How to Select an RF Cable Assembly for High-Frequency Applications
A comprehensive technical deep dive into material selection, velocity of propagation, and mitigating insertion loss in demanding environments.
Dielectric materials
PTFE and polyethylene trade flexibility against loss. At microwave frequencies, dielectric constant and dissipation factor dominate your loss budget.
Connector interfaces
Match series, gender, and torque specs to your mating ecosystem. A 2.92 mm interface will outperform SMA above 18 GHz.
Building a loss budget
Sum cable attenuation, connector pair loss, and adapter overhead. Leave margin for temperature and bend radius effects.
Tip: Specify bend radius early — sharp routing can raise VSWR more than a longer, gentle path.
Qualification checklist
Verify VSWR, insertion loss, and mechanical retention over your operating temperature range before freezing the BOM.
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