RF Cables

RF Cables

RF Cable Assemblies are one of our key specialties. We offer a wide range RF cables and design capabilities for applications such as:

RF Cable Applications:

Antennas
Telecom
Computer Networks
Test and Measurement
High Speed Cable Modems
Satcom
Automotive (GPS)
Broadcast
Instrumentation
Video Systems
CATV

Connector Styles:

Micro
Miniature
Subminiature
Standard

Cable Types:

Corrugated
Flexible
Semi-Rigid.

Here are some of the most frequently ordered items:

BNC Male To BNC Male
BNC Male To BNC Male Right Angle
BNC Male Right Angle To BNC Male Right Angle
BNC Male To BNC Female
BNC Male To BNC Female Bulkhead
BNC Male To SMA Male
BNC Female To BNC Female Bulkhead
BNC Male To UHF Male
BNC Male To TNC Male
BNC Male To N Male
BNC Male To SMB Plug
N Male To N Male
N Male Right Angle To N Male Right Angle
N Male to N Male Right Angle
N Male To N Female
N Male to TNC male
N Male To N Female Bulkhead
N Male Right Angle To N Female Bulkhead
3.5mm male straight to 3.5mm male
7-16 Din Male To N Male
7-16 Din Male To SMA Male
Mini UHF Male Right Angle To Mini UHF Male Right Angle
Mini UHF Male To SMA Male
Mini UHF Male To N Female
MCX Plug to MCX Plug
MCX Plug Right Angle To MCX Plug Right Angle
MCX Plug Right Angle To MCX Plug
SMA Male To SMA Male
SMA Male To SMA Male Right Angle
SMA Male Right Angle To SMA Male Right Angle
SMA Male To SMA Female
SMB Plug To SMB Plug
SMB Plug To SMB Plug Right Angle
SMB Plug Right Angle To SMB Plug Right Angle
SMB Plug To SMB Jack
SMB Jack Bulkhead To SMB Plug Right Angle
TNC Male To TNC Male
UHF Male To UHF Male

What is a Coaxial Cable?
Coaxial cables are a type of cable that is used by cable TV and that is common for data communications.

Taking a a round cross-section of the cable, one would find a single center solid wire symmetrically surrounded by a braided or foil conductor. Between the center wire and foil is a insulating dialectric. This dialectric has a large affect on the fundamental characteristics of the cable. In this lab, we show the how the permittivity and permeability of the dialectric contributes to the cable's inductance and capacitance. Also, these values affect how quickly electrical data is travels through the wire.

Data is transmitted through the center wire, while the outer braided layer serves as a line to ground. Both of these conductors are parallel and share the same axis. This is why the wire is called coaxial!

Just like all electrical components, coaxial cables have a characteristic impedance. This impedance depends on the dialectric material and the radii of each conducting material As shown in this lab, the impedance affects how the cable interacts with other electrical components.

In this lab we used a RG-580/U coaxial cable. This is just one of many types of cables that are used today to transmit data. The dialectric of the RG-580/U was made of polyethylene. The radius of our cable's inner copper wire was .42mm and there was 2.208mm of polyethylene between the inner wire and outer mesh conductors.

Antennas
Coaxial cables are used for all antenna connections. There are three types in common usage and they are listed in the table below. Cable losses (the amount of signal lost in the cable) are significant at the high frequencies. To reduce cable losses cable runs should always be kept as short as possible. When installing coaxial cable you should remember than its characteristics depend upon its shape - so don't do anything to bend it sharply or to squash it. Each area of damage introduces reflections in the signal and reduce the efficiency of the cable. Typically RG58 type cables have a minimum bending radius of about 3cm.

In the table below cable losses are described as High, Medium, or Low at 1800MHz.

Cable Type	Comments
RG58	Standard cable found on most antennas. Medium Loss at 1800MHz. This cable is commonly used on Thin Ethernet.
Allgon Low Loss (LL58)	Replacement for RG58 found on all new Allgon antennae and now used by us for all RG58 patch cords. Low Loss.
RG174	Thin cable used for adapter patch cords to phone bases to allow it to fit around door seals. High Loss.
UR 76	Alternative to RG58, fractionally lower loss.