RF Test Cable for RF and mmWave

RF Test Cable is a two-conductor structure with a center conductor and an outer conductor, which also serves as a shield, with an insulating spacer in between. This construction provides tight control over cable impedance and improves high frequency performance. RF Test Cable are used in a variety of applications. There are two main types of RF Test Cable: 50Ω products used for high-speed data, radio frequency, millimeter wave transmission, and 75Ω products mainly used for video signals and other applications.

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Figure 2: Basic RF Test Cable construction with a single shield.

High-performance RF Test Cable are specially developed for noisy environments. These cables can consist of 10 or more elements (see diagram below):

1. Center Conductor - The primary conductor, usually made of copper clad steel.

2. Center Conductor Bonding - Polymer coating resists moisture migration.

3. Dielectric - low loss, low density, polyethylene foam.

4. First Outer Conductor - Aluminum-Polymer-Aluminum Tape Shield.

5. The second outer conductor - aluminum-polymer-aluminum tape is used for triple and quad shielded cables to provide enhanced high frequency (HF) shielding and isolation.

6. Third outer conductor - also an aluminum-polymer-aluminum tape to further enhance shielding and mechanical integrity.

7. Fourth Outer Conductor - 34 or 36 AWG aluminum braid added for enhanced low frequency shield isolation in extreme RF noise environments.

8. Corrosion-resistant protective coating.

9. Jacket - UV stabilized outer coating covers the entire assembly to protect the cores during installation and during the installed life of the RF Test Cable.

10. One Piece Courier (Optional) - Support member made of galvanized carbon steel RF Test Cable for additional mechanical strength.