IEC 62037-3:2025

IEC 62037-3 ®
Edition 3.0 2025-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
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
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IEC 62037-3 ®
Edition 3.0 2025-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
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

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 33.040.20  ISBN 978-2-8327-0312-0

– 2 – IEC 62037-3:2025 © IEC 2025
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 – reverse (reflected) mode test considerations . 6
4.4 Set-up 2 – forward (transmitted) mode test considerations . 6
4.5 Impacts . 7
5 Report . 8
Annex A (normative) Calculating equivalent impact energy . 9
Annex B (normative) Calculating impact energy for different connector types . 10

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 . 9
Table B.1 – Impact energy calculation for RF connector type . 10

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
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Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two organizations.
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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) IEC draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). IEC takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights in
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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 third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2021. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) impact test requirements for multi-channel connectors added;
b) method for calculating impact energy added for connector shapes other than round;

– 4 – IEC 62037-3:2025 © IEC 2025
c) revised test considerations for achieving maximum PIM in reverse (reflected) PIM
measurements;
d) added clarification that PIM tests reports shall include the maximum PIM value measured.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
46/1040/FDIS 46/1044/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/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, or
• revised.
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 passive intermodulation (PIM).
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 62037-1:2021, 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 terminology databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
3.2 Abbreviated terms
DUT device under test
PIM passive intermodulation
– 6 – IEC 62037-3:2025 © IEC 2025
4 Test method
4.1 Samples for testing
One of the two following test set-ups should 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 device under test (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.
b) Set-up 2 – One-port device under test (DUT)
A single connector can be assembled on a length of transmission line for which it is designed
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 shall be connected as described in IEC 62037-1:2021, 6.2.2 (Set-up 1) or 6.2.3
(Set-up 2).
4.3 Set-up 1 – reverse (reflected) mode test considerations
Due to the phase interaction of the connectors and the length of the transmission line 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 determining the maximum PIM is to sweep the test frequencies. This is
accomplished by fixing frequency 1 (f ) at the low end of the transmit band and step frequency 2
(f ) down, starting at the top of the band for all combinations of frequencies that result in
intermodulation products in the receive band. If desired, this procedure can be reversed by fixing
f at the highest frequency in the transmit band and then stepping f up, starting at the bottom
2 1
of the band. The impact test shall be performed using the fixed test frequency combination that
generates maximum PIM in the DUT.
Another accepted method of determining the maximum PIM is to use a single set of fixed test
frequencies that create an intermodulation product in the receive band and test assemblies of
varying lengths 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 assemblies is measured to determine which DUT exhibits maximum PIM.
The impact test shall be performed on this DUT using the same set of test frequencies used to
determine maximum PIM.
The cable used to produce the DUT shall be verified as having suitable PIM performance prior
to being used in testing as specified in IEC 62037-4.
4.4 Set-up 2 – forward (transmitted) mode test considerations
The cable used as a load shall be verified as having suitable PIM performance prior to being
used in testing as specified in IEC 62037-4.

4.5 Impacts
Mount the DUT as shown in Figure 1. A minimum of five impacts in accordance with Table 1 shall
be applied. (See Figure 1 for impact set-up.)
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.
For multi-channel connectors, PIM shall be tested on each channel individually. The PIM tests
may be conducted in sequence or simultaneously. The worst performing channel shall be used
for pass/fail analysis.
Table 1 – Impact information for some popular connectors
Connector Connector Impact energy Steel ball Mass Drop height
interface nominal hex diameter (min.)
dimension
mm J mm kg mm
7-16 31,8 0,083 19 0,0284 300
4.3-10 22,2 0,058 19 0,0284 210
N 19,1 0,050 19 0,0284 180
TNC 14,3 0,037 19 0,0284 130
SMA 7,9 0,021 19 0,0284 75
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.

Figure 1 – Impact test illustration

– 8 – IEC 62037-3:2025 © IEC 2025
5 Report
The report should document the drop height, steel ball mass and impact energy if different from
Table 1 and the maximum PIM values prior to, during, and after each impact.

Annex A
(normative)
Calculating equivalent impact energy
The impact energy is expressed in joules and is equal to the following formula:
E = m × g × h
pot
where
E is the potential energy (J);
pot
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 a 19 mm diameter ball, and in order
to calc
...