Types of connectors in WLAN, GSM, 3G, LTE devices

The user of a wireless network device such as access point, wireless adapter, modem etc. who wants to buy an external antenna should know the type of the antenna connector used in the device. A multitude of solutions and slight differences in appearance mean that less experienced users can have great difficulty in choosing the antenna with a matching connector.
The type of the connector depends on the device manufacturer and may differ in the case of devices operating in different frequency bands. Great diversity can be found in devices used for broadband data transmission in mobile networks (modems).
In order to facilitate the identification of the plugs and sockets, below we present the most common connectors used today.
2.4 GHz WLAN devices
SMA plug

SMA socket

SMA R/P plug
SMA R/P socket
TNC plug
TNC socket
TNC R/P plug
TNC R/P socket


5 GHz WLAN devices
N plug
N socket



2.4 GHz and/or 5 GHz WLAN adapters
ufl plug
ufl socket
MMCX plug
MMCX socket

GSM, 3G modems
Most modems have been equipped with small-size antenna connectors. Having some advantages, the connectors require the use of adapters - additional connectors/leads - for connecting external antennas. The reason is that the antenna cable is usually too large to allow direct termination with the matching connector. The most flexible solution is to use an adapter, a short cable terminated on one side with the matching connector, and with FME plug on the other (most antennas are equipped with cables terminated with FME sockets).
FME plug
FME socket
Examples of antenna adapters for modems:
FME to Sierra Cable
FME plug to CRC9 (SMB) cable
FME plug to TS9 adapter (AnyData, Sierra, ZTE, Novatel, Huawei E398)
E83205
FME plug to CRC9 (SMB) adapter (Huawei)
E83200

Accessories - adapters, leads
It may happen that for the connection of an antenna to the device, the user will require one of the following adapters:
SMA RP Plug to N-female Adapter
SMA RP Plug to N-male Adapter
SMA RP Plug to N-female
E842810
SMA RP Plug to N-male
E842811
SMA RP Socket to N-male Adapter
RP-SMA female to N-female Adapter
SMA RP Socket to N-male
E842813
RP-SMA female to N-female
E842814
N-female to N-female Adapter
N-male to N-male Adapter
N-female to N-female
E84343
N-male to N-male
E84346
SMA Plug to FME Plug Adapter
SMA R/P Plug to FME Plug Adapter
SMA Plug to FME Plug
E84570
SMA R/P Plug to FME Plug
E84571

Antenna adapters with longer cables
N-male to N-female Cable (3m RF-5)
N-male to FME-female Cable (5m, RF-5)
N-male to N-female Cable (3m RF-5) .
E83281
N-male to FME-female Cable (5m, RF-5)
E83295
SMA RP Plug to N-male Cable (3m RF-5)
N-male to N-male Cable (5m RF-5)
SMA RP Plug to N-male Cable (3m RF-5) .
E83301
N-male to N-male Cable (5m RF-5)
E83285
In the case of crimped connectors, it is necessary to use a suitable crimping tool:
Crimping Tool HT-236I for RG-174, H-155, RG-6
Crimping Tool HT-336C for RG 6, 58, 59, 62, 6 (1.72/5.41/6.5/8.1)
HT-236I for RG-174, H-155, RG-6
E8000
HT-336C for RG 6, 58, 59, 62, 6
(1.72/5.41/6.5/8.1)
E8002