Patent Publication Number: US-2018048100-A1

Title: Test rf connector

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Electronic and/or computing devices may have antennas. Some devices, like smartphones may comprise more than one antenna and multiple associated radio frequency (RF) components, for example, antenna feeds. Before assembly of the device, these RF components may need to be tested. 
     SUMMARY 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     An RF device is described. In an embodiment, an RF device comprises: a test RF connector, a device housing, the device housing comprising at least one conductive portion, and a grounding connector configured to electrically connect the at least one conductive portion to a ground of the test RF connector. 
     In other embodiments, a test RF connector and a method are discussed. 
     Many of the attendant features will be more readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present description will be better understood from the following detailed description read in light of the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic representation of a RF device comprising a device cover, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a sectional view of a RF device, showing a printed circuit board (PCB) with test RF connectors of the device, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a test RF connector according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of a test RF connector according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a sectional side view of a portion of a RF device according to an embodiment, showing a test RF connector, and portions of a RF device PCB and a RF device cover; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of a configuration of a test RF connector in a device comprising a spring element attached to a RF device cover, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of a test RF connector comprising an outer conductor with a spring, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a side view of a test RF connector comprising an electrical component configured on top of a spring element, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 9A  illustrates a perspective view of a test RF connector comprising a base, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 9B  illustrates a perspective view of a mating portion of a test RF connector, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a sectional side view of a test RF connector comprising two complementary halves, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of a test RF connector comprising a lamellar spring element, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a side view of a test RF connector comprising a lamellar spring element; and 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a schematic flow chart of a method of assembly in accordance with an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     Like references are used to designate like parts in the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the appended drawings are illustrative representations and are not the only forms and/or structures in which the present embodiments may be accomplished. Further, the drawings may not be to scale. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The detailed description provided below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the embodiments and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the embodiment may be constructed or utilized. However, the same or equivalent functions and structures may be accomplished by different embodiments. 
     Although the embodiments may be described and illustrated herein as being implemented in a smartphone, this is only an example of a radio frequency (RF) device and not a limitation. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the present embodiments are suitable for application in a variety of different types of RF devices comprising RF components, for example mobile phones, tablets, phablets, portable game consoles, wearable devices, media players, wireless headphones, smart watches etc. Devices capable of wireless communication invariably comprise RF components and may be referred to as RF devices. RF components may include any components needed and/or used in a wireless communication set up using radio and/or microwave frequency electromagnetic waves, for example, receivers, transmitters, antenna feeds, feed lines, antennas, connectors connecting two RF components etc. 
     A conductive cover, a part thereof or a conductive portion of an RF device cover may be used as an antenna. Before assembly, RF components configured on a device printed circuit board (PCB) may need to be tested, for example to assure performance, measure radiation parameters, etc. Typically, test RF connectors are configured on the RF device PCB for such testing. After the RF device is assembled, these test RF connectors are used very infrequently, for example, if RF components on the device PCB need to be repaired or tested again. 
     Currently miniaturization of portable and wearable devices is the trend in RF devices. This requires squeezing more and more components onto smaller and smaller PCBs. In RF devices like smartphones, there may be multiple antenna feeds and antennas, requiring multiple test RF connectors, and thus occupying considerable space on a RF device PCB. Modern RF devices may comprise multiple metallic or conductive parts, for example, all metal device covers etc. which may need to be connected to ground plane of the device PCB. There may be multiple grounding connections needed, for example, to ground points on portions of RF device cover acting as antennas. A test RF connector, according to an embodiment, comprises a grounding connector which connects a point on a conductive device cover or a conductive portion of the device cover to an electrical ground on the device PCB. According to an embodiment, a test RF connector may act to ground a conductive cover after assembly. According to an embodiment, the space needed for grounding connectors may be reduced. According to an embodiment, number of dedicated grounding connectors may be reduced. According to an embodiment, test RF connectors may be utilized as grounding connectors after the RF device is assembled. According to an embodiment, a device PCB with space for more components may be implemented. According to an embodiment, more functionality may be provided in smaller PCBs with multiple RF components. In an embodiment, test RF connector comprises a removable grounding connector, so that an RF testing probe, used for testing, can be connected to the test RF connector when needed. In an embodiment, test RF connector comprises a fixed or integrated grounding connector configured in such a manner so as to not impede connection with a RF testing probe. 
