CX Series: Economical Amplitude Stable Coaxial Cable
Looking for cost-effective RF routing without sacrificing signal stability? AO Microwave’s CX Series offers economical, amplitude-stable flexible coaxial cables up to 40 GHz. Featuring solid PTFE dielectrics and FEP/PUR jackets, these cables deliver exceptional flex/vibration resistance and low phase drift (±0.3°/GHz for CX400). With 90 dB shielding and outer diameters from 3.95mm to 5.15mm, they ensure low-loss, reliable interconnections for high-volume test systems.
Economical Amplitude Stable Coaxial Cables Built to Reduce System Integration Costs
Are you looking for a budget-friendly coaxial solution for high-volume test systems or system interconnections without compromising on amplitude and phase stability? Standard test-grade cables are often cost-prohibitive for mass deployment, while low-cost commercial cables frequently introduce severe reflections and signal drift under physical movement. AO Microwave’s CX Series economical amplitude-stable coaxial cables resolve this cost-versus-performance dilemma, delivering dependable high-frequency transmission up to 40 GHz.
By focusing on high electrical stability and cost-effective manufacturing, the CX Series brings direct, tangible benefits to your active layouts:
- Excellent Cost-to-Performance Ratio: Specifically engineered to provide an economical yet highly stable alternative to expensive metrology-grade cables, making high-performance signal routing affordable for wideband system integration and automated test equipment (ATE).
- Highly Stable Amplitude & Phase under Flexure: Delivers low VSWR and an exceptional phase stability of up to ±0.3°/GHz (for CX400 and CX500), keeping your signal measurements consistent even during mechanical shifts and vibration.
- Tailored Environmental Protection: Available in both highly flexible Polyurethane (PUR) jackets for general lab settings and high-temperature Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP) jackets for extended -55°C to +125°C operating environments.
- Robust Shielding Effectiveness (>90 dB): Incorporates a double silver-plated copper wire braided outer conductor to block stray electromagnetic fields, preventing cross-talk in closely packed cabinets.
Explore our physical parameter and attenuation tables below to find the exact CX Series outer diameter (ranging from 3.95 mm for the 40 GHz CX400 to 5.15 mm for the CX520) optimized to fit your system's budget and performance requirements.
CX Series Coaxial Cable Selection & Engineering Guidelines
When integrating economical, amplitude-stable coaxial lines into high-volume test systems or active system interconnections, several mechanical and environmental parameters must be evaluated:
Balancing Sizing and Temperature Ranges
The outer diameter (Jacket OD) of the CX Series ranges from 3.95 mm for CX400 up to 5.15 mm for CX520. For laboratory testing requiring frequencies up to 40 GHz, the compact profile of CX400 is ideal. If your setup is deployed in extreme thermal environments, CX480 (4.88 mm OD) and CX500 (4.95 mm OD) feature high-temperature FEP jackets rated from -55°C to +125°C.
Maintaining Amplitude Stability under Vibration
During high-density routing or testing, mechanical vibrations can cause small variations in signal amplitude. Our CX Series is engineered with high-density, double-braided silver-plated copper shielding. This dual-layer braid provides robust physical compression over the solid PTFE dielectric, maintaining consistent characteristic impedance under flexing.
Overcoming Critical High-Frequency Interconnect Challenges
System interconnections and automated test benches require consistent electrical parameters under continuous use. We optimize our CX Series to resolve common integration bottlenecks:
Balancing Cost with High-Frequency Performance
High-frequency coaxial cables are often cost-prohibitive for high-volume system integration. The CX Series is designed specifically as an economical alternative. By optimizing manufacturing processes and using high-efficiency solid PTFE dielectrics, we deliver exceptionally low insertion loss and stable VSWR up to 40 GHz at an affordable price point.
Preventing Signal Reflections (VSWR Spikes)
In complex layouts, tight bending can cause the center conductor of a coaxial cable to shift off-center (concentricity shift), resulting in impedance mismatches and VSWR spikes. AO Microwave's CX Series utilizes a highly uniform solid PTFE dielectric, which resists mechanical deformation under bending (static bend radius down to 20 mm for CX400), ensuring a low, stable VSWR.
Minimizing Thermal Phase Drift
In multi-channel test systems, temperature swings can cause standard cables to drift in phase, introducing calibration errors. Our high-performance CX400 and CX500 models are engineered to minimize phase variation, delivering an outstanding phase stability of ±0.3°/GHz across wide operating temperatures.
Target Applications & Operational Advantages
By providing low insertion loss and excellent amplitude and phase stability, our CX Series flexible cables secure critical signal paths:
Automated Test Equipment (ATE) Systems
Function: Connects multi-channel test fixtures to laboratory network analyzers and signal sources up to 40 GHz.
Advantage: Symmetrical double silver-plated copper shields and low phase drift (e.g., ±0.3°/GHz for CX400) ensure highly repeatable, calibration-grade measurements at an affordable price.
Active System Interconnections
Function: Connects internal sub-assemblies and transceiver modules inside equipment cabinets.
Advantage: Exceptional mechanical flexibility and tight bend radiuses (down to 20 mm static) simplify cable routing in confined spaces without degrading the VSWR.
High-Density Cabinet Routing
Function: Routes high-frequency RF signals between indoor equipment racks and distribution blocks.
Advantage: Double-braided shielding achieves a high shielding effectiveness of > 90 dB, preventing cross-talk between adjacent cable runs.
CX Series Coaxial Cable FAQs
Need high-performance, economical CX Series Coaxial Cables?
Specify your connector interface (SMA/2.92mm/2.4mm), required size (CX400 to CX520), and frequency range — we'll quote in 24 hours.
