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Coaxial Cabling Tutorial

How is Coaxial Cabling used? Where is Coaxial Cabling used?
Primarily, coaxial cables are used for the A broad range of applications exist for
What is Coaxial Cabling? transmission of Radio Frequency energy. coaxial cabling. The two primary
impedance values of 50 and 75 Ohms
The system offers tight control over
A coaxial cable is a two conductor electrical impedance. This yields excellent determine specific applications with 50
electrical cable consisting of a center performance at high frequencies and Ohms primarily used in data signal
conductor and an outer conductor with an superior EMI control/shielding. applications and 75 Ohms used in video
insulating spacer between the two. signal applications.

Coaxial Cabling Terms Frequency: Number of times a periodic action Currently used as a general reference. (R=Radio
Attenuation (Insertion Loss): Loss of power. occurs in one second. Measured in Hertz. Frequency, G=Guide, U=Universal Specification).
Letters that appear before the/U characters (i.e. A, B
Attenuation is usually measured in dB loss per length Impedance: The opposition to the flow of alternating or C) means a specification modification or revision.
of cable (ex. 31.0 dB/100ft.). Attenuation increases or varying current. Measured in Ohms. Two common For instance, it is common in the CB industry to see
as frequency increases. impedance values are 50 Ohms used primarily for the designation RG-58A/U. The original RG-58/U
data and 75 Ohms used to transmit video signals.
Bend Radius: The amount of radius a cable can coaxial cable had a solid center conductor. The "A"
bend without any adverse effects. Insertion Loss: A measurement of attenuation modification replaced the solid center conductor
determined by the system output before and after with a more flexible stranded center conductor (that
Center Conductor: The solid or stranded wire in the the connection of a cable and/or device.
middle of the coaxial cable. The conductor diameter is highly recommended for use in mobile
is measured by the American Wire Gauge (AWG). Jack: The female connector usually containing a installations). Other designators often seen are: A =
center socket. Modification to the Solid Core Material Specification,
Coaxial Adapter: A device used to change one B = Modification to the Outer Jacket Specification,
connector type to another or one gender to another Microwave Frequencies: Microwave frequencies C = Modification of the Dielectric Insulator
(ex. BNC to SMA Adapter). range from Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) .3-3 GHz, Specification. These designators are not precise and
Super High Frequency (SHF) 3-30 GHz to Extremely
Coaxial Cable: A two conductor cylindrical High Frequency (EHF) 30-300 GHz. specifications may vary from one vendor to another.
transmission line typically comprised of a center Shielding: Conductive envelope made of wires or
conductor, an insulating dielectric material and an MIL-C-17: MIL-C-17 is a specification document metal foil that covers the dielectric and the center
outer conductor (shielding). Coaxial cable can be that has been used since the 1940s to standardize conductor.
flexible (typical to the assemblies found in this the physical and electrical characteristics of coaxial
catalog), semi-rigid or rigid in nature. cables. There is no longer any control of RG Twinaxial: An offshoot of coaxial cabling. Two center
conductors with one dielectric and braided shielding.
Coaxial Connector: The interconnection device specifications so cables may perform differently than
the cables that adhere to MIL-C-17.
found at each end of a coaxial cable assembly. There Velocity of Propagation (VP): Usually expressed as
are many common types of coaxial connectors such Plug: The male connector usually containing a a percentage, VP is the transmission speed of
as: BNC, SMA, SMB, Type F, etc. center pin. electrical energy in a determined length of cable
compared to the speed of light.
Dielectric: The insulating material that separates RF (Radio Frequency): A frequency band from
the center conductor and shielding. 3 MHz to 300 GHz. Primarily used for transmission of VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio): The ratio of
radio and television signals. the maximum effective voltage to the minimum
Electromagnetic Interference (EMI): Electrical or effective voltage measured along a RF transmission
electromagnetic energy that disrupts electrical RG/U: A designation that originated with a US line. This value generally increases with frequency
signals. Government specification. No longer in effect. and higher values are not desirable.
Common Applications for Coaxial Cable Assemblies

Entertainment Systems GPS Video Systems Telecom WAN/LAN
Coaxial cable assemblies are Global Positioning Systems The transmission of a video The infrastructure of most Wide Area Networks and
used extensively to connect a utilize coaxial cable for signal from a video camera telecommunication systems Local Area Networks often
wide variety of home and connections between to a display monitor is relies heavily on coaxial utilize coaxial cable for
commercial entertainment receiving antennas and other typically through coaxial cabling. Cell towers, equipment interconnections.
products. Entertainment related equipment. cable. communications equipment Also, reverse polarized
equipment such as monitors, Common cable types: and base station facilities connectors are found on
TVs, cameras, recording 50W-RG58, RG174, Common cable types: are typical examples of many wireless antenna
equipment and broadcast RG188 or RG316 75W-RG59, RG59A/U, coaxial cable interconnection connections.
equipment are interconnected Common connectors: RG59B/U or RG179 applications.
using coaxial cables. TNC, N, MCX, MMCX Common connectors: Common cable types: Common cable types:
50W-RG174, RG58
Common cable types: and SMA BNC, F and RCA 50W-RG58, RG223
75W-RG6 or RG59 and RG213 Common connectors:
Common connectors: Common connectors: BNC
BNC, F and RCA BNC, TNC and Type N

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