High-density shielded electric cable and other shielded cable, system, and method

The present invention generally relates to shielded electrical ribbon cables suitable for data transmission and related articles, systems and methods, and has specific applications for ribbon cables that can be mass terminated and provide high speed electrical properties. ..

Electric cables for transmitting electrical signals are well known. One common type of electrical cable is coaxial cable. Coaxial cable generally includes a conductive wire surrounded by an insulator. The wire and insulator are surrounded by a shielding member, and the wire, insulator and shielding member are surrounded by a jacket. Another common type of electrical cable is a shielding electrical cable that contains one or more insulating signal conductors surrounded by a shielding layer formed (eg, by metal leaf). Further uninsulated conductors are provided between the shield layer and the insulator of the signal conductor to facilitate the electrical connection of the shield layer. Both of these common types of electrical cables usually require the use of specially designed connectors for termination and the use of mass termination technology, i.e., eg, electrical contacts of electrical connectors, or printed circuit boards. The simultaneous connection of a plurality of conductors to individual contact elements, such as the contact element above, is often unsuitable. Electrical cables have been developed to facilitate these mass termination techniques, but these cables are often capable of mass-producing them, preparing their termination ends, their flexibility, and their flexibility. There are restrictions on the electrical performance of.

<p> In terms of advances in high-speed electrical and electronic components, there continues to be a need for electrical cables that can carry high-speed signals, facilitate mass termination techniques, are cost-effective, and can be used in many applications. Exists.</p>