     According to an embodiment, a test RF probe or an RF testing probe may be a component attachable to a test RF connector for testing purposes. It may, for example, comprise an RF connector complementary to a test RF connector and a coaxial cable configured to allow RF signals to be sent and received from the test RF connector. According to an embodiment, a grounding connecter may comprise a connector or component capable of electrically connecting a component or portion of an RF device, for example a device cover or a portion thereof, to an electrical ground of the device. Examples of a grounding connector include, but are not limited to, a conductive pin, a helical spring, a flat spring, a lamellar spring, a bendable piece of conductive material, a complementary connector not making connection with the signal conductor of the test RF connector, etc. 
       FIG. 1 . illustrates an RF device  100  comprising a cover  101 . The cover comprises portions  102 ,  103 ,  105 . Further there may be windows or slots, for example, window  104  for some components, for example, a camera (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) to have access to outside of the device cover  101 . The device cover  101  may have slots  1030 ,  1031  for implementing antennas (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). The antennas may be implemented on portions of device cover  101 , for example, portion  102 , or they may be implemented inside the device cover  101  and slots may be used for allowing, guiding, or forming desirable radiation patterns. According to an embodiment, RF device  100  may comprise both antennas implemented on the device cover  101  and antennas implemented inside the RF device  100 . According to an embodiment, test RF connectors (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) may comprise grounding connectors which connect portions of the device cover  101  to an electrical ground inside the RF device  100 , for example on printed circuit board (PCB) of the RF device  100 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a sectional view of a RF device  100 , according to an embodiment. RF device  100  comprises a cover  101 , a PCB  110  and battery  114 . The device cover  101  may comprise portions  102 ,  103  and  105 . Some or all of the portions  102 ,  103 ,  105  of device cover  101  may be conductive. Device cover  101  may comprise slots corresponding to components like power key  107 , volume keys (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) and connectivity port  108  etc. Various components  111 , like a processor, system on chip, baseband processor, digital signal processors etc. may be configured on PCB  110 . There may be other components like camera  112  configured on PCB  110 . Further test RF connectors  120 ,  121 ,  122 ,  123 ,  124  may be configured on various locations on PCB  110 . Various other components not shown in  FIG. 2  may also be configured on PCB  110 . According to an embodiment, test RF connectors  120 ,  121 ,  122 ,  123 ,  124  may occupy valuable space on PCB  110  which may otherwise be utilized to accommodate other components. According to an embodiment, each of the test RF connectors  120 ,  121 ,  122 ,  123 ,  124  comprises a grounding connector, configured to connect portions  102 ,  103 ,  105  of the device cover  101  to an electrical ground (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) on PCB  110 , reducing or eliminating the need for dedicated grounding connectors. According to an embodiment, test RF connectors  120  through  124  may be strategically placed at locations where electrical grounding of device cover or portions of device cover is needed, for example to ground an antenna radiator. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a test RF connector  120  according to an embodiment. It comprises a base  130 , an outer conductor  131 , an inner conductor  132 , a helical spring  133  and a conducting plate  134 . The outer conductor  131  may be in the shape of a hollow cylinder, configured on the base  130 . According to an embodiment, base  130  may be made of conductive material and the outer conductor  131  may be configured on it directly, with the hollow of outer conductor  131  configured to be on the top of a corresponding hole in the base  130 . Inner conductor  132  may be configured in the middle of the hollow in the base  130  with the help of a non-conductive sabot like component carrying the inner conductor  132  in its center and fitting flush in the hollow of inner conductor  132 . The base  130  and hence the outer conductor  131  configured on it, may be electrically connected to an electrical ground of a PCB. The inner conductor  132  may be connected to an antenna feed, for example via a co-axial cable or a feed line. According to an embodiment, there may be a switching mechanism to disconnect the antenna feed from the inner conductor. According to an embodiment, base  130  may be made of non-conductive material and the outer conductor  131  and inner conductor  132  may be electrically connectable to an electrical ground and an antenna feed respectively. The base may be attachable to a PCB. Spring  133  may be configured around the outer conductor  131  and/or resting on the base  130 . Spring  133  may be in electrical contact with the base  130  if the base is conductive or with the outer conductor  131 . The height of spring  133  in uncompressed state may be more than that outer conductor  131 . A contact plate  134  may be configured on top of spring  133 , such that the contact plate  134  is substantially parallel to base  130 . The contact plate  134  may be of any shape suitable to make sufficient electrical contact with a device cover  102 . According to an embodiment spring  133  may be removably configured. According to an embodiment, spring  133  may be irremovably configured and conductive plate  134  may be removably configured. According to an embodiment, inner conductor  132  may comprise a hollow cylinder with an opening to receive a corresponding mating pin. According to an embodiment, helical spring  133  may be configured inside the outer conductor  131 , making electrical contact with its inner surface, but electrically isolated from the inner conductor  132 . According to an embodiment, spring  133  and conducting plate  131  comprise a grounding connector, such that when the test RF connector  120  is configured on a PCB  110  conducting plate  134  it may be in a flush contact with a device cover  101  or a portion thereof, thereby electrically connecting the device cover  101 , or a portion thereof, to the outer conductor  131  and/or base  130 , which may be connected to an electrical ground on the PCB  110 . In  FIG. 3  PCB  110  and device cover  101  are not shown. