LAPEA, Leandro I.

4ECE-B ECE 424L W 1 4 PM

Different types of transmission lines used in communications: applications and uses.

1. Coaxial cable
It is a type of electrical cable that has an inner conductor surrounded by a tubular insulating layer, surrounded by
a tubular conducting shield. Many coaxial cables also have an insulating outer sheath or jacket. The term coaxial
comes from the inner conductor and the outer shield sharing a geometric axis. Coaxial cable was invented by
English engineer and mathematician Oliver Heaviside, who patented the design in 1880. Coaxial cable differs
from other shielded cables because the dimensions of the cable are controlled to give a precise, constant
conductor spacing, which is needed for it to function efficiently as a transmission line.
2. Twisted pair
It is a type of wiring in which two conductors of a single circuit are twisted together for the purposes of canceling
out electromagnetic interference (EMI) from external sources; for instance, electromagnetic radiation from
unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables, and crosstalk between neighboring pairs. It was invented by Alexander
Graham Bell.
3. Star quad cable
It is a four-conductor cable that has a special quadrupole geometry that provides magnetic immunity when used
in a balanced line. Four conductors are used to carry the two legs of the balanced line. All four conductors must
be an equal distance from a common point (usually the center of a cable). The four conductors are arranged in a
four-pointed star (forming a square). Opposite points of the star are connected at each end of the cable to form
each leg of the balanced circuit.
Star quad cables often use filler elements to hold the conductor centers in a symmetric four-point arrangement
about the cable axis. All points of the star must lie at equal distances from the center of the star. When opposite
points are connected they act as if they are one conductor located at the center of the star. This configuration
places the geometric center of each of the two legs of the balanced circuit in the center of the star. To a magnetic
field, both legs of the balanced circuit appear to be in the exact center of the star. This means that both legs of
the balanced circuit will receive the same interference from the magnetic field and a common-mode interference
signal will be produced. This common-mode interference signal will be rejected by the balanced receiver.
The magnetic immunity of star quad cable is a function of the accuracy of the star-quad geometry, the accuracy
of the impedance balancing, and the common-mode rejection ratio of the balanced receiver. Star-quad cable
typically provides a 10 dB to 30 dB reduction in magnetically-induced interference.
4. Twin-lead
It is a two-conductor flat cable used as a balanced transmission line to carry radio frequency (RF) signals. It is
constructed of two stranded copper or copper-clad steel wires, held a precise distance apart by a plastic (usually
polyethylene) ribbon. The uniform spacing of the wires is the key to the cable's function as a transmission line;
any abrupt changes in spacing would reflect some of the signal back toward the source. The plastic also covers
and insulates the wires.
Twin lead can have significantly lower signal loss than miniature flexible coaxial cable at shortwave and VHF radio
frequencies; for example, type RG-58 coaxial cable loses 6.6 dB per 100 m at 30 MHz, while 300-ohm twin-lead
loses only 0.55 dB. However, twin-lead is more vulnerable to interference. Proximity to metal objects will inject
signals into twin-lead that would be blocked out by coaxial cable. Twin lead therefore requires careful installation
around rain gutters, and standoffs from metal support masts. Twin-lead is also susceptible to significant
degradation when wet or ice covered, whereas coax is less or not affected in these conditions. For these reasons,
coax has largely replaced twin-lead in most uses, except where maximum signal is required.
1
5. Balanced line
It is a transmission line consisting of two conductors of the same type, each of which have equal impedances along
their lengths and equal impedances to ground and to other circuits. The chief advantage of the balanced line
format is good rejection of external noise when fed to a differential amplifier. Common forms of balanced line
are twin-lead, used for radio frequency signals and twisted pair, used for lower frequencies. They are to be
contrasted to unbalanced lines, such as coaxial cable, which is designed to have its return conductor connected to
ground, or circuits whose return conductor is ground. Balanced and unbalanced circuits can be interconnected
using a transformer called a balun.
Circuits driving balanced lines must themselves be balanced to maintain the benefits of balance. This may be
achieved by transformer coupling or by merely balancing the impedance in each conductor.
Lines carrying symmetric signals (those with equal but opposite voltages to ground on each leg) are often
incorrectly referred to as "balanced", but this is differential signaling. Balanced lines and differential signaling are
often used together, but they are not the same thing. Differential signaling does not make a line balanced, nor
does noise rejection in balanced cables require differential signaling.
6. Stripline
It is a transverse electromagnetic (TEM) transmission line medium invented by Robert M. Barrett of the Air Force
Cambridge Research Centre in the 1950s. Stripline is the earliest form of planar transmission line.
A stripline circuit uses a flat strip of metal which is sandwiched between two parallel ground planes. The insulating
material of the substrate forms a dielectric. The width of the strip, the thickness of the substrate and the relative
permittivity of the substrate determine the characteristic impedance of the strip which is a transmission line. As
shown in the diagram, the central conductor need not be equally spaced between the ground planes. In the
general case, the dielectric material may be different above and below the central conductor.
To prevent the propagation of unwanted modes, the two ground planes must be shorted together. This i s
commonly achieved by a row of vias running parallel to the strip on each side.
7. Microstrip
It is a type of electrical transmission line which can be fabricated using printed circuit board technology, and is
used to convey microwave-frequency signals. It consists of a conducting strip separated from a ground plane by a
dielectric layer known as the substrate. Microwave components such as antennas, couplers, filters, power dividers
etc. can be formed from microstrip, with the entire device existing as the pattern of metallization on the substrate.
Microstrip is thus much less expensive than traditional waveguide technology, as well as being far lighter and more
compact. Microstrip was developed by ITT laboratories as a competitor to stripline (first published by Grieg and
Engelmann in the December 1952 IRE proceedings).
The disadvantages of microstrip compared with waveguide are the generally lower power handling capacity, and
higher losses. Also, unlike waveguide, microstrip is not enclosed, and is therefore susceptible to cross-talk and
unintentional radiation.
For lowest cost, microstrip devices may be built on an ordinary FR-4 (standard PCB) substrate. However, it is often
found that the dielectric losses in FR4 are too high at microwave frequencies, and that the dielectric constant is
not sufficiently tightly controlled. For these reasons, an alumina substrate is commonly used.
On a smaller scale, microstrip transmission lines are also built into monolithic microwave integrated circuits.
Microstrip lines are also used in high-speed digital PCB designs, where signals need to be routed from one part of
the assembly to another with minimal distortion, and avoiding high cross-talk and radiation.
Microstrip is one of many forms of planar transmission line, others include stripline and coplanar waveguide, and
it is possible to integrate these on the same substrate.
A differential microstripa balanced signal pair of microstrip linesis often used for high-speed signals such as
DDR2 SDRAM clocks, USB Hi-Speed data lines, PCI Express data lines, LVDS data lines, etc., often all on the same
PCB. Most PCB design tools support such differential pairs.

