Abstract: A coaxial interface to a planar transmission structure of a printed circuit board (“PCB”) is provided in a shielded edge launch connector. The shielded edge launch connector is suitable for use in surface mount technology (“SMT”) applications. A center pin of the shielded edge launch connector is soldered to a solder pad on the PCB, which couples the center pin to a center conductor of the planar transmission structure. Shielding incorporated in the shielded edge launch connector is soldered to ground areas on a surface of PCB, electromagnetically shielding the center and providing a ground path to wrap ground current around the center pin from the surface of the PCB. Wrapping the ground current to a surface of the PCB reduces the sensitivity of the high-frequency performance of the system to PCB thickness and edge tolerances, providing improved impedance continuity.