Executive Summary
The purpose of this procedure is to provide instructions to measure the return loss characteristics of a pair of type "F" connectors and the cable interface, inserted in the middle of a cable, from 5 MHz to 3000 MHz.
This test method makes use of the time domain gating feature of the network analyzer to remove the near end and far end test set connector effects from type "F pair" in the middle of the cable, joined by a type “F” (female) - type “F” (female) adapter.
Scope
The purpose of this procedure is to provide instructions to measure the return loss characteristics of a pair of type “F” connectors and the cable interface, inserted in the middle of a cable, from 5 MHz to 3000 MHz. This test method makes use of the time domain gating feature of the network analyzer to remove the near end and far end test set connector effects from a type “F” pair in the middle of the cable, joined by a type “F” (female) – type “F” (female) adapter.
Return loss specifications may require a tiered specification over the frequency range due to technological implications.
Benefits
Devices which have a poor return loss and voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) result in loss of signal power or degradation of signal information
Return loss is a way to characterize impedance mismatches. There are two major causes of return loss degradation in a network: discontinuities and impedance mismatches. Discontinuities occur at connections where cable is terminated to plugs or jacks and within the plug/jack connection itself. A discontinuity can also occur if a cable is bent too much, kinked or otherwise damaged.
Components need to have acceptable return loss in order to assure proper network operation.
Intended Audience
The intended audience for this document is for development/design engineers, technical operations and installers.