Case Study: Signal Microwave achieves electrically invisible, optimized RF connectors for 5G with COMSOL Multiphysics

At Signal Microwave, simulation is being used to design specialized connectors for high speed RF applications

Signal Microwave, co‑founded by Eric Gebhard and Bill Rosas, designs specialized RF, microwave and millimeter‑wave connectors to support 5G applications across roughly 40–110 GHz. Facing tight constraints on geometry, impedance matching and minimal reflections at ever‑higher frequencies, the company partnered with Comsol and used the COMSOL Multiphysics software (importing geometry from Solid Edge) to bring simulation into its connector design workflow.

Using COMSOL Multiphysics, Signal Microwave modeled grounded coplanar waveguides and edge‑launch connectors, optimized geometry and dielectrics, and analyzed VSWR, insertion loss and field distributions to reduce mismatches. Comsol’s simulations closely matched measurements (measured VSWR < 1.5:1), helped diagnose a prototype defect by reproducing it virtually, enabled a portfolio of solderless edge connectors and 70 GHz blind‑mate parts, and cut the number of physical prototypes while shortening development time and lowering costs.

Signal Microwave

Bill Rosas

Co-Founder