RF Interconnect Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (RF Cable, RF Cable Assembly, RF Coaxial Adapter, RF Connector), By Frequency, By End-user, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030

Report Overview

The global RF interconnect market size was valued at USD 27.31 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5% from 2022 to 2030. RF interconnect is used in numerous electronic products on which signal transmission quality is critical in applications utilizing high-speed digital signals. A radio frequency (RF) interconnect is the complete path that connects one device to another. One of the significant factors for the increasing demand for RF cable assemblies is the increasing use of radio frequency cables in aerospace, telecommunication, and military applications. In military applications, RF cable assemblies play a vital role in mission-critical military electronic systems. RF cables are used in stressful and hostile environments, as they offer fast communication and low loss. Additionally, RF cable assemblies are used in laboratory and test measurement equipment owing to their reliable and fast performance. These benefits are driving the use of RF cables in military applications, and driving the RF cable assembly market growth.

In military applications, RF cable assemblies play a vital role in mission-critical military electronic systems. RF cables are used in stressful and hostile environments, as they offer fast communication and low loss. Additionally, RF cable assemblies are used in laboratory and test measurement equipment owing to their reliable and fast performance. These benefits are driving the use of RF cables in military applications, and driving the RF cable assembly market growth.

In September 2020, Delta Electronics, Inc. announced that it worked with the COBO (Consortium for On-Board Optics) and Microsoft on the development of a POC (proof of concept) open networking switch featuring 12.8 Tbps bandwidth capacity. The seamless integration of five distinct optical module form factors in a single 4U rack that includes eight ports with Consortium for On-Board Optics standard offers up to 30% energy savings and up to 800G transmission speed. This innovative proof-of-concept open networking switch highlights Delta's capabilities in the development and research of next-generation data center infrastructure with transmission speeds and energy efficiency for the 5G era.

Smart cities utilize Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to enhance operational efficiency, provide better citizen welfare and government service, and share information with the public. The primary goal of a smart city is to promote economic growth and optimize city functions while also enhancing the citizens’ quality of life using data analysis and smart technologies. Rapid advancements in data analysis, the internet of things, and better connectivity are powering new applications and driving innovation.

Cities worldwide are implementing new technologies and transforming the way people play, work, live, and get around. RF technology is increasingly essential for the infrastructure of smart technology owing to the increase in the use of sensors and devices for data collection. The use of real-time information increases efficiency across industries. RF adapters, cable assemblies, and connectors enable wireless connectivity for nearly all smart city initiatives, which require wireless connectivity to transmit data.

COVID-19 Impact

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic took a severe toll on several industries and industry verticals and the RF Interconnect industry vertical was not an exception to that. The outbreak of the pandemic forced several governments worldwide to impose lockdowns and restrictions on the movement of people and goods as part of the efforts to arrest the spread of coronavirus. As a result, the global demand for RF cables plummeted significantly due to inconsistent operations and expansion activities, especially among the incumbents of the heavy-duty industry.

Having realized that companies are incurring severe losses in the wake of the outbreak of the pandemic, several governments announced economic stimulus packages to invigorate the overall economy and drive the demand for various commodities. The stimulus packages are expected to play a niche, long-term role in stimulating the demand over the forecast period. For example, in November 2020, the government of Canada announced investments worth about USD 134.84 million (CAD 175 million) to facilitate high-speed data connectivity for both individuals and businesses. Plans envisaged connecting about 98% of Canadians to high-speed internet networks by 2026 and all the residents by 2030.

Type Insights

The RF cable assembly segment dominated the overall market, gaining a revenue share of over 33% in 2021 and witnessing a CAGR of over 6% during the forecast period. Cable assembly refers to the assembly of one or more cables enclosed in a single tube. The ends are installed with a connector and are connected to adapters. RF cable assemblies serve as transmission lines for RF signals traversing from one point in a system to another (for example, equipment to equipment, equipment to the antenna, PC board to the antenna, PC board to a PC board, etc.).

This cable assembly normally consists of radio frequency coaxial connectors, which are mechanically attached to a coaxial cable. Several variables need to be considered when designing radio frequency coaxial cable assemblies, including mechanical considerations (length, weight, and size), environmental considerations, shielding effectiveness, electrical performance (return loss, insertion loss, and impedance), frequency, connector types, and materials and construction.

The RF coaxial adapter is anticipated to witness the fastest growth, growing at a CAGR of 8.7% throughout the forecast period. These are passive coaxial components that transfer signals from one connector interface to another. They can be utilized to transition signals from a Sub-Miniature A (SMA) connector to an N-Type connector interface of Bayonet Neill-Concelman (BNC) connectors to Threaded Neill-Concelman (TNC) connectors, etc.

Adapters and connectors are similar in terms of functionality. These are also used for providing connections across a network from various devices. Like most adapters, connectors, and plugs/sockets, RF adapters can also be identified by gender. Female RF adapters are usually recognized by their pin, also called the plug, and male RF adapters have an opening designed for attaching the pin or plug on female connectors, which is used to join the two individual parts together. Male RF adapters are also referred to as jacks.

