Rosenberger

MicrowaveHigh Performance Cables to 70GHz

Table of ContentsIntroduction ............................................................................. Inside CoverTypical Cable Construction ........................................................................ 1Cable Selection Guide ................................................................................ 2Connector Selection Guide .......................................................................4Connector Drawings ..................................................................................5Armor Selection Guide .............................................................................. 7RTK-FLEX RFlex ........................................................................................8

R1 ........................ 8R2 ........................8

RTK-FLEX Miniature Low Loss CableAssemblies ...................................10M1 ......................10M2 ......................10M3 ......................10

RTK-FLEX Low Loss CableAssemblies .................................................... 12L1 ....................... 12L2 ....................... 12L3 ....................... 12L4 ....................... 12L5 ....................... 12L6 ....................... 12L7 .......................12

RTK-FLEX Low Halogen Cables (StandardTest Cables) ......................... 14H1 .......................14H2 ......................14

RTK-FLEX Ultra Low Loss CableAssemblies ...........................................16U1 .......................16U2 .......................16U3 .......................16U4 .......................16U5 .......................16U6 .......................16W1.......................16

RTK-FLEX Ultralight CableAssemblies ....................................................18T1 .......................18T2 ...................... 18

VNATest Cables ..................................................................................... 20Part Number Designation ........................................................................21CableAssembly Care and Handling .......................................................21Service and Ordering Information ...........................................................21

RosenbergerRosenberger of NorthAmerica, LLCP.O. Box 309 Akron, PA 17501Telephone: +1.717.859.8900 Fax: +1.717.859.7044Email: info@rosenbergerna.comwww.rosenbergerna.com 2012, Rosenberger NA

RosenbergerHochfrequenztechnik GmbH & Co. KGP.O. Box 1260D-84526TittmoningTelephone: +49-86 84-18-0 Fax: +49-86 84-18-499Email: infor@rosenberger.de Web:www.rosenberger.com

IntroductionRosenberger RTK-FLEX is a complete range of high performanceflexible microwave cables built by Rosenberger. The entire RTK-FLEXproduct line is constructed using a low or ultra low density PTFEdielectric offering excellent loss characteristics, outstanding phasestability, and unsurpassed flexibility compared to standard flexiblecables all without sacrificing mechanical integrity.

Microwave cable for almost any application: Versatile Low Loss cables offer outstanding performance in

almost any environment

Ultra Low Loss cables have the lowest insertion loss availableto 18, 26.5, 40, 50, 65 and 70 GHz

Miniature cables are a superior alternative to traditional RG orsemi-rigid cables

Ultralight cables provide up to 25% weight savings forspaceflight applications

Key features: Low SWR (1.25:1 to 40 GHz typical) Excellent shielding effectiveness

Precision phase matching

RTK-FLEX high performance cable assemblies are manufactured byRosenberger under the guidance of our Engineering staff. Everycable assembly is tested and supplied with a Return Loss andInsertion Loss plot.

Rosenberger

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RTK-FLEX is designed to minimize both reflective and transmission losses while maximizing phase and amplitude stability. This isaccomplished by carefully controlling all materials and processes used to manufacture the cable. Following is a description of the typicalcable construction. Many other designs are available to meet your unique requirements.

Center CONDUCTORSolid or stranded silver-plated copper wire perASTM B-298. In comparison to equal size center conductors, the solid center conductor hasless RF resistance, lower attenuation, and is more amplitude stable with flexure. The stranded center conductor is more flexible and morephase stable with flexure.

DIELECTRICLow density PTFE per MIL-C-17,with a dielectric constant ranging from 1.4 to 1.7 depending on the cable type. Most transmission lossesare caused either directly or indirectly by the dielectric. In addition, the dielectric determines the velocity of propagation, temperature range,power rating, phase and amplitude stability, and contributes to cable flexibility. The RTK-FLEX PTFE dielectric is ideal for these criticalparameters due to its low density and low thermal coefficient of expansion.

INNER SHIELDSilver-plated copper tape perASTM B-298, helically wrapped with 40% minimum overlap between layers. This shield allows for outstandingflexibility while providing 100% coverage. By closely monitoring the precision wrapping process and carefully matching the elasticity of thedielectric to the properties of the silver-plated copper tape, uniform impedance and ideal contact between individual layers of the shield aremaintained.

OUTER SHIELDSilver-plated copper wire perASTM B-298, tightly braided over the inner shield. The braids are primarily for strength but also add additionalRF shielding. For applications where weight is critical such as spaceflight, Rosenberger offers DuPontAracon as the braiding material.

JACKETFluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP), colored light aqua blue. The FEP is excellent because of its high temperature resistance and chemicalinertness. Other materials are available such as Polyurethane (PUR) for Low Halogen and flexible applications andTefzel for spaceflightand low static applications.

