CSF Series: Semi-Flexible Coaxial Cable
CSF Series: Semi-Flexible Coaxial Cable combines the structural stability of semi-rigid cables with improved flexibility for RF and microwave installations. Designed for microwave signal routing and RF assemblies, it is commonly used in antenna systems, communication equipment, radar electronics and microwave instrumentation.
CSF Series: High-Performance Semi-Flexible Coaxial Cables
AO Microwave’s CSF Series coaxial cables (hand-formable cables) are designed to provide the high shielding performance of a solid semi-rigid cable combined with the ease of on-site hand-bending up to 40 GHz. Built with a solid or low-density PTFE dielectric core, these cables incorporate a tin-filled (tin-soaked) silver-plated copper wire outer braid and an optional FEP jacket. Operating across standard bands, our CSF Series assemblies achieve an exceptional shielding effectiveness of typically > 100 dB, low VSWR, and stable phase performance under hand bends.
These highly shielded, hand-formable assemblies are engineered to hold their bent shape without "spring-back" mechanical forces. They are critical for high-density cabinet routing, internal module connections in active transceivers, and automated test fixtures.
The Physics of Tin-Filled Shielding & Hand-Formable Routing
Solid copper-tube semi-rigid cables offer high shielding effectiveness (>110 dB), but are difficult to route, requiring dedicated bending tools. Hand-formable (semi-flexible) cables utilize a tin-filled wire braid; while easier to bend, they exhibit "spring-back" forces that put mechanical load on delicate solder joints and can gap over time, causing RF leakage.
AO Microwave resolves these mechanical routing issues by using tin-filled (tin-soaked) silver-plated copper wire braids. By saturating the high-density silver-plated copper wire braid with molten tin, we create a composite outer conductor that provides continuous electrical shielding. This tin-filled structure achieves a shielding effectiveness of > 100 dB (comparable to solid semi-rigid) while remaining highly flexible and eliminating spring-back forces, allowing the cable to hold its bent shape when shaped by hand on-site.
Target Applications & Operational Advantages
By providing high shielding and flexible, spring-back-free routing, our CSF Series cables secure critical RF connections:
Active Transceiver Module Connections
Function: Connects internal stages in high-power solid-state amplifiers (SSPA) and transmitter feeds.
Advantage: Eliminates spring-back forces, preventing mechanical strain on delicate internal solder joints during assembly.
Dense Cabinet Internal Routing
Function: Routes high-frequency signals inside dense, multi-channel receiver cabinets.
Advantage: High shielding effectiveness (>100 dB) prevents cross-talk and electromagnetic interference between adjacent signal lines.
Quick Prototyping & On-Site Integration
Function: Provides rapid, hand-formable RF routing during system prototyping and field integration.
Advantage: Can be bent and shaped by hand on-site without specialized bending tools, reducing installation time.
CSF Series Coaxial Cable FAQs
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