IEC 62037-3:2021

IEC 62037-3 ®
Edition 2.0 2021-11
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Passive RF and microwave devices, intermodulation level measurement –
Part 3: Measurement of passive intermodulation in coaxial connectors

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IEC 62037-3 ®
Edition 2.0 2021-11
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Passive RF and microwave devices, intermodulation level measurement –
Part 3: Measurement of passive intermodulation in coaxial connectors
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 33.040.20 ISBN 978-2-8322-5111-9

– 2 – IEC 62037-3:2021 RLV © IEC 2021
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 5
3.1 Terms and definitions . 5
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 5
4 Test method . 6
4.1 Samples for testing . 6
4.2 Connection of unit . 6
4.3 Set-up 1 – Fixed frequency test considerations . 6
4.4 Set-up 2 considerations . 6
4.5 Impacts . 6
5 Report . 7
Annex A (normative) Calculating equivalent impact energy . 10
Annex B (normative) Calculating impact energy for different connector types . 11
Figure 1 – Impact test illustration . 8
Figure 2 – Impact device .
Table 1 – Impact information for some popular connectors. 7
Table A.1 – Estimated mass of various diameter steel balls . 10
Table B.1 – Impact energy calculation for RF connector type . 11

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
PASSIVE RF AND MICROWAVE DEVICES,
INTERMODULATION LEVEL MEASUREMENT –

Part 3: Measurement of passive intermodulation in coaxial connectors

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote international
co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To this end and
in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications, Technical Reports,
Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC Publication(s)”). Their
preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with
may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising
with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely with the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence between
any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of patent
rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This redline version of the official IEC Standard allows the user to identify the changes made to
the previous edition IEC 62037-3:2012. A vertical bar appears in the margin wherever a change
has been made. Additions are in green text, deletions are in strikethrough red text.

– 4 – IEC 62037-3:2021 RLV © IEC 2021
IEC 62037-3 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 46: Cables, wires, waveguides, RF
connectors, RF and microwave passive components and accessories. It is an International
Standard.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2012. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) impact method changed to utilize a steel ball rather than a brass rod;
b) impact energy required to test each connector type added;
c) method added to calculate impact energy for connector types not listed in the document.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
46/836/FDIS 46/857/RVD
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/standardsdev/publications.
A list of all the parts in the IEC 62037 series, published under the general title Passive RF and
microwave devices, intermodulation level measurement can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
IMPORTANT – The "colour inside" logo on the cover page of this document indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct understanding
of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a colour printer.

