15.12.2008
HUBER+SUHNER: Connect with the lowest insertion loss
In 1984 the microwave cable family SUCOFLEX 100 from HUBER+SUHNER revolutionised the markets and to this day - 25 years later - it has held its own as leading product. Now, the new SUCOFLEX 400 family is to continue this tradition and once again sets a new standard for microwave cable assemblies with unprecedented features.
Thanks to the extensive product range and outstanding electrical and mechanical characteristics, as well as unique reliability, the SUCOFLEX 100 became the top brand worldwide in the test+measurement, defence, instrumentation and space markets.
New requirements
In recent years, the requirements in these markets have undergone major changes, and have become more demanding. For example: vibration, shock, the lowest phase change in relation to temperature, rf-leakage, moisture, chemical resistance, weight, etc are of enormous importance in defence technology. In the T+M market requirements such as flexlife, small phase change vs. bending and torsion, high loss stability in the case of bending and shaking, etc have priority.
To better meet the specific market needs, HUBER+SUHNER started a major initiative with the goal of designing future products, each with a market focus. This meant nothing less than providing the tailor-made solution for each target group. Consequently, HUBER+SUHNER engineers have already successfully developed the SUCOFLEX 300 family for aerospace applications. The SUCOTEST cable family meets the needs of customers in the test + measurement market throughout the world.
SUCOFLEX 400 revolutionary
Thanks to a new, extruded ultra low density PTFE dielectric, with a dielectric constant (εr) of 1.26, the microwave cable generation SUCOFLEX 400 has what is currently the lowest insertion loss overall. Despite the high air proportion, however, the proven mechanical stability and reliability of the extruded dielectric has been preserved.
Another highlight of the very low dielectric constant is that CW power capability has been increased together with a very significant improvement in phase stability vs. temperature, which is an enormous advantage in applications such as phased array antenna systems and helps to simplify adjustment on radars.
The SUCOFLEX 400 family was developed for applications on the ground for defence technology, medical and space measurement technology applications, where the lowest loss, high performance and best phase stability vs. temperature and vs. bending, an excellent return loss and mechanical stability are of the utmost importance.
Diverse applications
The new microwave cable assembly is the ideal solution for different applications. In defence technology, it is primarily used in tactical and strategic communications and in electronic warfare (radar systems, etc). Phase-matched cable assemblies are in particular required in radar applications. HUBER+SUHNER offers complete relative or absolute sets of phase-, time-delay- or amplitude-matched SUCOFLEX 400 cable assemblies.
The special characteristics of the new cable assembly family make it equally the preferred solution for thermal vacuum tests in satellite components or entire satellites, as well as for applications in medical systems such as high frequency ablations of cancerous ulcers or connections between high frequency generators and probes.
SUCOFLEX 400 products have been tested in accordance with the relevant MIL specifications and standards and are as a result suitable for all kinds of ground applications in defence technology. The products will be subjected to a special TVAC test programme for thermal vacuum applications.
Unique centre-piece
SUCOFLEX 400 products are identical in design with the familiar SUCOFLEX 100 products. These have been regarded for over 20 years as extremely reliable and stable and are used in all kinds of applications. Only the new ULD - PTFE dielectric, the centre-piece of every microwave cable, has been completely redesigned and as a result has improved the electrical behaviour of the new cable. The connectors, likewise developed by HUBER+SUHNER, have been ideally adjusted to the cable in order to preserve the excellent return loss (VSWR) on the assembly.
Market launch
SUCOFLEX 400 products will be launched in the next few months on the relevant markets. The SUCOFLEX 404 with straight male SMA connector will be available as the first product as of late October. The SUCOFLEX 406 incl. N and TNC straight male connectors will follow at the beginning of the coming year. This cable will have the lowest loss of the family and consequently be the lowest loss product up to 18 GHz on the market. In the course of 2009, the connector range will be successively expanded. This will be followed by additional thinner versions with the lowest losses for frequencies up to 40 GHz, as well as additional jackets and armour for all kinds of applications.
Current HF systems for defence, medical and space applications must comply with the highest demands. For this reason, it is unavoidable that the accompanying connection components meet the highest demands as well. With the new SUCOFLEX 400 family, HUBER+SUHNER provides microwave cable assemblies which meet these demands.
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