AB. CEITES GML. IS An Analyste of the SiR Chovactertetios of Amphenol device 83 USP R.F. Connectors Introduction Since the advent of solid dielectric coaxial cable, the UHF R.F. Connector has becn extensively used in applications where ease of assembly, mechanical durability and econony are of prinary importance ani rigorous VSWR requirements are of secondary inportanoe. ‘The familiar UHF connector with the mica-filled Bakelite bead has found a myriad of applications in the VHF Band and st lower frequenaies. It has been and will contime té be the most utilitarian connsctor in applications where excellent VSWR characteristics are not of prime importance. The teflon bead UHF connector, while retaining the excellant mechanical properties of the mica-fillad Bakelite bead UHF connector and to a large degrea its attractive price, has the added usefulness of pushing the VSWR barrier voll into the UNF Rand. hia unalysis vividly shows that the teflon bead UF connector is an effective bridge between the mica-filled Bakelite bead UHF connector and Types "NW" and "C* R.P. connectors. Within recent years, comunications bende in the upcor VHF and lower UHF ranges have found increasing use. ‘Tho desirable price, assembly and mechanical characteristics of the UF 2.?. connector were ideally suited for these applications but the reflections introduced into an R.F. transmission system by the under-inpedance micaefilled Bakelite beads of UHF connectors began to present a serious problem. Reflected power loss, due to the connectors, degraded the communications syctens! power transfer characteristics in applications vhere such pover losses mst be rigiily controlled. For these applications, the teflon bead UH connector will find increasing uses ‘The investigation of Anphenol's Series 83 Us Connectors conducted oy the Amphenol Engineering Depertment was motivated and porforned in accordance with the following conditionseDe re Tt As well kmown that UHF connectors introduce substantial reflections into solid dielectric cable systems when frequencies in excess of 200 mc/s are encountered. The investigation should yield resulta which show the effect of these reflections (as indicated by the VSWR of the connectors) as a funetion of frequency. ‘VSR measurements are to be performed with existing equigmunt wich covers ‘the frequency range of interests 20 me/a will be the lowest test frequency sincer 1. tis necaly impossible to constmat an RF connector wteh would introduce a VSWR of wore then 1,08 (25 = $0 ohms) into a cable system at 20 ne/s or below unless good ereineering practices are completely diaregarded. 2, 20 mo/a is the lowest frequency at which existing equipment can be useds 3s Measuring system inaocuracy would completely "mask" the connector VSWR 500 mo/s will be the highest frequency since 1t is hard to visualize the use of the types of Bakelite or polystyrene bead structures which certain UHF connectors contain at higher frequencies and still exercise a degree of prudence when considering the economics of power transfer. Basie theoretical considersiions indicate that teflon bead structures are electrically superior to Hakelite beads in otherwise identical connectors. A comparative analysis should show this superiority as expressed by VSWR values. Experinental accuracy of +.1 of a stending wave ratio will te considcred satisfactory.Abstract This report covers the VSuh of Series 63 Ui Connectors for the frequency range 20 = 500 me/se ‘The mica-filled Bakelite beads of the 83-15P and 83-1R connectors and the polystyrene bead of the 83-1J adapter are the princival eausos for ihe high standing wave ratios introduced into solid dielectric couxisl cable R.F. systems when com pared to similar connectors with bead structures of teflon (63-822, 83-798) or air (83-10 lesa polystyrene bead). Experimental curves show the infertority of the Bakelite and polyatyrane beads, especially above 300 mo/s. Measurement Technique A General Radio Admittance Meter wee used to measure the admittance of a OR B7h=WM 530 olm load vhioh terminated @ aix inch length of nd-8/¥ (or RO-5BA/U) cable. Tho table was cnt and the various mated Series 83 UHF Comector arrangements were assembled to the cable, The admittance of this new arrangement wae measured. ‘The VSWR 1s obtnined using the following relationshivs: x) -_ec%l 1% + al TSWR = where J, = Charsoterietde admittance, :4214hos XY = Measured admittance of load syatem or “aries 83 Comectors ord losd, m1llimhos ]s| = Absolute magnitude of reflection coefficient VSWR = Voltage steading wave ratio with respect to Yq. Figure 1 depicts the measurement setup used.jon ben GR. 874-ce Maren Coumecrons iB ey 6s Decere FoR Sraaionr Feeo GR, 874-9BS Aoaerse