ROHO CONNECTOR LIMITED

    The SMA (SubMiniature version A) connector remains one of the most widely used RF interfaces in the world. With its threaded coupling, 50-ohm impedance, and excellent performance from DC to 18 GHz (and up to 26.5 GHz in precision versions), the SMA connector is a staple in telecommunications, test and measurement, aerospace, and defense. A common question for engineers and technicians is: what coaxial cables are typically terminated with SMA connectors?     The answer depends on the application—whether it is a flexible test lead, a low-loss antenna feeder, or a semi-rigid assembly for a microwave module. This article reviews the most common coaxial cable families used with SMA connectors, without reference to any specific manufacturer.     Impedance: 50 Ω Standard, 75 Ω Available     SMA connectors are predominantly designed for 50-ohm systems, the standard for RF, microwave, and wireless communications. A limited number of 75-ohm SMA variants exist for video and broadcast applications, but they are far less common. All cables discussed here are 50-ohm types unless otherwise noted.     Common Coaxial Cable Types for SMA Connectors     SMA connectors are available with crimp, solder, and clamp attachment styles to accommodate a wide range of cable diameters. The following cable families are most frequently paired with SMA connectors.     1. Flexible Cables (RG-Series and Equivalent)     Flexible cables are the most common choice for general-purpose SMA assemblies, including test leads, jumper cables, and short interconnects. They offer good flexibility at the cost of higher loss compared to semi-rigid or low-loss foam cables.     Cable Type Typical Applications Key Characteristics RG-58/U General RF, test leads, amateur radio Moderate loss, flexible, economical RG-174/U Compact, low-power, portable devices Very thin, highly flexible, higher loss RG-178/U Ultra-compact, handheld radios, GPS Very small diameter, flexible RG-188/U High-temperature, flexible applications Similar to RG-178 but with PTFE dielectric RG-316/U Low-loss flexible, test and measurement Smaller than RG-58, low loss, flexible RG-400/U High-reliability test, aerospace Double-shielded, low loss, high temperature     2. Low-Loss Flexible Cables (Foam-Dielectric)     Low-loss flexible cables use a foam dielectric and a braided outer conductor to achieve lower attenuation than standard RG cables while remaining flexible. They are commonly used for antenna feeders, jumper assemblies, and test leads where loss matters.     Cable Type Typical Applications Key Characteristics LMR-100 Ultra-compact, short jumpers Very thin, low loss for its size LMR-195 General-purpose RF, GPS, Wi-Fi Flexible, low loss, similar to RG-58 but better LMR-200 Medium-length runs, in-building Low loss, flexible, good for 2.4 GHz LMR-240 Antenna feeders, wireless infrastr...

