P1dB High-Performance Flex Cables
P1dB offers a variety of high-performance flex cables that are suited for test and measurement applications, as well installations that require RF stable cable assemblies. Our cable assemblies utilize coaxial cable designed to offer RF stability for general purpose use, as well as low-loss and phase-stable requirements. Depending on the coax, a variety of connector options are offered.
In order to determine the best cable that meets a specific requirement, first review the coax performance, then select from the connector options
Comparison of Coax Electrical Characteristics
160MP, 190MP and SS141 Coax
| Electrical | 190MP | 160MP | SS141 |
| Impedance | 50.00 | 50.00 | 50.00 |
| Velocity of Propagation (%) | 76.00 | 78.00 | 69.50 |
| Capacitance (pF/ft) | 25.00 | 26.00 | 29.40 |
| Breakdown Voltage (kV) | 1.70 | 1.20 | 1.20 |
| Cutoff Frequency (GHz) | 26.50 | 40.00 | 33.00 |
| Shielding Effectiveness (dB) | >90 | >90 | >90 |
Comparison of RF Attenuation
160MP, 190MP and SS141 Coax
The 190MP coax is the best selection for applications that operate below 27 GHz. Its loss at 26 GHz is only 0.49 fB/ft. The next lowest loss coax is the 160MP, whose low capacitance produces a loss of .65 dB/ft. It is a smaller diameter coax, which is a good alternative when high-performance flex cables are needed. P1dB's SS141 is the most cost-effective high-performance coax, which is best suited for production testing, where phase stability is not as critical.
| Attenuation (dB/ft) | 190MP | 160MP | SS141 |
| 2.5 GHz | 0.16 | 0.18 | 0.26 |
| 5 GHz | 0.20 | 0.23 | 0.34 |
| 7.5 GHz | 0.24 | 0.29 | 0.39 |
| 10 GHz | 0.28 | 0.33 | 0.48 |
| 12.5 GHz | 0.33 | 0.38 | 0.56 |
| 15 GHz | 0.37 | 0.42 | 0.62 |
| 17.5 GHz | 0.41 | 0.48 | 0.68 |
| 20 GHz | 0.45 | 0.52 | 0.77 |
| 26 GHz | 0.49 | 0.65 | 0.88 |
| 33 GHz | N/A | 0.74 | N/A |
| 40 GHz | N/A | 0.91 | N/A |
Comparison of Coax Mechanical Characteristics
160MP, 190MP and SS141 Coax
All three flex cables are able to operate at an industrial temperature of -55 to +125° C. The best cable with the smallest bend radius is the 160MP coax, which can support a 0.81-inch bend radius. The 160MP and the SS141 coax cables both have similar weights less than 0.5 oz/ft.
| Mechanical | 190MP | 160MP | SS141 |
| Nominal Diameter (in.) | 0.195 | 0.160 | 0.170 |
| Minimum Bend Radius (in.) | 1.00 | 0.81 | 1.00 |
| Temperature (deg C) | -65 to +204 | -65 to +200 | -55 to +204 |
| Weight (oz./ft) | 0.60 | 0.48 | 0.47 |
Comparison of Coax Construction
160MP, 190MP and SS141 Coax
Construction of the 160MP, 190MP and SS141 coax differ. The MP series coax utilize a microporous dielectric for low loss performance. The 190MP has only 2 shields, while the 160MP and SS141 have an additional shield that will provide the best isolation. All 3 coax designs offer isolation of >90 dB. The 160MP and the 190MP a silver-plated copper center conductor for increased flexibility. All the designs, the 160MP, 190MP, and the SS141, are built with an FEP jacket.
| Cable Materials | 190MP | 160MP | SS141 |
| Jacket | FEP | FEP | FEP |
| Outer Shield | Silver Plated Copper |
Silver Plated Copper |
Silver Plated Copper |
| Mid Shield | N/A | Aluminum Polymide Ribbon | Mylar Ribbon |
| Inner Shield | Flat silver plated copper strip | Flat silver plated copper strip | Flat silver plated copper strip |
| Dielectric | Micro-Porous PTFE | Micro-Porous PTFE | Solid PTFE |
| Center Conductor | Silver Plated Copper | Silver Plated Copper | Silver Plated Copper Clad Steel |
Connector Options
2.92mm, SMA, N, TNC, and More
P1dB connectors installed on high-performance coax are all precision designs that are build using Passivated Stainless Steel. Their contacts are Beryllium Copper for an increased life cycle. Standard connector options are 2.92mm, SMA, N, and TNC connectors, but other connector options are available upon request. The standard connector codes are shown below:
| Coax Code | 2.92mm Male | SMA Male (27 GHz) | SMA Male Right Angle | SMA Female | N Male | N Male Right Angle | N Female | TNC Male |
| 190MP | 29M (27 GHZ) | SAM | SAMRA | SAF | NM | NMRA | NF | TNM |
| 160MP | 29M (40 GHz) | SAM | ― | ― | ― | ― | ― | ― |
| SS141 | ― | SAM | SAMRA | SAF | NM | NMRA | NF | TNM |
Follow the steps below to build a high-performance cable assembly
1. Choose the preferred coax.
2. Select the connector codes from the above table. The 1st connector in the part number is the one that is the leftmost option in the table. For example, when building an SMA Female to 2.92mm Male, the 2.92mm connector must go 1st in the part number. The connector codes would, therefore, be 29MSAF.
3. Determine the desired length in inches or in centimeters.
CON2 = Connector 2 Code
COAX = Coax Code
XXX = Length in inches (12 inches = 12) or centimeters (12 cm = 12CM)