Born Enos (6580 fo L sj-018 connecroxs Bory Enos CRPERIMENTAL SET-UP FoR MEASURING THE VSWR of 83 JERlEs CONWECToRS AB. COTES FIGORE | 1-88-5- Acourasy of the Measurement Technique ait General Considerations for the Proper Interpretation of VSWR Curves ‘The specifications on the accuracy of a Type 1602=B Admittance Meter are: For both conductance and susceptance (up to 1000 m/s): From © to 20 millimhos (3% + 0.2 »4114mho) From 20 too millimhos (3V3% + 0.2 st12tmho) where M is the sesle multiplying factor. Translating these specifications into examplost As (1) Assume an unknown admittsnee of 20 ¢ JO millimhos. (2) Computation of error: £ (.03)(20) +0.2 = 1.6 +02 using +6, the error ist +.8 mill~hos (3) True vswa = 1.000 ia) Apparent YSWRa (Apparent admittance - 20.8) x= Jo-t. Yor? Te (5) Error ier .0) standing wave ratio. Be (1) Assume an unlmown admittance of 15.0 + J1.0 (2) Computetion of errort Conduotances +(.03) (18) + 0.25 + ous + 22 using +445) the error ist + .65Be (2) contimed = ‘Susceptance: $(,03)(1) +002 = £403 +42 using +035 the svror ia: + 23 (3) True vowRe 2 Mort 2 Sod Sa os yor (ene MS your Ko De se Ue yy 1-5 Le 6 85h (4) Apparent VSWRs (Apparent admittance ~ 15.65 + 52423) Kz Yor kh = _bedS- 31.23 Hh Bet I.23 (5) Error is: .03 standing wave ratios ‘From the above examples it is evident that the accuragy of the Admittance ‘Meter is approximately + -05 standing wave ratio, Reading accuracy 1s estimated to be approximately +,.03 standing wave ratio. ‘The entire system accuracy is estimated 70 be in the + .08 tot .1 standing wave ratio range. When considering the following VSWR Curves, this basie naccuracy must be kept in minds Whenever a mated connector VSWR curve approaches =r 1s below the basic system curve without mated connectors, it is usually tmpossible to tell what the real Vow of the mated connectors are because of the combined effects of veflactions due to discontimity capacitances and lower (or hizher) impedance line sections. However,since the discontimity capacitance effects of UHF conne:tors at or below 300 we/a can be considered negligible, the major source of reflection is the "under impedance" bead structures used. A prima facie interpretation of the following curves would seen to indicate that the Bakelite bead connectors are superior to the teflon bead gonnectors below 250 me/s. However, considering that the Bakelite bead connectors yield VSWR values lover than the basic system VSWR, it must ve true that some reileo~ tion 1s being introdueed in order to cancel out the basic system reflections. Also, 1t mist be true, as an engineering approximation, that the connector system which least upsets the basie system in these low frequency ranges truly has a lower YSWR than the measured value. Added to the validity of this assumption 4s the theoretical fact that the Bakelite beads with their higher dielectric constant yield a higher reflection at all frequencies uhere discontimaity capacitances ean be neglected and the geometry being invariant. Connector Bead ‘lsterial 83-38P Mioa~cilled Bakelite 83-18 g3-1d 83-822 83-798 Gonelusions ‘The general expreseion relating the impedance of a co-xtal line to its physical parameters ist a= Bae eee e eee ee WD wheres & = dtelectris constant of dielectric material between inner ant outer conductors D= inner dismeter of outer conductor, linear units outer diameter of inner conductor, Linear units a 4-3- It is easily seen that for a given geometry, doe is a constant and equation (2) can be written: 2 ee betwee eee cae (2) ‘Equation (2) shows that the impedance of a coaxial line is inversely proportional to the square root of the dielectric constant and when the geonetry is invariant between several such lines the change of impedance 1s a function of the dielectric constant and nothing else. Or simply, as the dielectric constant is increased the impedance decreas: ‘A béad support in a coaxial line introduces two reflections, one at the front face of the bead caused by the sudden decrease in impedance and one at the back of the bead because of the sudden increase in imcedance. The front end reflection coefficient may be expressed asi m,- By +2y wheret = the characteristic impedance of the coaxial line the characteristie impedance of the bead p 0 ‘This reflection is noted to be real and positive. The reflection coef- fictent'st the back face of the bead is: ‘This reflection is noted to be real, negative and equal in magnitude to the front end reflection, The total reflection coefficient may be expressed ast KX, = x0? + Rog “32° wheres © = the length of the bead in electrical degrees.a ‘Therefore, hora € is not negligibly small the front face reflection does not cancel the back face