<p> Shielded electrical cables suitable for high-speed data transmission with unique and beneficial properties and features, as well as systems using such cables, and methods for such cables and systems have been developed. The cable is typically in the form of a nearly flat or ribbon, with a large number of channels or conductor sets extending along the length dimension of the cable and separated from each other along the width dimension of the cable.</p><p> Some cables provide high packing densities in limited cable widths, preferably while maintaining sufficient high frequency electrical separation and / or low crosstalk between different channels or conductor sets of cables. Some cables provide on-demand or local drain wire characteristics. Some cables provide multiple drain wires and attach the drain wires to different termination components at the opposite ends of the cable in different ways. Some cables provide a mixed conductor set (eg, one or more conductor sets adapted for high speed data transmission and one or more conductor sets adapted for lower speed data or power transmission). Some cables may provide only one of these beneficial design characteristics, while others may provide some or all combinations of these characteristics.</p><p> The application therefore discloses a shielding electrical ribbon cable that may include a set of conductors, including, among other things, one or more insulating conductors and first and second shielding films on opposite sides of the cable, respectively. In the cross section, the cover portion of the shielding film may substantially enclose each conductor set, and the sandwiched portion of the film may form a sandwiched portion of the cable on each side of each conductor set. Good. High frequency electrical separation between conductor sets is maintained while dense packing can be achieved. When the cable is laid flat, S / Dmin values can range from 1.7 to 2, where S is the center spacing between the closest separating conductors of two adjacent conductor sets, and Dmin is such. The one with the smaller outer diameter of the closest insulating conductor. Alternatively, the first and second conductor sets having only a pair of insulating conductors can satisfy the condition that Σ / σ is in the range of 2.5 to 3, where Σ is the center spacing of the conductor set. σ is the center spacing of a pair of insulating conductors in a conductor set.</p><p> In some cases, each pair of adjacent conductor sets of multiple conductor sets may have a value corresponding to an S / D min in the range 1.7-2. In some cases, each conductor set may have only a pair of insulating conductors, the values Σavg / σavg may range from 2.5 to 3, and σavg is a pair of insulating conductors in various conductor sets. The average center spacing, where Σavg is the average center spacing between adjacent conductor sets. In some cases, the cover portion of the combined first and second shielding films substantially encloses each conductor set by enclosing at least 75% of the outer edges of each conductor set. In some cases, the first conductor set has high frequency separation between adjacent insulating conductors, characterized by crosstalk C1, at a specific frequency in the range of 3-15 GHz, at a cable length of 1 meter. Also, the high frequency separation between the first and second conductor sets may be characterized by crosstalk C2 at that particular frequency, which may be at least 10 dB lower than C1. In some cases, one or both of the shielding films may include a conductive layer placed on the dielectric substrate. In some cases, the cable may include a first drain wire that makes electrical contact with at least one of the first and second shielding films. The second cover portion of the first and second shielding films can substantially enclose the first drain wire in the cross section in the transverse direction. The first drain wire may be characterized by a drain wire spacing σ1 to the closest conductor wire of the closest conductor set, and the closest conductor set may be characterized by a center spacing σ2 of the insulated conductors. , Σ1 / σ2 can be greater than 0.7.</p><p> The cable may also include at least eight conductor sets, each conductor set having only a pair of insulating conductors, and the width of the cable may be 16 mm or less when laid flat (the cable is at least 16 mm). Even if it contains one or two drain wires). This small width dimension may allow a flat cable to connect to one end of a standard 4-channel or 4-lane mini SAS paddle card whose width is 15.6 mm. In such a configuration, four fast shielded transmit pairs and four fast shielded receiver pairs use only one ribbon cable without the need to connect multiple ribbon cables to such paddle cards. Can be adapted to mini SAS paddle cards. Attaching only one ribbon cable to the paddle card can be higher because it increases manufacturing speed, reduces complexity, and one ribbon cable bends more easily than two stacked ribbon cables. Allows flexibility and a smaller bending radius.</p><p> The cable may be combined with a paddle card or other substrate having a plurality of conductive paths on it, each extending from a first end to a second end of the substrate. The individual conductors of the insulating conductor of the cable may be attached to the corresponding ones of the conductive path at the first end of the substrate. In some cases, all of the corresponding conductive paths may be located on one main surface of the substrate. In some cases, at least one of the corresponding conductive pathways may be located on one main surface of the substrate, and at least one of the corresponding conductive pathways on the opposite main surface of the substrate. Can be placed in. In some cases, at least one of the conductive paths is at the first end on the first main surface of the substrate and at the second end on the second main surface opposite the substrate. May have a second part. In some cases, alternating conductor sets may be attached to conductive paths on the main surfaces that form the front and back of the substrate.</p><p> The application also discloses a shielding electrical cable that includes a plurality of conductor sets, a first shielding film and a first drain wire. The plurality of conductor sets may extend along the length of the cable and may be spaced apart from each other along the width of the cable, and each conductor set comprises one or more insulating conductors. The first shielding film may include a cover portion and a sandwiched portion, in which the cover portion covers the conductor set and the sandwiched portion is placed in the sandwiched portion of the cable on each side of each conductor set. It is configured to be. The first drain wire may be in electrical contact with the first shielding film or may extend along the length of the cable. The electrical contacts of the first drain wire to the first shielding film can be localized at least in the first processing region.</p><p> The electrical contact of the first drain wire with the first shielding film in the first processing region can be characterized by a DC resistance of less than 2Ω. The first shielding film may cover the first drain wire in the first treated region and the second region, and the second region is at least as long as the first treated region, and the first drain wire and the first shielding film The DC resistance between them can be greater than 100Ω in the second region. The dielectric material may separate the first drain wire from the first shielding film in the second region, and in the first treated region, the dielectric material causes most of the separation of the first drain wire from the first shielding film or It may not exist at all.</p><p> In the methods involved, cables may be provided that include a plurality of conductor sets, a first shielding film and a drain wire. The first shielding film may include a cover portion and a sandwiched portion, in which the cover portion covers the conductor set and the sandwiched portion is placed in the sandwiched portion of the cable on each side of each conductor set. It is configured to be. The first drain wire may extend along the length of the cable. The method further selectively processes the cable in the first processing area and locally increases or forms electrical contact of the first drain wire to the first shielding film in the first processing area. Can include.</p><p> The DC resistance between the first drain wire and the first shielding film in the first treatment region can be greater than 100Ω before the selective treatment step and less than 2Ω after the selective treatment step. The selective process may include the step of selectively applying force to the cable in the first processing area. The selective treatment may include the step of selectively heating the cable in the first treatment region. The cable extends along the length of the cable, but also includes a second drain wire separated from the first drain wire, and selective treatment substantially results in electrical contact of the second drain wire with the first shielding film. May not increase or form. In some cases, the cable may further include a second shielding film, and the selective treatment also locally causes the electrical contact of the first drain wire to the second shielding film in the first processing region. Can be increased or established.</p><p> The application also discloses a shielding electrical cable that includes a plurality of conductor sets, a first shielding film and first and second drain wires. The plurality of conductor sets may extend along the length of the cable and may be spaced apart from each other along the width of the cable, and each conductor set comprises one or more insulating conductors. The first shielding film may include a cover portion and a sandwiched portion, in which the cover portion covers the conductor set and the sandwiched portion is placed in the sandwiched portion of the cable on each side of each conductor set. It is configured to be. The first and second drain wires may extend along the length of the cable, or at least both may be electrically connected to each other as a result of electrical contact with the first shielding film. For example, the DC resistance between the first shielding film and the first drain wire can be less than 10Ω, or less than 2Ω. The cable may be combined with one or more first termination components at the first end of the cable and one or more second termination components at the second end of the cable.</p><p> In such a combination, the first and second drain wires may be members of a plurality of drain wires extending along the length of the cable, with one or more drain wires of several n1 being the first termination. It may be connected to a component, and several n2 drain wires may be connected to one or more second termination components. The number n1 can be different from n2. Further, one or more first termination components may have a total of several m1 of first termination components, and one or more second termination components may have a total of several m2 of second termination components. It may have an element. In some cases, n2&gt; n1 and m2&gt; m1. In some cases, m1 = 1. In some cases, m1 = m2. In some cases, m1 &lt;m2. In some cases, m1&gt; 1 and m2&gt; 1.</p><p> In some cases, the first drain wire can be electrically connected to one or more first termination components, but electrically to one or more second termination components. Can't. In some cases, the first drain wire can be electrically connected to one or more second termination components, but not to one or more first termination components.</p><p> The application also discloses a shielding electrical cable that includes a plurality of conductor sets and a first shielding film. The plurality of conductor sets may extend along the length of the cable and may be spaced apart from each other along the width of the cable, and each conductor set comprises one or more insulating conductors. The first shielding film may include a cover portion and a sandwiched portion, in which the cover portion covers the conductor set and the sandwiched portion is placed in the sandwiched portion of the cable on each side of each conductor set. It is configured to be. Advantageously, the plurality of conductor sets may include one or more first conductor sets adapted for high speed data transmission and one or more second conductor sets adapted for power transmission or low speed data transmission.</p><p> The electrical cable may also include a second shielding film located opposite the first shielding film of the cable. In some cases, the cable may include a first drain wire that is in electrical contact with the first shielding film and extends along the length of the cable. For example, the DC resistance between the first shielding film and the first drain wire can be less than 10Ω, or less than 2Ω. One or more first conductor sets may include a plurality of first insulating conductors having a center spacing of σ1, and one or more second conductor sets may include a plurality of second insulating conductors having a center spacing of σ2. It may include a second conductor set that includes, and σ1 can be greater than σ2. All of the insulating conductors of one or more first conductor sets can be configured in a single plane when the cables are laid flat. Further, one or more second conductor sets may include a second conductor set having a plurality of insulating conductors in a stacked configuration when the cables are laid flat. One or more first conductor sets range from at least 1 Gbps (ie, 1 GHz / sec, or about 0.5 GHz) to maximum data transmission rates, such as 25 Gbps (about 12.5 GHz) or higher, or at least 1 GHz maximum signal frequency. One or more second conductor sets can be adapted to accommodate maximum data transmission rates below 1 Gbps (about 0.5 GHz) or less than 0.5 Gbps (about 250 MHz), eg, maximum signal frequencies below 1 GHz or 0.5 GHz. Can be made to. One or more first conductor sets can be adapted to a maximum data transmission rate of at least 3 Gbps (about 1.5 GHz).</p><p> Such an electrical cable may be combined with a first termination component located at the first end of the cable. The first termination component may include a substrate and a plurality of conductive paths on the substrate, and the plurality of conductive paths may include each first termination pad configured on the first end of the first termination component. Have. The shielding conductors of the first and second conductor sets are connected to each one of the first termination pads at the first end of the first termination component, in an ordered configuration that matches the configuration of the shielding conductor of the cable. You may. The plurality of conductive paths may have a corresponding second end pad configured on the second end of the first end component, having a different configuration than that of the first end pad at the first end.</p><p> Related methods, systems, and articles are also mentioned.</p><p> These and other aspects of the application will become apparent from the detailed description below. However, by no means should the above summary be construed as a limitation on the claimed subject matter, the subject matter being defined only by the appended claims which may be amended during the proceedings.</p>

