QMA and QN connectors are quick-connect
RF connector
A coaxial RF connector (radio frequency connector) is an electrical connector designed to work at radio frequencies in the multi-megahertz range.
RF connectors are typically used with coaxial cables and are designed to maintain the shielding t ...
s that were designed to replace the widely used
SMA (used in low power transmissions; DC–18 GHz) and
Type N (used in medium power transmissions; DC–11 GHz) connectors. The connectors have been available since 2003. The connector family was created by the Quick Lock Formula Alliance, which consists of
Huber+Suhner,
Radiall,
Rosenberger Hochfrequenztechnik Rosenberger is a Germanic-language family name derived from a toponym ''Rosenberg'' + the ending ''er'', with the principal meaning "one from Rose Mountain". However, as a toponym ''Rosenberg'' (''Rose Mountain''), may have originally meant "death m ...
, and
Amphenol
Amphenol Corporation is a major producer of electronic and fiber optic connectors, cable and interconnect systems such as coaxial cables. Amphenol is a portmanteau from the corporation's original name, American Phenolic Corp.
History
Amphenol ...
.
QMA and QN
connectors are the quick lock version of SMA and N connectors. This design can save much handling time because it allows quick mating and demating without tools. Due to the smaller overall size, it can save the operating space and allows for high density arrangement. To make cable routing easier, it can rotate 360 degrees after installation.
Design goals
The design had three main goals:
#replace the traditional threaded connection of SMA and N with a snap-fastening to allow for faster mating and de-mating and eliminate the need for a
torque wrench
#decrease the overall size of the connector while still matching the electronic performance and reliability of their extremely popular predecessors
#allow for 360° cable rotation after installation in order to make cable routing easier.
Applications
Common applications for the QMA and QN connectors include
cellular base station
A cell site, cell tower, or cellular base station is a cellular-enabled mobile device site where antennas and electronic communications equipment are placed (typically on a radio mast, tower, or other raised structure) to create a cell, or adjac ...
s,
antenna
Antenna ( antennas or antennae) may refer to:
Science and engineering
* Antenna (radio), also known as an aerial, a transducer designed to transmit or receive electromagnetic (e.g., TV or radio) waves
* Antennae Galaxies, the name of two collid ...
s, and various defense applications. Since an industry standard for quick-locking SMA and N connectors has yet to be established, varying designs are currently being manufactured.
References
QMA Coaxial ConnectorsAmphenol QMA Connector SeriesTyco Snap-On SMA Series of RF ConnectorsRadiall QMA ConnectorsMolex QMA ConnectorsTimes Microwave QMA ConnectorsRF Industries QMA Connectors
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RF connectors