Zhenjiang Jiangbin's BNC model supports 0 to 2GHz and has 75ohm characteristic impedance. It adopts an RG-58 cable.

Rising requirements in portable electronics, and medical and military applications drive production.

China manufacturers of coaxial cable assemblies concentrate on micro configurations to take advantage of robust demand from mobile electronics, and cater to the medical and military fields. They hope to benefit from the subminiature category’s projected global 15 to 20 percent sales growth this year and in 2015, which will be fueled by the portable handset sector. Last year, mobile phone-use products hit $790 million, according to the China Optic and Electric Cables Association.

For the military and aviation/aerospace segments, manufacturers are releasing high-frequency variants, which operate on 18, 27, 33, 40, 65 or 110GHz. Suzhou Rebes has introduced 40GHz models, which adopt micro coaxial, Gore, Harbour, Times, Huber+Shuner or Tensolite cables, and SMA, 3.5, 2.92 K or 2.4mm connectors. The releases have less than 2.2dB/m loss and less than 1.3 VSWR. Suzhou QD’s latest units support up to 65GHz and target use in radars, satellite communication, test systems and microwave signal transmission.

Suppliers are confident the line will remain buoyant despite the threat from fiber-optic patch cords. The latter is predicted to advance to the mainstream in 2015 as FTTx adoption gains steam. Locally, the FTTx line posted growth surpassing 30 percent annually in the past several years. Even so, companies are counting on the burgeoning local 4G market to sustain demand for coaxial cable assemblies.

China is spending $81 billion for the construction of a 4G communication network, ensuring a 20 to 30 percent boost in the domestic communications industry. In the coaxial connector and cable assemblies segment, total revenue is anticipated to reach $3.3 billion in the next one or two years.

As such, most local makers are planning to increase production by 15 to 20 percent in the months ahead. The boom has attracted new players such as Hangzhou Lin’an Guangda Cable Co. Ltd as well. The manufacturer was established in 2006 but started offering coaxial cable assemblies last year only. It intends to raise production output by 10 percent in coming months.

Between 200 and 300 companies make up the coaxial cable assembly sector in mainland China, more than 70 percent of which are locally owned. The rest of the suppliers are mostly with Hong Kong and Taiwan investment. Over 60 percent of the makers outsource connectors. The others produce them in-house.

The key production hubs are the Pearl River and Yangtze River Delta regions, specifically the provinces of Guangdong and Zhejiang. These two areas play host to 70 percent of the manufacturer pool.

Mainstream selection

The range consists of units with male or female SMA, SMB, F, N or TNC connectors, and flexible, rigid, semiflexible or –rigid cables.

Products have characteristic impedance of 50 or 75ohm, respectively adopted in baseband signal transmission and CATV networks.

Micro versions use IPEX or MMCX connectors and cables with about 1mm outer diameter. These target mainly wireless communication applications.

Most makers ensure releases comply with RoHS requirements.

The key materials used in making coaxial cable assemblies include copper, nickel, gold, PVC and PE. These are sourced from local companies, although some companies turn to foreign providers for plastic to conform to buyers’ requests.

Prices are expected to remain stable throughout 2014 owing to a similar trend in material costs.

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Product gallery

Copartner Tech Corp.
(Taiwan)

Model: Coaxial Cable-01
Description: 0 to 8GHz; SMA, MMCX, TNC, BNC, UHF, LC, SC or N-type connectors; RG-58, RG-174 or RG-316 cable; for antennas, base stations, high-speed cable modems, automotive GPS, instrumentation, testing and measuring equipment, satellite communication and broadcast products

Hangzhou Lin'an Guangda Cable Co. Ltd
(Mainland China)

Model: RG6 Coaxial Cable
MOQ: Negotiable
Delivery: 15 days
Description: F connectors; RG-6 copper-clad steel cable, 67% braided, triple shielding; foamed PE dielectric; PVC jacket; ETL, UL

Zhejiang Wanma Group Special Electron Cable Co. Ltd
(Mainland China)

Model: Mini Coaxial Cable Wiring Harness, Jumpers with Gold-plated RCA Connectors
Description: Gold-plated RCA connectors; CMR-rated cable; low return loss; RoHS, UL

Zhenjiang Jiangbin Electronic Products Co. Ltd
(Mainland China)

Model: BNC
MOQ: 200 units
Delivery: 10 days
Description: 0 to 2GHz; BNC connectors; RG-58 cable; 75ohm characteristic impedance; ≤1.5mohm inner and ≤0.2mohm outer conductor contact, ≥5,000Mohm insulation resistance; 500-cycle life span