RF Interconnect Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (RF Cable, RF Cable Assembly), By Frequency (Up To 50 GHZ, Above 50 GHZ), By End-user (Medical, Industrial), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

The global RF Interconnect market size is expected to reach USD 51.76 billion by 2030, growing at 7.6% CAGR from 2023 to 2030. RF interconnects refer to a series of equipment connected to transmit signals over long distances. These include RF connectors, attenuators, adapters, cables, and cable assemblies. The increasing demand for RF cable assemblies in the military, aerospace, and telecommunication industries and the rising demand for next-generation advanced warfare systems are driving the growth of the RF interconnect industry.

Technology giants are concentrating on investing substantially in new data center infrastructure, mainly across emerging economies, to increase their global reach. Setting up new data centers and Information & Technology (IT) hubs requires an extensive network of cables such as optical fiber cables, ethernet cables, and coaxial cables which is expected to drive the adoption of RF cables. For instance, Microsoft Corp. joined forces with Telefónica S. A., a Spanish telecommunications company, to open a new data center region in Spain. The companies aimed to serve private and public businesses. They also sought to enhance their global strategic collaboration and boost digital transformation to serve Telefónica S. A.'s customers worldwide.

RF interconnect type segment is segmented into RF cable, RF cable assembly, RF coaxial adapter, and RF connector. Among these, the RF cable assembly segment dominated the overall market, valued at USD 9.01 billion, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.9%. RF cables are used across various industries to transfer radio frequency signals between devices, equipment, or from multiple points to a transmitting antenna. They are installed across testing equipment, satellite devices, broadcasting stations, televisions, and domestic and commercial radios, among other equipment. The coaxial design of radio frequency cables is designed to avoid potential interference. For this, the coaxial cable utilizes four circular layers. From the outside to the inside, they are a plastic casing protecting the materials inside, a metal shield, an insulating material, which is usually solid plastic, and the wire carrying the signal.

The RF interconnects industry end-user segment is divided into different categories, including medical, aerospace & defense, industrial, and others. Out of these, the others segment emerged as the dominant force in the market, generating a revenue of USD 17.97 billion in 2022. It is expected to experience a growth rate of 7.5% throughout the forecast period. The others section encompasses various industries such as IT & telecommunication, construction, manufacturing, consumer electronics, and automobile.

High-frequency connectors play a crucial role in connecting cables, printed circuit boards, and devices to facilitate the transmission of high frequencies. These connectors range from miniature to large and heavy connectors. They are essential for supporting both current and future technologies, while also withstanding increasing transmission rates, adapting to economic and ecological conditions, and consistently meeting the demand for reliability and performance, even in challenging environments.

Key companies in the market are involved in the manufacturing and sale of RF interconnects for various industries and sectors, such as consumer electronics, networking & telecommunications, automotive, manufacturing, aerospace & defense, and healthcare. The market players are driven by evolving business models and competitive pressures, which compel them to shorten development cycles, foster continuous innovation, miniaturize electronic components, and provide highly efficient and stable RF components.

For instance, in December 2022, Amphenol RF introduced an SMA bulkhead jack as an addition to its lineup of extreme exposure RF connectors. This connector boasts a waterproof design with an IP67 rating, specifically designed to terminate a flexible and low-loss LMR 400 cable. Apart from the typical characteristics of the popular interface, this connector offers additional protection against potential damage to external components.

RF Interconnect Market Report Highlights

• RF cables are used in stressful and hostile environments, offering fast communication and low loss
• Technology giants concentrate on investing substantially in new data center infrastructures, mainly across emerging economies, to increase their global reach. Setting up new data centers and Information & Technology (IT) hubs requires an extensive network of cables such as optical fiber cables, ethernet cables, and coaxial cables which in turn drives the growth of the RF interconnects industry
• RF technology is increasingly essential for smart technology infrastructure 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 requiring wireless connectivity to transmit data
• Based on type, the RF cable assembly segment dominated the overall market in 2022, valued at USD 9.63 billion. It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.0% during the forecast period
• Based on frequency, the up to 50 GHz segment dominated the overall market in 2022, valued at USD 12.14 billion. It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.1%over the forecast period
• The primary markets for RF interconnect are the U. S., China, India, Japan, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Brazil, and Mexico. China is expected to be the major contributor to the RF interconnect industry