The SMA Male to SMA Female RG178 Coaxial Cable Assembly is the indispensable solution for extending or adapting Radio Frequency (RF) connections in demanding, space-constrained, and high-temperature environments. This specialized cable acts as a premium jumper, bridging two points with industry-standard SMA (Sub-Miniature A) connectors while utilizing the ultra-flexible and thermally robust RG178 coaxial cable. Engineered for a stable 50 Ohm impedance, this assembly ensures minimal signal attenuation and maximum reliability for critical applications across wireless communication, aerospace, and advanced instrumentation. It delivers a superior combination of flexibility for complex routing and ruggedness for long-term performance, making it an essential component for any professional RF setup.
Technical Superiority and Connector Reliability
This cable assembly is meticulously crafted, focusing on two primary components: the high-performance RG178 coaxial cable and the secure, standardized SMA connectors. This combination ensures consistent electrical performance and mechanical durability.
The Foundation: RG178 Coaxial Cable Excellence
The RG178 cable is selected specifically for applications where traditional cables are too rigid or bulky. Its core attributes define the assembly's high-performance profile:
Ultra-Miniature & Flexible Design: The cable boasts an extremely small outer diameter of approximately 1.8 mm (0.071 inches). This compact size allows for effortless routing within tightly packed chassis, small enclosures, and across densely populated Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs). Its stranded center conductor provides a superior bend radius and excellent flexibility, simplifying installation in challenging mechanical layouts without compromising signal quality.
Extreme Temperature Resistance: Utilizing PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) for the dielectric and FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene) for the jacket, the RG178 is rated for an exceptional operating temperature range, typically from −55∘C up to +200∘C. This characteristic is vital in high-power RF systems, engine compartments, or military/aerospace environments where heat exposure is a constant concern.
High-Frequency Performance: With a nominal 50 Ohm impedance, the cable is designed to maintain signal integrity up to 3 GHz and often higher. The use of a silver-plated copper conductor and braided shield minimizes signal loss and provides robust protection against electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI), securing stable transmission even in noisy electrical settings.
Secure Connectivity: SMA Male to SMA Female
The choice of SMA connectors is based on their decades-long reputation for providing a reliable, secure, and repeatable connection, a necessity in any professional RF system.
SMA Male End: This end features the external thread and center pin typical of a standard male SMA connector. It is designed to reliably mate with any SMA Female port, ensuring a tight, low-reflection connection for devices such as antennas, filters, attenuators, and test equipment.
SMA Female End: This end includes the internal thread and center socket. Frequently supplied as a bulkhead mount option, the SMA Female connector allows the assembly to pass through a panel or chassis wall. The bulkhead design often includes an O-ring for enhanced environmental sealing and a lock-washer/nut combination for secure mechanical fastening, creating a rugged and stable access point for external connections.
Repeatable Performance: The threaded coupling of the SMA interface provides a durable connection that resists vibration and accidental disconnection, ensuring excellent VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio) and minimal insertion loss over numerous mating cycles.
Essential Application Scenarios
The RG178 SMA Male to SMA Female cable assembly is versatile, serving critical roles in both professional design and field deployment across multiple high-tech sectors.
Test and Measurement Labs
In laboratory settings, this assembly is a fundamental tool for system adaptation and protection:
• Extending Test Ports: It is commonly used as a high-quality "port saver" to extend the life of expensive equipment ports (like those on Vector Network Analyzers or signal generators) from repeated connections and disconnections during testing.
• Inter-Device Jumper: It provides a reliable, flexible link between various bench-top instruments, such as signal sources, power meters, spectrum analyzers, and pre-amplifiers, particularly when high-temperature testing is required inside an environmental chamber.
Integrated Wireless Systems
The cable is invaluable for internal chassis routing in complex wireless devices:
• Internal Antenna Routing: Used to connect an internal SMA antenna port to a fixed SMA female bulkhead on the device’s casing. This allows a user to easily attach or swap external antennas without opening the device.
• Radio Module Interconnect: In complex radio systems, it acts as a flexible jumper between two separate modules—for example, linking a primary transceiver board to a secondary filter or a dedicated power amplifier, allowing for easy, customized signal paths.
High-Reliability and Harsh Environments
The high-temperature RG178 jacket makes the assembly suitable for environments where standard cables would fail:
• Aerospace and Defense: Employed in avionics, missile systems, and tactical communication gear where high vibration, extreme temperature variations, and high-altitude pressure changes are standard operating conditions.
• Industrial IoT (IIoT): Used within industrial monitoring equipment deployed in factories, foundries, or heavy machinery where reliable operation in proximity to heat sources is necessary for continuous data transmission.
Conclusion: Flexibility Meets Durability
The SMA Male to SMA Female RG178 Coaxial Cable Assembly stands out as the premier connector for RF professionals requiring a dependable, flexible, and thermally stable jumper. It perfectly combines the secure, threaded coupling of the SMA connector—a universal standard for rugged external connections—with the agile, high-temperature resilience of the RG178 cable. This results in a low-profile, high-quality interconnect solution that ensures maximum performance and signal fidelity, even in the tightest and most demanding operational spaces. For extending connections, protecting ports, or routing signals in challenging environments, this assembly is the clear choice for maintaining the integrity and efficiency of your critical RF architecture.
