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Coaxial Cable Loss Formula:
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Coaxial cable signal loss refers to the reduction in signal strength as it travels through a coaxial cable. This attenuation occurs due to conductor resistance, dielectric losses, and radiation losses, and is typically measured in decibels per meter (dB/m).
The calculator uses the coaxial cable loss formula:
Where:
Explanation: The total signal loss increases linearly with cable length and depends on the cable's specific attenuation characteristics.
Details: Accurate signal loss calculation is crucial for designing RF systems, ensuring proper signal strength at the receiver, selecting appropriate cable types, and planning signal amplification requirements.
Tips: Enter the cable's attenuation constant in dB/m and the cable length in meters. Both values must be positive numbers. Refer to cable specifications for accurate attenuation values.
Q1: What factors affect coaxial cable attenuation?
A: Cable diameter, dielectric material, conductor quality, frequency, and temperature all affect attenuation. Higher frequencies generally have higher attenuation.
Q2: What are typical attenuation values for common coaxial cables?
A: RG-6: ~0.1 dB/m at 100 MHz, LMR-400: ~0.07 dB/m at 100 MHz. Values increase with frequency.
Q3: How does cable length affect total loss?
A: Total loss increases linearly with cable length. Doubling the cable length doubles the total signal loss.
Q4: When should I be concerned about signal loss?
A: When total loss approaches or exceeds your system's dynamic range, typically above 10-20 dB for most applications.
Q5: How can I reduce signal loss?
A: Use lower-loss cables (larger diameter, better materials), minimize cable length, use signal amplifiers, or operate at lower frequencies.