News and New Products

This pipe leaks RF yet needs no plumber

By Bill Schweber -- EDN, 10/16/2003

When you need to flood a wide but defined area with RF energy, such as for perimeter security systems, tunnels, and cellular- or 802.11-system interior zones, one approach is to use an RF-leaky feeder cable to provide controlled radiation. The Flexrad-600-DB flexible coaxial cable from Times Microwave Systems (part of Smiths Interconnect) can perform this task.

This rugged, watertight, PVC-jacketed cable operates as fast as 2.5 GHz and has a minimum bend radius of 1.5 in. (38 mm); overall diameter is 0.52 in. (13.2 mm). The 50Ω cable has attenuation of 1.34 dB/100ft (4.39 dB/100m) to 6.40 dB/100 ft (20.99 dB/100m) at 2.4 GHz. The cable sells for $1.30/ft ($4.27/m), and you can also order a halogen-free, low-smoke version, which many installations require.

Times Microwave Systems, 1-203-949-8400, www.timesmicrowave.com.