By Bradford S. Kellar, Raychem Corporation
Return loss is a key parameter describing the electrical performance of cable television coaxial connectors. It is currently measured in a variety of different ways, making it difficult to compare manufacturer's specifications. This paper provides a standard approach which can consistently yield meaningful data.
The method is applied to measure the return loss of feed through connectors used for half inch distribution cable. This technique measures the effect of variations in center conductor and outer conductor diameters, connector length, and dielectric supports.
The measurement range is from 0dB to 50dB return loss. Experimental results, error analysis and fully dimensioned drawings of the special hardware are included. Transmission loss measurement and measurement of other connector types is described.