Custom RF & Coaxial Cable Assemblies

Y.C. Cable manufactures custom RF and coaxial cable assemblies for automotive connectivity, telecommunications, wireless equipment, antennas, IoT devices, electronic systems, and other RF applications.

Assemblies are manufactured according to customer-approved drawings, BOMs, RF connector part numbers, coaxial cable specifications, impedance, frequency requirements, cable lengths, mechanical requirements, and testing criteria.

RF performance depends on the complete cable, connector, termination, assembly length, shielding, and interface design, so project-specific electrical requirements should be defined during quotation and manufacturing review.

RF Cable Assembly Configurations

Projects may include:

• Coaxial cable assemblies
• RF connector-to-connector assemblies
• Antenna cable assemblies
• Automotive RF cables
• Wireless communication cables
• Internal RF interconnects
• Single-ended RF cables
• Double-ended RF cables
• Shielded RF assemblies
• Custom-length coaxial cables

RF Connector Options

Depending on the customer-approved design, RF cable assemblies may use connector systems such as:

• FAKRA
• I-PEX
• SMA
• SMB
• BNC
• TNC
• N-Type
• MCX
• MMCX
• Other customer-specified RF connectors

For automotive RF connector systems, visit Custom FAKRA Cable Assemblies.

For compact RF and micro-coaxial applications, visit Custom I-PEX Cable Assemblies.

RF Electrical Requirements

RF cable assemblies should be defined around the electrical requirements of the intended interface.

Important project inputs may include:

• Required impedance
• Operating frequency range
• Coaxial cable manufacturer and part number
• Connector manufacturer and part number
• Assembly length
• Length tolerance
• Insertion-loss requirement
• Return-loss or VSWR requirement
• Shielding requirements
• Phase or electrical-length requirements when applicable
• Passive intermodulation requirements when applicable
• Other customer-defined RF acceptance criteria

These values should come from the approved system or product specification rather than assumptions based only on connector type.

Coaxial Cable Selection

Coaxial cable selection may depend on:

• Frequency range
• Impedance
• Cable diameter
• Attenuation requirements
• Flexibility
• Routing space
• Minimum bend radius
• Shield construction
• Connector compatibility
• Temperature
• Environmental conditions

The customer-specified cable part number is preferred when the RF system design is already released.

Cable Length & Connector Orientation

RF performance and installation can be affected by the mechanical configuration of the finished assembly.

Project documentation may define:

• Overall cable length
• Reference measurement points
• Straight or right-angle connectors
• Connector clocking or orientation
• Routing requirements
• Bend radius
• Installation space
• Strain relief
• Labels and identification

RF Testing Requirements

Testing should be defined according to the applicable RF design and customer requirements.

Depending on the project, requirements may include:

• Continuity verification
• Insertion loss
• Return loss
• VSWR
• Impedance verification
• Phase or electrical length
• Passive intermodulation when specified
• Visual inspection
• Dimensional verification
• Customer-defined RF performance testing

Not every RF assembly requires the same test plan.

RF Cable Assembly Applications

RF and coaxial cable assemblies may support:

• Automotive antennas and connectivity
• GPS-related equipment
• Telematics systems
• Telecommunications equipment
• Wireless communication systems
• IoT equipment
• Antenna systems
• Networking and electronic equipment
• Other customer-defined RF systems

For broader communication equipment applications, visit Telecom & Communication Cable Assemblies.

For automotive system applications, visit Automotive Cable Assemblies.

Prototype to Production

RF projects may begin with:

• Engineering prototypes
• NPI builds
• First articles
• RF performance evaluation
• Mechanical fit evaluation
• Low-volume production
• Repeat manufacturing

For development-stage projects, visit Quick-Turn Cable Assembly Prototyping.

For released RF designs, visit Build-to-Print Cable Assembly Services.

RF Cable Assembly Manufacturing

Depending on the design, manufacturing processes may include:

• Coaxial cable cutting
• Cable preparation and stripping
• Contact termination
• Crimping
• Soldering when specified
• RF connector assembly
• Shield preparation and termination
• Heat-shrink application
• Strain relief
• Labeling
• Electrical and RF testing
• Visual and dimensional inspection

Learn more about Cable Assembly Manufacturing Capabilities.

What We Need to Quote an RF Cable Assembly

Please provide:

• Drawing
• BOM
• RF connector part numbers
• Coaxial cable part number
• Required impedance
• Operating frequency range
• Cable length and tolerance
• Connector orientation
• RF performance requirements
• Environmental requirements
• Prototype or production quantity
• Estimated annual volume
• Testing criteria
• Current revision
• Target delivery date

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Y.C. Cable manufacture custom coaxial cable assemblies?

Yes. RF and coaxial cable assemblies can be manufactured according to customer connector, cable, impedance, length, frequency, and testing requirements.

Do all RF cable assemblies use 50-ohm cable?

No. Required impedance depends on the customer interface and system design. The correct impedance should be identified in the approved RF specification.

Can you manufacture FAKRA cable assemblies?

Yes. Visit Custom FAKRA Cable Assemblies for FAKRA-specific configurations.

Can RF assemblies be tested for insertion loss and return loss?

RF test requirements can be defined according to the approved project specification. Required test parameters should be identified during quotation.

Can you support RF prototypes before production?

Yes. Prototype and first-article builds can support mechanical and RF evaluation before repeat manufacturing.

Request an RF Cable Assembly Quote

Send us your RF connector information, coaxial cable specification, impedance, frequency requirements, assembly length, quantity, and test criteria.

Request an RF Cable Quote