2
LAPEA, Leandro I.

4ECE-B ECE 424L W 1 4 PM

Different types of transmission lines used in communications: applications and uses.

1. Coaxial cable

2. Twisted pair

3. Star quad cable

3
4. Twin-lead

5. Balanced line

6. Stripline

7. Microstrip

4
LAPEA, Leandro I.

4ECE-B ECE 424L W 1 4 PM

Different types of transmission lines used in communications: applications and uses.

1. Coaxial cable

Dielectric
Type Shields Remarks
Type
Low loss at high frequency for cable
RG-6/U PF Double television, satellite television and
cable modems
This is "quad shield RG-6". It has
RG-6/UQ PF Quad four layers of shielding; regular RG-
6 has only one or two
Low loss at high frequency for cable
RG-7 PF Double television, satellite television and
cable modems
Amateur radio; Thicknet (10BASE5)
RG-8/U PE
is similar
A thinner version, with the
RG-8X PF Double electrical characteristics of RG-8U in
a diameter similar to RG-6.
RG-9/U PE
Used for long drops and
RG-11/U PE Dual/triple/quad
underground conduit
Rated to 8000 volts, rubber
RG-56/U Dual braid shielded
dielectric
Used for radiocommunication and
amateur radio, thin Ethernet
RG-58/U PE Single (10BASE2) and NIM electronics,
Loss 1.056 dB/m @ 2.4 GHz.
Common.

Used to carry baseband video in

closed-circuit television, previously
used for cable television. In general,
RG-59/U PE Single
it has poor shielding but will carry
an HQ HD signal or video over short
distances.
Similar physical characteristics as
RG-59 and RG-59/U, but with a
RG-59A/U PF Single
higher velocity factor.
8.9@700 MHz

