The Right Angle SMA Female To I-PX (U.FL/MHF) Adapter Cable Assembly is a highly specialized and essential component for modern embedded electronic design. Engineered for applications where space conservation is critical, this pigtail provides a robust bridge between the external world and internal radio modules. It expertly converts a rugged, panel-mounted interface—the Right Angle SMA Female connector—to the miniature, internal surface-mount standard—the I-PX (U.FL/MHF) connector—using the ultra-thin, highly flexible RF1.13 coaxial cable.
This assembly is the definitive solution for system integrators, design engineers, and manufacturers producing small-form-factor devices that demand the versatility of external antennas without sacrificing precious internal real estate or compromising signal integrity. It ensures that your product is ready for field deployment, testing, and external antenna upgrades right out of the box.
Key Features and Technical Profile
The superior performance of this adapter cable lies in the meticulous synergy of its three primary components, each selected for its role in high-frequency, low-profile applications.
1. The Critical RF1.13 Coaxial Cable
Ultra-Thin Gauge: The RF1.13 (or MI1.13) cable is central to the assembly’s space-saving advantage, featuring an exceptionally minimal outer diameter, typically measuring only 1.13 mm. This ultra-thin profile provides maximum flexibility and minimum bulk, a non-negotiable requirement for routing within the tightly constrained spaces of modern electronic enclosures like smart devices, compact gateways, and drones.
Low-Loss Efficiency: Despite its diminutive size, the cable offers an acceptable attenuation rate across the major frequency bands (up to 6 GHz) over the short lengths (e.g., 50mm to 200mm) typically utilized in internal pigtail applications. This prioritizes the preservation of physical space while maintaining adequate signal quality for embedded radio links.
High-Frequency Compatibility: The cable’s construction is designed to reliably support communication across a wide spectrum, including 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, 5 GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and various LTE/5G cellular bands, ensuring it meets the demands of multi-radio modules.
2. Right Angle SMA Female (External Interface)
Space-Saving Design: The Right Angle form factor of the SMA Female connector is a significant engineering advantage. It allows the cable to exit the connection point at a 90-degree angle, requiring less vertical clearance and dramatically reducing strain on the connection point when the cable is routed away from the panel.
Panel-Mount Durability: The SMA Female connector is designed for bulkhead or panel mounting. When secured to the device casing, it provides a robust, wear-resistant port that can withstand frequent connection and disconnection cycles from external antennas, test cables, or specialized tools.
Reliable Connection: The threaded coupling ensures a secure, vibration-resistant connection, vital for equipment used in mobile or industrial environments.
3. I-PX / U.FL / MHF (Internal Interface)
Miniature Standard: The internal end is terminated with the miniature I-PX (U.FL/MHF) snap-on connector. This connector family is the industry-standard for linking to surface-mount RF receptacles on internal wireless modules (such as those containing Wi-Fi, LoRa, or LTE chips).
Assembly Efficiency: The snap-on mechanism facilitates quick, solder-less, and repeatable assembly, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing the potential for thermal damage to sensitive components on the main circuit board.
Versatile Application Scenarios (Use Cases)
The unique combination of rugged external connectivity and miniature internal routing makes this cable assembly invaluable across several high-tech sectors.
1. IoT and Industrial Gateways
External Antenna Support: Essential for IoT gateways, industrial computers, and high-performance routers where the main radio module is embedded but the system requires the use of powerful external, high-gain, or specialized directional antennas attached via the durable SMA port.
Optimized Routing: The RF1.13 cable and right-angle connector enable optimal internal layout, allowing the main PCB to be placed freely while the SMA port is positioned for easy user access.
2. Test, Development, and Prototyping
Debug and Measurement: A foundational tool for RF engineers testing embedded radio modules. The I-PX end quickly snaps onto the module, providing a standard SMA output for connecting to expensive laboratory instruments like spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers (VNAs), and power meters without disturbing the host circuitry.
Certification Testing: Provides a consistent, measured interface for connecting modules to test chambers and certification equipment during regulatory compliance testing (e.g., FCC/CE).
3. Mobile and Compact Systems
Ruggedized Computing: Used in rugged laptops, tablets, and custom computing solutions that need a secure, panel-mounted external antenna connection for reliable cellular or GPS access in demanding field operations.
Drone and Robotics: Provides a compact link for connecting on-board radio modules to external GPS or command antennas where weight and space are critically limited.
