Low-Loss Coax Cables for Wireless Applications

It may seem bizarre to say it, but a wireless network still needs cables. All the different parts of a wireless network, such as the access points, the amplifiers and antennas, all need cables to communicate with each another.

As antenna cables introduce signal loss in the antenna system for both the transmitter and receiver, it's vital to reduce the loss of signal. This means that you need to either reduce the cable length, if this is possible, and use only low-loss or ultra-low-loss coax cables when connecting the components.

Coaxial cable is one of the oldest signal cabling types and is still used today because it is robust and very good at carrying a signals over long distances. The term coaxial comes from the inner conductor and the outer shield sharing a geometric axis. The term "low-loss" refers to the cable's relative low-attenuation (loss) over distance. The general rule is that the thicker the cable is, the less loss of signal there will be over the length of the cable.

Historically, RG-style cables were the original standard for coaxial cable, but the signal in these cables degrades over longer distances. They are still absolutely fine for short distances, but in a wireless application it is critical to maintain the signal strength throughout the cable and until it is sent out through the antenna. So, low-loss coaxial cable was created offering lower attenuation and better shielding, a much better solution for wireless systems than the old-style cables. Low-loss coaxial cables also use solid centre conductors which provide lower attenuation than the stranded conductors found in a lot of RG-style coax cables.

Low-loss coaxial cables are ideal for use in WLAN, Cellular, PCS, ISM and many other wireless communications applications. They are offered in multiple sizes with a three-digit “series” number designating the thickness of the cable and the low-loss properties. For example, 400-series low-loss coax is thicker and has less loss than 200-series, and 200-series is thicker and has less loss than 100-series. While the thicker cable will provide less loss, it will also be heavier and less flexible, though ultra-flex versions of the thicker series cables do offer more flexibility.

Find out more by browsing our Coax Low-loss L-com Cable range, or contact our Technical Sales Team.