GORE® PHASEFLEX® Microwave/RF Test Assemblies
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Microwave/RF Test Assemblies Together, improving life

Reduce total cost of test with durable, reliable performance GORE® PHASEFLEX® Microwave/RF Test Assemblies provide excellent loss and phase stability with flexure for test applications that require precise, repeatable measurements, and electrical performance up to 110 GHz. GORE® PHASEFLEX® Microwave/RF Test Assemblies have a durable construction with inner layers that provide excellent electrical performance, as well as outer layers that provide mechanical protection to allow these test assemblies to perform throughout the life of a system, and reduce the need for replacement cables. GORE®...

Figure 1: The anatomy of GORE® PHASEFLEX® Microwave/RF Test Assemblies Braided jacket Outer binder Braided strength member Crush member Inner jacket Inner braid Electrical shield ePTFE dielectric Center conductor Rugged Construction Delivers Longer Service Life The consistent performance and reliability of GORE® PHASEFLEX® Microwave/RF Test Assemblies increase the interval between time-consuming calibrations of the test system, which in turn increases throughput and reduces the total cost of test. With a unique construction that is more durable, these cables allow for a small bend radius...

Precise and Repeatable Measurements The exceptional phase and amplitude stability of GORE® PHASEFLEX® Microwave/RF Test Assemblies ensures accurate and repeatable measurements. Although all of these assemblies exceed specifications for phase and amplitude stability, additional testing is performed on assemblies using cable types 0U, 0T, 0D, 0Z and 0F to guarantee their phase and amplitude performance with flexure (Table 1). While all other cable types (0Y, 0H, 0X, 0S, 0Q, 0P, 0M, 0W, 0R, 5R, 0K, 0N, CX) do not under go this guaranteed stability testing, phase and amplitude stability...

Table 2: Test Assembly Specifications up to 18 GHz1 Electrical Properties 1 The electrical specifications in this table are based on a 0.91 m (36 in) assembly length and maximum frequency with straight connectors. 2 When cable is wrapped 360° around a 57 mm (2.25 in) radius mandrel. 3 Per MIL-STD-1344, method 3008. 4 When bent ± 90° at a radius that is twice the minimum bend radius, test assembly performs reliably through the stated flex cycles. GORE® PHASEFLEX® Microwave/RF Test Assemblies 5

Unlike conventionally designed RF test assemblies, GORE® PHASEFLEX® Microwave/RF Test Assemblies maintain excellent phase and amplitude stability with flexure. When tested right out of the box, the insertion loss traces for these assemblies were smooth indicating stable electrical performance compared to other assemblies that were fairly rough, which may indicate electrical problems in the future (Figure 2). Figure 4: Phase Stability with Flexure of New Cables 6.0 Alternative Test Assembly 1 Reliable Performance Now and Over Time GORE® PHASEFLEX® Microwave/RF Test Assemblies Alternative...

High phase and amplitude stability at an affordable price for high-density and modular test applications Courtesy of Keysight Technologies, Inc. For complex instruments connecting up to 32 or more assemblies to test microwave/RF components and high-speed devices and assemblies, GORE® PHASEFLEX® Microwave/RF Test Assemblies Type 0N delivers consistent, repeatable measurements with stable electrical performance up to 50 GHz. The combination of protection and performance coupled with the reduced size and weight makes Type 0N cables ideal for modular, multi-port VNAs, and multi-site test...

110 GHz Test Assemblies Gore's 110 GHz ruggedized cable assemblies can be flexed, formed or repositioned without damage while providing excellent stability with flexure and temperature and while maintaining excellent insertion loss and VSWR (Figures 7 and 8). These assemblies provide reliable electrical and mechanical performance (Table 4). Table 4: 110 GHz Test Assembly Specifications1 Electrical Properties 1 The electrical specifications in this table are based on a 16 cm (6.3 in) assembly length. 2 When cable is bent 90° around a 25.4 mm (1 in) radius mandrel. 3 MIL-STD-1344, method...

Thermal Vacuum Assemblies Connector Options GORE® PHASEFLEX® Microwave/RF Test Assemblies are available for thermal vacumm (TVac) applications. The cable and connector options listed in this data sheet are all available for TVac applications by configuring the part number with T/V at the end. Connectors available (Table 5) for GORE® PHASEFLEX® Microwave/RF Test Assemblies are specifically engineered to optimize performance of the assembly. These assemblies will be manufactured using low outgassing materials having a TML of 1.0% or less and CVCM of 0.10% or less when tested per ASTM-595....

Table 5: Connector Options Gore Cable Type 1 The maximum operating frequency of a test assembly is determined as the lowest frequency of either the connectors or the cable. 10 GORE® PHASEFLEX® Microwave/RF Test Assemblies

The GORE™ Microwave/RF Assembly Builder is a step-by-step tool that allows you to configure and request a quote for an assembly with different connector options, assembly lengths, and frequencies. For more information, visit gore.com/rfcablebuilder. The GORE™ Microwave/RF Assembly Calculator is an online tool that calculates and compares the insertion loss, VSWR, and other parameters for various cable types. For more information, visit tools.gore.com/gmcacalc. GORE® PHASEFLEX® Microwave/RF Test Assemblies 11

NOTICE — USE RESTRICTIONS APPLY Not for use in food, drug, cosmetic or medical device manufacturing, processing, or packaging operations. W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. 555 Paper Mill Road, Newark, DE 19711 UNITED STATES T +1 302 738 4880 F +1 302 738 7710 gore.com GORE, Together, improving life, PHASEFLEX, the purple cable and designs are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates. ©2020 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.