Cable Fundamentals - Understanding RF Cables & Assemblies

Engineering Principles for Low Loss, High Power, and Coaxial Cables.

Understand construction, impedance and shielding to make better performance decisions.

Page Engineering Value Statement

Cable Fundamentals provides engineers with an in-depth understanding of RF cable types, coaxial assemblies, impedance, frequency response, shielding, and performance considerations across automotive, aerospace, and telecom applications.

What this module covers

Construction, impedance, shielding, frequency response, and practical constraints — structured for engineering decisions.

Primary keywords

RF Cable Fundamentals

Focus

Loss · Power · Coax

Article list

Cable Fundamentals by topic

Each guide is written for a specific engineering question.

How to Identify 50 Ohm vs 75 Ohm Coaxial Cable and Connectors

Learn how to identify 50 Ohm vs 75 Ohm coaxial cable and connectors using cable markings, part numbers, datasheets, multimeter checks, and TDR verification.

How Conductor Material Affects Signal Performance in RF Coaxial Cables

Conductor material changes RF cable loss through electrical resistance, surface conductivity, and conductor construction. This article compares bare copper, silver plated copper, copper clad steel, and copper clad aluminum, then explains how to verify the selection through target frequency attenuation and finished cable assembly data.

How Coaxial Cable Construction Affects Impedance, Loss, and Connector Fit

Learn how coaxial cable construction affects impedance, loss, shielding, connector fit, and RF cable assembly testing for antenna and communication links.

What Determines the Characteristic Impedance of a Coaxial Cable

Learn what determines coaxial cable characteristic impedance, including conductor geometry, dielectric material, connector transition, and RF test results.

What Does 50 Ohm Mean in an RF Cable Assembly

Learn what 50 ohm means in an RF cable assembly, how it differs from DC resistance, and what buyers should check before ordering custom cable assemblies.

OBD Connector: Pinout, Versions, and Telematics Connection Boundaries

Learn what an OBD connector is, how the 16-pin OBD-II port is assigned, how OBD-I and OBD-II differ, and where telematics RF connections begin.

Access impedance calculators, frequency response charts, and compatibility tables.

Request a Custom RF Solution

Share frequency range, impedance, routing constraints, power level, and environment. We will recommend a cable family and validation path.