Overview

SIGNAL INTEGRITY WITH FLEXURE

Continuous improvements in avionics keep driving the military to update aircraft with cables that can transmit more data faster on digital networks. These aviation cables must also survive the most difficult conditions without breaking or failing, whether it’s constant flexing during installation or severe vibration during flight.

Gore offers a premier quadrax version for copper-based IEEE 1394b FireWire data links. GORE FireWire Cables are proven to transmit uninterrupted high-fidelity signals for interconnect solutions up to 30 m (100 ft.) at S400 data transfer rates in all aircraft environments.

Using a diamond-shaped eye mask test with minimum receiver sensitivity specified by IEEE 1394b, we evaluated the signal integrity of our cable before and during flexure. As expected, it passed the eye mark with plenty of margin, showing that greater transmission length is possible. Even after we wrapped it around a mandrel 20 times, our cable still maintained reliable signal integrity.

During routing, aircraft maintainers can easily flex and tightly bend our cables in complex, tight systems without worrying about damage, failure or replacement costs.

LIGHTWEIGHT BUT DURABLE
Gore’s smaller-scale FireWire cables

Smaller-scale dimensions

This innovative quadrax design that we originally invented is about 40% smaller than dual twisted pair constructions. On average, GORE FireWire Cables are proven to save as much as 5.2 kg (11.5 lb.) per aircraft, delivering weight savings hard to achieve with alternative designs.

Even though these cables are smaller in scale, they still provide a protective barrier against tough maintenance and flight conditions thanks to our engineered fluoropolymers that add strength and a double-braided shield that safeguards wires.

Use reliable GORE FireWire Cables in your aircraft rather than wasting time and money replacing other cables that don’t perform as expected.

Construction of Gore FireWire Cables
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Engineered fluoropolymer jacket

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Double-braided shield

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ePTFE binder

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Silver-plated copper/SPC alloy conductor

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FEP filler

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Color-coded composite dielectric

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Durable, highly flexible materials of GORE FireWire Cables

FireWire is a trademark of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Applications

PROVEN PERFORMANCE ACROSS AIRCRAFT APPLICATIONS

The reliable signal integrity with flexure at higher data rates make GORE FireWire Cables the premier copper-based IEEE 1394b solution for a variety of applications, like:

  • avionics digital networks
  • flight control
  • networked video systems
  • mission systems

Our cables can also be terminated with a variety of leading high speed aerospace and defense connector systems and backshells, like ARINC and MIL-STD-38999 with size 8 and 22D contacts. If you have any questions or to discuss your specific application needs, contact a Gore representative today.

Features & Benefits

GORE FireWire Cables are engineered with unique features that make them more durable against challenging environmental factors and aircraft conditions, including:

  • original inventor of innovative quadrax design
  • smaller, lighter weight, highly flexible cable construction
  • chemically inert, temperature- and abrasion-resistant materials

Our cables provide aircraft system architects and engineers with many benefits that improve electrical, mechanical and environmental performance such as:

  • premier solution for copper-based IEEE 1394b FireWire data links
  • proven high fidelity signals with flexure up to 30 m (100 ft.) at S400 data transfer rates
  • protective barrier against complex installation and harsh mission conditions
  • small-scale design around 40% smaller than dual twisted pair constructions
  • lightweight design saves more than 5.2 kg (11.5 lb.) of weight per aircraft
  • easy routing in tight systems from greater flexibility and small bend radius
  • compatible with a variety of high-speed connector systems and backshells
  • selected pre-qualified samples with short lead times for prototyping and evaluation
  • low risk based on validated product performance in real-world conditions

For more information about the features and benefits of our cables, contact a Gore representative today.

Properties

These values demonstrate the electrical, mechanical and environmental performance of GORE FireWire for defense aircraft.

Electrical Property Value
Data Transmission Speed MB/s 400
Standard Impedance Ohms 110 +6/-4
Typical Operating Voltage V < 15
Nominal Velocity of Propagation % 80
Nominal Time Delay ns/m (ns/ft) 4.10 (1.25)
Capacitance pF/m (pF/ft) (26 AWG) 36.1 (11.0)
Typical Skew Within Pair ps/m (ps/ft) 3.5 (1.1)
Dielectric Withstanding Voltage Vrms
  Conductor-to-Conductor
  Conductor-to-Shield
 
1500
1000
Mechanical / Environmental Property Value
Jacket Material Engineered Fluoropolymer
Jacket Color White (Laser Markable)
Conductor Silver-Plated Copper/SPC Alloy
Conductor Color Coding Blue/Orange, Green/Red
Dielectric Material Expanded PTFE/PTFE
Temperature Range °C -65 to +200
Part Numbers & Drawings

We invite you to download our drawings to view cable characteristics, like diameter sizes, weight and attenuation values.

Part Number AWG Size (Stranding)
RCN8645 22 (19/34)
RCN8647 24 (19/36)
RCN8652 26 (19/38)

Qualifications

GORE FireWire Cables have undergone substantial qualification testing to ensure they meet the most current industry standards and our customers' requirements.

For more information about the qualifications of our cables, contact a Gore representative today.

More Information

LEARN MORE ABOUT GORE FIREWIRE CABLES OR ORDER NOW

With proven flexibility and reliability transferring S400 data rates, GORE FireWire Cables are available for purchase through Gore’s trusted distributors. To learn more or to discuss your exact application, contact a Gore representative today. You can also request tested, prequalified complimentary samples, which will arrive within 48 hours of your request to confirm the quality of our product in your application.

Resources

Recent News

Press Release

W. L. GORE & ASSOCIATES TO PRESENT NEW MOSA PAPER AT GVSETS CONFERENCE

Posted August 11, 2023

W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) will present a new Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) technical paper at the Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering & Technology Symposium & Modernization Update (GVSETS) on Tuesday, August 15, in Novi, Mich.

Event

Meet Gore at the Paris Air Show

June 19, 2023 - June 25, 2023

Visit our Booth 2C-C358 to see GORE® Cables and Materials that have been proven and trusted over time in fighter jets, rotorcraft and passenger airliners. Reserve your time slot now for a 1-on-1 discussion to talk with us about your latest airframe and aviation system developments.

Event

Visit Gore at the Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit (AAAA)

April 26, 2023 - April 29, 2023

Stop by Booth 1023 and ask to see our demonstrations to watch how GORE® Cables and Materials perform reliably before and after installation and over time. We’re also eager to hear about your latest airframe and aviation system developments and talk with you about our solutions to ensure mission performance and aircrew protection for FARA, FLRAA and enduring fleet.

Press Release

W. L. Gore & Associates Expands High-Speed Data Transmission Capabilities

Posted April 18, 2023

W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) announced today its new Cat8 ethernet cable for use in aerospace and defense platforms. The new Cat8 ethernet cable allows for four times the high-speed data transmission previously possible.

View all News & Events

FOR INDUSTRIAL USE ONLY

Not for use in food, drug, cosmetic or medical device manufacturing, processing, or packaging operations.