Overview

Maximum Flexibility, Excellent Electrical Performance

A recent study showed that globally more than 75% of microwave/RF cable assemblies are replaced frequently due to damage during installation or operation. GORE Microwave/RF Assemblies are extremely flexible and withstand the rigors of handling and installation. Unlike traditionally designed flexible cables that are more stiff and difficult to handle, Gore’s lightweight assemblies have a small bend radius that makes routing easy even in tight spaces, particularly in board-to-board and inside-the-box systems. Their smaller size and flexibility enable our cables to maintain signal integrity for a longer service life.

Precise and Repeatable Measurements

Our assemblies offer excellent electrical performance in applications from DC through 70 GHz. Gore’s expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) insulation has a dielectric constant of 1.4, which translates to:

  • low relative loss
  • high velocity of propagation (85% speed of light)
  • low capacitive loading
  • high cut-off frequencies

Protected by the inner braid and jacket, the outer conductor delivers a minimum of 100 dB/ft., of shielding effectiveness through 18 GHz.

Since a specific assembly’s shielding effectiveness is determined by the choice of connector, we offer a variety of standard connectors designed specifically for our assemblies. These connectors are engineered to complement the performance of each cable,
minimizing loss and reflection for optimized signal transmission.

Construction of GORE® Microwave/RF Assemblies
Microwave/RF Assemblies, General Purpose Solutions
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Perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) jacket

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Torque-resistant braid

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Helically wrapped, silver-plated outer conductor

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Silver-plated copper conductor

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ePTFE dielectric

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Applications

GORE Microwave/RF Assemblies are engineered to perform reliably in a variety of test and measurement applications, including:

  • antenna arrays
  • ATE systems (automated test equipment)
  • backplane interconnects
  • board-to-board
  • clock distribution
  • environmental test chambers
  • evaluation boards
  • inside-the-box
  • load boards
  • module-to-module interconnect
  • optical modules
  • telecommunication systems
  • test bench systems
  • thermal vacuum chambers

If you have any questions or to discuss your specific application needs, please contact a Gore representative.

Benefits

GORE Microwave/RF Assemblies provide manufacturers with many benefits that improve electrical and mechanical performance such as:

  • reliable signal integrity over longer distances with low loss up to 70 GHz
  • reliable, repeatable electrical performance with consistent phase and amplitude stability
  • easy installation with flexible construction and small bend radius
  • decreased weight with smaller diameter for higher density applications
  • design flexibility with a variety of interconnect options

For more information about the benefits of our cables, please contact a Gore representative.

Videos

Go to our YouTube Channel to watch these and other videos of Gore engineers demonstrating the benefits of GORE Microwave/RF Assemblies.

Part 1: Our application engineer demonstrates the high flexibility and tight bend radius of our Type 4L at the MIDDLE of the cable.

Part 2: Our application engineer demonstrates the high flexibility and tight bend radius of our Type 4L at the CONNECTOR.

Resources

GORE® Microwave/RF Assemblies, General Purpose Type 4L

Technical Note: GORE® Microwave/RF Assemblies, General Purpose Type 4L

Technical Information, 1.04 MB

Bringing Laboratory Performance and Precision Into the Field

Article - Bringing Laboratory Performance and Precision Into the Field

Industry Articles, 300.57 KB

Article: Antenna Systems & Technology 2015 – Mission-Critical Flight Line Testing

Article - Antenna Systems & Technology 2015 - Mission-Critical Flight Line Testing

Industry Articles, 1.21 MB

View all resources for GORE Microwave/RF Assemblies, General Purpose Test Solutions

Recent News

Press Release

GORE® PHASEFLEX® Microwave/RF Test Assemblies Honored, Set Gold Standard with Industry Innovators Award

Posted September 16, 2020

W. L. Gore & Associates announced that its GORE® PHASEFLEX® Microwave/RF Test Assemblies were recognized among the 2020 Military & Aerospace Electronics Innovators Awards. An esteemed and experienced panel of judges from the aerospace and defense community recognized Gore as a Gold honoree. These assemblies are being recognized for their durability and reliability for precision testing of electronic warfare (EW) / radar suites; electronic surveillance/counter measures; radar warning systems; missile approach warning systems; and navigation/communication systems.

Event

W. L. Gore & Associates Goes Virtual at IMS2020

August 4, 2020 - August 6, 2020

Due to the ongoing challenge of COVID-19, IMS2020 has been moved to virtual with live streaming. A key topic at the symposium is 5G connectivity, and Gore will present a portfolio of reliable microwave/RF test assemblies for 5G testing. We’ll describe how our cable assemblies provide durable, stable, and consistent performance to ensuring accurate and reliable testing results.

Press Release

Gore Launches New Online Microwave/RF Assembly Builder

Posted April 21, 2020

W. L. Gore & Associates has launched its updated GORE® Microwave/RF Assembly Builder, a step-by-step tool that allows the user to configure and request a quote for an assembly with a variety of connector & cable options, assembly lengths, and frequencies.

Event

Visit Gore at 2019 European Microwave (EuMW) Conference

September 29, 2019 - October 4, 2019

Visit us in Booth 1225 to see our full line of GORE® Microwave/RF Assemblies that have been proven in many test and measurement applications.

View all News & Events

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