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of a test RF connector  120  of  FIG. 3 , according to an embodiment. According to an embodiment, spring  133  and conductive plate  134  occupy lesser or the same area as occupied by the base  120 , thereby saving space. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a sectional side view of a portion of a device comprising a PCB  110 , a test RF connector  120  configured on the PCB  110  and a conductive portion  102  of a device cover. Test RF connector  120  may comprise an outer conductor  131 , an inner conductor  132  (not visible in  FIG. 5 ), a base  130  which is configured on the PCB  110  and on which the outer conductor  131  and inner conductor  132  are configured, a helical spring  133  configured around the outer conductor  131  and a conductive plate  134  configured on top of the spring  133 . The conductive plate  134  is in electrical contact with a conductive portion  102  of device cover. According to an embodiment, the base  130  may be conductive, comprising a hole in the middle to allow the inner conductor  132  to be configured therein, electrically isolated from conductive base  130 . The outer conductor  131  is configured on the conductive base  130 . According to an embodiment, the base  130  and outer conductor  131  may be a single component. The outer conductor  131  and hence the base  130  may be connected to an electrical ground on the PCB  110 . The inner conductor  132  may be connected to an antenna feed on the PCB  110 , for example via a feed line or a coaxial cable. According to an embodiment, the base  130  may be soldered to the PCB  110  and connected to an electrical ground. According to an embodiment, the base  130  may be non-conductive and may have space to receive the outer conductor  131  and the inner conductor  132 . The outer conductor  131  may be connected to an electric ground on the PCB  110 , for example through a via in base  130 . Similarly, the inner conductor  132  may be connected through a via in base  130  to an antenna feed, for example, using a coaxial cable or a feed line. According to an embodiment, the conductive plate  134  on top of spring  133  may be of any shape suitable to make electrical contact with the cover portion  102 . According to an embodiment, spring  133  and conductive plate  134  comprise a grounding connector grounding conductive portion  102  of the device cover. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of a section of a device according to an embodiment. The embodiment of  FIG. 6  may be different from the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5  in that the helical spring  133  may be configured to be soldered or welded to device cover portion  102  in such a way that when the device is assembled, the helical spring  133  either presses against the conductive base  130  or a surface of the outer conductor  131 , thereby making an electrical connection which grounds the device cover portion  120 . The helical spring  133  may enclose the outer conductor  131  in a concentric manner and press against the base  130 , or it may envelope the outer conductor  131  or fit inside the outer conductor  131  in either case, the helical spring  133  making electrical contact with the outer conductor  131 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of a test RF connector  120 , comprising a base  130 , an outer cylindrical conductor  131 , an inner conductor  132  (not visible in  FIG. 7 ) and a helical spring  133 . The base  130  may be conductive, having a hole corresponding to the hollow of the outer cylindrical conductor  131 . The inner conductor  132  may be configured in the center of the hole, electrically isolated from the outer conductor  131  and the base  130 . According to an embodiment, the base  130  and the outer conductor  131  may comprise a single component. The base  130  and hence the outer conductor  131  may be connectable to an electrical ground. The inner conductor  132  may be connectable to an antenna feed. According to an embodiment, the base  130  may comprise non-conductive material having concentric slits for the inner conductor  132  and outer conductor  131 . The outer conductor being connectable to an electrical ground and inner conductor  132  connectable to a an antenna feed. The helical spring  133  may be configured on top of the outer conductor  131 , such that the base of the spring  133  is flush with the top of the outer conductor  131 . According to an embodiment, the helical spring  133  may be such that it compresses to allow a probe to be coupled with the test RF connector  120 . According to an embodiment, helical spring  133  may comprise a grounding connector, such that when the test RF connector  120  is configured on a PCB  110  helical spring  133  it may be in flush contact with a portion  102  of device cover, thereby electrically connecting the portion  102  of device cover to the outer conductor  131  and/or base  130 , which may be connected to an electrical ground on the PCB  110 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a test RF connector  120  comprising a base  130 , an outer connector  131 , an inner connector (not visible in  FIG. 8 ), a helical spring  133  and an electrical component  137 . The test RF connector  120  of  FIG. 8  may be similar to the test RF connector  120  of  FIG. 3, 4 or 5 , differing in that instead of a conductive part  134 , an electrical component  137  may be configured on the spring  133 . According to an embodiment, electrical component  137  may be a resistor, a capacitor, an inductor or a combination thereof. According to an embodiment, spring  133  and electrical component  137  comprise a grounding connector, such that when the test RF connector  120  is configured on a PCB  110  electrical component  137  it may be in flush contact with a device cover  101 , or a portion thereof, thereby electrically connecting the device cover  101  or a portion thereof to the outer conductor  131  and/or base  130 , which may be connected to an electrical ground on the PCB  110 . In  FIG. 8  PCB  110  and device cover  101  are not shown. 
