The Pico TA354 ADA-PREM-FM Premium Within-Series Adaptor PC3.5(f-m) is designed for RF engineers, laboratories and vector network analyzer users who need to connect PC3.5 interfaces of opposite gender while maintaining the same connector series.
Pico Technology currently specifies the TA354 as:
- Order Code: TA354
- Pico Designation: ADA-PREM-FM
- Product Grade: Premium
- Connector Configuration: PC3.5 female to PC3.5 male
- Impedance: 50 Ω
- Bandwidth: 18 GHz
The TA354 is an official PicoVNA accessory and can be incorporated into compatible RF and microwave test setups where PC3.5 gender conversion is required.
PC3.5 Female-to-Male Within-Series Connection
The TA354 is a within-series adaptor, meaning it retains the PC3.5 connector family while changing the connector gender from female to male.
It can be used to:
- Connect compatible PC3.5 female and male interfaces
- Adapt VNA test configurations
- Connect RF test leads to compatible equipment
- Interface RF accessories with different connector genders
- Support component characterization
- Simplify high-frequency laboratory setups
Unlike male-to-male or female-to-female test port adaptors, the TA354 provides a direct female-to-male PC3.5 connection.
50 Ω RF System Compatibility
The TA354 is designed for 50 Ω RF and microwave systems, making it suitable for compatible:
- Vector network analyzers
- RF test leads
- Calibration accessories
- Microwave test equipment
- RF components
- Test fixtures
- Devices under test
Maintaining consistent characteristic impedance throughout an RF measurement path is important for reducing unwanted reflections and maintaining predictable measurement conditions.
18 GHz Bandwidth
Pico Technology’s current dedicated TA354 product page specifies:
This makes the adaptor suitable for broadband RF and microwave measurements extending beyond the frequency range of current PicoVNA 100 Series instruments.
The 18 GHz rating should be used on the product page instead of the existing 27 GHz specification.
PicoVNA Compatibility
Pico Technology currently lists the TA354 as a recommended PicoVNA accessory.
It can be incorporated into compatible network-analysis configurations involving:
- S-parameter measurements
- Return-loss testing
- Insertion-loss measurement
- RF filter characterization
- Amplifier testing
- Cable and interconnect measurements
- Antenna measurements
- RF component validation
- Network metrology
- Research and development testing
Connector Gender Adaptation
RF laboratories often work with devices, cables and accessories that use different connector genders.
The TA354 provides a compact way to connect compatible:
- PC3.5 male ports
- PC3.5 female ports
- Premium RF test leads
- Calibration accessories
- Measurement fixtures
- Devices under test
This can help reduce the need to replace an entire RF test lead simply to change connector gender.
Measurement Path Considerations
Any additional RF adaptor becomes part of the measurement path and can introduce:
- Additional electrical length
- Insertion loss
- Connector mismatch
- Phase shift
- Additional measurement uncertainty
For precision vector network analyzer measurements, the adaptor should remain in a consistent configuration during measurement and should be considered when planning the calibration reference plane.
Suitable RF Components
The TA354 can be used in compatible measurement setups involving:
- RF filters
- Amplifiers
- Attenuators
- RF cables
- Microwave components
- Antennas
- RF modules
- Test fixtures
- Calibration accessories
- Other compatible PC3.5 devices
Typical Applications
The Pico TA354 is suitable for:
- Vector network analyzer testing
- RF and microwave measurements
- PC3.5 connector gender conversion
- S-parameter measurement
- RF component characterization
- Network metrology
- Filter testing
- Amplifier characterization
- Cable and interconnect measurements
- Antenna testing
- Calibration setups
- High-frequency R&D laboratories
- Production RF testing
- Precision measurement systems
