McGill Microwave Systems are an authorised distributor of Times Microwave Products, we therefore have the capability to supply many variations of Low Loss Coaxial Cable ranging from DC-110GHz.
Choosing the correct Low Loss Coaxial Cable for your specific use can be difficult, there are many considerations that must be thought of in order to ensure the coaxial cable’s attributes are optimised in its application.
When selecting a Low Loss Coaxial Cable, typical considerations are as follows:
- Loss Budget
- Flexibility
- Diameter
- Fire Retardance
- Power Handling
- Low PIM Requirements
- Phase Critical Requirements
- Reliability
- Ruggedness
- Temperature range
We are therefore going to use this article to supply the perfect guide to choosing the correct Low Loss Coaxial Cable for it’s intended use.
Low Loss Coaxial Cable – The Guide!
LMR Cable Range (DC-6GHZ)
The LMR Coaxial Cable range is the most diverse cable range that McGill Microwave supply. The LMR range is designed to work well with many applications and has a frequency range of DC-6GHZ. The LMR cable offers significant advantages over comparable sized competition’s products. If we take a look at any RG style coaxial cables, the LMR range offers very significant advantages in size, weight and electrical performance.
The LMR range’s dielectric has an aluminium foil outer conductor, which is chemically bonded on to it, this results in excellent shielding effectiveness >90dB.
Unlike competing products, There are many flavour of LMR cable such as Standard, UltraFlex, Fire Retardant, LSZH, Lightweight, Direct Burial, 75-Ohm, Plenum, Bundled, Rodent Resistant or combinations of the above.
The LMR range is utilised in many commercial applications in the DC-6GHz frequency range such as:
- Maritime communications
- VHF/UHF Radio
- SCADA Systems
- Positive Train Control
- High gain 4G Internet
- 5G Applications
- Mobile Antennas
- Amateur Radio
- VSAT
- TVRO
- WiMax
- Transit Wi-Fi
FBT Range (DC-6GHz)
FBT Coaxial Cable Range is a High Power, Indoor/Outdoor, Highly Fire-Retardant cable.
Unsurpassed flexibility and bendability are advantageous features of the FBT cable design. With the FBT using the same flexible inner and outer conductor as LMR, it enables the tightest bend radius available for any competing cable of similar size and performance.
The FBT range employs an added benefit of using a low-density PTFE tape as the dielectric rather than traditional foam PE. This results in a very low loss cable with much higher power handling capabilities. Size for size, FBT can carry around 2 x the Average power than that of the LMR range
RF Shielding is 50 dB greater than typical single shielded coax (40 dB). The multi-ply bonded foil outer conductor is rated conservatively at > 90 dB (i.e. >180 dB between two adjacent cables).
FBT cables designed for outdoor exposure incorporate FEP jackets for UV resistance. The FEP jacket is also chemically inert, this means it has excellent resistance to corrosive fuels, chemicals and oils.
FBT is intended for High Power applications such as:
- Military Vehicles
- Commercial Aircraft Avionics Systems
- Semi-Conductor manufacturing equipment
- IED Jamming Systems
TCOM Range (DC-10GHz)
TCOM is a Low Loss Coaxial Cable which is popular for applications where repeated flexing is taking place. The construction specifications of the cable have been designed which results in providing reliability with continuous flexure.
Additionally, this cable provides Low Passive Inter Modulation (155 dBc Intermodulation Distortion). The cable is therefore an excellent telecommunications cable with the added benefit of unsurpassed reliability.
TCOM has excellent shielding effectiveness of >100 dB and provides excellent electrical performance from DC-10GHz. TCOM is used in applications such as:
- Wireless Base Station Interconnect
- Low Loss UHF/Microwave Interconnect
- Cell’s on Wheels
- Any application where there may be repeated flexure
5GFLEX Range (DC-28GHz)
5G Flex range are Low Loss Coaxial Cable assemblies. The 5GFlex range comes in DC-18GHZ (5GFLEX18) or DC-28GHz (5GFLEX28). They are dependable and flexible, outdoor rated, general-use coaxial cable assemblies.
Utilising Times Microwave’s cable heritage, these assemblies will withstand the test of time while providing reliable electrical performance.
With Times Microwave’s impeccable reputation for high quality, extremely reliable cable for use in both the air and on the ground along with global manufacturing capability in many locations worldwide, you can be assured that the 5GFLEX assemblies will be made to a high standard with a low lead time.
Typical uses of 5GFLEX assemblies are:
- 5G Telecom networks
- Satellite communications
- Machine-to-machine controls
- Coaxial Test Cables
SFT Coaxial Cable
SFT Low Loss Coaxial Cable provides the ultimate performance in a flexible cable. The low density PTFE tape dielectric provides the lowest dielectric loss of any practical dielectric and silver plated conductors make these the ideal choice for microwave and military interconnect systems.
The high temperature dielectric and jacket enable their use in high ambient temperatures up to +200°C. They have losses smaller than their low temperature TCOM counterparts as well as higher power handling capability.
SFT Features and benefits
• Lower Loss Microwave Interconnect
• Wireless Base Station Interconnect
• Lower Loss than SF Versions
• Superior Shielding Effectiveness
• Low Passive Intermod (-155 dBc)
• Stable Loss & VSWR vs. Flexing
• Excellent Connector Selection
The Shielding system, provided by Times Microwave Systems, consists of an inner silver plated flat ribbon braid (FSC), a spirally applied and overlapped composite aluminum tape interlayer (Intl), and an overall silver plated round wire braid (SC). The flat ribbon shield affords approximately 30% lower loss and >95 dB shielding compared with the typical M17/RG round wire braided shield (40 to 60 dB).
The VSWR and attenuation variation due to aging and flexure is substantially low at all frequencies, and especially above 12 GHz.
MaxGain Assemblies (DC-50GHz)
MaxGain Ultra Low Loss Coaxial Cable Assemblies are high-performance, microwave coaxial cables, Manufactured by Times Microwave Systems USA.
They have been constructed with the Times unique spiral outer conductor technology. This lightweight cable is an extremely reliable, high frequency solution.
MaxGain Ultra Low Loss Coaxial Cable assemblies are used for general applications in both field and laboratory conditions. They are ideally suited for applications where lowest loss and good stability over flexure is required.
Features include:
- Optimised for lowest attenuation at 18GHz, 30 GHz, 40GHz & 50 GHz
- Ultra-stable insertion loss, phase and VSWR with flexing
- Fire retardant FEP jacket
- Flexible, low minimum bend radius
- Superior shielding effectiveness.
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