       FIG. 9A  illustrates a perspective view of a test RF connector according to an embodiment, comprising a base  130  an outer conductor  131 , an inner conductor  132  configured within the outer conductor  131 .  FIG. 9B  illustrates a perspective view of a mating portion  136  comprising a cylindrical part  135  and a flat part  134  configured on top of the base  130  and electrical contact with the cylindrical part  135 . The cylindrical part  135  may be hollow with an inner diameter equal to or slightly greater than the outer diameter of the outer conductor  131 , such that the two couple telescopically. According to an embodiment, the cylindrical part  135  of the mating portion  136  may have an outer diameter equal or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of outer conductor  131 , so as to allow coupling telescopically. According to an embodiment, outer conductor  131  and the cylindrical part  135  may couple by way of a threading mechanism. According to an embodiment, the base  130  may be conductive having a hole corresponding to the outer cylindrical conductor  131 . The inner conductor  132  may be configured in the center of the hole, electrically isolated from the outer conductor  131  and the base  130 . According to an embodiment, the base  130  and the outer conductor  131  may comprise a single component. The base  130  and hence the outer conductor  131  may be connectable to an electrical ground. The inner conductor  132  may be connectable to an antenna feed. According to an embodiment, the base  130  may comprise non-conductive material having slots concentric slits for the inner conductor  132  and outer conductor  131 . The outer conductor  131  being connectable to an electrical ground and inner conductor  132  connectable to a an antenna feed. According to an embodiment, the cylindrical part  135  of the mating portion may electrically connect the flat part  134  with the outer conductor  131  and/or the base  130  if it comprises conductive material. According to an embodiment, the flat part  134  may comprise an electrical component (not shown in  FIG. 8 ) for example, a resistor, a capacitor, an inductor or a combination thereof. According to an embodiment, mating portion  136  may comprise a grounding connector, electrically grounding a device cover  101  or a portion thereof, by connecting it to an electrical ground on a PCB  110  on which test RF connector  120  is configured. In  FIG. 9  PCB  110  and device cover  101  are not shown. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a test RF connector  120 , according to an embodiment. It may be similar to the test RF connector  120  of  FIG. 8  with the difference that flat part  134  of the mating portion  136  comprises a capacitor. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of a test RF connector  120 , according to an embodiment. It comprises a base  130 , an outer conductor  131 , an inner conductor  132 , and a lamellar spring  133 . The outer conductor  131  is may be in the shape of a hollow cylinder, configured on the base  130 . According to an embodiment, base  130  may be made of conductive material and the outer conductor  131  may be configured on it directly, with the hollow of outer conductor  131  configured to be on the top of a corresponding hollow in the base  130 . Inner conductor  132  is configured in the middle of the hollow in the base  130  with the help of a non-conductive sabot carrying the inner conductor  132  in its center and fitting flush in the hollow of inner conductor  132 . The base  130  and hence the outer conductor  131  configured on it, may be electrically connected to an electrical ground of a PCB. The inner conductor  132  may be connected to an antenna feed, for example via a co-axial cable or a feed line. According to an embodiment, there may be a switching mechanism to disconnect the antenna feed from the inner conductor. According to an embodiment, base  130  may be made of non-conductive material and the outer conductor  131  and inner conductor  132  may be electrically connectable to an electrical ground and an antenna feed respectively. The base may be configurable on a PCB. Spring  133  may comprise an annular part  1331  and two bending conductive strips  1332  extending from the annular part  1331 . Annular part  1331  of the spring  133  may be configured around the outer conductor  131  and/or resting on the base  130 . Spring  133  may be in electrical contact with the base  130  if the base is conductive or with the outer conductor  131 . The height of spring  133  in uncompressed state is more than that outer conductor  131 . The bending strips  1332  may be compressible so as to affect an electrical contact with a planar or a substantially planar object. According to an embodiment spring  133  may be removably configured. According to an embodiment, spring  133  may be irremovably configured such that when a probe is coupled with the RF test connector, the bending conductive strips  1332  give way. According to an embodiment, inner conductor  132  may comprise a hollow cylinder with an opening to receive a corresponding mating pin. According to an embodiment, spring  133  may be configured inside the outer conductor  131 , making electrical contact with its inner surface, but electrically isolated from the inner conductor  132 . According to an embodiment, the spring  133  may comprise one or more bending conductive strips  1332 . According to an embodiment, mating portion  136  may comprise a grounding connector, electrically grounding a device cover  101  or a portion thereof, by connecting it to an electrical ground on a PCB  110  on which test RF connector  120  is configured. In  FIG. 11  PCB  110  and device cover  101  are not shown. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a side view of a section of a device showing test RF connector of  FIG. 11  configured on a PCB  110 , and electrically grounding a conductive portion  102  of the device cover via the bending strips  1331 . 