<figref num="1">A perspective view of a typical shielding electric cable.</figref><figref num="2a">A front sectional view of a further representative shielding electrical cable.</figref><figref num="2b">A front sectional view of a further representative shielding electrical cable.</figref><figref num="2c">A front sectional view of a further representative shielding electrical cable.</figref><figref num="2d">A front sectional view of a further representative shielding electrical cable.</figref><figref num="2e">A front sectional view of a further representative shielding electrical cable.</figref><figref num="2f">A front sectional view of a further representative shielding electrical cable.</figref><figref num="2g">A front sectional view of a further representative shielding electrical cable.</figref><figref num="3a">Top view illustrating different procedures of a typical termination process to the termination component of a shielded electrical cable.</figref><figref num="3b">Top view illustrating different procedures of a typical termination process to the termination component of a shielded electrical cable.</figref><figref num="3c">Top view illustrating different procedures of a typical termination process to the termination component of a shielded electrical cable.</figref><figref num="3d">Top view illustrating different procedures of a typical termination process to the termination component of a shielded electrical cable.</figref><figref num="4a">A front sectional view of a further representative shielding electrical cable.</figref><figref num="4b">A front sectional view of a further representative shielding electrical cable.</figref><figref num="4c">A front sectional view of a further representative shielding electrical cable.</figref><figref num="5a">The perspective view which illustrates the typical manufacturing method of the shielding electric cable.</figref><figref num="5b">The perspective view which illustrates the typical manufacturing method of the shielding electric cable.</figref><figref num="5c">The perspective view which illustrates the typical manufacturing method of the shielding electric cable.</figref><figref num="6a">Front sectional view showing details of a typical method for making a shielded electrical cable.</figref><figref num="6b">Front sectional view showing details of a typical method for making a shielded electrical cable.</figref><figref num="6c">Front sectional view showing details of a typical method for making a shielded electrical cable.</figref><figref num="7a">FIG. 6 is a detailed front sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the production of a typical shielded electrical cable.</figref><figref num="7b">FIG. 6 is a detailed front sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the production of a typical shielded electrical cable.</figref><figref num="8a">A front sectional view of another typical embodiment of a shielded electrical cable, FIG. 8b is a corresponding detailed view thereof.</figref><figref num="8b">Corresponding detail view of the front sectional view of another representative embodiment of the shielding electrical cable.</figref><figref num="9">Front sectional view of a part of another typical shielded electrical cable.</figref><figref num="10">Front sectional view of a part of another typical shielded electrical cable.</figref><figref num="11a">Front sectional view of the other two parts of a typical shielded electrical cable.</figref><figref num="11b">Front sectional view of the other two parts of a typical shielded electrical cable.</figref><figref num="12">A graph comparing the electrical insulation performance of typical shielding electrical cables of conventional electrical cables.</figref><figref num="13">Front sectional view of another typical shielding electrical cable.</figref><figref num="14">Perspective view of a shielded electrical cable assembly where a high packing density conductor set can be used.</figref><figref num="15">Front sectional view of a typical shielding electric cable. These figures also show parameters useful for characterizing the density of conductor sets.</figref><figref num="16">Front sectional view of a typical shielding electric cable. These figures also show parameters useful for characterizing the density of conductor sets.</figref><figref num="17a">Top view of a typical occlusion electrical cable assembly, where the occlusion cable is internally attached to the termination component.</figref><figref num="17b">Side view of a typical occlusion electrical cable assembly, where the occlusion cable is internally attached to the termination component. The cable produced by this process is imaged and a plan view is shown in FIG. 18a and an oblique view of the end of the cable is shown in 18b.</figref><figref num="18a">It is a photograph and a plan view of the manufactured shielding electric cable.</figref><figref num="18b">An oblique view of the end of the produced shielding electrical cable.</figref><figref num="19">Front sectional view of a typical shielded electrical cable showing some possible drain wire locations.</figref><figref num="20a">A detailed frontal sectional view of a portion of the shielding cable showing one technique that provides on-demand electrical contact between the drain wire and the shielding film in the local area.</figref><figref num="20b">A detailed frontal sectional view of a portion of the shielding cable showing one technique that provides on-demand electrical contact between the drain wire and the shielding film in the local area.</figref><figref num="21">Schematic front sectional view of a cable showing one procedure for cable processing in a selected area that provides on-demand contact.</figref><figref num="22a">Top view of a shielding electrical cable assembly showing another configuration that can be selected to provide on-demand contact between the drain wire and the shielding film.</figref><figref num="22b">Top view of a shielding electrical cable assembly showing another configuration that can be selected to provide on-demand contact between the drain wire and the shielding film.</figref><figref num="23">Top view of another shielding electrical cable assembly showing another configuration that can be selected to provide on-demand contact between the drain wire and the shielding film.</figref><figref num="24a">Photograph of a shielded electrical cable made and processed to have an on-demand drain wire contact.</figref><figref num="24b">Enlarged detail view of a shielded electrical cable made and processed to have an on-demand drain wire contact.</figref><figref num="24c">Schematic of the front view of one end of FIG. 24a.</figref><figref num="25">Top view of a shielding electrical cable assembly utilizing multiple drain wires connected to each other through a shielding film.</figref><figref num="26a">Top view of another shielding electrical cable, the assembly consists of a fan-out configuration, utilizing multiple drain wires connected to each other through a shielding film.</figref><figref num="26b">Sectional view of the cable in lines 26b-26b of FIG. 26a.</figref><figref num="27a">Top view of another shielding electrical cable, the assembly consists of a fan-out configuration, utilizing multiple drain wires connected to each other through a shielding film.</figref><figref num="27b">Sectional view of the cable in 27b-27b of FIG. 27a.</figref><figref num="28a">Schematic front sectional view of a shielded electrical cable with a mixed conductor set.</figref><figref num="28b">Schematic front sectional view of a shielded electrical cable with a mixed conductor set.</figref><figref num="28c">Schematic front sectional view of a shielded electrical cable with a mixed conductor set.</figref><figref num="28d">Schematic front sectional view of a shielded electrical cable with a mixed conductor set.</figref><figref num="29">Schematic front sectional view of another shielded electrical cable with a mixed conductor set.</figref><figref num="29a">Mixed Conductor Set Schematic of a group of low speed insulated conductor sets that can be used with shielding cables.</figref><figref num="30a">Schematic plan view of a shielded cable assembly in which the termination component of the assembly contains one or more conduction paths that reroute one or more slow signal lines from one end of the termination component to the other end.</figref><figref num="30b">Schematic plan view of a shielded cable assembly in which the termination component of the assembly contains one or more conduction paths that reroute one or more slow signal lines from one end of the termination component to the other end.</figref><figref num="31">Schematic plan view of a shielded cable assembly in which the termination component of the assembly contains one or more conduction paths that reroute one or more slow signal lines from one end of the termination component to the other end.</figref><figref num="32">Photograph of the manufactured mixed conductor set shielding cable. In the figure, similar reference numbers indicate similar components.</figref>

