Overview

Military aircraft applications like inside-the-box and between-the-box systems often use traditionally designed flexible cables such as RG or semi-rigid cable assemblies that are somewhat stiff and difficult to route in confined areas. They can frequently fail and are difficult to replace — often involving costly configuration drawings, challenging installation procedures that are time-consuming, and longer aircraft downtime.

The military needs a more flexible cable assembly option that won’t break or fail during routing and can last over time to keep aircraft in operation longer and save money overall.

High Flexure with Stable Performance

GORE Microwave/RF Assemblies offer extremely flexible options that are proven to survive the rigors of handling and routing in tight configurations while maintaining low insertion loss, reliable VSWR and consistent phase/amplitude stability.

With a tight bend radius, aircraft maintainers will find our assemblies much easier to route in small, constricted spaces. They have a lightweight construction that’s more durable, so they’ll last as long as the aircraft stays in operation.

Consistent Performance Over Time

We offer a broad selection of interconnects operating at frequencies up to 67 gigahertz (GHz) that are well suited for many general purpose applications. Built with a unique proprietary insulation material, they deliver excellent electrical performance consistently over time while maintaining an impedance of 50 +/- 1 ohms to exceed typical industry standards.

Our assemblies also provide outstanding shielding effectiveness through 18 GHz at more than 90 dB. Since the connector choice determines a specific assembly's shielding effectiveness, we also offer a broad selection of connectors designed precisely for use with our assemblies. These connectors are engineered to complement the performance of each cable type, minimizing loss and reflection for optimized signal transmission.

GORE Microwave/RF Assemblies for general purpose applications are proven to maintain exceptional signal integrity with outstanding shielding effectiveness for longer service life, reduced aircraft downtime, and lower total cost of ownership for the military.

Durable, compact construction of GORE Microwave/RF Assemblies
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B
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D
E

Perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) Jacket

Fechar

Torque-resistant braid

Fechar

Helically-wrapped, silver-plated outer conductor

Fechar

Composite dielectric

Fechar

Silver-plated copper conductor

Fechar

Highly flexible design of GORE Microwave/RF Assemblies for General Purpose Applications

Applications

GORE Microwave/RF Assemblies are engineered to perform reliably in a variety of military aerospace applications, including:

  • antenna arrays
  • backplane interconnects
  • between-the-box connections
  • board-to-board systems
  • environmental test chambers
  • evaluation boards
  • inside-the-box systems
  • module-to-module interconnect
  • systems integration
  • test bench systems
  • thermal vacuum chambers

If you have any questions or to discuss your specific application needs, please contact a Gore representative.

Benefits

GORE Microwave/RF Assemblies for general purpose applications provide system architects and engineers with many benefits that improve electrical and mechanical performance such as:

  • broad selection of interconnects operating at frequencies up to 67 GHz
  • low insertion loss, reliable VSWR, consistent phase/amplitude stability during flexure
  • excellent electrical performance consistently over time for longer service life
  • impedance control of 50 +/- 1 ohms to exceed typical industry standards
  • outstanding shielding effectiveness at more than 90 dB through 18 GHz for less RF interference among systems
  • greater flexibility with a tight bend radius for easier routing in small configurations
  • improved fuel efficiency and increased payload with low-weight assemblies
  • less maintenance, reduced downtime and lower total cost of ownership
  • increased design flexibility with a variety of robust, low-profile connector options

For more information about the benefits of our assemblies, please contact a Gore representative.

Properties

These values demonstrate the electrical, mechanical and environmental performance of GORE Microwave/RF Assemblies for general purpose applications.

High-Density Interconnects

Electrical Propertya Cable Type
4L 53 G1 G4 54 89 55
Maximum Frequency (GHz) 18 18 18 18 40 40 67
Typical VSWR (dB through Max Frequency) 1.33:1 1.32:1 1.30:1 1.30:1 1.33:1 1.40:1 1.40:1
Typical Insertion Loss (dB) 1.58 1.26 0.77 0.75 1.93 1.60 2.58
Attenuation at Max
Frequency (dB/ft [dB/m])		 1.54
(5.04)		 1.13
(3.69)		 0.71
(2.33)		 0.63
(2.08)		 1.66
(5.45)		 1.63
(5.35)		 2.14
(7.02)
Standard Impedance (Ohms) 50 ± 1
Velocity of Propagation (Nominal) (%) 85
Time Delay (Nominal)
(ns/in [ns/cm])		 0.103
(0.04)
Shielding Effectiveness
(dB through Max Frequency)		 > 90
Dielectric Constant (Nominal) 1.4

aSpecifications based on a 12 in (0.3 m) assembly length and maximum frequency with straight connectors.

Mechanical / Environmental Property Cable Type
4L 53 G1 G4 54 89 55
Jacket Material PFA
Jacket Color Purple
Center Conductor Solid Solid Stranded Solid Solid Solid Solid
Dielectric Material ePTFE
Nominal Outer Diameter (in [mm]) 0.047
(1.2)		 0.070
(1.8)		 0.120
(3.0)		 0.120
(3.0)		 0.070
(1.8)		 0.085
(2.2)		 0.070
(1.8)
Nominal Weight (oz/ft [g/m]) 0.06
(5.6)		 0.12
(11.5)		 0.32
(29.5)		 0.32
(29.5)		 0.12
(11.5)		 0.14
(13.1)		 0.12
(11.5)
Minimum Bend Radius (in [mm]) 0.25
(6.4)		 0.40
(10.2)		 0.50
(12.7)		 0.50
(12.7)		 0.40
(10.2)		 0.50
(12.7)		 0.40
(10.2)
Temperature Range (°C) -55 to +125

