Overview
ISO 19642-12:2023 specifies dimensions and performance requirements for unscreened single twisted-pair RF (UTP / JUTP) cables for road-vehicle applications with a specified analogue bandwidth up to 1 GHz. The standard targets cables intended for vehicle electrical systems with nominal voltages of 30 V a.c. or 60 V d.c. and defines test methods, construction features and pass/fail criteria applicable to in-vehicle RF signal links.
Key topics and technical requirements
This part of the ISO 19642 series covers:
- Scope and general conditions
- Intended use in road vehicles, nominal system voltage limits and general test conditions.
- Cable construction and designators
- Requirements for cores, twisted-pair geometry, optional separator and outer sheath.
- Dimensional requirements
- Outside diameter, insulation thickness, conductor diameter, CSA, lay length and ovality criteria.
- Electrical requirements and RF performance
- Low‑frequency electrical tests (conductor resistance, continuity, insulation resistivity, withstand voltage).
- RF tests including characteristic impedance (frequency and time domain), insertion loss (IL), return loss (RL), velocity of propagation and unbalance attenuations.
- Mechanical tests
- Strip force, break force, cyclic/dynamic bending, minimum bending radius, abrasion and flexibility tests.
- Environmental tests
- Ageing (long term 3 000 h and short term 240 h at temperature class rating), thermal overload, pressure tests, shrinkage, cold impact, humidity cycling, resistance to water, chemicals, ozone, flame propagation and durability of markings.
- Representative element testing
- Procedures to select representative cable elements for testing and reference test setups.
Practical applications
ISO 19642-12:2023 is specifically useful where reliable RF signal transmission up to 1 GHz is required in automotive environments, such as:
- In-vehicle infotainment links, antenna feeders and interconnects
- Camera and sensor cabling for driver-assistance systems (where analogue RF links are used)
- On-board test and measurement harnesses and prototype vehicle integrations
Compliance ensures predictable electrical performance, mechanical robustness and environmental durability under typical automotive service conditions.
Who should use this standard
- Automotive cable manufacturers and designers
- OEM vehicle electrical architects and component engineers
- Test laboratories performing electrical, RF and environmental qualification
- Suppliers specifying in-vehicle RF interconnects and harness integrators
Related standards
- Other parts of the ISO 19642 series covering automotive cable families and related tests
- Relevant ISO/IEC test methods and automotive electrical/EMC test standards used alongside ISO 19642-12 for complete qualification
Keywords: ISO 19642-12:2023, automotive cables, unscreened twisted pair RF cables, 1 GHz, in-vehicle RF, UTP, JUTP, characteristic impedance, insertion loss, environmental testing.