     Although specific shapes of grounding connector, including shapes wherein grounding connector comprises a spring  133  may be described, other shapes which capable of connecting a conductive portion  102  of a device cover  101  with either the outer conductor  131  or base  130  or both base  130  and outer conductor  131  of a test RF connector, may be contemplated. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates, as a schematic flow chart, a method in accordance with an embodiment. Referring to  FIG. 13 , according to an embodiment the process may comprise operations  500 ,  501 ,  502 ,  503 , and  504 . 
     Operation  500  may include configuring a test RF connector  120  on a printed circuit board  110 . The test RF connector  120  comprising an outer conductor  131  and an inner conductor  132  electrically isolated from each other. 
     Operation  501  may include electrically connecting the outer connector  131  to an electrical ground on the PCB  110 . 
     Operation  502  may include electrically connecting the inner connector  132  to an antenna feed using a coaxial cable. A switch may be configured on the coaxial cable to allow disconnection of the antenna feed after assembly. 
     Operation  503  may include a configuring a grounding connector for example a spring  133 , over or around the outer conductor  131 . According to an embodiment, the grounding connector may be removably configured over or around the outer conductor  131 . 
     Operation  504  may include placing a cover comprising at least one conductive portion  102 , wherein the conductive portion  102  is in electrical contact with the grounding connector, for example a spring  133 . 
     The methods and functionalities described herein may be performed by software in machine readable form on a tangible storage medium e.g. in the form of a computer program comprising computer program code means adapted to perform all the functions and the operations of any of the methods described herein when the program is run on a computer and the physical execution may be carried out by actuators configured suitably and where the computer program may be embodied on a computer readable medium. Examples of tangible storage media include computer storage devices such as disks, thumb drives, memory etc. and do not include propagated signals. The software can be suitable for execution on a parallel processor or a serial processor such that the method operations may be carried out in any suitable order, or simultaneously. 
     This acknowledges that software can be a valuable, separately tradable commodity. It is intended to encompass software, which runs on or controls “dumb” or standard hardware, to carry out the desired functions. It is also intended to encompass software which “describes” or defines the configuration of hardware, such as HDL (hardware description language) software, as is used for designing silicon chips, or for configuring universal programmable chips, to carry out desired functions. 
     Alternatively, or in addition, the functionally described herein can be performed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components. For example, and without limitation, illustrative types of hardware logic components that can be used include Field-programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Application-specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Application-specific Standard Products (ASSPs), System-on-a-chip systems (SOCs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), etc. 
     Any range or device value given herein may be extended or altered without losing the effect sought. Also any embodiment may be combined with another embodiment unless explicitly disallowed. 
     Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as examples of implementing the claims and other equivalent features and acts are intended to be within the scope of the claims. 
     The embodiments illustrated and described herein as well as embodiments not specifically described herein but within the scope of aspects of the disclosure constitute exemplary means for connecting two RF components, exemplary means of providing connector to test RF components and exemplary means for grounding a device cover or a portion thereof by electrically connecting it to a ground on a device PCB. For example, the elements illustrated in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 12  constitute exemplary means for connecting two RF components, exemplary means of providing connector to test RF components and exemplary means for grounding a device cover or a portion thereof by electrically connecting it to a ground on a device PCB. 
