IEC 61196-1-128:2025

Coaxial communication cables - Part 1-128: Electrical test methods - Polarization directivity of radiating cable

IEC 61196-1-128:2025 applies to radiating cables. It specifies a test method for determining the polarization directivity of radiating cables for use in MIMO communication systems.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 13-Aug-2025
• ICS: 33.120.10 - Coaxial cables. Waveguides
• Technical Committee: SC 46A - Coaxial cables
• Drafting Committee: WG 3 - TC 46/SC 46A/WG 3
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 14-Aug-2025
• Completion Date: 19-Sep-2025

Overview

IEC 61196-1-128:2025 defines a standardized electrical test method to measure the polarization directivity of radiating (leaky) coaxial communication cables. The measurement is intended to quantify how a radiating cable favors vertical or horizontal polarization - a key parameter for designing and validating MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) wireless systems that rely on controlled polarization behavior along the cable.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of polarization directivity: difference in link loss between vertical and horizontal radiation directions (expressed in dB) at a given axial antenna position along the cable.
• Test arrangements: two permitted setups
  • Free‑space arrangement (arbitration method): cable elevated on non‑metallic posts (1.5–2 m height), antenna on a trolley moving parallel to the cable; antenna-to-cable horizontal distance ≈ 2 m.
  • Ground‑level arrangement: alternate arrangement for field or constrained environments.
• Antenna options: dual‑polarized half‑wavelength dipole, two half‑wavelength dipoles, or a single dipole with specified orientations; when using two dipoles, centre spacing ≥ 1 λ.
• Sample length: test cable length ≥ 10·λ of the measurement frequency, but not shorter than 50 m. Segmented testing of longer cables is allowed.
• Test methods: synchronous and separated methods for both complete and segmented samples (procedures for sample preparation and measurement sequencing).
• Equipment and data: requirements include signal generator, receiver, trolley, antennas, loads, connecting cables/connectors and a data collection/processing system; antenna type and gains must be reported if non‑dipole antennas are used.
• Measurement constraints: no other metallic objects within a 2 m diameter cylinder surrounding the cable/antenna axis; specified antenna orientations for vertical, horizontal and radial measurements.
• Reporting: test report must document test arrangement, equipment, sample preparation, measurement positions, frequencies and calculated polarization directivity results.

Practical applications and users

• Cable manufacturers: validate radiating cable polarization performance for MIMO deployments.
• Test and certification laboratories: perform reproducible measurements to IEC requirements for product qualification and customer claims.
• System integrators and wireless designers: use results to predict polarization behavior in distributed antenna systems (DAS), indoor coverage, tunnels, or transportation corridors.
• Procurement/specification authors: reference IEC 61196‑1‑128 in supplier requirements and acceptance testing for radiating cable installations.

Related standards

• IEC 61196‑1 (generic coaxial cable specification)
• IEC 61196‑1‑127 (electrical test methods - link loss of radiating cable)
• IEC 61196‑4 (sectional specification for radiating cables)
• IEC 60068‑1 (environmental testing guidance)

Keywords: IEC 61196-1-128, radiating cable, polarization directivity, MIMO, coaxial communication cables, test methods, free-space arrangement, dipole antenna, link loss, segmented samples.

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 61196-1-128 ®
Edition 1.0 2025-08
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Coaxial communication cables -
Part 1-128: Electrical test methods - Polarization directivity of radiating cable
ICS 33.120.10  ISBN 978-2-8327-0654-1

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CONTENTS
FOREWORD. 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Test arrangements . 6
4.1 General . 6
4.2 Free-space arrangement . 6
4.3 Ground-level arrangement . 10
5 Test equipment . 14
5.1 Signal generator. 14
5.2 Receiver . 14
5.3 Trolley . 14
5.4 Antenna . 14
5.5 Load . 14
5.6 Connecting cables and connectors . 14
5.7 Data collection system and calculations . 14
6 Test conditions . 15
7 Test methods. 16
7.1 General . 16
7.2 Synchronous test method for complete sample . 16
7.2.1 Test sample (TS) preparation . 16
7.2.2 Test procedure . 16
7.3 Separated test method for complete sample . 17
7.3.1 Test sample (TS) preparation . 17
7.3.2 Test procedure . 17
7.4 Synchronous test method for segmented samples . 17
7.4.1 Test sample (TS) preparation . 17
7.4.2 Test procedure . 18
7.5 Separated test method for segmented samples . 19
7.5.1 Test sample (TS) preparation . 19
7.5.2 Test procedure . 19
8 Requirement . 19
9 Test report . 19

Figure 1 – Free-space arrangement with one dual-polarized half-wavelength dipole
antenna . 7
Figure 2 – Free-space arrangement with two half-wavelength dipole antennas . 8
Figure 3 – Free-space arrangement with one half-wavelength dipole antenna . 9
Figure 4 – Antenna orientations with free-space arrangement . 9
Figure 5 – Ground-level arrangement with one dual-polarized half-wavelength dipole
antenna . 11
Figure 6 – Ground-level arrangement with two half-wavelength dipole antennas . 12