As mentioned above, in particular, the shielding ribbon cable, the method including the shielding ribbon cable, and the combinations and systems utilizing the shielding ribbon cable are described herein. Before discussing some aspects of high density shielding cables, a general description of typical shielding cables is provided in the section entitled "Description of Shielding Electrical Cables". Then, in the section entitled "High Density Shielding Cable", the aspect of the high density shielding cable will be described. It also describes aspects of other unique shielding cables, systems and methods, which may incorporate high density mechanisms if desired. Then, in the section entitled "Shielding Cable with On-Demand Drain Wire Mechanism", an aspect of the shielding cable having an on-demand drain wire will be described. The section entitled "Shielding Cables with Multiple Drain Wires" describes aspects of shielding cables and cable assemblies with multiple drain wires. Further, in the section entitled "Shielding Cable with Mixed Conductor Set", a mode of a shielding cable incorporating the mixed conductor set will be described.

Please note to the reader that the various sections and titles are provided for organizational and convenience improvement and are not interpreted in a limited way. For example, terms and titles should not be construed as meaning that a technique, method, mechanism or component in one section cannot be used with the technique, method, mechanism or component of a different term. Conversely, any information in a given term is intended to be applicable to information in any other term unless explicitly indicated otherwise. Thus, for example, aspects of high density shielding cables can be found not only in the section entitled "High Density Shielding Cables", but also in other sections as well. Similarly, aspects of shielding cables with on-demand drain wires can be found not only in the section entitled "Shielding Cables with On-Demand Drain Wire Mechanisms", but also in other sections. The same applies to others.

Item 1: Description of shielded electrical cable As the number and speed of interconnected devices increase, the electrical cables that carry signals between such devices need to be smaller and without causing unacceptable interference or crosstalk. It is necessary to be able to transmit faster signals. Shielding is used in some electrical cables to reduce the interaction between signals transmitted by adjacent conductors. Many of the cables described herein have a nearly flat configuration and include a set of conductors that extend along the length of the cable, as well as an electrical shielding film that is placed on the opposite side of the cable. The portion sandwiched between the shielding films between adjacent conductor sets helps to electrically separate the conductor sets from each other. Many of the cables also include drain wires that are electrically connected to the shielding member and extend along the length of the cable. The cable configurations described herein can help simplify connections to conductor sets and drain wires, reduce the dimensions of cable connection sites, and / or provide opportunities for mass termination of cables.

