Attenuation of Copper Cables
Contents
Applet Description
This applet calculates the attenuation function aK(f) of conducted transmission media (with cable length l):
- For coaxial cables one usually uses the equation aK(f)=(α0+α1⋅f+α2⋅√f)⋅l.
- In contrast, two-wire lines are often displayed in the form aK(f)=(k1+k2⋅(f/MHz)k3)⋅l.
- The conversion of the (k1, k2, k3) parameters to the (α0, α1, α2) parameters for B=30 MHz is realized as well as the other way around.
Aside from the attenuation function aK(f) the applet can display:
- the associated magnitude frequency response |HK(f)|=10−aK(f)/20,
- the equalizer frequency response |HE(f)|=|HCRO(f)/HK(f)|, that leads to a nyquist total frequency response HCRO(f),
- the corresponding magnitude square frequency response |HE(f)|2.
The integral over |HE(f)|2 is a measure of the noise exaggeration of the selected Nyquist total frequency response and thus also for the expected error probability.From this, the total efficiency ηK+E for channel (ger.:Kanal) and equalizer (ger.:Entzerrer) is calculated, which is output in the applet in dB.
Through optimization of the roll-off-factor r of the cosine roll-off frequency response HCRO(f) one gets the Channel efficiency ηK. This therefore indicates the deterioration of the overall system due to the attenuation function a rmK(f) of the transmission medium.
Theoretical Background
Magnitude Frequency Response and Attenuation Function
Following relationship exists between the magnitude frequency response and the attenuation function:
- |HK(f)|=10−aK(f)/20=e−aK, Np(f).
- The index „K” makes it clear, that the considered LTI system is a cable (German : Kabel).
- For the first calculation rule, the damping function aK(f) must be used in dB (decibel).
- For the second calculation rule, the damping function aK, Np(f) must be used in Np (Neper).
- The following conversions apply: 1 dB=0.05⋅ln(10) Np=0.1151 Np or 1 Np=20⋅lg(e) dB=8.6859 dB.
- This applet exclusively uses dB values.
Attenuation Function of a Coaxial Cable
According to [Wel77][1] the Attenuation Function of a Coaxial Cable of length l is given as follows:
- aK(f)=(α0+α1⋅f+α2⋅√f)⋅l.
- It is important to note the difference between aK(f) in dB and the „alpha” coefficient with other pseudo–units.
- The attenuation function aK(f) is directly proportional to the cable length l; αK(f)=aK(f)/l is referred to as the „attenuation factor” or „kilometric attenuation”.
- The frequency-independent component α0 of the attenuation factor takes into account the Ohmic losses.
- The frequency proportional portion α1·f of the attenuation factor is due to the derivation losses („crosswise loss”) .
- The dominant portion α2 goes back to Skin effect, which causes a lower current density inside the conductor compared to its surface. As a result, the resistance of an electric line increases with the square root of the frequency.
The constants for the standard coaxial cable with a 2.6 mm inner diameter and a 9.5 mm outer diameter ⇒ short Coax (2.6/9.5 mm) are:
- α0=0.014dBkm,α1=0.0038dBkm⋅MHz,α2=2.36dBkm⋅√MHz.
The same applies to the small coaxial cable ⇒ short Coax (1.2/4.4 mm):
- α0=0.068dBkm,α1=0.0039dBkm⋅MHz,α2=5.2dBkm⋅√MHz.
These values can be calculated from the cables' geometric dimensions and have been confirmed by measurements at the Fernmeldetechnisches Zentralamt in Darmstadt – see [Wel77][1] . They are valid for a temperature of 20° C (293 K) and frequencies greater than 200 kHz.
Attenuation Function of a Two–wired Line
According to [PW95][2] the attenuation function of a Two–wired Line of length l is given as follows:
- aK(f)=(k1+k2⋅(f/MHz)k3)⋅l.
This function is not directly interpretable, but is a phenomenological description.
[PW95][2]also provides the constants determined by measurement results:
- d=0.35 mm: k1=7.9 dB/km,k2=15.1 dB/km,k3=0.62,
- d=0.40 mm: k1=5.1 dB/km,k2=14.3 dB/km,k3=0.59,
- d=0.50 mm: k1=4.4 dB/km,k2=10.8 dB/km,k3=0.60,
- d=0.60 mm: k1=3.8 dB/km,k2=9.2 dB/km,k3=0.61.
