The S-function method of measuring attenuation of coaxial radio-frequency cable

DURING the last few years coaxial radio-frequency cable has been purchased in large quantities by the Army and the Navy for use in aircraft and surface vessels as radio and video transmission lines. Inspection of this cable has been carried out at the factories in accordance with the requirements of the applicable specifications, the latest of which is the Joint Army — Navy Specification JAN-C-17. These specifications require frequent measurements, at the factories, of the characteristic impedance and attenuation during production.