Introduction Application Notes Florida RF has provided an extensive collection of Application Notes in this section to help designers select and specify cable assemblies. These Application Notes cover the complete line of Lab-Flex, Semi-Rigid, Conformable, BJ, Standard Flexible, and Miscellaneous assemblies. Table of Contents Selection Chart by Connectors...44-45 Selection Chart by Environment... 46 Cable Length Definition and Tolerances...47 Pre-Bent Cable to Form SMA Right Angles... 48 Flexible Cable Connector Envelopes Guidelines... 49 Interseries Mating of Precision Connectors...50-51 Phase Matching... 52 43
Application Notes Selection by Connectors Page Index Power Subminiature Precision Type N SC 7/16 DIN SSMA SMA SMB SMC 2.4mm 2.9mm 3.5mm Cable Type Freq. 18 GHz 11 GHz 7 GHz 36 GHz 18 GHz 10 GHz 10 GHz 50 GHz 40 GHz 35 GHz Lab-Flex Lab-Flex 135 50 GHz 9 9 9 Lab- Flex 160 40 GHz 10 10 10 10 10 Lab- Flex 200 30 GHz 11 11 11 Lab- Flex 290 18 GHz 12 12 Lab- Flex 335 18 GHz 13 13 Lab- Flex 380 18 GHz 14 14 Semi-Rigid 047 S/R 50 GHz 19 19 19 RG405 (086 S/R) 50 GHz 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 RG402 (141 S/R) 35 GHz 21 21 21 T-Flex 402 18 GHz 40 40 40 T-Flex 405 18 GHz 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 RG401 (.250 S/R) 18 GHz 22 22 Conformable BJ BJ047 50 GHz 26 26 26 BJ085 50 GHz 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 BJ141 35 GHz 28 28 28 LMR LMR 100 2.5 GHz 41 41 41 41 41 LMR 195 2.5 GHz 41 41 41 41 LMR 240 2.5 GHz 41 41 LMR 400 2.5 GHz 41 41 41 LMR 600 to 1200 2.5 GHz 41 41 Standard Flexible Lab-Flex 195 18 GHz 34 34 34 34 115 (SF-316) 18 GHz 33 33 33 33 33 142D 18 GHz 34 34 34 34 RG142 12.4 GHz 34 34 34 34 RG223 12.4 GHz 34 34 34 34 RG400 12.4 GHz 34 34 34 34 RD316 12.4 GHz 33 33 33 33 33 316D 5 GHz 33 33 33 33 33 RG316 3 GHz 33 33 33 33 33 RG178 3 GHz 33 33 33 33 Others K-Jumper 35 GHz 36 Sta-Put 6 GHz 37 37 Space-Flex 60 GHz 38-39 38-39 38-39 38-39 44
Selection by Connectors Page Index Application Notes Miniature Microminiature BMA SSMP SMP BMMA PKZ OSP TNC BNC GPPO GPO OSSP MCX MMCX Cable Type Freq. 26 GHz 22 GHz 18 GHz 2 GHz 65 GHz 40 GHz 28 GHz 6 GHz 6 GHz Lab-Flex Lab-Flex 135 50 GHz Lab- Flex 160 40 GHz Lab- Flex 200 30 GHz 11 Lab- Flex 290 18 GHz 12 Lab- Flex 335 18 GHz 13 Lab- Flex 380 18 GHz 14 Semi-Rigid 047 S/R 50 GHz 19 19 RG405 (086 S/R) 50 GHz 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 RG402 (141 S/R) 35 GHz 21 21 21 21 21 T-Flex 402 18 GHz 40 40 40 40 40 T-Flex 405 18 GHz 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 RG401 (.250 S/R) 18 GHz 22 Conformable BJ BJ047 50 GHz 26 26 BJ085 50 GHz 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 BJ141 35 GHz 28 28 28 28 28 LMR LMR 100 2.5 GHz 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 LMR 195 2.5 GHz 41 41 41 41 LMR 240 2.5 GHz 41 41 LMR 400 2.5 GHz 41 41 LMR 600 to 1200 2.5 GHz Standard Flexible Lab-Flex 195 18 GHz 34 34 34 34 115 (SF-316) 18 GHz 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 142D 18 GHz 34 34 34 34 RG142 12.4 GHz 34 34 34 34 RG223 12.4 GHz 34 34 34 34 RG400 12.4 GHz 34 34 34 34 RD316 12.4 GHz 33 33 33 33 316D 5 GHz 33 33 33 33 RG316 3 GHz 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 RG178 3 GHz 33 33 33 Others K-Jumper 35 GHz Sta-Put 6 GHz Space-Flex 60 GHz 38-39 45
