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Frequency
Power Rating (Peak and Average)
Insertion Loss
VSWR
The
frequency, power rating, I.L. and
VSWR are probably the paramount requirements
in designing a cable assembly. These
four requirements will probably define
the cable type and the connectors
to be used.
Electrical
Length
Phase
Delay Time
Any
requirements on electrical length,
phase, or delay time of a cable assembly
are directly affected by the cable
velocity of propagation and the operating
frequency. The engineering department
at Astrolab can help you define these
parameters.
Astrolab
will also design and manufacture phase
matched cable assemblies or delay
lines to your specifications.
Limits
on Signal Leakage and Interference
Any
limits on signal leakage will effect
the selection of cable regarding the
cable shielding.
Astrolab
is able to design and manufacture
custom cable to your exact specifications.
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Cable
Assembly Length
Cable
assembly length is defined as the
distance between the reference planes
or center lines of the connectors.
See the “cable assembly length
tolerance table” in this section
for standard tolerances on lengths.
Astrolab
can manufacture cable assemblies to
tighter length tolerances.
Pre-Defined
Cable Routing
This
generally requires a semi-rigid cable
that is bent to a pre-defined form
or shape to fit the application. Astrolab
can manufacture and form semi-rigid
cable assemblies that meet exact customer
requirements.
Pre-Defined
Connector Type and Gender
On
a system where ports are already defined,
the connector type and gender are
pre-determined. You, however, must
determine whether a “straight”
connector will suffice or if you need
a “sweep” or “right
angle” connector. The connector
mounting (bulkhead, flange or none)
should also be considered. Of course,
you must verify that the selected
connector will support the frequency
and power requirements of the application.
See the “connector selection
guide” within this section.
Physical
Size Limitations
Weight
Physical
size limitations and weight are always
factors when selecting cable and connectors.
Space applications are especially
sensitive to these requirements.
Flexing
Conditions
The
bend radius, flex angle, number of
flexes, rate of flexure, distance
from anchor point etc. all contribute
to the selection of the appropriate
cable for your flexing condition.
Astrolab already has or can design
a cable to meet your flexing requirement(s)
from semi-rigid cables which are typically
flexed only once to ever-flex®,
which can flex up to 3,000,000 times.
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Temperature
Extremes
Altitude
Space Environment
Cable
assemblies operating at extreme temperature,
altitude or in a space environment
will require special materials or
special conditioning of the materials
that are used in both the cable and
the connectors. Pre-conditioning,
thermal cycling and outgassing using
Astrolab's established procedures
allow cable assemblies to be used
in these environments.
Humidity
Corrosive Environments
Abrasive Environments
If
a cable assembly will be subjected
to the elements, Astrolab offers three
levels of ruggedization, from polyolefin
sleeving (to protect against moisture
and solar radiation) to armor ruggedization
(with crush resistance up to 1,000
lbs/inch). For connector protection
consider plating the connector to
increase resistance to oxidation.
Some applications may require a hermetic
seal connector or an o-ring/gasket
fitted flange or bulkhead.
Vibration
Radiation
Handling,
transportation and end use determine
the vibration and radiation levels
that a cable assembly will be subjected
to. Astrolab can provide a cable assembly
for use in the seeker head of a missile
mounted on the wing tip of a high
performance fighter jet, or that must
survive the initial shock of a launch
and the continuous mechanical stress,
intense UV and gamma ray bombardment
on a orbiting satellite.
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