Micro Coaxial Cable factory

How to Calculate Return Loss in Micro Coaxial Cable Systems

Return Loss (RL) is a critical parameter in any RF system, indicating how effectively signal power is transmitted from a source into a load (like an antenna, circuit, or another cable) versus how much is reflected back due to impedance mismatches. In micro coaxial cable systems – characterized by their small diameters (often less than 1-2mm) and used in high-frequency applications like internal device interconnects, sensors, or miniature antennas – optimizing return loss is essential for signal integrity, minimizing losses, and ensuring system performance. While often measured directly, understanding how to calculate it is fundamental.

What Return Loss Tells You

• ​High Return Loss (e.g., 20 dB or more): Indicates a good impedance match between the cable, connectors, and the load/source. Most signal power is delivered forward; very little reflects back. This is desirable.
• ​Low Return Loss (e.g., 10 dB or less): Indicates a significant impedance mismatch. A substantial portion of the signal power is reflected back towards the source. This degrades signal quality, increases heat, and can cause issues in active components.

The Core Calculation: The Reflection Coefficient

The foundation for calculating Return Loss is the ​Voltage Reflection Coefficient (Γ, Gamma). This represents the ratio of the reflected wave voltage to the incident wave voltage at a discontinuity (like a connector or load mismatch).

1. ​Determine the Reflection Coefficient (Γ):
   • Γ is calculated using the characteristic impedances involved:
     Γ = (Z_L - Z_0) / (Z_L + Z_0)
   • Where:
     • Z_L = Load Impedance (Ohms, Ω) – This is the impedance presented by the device at the end of the micro coaxial cable.
     • Z_0 = Characteristic Impedance of the Micro Coaxial Cable (Ohms, Ω). This is a fixed property of the cable itself (e.g., 50 Ω or 75 Ω are common standards).
2. ​Calculate Return Loss (RL):
   • Once you have Γ (which is a complex number, magnitude and phase), the Return Loss in decibels (dB) is calculated as:
     RL (dB) = 20 * log10(|Γ|)
   • Where |Γ| is the magnitude (absolute value) of the reflection coefficient.
   • Alternatively, RL can also be related to the Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR):
     RL (dB) = 20 * log10((VSWR + 1) / (VSWR - 1))
VSWR = (1 + |Γ|) / (1 - |Γ|)

Practical Considerations for Micro Coaxial Systems

While the formulas above are fundamental, calculating RL purely from theory for a complete micro coaxial system is often difficult in practice. Here’s why and what you typically do:

1. ​Complex Impedance: The load impedance (Z_L) is rarely purely resistive, especially at high frequencies common to micro coax. It has both resistance (R) and reactance (X) components (Z_L = R + jX). Accurately knowing Z_L across the operating frequency range requires complex characterization.
2. ​Component Interactions: A real micro coaxial cable system includes not just the cable, but also connectors, potential transitions (e.g., micro coax to PCB trace), and the end termination. Each introduces potential impedance discontinuities, making the overall Z_L seen by the source very complex.
3. ​Measurement is Standard: Because of points 1 and 2, ​direct measurement using a Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) is the most accurate and practical way to determine Return Loss in micro coaxial systems. Here’s how:
   • ​Calibration: Perform a full calibration (SOLT – Short, Open, Load, Through) at the VNA’s test ports using a calibration kit appropriate for the micro connector type (e.g., 1.0mm, 1.85mm, MCX, MMCX). This critical step establishes a known reference plane and removes systematic errors from cables and the VNA itself.
   • ​Connection: Carefully connect one end of your micro coaxial cable assembly to Port 1 of the calibrated VNA. Ideally, terminate the other end with a precision load matched to Z_0 for measuring the cable assembly’s RL (including its connector).
   • ​Measurement: The VNA directly measures S-parameters. ​S11 (for Port 1 reflection) is the parameter directly representing Return Loss. The VNA display shows RL in dB versus frequency.
   • ​Calculation by Instrument: The VNA internally calculates S11 (and thus RL) from the measured incident and reflected waves at its calibrated port reference plane using the same RL = 20*log10(|Γ|) principle. You see the result graphically and numerically.

Interpretation & Tips for Micro Coax

1. ​Frequency Dependence: Always measure RL across your operating frequency range. Mismatches and performance vary significantly with frequency, especially critical for broadband signals or high-speed digital carried over micro coax.
2. ​Connectors Matter: In micro coax assemblies, connectors are often the primary source of RL degradation. Ensure high-quality connectors designed for the cable size and frequency are used and installed perfectly (soldering or crimping per spec).
3. ​The Calibration Plane: Understand where the VNA calibration reference plane is (often the end of its test cable connector). RL is measured at that plane. If you need the RL specifically at the far end of your long micro coax cable, techniques like using a 12-term error correction model and placing calibration standards at the far end may be necessary.
4. ​Common Benchmarks:
   • RL ≥ 15 dB (|Γ| ≤ 0.18) is generally acceptable in many systems.
   • RL ≥ 20 dB (|Γ| ≤ 0.10) is considered good.
   • RL ≥ 30 dB (|Γ| ≤ 0.032) is excellent.
5. ​Relationship to Insertion Loss: Poor RL indirectly increases effective insertion loss because reflected power isn’t making it to the load (though direct IL measurement is still needed).

In Summary:

While the fundamental calculation RL (dB) = 20 * log10(|Γ|) applies universally, with |Γ| = |(Z_L - Z_0)/(Z_L + Z_0)|, ​direct measurement using a properly calibrated Vector Network Analyzer (measuring S11) is the practical and accurate method for determining Return Loss in complex micro coaxial cable assemblies. The calculation underpins what the VNA displays, but measurement accounts for the real-world complexities of impedance variations, discontinuities, and frequency dependencies inherent in these miniature high-frequency systems. Always calibrate carefully to the correct reference plane and interpret results across the relevant frequency band.