From these numerical values one recognizes:
- The attenuation factor α(f) and the attenuation function aK(f)=α(f)·l depend significantly on the pipe diameter. The cables laid since 1994 with d=0.35 mm and d=0.5 mm have a 10% greater attenuation factor than the older lines with d=0.4 mm or d=0.6 mm.
- However, this smaller diameter, which is based on the manufacturing and installation costs, significantly reduces the range lmax of the transmission systems used on these lines, so that in the worst case scenario expensive intermediate regenerators have to be used.
- The current transmission methods for copper lines prove only a relatively narrow frequency band, for example 120 kHz with ISDN and ≈1100 kHz with DSL. For f=1 MHz the attenuation factor of a 0.4 mm cable is around 20 dB/km, so that even with a cable length of l=4 km the attenuation does not exceed 80 dB.
Conversion between k and α parameters
The k–parameters of the attenuation factor ⇒ αI(f) can be converted into corresponding α–parameters ⇒ αII(f):
- αI(f)=k1+k2⋅(f/f0)k3,withf0=1MHz,
- αII(f)=α0+α1⋅f+α2⋅√f.
As a criterion of this conversion, we assume that the quadratic deviation of these two functions is minimal within a bandwidth B:
- ∫B0[αI(f)−αII(f)]2df⇒Minimum.
It is obvious that α0=k1. The parameters α1 and α2 are dependent on the underlying bandwidth B and are:
- α1=15⋅(B/f0)k3−1⋅k3−0.5(k3+1.5)(k3+2)⋅k2/f0,α2=10⋅(B/f0)k3−0.5⋅1−k3(k3+1.5)(k3+2)⋅k2/√f0.
In the opposite direction the conversion rule for the exponent is:
- k3=A+0.5A+1,Auxiliary variable: A=23⋅α1⋅√f0α2⋅√B/f0.
With this result you can specify k2 with each of the above equations.
Example 1:
- For k3=1 (frequency proportional attenuation factor) we get α0=k0,α1=k2/f0,α2=0.
- For k3=0.5 (Skin effect) we get the coefficients: α0=k0,α1=0,α2=k2/√f0.
- For k3<0.5 we get a negative α1. Conversion is only possible for 0.5≤k3≤1.
- For 0.5≤k3≤ we get the coefficients α1>0 and α2>0, which are also dependent on B/f0.
- From α1=0.3dB/(km⋅MHz),α2=3dB/(km⋅√MHz),B=30 MHz folgt k3=0.63 und k2=2.9 dB/km.
Channel Influence on the Binary Nyquistent Equalization
Going by the block diagram: Between the Dirac source and the (threshold) decider are the frequency responses for the transmitter (German: Sender) ⇒ HS(f), channel (German: Kanal) ⇒ HK(f) and receiver (German: Empfänger) ⇒ HE(f).
In this applet
- we neglect the influence of the transmitted pulse form ⇒ HS(f)≡1 ⇒ dirac shaped transmission signal s(t), and
- presuppose a binary Nyquist system with cosine–roll–off around the Nyquist frequency fNyq=[f1+f2]/2=1(2T) :
- HK(f)·HE(f)=HCRO(f).
This means: The first Nyquist criterion is met
⇒ Timely successive impulses do not disturb each other
⇒ there are no Intersymbol Interferences.
In the case of white Gaussian noise, the transmission quality is thus determined solely by the noise power in front of the receiver:
- PN=N02⋅∫+∞−∞|HE(f)|2 dfwith|HE(f)|2=|HCRO(f)|2|HK(f)|2.
The lowest possible noise performance results with an ideal channel ⇒ HK(f)≡1 and a rectangular HCRO(f)≡1 in |f|≤fNyq:
- PN, min=PN [optimal system: HK(f)≡1, r=ropt=1]=N0⋅fNyq.
Definitions:
- As a quality criterion for a given system we use the total efficiency with respect to the channel (K) and the receiver (E):
- ηK+E=PN [Optimal system: Channel HK(f)≡1, Roll-off factor r=ropt=1]PN [Given system: Channel HK(f), Roll-off factor r]=[13/4⋅fNyq⋅∫+∞0|HE(f)|2 df]−1≤1.
This quality criterion is specified in the applet for both parameter sets in logarithm form: 10⋅lg ηK+E≤0 dB.
- Through variation and optimization of the receiver ⇒ roll-off factor r we get the Channel efficiency:
- ηK=min0≤r≤1 ηK+E.