PASSIVE RF AND MICROWAVE DEVICES,
INTERMODULATION LEVEL MEASUREMENT –

Part 3: Measurement of passive intermodulation in coaxial connectors

1 Scope
This part of IEC 62037 defines the impact test on coaxial connectors to evaluate their robustness
against weak connections and particles inside the connector, as independently as possible from
the effects of cable PIM (passive intermodulation).
For other connectors (e.g. panel mounted connectors), the cable can be replaced by an adequate
transmission-line (e.g. airline, stripline). In order to evaluate the effects of mechanical stresses
on the connectors, a series of impacts is applied to the connectors while measuring the PIM.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies.
For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 62037-1, Passive RF and microwave devices, intermodulation level measurement – Part 1:
General requirements and measuring methods
IEC 62037-4, Passive RF. and microwave devices, intermodulation level measurement – Part 4:
Measurement of passive intermodulation in coaxial cables
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms
3.1 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in this document.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.2 Abbreviated terms
DUT Device under test
IM Intermodulation
PIM Passive intermodulation
To be published.
To be published.
– 6 – IEC 62037-3:2021 RLV © IEC 2021
4 Test method
4.1 Samples for testing
One of the two following set-ups may be used.
NOTE Correct assembly methods and techniques are critical to the proper operation of the connector on the cable.
a) Set-up 1 – Multi-port DUT
In order to minimize the effect of the transmission line, a short assembly should be tested.
Identical connectors should be assembled at each end. An assembly, as short as physically
practical, should be constructed.
a) Set-up 2 – One-port DUT
A single connector can be assembled on a length of transmission line for which it is
designed, loss or low loss, that exhibits at least 10 dB of attenuation in one direction at the
lowest frequency in the receive band.
4.2 Connection of unit
The unit should shall be connected as described in IEC 62307-1.
4.3 Set-up 1 – Fixed frequency test considerations
Due to the phase interaction of the connectors and the length of the transmission line
(configuration A) when measured in the reverse (reflected) mode, the frequency at which
maximum PIM occurs within the band can vary and shall be determined.
An accepted method of sweeping is to fix F1 f at the low end of the transmit band and step F2 f
1 2
down, starting at the top of the band for all combinations of frequencies that result in IM in the
receive band. If desired, this procedure can be reversed by fixing F1 f at the highest frequency
in the transmit band and then stepping F2 f up, starting at the bottom of the band.
If fixed frequency is used, assemblies of varying lengths shall be made to ensure that the PIM
adds in-phase. Assemble two additional DUTs. The first one is to be λ/6 longer and the second
one is to be λ/3 longer at the receive frequency of the test. The PIM of the three (3) assemblies is
measured to determine which DUT exhibits maximum PIM. The impact test shall be performed
on this DUT.
Multiple fixed frequencies may be used in lieu of varying the cable length.
The impact test is to be conducted at the frequency where the maximum PIM is measured.
The cable used as a load should shall be verified as having suitable PIM performance prior to
being used in testing as measured by IEC 62037-4.
4.4 Set-up 2 considerations
The cable used as a load should shall be verified as having suitable PIM performance prior to
being used in testing as measured by IEC 62037-4.
4.5 Impacts
Mount the DUT as shown in Figure 1. A minimum of five (5) impacts in accordance with Table 1
should shall be applied. (See Figure 1 for impact set-up and Figure 2 for description of drop
mass and tube.)
The tube should be vertical to the axis of the DUT to ±3˚.

The drop mass is a steel ball, ensuring that no sharp edge will damage the DUT and minimizing
variation in the impact force. The steel ball is remotely released via a solenoid to prevent impact
force variation due to manual operation.
The points of impact should cover as many different areas along the length of the connector as
possible, but it is not necessary to rotate or otherwise disconnect and reposition the DUT.
The PIM is measured prior to, during, and after the impact.
Table 1 – Impact information for some popular connectors
Connector interface Mass (min.) Drop height (min.)
g mm
7-16 30 300
N 30 300
TNC 30 300
SMA 30 300
Connector Connector Steel ball Drop height
Impact energy Mass
interface nominal hex diameter (min.)
dimension
mm J mm g mm
7-16 31,8 0,083 19 28,4 300
4.3-10 22,2 0,058 19 28,4 210
N 19,1 0,050 19 28,4 180
TNC 14,3 0,037 19 28,4 130
SMA 7,9 0,021 19 28,4 75
The length dimension of the brass rod shall be greater than its diameter.
The given values are guidelines, and other connectors can be used as determined between
customer and supplier.
Different steel ball diameters and drop heights may be used as long as equivalent impact energy
is maintained. See Annex A for guidelines for calculating equivalent impact energy.
Other connector types can be tested in accordance with this document. The required impact
energy for different connector types can be calculated as specified in Annex B.

– 8 – IEC 62037-3:2021 RLV © IEC 2021

Drop mass
Drop height
Tube does not touch DUT
PIM test setup PIM test setup
DUT
(Pine)
PIM setup per IEC 62037-1
IEC  1533/12
Figure 1 – Impact test illustration

Tube: Any material
Brass rod, flat ends:
See Table 1 for mass.
IEC  1534/12
Figure 2 – Impact device
5 Report
The report should document the height, mass, and distance dropped if different from the table
and the PIM values prior to each impact, during impact, and after impact.
The report should document the drop height, steel ball mass and impact energy if different from
Table 1 and the peak PIM values prior to, during, and after each impact.

