Below are Frequently Asked Questions about RF ONE’s Cable Assembly. If you need more information or have any other questions, please feel free to e-mail us at sales@rfone.cn or call us at 86-755-86705630. We will be very happy to assist you.
Does RF ONE offer cable assembly from stock?
Our standard raw cables and commonly used connectors(1.85mm, 2.4mm, 3.5mm, 2.92mm, SMA, SMP, Type N) are in stock, cable assembly lead time is typically 1 week for any lengths. No MOQ.
Can RF ONE provide raw cables and cable connectors besides cable assembly?
Yes, apart from cable assemblies, we are happy to sell either raw cables or cable connectors to suit each customer’s needs.
How to choose a cable assembly properly?
1. RF ONE has uploaded raw cable data sheets on our website, from which you can check the cable diameter, frequency range and electrical performance etc.
2. If you are not sure which cable is fitting, check our Cable RFQ Form and consult with our sales representative.
3. Upon deciding on the raw cable P/N, connectors, length, RF ONE will create a specific data sheet for your reviewing.
How to calculate the insertion loss of cable assembly?
1. Check our raw cable data sheets where you can find the typical attenuation data for 1 meter raw cable over full operating frequency range. Max attenuation is 1.1 times of typical attenuation. For 0.5 meter, dividing 2 by using the insertion loss of 1 meter.
2. Insertion loss per connector is estimated as 0.04dB x SQRT
Freq(GHz).
3. The whole cable assembly loss is a combination of raw cable loss plus the loss of two connectors.
Can RF ONE provide phase matched cable assembly?
Yes, RF ONE offers phase matching for PL series, EL series and other cable series. Please refer to the page of phase-matched cable assemblies.
The most common types of phase matching are listed below:
1. Relative Phase Matching: It consists of matching two or more assemblies relative to each other, each assembly in a particular set will meet the matching criteria, it is often ordered in a set/group.
2. Absolute Phase Matching: It consists of matching two or more assemblies to an absolute electrical length plus a tolerance.
Can RF ONE provide custom cable assembly?
Yes, we are capable of building customized cable assembly in below but not limited to these aspects:
1. Custom length. For example even it is only 6cm including two connectors.
2. Custom connectors. For example one end is N female with 4 hole flange, the other end is stainless steel right angle SMA male.
3. Specially strengthened heat shrink boot to better protect the neck point.
4. Jacket or armor with capability of waterproof, crush resistance, corrosion resistance.
5. Microwave flexible cables with ultra low insertion loss, for example, 40GHz attenuation less than 2.2dB for 1 meter.
What are the differences of RF ONE’s PL360 and PL360P cables?
1. PL360: Its PTFE dielectric constant is 1.38-1.42, which has ultra lower density.
PL360P: Its PTFE dielectric constant is 1.58-1.65, which is more sturdy and more durable under flexing.
2. PL360: The dielectric transmission velocity is 82%, and center conductor is bigger as 0.91mm, which means lower insertion loss.
PL360P: The dielectric transmission velocity is 74%, and center conductor is smaller as 0.72mm, which means a little higher insertion loss.
3. PL360P: It has an extra outer shielding layer made of polyimide which contributes to a better strength and duration for this cable under flexing.
4. PL360P has an operating frequency up to 50GHz. PL360 has an operating frequency up to 40GHz
Both cables are available in armor, which helps to protect the cables from pressure and frequent bending.
If customer needs better insertion loss up to 40GHz, PL360 is a better option.
If customer needs longer flexing life and can live up with PL360P’s insertion loss, PL360P is recommended. RF ONE is always striving to develop new cables which yields lower insertion loss,higher durability and longer life.
Does RF ONE have any suggestion on how to handle the microwave cables?
Yes, to the best of our knowledge and experience, we list some precautions.
1. Avoid kinking cables when straightening from a coil or reel.
2. Choose the installation routing using the largest bend radius possible. Small bend radius may affect electrical performance. Exceeding the specified limits during the installation process could cause a permanent degradation.
3. Avoid twisting microwave cable assemblies. Torsion of this type of assembly can alter the relative diameters of cable layers and affects the electrical characteristics.
4. When mating connectors with a screwed interface always hold the connector bodies and turn only the coupling nut. This avoids twisting the cable and ensures min wear on the connector pins.
5. Do not exceed the specified torque. Recommended torque value for S/Steel SMA and 2.92mm connector installation is 8 in lbs.
What is RF ONE’s test condition for cable phase stability?
Speaking of phase stability,we classified them as mechanical and temperature phase stability.
Mechanical Phase Change versus Flexure
Cable assembly is wrapped 360°around a mandrel with its diameter as 10 times of the cable jacket. Please refer to our report on Phase Stability Test over Flexure.
Phase Stability versus Temperature
The phase stability versus temperature is tested −40 to +85 °C using a 2.7 meter cable assembly.
What is RF ONE’s cable RF shielding effectiveness?
Most of our flexible cables have –90 dB mini shielding from 1 to 18GHz. However, cable assembly shielding effectiveness can be limited by the connector design.
What are the differences between solid and stranded center conductors?
1. With equal size center conductor, cables with solid center conductor tend to be more amplitude stable with flexing, while cables with stranded center conductor tend to be more phase stable with flexing.
2. Stranded center conductor cable is more flexible than solid center conductor cables.
3. With the same structure, material and processing, cables with thicker diameter center conductor features better attenuation than cables with thinner diameter center conductor.
Does RF ONE have a cross reference VS other major cable vendors?
Yes, you can check the Cross Reference here.