FIG. 1 shows a typical shielded electrical cable 2 containing a plurality of conductor sets 4, separated from each other along the width of cable 2, all or part of w, and extending along length L of cable 2. Is illustrated. The cable 2 may be configured in a generally flat configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 or may be bent into a configuration that is bent at one or more positions along its length. In some practices, some parts of cable 2 may be arranged in a flat configuration or other parts of the cable may be bent. In some configurations, at least one of the conductor sets 4 of the cable 2 contains two insulated conductors 6 extending along the length L of the cable 2. The two insulated conductors 6 of the conductor set 4 may be configured substantially parallel along all or part of the length L of the cable 2. The insulating conductor 6 may include an insulated signal line, an insulated power line, or an insulated ground wire. The two shielding films 8 are arranged on opposite sides of the cable 2.

The first and second shielding films 8 are configured such that the cable 2 includes a covering area 14 and a sandwiched area 18 in a cross section in the transverse direction. In the cover area 14 of the cable 2, the cover portion 7 of the first and second shielding films 8 substantially surrounds each conductor set 4 in the cross section. For example, the cover portion of the shielding film may entirely cover at least 75%, or at least 80, 85 or 90% of the outer edges of any given conductor set. The sandwiched portion 9 of the first and second shielding films forms a sandwiched area 18 of the cable 2 on each side of each conductor set 4. In the sandwiched area 18 of the cable 2, one or both of the shielding films 8 are biased so that the sandwiched portion 9 of the shielding film 8 is further brought closer. As shown in FIG. 1, in some configurations, both of the shielding films 8 are biased in the sandwiched area 18 to bring the sandwiched portion 9 closer together. In some configurations, if the cable is in a flat or unfolded configuration, one of the shielding films can be kept relatively flat in the sandwiched area 18, and the other shielding film on the other side of the cable is eccentric. The sandwiched portion of the shielding film can be brought closer to each other.

The cable 2 may also include an adhesive layer 10 placed between the shielding films 8 between at least the sandwiched portions 9. The adhesive layer 10 bonds the sandwiched portion 9 of the shielding film 8 to each other in the sandwiched area 18 of the cable 2. The adhesive layer 10 may or may not be present in the coverage area 14 of the cable 2.

In some cases, the conductor set 4 has a substantially curved envelope or outer edge in cross section, and the shielding film 8 is placed around the conductor set 4, the length L of the cable 6. Matches and maintains a cross-sectional shape along at least a portion of, and preferably substantially all of. Maintaining the cross-sectional shape maintains the electrical properties of the conductor set 4, as intended in the design of the conductor set 4. Placing a conductive shielding member around the conductor set is an advantage over some conventional shielding electrical cables when changing the cross-sectional shape of the conductor set.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, each conductor set 4 has exactly two insulating conductors 6, but in other embodiments, some or all of the conductor sets may include only one insulating conductor. Alternatively, it may include three or more insulating conductors 6. For example, another shielded electrical cable with a design similar to that of FIG. 1 may include one conductor set with eight insulating conductors 6, or eight conductor sets with only one insulating conductor 6 each. This flexibility in the construction of conductor sets and insulating conductors allows the disclosed shielding electrical cables to be constructed in such a way that they are suitable for a wide range of intended applications. For example, conductor sets and insulated conductors include a large number of two-core coaxial cables (ie, a large number of conductor sets, each having an insulating conductor), a large number of coaxial cables (ie, each having only one insulated conductor). It may be configured to form a conductor set), or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the conductor set comprises a conductive shielding member (not shown) arranged around one or more insulating conductors 6 and an insulating jacket (not shown) arranged around the conductive shielding member. ) May be further included.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the shielding electrical cable 2 further includes an optional ground conductor 12. The ground conductor 12 may include a ground wire or a drain wire. The ground conductor 12 can be separated from the insulating conductor 6 and extend substantially in the same direction as the insulating conductor 6. The shielding film 8 may be placed around the ground conductor 12. The adhesive layer 10 may bond the shielding films 8 to each other at the sandwiched portions 9 on both sides of the ground conductor 12. The ground conductor 12 may be in electrical contact with at least one of the shielding films 8.

The cross-sectional views of FIGS. 2a-2g may represent various shielded electrical cables or parts of cables. In FIG. 2a, the shielding electrical cable 102a includes a single conductor set 104. The conductor set 104 extends along the length of the cable and has only a single insulating conductor 106. If desired, the cables 102 may be made to include a large number of conductor sets 104 that are spaced apart from each other over the width of the cable 102a and extend along the length of the cable. The two shielding films 108 are arranged on opposite sides of the cable. Cable 102a includes a coverage area 114 and a sandwiched area 118. In the cover area 114 of the cable 102a, the shielding film 108 includes a cover portion 107 that covers the conductor set 104. In the cross section, the cover portions 107 are combined to substantially surround the conductor set 104. In the sandwiched area 118 of the cable 102a, the shielding film 108 includes sandwiched portions 109 on each side of the conductor set 104.

Any adhesive layer 110 may be placed between the shielding films 108. The shielding electrical cable 102a further includes any grounding conductor 112. The ground conductor 112 is separated from the insulating conductor 106 and extends substantially in the same direction as the insulating conductor 106. The conductor set 104 and the ground conductor 112 may be configured such that they are generally in a plane, as illustrated in FIG. 2a.

