Compact SMA connector PCB surface mounting?

[Martin F]

Hi all,

We're developing a new IoT product which will have LTE and GNSS SMA connectors for antennas.

The SMA connectors should ideally be compact, low cost and possible to surface mount at our PCBA.

Currently, we are testing with the below model from Molex:
https://www.molex.com/molex/products/part-detail/rf_coax_connectors/0732511142

This connector costs around 1.5 EUR, is easy to mount during our PCB assembly process and takes up very limited space inside the device.

However, the SMA connector is also very short. It extends ~6.6 mm beyond the edge of the PCB. With a 1.5 mm enclosure wall-thickness, the externally exposed part of the connector is ~5.0 mm. To be able to mount a relief hex nut and to secure some clearance between the enclosure (+nut) and a fully inserted antenna, we need the external part of the connector to be > 8 mm. The total length from PCB edge should be > 9.5 mm.

The challenge is that we are simply not able to find SMA connectors with a similar design as our current model, which also support the longer connector. Connectors that do support the longer length seem to require manual mounting - or they take up a lot of space on the PCB (e.g. various 'through-hole' options).

Do any of you have specific suppliers you recommend we check out (we've reviewed e.g. Molex, Linx)?

And do some of you have specific SMA connector alternative part numbers that you know of that are similar to the Molex one - but with longer SMA connectors?

Thanks!

[mon2]

Try this vendor - they may be able to help:

https://www.renhotec.com/sma-connector/

[langwadt]

I think the keyword is bulkhead

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/coaxial-connectors/7123254