5
 Used to carry television, video
3C-2V PE Single observation systems, and other.
PVC jacket.
Used for interior lines for
monitoring system, CCTV feeder
5C-2V PE Double lines, wiring between the camera
and control unit and video signal
transmission. PVC jacket.
Used for high-definition cable TV
RG-60/U PE Single
and high-speed cable Internet.
Used for ARCNET and automotive
RG-62/U PF Single
radio antennas.
RG-62A ASP Single Used for NIM electronics
RG-63 PE Double braid Used for aerospace
RG-142/U PTFE Double braid Used for test equipment
Common for Wi-Fi pigtails: more
flexible but higher loss than RG58;
RG-174/U PE Single
used with LEMO 00 connectors in
NIM electronics.
Used for high-frequency signal
transmission. 42.7 @ 900 MHz,
RG-178/U PTFE Single
Core material: Ag-plated Cu-clad
Steel
VGA RGBHV, Core material: Ag-
RG-179/U PTFE Single
plated Cu
VGA RGBHV, Core material: Ag-
RG-180B/U PTFE Single silver-covered copper
plated Cu-clad steel
26.2 @ 1000 MHz, Core material:
RG-188A/U PTFE Single
Ag-plated Cu-clad steel
For radiocommunication and
amateur radio, EMC test antenna
RG-213/U PE Single
cables. Typically, lower loss than
RG58. Common.
Used for high-frequency signal
RG-214/U PE Double
transmission.
Large diameter, not very flexible,
RG-218 PE Single low-loss (2.5 dB/100 ft @ 400 MHz),
11kV dielectric withstand.
Silver-plated shields. Sample RG-
RG-223/U PE Double
223 Datasheet
Used with LEMO 00 connectors in
RG-316/U PTFE Single
NIM electronics
RG-400/U PTFE Double [33]
RG-402/U PTFE Single silver-plated copper Semi-rigid, 0.91 dB/m@5 GHz
Single silver-plated copper-clad
RG-405/U PTFE Semi-rigid, 1.51 dB/m@5 GHz
steel
6
 Lower loss at high frequency for
H155 PF Double radiocommunication and amateur
radio
Low loss at high frequency for
H500 PF Double radiocommunication and amateur
radio, 4.45 @ 1000 MHz
Low loss communications,
LMR-100 PE Double
1.36 dB/meter @ 2.4 GHz
Low loss communications,
LMR-195 PF Double
0.620 dB/meter @ 2.4 GHz
LMR-200, HDF-200, Low-loss communications,
PF Double
CFD-200 0.554 dB/meter @ 2.4 GHz

Amateur radio, low-loss

LMR-240, EMR-240 PF Double
replacement for RG-8X

Low-loss communications,
LMR-400, HDF-400,
PF Double 0.223 dB/meter @ 2.4 GHz, Core
CFD-400, EMR-400
material: Cu-clad Al
Low-loss communications, Core
LMR-500 PF Double
material: Cu-clad Al
Low-loss communications,
LMR-600 PF Double 0.144 dB/meter @ 2.4 GHz, Core
material: Cu-clad Al
Low-loss communications,
LMR-900 PF Double 0.098 dB/meter @ 2.4 GHz, Core
material: BC tube
Low-loss communications,
LMR-1200 PF Double 0.075 dB/meter @ 2.4 GHz, Core
material: BC tube
Low-loss communications,
LMR-1700 PF Double 0.056 dB/meter @ 2.4 GHz, Core
material: BC tube
Low-loss line, which replaced RG-11
QR-320 PF Single
in most applications
QR-540 PF Single Low-loss hard line
QR-715 PF Single Low-loss hard line
QR-860 PF Single Low-loss hard line
QR-1125 PF Single Low-loss hard line

7
 Industry acronyms ISO/IEC 11801 name Cable shielding Pair shielding
UTP U/UTP None None
STP, ScTP, PiMF U/FTP None Foil
FTP, STP, ScTP F/UTP Foil None
STP, ScTP S/UTP Braiding None
SFTP, S-FTP, STP SF/UTP Braiding, foil None
FFTP F/FTP Foil Foil
SSTP, SFTP, STP PiMF S/FTP Braiding Foil
SSTP, SFTP SF/FTP Braiding, foil Foil
2. Twisted Pair

