In particle physics, the quest for higher energies may be satisfied by the use of niobiumtin superconducting magnets . Such magnets are made of Rutherford type cables which are wound from superconducting strands . The strands are made by the \"internal tin\" method . The aim of this study is to determine the main parameters for the fabrication of a quadripole. The two main requirements the cable must fulfill are high critical current and low losses . The main parameters were determined from different measurements and models . Thus, the key parameters for the current transport capacity are the number and the diameter of the filaments, the number of sub-elements, the surface of superconductor and the copper-to-non-copper ratio . For the hysteresis losses, the main parameters appear to be the effective filament diameter and the spacing of the filaments . For intrastrand losses, the main parameters appear to be the filaments\' diameter, the filament spacing, the nature of the diffusion barrier and the Residual Resistivity Ratio (RRR) of the copper . The interstrand resistances for the cable are the key parameters for the losses . Thus, the nature of the strands coating or the presence of a stainless steel core can strongly diminish the cable losses . Finally, a design for the strands and the cables for the fabrication of a quadrupole is proposed.