IEC 61196-1-127:2024

IEC 61196-1-127 ®
Edition 1.0 2024-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Coaxial communication cables –
Part 1-127: Electrical test methods – Link loss of radiating cable

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IEC 61196-1-127 ®
Edition 1.0 2024-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Coaxial communication cables –

Part 1-127: Electrical test methods – Link loss of radiating cable

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 33.120.10  ISBN 978-2-8322-8314-1

– 2 – IEC 61196-1-127:2024 © IEC 2024
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Test equipment . 6
4.1 Signal generator . 6
4.2 Receiver . 6
4.3 Trolley . 6
4.4 Antenna . 6
4.5 Load . 6
4.6 Connecting cables and connectors . 6
4.7 Data collection system and calculations . 7
5 Test arrangements . 10
5.1 General . 10
5.2 Free-space method . 10
5.3 Ground-level method. 12
6 Test conditions . 14
7 Test methods . 14
7.1 General . 14
7.2 Complete sample test method . 14
7.2.1 Test sample (TS) preparation . 14
7.2.2 Test procedure . 14
7.3 Segmented samples test method . 14
7.3.1 Test sample (TS) preparation . 14
7.3.2 Test procedure . 15
7.4 Attenuation and coupling loss test method . 16
7.4.1 General . 16
7.4.2 Test sample (TS) preparation . 18
7.4.3 Test procedure . 18
8 Requirement . 18
9 Test report . 19

Figure 1 – Illustration of section-wise link loss calculation of 50 % reception probability . 8
Figure 2 – Illustration of link loss calculation of 50 % reception probability of entire
tested length . 9
Figure 3 – Test arrangement for free-space method . 11
Figure 4 – Antenna orientations with free-space method . 12
Figure 5 – Test arrangement for ground-level method . 13
Figure 6 – Antenna orientations with ground-level method . 13
Figure 7 – Segmented test samples . 15
Figure 8 – Segmented samples test . 16
Figure 9 – Schematic diagram of the link loss of the radiating cable. 17
Figure 10 – Segmented test samples for attenuation + coupling loss test method . 17

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
COAXIAL COMMUNICATION CABLES –

Part 1-127: Electrical test methods – Link loss of radiating cable

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
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IEC 61196-1-127 has been prepared by subcommittee 46A: Coaxial cables, of IEC technical
committee 46: Cables, wires, waveguides, RF connectors, RF and microwave passive
components and accessories. It is an International Standard.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
46A/1661/FDIS 46A/1670/RVD
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this International Standard is English

– 4 – IEC 61196-1-127:2024 © IEC 2024
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/publications.
A list of all parts in the IEC 61196 series, published under the general title Coaxial
communication cables, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn, or
• revised.
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of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a colour printer.

COAXIAL COMMUNICATION CABLES –

Part 1-127: Electrical test methods – Link loss of radiating cable

1 Scope
This part of IEC 61196 applies to radiating cables. It specifies a test method for determining the
link loss of radiating cables for use in communication systems.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies.
For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 60068-1:2013, Environmental testing – Part 1: General and guidance
IEC 61196-1, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1: Generic specification − General,
definitions and requirements
IEC 61196-1-123, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-123: Electrical test methods – Test
for attenuation constant of radiating cable
IEC 61196-1-124, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-124: Electrical test methods – Test
for coupling loss of radiating cable
IEC 61196-4, Coaxial communication cables – Part 4: Sectional specification for radiating
cables
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 61196-1,
IEC 61196-4 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
link loss
ratio of the input power P transmitted into the transceiver end of the radiating cable from signal
in
source to the power P received by a half-wavelength dipole antenna located at a distance from
r
the radiating cable, expressed by Formula (1):
𝑃𝑃
𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖
( )
𝐿𝐿 𝑋𝑋 = 10𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙
(1)
𝐿𝐿 10
𝑃𝑃 (𝑋𝑋)
𝑟𝑟
where
– 6 – IEC 61196-1-127:2024 © IEC 2024
L (X) is the link loss at the axial antenna position X, in dB;
L
P is the input power transmitted into the transceiver end of the radiating cable from the
in
signal source, in W;
P (X) is the receiving power of the half-wavelength dipole antenna at the axial antenna position
r
X and at a radial distance from the radiating cable, in W;
X is the axial distance of the dipole from the transceiver end of the cable, in m.
4 Test equipment
4.1 Signal generator
A signal generator or other suitable signal source shall be used. Its output power, frequency
range and bandwidth shall meet the measurement requirements. In order to ensure the
repeatability of measurement, the frequency stability of signal generator or other signal source
-6
should be better than 10 .
4.2 Receiver
The frequency range, bandwidth, sampling rate, sensitivity and port type of the receiver shall
meet the test requirements. If equivalent equipment can achieve the same function, it can also
be used. In order to ensure the repeatability of measurement, the measurement uncertainty of
the receiver or equivalent equipment (such as the vector network analyser) should be better
than 0,5 dB.
4.3 Trolley
The trolley can move freely along the track on one side of the cable to be tested.
4.4 Antenna
Generally, a half-wave dipole antenna shall be used; if other antenna types are used, the
frequency range and the port type of antenna shall meet the test requirements. The accuracy
of the antenna gain shall comply with the relevant specifications.
NOTE Not only the gain of an antenna has an impact on the test result but also its directivity. Highly directive
antennas for instance enable different orientations to the cable compared with dipoles as described in Figure 4 and
Figure 6. If other antenna types than dipoles are used, the antenna orientation relative to the cable needs to be
clearly described in the test report.
4.5 Load
The frequency range, return loss, absorbed power and port type of the load shall comply with
the test requirements.
4.6 Connecting cables and connectors
Connecting cables can be used to connect the signal generator to the tested cable, and the
receiver to the antenna. The return losses of test leads, test connectors, adapters and other
devices for connection shall at least be 2 dB better than the required value of the test sample.

4.7 Data collection system and
...