Collins Aerospace develops aerospace and defense technologies for commercial and military applications, including interconnect solutions that support RF, microwave, and high-speed data systems. Among these offerings are custom high-speed microwave assemblies designed for use in aerospace and defense platforms that require reliable signal transmission in demanding operating environments.
Modern RF and microwave systems depend on interconnect solutions that can maintain signal integrity while operating under mechanical stress, temperature variations, vibration, and electromagnetic interference. As operating frequencies increase and electronic systems become more integrated, interconnect performance plays an increasingly important role in overall system reliability. To address these requirements, Collins Aerospace develops custom microwave assemblies, cable harnesses, and interconnect systems tailored to specific electrical and mechanical requirements.
Custom Microwave Assembly Design
The company’s high-speed microwave portfolio includes custom cable assemblies designed to meet performance, packaging, and installation requirements. Available configurations include cable harnesses, ribbonized coaxial assemblies, custom backshells, molded assemblies, and flexible conduit solutions. Electrical performance capabilities include controlled VSWR, phase-matched assemblies, and high-frequency operation up to 65 GHz, helping maintain signal integrity across RF and microwave subsystems.
Design, Modelling, and Prototyping
Development activities are supported by design and engineering tools such as ProE, SolidWorks, and AutoCAD. Modelling and rapid prototyping techniques are used to validate mechanical concepts, verify fit, and support enclosure integration before final production. These processes help accelerate development while ensuring assemblies meet application-specific performance and installation requirements.
Signal Integrity and Electrical Performance
The portfolio includes high-speed data cables, matched-impedance RF cables, semi-rigid coaxial assemblies, controlled-impedance circuit boards, and integrated packaging of coaxial, power, and fiber-optic transmission lines. These technologies are intended to support high-frequency signal transmission while maintaining electrical performance across complex electronic systems. Conductive e-textile fibers are also used in selected signal transmission applications.
Mechanical Ruggedization and EMI Protection
In addition to electrical performance, the assemblies are designed to withstand challenging operating conditions. Mechanical solutions include custom cable packaging, connector systems, backshells, enclosures, strain-relief mechanisms, high-flex constructions, abrasion-resistant materials, ruggedized designs, and repairable assemblies.
To support electromagnetic compatibility requirements, Collins Aerospace also incorporates EMI mitigation technologies, including backshells, enclosures, shield splices, textile braiding, woven ground planes, and conductive e-textile shielding materials. These approaches help reduce electromagnetic interference and support signal integrity across interconnected electronic systems.
Applications in Defense and Aerospace Systems
These microwave interconnect technologies are designed for advanced RF and microwave assemblies, wire harnesses, and electronic subsystems used across defense and aerospace platforms. By combining custom microwave assemblies, controlled-impedance interconnects, EMI-mitigation technologies, and rugged mechanical designs, the solutions support the transmission of RF, data, power, and control signals in high-frequency and mission-critical applications.
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