Specifying U.FL to SMA Adapter cables – how to get them right first time

As a leading supplier of antenna products, we have built up a reputation for supplying quality RF coaxial cabling solutions to complement our antenna offering and in doing so now have a significant part of our customer base that sources coaxial cable assemblies from us. By having automated cable preparation and termination functions in-house we can often quickly and reliably supply RF coaxial cables to customers requirements with customised terminations at both ends.

One area that we have noticed confuses our customers, is U.FL to SMA pigtail or adapter cables. Some customers tend to have difficulty to identify what is a SMA Plug, SMA-Jack, RP-SMA etc. The U.FL bit is OK so here are few pointers to the SMA at the other identified correctly!!

A standard U.FL to SMA cable for us is a U.FL to SMA-Female Jack Bulkhead or Panel mount on 1.13mm coaxial cable. It looks like this:

In drawing form, the adapter cable above would look like this:

Cable measurements vary, but we calculate the cable length excluding the connectors to eliminate any doubt.

The U.FL pigtail can connect to SMA-Male Plug at the other of the cable- typically hex barrel, thread inside with a pin:

The U.FL pigtail can connect to a SMA-Female Jack (non-bulkhead) at the other of the cable- threaded barrel and no pin:

The U.FL pigtail can connect to a SMA-Female Jack Bulkhead at the other of the cable- threaded barrel, flange, nut, washer and no pin

The U.FL pigtail can connect to a RP-SMA Plug at the other of the cable- typically hex barrel, thread inside no pin:

The U.FL pigtail can connect to RP-SMA Jack at the other of the cable- threaded outer barrel, pin – this version is a bulkhead with flange, nut and washer

We hope this helps out in identifying the right cable. Please contact us at EAD for your U.FL to SMA adapter cable requirements.