Low loss/phase stable cable types for high power testing

Insulated Wire Inc. (IW) has supported EMC customers with coaxial cable and assemblies for decades. Its cables provide reliable, consistent performance for EMC/EMI compliance testing from smaller EMC test houses, compliance labs, and defence and commercial market OEMs worldwide. Cables for high volts/metre and RF power needs up to 6GHz are available.

The company can provide larger diameter cables that provide extremely low loss and deliver maximum RF power to the antenna while maintaining flexibility, which can be considered when selecting high-power coax.

All cables are manufactured in-house using the company's proprietary method for laminating Teflon. This process enables concentric cable construction, providing tight impedance control, superior phase stability and outstanding attenuation performance across the microwave spectrum. All cable designs are double-shielded to ensure signal integrity, a key parameter for any cable in an EMC/EMI test environment.

The company offers three low loss/phase stable cable types for high-power testing:

• 7506 – currently its highest power handling cable, supplied with a Santoprene jacket to provide cable routing flexibility and ensure material stability at higher temperatures.
• 4806 – a well-established product used in EMC/EMI applications worldwide; yellow FEP jacket is the standard, with Santoprene as an option.
• 2801 – provides versatility in supporting high power at lower frequencies yet can deliver extremely low loss to 18GHz for broadband applications – another common choice of EMC test houses, test systems and equipment suppliers globally.

The company delivers cable and assemblies for the following EMC test applications:

• Immunity/susceptibility – high power/low loss cable assemblies for high V/m @ 3GHz.
• Radiated emissions – lowest loss cable for 18GHz and 40GHz testing.
• Vehicle EMC – emissions, immunity testing, and CSIPR25-compliant cable assemblies with external ferrites can be supplied.
• Custom designs – The company supplies custom-designed assemblies (including composite solutions) for applications requiring mixed signal interconnect and/or repeated flexing on a telescoping antenna.
• European manufacture and repair capability – assembly partners in the EU and UK can build/test new and repair damaged cables.

Connector types available include N, C, SC, 7/16 DIN, LC, 1 5/8 5/8 EIA and 3 1/8 EIA flange. Armouring options and alternate jacket materials are also available for special orders.