This Microwaves&RF article is reprinted here with permission.
The Overview
In its PhaseTrack Low Smoke (PTLS) microwave cable assemblies, Times Microwave Systems delivers assemblies that are qualified for shipboard applications. The assemblies provide exceptional phase temperature performance up to 85ºC and offer the same low-smoke, zero-halogen (LSZH) jacket used on Times’ QPL M17 cables for easy cross-reference and qualification.
Who Needs it and Why?
Low-smoke, zero-halogen cable assemblies are essential in confined spaces where air exchange is minimal: places such as onboard ships and submarines, where large amounts of cable reside in close proximity with personnel and/or sensitive electronics. Fire is among the greatest dangers in these environments, as accumulating smoke can obscure visibility for safe evacuation. When burned, low-smoke cables emit a less optically dense smoke that releases at a lower rate, making it easier for occupants to exit and protecting the safety of firefighting operations. Halogen-free materials also produce clearer, whiter smoke for better visibility and do not emit halogen’s toxic off-gases.
Under the Hood
The PTLS assemblies are available in sizes from 0.2” to 0.6” and address all frequencies from HF through K-band, including a variant optimized for minimum loss in the Ku-band. Cable assemblies can be supplied with any type of industry-standard RF interface. The assemblies incorporate the proprietary TF5 dielectric for a low-loss, flexible, and phase-optimized cable. Its stability is superior to PTFE and is free of its notorious “knee.”
