1. Overview

RF coaxial cables are cylindrical transmission lines consisting of concentric conductors separated by dielectric materials. They enable efficient transfer of high-frequency electrical signals (typically 1 MHz to 110 GHz) with minimal interference, making them critical components in telecommunications, broadcasting, aerospace, and test equipment. Their shielded structure ensures signal integrity in noisy environments.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

Type	Key Features	Applications
Rigid Coaxial Cable	Metallic outer conductor, fixed geometry	Test labs, high-power transmitters
Semi-Rigid Cable	Formable but non-flexing, excellent shielding	Microwave systems, aerospace
Flexible Coaxial Cable	Braided shield, bendable	General-purpose communication systems
Low-Loss Foam Dielectric	PE/PTFE dielectric, reduced attenuation	5G infrastructure, satellite links

3. Structure and Composition

Typical construction includes:

1. Center Conductor: Solid/stranded copper/aluminum for signal transmission
2. Dielectric Insulator: Polyethylene (PE) or PTFE foam maintaining uniform impedance
3. Shielding Layer: Braided copper/aluminum with 85-95% coverage (single/double layers)
4. Outer Jacket: PVC/PE for mechanical/environmental protection

Critical dimensions determine characteristic impedance (commonly 50 for data/75 for video).

4. Key Technical Parameters

Parameter	Description	Importance
Characteristic Impedance	Matched load resistance (50/75 )	Minimizes signal reflection
Attenuation (dB/100m)	Signal loss per unit length	Determines transmission distance
Frequency Range	Operational bandwidth (e.g., 0-18GHz)	Limits application scope
VSWR	Voltage Standing Wave Ratio	Measures impedance matching quality
Power Handling	Max RF power capacity	Prevents dielectric breakdown

5. Application Fields

• Telecommunications: 5G base stations, fiber-wireless systems
• Broadcasting: TV antenna feeds, studio equipment
• Aerospace: Radar systems, avionics
• Test & Measurement: Oscilloscope probes, signal analyzers
• Industrial IoT: Wireless sensor networks

6. Leading Manufacturers

Manufacturer	Key Products
Amphenol Corporation	SUCOFLEX 104, 106 series
TE Connectivity	Radiation-resistant RG-58
HUBER+SUHNER	RF flexible cables (SST series)
CommScope	Heliax FSJ1-50A
Southwest Microwave	832 Series semi-rigid

7. Selection Guidelines

Key considerations:

• Match impedance to system requirements
• Verify frequency/attenuation specifications
• Environmental factors (temperature, UV resistance)
• Mechanical requirements (flexure life, bending radius)
• Connector compatibility (SMA, N-Type, etc.)

Example: 5G massive MIMO deployment requires low-PIM (Passive Intermodulation) cables with <0.1dB/100m loss at 3.5GHz.

8. Industry Trends

• High-Frequency Demand: Development of 110GHz+ cables for 6G research
• Weight Reduction: Composite materials in aerospace applications
• Green Manufacturing: Halogen-free jacket materials adoption
• Smart Cables: Embedded sensors for condition monitoring
• Standardization: 5G NR band-specific cable specifications