Where should the outer shield of a coaxial cable be grounded?

Grounding the outer shield of a coaxial cable is crucial for minimizing interference and ensuring signal integrity. When the outer shield is grounded at both the input and output ends, it provides a continuous path for any interference or noise to be dissipated safely to the ground. This grounding helps to prevent the shield from acting as an antenna that picks up unwanted signals, which can lead to degradation of the signal being transmitted through the cable.

Grounding at both ends also helps to ensure that there are no potential differences between the connected equipment, which could result in signal distortion or equipment damage. By maintaining a consistent ground reference point, the coaxial cable can effectively shield the inner conductor from electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI).

There's a significant advantage in grounding the shield at both ends to protect against environmental conditions and to facilitate proper functioning of the communication system. This practice is particularly important in avionics applications, where reliable signal transmission is critical for safe operations.