Multi-Purpose Interconnects

Electrical Propertya Cable Type
G2 G5 G7 G9 GD 4Y 2Z 4F
Maximum Frequency (GHz) 18 18 26.5 26.5 40 40 50 67
Typical VSWR
(dB through Max Frequency)		 1.19:1 1.19:1 1.17:1 1.17:1 1.30:1 1.30:1 1.26:1 1.30:1
Typical Insertion Loss (dB) 1.36 1.13 1.71 1.43 2.65 2.65 3.78 5.84
Attenuation at Max Frequency (dB/ft [dB/m]) 0.40
(1.30)		 0.32
(1.06)		 0.50
(1.62)		 0.40
(1.30)		 0.78
(2.57)		 0.78
(2.57)		 1.26
(4.13)		 1.83
(5.99)
Typical Phase Stability (Degree) +/- 2.0 +/- 2.0 +/- 3.0 +/- 3.0 +/- 5.0 +/- 5.0 +/- 6.0 +/- 8.0
Typical Amplitude Stability (dB) < +/- 0.05
Standard Impendence (Ohms) 50 ± 1
Velocity of Propagation (Nominal) (%) 85
Time Delay (Nominal)
(ns/in [ns/cm])		 0.103
(0.04)
Shielding Effectiveness
(dB through Max Frequency)		 > 90
Dielectric Constant (Nominal) 1.4

a Specifications based on a 36 in (0.9 m) assembly length and maximum frequency with straight connectors.

Mechanical / Electrical Property Cable Type
G2 G5 G7 G9 GD 4Y 2Z 4F
Jacket Material PFA
Jacket Color Purple
Center Conductor Stranded Solid Stranded Solid Solid Solid Solid Solid
Dielectric Material ePTFE
Nominal Outer Diameter (in [mm]) 0.19
(4.8)		 0.19
(4.8)		 0.19
(4.8)		 0.19
(4.8)		 0.16
(4.1)		 0.15
(3.8)		 0.14
(3.6)		 0.12
(3.0)
Nominal Weight (oz/ft [g/m]) 0.60
(55.8)		 0.60
(55.8)		 0.60
(55.8)		 0.60
(55.8)		 0.39
(36.1)		 0.39
(36.1)		 0.35
(32.8)		 0.32
(29.5)
Minimum Bend Radius (in [mm]) 1.0
(25.4)		 1.0
(25.4)		 1.0
(25.4)		 1.0
(25.4)		 1.0
(25.4)		 1.0
(25.4)		 1.0
(25.4)		 0.5
(12.7)
Temperature Range (°C) -55 to +125

High Power / Low Loss Interconnects

Electrical Propertya Cable Type
G3 G6 8W
Maximum Frequency (GHz) 18
Typical VSWR
(dB through Max Frequency)		 1.24:1 1.22:1 1.28:1
Typical Insertion Loss (dB) 1.00 0.80 0.75
Attenuation at Max Frequency (dB/ft [dB/m]) 0.26
(0.84)		 0.21
(0.68)		 0.19
(0.63)
Typical Phase Stability (Degree) +/- 6.0 +/- 8.0 +/- 15.0
Typical Amplitude Stability (dB) < +/- 0.05
Standard Impendence (Ohms) 50 ± 1
Velocity of Propagation (Nominal) (%) 85
Time Delay (Nominal)
(ns/in [ns/cm])		 0.103
(0.04)
Shielding Effectiveness
(dB through Max Frequency)		 > 90
Dielectric Constant (Nominal) 1.4

a Specifications based on a 36 in (0.9 m) assembly length and maximum frequency with straight connector.

Mechanical / Electrical Property Cable Type
G3 G6 8W
Jacket Material PFA
Jacket Color Purple
Center Conductor Stranded Solid Solid
Dielectric Material ePTFE
Nominal Outer Diameter (in [mm]) 0.29
(7.4)		 0.29
(7.4)		 0.32
(8.1)
Nominal Weight (oz/ft [g/m]) 1.41
(131.2)		 1.41
(131.2)		 1.55
(144.4)
Minimum Bend Radius (in [mm]) 1.5
(38.1)		 1.5
(38.1)		 2.0
(50.8)
Temperature Range (°C) -55 to +125

Videos

Watch these videos and more on YouTube of Gore engineers demonstrating the benefits of GORE Microwave/RF Assemblies for general purpose applications.

Part 1: Our application engineer demonstrates the high flexibility and tight bend radius of our Type 4L at the MIDDLE of the cable.

Part 2: Our application engineer demonstrates the high flexibility and tight bend radius of our Type 4L at the CONNECTOR.

Online Tools

Easy to Use, Fast Results

Gore’s online resources are designed specifically to make it easy for you to select the right microwave/RF assembly for your specific application requirements.

NEW Microwave/RF Cable Assembly Builder allows you to design a Microwave/RF Cable Assembly with ease from your desktop, tablet or mobile phone. Whether you are working in Test & Measurement, Spaceflight, Aerospace or Defense you can design an RF cable assembly to meet your specific needs. Once you design your assemblies you’ll be able to download custom datasheets for your builds within minutes, and you can also submit the builds for a quote. A Gore specialist will then review your designs and application requirements.

Microwave/RF Cable Assembly Calculator allows you to calculate insertion loss, VSWR and other parameters of Gore’s assemblies for different cable types. Select and compare up to 3 cables at a time.

If you have questions about our assemblies and want to discuss your specific application needs, please contact a Gore representative.

Resources

GORE® Microwave/RF Assemblies, General Purpose Type 4L

Technical Note: GORE® Microwave/RF Assemblies, General Purpose Type 4L

Technical Information, 768.15 KB

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