1. What is an SMA connector?
SMA (SubMiniature version A) connectors were developed in the 1960s as semi-precision coaxial RF connectors and a minimal connector interface for coaxial cables. Nowadays, they have become essential components in the rapidly advancing communications industry. Acting as a sturdy bridge, SMA connectors create a stable and efficient RF electrical connection between antennas and RF motherboards. Their detachable and installable features provide users with great flexibility when choosing antennas. They can choose from a variety of antennas with standard SMA interfaces for greater versatility in antenna selection.
2. Two Types of Antennas: Each with Unique Traits
There are mainly two types of antennas that are compatible with our standard SMA interfaces.
Rubber Rod Antenna
The rubber rod antennas feature a smart design that combines an SMA connector, a rotating shaft, and a rugged housing. We thoughtfully craft the outer surfaces of the SMA connectors with splined or knurled patterns to greatly facilitate the user’s manual tightening operation.
Antennas with RF Cables
Antennas with RF cables come equipped with options like RG174, RG316, RG58, and LMR200 cables. All feature a diameter of less than 5mm. The cables can be long or short, and users can customize the cable length. Since cables can take up space and add weight, they are typically packaged separately from the antenna for convenience. You can tighten SMA connectors with a torque wrench thanks to its hexagonal-metal designed interface, but it should be noticed that it can be challenging to secure by hand.
3. How to Install SMA Connectors
The SMA connector installation significantly differs between production lines and non-production lines.
Production Line Installation: Standardization and Quality Assurance
In a rigorous production line environment, leveraging a torque wrench with precise torque data ensures that each product’s connection tightness is optimized. This not only guarantees the outstanding performance of the RF connectors but also considerably enhances the product’s vibration resistance.
Non-Production Line Installation: Issues Arise
Once products leave the production line without a torque wrench, relying on hand tightening can lead to issues. Inconsistent tightness and improper installation in many cases happen since each worker’s strength varies. This is especially troublesome in compact spaces where the installation area is limited, making it even more challenging to achieve a secure connection. Such as the image shown below:
Case 1 for Difficulty in Tightening SMA Connectors：
Case 2 for Difficulty in Tightening SMA Connectors:
4. ABOOSTY’s Innovation: Address the Pain Points
As a seasoned company with 15 years of experience in the antenna industry, ABOOSTY values its customer feedback immensely. We’ve noticed that North American and European customers are particularly troubled by this issue when purchasing 5G antennas designed to boost signal strength. These antennas usually come with several meters of cables, requiring users to manually tighten the SMA connectors. However, European and American clients generally have larger fingers than Asians, thus tightening the small SMA head when installing antennas at home can be quite a struggle.
Understanding these user inconveniences and keeping a pulse on industry developments, ABOOSTY’s professional RF engineers have tapped into their creativity. This unique SMA connector installation and removal tool is the proud outcome of the innovative design by our engineers. It acts like a magic key, allowing users to effortlessly tighten the SMA head and effectively resolve any electrical signal issues caused by inadequate installation tightness.
When placing the tool on the SMA connector, its diameter expands to about 10mm and its length increases to approximately 18mm. The PC material tool is designed under the inspiration of the splined and knurling patterns of rod antennas. We optimize its surface to enhance friction, making manual installation easier. Designed for ergonomic comfort, this assistant tool meets the demands of a wide range of industrial applications worldwide due to its outstanding advantages. It offers effortless installation, flexibility, and durability, while also enhancing visibility and optimizing resource use.
Its generation can optimize your design by discreetly concealing the SMA head to hide the SMA head design of your product. This greatly helps better realize the product’s appearance and packaging size.
The User Guides of Aboosty SMA Connector Installation Tools
Whether you’re an antenna user, an external antenna demander, a customer looking to enhance 5G signals, a professional engineer, or an antenna purchasing staff, ABOOSTY’s SMA connector installation tools are your ideal solution for hassle-free antenna mounting.