GORE Microwave/RF Interconnect Solutions Assemblies Summary GORE Microwave/RF Assemblies have proven performance in major commercial, military, and space programs for over 30 years. These assemblies are small, flexible, and offer the security of proven reliability. They are easy to handle, allow a variety of interconnect options, facilitate routing, permit easy servicing, and are extremely robust. Thats why Gore is the preferred choice of major original equipment manufacturers when high performance and high reliability are needed. Cost Effective Flexibility A single, flexible GORE Microwave Assembly can replace several semi-rigid assemblies of equal or shorter lengths. This means fewer designs and no costly 3-D drawings or bending machines are required. Installation time is reduced with user friendly flexibility while risk of damage during installation is virtually eliminated. Risk-free, quick installation makes these cables cost effective. Reliably maximize flexibility and performance High Reliability Equals Long-Term Savings GORE Microwave Cable Assemblies are manufactured to Features and Benefits the same high standards that differentiate all Gore products worldwide. These assemblies offer proven solutions for low- Features Benefits loss, high-density, wide-bandwidth interconnect needs. Gores Various standard connector Simple, reliable, proven manufacturing facilities are ISO 9001 certified. options (push-on/blindmate solutions for most applications and threaded) Gores reliability reduces downtime, increases installation efficiency, and decreases troubleshooting requirements due Broad frequency range Single cable solution to interconnect failure. A wide variety of standard cable and (DC to 65 GHz) connector options are available to satisfy the interconnect needs Consistent products Reliable performance of most RF applications from DC to 65 GHz. Flexible Ease of installation Typical Applications: Low loss Longer distance, higher ATE Systems bandwidth Evaluation Test Boards Consistent frequency Low group delay Antenna Arrays response Backplane Interconnects Small bend radius Ease of routing in tight spaces Beam Forming Networks Shielding effectiveness Low crosstalk/noise pickup Clock Distribution greater than 90 dB/ft General Test Networks Small diameter cables Higher density options LMDS Systems (as small as 0.047 nominal) Module-to-Module OC192/OC768 Standard Interconnects DWDM SystemsAdvantages of Flexibility GORE Microwave Cable Assemblies are flexible, yet durable enough to withstand the rigors of installation. With an inherently flexible cable design, installation time is greatly reduced. GORE Microwave Cables are more practical than semi-rigid cables. Semi-rigid cables can be formed, but are not flexible. Manufacturers of semi-rigid cables typically recommend limitations on the number of rebends. While semi-rigid cables offer good stability, their mechanical properties make the cable impractical or difficult to use for many applications. In the end, the manufacturers recommendations are usually ignored at installation, stability is degraded, and service life is greatly shortened. GORE Microwave Cables outperform other flexible cables. Traditionally-designed flexible cables require a large bend radius Interconnect solutions include GORE RF Jumper Cable Assemblies and High-Density Assemblies to yield acceptable stability. The large bend radius and overall cable stiffness make them difficult to use especially in small or lightweight devices. When the cable is forced into a smaller bend Gore s ePTFE insulation with a low dielectric constant of 1.4 radius, performance degrades appreciably, service life is greatly offers: shortened, and devices may be damaged. Lower relative losses GORE Microwave Cable Assemblies provide all the benetfi s of Higher velocity of propagation (85% speed of light) flexibility without sacrificing performance. Fewer designs and no Lower capacitive loading costly 3-D drawings make installation cost effective. Higher cutoff frequencies (DC to 65 GHz) Advantages of Tape-Wrapped ePTFE Advantages of Helically-Wrapped Foil Shielding Gore originated the use of microporous expanded polytetra- Other traditionally-designed assemblies, such as RG-type, semi- ufl oroethylene (ePTFE) for microwave cables. Through our deep rigid, or solder-dipped round wire braid constructions, have some scientific understanding of fluoropolymers, the variability of pitfalls. For many years, RG-type cables served the industry as a the ePTFE dielectric is reduced so our cables provide consistent viable low-cost interconnect option. As modules become smaller performance. Our tape wrapping process and quality control and more densely packed and frequencies continue to increase, eliminates concentricity concerns and ensures constant impedance shielding effectiveness becomes more critical. RG constructions through the assembly. rely on round wire braid as an outer conductor. At only 1 GHz, a single braid layer can obtain shielding effectiveness of 40 dB. Additional layers may provide better shielding but the cable becomes increasingly more difficult to terminate and bend and still permits significant energy leakage at higher frequencies. Semi-rigid constructions theoretically offer better shielding effectiveness, but any benefits are offset by the difficulties encountered during installation. To fit in a 3-D setting or route through a panel or deck, pre-bent assemblies often need to be partially unbent. Tie-downs are necessary on longer runs to prevent vibration stress and insulating sleeving may be required to prevent shorting out exposed circuitry. During alignment, connectors can be subjected to high stress resulting in poor mating or damage.