The second cover portion 113 of the shielding film 108 is arranged around the ground conductor 112 and covers it. The adhesive layer 110 may bond the shielding film 108 to each other on both sides of the ground conductor 112. The ground conductor 112 may be in electrical contact with at least one of the shielding films 108. In FIG. 2a, the insulating conductor 106 and the shielding film 108 are effectively configured in a coaxial cable configuration. The coaxial cable configuration of Figure 2a can be used in a single-ended circuit configuration.

As illustrated in the cross-sectional view of the lateral area of FIG. 2a, there is a maximum spacing D between the cover portions 107 of the shielding film 108 and a minimum spacing d between the sandwiched portions 109 of the shielding film 108.₁Exists.

FIG. 2a is located between the sandwiched portions 109 of the shielding film 108 in the sandwiched area 118 of the cable 102 and between the covering portion 107 of the shielding film 108 and the insulating conductor 106 in the covering area 114 of the cable 102a. Shows the adhesive layer 110 to be placed. In this arrangement, the adhesive layer 110 joins the sandwiched portion 109 of the shielding film 108 in the sandwiched area 118 of the cable, and in the covering area 114 of the cable 102a, the covering portion 107 of the shielding film 108 is insulated conductor 106. Combine together.

The shielding cable 102b of FIG. 2b is similar to the cable 102a of FIG. 2a, and similar elements are identified by similar reference numbers, except that in FIG. 2b, any adhesive layer 110b covers the cable 102. In area 114, it is not present between the cover portion 107 of the shielding film 108 and the insulating conductor 106. In this arrangement, the adhesive layer 110b joins the sandwiched portion 109 of the shielding film 108 together in the sandwiched area 118 of the cable, whereas the adhesive layer 110 shields in the covering area 114 of the cable 102. The cover portion 107 of the film 108 is not coupled to the insulated conductor 106.

With reference to FIG. 2c, the shielded electrical cable 102c is similar to the shielded electrical cable 102a of FIG. 2a, except that the cable 102c has a single conductor set 104c with two insulated conductors 106c. If desired, the cable 102c can be made to include a number of conductor sets 104c that are spaced apart across the width of the cable 102a and extend along the length of the cable. The insulating conductor 106c is generally configured effectively in a single plane and in a two-core coaxial configuration. The two-core coaxial cable configuration of Figure 2c can be used in a differential pair circuit configuration or a single-end circuit configuration.

Two shielding films 108c are placed on opposite sides of the conductor set 104c. Cable 102c includes a coverage area 114c and a sandwiched area 118c. In the coverage area 114c of the cable 102c, the shielding film 108c includes a cover portion 107c covering the conductor set 104c. In the cross section, the cover portions 107c are combined to substantially surround the conductor set 104c. In the sandwiched area 118c of the cable 102c, the shielding film 108c includes a sandwiched portion 109c on each side of the conductor set 104c.

Any adhesive layer 110c can be placed between the shielding films 108c. The shielding electrical cable 102c further includes any grounding conductor 112c similar to the grounding conductor 112 described above. The ground conductor 112c is separated from the insulating conductor 106c and extends substantially in the same direction as the insulating conductor 106c. The conductor set 104c and the ground conductor 112c can be configured such that they are generally in a plane, as illustrated in FIG. 2c.

As illustrated in FIG. 2c, there is a maximum spacing D between the cover portions 107c of the shielding film 108c and a minimum spacing d between the sandwiched portions 109c of the shielding film 108c.₁There is a minimum spacing d between the shielding films 108c between the insulating conductors 106c.₂Exists.

FIG. 2c is located between the sandwiched portions 109c of the shielding film 108c in the sandwiched area 118c of the cable 102c and between the covering portion 107c of the shielding film 108c and the insulating conductor 106c of the covering area 114c of the cable 102c. The adhesive layer 110c arranged in is shown. In this configuration, in the sandwiched area 118c of the cable 102c, the adhesive layer 110c joins the sandwiched portion 109c of the shielding film 108c together, and in the covering area 114c of the cable 102c, the covering portion 107c of the shielding film 108c. Is coupled to the insulating conductor 106c.

The shielding cable 102d of FIG. 2d is similar to the cable 102c of FIG. 2c, with similar elements designated by similar reference numbers, except that the cable 102d covers the shielding film 108c in the cable coverage area 114c. There is no optional adhesive layer 110d between 107c and the insulating conductor 106c. In this configuration, the adhesive layer 110d joins the sandwiched portion 109c of the shielding film 108c together in the sandwiched area 118c of the cable, but in the covering area 114c of the cable 102d, the covering portion 107c of the shielding film 108c , Does not connect to the insulating conductor 106c.

Here, with reference to FIG. 2e, it can be confirmed that there is a cross-sectional view of the shielding electric cable 102e similar to that of the shielding electric cable 102a of FIG. 2a in many respects. However, while cable 102a contains a single conductor set 104 having only a single insulating conductor 106, cable 102e has a single insulating conductor 106e extending along the length of cable 102e. Includes conductor set 104e. The cables 102e can be made to have a large number of conductor sets 104e that are spaced apart from each other over the width of the cable 102e and extend along the length of the cable 102e. The insulating conductor 106e is effectively constructed in a twisted pair cable configuration, whereby the insulating conductors 106e are twisted around each other and extend along the length of the cable 102e.

