Ultra-fine coaxial cable length's critical impact on signal quality and application guidelines

Extremely thin coaxial cables (Micro Coaxial Cable) are widely used in fields such as smartphones, tablets, high-definition cameras, automotive electronics, and 5G communication equipment due to their slender structure and excellent high-frequency transmission performance. They excel in high-density wiring and fine signal transmission scenarios, but the influence of cable length on signal quality is also an important factor that must be paid attention to.

What is a Micro Coaxial Cable?
Micro coaxial cable is a highly precise coaxial cable with an extremely small diameter, typically ranging from 0.25mm to 1mm. It consists of a thin central conductor, insulating medium, woven or foil shielding layer, and an external protective layer. Compared with ordinary coaxial cables, micro coaxial cables are more suitable for applications with limited space and high bandwidth signal transmission requirements.

The specific impact of the length of ultra-fine coaxial cable on the signal
Signal Attenuation
Due to the small cross-sectional area of miniature coaxial cable and the relatively larger resistance of the conductor, significant attenuation of high-frequency signals occurs when the length increases. In the frequency range of several hundred MHz to GHz, even a slightly longer cable can cause a significant decrease in signal energy.
• Propagation Delay
The speed of signal transmission is affected by the dielectric constant of the cable material. The longer the cable, the greater the propagation delay. For high-speed digital signals, the delay difference may cause data synchronization issues.
 Impedance and Reflection
The standard impedance of Micro Coax is generally 50 ohms. The change in cable length may affect the impedance matching at the terminal, and excessive length can lead to signal reflection and waveform distortion.
Crosstalk and Noise
Although the shielding layer can effectively reduce interference, longer cables are more susceptible to external electromagnetic influences, thereby increasing crosstalk.

Suggestion for the application of ultra-fine coaxial cables of different lengths
• Camera module for mobile phone: The length of Micro Coax cable is generally controlled within a few centimeters to ensure clear and stable image signal.
5G RF link: cable length is strictly limited to avoid signal power loss and ensure high-speed data transmission.
 Automotive Electronics: In the limited space within a vehicle, Micro Coax is used for radar or sensor signal connections, and the length design directly affects detection accuracy.

Micro Coaxial Cable serves as an important medium for high-frequency and high-speed signal transmission, and its length has a significant impact on signal quality, especially in the GHz frequency band. Even slightly longer cables may cause noticeable attenuation and delay. Reasonably controlling cable length, selecting high-performance materials, and optimizing impedance matching are crucial for ensuring stable and reliable signal transmission.
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