1. Can any other connector besides an SMA Plug be used in a minibend^®, microbend^® or mini141^® assembly?

Yes! We now offer a 65 GHz 1.85mm Plug, 40 GHz K Plug , 26.5 GHz SSMA Plug, 20 GHz SMP Pin and Socket, 26 GHz BMA Plug and Jack and a variety of SMA Jack minibend^® connectors!
You can, however, order a minibend^® assembly with the SMA, SSMA, 1.85mm, SMP, BMA, 2.9mm (SMK), K, or other minibend^® connector on one end and another connector style on the other end.

With microbend^® , Astrolab offers SMPM, SMA plug, SMP, 2.9mm (SMK), SSMA, SMA jack (flange), 1.85/2.4mm connectors both standard and ruggedized.

With mini141^®, Astrolab offers SMA plug, SMA jack, SSMA plug, ATNC plug, N plug and BMA float mount 2.9mm (SMK) and weatherized assemblies.

2. What is the shortest standard length minibend^® assembly?

We can supply 1.75 inch minibend^® and microbend^® assemblies. With mini141^®, our shortest standard length is 5 inches. Non-standard lengths can be supplied per customer request.

3. Can you make minibend^®, microbend^® and mini141^® assemblies longer than 16 inches?

minibend^® and mini141^® were designed to replace standard .086 and .141 semi-rigid cable assemblies which are generally less than 16 inches in length. Lengths longer than 16 inches are supplied as minibend R assemblies. Most customers who request lengths longer than 16 inches want to use minibend^® as a test cable. minibend^® and mini141^® were not designed to be used as a test cable assembly. Ask about our "astro-TC" Test Cable Assemblies.

microbend^® assemblies were designed to replace .047" semi rigid assemblies which are generally under 12".

4. Can minibend be phased matched?

The ±1/4" length tolerance of minibend^®, microbend^® and mini141^® yields a ±21.6° phase match at 2 GHz. minibend^®, microbend^® and mini141^® cannot be trimmed after assembly. We could select at test on special order but sorting would be limited to standard length assemblies. The cost of this service would depend on the degree of phase matching and the frequency. Typically, phase matching ±5° @ 2 GHz would be 2 x and phase matching ±7.5° @ 18GHz would be 4 x the cost of a standard minibend^® assembly. Contact our sales department for your specific requirements. mini141^® and minibend L will have different phase than minibend^® or microbend^® ± 20° phase matched at 2 GHz.

5. What environmental limits have minibend^®, microbend^® and mini141^® been tested to?

(Note: Ask about minibend W and mini141^® which are environmentally sealed, the ruggedized minibend R and
minibend L which have an extended temperature range, and minibend E for space applications.)

6. How much power can minibend^®, microbend^® and mini141^® handle?

(Power handling based on ambient temperature at 25°C and altitude at sea level)

7. Aren't minibend^®, microbend^® and mini141^® just more "conformable", "tin dipped" outer conductor cables?

Absolutely not! minibend^®, microbend^® and mini141^® are true flexible cable assemblies with three shields (flat wire braid outer conductor, Kapton/Aluminum inner layer and stainless steel round wire outer braid) and an extruded FEP outer jacket. No solder is used anywhere on the outer conductor.

8. How Flexible and Bendable is the minibend^® assembly?

Click here to see more information on the flexibility of minibend^®.

9. Can minibend^® be used in a space environment?

minibend^® has has an established history of use in several spacecraft applications. All materials used in the manufacture of minibend^® meet or exceed NASA outgassing requirements for <1.0% TML and <0.10% CVCM. The minibend^® cable has been certified to withstand 2 megarads of ionizing radiation without degradation. mini141^® , microbend E and minibend AR have been used on space platforms.

10. How reliabile is the minibend^® assembly?

Click here for a reliability prediction per MIL-HDBK-217