W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) will be featuring its GORE® Microwave/RF Test Assemblies as well as the new Cable Installation Simulator at the International Microwave Symposium, May 19-21 in Phoenix, Ariz., Booth 1042.

Gore has long been a proponent of showing accurately how its products and technologies function in real-world environments before bringing them to market. Because nearly one-third of cable failures occur during installation, this is a crucial risk factor to minimize. Further, reliable performance of microwave/RF cable assemblies with longer service life and reduced equipment downtime results in lower costs for testing in laboratory, production, and field test environments.

Gore has published a white paper showing the results of its evaluation of the durability and performance over time of several 18-GHz microwave/RF cable assemblies described as having a ruggedized construction with similar specifications.

To minimize the risk of cable assembly damage or failure during installation, W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) has developed a Cable Installation Simulator to evaluate the stress of installation on microwave airframe assemblies. By comparing signal integrity before and after installation, Gore can engineer assemblies that withstand airframe installation as well as the demands of the aircraft’s flight envelope.

Use of the Installation Simulator gives aircraft manufacturers and installers evidence that their assemblies will provide the same level of electrical performance after installation as when they are brand new. And they can be assured that the assemblies will continue to perform reliably throughout the service life of the aircraft.

Gore has been committed to demonstrating the performance of microwave/RF test assemblies to ensure that Gore cables stand up to the rigors of real-world installation and use. And nowhere is this focus on cable reliability more important than in the aerospace market.  “Aircraft manufacturers need reliable solutions that can be installed deep within an aircraft and left there for the life of the platform. Therefore, we want to create ‘fit and forget’ solutions that will survive the demanding environments within an aircraft,” said Jim Foreman, product manager at Gore.

"We are committed to designing next-generation products that solve key challenges, and mitigate risk for aircraft,” said Paul Pino, Lead Principal Design Engineer at Gore. "To do this, we test and simulate real world conditions to ensure that our products do what we say they will do, consistently and reliably even in harsh conditions."

At IMS 2015, Chris Erickson of W. L. Gore & Associates will be presenting his paper, Understanding and Improving Microwave Cable Performance in Aircraft and Land Vehicles,on Thursday, May 21 at 1:35 (Booth 3147).  The live demo schedule (Booth 1042) is as follows:

  • Wednesday, May 20, 11:00 AM & 3:00 PM
  • Thursday, May 21, 11:00 AM & 2:00 PM

For more info on GORE® Microwave/RF Test Assemblies, visit www.gore.com/phaseflex.  For more on Gore's Cable Installation Simulator, go to gore.com/simulator to download the white paper or contact a Gore applications specialist at electronics.usa@wlgore.com.