Example 2: The graph shows the square value frequency response |HE(f)|2 with |HE(f)|=HCRO(f)/|HK(f)| for the following boundary conditions:
- Attenuation function of the channel: aK(f)=1 dB⋅√f/ MHz,
- Nyquist frequency: fNyq=20 MHz, Roll-off factor r=0.5
This results in the following consequences:
- In the area up to f1=10 MHz: HCRO(f)=1 ⇒ |HE(f)|2=|HK(f)|−2 (see yellow deposit).
- The flank of HCRO(f) is only effective from f1 to f2=30 MHz and |HE(f)|2 decreases more and more.
- The maximum of |HE(fmax)|2 at fmax≈11.5 MHz is twice the value of |HE(f=0)|2=1.
- The integral over |HE(f)|2 is a measure of the effective noise power. In the current example this is 4.6 times bigger than the minimal noise power (for aK(f)=0 dB and r=1) ⇒ 10⋅lg ηK+E≈−6.6 dB.
Exercises
- First choose an exercise number 1 ... 11.
- An exercise description is displayed.
- Parameter values are adjusted to the respective exercises.
- Click „Show solution” to display the solution.
- Exercise description and solution are in English.
Number „0” is a „Reset” button:
- Sets parameters to initial values (like after loading the page).
- Displays a „Reset text” to further describe the applet.
In the following desctiption Blue means the left parameter set (blue in the applet), and Red means the right parameter set (red in the applet). For parameters that are marked with an apostrophe the unit is not displayed. For example we write α2′=2 for α2=2dB/(km⋅√MHz).
(1) First set Blue to Coax (1.2/4.4 mm) and then to Coax (2.6/9.5 mm). The cable length is lBlue=5 km.
- Interpret aK(f) and |HK(f)|, in particular the functional values aK(f=f⋆=30 MHz) and |HK(f=0)|.
⇒The attenuation function increases approximately with √f and the magnitude frequency response decreases similarly to an exponential function;
Coax (1.2/4.4 mm): aK(f=f⋆)=143.3 dB;|HK(f=0)|=0.96.
Coax (2.6/9.5 mm): aK(f=f⋆)=65.3 dB;|HK(f=0)|=0.99;
(2) Set Blue to Coax (2.6/9.5 mm) and lBlue=5 km. How is aK(f=f⋆=30 MHz) affected by α0, α1 und α2?
⇒α2 is dominant due to the skin effect. The contributions of α0 (ca. 0.1 dB) and α1 (ca. 0.6 dB) are comparatively small.
(3) Additionally, set Red to Two–wired Line (0.5 mm) and lRed=1 km. What is the resulting value for aK(f=f⋆=30 MHz)?
- Up to what length lRed does the red attenuation function stay under the blue one?
⇒Red curve: aK(f=f⋆)=87.5 dB. The condition above is fulfilled for lRed=0.7 km ⇒ aK(f=f⋆)=61.3 dB.
(4) Set Red to k1′=0,k2′=10,k3′=0.75,lred=1 km and vary the Parameter 0.5≤k3≤1.
- How do the parameters affect aK(f) and |HK(f)|?
⇒With k2being constant, aK(f) increases with bigger values of k3 and |HK(f)| decreases faster and faster. With k3=1:aK(f) rises linearly.
With k3→0.5, the attenuation function is more and more determined by the skin effect, same as in the coaxial cable.
(5) Set Red to Two–wired Line (0.5 mm) and Blue to Conversion of Red. For the length use lRed=lBlue=1 km.
- Analyse and interpret the displayed functions aK(f) and |HK(f)|.
⇒Very good approximation of the two-wire line through the blue parameter set, both with regard to aK(f), as well as |HK(f)|.
The resulting parameters from the conversion are α0′=k1′=4.4, α1′=0.76, α2′=11.12.
(6) We assume the settings of (5). Which parts of the attenuation function are due to ohmic loss, lateral losses and skin effect?
⇒Solution based on '''Blue''': aK(f=f⋆=30 MHz)=88.1 dB,without α0: 83.7 dB,without α0 and α1: 60.9 dB.
For a two-wire cable, the influence of the longitudinal and transverse losses is significantly greater than for a coaxial cable.
(7) Set Blue to α0′=α1′=α2′=0 and Red to k1′=2,k2′=0,lred=1 km. Additionally, set fNyq′=15 and r=0.5.
