A signal integrity study of straight and right-angle FAKRA cable connectors in RF applications for automotive systems

The FAKRA cable has emerged as a dependable and effective choice for transmitting high-frequency signals in automotive applications. However, guaranteeing signal integrity in FAKRA cable systems has become a critical challenge, particularly with the rising data rates in electric vehicle applications. This paper aims to explore the RF performances of various FAKRA cables up to 6 GHz. Additionally, a comparison is made between straight and right-angle connectors in FAKRA cable assemblies. Through a combination of simulations and measurements, it is demonstrated that the straight FAKRA connector exhibits better RF performances for high-speed data communication than the right-angle version.The study provides the physical explanation of the discrepancies between straight and right-angle FAKRA connectors. Engineers working with FAKRA system should choose cables with straight connectors to ensure optimal signal integrity for high-speed data transmission in automotive applications.