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Cabling for NovaStar 5G: Why It Has to Be CAT6A S/FTP
Hampus Niskala |27/10, 2026
NovaStar's 5G LED control carries about five times the data of a classic Gigabit port over the same RJ45 connector. That's what lets a CX40 Pro drive 9 million pixels from just six outputs. But 5G is far less forgiving about cable quality. A cable that works fine on a 1G system can cause flicker, dropped cabinets or link errors on 5G. This guide explains which cable to use and how to test it.
Why 5G needs better cable than 1G
| 1G BASE-T | 5G BASE-T | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | IEEE 802.3ab (1999) | IEEE 802.3bz (2016) |
| Signal coding | PAM-5 | PAM-16 |
| Frequency range | 0–125 MHz | 0–400 MHz |
| Required signal-to-noise | about 20 dB | about 32 dB |
| Main interference | Crosstalk inside the cable (NEXT) | Crosstalk from neighbouring cables (alien crosstalk) |
In plain terms: 5G packs 16 signal levels into each symbol instead of 5, so the levels sit much closer together (about 4.7 times closer). It needs a much cleaner signal, and it is most sensitive to noise coming from other cables next to it. That's exactly the situation inside an LED wall, where dozens of data and power cables run side by side.
The cable NovaStar specifies: CAT6A S/FTP
For 5G LED control, NovaStar requires CAT6A S/FTP cable:
- CAT6A is rated to 500 MHz, enough headroom for 5G's 400 MHz signal. CAT5e (100 MHz) and plain CAT6 (250 MHz) are not.
- S/FTP means each twisted pair has its own foil shield, plus an overall braided shield around all four pairs. This is what blocks the alien crosstalk that 5G is sensitive to. Unshielded (UTP) or single-foil (FTP) cable isn't enough.
- Construction: braid coverage of at least 90%, 100% foil coverage, oxygen-free copper conductors and HDPE insulation.
Three installation rules
- Ground the shield. The shield must connect to grounded, shielded RJ45 ports at both ends. A shield that isn't grounded acts like an antenna and makes interference worse, not better.
- Use factory-terminated cables. Hand-crimped connectors often leave gaps in the shield. On 5G, that's enough to cause errors.
- Keep the cable category consistent. One cheap patch cable in the chain limits the whole link.
How to test a 5G cable run
If you have a certification tester such as a Fluke, NovaStar recommends these settings:
- Cable type: CAT6A S/FTP
- Test limit: TIA-568-C.2 CAT6A
- Shield test: on
- NVP: 0.69 by default. If the measured length looks wrong, calibrate against a known reference cable of at least 30 m.
- AC wire map: off, unless you're testing through a PoE midspan.
A green result is a pass. If a cable fails, re-seat the connectors first. A shield continuity failure usually means the shield isn't terminated properly at one end.
Which NovaStar products use 5G
- CX40 Pro: six 5G outputs, 9 million pixels.
- CVT8-5GS and CVT8-5GM: fiber converters with 5G Ethernet outputs, for the MX2000 Pro and MX6000 Pro.
- The new MX 8×5G Base-T output card, which gives the MX6000 Pro 5G outputs directly.
- 5G receiving cards: NovaStar's XA50 Pro and CA50E.
Not sure whether to go 1G or 5G? Read how many pixels a COEX controller can drive, or send us your screen details and we'll advise.
Pixel Pitchers ships NovaStar from Sweden: order in-stock items by 14:00 CET for same-day UPS Express, with delivery in 1–2 days across the EU and no import duties.