כבלי RF המומלצים לבדיקות 5G
5G testing spans two distinct frequency ranges with very different RF cable requirements. 5G NR FR1 (Sub-6 GHz, up to 7.125 GHz) can be addressed by standard microwave cables. 5G NR FR2 — the millimeter wave bands at 24.25–47.2 GHz — demands cables that were uncommon in test labs just five years ago. This guide covers what to look for in each case.
5G FR1 Testing (Sub-6 GHz)
5G NR FR1 covers frequency bands from 410 MHz up to 7.125 GHz. At these frequencies, standard SMA-terminated RF cable assemblies with PTFE or foamed-dielectric construction are generally adequate for both lab characterization and production test. The key cable parameters for FR1 are insertion loss (lower is better for longer cable runs between DUT and test instrument) and flex durability (for ATE handler applications where the cable moves with each device load). Phase stability is less critical for FR1 than for mmWave applications but remains important for multi-port balanced measurements and radiated test setups where cable displacement between calibration and measurement degrades uncertainty.
5G FR2 mmWave Testing (24-47 GHz)
5G NR FR2 bands at 24.25–29.5 GHz (n257, n258, n261) and 37–47.2 GHz (n260) require cables with 2.92mm (K) or 2.4mm connectors and low-loss, phase-stable construction. The frequency jump from FR1 to FR2 is significant — insertion loss per meter roughly triples between 6 GHz and 40 GHz, so cable length management becomes critical. Phase stability is essential for OTA (over-the-air) test chamber setups where the cable from the VNA to the feed horn must maintain consistent phase across calibration and measurement sweeps. Junkosha's EMF-01 (rated to 67 GHz with wide temperature range) and EMF-07 (phase-stable to 67 GHz) are both well-suited for FR2 production and characterization work.
Production Test vs Lab Characterization
Production ATE systems for 5G devices require cables that combine flex durability with consistent electrical performance. Handler motion in production test can flex cables thousands of times per day; a cable that degrades after 100,000 cycles is an unacceptable maintenance burden. Lab VNA cables prioritize phase stability over flex cycle life — a lab cable may be repositioned only a few dozen times per day, but every repositioning must produce negligible phase error. For ATE applications, specify minimum rated flex cycles and confirm the cable's insertion loss drift specification across the rated cycle count. For lab VNA work, the phase deviation specification under defined bend conditions is the governing parameter.
5G Base Station Component Testing
Power amplifier, filter, and combiner characterization for 5G base station equipment at mmWave frequencies requires low-loss, well-matched cable assemblies that do not corrupt the device's S-parameter measurement. Cable insertion loss at the DUT port directly affects the available output power measurement — an extra 0.5 dB of cable loss must be accounted for in calibration and shifts the apparent device gain. For filter characterization, phase-stable cables are essential to accurately resolve the filter's phase response. Cable VSWR at the connector interface contributes to ripple in S11 measurements. Junkosha's EMF series provides the combination of low insertion loss, low VSWR, and phase stability required for this class of measurement.
5G Device OTA Testing
OTA (over-the-air) testing of 5G devices in anechoic chambers uses RF cables from the VNA or signal analyzer to the chamber's feed antenna or probe array. Phase-matched cable pairs are required for MIMO characterization and beam-forming array measurements, where the differential delay between paths determines the spatial accuracy of beam steering measurements. Chamber feed cables are typically repositioned infrequently but must maintain phase stability over temperature — anechoic chambers are climate-controlled but not at lab temperature stability. Junkosha's EMF-06 (skew-matched pairs) and EMF-07 (phase stable) address the primary requirements for 5G OTA test setups.
Recommended Junkosha Cables for 5G
For 5G FR2 production test (24-47 GHz): EMF-01 for wide-temperature ATE environments; EMF-07 for phase-stable characterization. For 5G FR2 mmWave and beyond: EMF-00 covers 26.5–145 GHz for future-proofing against higher frequency bands. For sub-THz research and next-generation 5G NR FR3 exploration: EMF-09 / MWX0A5 extends to 250 GHz — the broadest frequency coverage available in a coaxial cable assembly. All are available from Koto Electronics in Israel, the authorized Junkosha distributor.