- How big are the total efficiency ηK+E and the channel efficiency ηK?
⇒10⋅lg ηK+E=−0.7 dB (Blue: ideal system) and 10⋅lg ηK+E=−2.7 dB (Red: DC signal attenuation only).
The best possible rolloff factor is r=1. Therefore 10⋅lg ηK=0 dB (Blue) or 10⋅lg ηK=−2 dB (Red).
(8) The same settings apply as in (7). Under what transmission power Pred with respect to Pblue do both systems achieve the same error probability?
⇒We need to achieve 10⋅lgPRed/PBlue=2 dB ⇒ PRed/PBlue=100.2=1.585.
(9) Set Blue to α0′=α1′=0, α2′=3, lblue′=2 and Red to „Inactive”. Additionally set fNyq′=15 and r=0.7.
- How does |HE(f)| look like? Calculate the total efficiency ηK+E and the channel efficiencyηK.
⇒Forf<7.5 MHz:|HE(f)|=|HK(f)|−1. For f>25 MHz:|HE(f)|=0. In between, the effect of the CRO edge can be observed.
The best possible rolloff factor r=0.7 is already set ⇒ 10⋅lg ηK+E=10⋅lg ηK≈−18.1 dB.
(10) Set Blue to α0′=α1′=0, α2′=3, lblue′=8 and Red to „Inactive”. Additionally, set fNyq′=15 and r=0.7.
- How big is |HE(f=0)|? What is the maximum value of |HE(f)|? Calculate the channel efficiency ηK.
⇒|HE(f=0)|=|HE(f=0)|−1=1 and the maximum value |HE(f)| is approximately 37500 for r=0.7⇒10⋅lg ηK+E≈−89.2 dB,
because the integral over |HE(f)|2is huge. After the optimization r=0.17 we get 10⋅lg ηK≈−82.6 dB.
(11) The same settings apply as in (10) and r=0.17. Vary the cable length up to lblue=10 km.
- How much do the maximum value of |HE(f)|, the channel efficiency ηK and the optimal rolloff factor ropt change?
⇒The maximum value of |HE(f)| increases and 10⋅lg ηK decreases more and more.
At 10 km length 10⋅lg ηK≈−104.9 dB and ropt=0.14. For f⋆≈14.5 MHz⇒|HE(f=f⋆)|=352000≈|HE(f=0)|.
Applet Manual
(A) Preselection for blue parameter set
(B) Input of the α parameters via sliders
(C) Preselection for red parameter set
(D) Input of the k parameters via sliders
(E) Input of the parameters fNyq and r
(F) Selection for the graphic display
(G) Display aK(f), |HK(f)|, |HE(f)|, ...
(H) Scaling factor H0 for |HE(f)|, |HE(f)|2
(I) Selection of the frequency f⋆ for numeric values
(J) Numeric values for blue parameter set
(K) Numeric values for red parameter set
(L) Output system efficiency ηK+E in dB
(M) Store & Recall of settings
(N) Exercise section
(O) Variation of the graphic display:„+” (Zoom in), „−” (Zoom out) „o” (Reset) „←” (Move left), etc.
Other options for graphic display:
- Hold shift and scroll: Zoom in on/out of coordinate system,
- Hold shift and left click: Move the coordinate system.
About the Authors
This interactive calculation was designed and realized at the Lehrstuhl für Nachrichtentechnik of the Technische Universität München.
- The original version was created in 2009 by Sebastian Seitz as part of his Diploma thesis using „FlashMX–Actionscript” (Supervisor: Günter Söder ).
- In 2018 this Applet was redesigned and updated to „HTML5” by Jimmy He as part of his Bachelor's thesis (Supervisor: Tasnád Kernetzky) .
Once again: Open Applet in new Tab
Open Applet in new Tab Deutsche Version Öffnen
- ↑ Jump up to: 1.0 1.1 Wellhausen, H. W.: Dämpfung, Phase und Laufzeiten bei Weitverkehrs–Koaxialpaaren. Frequenz 31, S. 23-28, 1977.
- ↑ Jump up to: 2.0 2.1 Pollakowski, M.; Wellhausen, H.W.: Eigenschaften symmetrischer Ortsanschlusskabel im Frequenzbereich bis 30 MHz. Mitteilung aus dem Forschungs- und Technologiezentrum der Deutschen Telekom AG, Darmstadt, Verlag für Wissenschaft und Leben Georg Heidecker, 1995.