Cable Selection Guide by Environment Application Recommended Cable by Maximum Frequency 2.5 GHz 18 GHz 30 GHZ 40 GHz Insertion Loss Extremely Low LMR 400 to LMR 1200 Very Low Lab-Flex 380, 290, 335 Lab-Flex 380, 290, 335 Low Lab-Flex 200, 160, LMR 240 Lab-Flex 200, 160 Lab-Flex 200, 160 Lab-Flex 160 Average RG402, K-Jumper TF402, BJ141 RG402, K-Jumper TF402, BJ141 RG402, K-Jumper High Lab-Flex 135, RG142 Lab-Flex 135, RG142 Lab-Flex 135 Lab-Flex 135 High RG400, RG223 Very High RG405, TF405, BJ085, SF316 RG405, TF405, BJ085, SF316 RG405 RG405 Extremely High 142D & 316D Ultraflex, RG316 142D Ultraflex Withstanding Outdoor Environments Best Lab-Flex 380 Rhino cable Lab-Flex 380 Rhino cable Better LMR 400DB to LMR-1200DB Good Lab-Flex Weatherized Series Lab-Flex Weatherized Series Lab-Flex 135W,160W,200W Lab-Flex 135W,160W Fair TF402, TF405, SF316 TF402, TF405, SF316 Fair RG142, RG400, RG316, RD316 RG142 Not Recommended BJ141, BJ085, K-Jumper BJ141, BJ085, K-Jumper Not Recommended RG223, 142D & 316D Ultraflex 142D Ultraflex Flexibility Best 142D Ultraflex, 316D Ultraflex 142D Ultraflex Better RG316, RD316, SF316, TF405 SF316, TF405 Good RG400, RG223 Good RG142, RG400, RG223 RG142 Fair Lab-Flex Series Lab-Flex Series Lab-Flex 135, 160, 200 Lab-Flex 135, 160 Limited BJ141, BJ085, K-Jumper BJ141, BJ085, K-Jumper K-Jumper Phase Stability over Temperature Good LMR Series Good Lab-Flex Series Lab-Flex Series Lab-Flex 135, 160, 200 Lab-Flex 135, 160 Fair BJ085, BJ141, K-Jumpers BJ085, BJ141, K-Jumpers K-Jumpers Poor Solid Dielectric Flexible Solid Dielectric Flexible Poor Solid Dielectric Semi-Rigid Solid Dielectric Semi-Rigid Solid Dielectric Semi-Rigid Solid Dielectric Semi-Rigid 46
INC. Lab-Flex Family Cable Length Definition and Tolerances Introduction Cable Length Definition The cable length is defined by the length as measured between the following: Straight Connectors - From Reference plane per M39012. If the connector is not covered in this Mil-Spec, the reference plane is per the connector manufacturer. Right Angle Connectors - From center line of inner contact of connector. Bulkhead - From inside mounting flange of connector. Cable Length Tolerance Cable Assembly Finished Length (inches) Tolerance (inches) 0.0 to 12 +/- 0.125 12 to 24 +/- 0.25 24 to 120 +/- 0.5 120 to 168 +/- 1.0 168 to 216 +/- 1.25 216 to 300 +/- 1.5 300 to 600 +/- 3.0 600 to 1200 +/- 5.0 1200 up consult factory Tighter Cable length tolerance can be provided at additional cost. Tightest tolerance available: Semi-Rigid/Conformable /BJ under 24 inches: ±0.03 Flexible under 24 inches: ±0.075 Note: A tightly controlled length does not assure that the phase will also be controlled (see Phase Matching Section page 52). 47
Pre-Bent Cable to Form SMA Right Angles Using either Semi-Rigid or Conformable cable, Florida RF can pre-bend the cable to form a right angle before soldering a low profile SMA plug onto the cable. The cable must be bent before the connector is soldered on to prevent the solder joint from breaking. The electrical performance of this assembly is better than a sweeped or cubed right angle connector. Standard right angle connector (SMR) DC to 12.4 GHz - VSWR 1.35 Typical SMSR for.085 cable DC to 18.0 GHz - VSWR 1.30 Typical SMSR for.141 cable DC to 18.0 GHz - VSWR 1.23 Typical (Point and Face designs: see page 51) Conformable is a registered trademark of Belden 48
Flexible Cable Connector Envelopes Guidelines Flexible Cable Connector Envelopes Guidelines (dimensions in inches) Standard Flexible Standard Flexible Under.150 in. dia Over.150 in. dia Bend Radius (R) in. (mm) 0.50 (12.7) 1.0 (25.4) X Y Z X Y Z SMS SMA Male Straight 1.00 1.50 1.00 2.00 SMR SMA Male Right Angle 0.85 1.35 0.53 0.85 1.85 0.53 SFS SMA Female Straight 1.00 1.50 1.00 2.00 TMS TNC Male Straight 1.35 1.85 1.35 2.35 TMR TNC Male Right Angle 1.40 1.90 0.85 1.50 2.50 0.85 TFS TNC Female Straight 1.50 2.00 1.60 2.60 NMS Type N Male Straight 1.35 1.85 1.35 2.35 NMR Type N Male Right Angle 1.40 1.90 0.85 1.50 2.50 0.85 NFS Type N Female Straight 1.50 2.00 1.60 2.60 Lab-Flex Lab-Flex Lab-Flex Lab-Flex Lab-Flex 135 160 200 290 335 380 Bend Radius (R) in. (mm) 0.6/0.9 (15.2/22.9) 1.0 (25.4) 1.6 (40.6) 2.0 (50.8) 3.0 (76.2) X Y Z X Y Z X Y Z X Y Z X Y Z SMS SMA Male Straight 1.44 2.34 1.44 2.44 1.73 3.33 1.73 3.73 1.73 4.73 SMR SMA Male Right Angle 0.85 1.75 1.05 2.05 0.60 1.79 3.39 0.70 1.79 3.79 0.70 1.79 4.79 0.70 SFS SMA Female Straight 1.00 1.90 1.28 2.28 1.50 3.10 1.50 3.50 1.50 4.50 SFBS SMA Female Bulkhead 1.33 2.33 1.90 3.50 1.90 3.90 1.90 4.90 TMS TNC Male Straight 2.07 2.97 2.77 1.26 2.26 1.74 3.34 1.74 3.74 1.74 4.74 TMR TNC Male Right Angle 1.15 2.15 0.85 1.54 3.14 0.81 1.54 3.54 0.81 1.54 4.54 0.81 TFS TNC Female Straight 1.60 2.60 1.65 3.25 1.65 3.65 1.65 4.65 TNC Female Bulkhead 1.48 2.48 1.90 3.50 1.90 3.90 1.90 4.90 NMS Type N Male Straight 1.30 2.20 1.29 2.29 1.73 3.33 1.73 3.73 1.73 4.73 NMR Type N Male Right Angle 1.03 2.03 0.84 1.55 3.15 0.84 1.55 3.55 0.84 1.55 4.55 0.84 NFS Type N Female Straight 1.55 2.55 1.85 3.45 1.85 3.85 1.85 4.85 NFBS Type N Female Bulkhead 1.53 2.53 2.00 3.60 2.00 4.00 2.00 5.00 2.4, 2.9, 3.5 mm Male Straight 1.41 2.31 1.28 2.28 2.4, 2.9, 3.5 mm Female Straight 1.49 2.39 3.28 4.28 4.11 KFBS 2.9 mm Female Bulkhead 1.39 2.29 A7 7 mm (APC7) 1.72 2.72 49
Interseries Mating of Precision Connectors 0.036 inch Diameter Center Contact The five connectors listed here will mate since they all have a 0.036 in. diameter mating contact and a common coupling nut size. Mechanical properties of these five connectors are shown below: Mechanical Properties of 0.036 Diameter Center Conductor Connectors Inner Diameter of Center Diameter Center Length Connector Body Connector inches (mm) inches (mm) Dielectric inches (mm) SMA 0.036 (0.91) 0.100 (25.4) PTFE (Teflon) 0.161 (4.1) 3.5mm 0.036 (0.91) 0.065 (1.65) Air 0.138 (3.5) 2.9mm (K) 0.036 (0.91) 0.065 (1.65) Air 0.115 (2.9) K-Compatible (used on K-Jumper) 0.036 (0.91) 0.065 (1.65) PTFE (Teflon) 0.138 (3.5) SMA Point & Face (used on BJ141 cable) 0.036 (0.91) 0.065 (1.65) PTFE (Teflon) 0.138 (3.5) The difference between the 5 connectors is the length of the mating contact, the dielectric material, and the inside diameter of the connector. The standard SMA plug has a mating contact up to 0.100 inches long, which can engage the female contact before the connector bodies align the contacts and damage the female contact. The K-Compatible and the SMA Point and Face both use a mating contact length of 0.065 inches that prevents damage to the female contact. Electrical Properties of 0.036 Diameter Center Conductor Connectors Typical Match in db Electrical Mating Connector Mating (Return loss) Comments SMA TO SMA 20 to 25 db @ 18 GHz Fair SMA to 3.5mm 22 to 27 db @ 18 GHz Good SMA to 2.9mm 24 to 29 db @ 18 GHz Excellent SMA to K-Jumper 22 to 27 db @ 18 GHz Good SMA to SMS-BJ141 22 to 25 db @ 18 GHz Fair 3.5mm to 3.5mm 20 to 25 db @ 35 GHz Fair 3.5mm to 2.9mm 20 to 24 db @ 35 GHz Fair 3.5mm to K-Jumper 20 to 24 db @ 35 GHz Fair 3.5mm to SMS-BJ141 19 to 23 db @ 18 GHz Fair 2.9mm to 2.9mm 21 to 24 db @ 40 GHz Good 2.9mm to K-Jumper 20 to 24 db @ 35 GHz Fair 2.9mm to SMS-BJ141 19 to 23 db @ 18 GHz Fair 50
Interseries Mating of Precision Connectors 0.036 inch Diameter Center Contact (continued) Point and Face Design Both the K-Jumper and SMS-BJ141 use the center conductor of the cable as the male contact. The cable center conductor has a 0.036 inch diameter; the conductor is cut and pointed to a length of.065 inches to form the connector contact. The cable jacket stops midway thru the connector body and is soldered in place. The cable used in the K-Jumper and the BJ141 assemblies have a stable dielectric, which resists dielectric growth under temperature extremes. The K-Compatible connectors used in K-Jumper assemblies are designed to mate with 2.9mm and 3.5mm connectors. The frequency limit of the K-Jumper is the cutoff frequency of the cable around 36 GHz. 51