reflection and the total reflection coefficient may become substantial (reflection is maximum when 6 = 90°). ‘The standing wave ratio may be calculated from the expreseiont vou = 211i tel ‘The dielectrie constants of bead materials used in Series 83 UF Connectors ares Dielectric Matortad Constant Micarfilled Bakelite 4480 Polystyrene 2655 Teflon 2.10 When RsF. coaxial connectors contain unier impedance sections of line, reflections are aet up in the system which are a function of frequency, bead length, impedance of the under impedance line sectiona, the nunber of such sections, the spacing between sections in terms of wavelength and the characteristic impedance of ‘the coaxial line adjacent to the under impedanee Line sections (beads). The vector gum of the reflections in the system yield an overall reflection from which the ‘VSWR of the system may be caloulateds In simplified form, to mininize reflections and lover the VSWR of a Series 63 comector, the diéleotric constant of the bead material mst be lower with otherwise unchanging goonetrye Deleting the polystyrens bead of an 83-1J cable Junction in a cable splice utilising 63-622 connectors yields at 500 mo/s a VSWR of 1.15. A similar splice using the polystyrene cad at 500 mo/s has a VSuii of 1.55. When necessary, an 83-1d cable junction showli be used without the solystyvene bead, to vastly improve the yeflection properties of the caile splices ‘The following interpretation of experinental data in this report is wade-w- to srevext umarranted accuracies beinz casigned to the data prosented which, in effect, do not oxist. A. Meted Connector Arrango~ants Assembled to Ro-8/0 Cabler 1, 83-1SP mated with 83-1R (hood 83-1H)1 Frequency rang? {me/s) Maximum VSWR (2, 50 obms) 20 = 100 120 100 = 200 00 = 300 300 = hoo joo ~ 500 2. O301SP mated with 83-1J mated with 83-15P: Frequensy range (me/s) Maximum YSVR (Zj = 50 ohms) 20 = 100 1.10 100 = 200 1.25 200 = 3 370 = oo 100 = 300 3. 83022 mated with 83-798 (hood 83=18)1 Frequeney range (ne/s) Naximun VSWR (Z = 50 ohna) 20 - 100 1.05 150 = 200 110 200 ~ 300 300 - joo oo = 500 500 = 700 700 = 1000 he 83-622 mated ith 831d mated with 83-8221 ‘requeney range (mo/s) Maximn VSWR (Z) = 50 ohma) 20 = 100 1.20 100 = 2003B. Matied Connector Arrangements Assembled to RO-58A/U Cable: 1. 63-1SP (adsoter 83-185) mated with 63-1R (hood 83-65) Frequency range (o/s) Maximum VSWR (Zo = 50 ohms) 20 - 100 1.10 100 ~ 200 1.15 200 - 300 1.20 300 = i100 1.35 400 - 500 1.55 2. ‘3e1SP (adapter 83-185) mated with 83-LJ mated with 83-1sF (adapter 53-185) Frequenoy range (no/s) Maxima YSWR (29 = 50 ohms) 20 = 100 1.10 -100.~ 200 1.15 200 = 300 1.30 300 ~ 00 1.55 oo = 500 LS 3. 83-822 (adapter 03-185) mated with 43-798 (hood 83-765): Frequency range (mo/s) Maximum VSWR (Zg = 50 ohms) 20 ~ 100 21.05 100 = 200 1.10 200 = 300 1.10 300 = 00 1.20 400 - 500 115 500 - 700 1620 700 = 1059 11S ys 33-422 (adapter 83-185) mated with 53-1) mated with 83-822 (adapter 83-185): Frequency range (mo/a) Maxima VSWR (Zo = 50 ohms) 20 = 100 1.20 100 - 200 1.15 200 = 300 1.20 300 = hoo 1.35, 00 - 560 1.50 Series 83 UH conncctors with (eflon beads axe ‘ar superior to the inkelite dead variety and should be preferred where connector VSWR mst be kept within reason- able linits in the frequency range of 200 to 500 x0/s. ‘Teflon dielectric Series 83 UHF Connectors can ba used to 1000 mo/s when rigorous refleotion requirevents need not be meteSample Caloulation of VSWR 83e1sP nated with 03-18 (hood 83-11) Frequenoys 500 mo/a Measured Admittancet (Ihe0 + j1.0)2 7 20 = 1.0 = j.01 _ [6.0 - g1.0/ - Port, [o> ma» nol . [60- el ay | +. \" \Zo+ Yy] [20+ Wad + $2.0} [34.04 ja.0! ed aap _ wom = a] ae aay = Power Loss os a funetion of VSiii If an ReF. transmission line is not matched te its load, the energy delivered by the line to the load is less than if the impedances are properly adjusted. This effect 18 considered as due to reflection at the junction and mekes its presence kmoun by establistment of a reflected vave and a standing wave systen. The reflection loss expressed as a function of VSWR can be written asr Power lose (do) = 10 logy —H2 5 * (e+2) @ = aR Using this relationship, Table I was compiled relating reflection povor ese and voltage standing wave ratio. Figure 1 depicts the percent of power loss as a function of voltage standing wave ratio, * Derivation 4ns Ryder, Networks, Linos and Fields, Chapter 6, PrenticesHall, Inc. “ew York, 1949-D- Table I Power Locs ag a Function of VSWR Power Loss Power Loss —a)_ 0.0000 0.000 9.0026 0.060 2.0100 94227 0.0213 04488 0.0362 0.827 9.0537 1.235 0.075 1.702 0,220 26778 0.1773 000 0.2hh3 SoliTls 23022 64722 0.3697 8.164 0.4398 9.632 9.5Uey lu AB. Ce Tes @ 7-14-55