Improving Cable Performance in Harsh Environments

Cables are often the last component considered when designing an electronic system. However, cables are really the system’s lifeline — if a cable fails, the entire system can stop functioning. For example, if the cable system used for data transmission in a spacecraft fails, the communication between the craft and mission control could be lost. Cable performance is based on reliability, durability, and signal integrity, all of which can be compromised by electrical, mechanical, and environmental stress. The ideal cable system should be engineered to last the life of the product in any environment.