Coaxial Cable Assemblies for Rugged Outdoor Applications

RF Coaxial Cable Assemblies are used in virtually all environments where wireless systems are deployed. Coaxial cable assemblies are integral internal parts of many wireless systems, and they are also used as interconnects between systems. These cable assemblies are often anywhere from a few inches long to hundreds of feet in length. This range of use results in coaxial cable assemblies often being used in outdoor environments, such as telecommunication, radar, relays, broadcast, as reliable/rugged signal conductors, and other communications and sensing applications. Hence, there is often a need for rugged, and outdoor rated coaxial cable assemblies. It is important to select the right coaxial cable assembly for an application, as using a cable assembly with inappropriately rated connectors, connection methods, secondary protections, and cable jacketing could result in early failures, loss of service, and possibly even damage to system electronics.

The main components of an outdoor rated coaxial cable assembly are the connector, cable, assembly method (attachment method), and secondary protection features, such as heat shrink at the connection point between the cable jacket. Not all coaxial cable jacketing material is suited for outdoor environments where high amounts of UV, wind, moisture, debris, and exposure to corrosive chemicals and pollutants could derate or even completely degrade the coaxial cable jacket.

The same goes for the coaxial connector. Certain connector metals are more resistant to corrosion than others. Stainless steel is commonly chosen for corrosion and environmental ruggedness. Bronze and brass are also common choices for connector conductors. Nickel, and phosphor bronze are also common as plating and connector contact materials for enhanced corrosion resistance and electrical performance.

As moisture may impregnate a coaxial connector and cable, it is important that an outdoor rated coaxial assembly has a dielectric material resistant to degradation from moisture, ideally the dielectric material isn’t prone to absorbing water at all and is otherwise chemically inert. PTFE is a common outdoor and rugged dielectric material choice for these reasons. SPO Outdoor Rated Coaxial Cable Assemblies are examples of outdoor/rugged coaxial cable assemblies which are designed and manufactured with these considerations in mind.

Some applications require outdoor/rugged performance as well as other performance features. This is especially true for outdoor or portable/mobile RF test and measurement equipment coaxial cable assemblies. There are often times where engineers and technicians need to evaluate RF system, device, or component performance in the field, often outdoors. Typical precision test and measurement coaxial cable materials are designed for electrical performance and not environmental ruggedness as they are primarily used in environmentally controlled laboratory environments. This is where rugged coaxial cable assemblies that are also phase stable and suitable for portable/mobile test equipment are viable. An example of this is Portable Handheld RF Analyzer Coaxial Cable Assembly Series Rugged Phase Stable, which combines ruggedness and electrical performance characteristics desirable for portable/handheld RF test equipment, such as portable antenna or network analyzers.