How to Choose the Best RF Coaxial Cable Assemblies for Your Needs?

Finding the ideal RF/microwave cable assembly can be daunting due to the wide variety of available products and the numerous aspects of each. To make matters more difficult is the fact that many of them do not lend themselves to an easy, "spreadsheet" comparison. This guide is designed to expand beyond the standard sheet and guide you to find the best cable for your needs faster and with greater knowledge.

This blog will look at the different types of RF cable assemblies, their features, and give suggestions on how you can prioritize factors for your specific use. We have left out the essential RF theory because a lot is written about the topic, and we intend to be a useful source for engineers who work in the field, not an instructional guide. Also, we omitted corrugated as well as CATV coaxial cables since they tend to be used for special applications.

Overview of Coaxial Cable Types

Every coaxial cable has an inner conductor that is surrounded by a dielectric insulator, generally PTFE. It also has an outer shield of metal to ensure that signal transmission is not compromised and an outer jacket that helps shield the inner layer from harm. 

As you will observe, the different variations of this design can be numerous and intricate, that it beneficial to users to comprehend the different types of coaxial cable design and the distinctions among them, and the role of components such as PTFE sleeves in enhancing insulation and performance.

Here is a list of the diverse kinds of coaxial cables, as well as their characteristics:

Semi-Rigid Cable (Soft Annealed Copper Tubing)

Semi-rigid coaxial cables use copper tubing that is solid as an outer sheath, instead of hermetic sheathing that is braided. Solid copper tubing provides excellent protection and is ideal for certain high-frequency situations; however, its main flaw is it isn't flexible. Semi-rigid cables can be custom-made with lengths of bends, shapes, and connector layouts that are tailored according to the intended usage of the client inside a particular design layout. These cables aren't designed to bend or stretch in their initial formthey can easily be damaged when they are installed.

Braided Flexible Coaxial Cable

Braided flexible coaxial cables are made of an outer shield made of metal instead of tubing made of solid for semi-rigid cables. They are more flexible and durability, which makes them suitable for reuse in different forms of bends and are comparatively more economical than semi-rigid models. RG type cables are produced faster than the more advanced kinds of braided flexibility cable (see high-performance braided coax below) which reduces the cost and leads time. 

Conductors, dielectrics and shielding varieties vary in this area; however, generally, shielding that is braided is more prone to loss than straight tubing, which can result in higher amplification and less rates of maximum frequencies. Typically, they are reaching between 3 and 6 GHz.

High-Performance Braided Flexible Coaxial Cable

By using more modern designs for cable, material choice and production processes, FLU-TEF WIRES & CABLES PVT. LTD. has achieved outstanding performance at high frequencies using braided, flexible cable. These cable assemblies with high performance are designed with a minimum 18 GHz. They can also be extended to 67 GHz, while maintaining the flexibility and flexibility of a braided and flexible coaxial cable. 

FLU-TEF WIRES & CABLES PVT. LTD.’s range of braided cables with high performance includes models that are designed and tested to ensure stability in phase vs. bent as well as temperature stability. 

Tin-Soaked Coaxial Cable

Our cables come with copper braided with tin that has been soaked ina  shield. These cables are flexible as well as outstanding performance, up the 40 GHz. They can also keep their form even after being bent, which makes the perfect replacement for semi-rigid cables, without having to make custom bends. The hand-formability of their cables helps them be used in narrow spaces, and with a lower risk of injury to the cable and connector interface.

Identifying Your Application Requirements

In addition to the different kinds of coaxial cables with connectors and the specific characteristics in mind, think about the unique operational requirements of your application as the most appropriate base.

The most effective way to improve the performance of your system and reduce costs is to consider the requirements for cables early during the design of your system. Make sure to include packaging and mechanical engineers in the process of making decisions when the responsibility of choosing interconnects falls to them. In many cases, fitting everything in an available space and not compromising the efficiency of the system can be a struggle. As deadlines approach, possibilities may be limited and costs for interconnects can increase.

To begin identifying and prioritizing the parameters you want to work with, consider the following questions at a minimum:

• Is the cable installed, and not handled ever once more or does it get handled regularly by an experiment cable?
• Does it need to show the performance it is supposed to when it is moving, like with an antenna Gimbal cable?
• Does it require its RF properties at high temperatures, such as those found inside a temp chamber?
• The cable will be exposed to harsh environmental conditions such as humidity, altitude, and even vibrations.
• Is the connector you require suitable for the purpose? Are they standard or uncommon for the type of cable that is being thought of?

The answers to these questions will allow you to identify the most suitable cable type as well as narrow down the look to only the right cable types and suppliers.

Conclusion

Selecting the appropriate cable for a particular application is a matter of balancing a range of intricate mechanical, electrical and environmental aspects. If you have a firm understanding of the many kinds of coaxial cables including RF connectors, attachment methods, important characteristics of performance and the most common choices, you'll be more prepared to make an informed choice.

For applications involving elevated power requirements, High voltage wires are essential. They are designed to ensure safe and efficient transmission of electricity under extreme conditions, making them a reliable choice for high-performance and industrial-grade cable assemblies.