We often use the words coaxial cable and radio frequency (RF) together, but when it comes to related products, such as coaxial cable and RF cable, there are still some differences between them.
1. Different design principles
Coaxial cable is based on a coaxial structure and consists of a center conductor, an insulation layer, a mesh shielding layer and an outer insulation layer. It is mainly used for low-frequency and medium-frequency signal transmission. RF cable is based on the principle of balanced transmission and a symmetrical cable structure. It consists of two conductors of equal size (center conductor and outer conductor) as well as insulation materials and shielding layers. It is mainly used for high-frequency signal transmission.
2. Different frequency range
The frequency range of coaxial cable is generally 0-11GHz, while RF cable can cover a higher frequency range and can even transmit high-frequency signals of tens of GHz.
3. Different shielding effect
The coverage rate of the mesh shielding layer of coaxial cable is generally above 70%, while the shielding effect of RF cable is better. It usually adopts twisted shielding or ring shielding to effectively avoid electromagnetic interference.
4. Different structures
Coaxial cables have a larger outer diameter and are suitable for situations where a longer signal transmission distance is required. RF cables have a smaller outer diameter and are suitable for situations where the distance between connected devices is close.
5. Different application scopes
Coaxial cables are mainly used in broadcasting, television, radio communications and other fields. RF cables are mainly used in high-end fields such as satellite communications, communication base stations, aerospace, radar, etc.
It should be noted that although there are differences between coaxial cables and RF cables, RF cables can actually be regarded as a type of coaxial cable. The difference between the two lies in details such as application areas, frequency ranges, and shielding effects.
