The Hirose MS-156HF(22) is a surface-mount coaxial switch receptacle from the MS-156HF series, designed for RF signal routing in compact wireless modules. The 4 mm plug diameter mates with a corresponding male plug, and the internal switch allows the RF path to be opened or closed by the act of mating — useful for antenna diversity or test port isolation.
Why the 100 Mating Cycles Matter
The 100 mating cycle rating places this connector in the infrequent-connect category — think factory calibration port, test point on a production board, or a one-time antenna connection during device assembly. It is not built for daily plug/unplug in a field-service scenario. If your application expects hundreds of mate-demate cycles, look at the MS-156HF series' higher-cycle siblings or a different coaxial interface. The gold plating on both the body and centre contact helps maintain low contact resistance over those 100 cycles, but the mechanical wear limit is the constraint, not the plating.
SMT Assembly and the Pick-and-Place Cap
The cap protects the internal switch mechanism during reflow and is removed after soldering. The shield and centre contact both terminate via solder to the PCB pads — no hand-soldering required on an SMT line.