The Pico TA264 Precision High-Flex Unsleeved Coaxial Cable 30 cm is designed for engineers, laboratories and high-frequency test environments that require a short, flexible RF interconnection with defined high-frequency loss performance.
Pico Technology specifies the TA264 as a precision ultra-low-loss, high-flex, unsleeved 085 coaxial cable. It has a 30 cm length, SMA male connectors at both ends and a specified signal loss of 1.1 dB at 13 GHz.
The short cable length and flexible construction make it particularly useful for connecting closely positioned RF instruments, oscilloscopes, signal sources, test fixtures and devices under test.
High-Frequency Signal Interconnection
Cable loss becomes increasingly important as measurement frequency rises. The TA264 provides a manufacturer-specified 1.1 dB loss at 13 GHz, giving engineers a defined reference when evaluating the total signal loss through a high-frequency measurement path.
It can be used in applications such as:
- Sampling oscilloscope measurements
- RF and microwave laboratory testing
- Signal-integrity analysis
- TDR and TDT measurement setups
- High-speed pulse measurements
- High-frequency waveform testing
- Electronic component characterization
- RF prototype development
- Research and development
- Test fixture interconnection
- High-speed electronics validation
High-Flex Unsleeved Design
A key feature of the TA264 is its unsleeved 085 coaxial construction. Pico describes the cable as very light and highly flexible, which makes it useful where the cable needs to be routed through compact or closely spaced test arrangements.
This construction is also useful in test setups where a heavier externally sleeved cable could make positioning more difficult.
Important Unsleeved Cable Safety Consideration
Because the TA264 does not have an external insulating sleeve, Pico specifically warns users about a possible ground-shorting hazard along the length of the cable.
When routing the TA264:
- Keep the exposed cable body away from energized circuit nodes
- Prevent unintended contact with adjacent components or conductors
- Route the cable carefully in densely populated test setups
- Check the cable position before applying power to the DUT
This consideration is particularly important during board-level measurements and solder-in applications.
SMA Male-to-Male Connection
The TA264 has SMA male connectors at both ends, allowing direct connection between compatible SMA female interfaces.
Typical connections can include:
- Sampling oscilloscopes
- RF measurement instruments
- Pulse generators
- RF signal sources
- Test fixtures
- RF accessories
- Attenuators
- Devices under test
The male-to-male arrangement provides a simple point-to-point RF connection without requiring an additional gender adapter in many common test configurations.
PicoScope 9300 Series Compatibility
Pico Technology currently lists the TA264 as an RF accessory for the PicoScope 9300 Series sampling oscilloscopes.
The cable can be used in compatible 9300 Series configurations for applications including:
- Sampling oscilloscope measurements
- TDR/TDT analysis
- Signal-integrity testing
- High-speed pulse characterization
- High-frequency waveform measurement
PicoScope 9400 Series Compatibility
Pico also lists the TA264 as a recommended accessory for the PicoScope 9400 Series.
This makes it suitable for compatible high-bandwidth oscilloscope configurations where a lightweight, flexible 30 cm SMA-to-SMA connection is required.
PicoSource Compatibility
The TA264 is also listed as a recommended accessory for Pico’s PG900 Series pulse generators, supporting high-speed pulse-generation and measurement setups.
Typical Applications
The Pico TA264 is suitable for:
- RF and microwave testing
- Sampling oscilloscope measurements
- TDR/TDT measurements
- Signal-integrity testing
- High-speed digital design
- Pulse-generator test setups
- High-frequency component testing
- RF signal interconnection
- Test fixture connection
- Research and development laboratories
- Electronic design verification
- Production and engineering test environments
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