Aerospace Systems
High-Bandwidth Cabling for Airborne Networks
Modern cabins move a lot of data. Avionics networks, in-flight entertainment and cabin connectivity all share the airframe with each other and with everything else that radiates. The cabling that carries them is chosen on bandwidth per kilogram, and on how well it keeps its own traffic to itself.
AFDX
IFE
Low Loss
Lightweight
Screened
10 Gb/s
Backbone Rate
DC–40 GHz
RF Coverage
-55° to +125°
Temperature
Design Notes
What an Airborne Backbone Has to Deliver
Five constraints on high-rate cabling inside an airframe.
01
Bandwidth per Kilogram
Every metre of cable is weight that flies for the life of the aircraft. The trade between attenuation and mass is the first decision, not the last.
02
Screening Effectiveness
A data backbone runs alongside power, radios and radar. Transfer impedance is what determines whether those systems stay separate.
03
Run Length and Loss
Fuselage-length runs are long by RF standards. Loss at the top of the band sets whether the link closes without a repeater.
04
Flexure Zones
Cabling that crosses a moving joint or a service loop is a fatigue problem. Fixed-route and dynamic-route cable are not interchangeable.
05
Flammability and Smoke
Anything in the cabin is subject to burn-through, smoke and toxicity requirements. Jacket material is constrained before performance is considered.
Reference Data
Typical Backbone Requirements
Programme specifications govern. These are representative.
| Parameter | Typical Requirement | Relevant Series | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attenuation | As low as mass allows | Low-loss series | The core trade |
| Screening | Double braid or better | Screened series | Transfer impedance matters |
| Frequency | To 40 GHz | 2.92mm terminated | Headroom above data rate |
| Mass | Minimised per metre | Lightweight jackets | Budgeted per programme |
| Flexure | Fixed or dynamic route | Selected by zone | Not interchangeable |
| Flammability | Per programme standard | Cabin-rated jackets | Smoke and toxicity limits |
Our Role
What We Supply for Airborne Networks
01
Low-Loss Backbone Cable
Cable selected for the attenuation the run actually needs, so the link closes without adding hardware to the aircraft.
02
Assemblies for the Route
Built to fuselage-length runs with the correct jacket and terminations for each zone, measured before delivery.
03
Programme Lead Times
Cabin refits and line builds run to a schedule. We manufacture in-house rather than waiting on distribution.
Selected Products
Cable for Airborne Backbones
Typical starting points for high-rate airframe cabling. Send us the run lengths and the zones and we will quote it.
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2.4mm Male to 2.4mm Male System Interconnect Low-Loss RF Cable Assembly – Use CFT360H Coax
$20.00 Add to cartQuick View -
2.92mm Female 4-Hole Flange Mount RF Connector – Field Replaceable, 8.64mm Hole Spacing, 0.23mm Pin Diameter
$23.00 Add to cartQuick View -
High-Power 18GHz Low-Loss RF Coaxial Cable – Model CFP460
$20.00 Add to cartQuick View -
N Male to N Male System Interconnect Low-Loss RF Cable Assembly – Use CFS800H Coax
$20.00 Add to cartQuick View
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Network Cabling Support
Planning a Cabin Backbone?
Send us the topology, the run lengths and the data rate, and our engineers will propose the cabling.