Megahertz, abbreviated MHz, is a unit of frequency equal to one million cycles per second, used to express signal frequencies and the bandwidth of cable.
One megahertz equals one million cycles per second, making it a convenient unit for the frequencies common in radio, video, and data signals. Frequency describes how rapidly a signal alternates, and expressing it in megahertz keeps the numbers manageable for the wide range of signals found in communication and audio-visual systems.
Frequency in megahertz is closely tied to the performance requirements of cable, since a cable's ability to carry a signal cleanly depends on its bandwidth. Cable rated to a given bandwidth in megahertz can support signals up to that frequency with acceptable loss, which is why bandwidth figures are central to specifying coaxial and data cable for demanding applications.
In commercial and industrial systems, matching cable bandwidth to the frequencies a signal contains is essential to preserving signal quality. As signal frequencies rise into the megahertz range and beyond, the construction of the cable, including its conductor, dielectric, and shielding, becomes increasingly important to maintaining performance over a run.
Because rising frequency narrows the margin for loss, cable intended for higher megahertz signals is built with careful attention to its conductor, dielectric, and shielding, all of which work together to carry the signal cleanly across the length of a run.
At Windy City Wire, the focus on coaxial and data cable for commercial communication connects directly to frequencies expressed in megahertz. Supplying cable with bandwidth matched to the application helps ensure that signals across the megahertz range reach their destination with their quality intact.
MHz (megahertz)