Flexible cable assemblies deliver excellent phase and amplitude stability

Huber+Suhner has two new versions of its Sucoflex 500 cable assemblies. Sucoflex 526V is designed specifically for use with VNAs and in other performance-critical laboratory applications while Sucoflex 526S is for RF production testing, bench-top testing and automated test equipment. Thanks to a unique cable and connector design, these cable assemblies deliver best in class phase and amplitude stability regardless of flexing, movement, temperature and tensile stress as well as outstanding return and insertion loss up to 26.5GHz. Amplitude stability vs flexure for the 526V is a maximum of 0.08dB and for the 526S, a maximum of just ±0.05dB. According to the company, both new 500 versions are designed to provide precise and repeatable measurements and combine increased test efficiency with cost savings due to reduced calibration intervals and a long service life. The 526V is claimed to be only VNA microwave cable with a typical 50ppm phase variation vs temperature between +15C and +30C. Available in three lengths – 635mm, 965mm and 1219mm, the cable diameter is 13mm with a minimum bending radius of 50mm and a flex life of 100,000 cycles. As standard, the cable assemblies are supplied with a ruggedized 3.5mm PORT female connector and either a 3.5mm DUT female or 3.5mm ruggedized DUT male connector. Operating frequency is up to 26.5GHz, impedance is 50ohm, return loss 20dB minimum and insertion loss ranges between a maximum of 2.5dB and 4.4dB depending on the cable length. Designed for the most demanding laboratory test applications, 526S is available as standard in several lengths from 500mm to 3000mm and with a variety of connectors including PC3.5 male and female, N male and SMA male. Cable diameter is 7.7mm with a minimum bending radius of 25.4mm. Like the 526V, operating frequency for the 526S is up to 26.5GHz and impedance is 50ohm, while return loss is a minimum of 19dB while insertion loss is typically 1.63dB/m including connectors.