Frequency Insights

The upto 50 GHz segment dominated the overall market, gaining a market share of 41.9% in 2021 and witnessing a CAGR of 7.0% during the forecast period. This range of frequencies is known as the Super High Frequency (SHF). SHF is the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) designation for RF in the range between 3 and 50 gigahertz. Since the wavelengths range from one to ten centimeters, this frequency band is also called the centimeter band or centimeter wave.

SHF is also called microwave because the radio waves of these frequencies fall within the microwave band. The small wavelength of microwaves allows SHF to be directed in thin beams by aperture antennas, which makes them suitable for data links, point-to-point communication, and radar. The majority of satellite phones (S-band), satellite communication, wireless LANs, microwave radio relay lines, radar transmitters, and numerous short-range terrestrial data links operate within this frequency range. They are also utilized for heating to cook food in microwave ovens, microwave hyperthermia to treat cancer, medical diathermy, and industrial microwave heating.

The upto 6GHz segment is anticipated to witness the fastest growth, growing at a CAGR of 8.5% throughout the forecast period. This range of frequencies is known as Ultra High Frequency (UHF). UHF connectors are radio frequency connectors used for transmitting signals of frequencies up to 6 GHz. These connectors contain non-constant surge impedance and a typically used for radio applications such as ham radio, marine VHF radio, and amateur radio.

End-user Insights

The others segment is expected to dominate in 2021, gaining a revenue share of 61.7%. Industries such as construction, IT & telecommunication, consumer electronics, manufacturing, and automobile are covered under the others section. The consumer electronics sector is projected to provide promising growth opportunities to the global radio frequency cable industry owing to the ongoing development of high-tech products and the growing demand for HVAC equipment with advanced features.

The growing demand for flexible, highly durable, and high-performance RF systems for efficient signal processing in military applications, such as Electronic Warfare (EW), is expected to support the aerospace and defense segment outlook. Furthermore, increasing investments in digitization initiatives across industries are expected to drive the demand for power transmission and distribution networks.

The industrial segment is anticipated to witness the fastest growth, growing at a CAGR of 8.7% throughout the forecast period. High-frequency connectors connect cables, printed circuit boards, and devices to transmit extremely high frequencies. Connectors in the market range from miniature to large and heavy connectors. Connectors are not only necessary for enabling existing and forthcoming technologies, they must also be able to withstand the ever-increasing transmission rates, adapt to economic and ecological conditions, and continually satisfy the demand for reliability and performance, even in tough conditions.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific led the overall market in 2021, with a revenue share of 44.02%. The advancing manufacturing facilities, favorable government initiatives, growing construction activities, and increasing investments in new infrastructures, among other parameters, are driving the need for RF interconnect components in the Asia Pacific region. For example, in August 2020, the Prime Minister of India inaugurated a unique submarine optical fiber cable to connect the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with the mainland territory. The administration aims to provide internet data transfer at high speed to the residents and propel the local economy.

North America is anticipated to witness the fastest growth, growing at a CAGR of 8.3% throughout the forecast period. Different administrations' growing interest in providing high-speed internet service to citizens, new oil and gas development potential, and stringent laws for RF systems are some of the fundamental factors driving the growth of the RF interconnect in the North America region. For instance, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission has implemented several policies on RF devices' operation and their impacts on the human environment. The division has also executed several rules and uses special software to detect radio frequency density near broadcasting towers to observe the installations.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The RF interconnect market is highly fragmented, with several players operating globally, regionally, and locally. The existing players compete on the quality, efficiency, and precision of RF interconnect components to gain maximum traction from various industries. Some prominent players in the market include Quantic Electronics, Delta Electronics, Inc, Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions, Ducommun Incorporated, and ETL Systems Ltd. among others.

These companies are collaborating with RF interconnect organizations and local & regional players to gain a competitive edge over their peers and capture a significant market share. For instance, In June 2022, Quantic Electronics announced the acquisition of Microwave Dynamics. Microwave Dynamics manufactured and designed phase-locked and free-running amplifiers, oscillators, frequency multipliers, and frequency converters for defense, aerospace, and industrial markets. The acquisition helped enhance the portfolio of Quantic Electronics. Some prominent players in the global RF interconnect market include:

• Penn Engineering Components

• Jupiter Microwave Components Inc.

• Quantic Electronics

• Amphenol RF

• Delta Electronics, Inc.

• Samtec

• Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions

• Ducommun Incorporated

• ETL Systems Ltd.

• Smiths Interconnect

• DigiLens Inc.

• Corning Incorporated

• Global Invacom

• Radiall

• HUBER + SUHNER

• W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

• Flann Microwave Ltd.

RF Interconnect Market Report Scope

Global RF Interconnect Market Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growths at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global RF interconnect market report based on type, frequency, end-user, and region:

• Type Outlook (Volume, Thousand Units; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • RF Cable

  • RF Cable Assembly

  • RF Coaxial Adapter

  • RF Connector

• Frequency Outlook (Volume, Thousand Units; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Up to 6 GHz

  • Up to 50 GHz

  • Above 50 GHz

• End-user Outlook (Volume, Thousand Units; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Aerospace & Defense

  • Medical

  • Industrial

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Thousand Units; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • U.K.

    • France

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

  • Middle East & Africa