Tefzel is a DuPont registered trademark.

Rosenberger of North America, LLC P.O. Box 309 Akron, PA 17501 Telephone: 1.717.859.8900 Fax: 1.717.859.7044 Email: info@rosenbergerna.com

Typical Cable Construction

Cable Selection Guide

2 Rosenberger of North America, LLC P.O. Box 309 Akron, PA 17501 Telephone: 1.717.859.8900 Fax: 1.717.859.7044 Email: info@rosenbergerna.com

R-Flex Miniature Low Loss Low Loss

Part Number R1 R2 M1 M2 M3 L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7

Impedance Ohms 50

Max. Frequency GHz 5.62040581

Outer Diameter mm 2.54 4.12 1.78 2.34 2.34 3.18 3.73 3.73 5.33 5.33 7.9 7.9

Center Conductor

solid x x x x x x x x

stranded xxxx

Max. Insertion LossdB/m

1 GHz 0.70 0.40 1.12 0.69 0.76 0.49 0.39 0.53 0.26 0.36 0.26 0.36

10 GHz 2.60 1.75 3.54 2.20 2.49 1.61 1.31 1.71 0.92 1.18 0.92 1.18

18 GHz 3.40 2.20 4.82 3.02 3.38 2.23 1.81 2.36 1.28 1.64 1.28 1.64

26.5 GHz - - - - - 2.76 2.23 2.92 1.61 2.03 1.61 2.03

40 GHz - - - - - 3.48 2.85 - - - - -

50 GHz - - - - - 3.97 - - - - - -

Power HandlingWatts (CW)at 10 GHz

58 120 30 59 55 105 150 129 286 248 286 248

Nominal Weigh grams/meter 19.4 43.3 9.8 16.4 16.4 26.2 36.1 36.1 65.6 65.6 65.6 65.6

Static Bend Radius mm 6.4 12.7 2.6 3.2 3.2 5.1 6.4 6.4 10 10 10 10

Detailed Information page 31-2111-019-8

* Includes integral armor (see page 12)

In order to simplify the cable selection process, individual cables have been grouped into product families. Most flexible cable users wantminimal insertion loss consistent with smallest size and weight without sacrificing flexibility. Other parameters will influence price andperformance. Use the table and information below to select the cable that best suits your needs.

Cables with stranded center conductors tend to be more phase stable with flexure. Cables with solid center conductors tend to be more amplitude stable with flexure. In comparison to other product families, the Low Loss cables are the most durable and robust. For applications up to 26.5 GHz, start with the Low Loss L4 cable. If the cable will be used in a test lab environment, consider the Low Loss L5 due to its longer flex life and better phase stability withflexure.

If lower insertion loss is required up to 26.5 GHz, Ultra Low Loss U4 or U3 should be chosen. If the application is less than 18 GHz,choose the Ultra Low Loss U6 or U5 RFlex .

Cable Selection Guide

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Part Number H1 H2 U1 U2 U3 U4 U5 U6 W1 T1 T2

Impedance Ohms 50

Max. Frequency GHz 26.5 26.5 18 40 26.5 26.5 18 18 70 18 26.5

Outer Diameter mm 5.59 5.59 3.61 3.61 5.00 5.21 7.44 7.90 2.35 2.24 5.21

Center Conductor

solid xxx xxxx

stranded x x x x

Max. Insertion LossdB/m

1 GHz 0.26 0.36 0.39 0.36 0.30 0.26 0.20 0.16 0.66 0.69 0.26

10 GHz 0.92 1.18 1.25 1.08 0.92 0.92 0.62 0.49 2.13 2.20 0.92

18 GHz 1.28 1.64 1.67 1.48 1.25 1.05 0.85 0.66 2.92 2.95 1.05

26.5 GHz 1.61 2.03 - 1.81 1.54 1.28 - - 3.51 - 1.28

40 GHz - - - 2.23 - - - - 4.33 - -

50 GHz

65 GHz - - - - - - - - 5.75 - -

70 GHz - - - - - - - - 6.44 - -

- - - - - - - - 5.23 - -

Power HandlingWatts (CW)at 10 GHz

286 248 161 172 281 328 540 643 58 60 328

Nominal Weight grams/meter 65.6 65.6 29.5 32.8 59.1 65.6 121.4 137.8 16.14 10.8 49.2

Static Bend Radius mm 10 10 10 10 13 13 20 32 6.40 6.4 13

Detailed Information page 91-8171-6151-41

For applications greater than 26.5 GHz but less than 40 GHz, start with the Low Loss L2 cable. If lower loss is required, choose theU