Coaxial Cables (RF)

Image	Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity	Rfq
	1976083-1 TE Connectivity AMP Connectors	CABLE, COAXIAL	0

Image

Part Number

Description / PDF

Quantity

Rfq

1976083-1

TE Connectivity AMP Connectors

CABLE, COAXIAL

Coaxial Cables (RF)

1. Overview

RF coaxial cables are cylindrical transmission lines composed of concentric conductors separated by dielectric materials. They enable efficient high-frequency signal transmission (typically above 100 kHz) with excellent noise immunity. These cables serve as critical infrastructure in telecommunications, broadcasting, aerospace, and test measurement systems where signal integrity is paramount.

2. Major Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Features	Application Examples
Rigid Coaxial Cable	Metallic outer conductor, fixed geometry	Fixed installations in broadcast transmitters
Semi-Rigid Cable	Formable but not bendable after installation	Microwave ovens, aerospace systems
Flexible Coaxial Cable	Multi-stranded conductors for bending	Test equipment, mobile communications
Low-Loss Foam Dielectric	PTFE foam dielectric reduces signal loss	5G base stations, satellite links
Triaxial Cable	Double shielding for EMI protection	Medical imaging equipment

3. Structure and Composition

Typical construction includes four layers:

Central Conductor: Solid or stranded copper/aluminum for signal transmission
Dielectric Insulator: PTFE, polyethylene, or foam materials maintaining uniform impedance
Shielding Layer: Braided copper/aluminum with foil wrap (85-100% coverage)
Outer Jacket: UV-resistant PVC or plenum-rated materials for environmental protection

4. Key Technical Parameters

Parameter	Typical Range	Significance
Characteristic Impedance	50 , 75 standards	Matches system impedance to prevent reflections
Attenuation	0.1-10 dB/100ft @1GHz	Determines maximum transmission distance
Frequency Range	DC to 40 GHz (typical)	Defines usable bandwidth
VSWR	1.1:1 to 2.0:1	Measures impedance matching quality
Power Handling	500W to 5kW peak	Limits maximum operational power

5. Application Fields

Telecommunications: 5G infrastructure, fiber-wireless integration
Broadcasting: TV/radio transmission lines
Military/Aerospace: Radar systems, avionics
Test & Measurement: Oscilloscope probes, signal analyzers
Industrial IoT: Sensor network backbones

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Manufacturer	Representative Product	Key Features
CommScope	FSJ1-50A	Low-loss foam dielectric, 0-18GHz
Amphenol	RG-58U	General-purpose 50 cable
Times Microwave	LMR-400	Weather-resistant, 0-6GHz
Huber+Suhner	RFS1000	Heliax rigid line for base stations
Huawei	RF-35	5G massive MIMO solution

7. Selection Guidelines

Key considerations:

Frequency Requirements: Match cable's usable range with system operating frequency
Environmental Conditions: Outdoor cables require UV protection and temperature resistance (-40 C to +85 C)
Bending Radius: Minimum bend radius specification (typically 10 cable diameter)
Connectivity: Ensure compatibility with connectors (N-type, SMA, BNC)
Cost vs Performance: Balance loss characteristics against budget constraints

8. Industry Trends

Current development directions include:

High-Frequency Optimization: Supporting 6G terahertz band exploration
Nanodielectric Materials: Graphene-enhanced insulation for lower loss
Miniaturization: 0.8mm outer diameter cables for wearable devices
Smart Cables: Integrated sensors for real-time condition monitoring
Environmental Compliance: Halogen-free flame retardant (HFFR) jacket materials