What Is TCOM Low Loss Coax Cable?
TCOM Cable is a low loss coaxial interconnection cable for ultra-high frequency (UHF) and super-high frequency (SHF) applications up to 10 GHz. The cable exhibits exceptional low loss characteristics of up to 10.6 dB per 100 feet at 10 GHz (TCOM-600). This cable has excellent passive intermodulation (PIM) properties of 155 decibels relative to the carrier (dBc) that help prevent intermodulation interference between LTE uplink transmitters and downlink receivers operating at closely spaced frequencies.
TCOM cable from Times Microwave Systems has excellent bending properties and greater flexibility than competing cables. It has a 20-year outdoor service rating. TCOM coaxial cable has a characteristic impedance of 50-ohms.
How Is TCOM Coaxial Cable Constructed?
Conductor
The cable has a solid pure copper conductor with a diameter that's between 0.037 inches and 0.0176 inches.
Dielectric
The dielectric is polyethylene foam with a dielectric constant between 1.42 and 1.56.
Internal Screen
The outer conductor that forms part of the dual-screen is made from aluminum tape.
External Screen
There's a secondary external screen made from a silver-plated copper wire braid that has excellent radio frequency suppression properties.
Jacket
The jacket material depends upon the application and includes polyethylene (PE), low halogen polyethylene and polyurethane (PUR).
TCOM Cables for Different Applications
Standard TCOM cables have excellent ultra-violet (UV) resistance and a 20-year outdoor rating. The standard jacket is polyethylene, but you can also specify a polyurethane (PUR) jacket with a watertight rating indicated by the letters DB. Cables with the low halogen polyethylene jacket have the National Electrical Code (NEC) CMR rating as fire-retardant cables for indoor use as building risers.
Differences Between TCOM and LRM Coaxial Cable
TCOM and LRM cables from Times Microwave share many similarities, including almost identical sizes, similar low-loss attenuation properties, capacitance and impedance. Externally, the cables are similar and TCOM and LRM cables use the same connectors and connection tools.
The main difference is that LRM cables don't have the same passive intermod properties, so are not suitable for LTE and similar applications. Another difference is that you can get 50-ohm and 70-ohm LRM cables, whereas TCOM only comes with a 50-ohm characteristic impedance.
TCOM Applications
The primary application for TCOM cable is as a low PIM cable for cellular wireless base stations. With a dual-screen, TCOM cable has excellent radio frequency properties and you can use it as a low loss interconnection cable for UHF and microwave signals. The cable is suitable as a substitute for LRM cable types with the same dimensions.
TCOM Low Loss Cable Properties
| Conductor: | Solid Copper |
| Dielectric: | Foam PE |
| Shield: | Dual shield with aluminum tape on the inside and silver-coated copper braid outside |
| Jacket: | PE or PUR |
| Passive Intermod Properties: | Greater than 155 dBc (relative to carrier) |
| RF Shielding Effectiveness: | Greater than 100 dB |
| Withstand Voltage: | Depends on cable diameter but between 1,000 and 4,000 volts |
| Operating Temperature Range: | -40°C to +85°C |
| Outdoor Life Rating: | 20-years |
Other TCOM Characteristics
| Cable | OD (in) | dB Loss/100ft at 10GHz |
Peak Power (kW) |
Minimum Bend Radius (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCOM-195 | 0.195 | 36.8 | 2.5 | 0.5 |
| TCOM-200 | 0.200 | 33.7 | 2.5 | 0.5 |
| TCOM-240 | 0.240 | 28.2 | 5.6 | 0.75 |
| TCOM-300 | 0.300 | 22.7 | 10 | 0.88 |
| TCOM-400 | 0.400 | 15.7 | 16 | 1.00 |
| TCOM-500 | 0.500 | 12.7 | 22 | 1.25 |
| TCOM-600 | 0.600 | 10.6 | 40 | 1.5 |
We can supply TCOM cable as pre-terminated assemblies on request. Contact us for further information regarding TCOM and other specialty low loss coaxial cable applications.