– 10 – IEC 62037-3:2021 RLV © IEC 2021
Annex A
(normative)
Calculating equivalent impact energy
Impact energy in Joules = potential energy = PE = m × g × h
where:
m is the mass of the steel ball (kg);
g is the acceleration due to gravity = 9,8 m/s ;
h is the drop height (m).
Using an average density for carbon steel of 7,9 g/cm , the mass of the steel ball can be
calculated based on the volume of the steel ball.
Table A.1 provides the estimated mass of various diameter steel balls.
Table A.1 – Estimated mass of various diameter steel balls
Diameter Mass
mm kg
10 0,004 14
11 0,005 51
12 0,007 15
13 0,009 09
14 0,011 35
15 0,013 96
16 0,016 94
17 0,020 32
18 0,024 12
19 0,028 37
20 0,033 09
EXAMPLE: If a 12 mm diameter ball is used to test an SMA connector instead of the 19 mm diameter ball and in
order to calculate a drop height that yields an equivalent impact energy, then:
Algebra is used to re-arrange the formula:
h = PE / (m × g)
2 2 2
h = 0,021 kg m /s / (0,007 15 kg × 9,8 m/s )
h = 0,299 7 m = 299,7 mm, which rounds to 300 mm

Annex B
(normative)
Calculating impact energy for different connector types
The energy at impact is intended to mechanically shock the DUT by accelerating the connector
body. Since the mass of a connector is roughly proportional to the physical size of the connector,
the impact energy can be scaled based on the size of the connector. Distance across the wrench
flats for the male connector can be used as a basis of comparison. For round connectors, the
diameter of the male connector's outer housing can be used.
Using the 7-16 DIN connector as a reference, the impact energy for other connector styles can
be calculated by multiplying the specified impact energy for the 7-16 DIN connector by the ratio
in size between connectors. Table B.1 demonstrates this calculation for the RF connector types
shown in Table 1.
Table B.1 – Impact energy calculation for RF connector type
Connector interface Connector nominal Size ratio compared to 7-16 Calculated impact energy
hex dimension connector
mm J
7-16 31,8 1,00 1,00 × 0,083 J = 0,083 J
4,3-10 22,2 0,70 0,70 × 0,083 J = 0,058 J
N 19,1 0,60 0,60 × 0,083 J = 0,050 J
TNC 14,3 0,45 0,45 × 0,083 J = 0,037 J
SMA 7,9 0,25 0,25 × 0,083 J = 0,021 J

___________
IEC 62037-3 ®
Edition 2.0 2021-11
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Passive RF and microwave devices, intermodulation level measurement –
Part 3: Measurement of passive intermodulation in coaxial connectors

Dispositifs RF et à micro-ondes passifs, mesure du niveau d’intermodulation –
Partie 3: Mesure de l’intermodulation passive dans les connecteurs coaxiaux

– 2 – IEC 62037-3:2021 © IEC 2021
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 5
3.1 Terms and definitions . 5
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 5
4 Test method . 6
4.1 Samples for testing . 6
4.2 Connection of unit . 6
4.3 Set-up 1 – Fixed frequency test considerations . 6
4.4 Set-up 2 considerations . 6
4.5 Impacts . 6
5 Report . 7
Annex A (normative) Calculating equivalent impact energy . 8
Annex B (normative) Calculating impact energy for different connector types . 9

Figure 1 – Impact test illustration . 7

Table 1 – Impact information for some popular connectors. 7
Table A.1 – Estimated mass of various diameter steel balls . 8
Table B.1 – Impact energy calculation for RF connector type . 9

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
PASSIVE RF AND MICROWAVE DEVICES,
INTERMODULATION LEVEL MEASUREMENT –

Part 3: Measurement of passive intermodulation in coaxial connectors

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote international
co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To this end and
in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications, Technical Reports,
Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC Publication(s)”). Their
preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with
may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising
with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely with the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence between
any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of patent
rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC 62037-3 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 46: Cables, wires, waveguides, RF
connectors, RF and microwave passive components and accessories. It is an International
Standard.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2012. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) impact method changed to utilize a steel ball rather than a brass rod;
b) impact energy required to test each connector type added;
c) method added to calculate impact energy for connector types not listed in the document.

– 4 – IEC 62037-3:2021 © IEC 2021
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
46/836/FDIS 46/857/RVD
Full information on the voting for its approval c
...