    As 5G networks densify and small cell deployments accelerate, the NEX10 connector interface has emerged as a compact, high-performance solution for space-constrained RF systems. Standardized under IEC 61169-71 for 50-ohm RF coaxial connectors with a 5.0 mm inner diameter outer conductor, the NEX10 interface offers a 50% smaller footprint than the widely used 4.3-10 connector, enabling dramatically higher port density on radios, antennas, and filter outputs.     A key practical question for engineers and installers is: what coaxial cables are typically terminated with NEX10 connectors? The answer depends on the application—whether it is a short jumper inside a remote radio head or a low-loss feeder connection at an antenna port.     A Connector Designed for Compact, Low-PIM Applications     The NEX10 interface was developed to address the evolving needs of small cell and distributed antenna systems (DAS). Its key attributes include: Frequency range: DC to 20 GHz Impedance: 50 Ω PIM performance: Better than –166 dBc (typical) Power handling: Approximately 100 W at 2 GHz (at 85°C) Flange height: 12.7 mm minimum Environmental protection: IP68 when mated Coupling options: Screw, hand-screw, and push-pull (quick lock)     These characteristics make NEX10 ideal for applications requiring PIM stability in a compact size, including small cells, MIMO antennas, and in-building DAS.     Commonly Used Coaxial Cables with NEX10 Connectors     The NEX10 interface is optimized for a specific range of cable sizes, primarily focusing on small-diameter flexible and corrugated cables. The following cable families are most commonly paired with NEX10 connectors.     1. 1/4-Inch Superflexible Corrugated Cables     The most widely used cable type with NEX10 connectors is 1/4-inch superflexible corrugated cable. This cable offers an excellent balance of low loss, flexibility, and power handling, making it ideal for jumper connections between remote radio heads (RRHs) and antennas, as well as short feeder runs.     Typical 1/4-inch superflexible cables compatible with NEX10 connectors include:     Cable Designation Characteristics Typical Applications SPP-250-LLPL PTFE dielectric, 76% velocity of propagation, corrugated Low-PIM jumpers, plenum installations SPF-250 Corrugated, low-PIM construction General-purpose jumpers SPO-250 Corrugated, low-PIM Outdoor-rated assemblies 1/4" Superflexible 50 Ω corrugated, flexible Tight-space installations, bulkhead connections     These cables are available in standard and low-PIM versions, with PIM performance typically better than –160 dBc. Cable assemblies using these cables operate to approximately 5.8–6 GHz and achieve VSWR of 1.4:1 to 1.5:1.     2. 3/8-Inch Corrugated Cables     For applications requiring slightly lower loss and higher power handli...

    The N-type connector, designed by Paul Neill of Bell Labs in the 1940s, has become a cornerstone of RF and microwave systems. Featuring a threaded, weatherproof coupling mechanism and reliable performance up to 11 GHz (and up to 18 GHz for precision versions), it is widely used in cellular infrastructure, radar, satellite communications, and test instrumentation.     One of the key advantages of the N-type interface is its broad compatibility with a wide range of coaxial cables. This versatility allows engineers to select the optimal cable for their specific application—whether prioritizing low loss, flexibility, or cost—while maintaining a consistent connector interface. This article provides an overview of the coaxial cable families that commonly terminate with N-type connectors.     Classification of Compatible Cables     N-type connectors are manufactured with different termination styles—solder, clamp, or crimp—to accommodate various cable diameters and constructions. Cables compatible with N-type connectors generally fall into several categories:     1. RG-Series Cables (Military Designation)     The RG (Radio Guide) series is the most widely recognized family of coaxial cables. Different N-type connector variants are designed to accommodate specific RG cable sizes: Cable Type Typical Applications Key Characteristics RG-8 / RG-8A/U Amateur radio, base stations, low-frequency communications Large diameter, low loss at HF/VHF RG-58 / RG-58A/B/C/U General-purpose RF, test leads, short interconnects Flexible, small diameter, economical RG-141 / RG-141A/U Microwave applications, precision test Low-loss, semi-flexible RG-142 / RG-142A/U Military and aerospace applications High-temperature, low-loss RG-174 Compact, low-power applications Very thin and flexible RG-213 / RG-213/U High-power amateur radio, broadcast Low-loss, robust, handles high power RG-214 / RG-214/U High-power, double-shielded applications Low-loss with extra shielding RG-223 Test equipment, high-frequency applications Low-loss, semi-flexible with solid dielectric RG-225 Specialized military applications Low-loss, high-performance RG-303 Aerospace and defense applications High-temperature, low-loss RG-393 High-performance military applications Low-loss, rugged RG-400 High-reliability test and aerospace applications Double-shielded, high-temperature     2. LMR-Series Cables (Low-Loss, High-Performance)     The LMR (Low-Loss, Multi-purpose, Reliable) series, developed by Times Microwave, offers excellent performance with lower attenuation than traditional RG cables. Common LMR cables compatible with N-type connectors include: Cable Type Typical Applications Key Characteristics LMR-195 Cellular, GPS, Wi-Fi, short jumper cables Flexible, low-loss alternative to RG-58 LMR-200 Medium-length antenna feeds, in-building distribution Low-loss, similar to RG-58 but with better perform...