FIG. 2f also represents another shielding electrical cable 102f, which is also similar in many respects to the shielding electrical cable 102a of FIG. 2a. However, while cable 102a contains a single conductor set 104 having only a single insulating conductor 106, cable 102f has a single insulating conductor 106f extending along the length of cable 102f. Includes conductor set 104f. The cables 102f can be made to have a large number of conductor sets 104f that are spaced apart from each other over the width of the cable 102f and extend along the length of the cable 102f.

The insulating conductor 106f is effectively configured in a quadruple cable configuration, whereby the insulating conductor 106f may be twisted together as the insulating conductor 106f extends along the length of the cable 102f. It doesn't have to be.

Seeing FIGS. 2a-2f again, further embodiments of shielded electrical cables may include multiple isolated conductors 104, 104c, 104e or 104f, or combinations thereof, generally configured in a single plane. .. If desired, the shielding electrical cable may include a plurality of ground conductors 112 that are separated from the insulating conductors of the conductor set and extend substantially in the same direction. In some configurations, the conductor set and ground conductor may be configured in a single plane. FIG. 2g illustrates a typical embodiment of such a shielded electrical cable.

With reference to FIG. 2g, the shielding electrical cable 102g includes a plurality of isolated conductor sets 104, 104c arranged generally in a plane. The shielding electrical cable 102g further includes any grounding conductor 112 disposed between the conductor sets 104, 104c and both sides or edges of the shielding electrical cable 102g.

The first and second shielding films 208 are arranged on opposite sides of the cable 102g and are configured such that the cable 102g includes a covering area 224 and a sandwiched area 228 in a transverse cross section. In the cable coverage area 224, the cover portion 217 of the first and second shielding films 208 substantially surrounds each conductor set 104, 104c in a cross section. The sandwiched portion 219 of the first and second shielding films 208 forms a sandwiched area 218 on either side of each conductor set 104, 104c.

The shielding film 208 may be placed around the ground conductor 112. An optional adhesive layer 210 is placed between the shielding films 208 to bond the sandwiched portions 219 of the shielding films 208 to each other in the sandwiched areas 228 on either side of each conductor set 104, 104c. The shielded electrical cable 102g includes a combination of a coaxial cable configuration (conductor set 104) and a two-core coaxial cable configuration (conductor set 104c) and is therefore sometimes referred to as a hybrid cable configuration.

One, two or more shielding electrical cables may be terminated to termination components such as printed circuit boards, paddle cards, etc. Since the insulating and grounding conductors are generally arranged in a single plane, the disclosed shielding electrical cables are mass stripped, i.e. stripping from simultaneous shielding films and insulating from insulating conductors, and mass terminations, i.e. insulating conductors and Suitable for simultaneous termination of stripped ends of ground conductors, which allows for a more automated cable assembly process. This is at least some benefit of the disclosed shielding electrical cables. The stripped ends of the insulating and grounding conductors may be terminated, for example, into contact with the conductive path or other elements of the printed circuit board. In other cases, the stripped ends of the insulating and grounding conductors may be terminated to any suitable individual contacts of any suitable termination device, such as electrical contacts of electrical connectors.

Figures 3a-3d illustrate a typical termination process for a shielded electrical cable 302 to a printed circuit board or other termination component 314. This termination process may be a mass termination process and includes stripping (FIGS. 3a-3b), alignment (illustrated in FIG. 3c), and termination (illustrated in FIG. 3d). When forming a shielded electrical cable 302, which can generally take any form of the cables illustrated and / or described herein, the conductor set 304, insulated conductor 306, and grounding of the shielded electrical cable 302. The configuration of the conductor 312 may be adapted to the configuration of the contact element 316 of the printed substrate 314, which eliminates any significant manipulation of the end of the shielding electrical cable 302 during alignment and termination.

In the process illustrated in FIG. 3a, the end portion 308a of the shielding film 308 has been removed. Any suitable method, such as mechanical stripping or laser stripping, may be used. This step exposes the end portions of the insulating conductor 306 and the ground conductor 312. In one aspect, mass stripping of the end portion 308a of the shielding film 308 is possible because they form a separate, integrated and connected layer from the insulator of the insulating conductor 306. Removing the shielding film 308 from the insulating conductor 306 provides protection against short circuits in these positions and also provides independent movement of the exposed end portions of the insulating conductor 306 and the ground conductor 312. In the process illustrated in FIG. 3b, the end portion 306a of the insulator of the insulating conductor 306 has been removed . Any suitable method, such as mechanical stripping or laser stripping, may be used. This step exposes the end portion of the conductor of the insulating conductor 306. In the process illustrated in FIG. 3c, in the shielding electrical cable 302, the end portion of the insulating conductor 306 of the shielding electrical cable 302 and the end portion of the grounding conductor 312 are aligned with the contact element 316 of the printed circuit board 314. As such, it is aligned with the printed circuit board 314. In the process illustrated in FIG. 3d, the end portion of the insulating conductor 306 of the shielding electrical cable 302 and the end portion of the grounding conductor 312 are terminated by the contact element 316 of the printed circuit board 314. Examples of suitable termination methods that can be used include welding, welding, squeezing, mechanical squeezing, and adhesive junctions, to name a few.