     An embodiment relates to a radio frequency (RF) device comprising: a test RF connector; a device housing, the device housing comprising at least one conductive portion; and a grounding connector configured to electrically connect the at least one conductive portion to a ground of the test RF connector. 
     Alternatively or in addition to the above, the test RF connector comprises an inner conductor configured to carry RF signal during testing and a circum-enveloping outer housing configured to connect to an electrical ground. Alternatively or in addition to the above, the grounding connector is configured between the cylindrical outer housing of the test RF connector and a ground of the at least one conductive portion of the device housing. Alternatively or in addition to the above, the grounding connector comprises a helical conductive spring, configured around and making electrical contact with the cylindrical outer housing, having a height higher than the cylindrical outer housing; configured to make contact with the at least one conductive portion of the device housing and compress when the device housing is configured in place during device assembly. Alternatively or in addition to the above, the grounding connector comprises a helical spring configured on top of the cylindrical outer housing of the test RF connector, such that the base of the helical spring is flush with the rim of the cylindrical outer housing. Alternatively or in addition to the above, the grounding connector comprises a lamellar piece of metal bent such that it makes electrical contact between the test RF connector and the at least one conductive portion of device housing, when the device is assembled. Alternatively or in addition to the above, the grounding conductor comprises a conductive helical spring and an electrical component configured on top of the helical spring; wherein the spring is configured around or on top of the outer cylindrical housing of test RF connector and the electrical component is configured to make electric contact with the at least one conductive portion of a cover of the device, when the device is assembled. Alternatively or in addition to the above, the electrical component comprises a capacitor, an inductor, a resistor, a conductive plate, or a combination thereof. Alternatively or in addition to the above, the grounding connector comprises a capacitor, an inductor, a resistor, a conductive plate, or a combination thereof. 
     An embodiment relates to a test radio frequency (RF) connector, adapted to be configured on a printed circuit board PCB, comprising: an inner conductor configured to carry an RF signal; an outer conductor, circum-enveloping and electrically isolated from the inner conductor configured to be connected to an electrical ground of the PCB, wherein the inner and outer conductor are suitable to receive a complementary connector and form an RF connection; and a grounding connector configured on top of or around the outer conductor, wherein the grounding connector is configured to electrically connect at least one portion of a device to the electrical ground. 
     Alternatively or in addition to the above, the grounding connector comprises a helical spring configured around the outer conductor. Alternatively or in addition to the above, the grounding connector further comprises a conductive plate configured on top of the spring. Alternatively or in addition to the above, the grounding connector further comprises an electrical component configured on top of the helical spring. Alternatively or in addition to the above, the grounding connector comprises a hollow cylinder and an electrical component configured at the top of the cylinder; the hollow cylinder being configured to connect telescopically with the outer conductor of test RF connector. Alternatively or in addition to the above, the electrical component configured on top of the hollow conductor comprises a resistor, a capacitor, an inductor, or a combination thereof. Alternatively or in addition to the above, the grounding connector comprises an annular portion configured around and electrically connected to the outer conductor and at least one lamellar portion extending from the annular portions, the lamellar portion comprising a bend towards a vertical axis of the inner conductor. Alternatively or in addition to the above, the grounding connector is removable. Alternatively or in addition to the above, the grounding conductor is irremovably configured. 
     According to an embodiment, a method, comprising: configuring a test RF connector on a printed circuit board (PCB), wherein the test RF connector comprises an outer conductor and an inner conductor; electrically connecting the outer conductor to an electrical ground of the PCB; configuring the inner conductor to be connectable to an antenna feed; configuring a grounding connector over the outer conductor; placing a cover comprising at least one conductive portion over the PCB, wherein the at least one conductive portion of the cover is in electrical contact with the grounding connector. 
     Alternatively or in addition to the above, the grounding connector is removably configured over the outer component. 
     It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. The embodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages. It will further be understood that reference to ‘an’ item refers to one or more of those items. 
     The operations of the methods described herein may be carried out in any suitable order, or simultaneously where appropriate. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from any of the methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Aspects of any of the examples described above may be combined with aspects of any of the other examples described to form further examples without losing the effect sought. 
     The term ‘comprising’ is used herein to mean including the method, blocks or elements identified, but that such blocks or elements do not comprise an exclusive list and a method or apparatus may contain additional blocks or elements. 
     It will be understood that the above description is given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art. The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments. Although various embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this specification.