Typical
Name Bandwidth Applications Notes
construction
Telephone and modem Not described in EIA/TIA recommendations.
Level 1 0.4 MHz
lines Unsuitable for modern systems.
Older terminal systems, Not described in EIA/TIA recommendations.
Level 2 4 MHz
e.g. IBM 3270 Unsuitable for modern systems.
Described in EIA/TIA-568. Unsuitable for
10BASE-T and 100BASE-T4
Cat 3 UTP 16 MHz speeds above 16 Mbit/s. Now mainly for
Ethernet
telephone cables
Cat 4 UTP 20 MHz 16 Mbit/s Token Ring Not commonly used
Common for current LANs. Superseded by
100BASE-TX & 1000BASE-T
Cat 5 UTP 100 MHz Cat5e, but most Cat5 cable meets Cat5e
Ethernet
standards.
Enhanced Cat5. Common for current LANs.
100BASE-TX & 1000BASE-T
Cat 5e UTP 100 MHz Same construction as Cat5, but with better
Ethernet
testing standards.
ISO/IEC 11801 2nd Ed. (2002), ANSI/TIA 568-
B.2-1. Most commonly installed cable in
Cat 6 UTP 250 MHz 10GBASE-T Ethernet
Finland according to the 2002 standard EN
50173-1.
Adds cable shielding. ISO/IEC 11801 2nd Ed.
Cat 6A F/UTP, U/FTP 500 MHz 10GBASE-T Ethernet
Am. 2. (2008), ANSI/TIA-568-C.1 (2009)
10GBASE-T Ethernet or
Fully shielded cable. ISO/IEC 11801 2nd Ed.
Cat 7 S/FTP, F/FTP 600 MHz POTS/CATV/1000BASE-T
(2002)
over single cable
10GBASE-T Ethernet or
Uses all four pairs. ISO/IEC 11801 2nd
Cat 7A S/FTP, F/FTP 1000 MHz POTS/CATV/1000BASE-T
Ed. Am. 2. (2008)
over single cable
40GBASE-T Ethernet or
Cat 1600 In development (ANSI/TIA-568-C.2-1, ISO/IEC
F/UTP, U/FTP POTS/CATV/1000BASE-T
8/8.1 2000 MHz 11801 3rd Ed.)
over single cable
40GBASE-T Ethernet or
1600
Cat 8.2 S/FTP, F/FTP POTS/CATV/1000BASE-T In development (ISO/IEC 11801 3rd Ed.)
2000 MHz
over single cable

8
 3. Star quad cable
While the above discussion focuses on preventing noise from getting in (e.g. into a microphone cable) the same
star-quad quadrupole configuration is useful for audio speaker cable, for split-phase electric power wiring, and
even for open-wire star quad transmission line.
In these cases, the purpose of the star quad configuration is reversed. The star-quad geometry cancels the
magnetic fields that are produced by the two pairs of conductors. This cancellation reduces the magnetic
emissions of the cable. To work properly, the cable must be wired in the same fashion as the microphone cable
example above. Wires on opposite sides of the star must be shorted together at each end of the cable. This means
that 4 conductors are required for a two-wire circuit. Furthermore, this scheme only works if the two pairs of
conductors carry equal and opposite currents.
4. Twin-lead
The characteristic impedance of twin-lead is a function of the wire diameter and its spacing; in 300-ohm twin-lead,
the most common type, the wire is usually 20 or 22 gauges, about 7.5 mm (0.30 inches) apart. This is well matched
with the natural impedance of a folded dipole antenna, which is normally around 275 ohms. Twin -lead generally
has higher impedance than the other common transmission wiring, coaxial cable (coax). The widely used RG-6
coax has a characteristic impedance of 75 ohms, which requires the use of a balun to match impedance when used
with common antenna types.
Twin lead and other types of parallel-conductor transmission line are mainly used to connect radio transmitters
and receivers to their antennas. Parallel transmission line has the advantage that its losses are an order of
magnitude smaller than that of coaxial cable, the main alternative form of transmission line. Its disadvantages are
that it is more vulnerable to interference, and must be kept away from metal objects which can cause power
losses. For this reason, when installed and on antenna masts, standoff insulators must be used. It is also common
practice to twist the twin lead on long free-standing lengths to further reject along the outside of buildings any
induced imbalances to the line.
References:

Tomasi, Wayne (2004). Chapter 12: Metallic Cable Transmission Media Lines Electronic Communications Systems:
Fundamentals Through Advanced 5 Ed. Pearson/Prentice Hall. ISBN 0130494925, 9780130494924.

Blake, Roy (2002). Electronic Communication Systems 2nd Ed. Delmar, 2002. ISBN 0766826848, 9780766826847.

Nahin, Paul J. (2002). Oliver Heaviside: The Life, Work, and Times of an Electrical Genius of the Victorian Age. ISBN 0-8018-
6909-9.

H. Ward Silver, N0AX; Mark J. Wilson, K1RO, eds. (2010). "Chapter 20: Transmission Lines". The ARRL Handbook for Radio
Communications (87th ed.). The American Radio Relay League. ISBN 0-87259-144-1.

McBee, David Barnett, David Groth, Jim (2004). Cabling: the complete guide to network wiring (3rd ed.). San Francisco:
SYBEX. p. 11. ISBN 9780782143317. Retrieved 5 December 2017.

Straw, R. Dean, Ed. (2000). The ARRL Antenna Book, 19th Ed. USA: American Radio Relay League. pp. 24.1617. ISBN 0-
87259-817-9.

Grieg, D. D.; Engelmann, H. F. (Dec 1952). "Microstrip-A New Transmission Technique for the Klilomegacycle Range".
Proceedings of the IRE. 40 (12): 16441650. doi:10.1109/JRPROC.1952.274144. ISSN 0096-8390.

"Standards - ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 25 - Interconnection of information technology equipment". ISO.org. Retrieved 5 December
2017.