In observance of the Fourth of July holiday, Fairview Microwave will be closed on Friday, July 3rd. Normal operations will resume on Monday, July 6. 500 Internal Server Error Oops, something went wrong. # Internal server error, refresh the page or contact us if the problem persists. Oops, something went wrong. # Internal server error, refresh the page or contact us if the problem persists. Signing Out Cancel Continue as Guest by Peter McNeil | Mar 21, 2023 Share now Thermal vacuum testing is performed on a wide variety of materials, devices, and systems to either evaluate the test subjects in a simulated space environment or to condition the subjects in a space-like environment. This is a critical stage in the burn-in, break-in, or conditioning of a wide range of materials and RF devices/systems. This is also a critical tool for evaluating materials and construction methods for their viability in space or low-pressure environments. A thermal vacuum chamber is simply a sealed vacuum chamber that has some method of precisely controlling the internal radiated temperature using cooling or heating. As the environment inside is extremely low pressures, any outgassing or material degradation that results in fluid or gas leaks can be detected. Knowing the outgassing potential or material degradation that results in liquid, gas, or particulate leaks or emissions is essential in precision sealed environments, as these undesirable contaminants can potentially damage, degrade, or even destroy other components sensitive to contamination within the sealed environment. Thermal vacuum chambers are also useful for prototype or developmental testing of electronics and other hardware components including coaxial cable assemblies . Within a strong vacuum there is very little atmosphere to interact with electrical and electronic components, and it may be a more desirable environment in which to perform burn-ins or life-cycle testing. Beyond space testing, it may also be useful for testing aerospace materials and hardware in a thermal vacuum chamber, as the environment inside can be precisely controlled enough to simulate high altitudes as well. This could apply to manned and/or unmanned systems. There are also other phenomena of concern to electrical and electronic systems outside of outgassing while in low pressure environments. One of these is multiplication, multipactor effect, or multipactor discharge. This occurs in an RF environment at very low pressures, where under certain conditions a secondary electron emission within resonance with an alternating field can lead to electron multiplication. In other words, an electron avalanche can occur in vacuum or very low pressure where electron collisions induced by RF fields can lead to additional electrons being emitted and accelerated by the RF EM fields. If the conditions are right, the electron avalanche can grow exponentially and lead to substantial electron discharges that could damage sensitive RF electronics or even vaporize dielectric or conductor materials within an RF environment. If this occurs within an RF transmission line, such as a coaxial cable assembly, the ionized gas particles created by the vaporization could collect within the RF transmission line and lead to ionization breakdown. Related articles Key Takeaways RF cables are designed specifically for high-frequency signal transmission, unlike standard electrical wires. Most RF cables use coaxial construction to maintain impedance control and minimize signal loss. Shielding plays a critical role in protecting RF signals from electromagnetic interference. Different RF cable types are optimized for frequency range, flexibility, power handling, and environment. How an RF Cable Works An RF cable works by transmitting high-frequency electrical signals from one component to another while minimizing signal loss and interference. The signal travels through the center conductor, while the surrounding dielectric maintains a consistent spacing that controls impedance. The outer shielding confines the electromagnetic field within the cable and blocks external interference, ensuring stable and reliable signal transmission. This controlled structure allows RF cables to carry signals over a wide frequency range with minimal reflection, attenuation, and noise, critical for RF, microwave, and high-speed communication systems. Common Types of RF Cables RF cables are available in several types, each designed to meet specific performance and installation requirements. Flexible RF coaxial cables are widely used due to their ease of routing and versatility in general RF applications. Semi-rigid RF cables provide superior phase stability and low loss, making them ideal for high-frequency and precision systems. Low-loss RF cables are engineered with advanced dielectric materials to reduce attenuation over longer distances. High-frequency and microwave cables are optimized for gigahertz-level performance, supporting applications such as radar, satellite communications, and test and measurement environments. Key Applications of RF Cables RF cables are essential components across numerous industries where high-frequency signal integrity is critical. They are commonly used to connect antennas, transmitters, receivers, and amplifiers in wireless communication systems. In test and measurement setups, RF cables ensure accurate signal delivery between instruments and devices under test. RF cables also play a vital role in aerospace, defense, broadcasting, medical equipment, and industrial automation, where reliable and interference-free signal transmission is required under demanding operating conditions. For Engineers & Designers Select RF cables based on frequency range, impedance (50Ω or 75Ω), and loss requirements. Minimize adapters and transitions to reduce signal reflections. Consider environmental conditions such as temperature, vibration, and moisture. For Installers & Maintenance Teams Avoid tight bends beyond the cable’s specified bend radius. Ensure connectors are properly torqued to maintain signal integrity. Inspect cables regularly for jacket damage or connector wear. Peter McNeil | Jan 31, 2023 | RF Testing In the previous blogs in this series, the basics of dielectric measurement with RF equipment was discussed. This also included a highlight of two common methods of dielectric characterization using VNAs, transmission/reflection line method and Open-ended coaxial probe method. This section provides more insight into the free space method and resonant methods. Like other dielectric measurement methods, the methods described here make use of VNAs, Coaxial Cable Assemblies , High-speed End Launch Connectors , Coaxial GS/GSG Probes and Probe Positioner , various Waveguide hardware, and Waveguide Antennas . Join our mailing list Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and product information First name Last name