2026-10-29
As 5G-A scales in major cities, radio-side changes are reaching feeder selection. Compared with 5G, 5G-A uses more channels and higher power per site, and in some cases adds 3.5 GHz and 4.9 GHz bands, tightening link budgets.
For 7/8-inch corrugated copper feeders, four parameters matter. First, attenuation slope: look not only at the 900 MHz figure but at 3.5 and 4.9 GHz, where loss per 100 m can be two to three times higher. Second, VSWR: multi-channel systems are sensitive to reflections, so ≤1.15 up to 3 GHz is a reasonable requirement. Third, PIM: third-order intermodulation should stay below −150 dBc to avoid interference in multi-carrier sites. Fourth, bending radius and connector consistency: tight equipment-room routing can degrade VSWR if the radius is too small.
Connectors and jumpers are often overlooked. Installation torque, sealing and waterproofing of 7/16 and 4.3-10 interfaces determine long-term stability; pre-assembled assemblies are preferable to field assembly.
PTL's 7/8-inch range covers standard, super-flexible and low-loss constructions, with attenuation tables and curves on each product page for direct link budgeting.