Figure 7 – Ground-level arrangement with one half-wavelength dipole antenna . 13
Figure 8 – Antenna orientations with ground-level arrangement . 13
Figure 9 – Segmented test samples . 18
Figure 10 – Segmented samples test . 18

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
Coaxial communication cables -
Part 1-128: Electrical test methods -
Polarization directivity of radiating cable

FOREWORD
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IEC 61196-1-128 has been prepared by subcommittee 46A: Coaxial cables, of IEC technical
committee 46: Cables, wires, waveguides, RF connectors, RF and microwave passive
components and accessories. It is an International Standard.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
46A/1729/FDIS 46A/1734/RVD
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/publications.
A list of all parts in the IEC 61196 series, published under the general title Coaxial
communication cables, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
– reconfirmed,
– withdrawn, or
– revised.
1 Scope
This part of IEC 61196 applies to radiating cables. It specifies a test method for determining
the polarization directivity of radiating cables for use in MIMO communication systems.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies.
For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 60068-1:2013, Environmental testing – Part 1: General and guidance
IEC 61196-1, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1: Generic specification − General,
definitions and requirements
IEC 61196-1-127, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-127: Electrical test methods – Link
loss of radiating cable
IEC 61196-4, Coaxial communication cables – Part 4: Sectional specification for radiating
cables
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 61196-1, IEC 61196-4,
IEC 61196-1-127 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
– IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
– ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
polarization directivity
P
D
difference in link losses measured in the vertical and horizontal radiation directions of the same
radiating cable at the same position, expressed by Formula (1):
Px L x−L x
( ) ( ) ( ) (1)
D LV LH
where
P (x) is the polarization directivity at the axial antenna position x, in dB;
D
L (x) is the link loss measured in the vertical radiation directions of the radiating cable at axial
LV
antenna position x, in dB;
L (x) is the link loss measured in horizontal radiation directions of the same radiating cable
LH
at the axial antenna position x, in dB;
x is the axial distance of the antenna from the transceiver end of the cable.
=
Note 1 to entry: Vertical radiation direction refers to the direction of the electric field perpendicular to the ground.
When the dipole antenna is orthogonal to the ground, the dipole antenna is vertically polarized, so the link loss in
the vertical radiation direction of the cable can be measured; horizontal radiation direction refers to the direction of
the electric field parallel to the ground. When the dipole antenna is parallel or radial to the ground, it is horizontally
polarized, so the link loss in the horizontal radiation direction of the cable can be measured.
4 Test arrangements
4.1 General
The measurement of polarization directivity for radiating cable can be carried out by using one
of the following two test arrangements, where the free-space arrangement shall be the
arbitration method if there is an argument:
– free-space arrangement;
– ground-level arrangement.
4.2 Free-space arrangement
The arrangement of the cable and the antenna is given in Figure 1 when using a dual-polarized
half-wavelength dipole antenna, or in Figure 2 when using two half-wavelength dipole antennas,
or in Figure 3 when using one half-wavelength dipole antenna. The cable is laid on non-metallic
posts at a height of 1,5 m to 2 m.
The length of the cable to be tested shall be at least 10 λ, where λ is the cable wavelength of
the measuring frequency, but not shorter than 50 m. If the cable is tested in sections according
to 7.4 or the whole cable is longer than 10 λ or 50 m, shorter sections can be tested as well.
The antenna is put on a trolley and moved parallel to the cable. The height of the antenna
centre shall be the same as that of the cable, and its horizontal distance from the cable shall
be about 2 m (additional distance can be added in the detail specification). Preferably, two
half-wavelength dipole antennas, one dual-polarized half-wavelength dipole antenna or one
half-wavelength dipole antenna shall be used. When using one dual-polarized half-wavelength
dipole antenna, its one pair of arms shall be parallel to the cable, the other pair of arms shall
be orthogonal to the cable. When using two half-wavelength dipole antennas, their axial
direction shall be aligned and one antenna orientation is parallel to the cable, another is
orthogonal to the cable. The centre distance between two antennas should be at least one
wavelength. If other antennas are used, the type and gain of antenna shall be stated in the test
report.
If users requested, when using one dual-polarized half-wavelength dipole antenna, its one pair
of arms shall be radial to the cable, the other pair of arms shall be orthogonal to the cable.
When using two half-wavelength dipole antennas, their axial direction shall be aligned and one
antenna orientation is radial to the cable, another is orthogonal to the cable.
NOTE Dipole antenna is a line antenna with one pair of symmetrical arms that can generate radiation lobes similar
to basic electric dipoles. Dual-polarized dipole antenna is composed of two pairs of orthogonal arms.
No other metallic parts than the cable and the antenna shall be included within a cylinder of
2 m minimum in diameter surrounding the axis of the cable and the centre of the antenna.
The antenna orientations for a dipole antenna are shown in Figur
...