Overview

The aerospace environment routinely exposes microwave/RF assemblies to harsh contaminants such as fuels, oils, and chemicals that can quickly degrade aircraft structures and cause assembly failure in sensitive avionics. In fact, globally more than 75% of microwave/RF assemblies are frequently replaced because of damage during installation or operation according to our independent studies and research. Costs can quickly add up with replacing assemblies, extra labor, and more maintenance and downtime!

VAPOR-SEALED FOR DURABLE PERFORMANCE

GORE Microwave/RF Assemblies, 7 Series is engineered precisely to prevent the ingress of water vapor, fuel, and other hazardous contaminants. They routinely maintain low insertion/return loss and excellent phase stability at frequencies up to 18 gigahertz (GHz).

Not only that, our robust assemblies provide outstanding shielding effectiveness against electromagnetic interference that can compromise signal integrity and reduce the quality of signal transmission. We also offer robust, low-profile connector options designed specifically to complement assembly performance, minimizing loss and reflection for optimized signal transmission.

When it comes to installation, aircraft maintainers will find it much easier to route our assemblies in confined areas because they’re smaller and more flexible with a tighter bend radius. You can be confident that our 7 Series won’t break or fail during routing, like other standard assemblies that are more rigid.

The 7 Series is thoroughly tested and qualified with approved aerospace materials for commercial airborne applications. All of this means superior performance over the aircraft’s lifetime, fewer replacements, reduced system downtime, and lower total costs.

MRF Assembly 7 Series cross section
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Engineered fluoropolymer jacket

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Vapor barrier

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Intermediate layer

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Torque-resistant braid

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Helically-wrapped, silver-plated outer conductor

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Composite dielectric

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Silver-plated copper conductor

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Vapor-sealed construction of GORE Mircowave/RF Assemblies, 7 Series

Applications

GORE Microwave/RF Assemblies, 7 Series is engineered to perform reliably in a variety of commercial airborne applications, including:

  • L-Band Air-to-Ground (ATG) networks
  • active electronically-steered phase arrays
  • GPS connectivity
  • Iridium
  • Ku-Band SATCOM antennas
  • SwiftBroadband

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

Benefits

GORE Microwave/RF Assemblies, 7 Series provides system architects and engineers with many benefits that improve electrical and mechanical performance such as:

  • durable vapor sealing prevents the ingress of water vapor and hash contaminants
  • maintains low insertion/return loss with excellent phase stability up to 18 GHz
  • less RF interference among electronic systems due to outstanding shielding effectiveness
  • smaller diameters with greater flexibility and tighter bend radius for ease of installation
  • longer system life for reduced downtime and less total costs
  • increased design flexibility with robust, low-profile connector options
  • proven performance with approved aerospace materials through qualification testing

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

Properties

These values demonstrate the electrical, mechanical and environmental performance of GORE Microwave/RF Assemblies, 7 Series.

Download the catalog / data sheets for more technical information, including qualifications, connector options and ordering information.

Electrical Property Cable Type
7E 7L 7M
Maximum Frequency (GHz) 18 7 2
Maximum VSWR (dB through Max Frequency)
  Straight-to-Straight Connector
  Straight-to-Right Angle Connector
 
1.25:1
1.30:1
 
1.25:1
1.30:1
 
1.25:1
1.30:1
Maximum Insertion Loss (dB/m [dB/ft]) 0.62 (0.19) 0.33 (0.10) 0.13 (0.04)
Standard Impendance (Ohms) 50 ± 1 50 ± 1 50 ± 1
Velocity of Propagation (Nominal) (%) 85 85 85
Time Delay (Nominal) ns/m [ns/ft]) 3.94 (1.20) 3.94 (1.20) 3.94 (1.20)
Capacitance (pF/m [pF/ft]) 85.3 (26.0) 85.3 (26.0) 85.3 (26.0)
Shielding Effectiveness (dB through Max Frequency) > 90 > 90 > 90
Dielectric Constant (Nominal) 1.4 1.4 1.4
Dielectric Withstanding Voltage (Vrms)
  Conductor-to-Conductor
  Conductor-to-Shield
 
1500
1000
 
1500
1000
 
1500
1000
Mechanical / Environemtnal Property Cable Type
7E 7L 7M
Jacket Material Engineered Fluoropolymer
Jacket Color Purple Black Black
Center Conductor Solid, SPC Stranded, SPC Solid, SPC
Dielectric Material ePTFE
Nominal Outer Diameter (mm [in]) 8.5 (0.34) 12.3 (0.49) 14.4 (0.57)
Nominal Weight (g/m [lbs/1000 ft]) 150.9 (101.4) 262.0 (176.1) 328.0 (220.4)
Minimum Bend Radius (mm [in]) 50.0 (2.0) 62.5 (2.5) 80.0 (3.15)
Crush Resistance (kgf/cm [lb/in]) 8.95 (50.0) 8.95 (50.0) 8.95 (50.0)
Temperature Range (°C)a -58 to +200 -58 to +200 -58 to +200

aContact Gore for applications with an operating temperature > 175°C.

Online Tools

Easy to Use, Fast Results

Gore’s online resources are designed specifically to make it easy for you to select the right microwave/RF assembly for your specific application requirements.

Microwave/RF Cable Assembly Builder allows you to configure a Gore assembly for different cable types based on your application needs.  You can also request a quote.

Microwave/RF Cable Assembly Calculator allows you to calculate insertion loss, VSWR and other parameters of Gore’s assemblies for different cable types. Select and compare up to 3 cables at a time.

If you have questions about our assemblies and want to discuss your specific application needs, please contact a Gore representative.

Resources

Recent News

Press Release

W. L. Gore & Associates Adds New European Distributor for High-Speed Data Cables

Posted September 27, 2022

W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) announced today the addition of a new European distributor for its aerospace high-speed data cables. A.E. Petsche Company is now an authorized distributor for Gore’s entire selection of cables, including fiber optics, Ethernet, quadrax, HDMI, USB, shielded twisted pair, and more. Gore also offers higher-level cable protection systems and an abrasion-resistant cable jacket for packaging copper wires and cables.

Press Release

W. L. Gore & Associates Expands Mission Capabilities for Microwave RF Assemblies

Posted June 16, 2022

W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) announced a new higher-frequency 40Ghz option for its GORE-FLIGHT® Microwave Assemblies. The new option will help EW and C5ISR users and customers who want to transport electrical signals reliably with minimal size, weight and power. The newest capability for GORE-FLIGHT Microwave Assemblies will allow for higher frequency applications that will offer low loss, high integrity and greater longevity cables.

Event

See Gore Demos at the Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit (AAAA)

April 3, 2022 - April 5, 2022

Come by Booth 305 to watch demonstrations so you can see the durability and flexibility of GORE® Aerospace Cables and Materials and how they continually outperform leading alternatives before and after installation and over time.

Event

Join Us at the Aviation Forum

December 7, 2021 - December 8, 2021

Visit our Booth F16 to tell us about your latest airframe and aviation system developments and hear more about our solutions for the civil aerospace industry. We’re looking forward to meeting and talking in person again after so long!

View all News & Events

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