San-tron Inc., has made some design and manufacturing enhancements to its series of high-performance/low-PIM cable assemblies that improve both stability and repeatability. The SRX™ cable assemblies serve PIM-sensitive environments though 6 GHz and military/avionics environments through 20 GHz, meeting requirements for robust survivability in high-frequency applications. Designed to support systems integrators, the SRX low-PIM cable assemblies combine San-tron’s low-distortion eSeries coaxial connectors with high-quality SRX coaxial cables.
“San-tron has carefully selected materials and fabrication techniques to minimize PIM,” explained San-tron Director of Engineering Fred Hull. “For example, we combined Teflon™ with Rexolite™ to improve holding capability and added a solder step in manufacturing to improve stability. Also, the use of heat-treated BeCu center contacts enables us to achieve strong mating forces with positive wiping action, minimizing current saturation.”
San-tron now offers seven complete SRX cable assembly deployment scenarios: in-cabinet, plenum-rated, short runs and jumper applications, long-haul cable runs, indoor use, outdoor use, and riser, with interconnect options for SMA, Type N, 7/16, and TNC mating. For in-cabinet and plenum-rated deployments, low-PIM SRX cable assemblies utilize flexible-141, conformable-141, and semi-rigid RG-402 cable. The flexible solutions support plenum-rated deployments that range from 150 W at 2.5 GHz through 90 W at 6 GHz. Characterized by PIM performance of -161 dBc and attenuation of 22 dB per 100 feet, these cable assemblies offer a bend radius of 0.75 inches and handle operating temperatures to +125°C.
For short runs and jumper applications, San-tron has developed a unique solution for clamp-type terminations to braided, flexible coaxial cables. Based on TCOM-240TM cable, these assemblies support power levels that range from 160 W at 2.5 GHz through 90 W at 6 GHz. Characterized by PIM performance of -161 dBc and attenuation of 13 dB per 100 feet, these cable assemblies offer a bend radius of 2.5 inches and handle operating temperatures to +85°C. Performance is stable under vibration within a 1 dB window. For flame-retardant requirements, SRX assemblies employ TCOM-240-FR cables; for plenum-rated installations, assemblies feature SFT-205TM cables with a temperature rating to +165°C and a power rating of 420 W.
For long-haul run deployments requiring robust, low-loss performance, San-tron implemented similar techniques for the larger TCOM-400 series to achieve extremely low and stable PIM levels, while allowing for continuous bending and flexure. With TCOM-400 cable, these cable assemblies support power levels that range from 310 W at 2.5 GHz through 180 W at 6 GHz. Characterized by PIM performance of -161 dBc and low attenuation of 7 dB per 100 feet, these assemblies offer a bend radius of 4 inches and handle operating temperatures to +85°C. Performance is stable under vibration within a 1 dB window. For flame-retardant requirements, SRX assemblies employ TCOM-400-FR cables; for plenum-rated installations, assemblies feature SFT-393 cables with a temperature rating to +165°C and a power rating of 1020 W.
San-tron SRX low-PIM cable assemblies are distributed throughout Asia and Europe, as well as North America. To learn more you can download a white paper by San-tron which talks about Minimizing PIM Generation from RF Cables and Connectors.
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