and mating cycles should be reviewed at the same time. Common FAKRA connector data may include a temperature range from minus 40°C to plus 105°C and a minimum of 25 mating cycles.
Before the FAKRA connector is confirmed, the main items to compare are impedance, frequency range, return loss, insertion loss, temperature range, mating cycle rating, and the approved coaxial cable type.
Sealing and Environmental Requirements
The installation position can change the connector requirement. A FAKRA connector inside the dashboard or infotainment unit is usually protected by the vehicle interior, while a connector near an antenna base, exterior camera, roof area, or exposed communication module may face moisture, vibration, cable movement, and wider temperature changes.
Moisture protection should only be specified when the connector design supports it. A standard indoor FAKRA connector should not be treated as a waterproof connector. If the cable assembly may meet dust, water spray, condensation, or short term water exposure, the selected part should be a sealed or waterproof FAKRA version, such as a design with an IP67 rating.
For exposed automotive RF cable assemblies, temperature range alone is not enough. The connector also needs the right sealing structure, latch design, strain relief, and cable protection for the installation area. This is especially important near roof antennas, camera modules, exterior body positions, and cable routes that may be affected by vibration or movement.
FAKRA vs HSD Connectors
FAKRA and HSD connectors may appear in similar vehicle systems, but they are selected for different signal types. A standard FAKRA connector is an automotive coaxial connector for single ended RF links, such as antenna, GPS, radio, cellular, and telematics connections. HSD connectors are designed for high speed digital communication, including LVDS camera links, infotainment data links, USB, Ethernet, and other data based vehicle electronics.
The cable structure is also different. FAKRA connector selection usually follows coaxial cable type, impedance, housing code, and RF performance. HSD connector selection focuses more on digital data rate, differential signal transmission, shielding, and the cable structure required by the electronic module. If a project includes both camera data and antenna signals, these two connector families should be listed separately in the cable assembly drawing.
FAQ
Conclusion
A FAKRA connector may look simple from the outside, but the right choice depends on more than the housing color. The code, keying, coaxial cable, connector form, electrical rating, sealing level, and mating side all need to match the same RF cable assembly. If you are not sure which FAKRA connector fits your antenna, GPS, telematics, infotainment RF link, or custom cable harness project, you are welcome to leave a comment or contact our engineers for a closer discussion.