Abstract
This chapter is an updated, enhanced, and expanded paper previously published in IJMMME. An attenuation-based mathematical model and computational tool for communication cable design is presented in the chapter. The relationship derived for the model creation connects attenuation with the following parameters of cable design and testing: copper wire, aluminum and insulation thicknesses, cable impedance, test frequency, and lay length. The expression found from numerous measurement data was used to simulate the Monte Carlo prediction of attenuation in the cable. To realize the simulations, a life script and regular MATLAB script programs were developed. The programs produce a special graphical user interface suitable for non-programmers, cable engineers, and technicians. Results of calculations obtained with the developed tool were verified by experiments and indicate that the tool can be used to design cables with optimal parameters.
TopBackgrounds, Test Data And Their Fitting
The cable and test parameters that were assigned to search for an unifying relation are shown in.
Figure 1.
Cable (a) and test (b) parameters selected to the relationship search.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Cable Design: Here means searching for the best cable parameters, namely the best copper wire diameter, aluminum and insulation thickness, cable impedance, test frequency and gasket length, that provides the required attenuation value limit.
Live Script: An interactive program that presents together codes, texts, obtained values and graphs on the same page of a special editor.
Lay Length: A distance of one full revolution of two twisted and isolated wires.
Frequency: The number of waves that have passed a fixed length at a given time; the cable should provide a certain frequency range to the broadcast signal; therefore cables are tested at the required frequencies.
Monte-Carlo Simulation: A computational program/algorithm that uses multiple random sampling to obtain the most probably value of a parameter of interest and its possible deviation.
Attenuation: A decrease in electric signal value during its propagation through wires, measured at a specific cable length.
Cable: Is two or more coupled insulated wires wrapped in one insulating shield and located in a tubular jacket.
Insulator: A material that prevents the passage of electric current through it.
Impedance: Complex resistance between two nodes of the circuit (e.g., two points of a section of the wire-insulator).
Fitting: Is finding the accurate mathematical expression that best matches the observed/test data.
Graphical User Interface: Developed window/s with graphic items (menu, buttons, boxes, etc.) that allows users interact with computer when solving his problem.