In some cases, the disclosed shielding cables may be made to include one or more longitudinal slits or other splits that are placed between the conductor sets. The splits may be used to separate individual conductor sets along at least a portion of the length of the shielding cable, thereby increasing at least lateral flexibility of the cable. This may allow, for example, the shielding cable to be easily placed within the curved outer jacket. In other embodiments, the dividers may be arranged to separate, for example, individual or multiple conductor sets and ground conductors. In order to maintain the spacing between the conductor set and the ground conductor, the splits may be discontinuous along the length of the shielding electrical cable. At at least one end of the shielded electrical cable, the split may not extend within one or both of the end portions A in order to maintain the distance between the conductor set and the ground conductor and maintain mass termination capability. The split may be formed in the shielded electrical cable using any suitable method, such as laser cutting or punching. Instead of, or in combination with, longitudinal splits, other suitable shapes of openings, such as holes, are formed in the disclosed shielding electrical cable to increase at least lateral flexibility of the cable. You may let me.

The shielding films used in the disclosed shielding cables have different configurations and may be made in different ways. In some cases, the one or more shielding films may include a conductive layer and a non-conductive polymer layer. The conductive layer may include any suitable conductive material including, but not limited to, copper, silver, aluminum, gold, and alloys thereof. The non-conductive polymer layer is polyester, polyimide, polyamide-imide, polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyphenylene sulfide, polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate, silicone rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, polyurethane, acrylate, silicone, natural rubber. , Epoxy, and synthetic rubber adhesives, but may include any suitable polymeric material. The non-conductive polymer layer may contain one or more adhesives and / or fillers to provide properties suitable for the intended application. In some cases, at least one of the shielding films may include a laminated adhesive layer arranged between the conductive layer and the non-conductive polymer layer. It has a conductive layer that is placed on top of the non-conductive layer, or, in another way, has one major outer surface that is conductive and the opposite major outer surface that is substantially non-conductive. In the shielding film, the shielding film can be introduced into the shielding cable in several different orientations if desired. In some cases, for example, a conductive surface can face a conductor set of insulating and grounding wires, and in some cases, a non-conductive surface can face these components. When two shielding films are used on both sides of the cable, the films may be oriented such that their conductive surfaces face each other and each faces a conductive set and a ground wire, or these. These non-conductive surfaces may be oriented so that they face each other and each faces a conductor set and a ground wire, or they may have the conductive surface of one shielding film extending over the conductor set.

In some cases, at least one of the shielding films may be, or may include, a stand-alone conductive film, such as a compatible or flexible metal leaf. The structure of the shielding film is selected based on the number of design parameters suitable for the intended application, such as, for example, the flexibility, electrical performance, and configuration of the shielding electrical cable (eg, the presence and position of the ground conductor, etc.). May be good. In some cases, the shielding film may have an integrally formed configuration. In some cases, the shielding film can have a thickness in the range of 0.01 mm to 0.05 mm. Shielding films provide insulation, shielding, and precise spacing between conductor sets, if desired, and enable a more automated and lower cost cable manufacturing process. In addition, the shielding film prevents what is known as "signal suck-out," or resonance, which causes high signal attenuation in a particular frequency band. This phenomenon generally occurs in conventional shielding electrical cables in which a conductive shielding member is wrapped around a conductor set.

Adhesive materials are used in the cable construction to bond one or two shielding films to one, some or all of the conductor sets in the coverage area of the cable, as described elsewhere herein. And / or an adhesive material may be used to bond the two shielding films together in the sandwiched area of the cable. A layer of adhesive material may be placed on at least one shielding film, and in some cases two shielding films are used on both sides of the cable, a layer of adhesive material is both shielding films. Can be placed on top. In the latter case, the adhesive used on one shielding film is preferably the same as the adhesive used on the other shielding film, but may be different if desired. A given adhesive layer may contain an electrically insulating adhesive and may provide an insulating bond between the two shielding films. In addition, a given adhesive layer is between at least one shielding film and one, some or all insulating conductors in a set of conductors, and between at least one shielding film and a ground conductor (if any). Insulating couplings may be provided between one, some or all. Alternatively, a given adhesive layer may contain a conductive adhesive and may provide a conductive bond between the two shielding films. In addition, a given adhesive layer may provide a conductive bond between at least one shielding film and one, some or all of the grounding conductors (if any). Suitable conductive adhesives include conductive particles to provide current flow. The conductive particles can be any type of particles currently in use, such as spheres, flakes, rods, cubes, amorphous, or other particle shapes. They are solid or substantial, such as carbon black, carbon fibers, nickel spheres, nickel-coated copper spheres, metal-coated oxides, metal-coated polymer fibers, or other similar conductive particles. It may be a solid particle. These conductive particles May be made from an electrically insulating material that is plated or coated with a conductive material such as silver, aluminum, nickel, or indium tin oxide. The metal-coated insulating material may be substantially hollow particles, such as hollow glass spheres, or may include solid materials such as glass beads or metal oxides. The conductive particles may be a material such as carbon nanotubes having a size of about several tens of micrometers to a size of nanometers. Suitable conductive adhesives may also contain a conductive polymer matrix.

When used in a given cable construction, the adhesive layer preferably has a substantially flexible shape with respect to other elements of the cable and is flexible with respect to the bending motion of the cable. In some cases, a given adhesive layer is substantially continuous, for example extending along a substantially overall length and width of a given main surface of a given shielding film. You may. In some cases, the adhesive layer can be substantially discontinuous. For example, the adhesive layer may only be present in several portions along the length or width of a given shielding film. The continuous adhesive layer is arranged in a plurality of longitudinal directions, for example, between the sandwiched portions of the shielding films on both sides of each conductor set and between the shielding films on the side of the ground conductor (if any). Adhesive stripes may be included. A given adhesive material may be, or may include, at least one of a pressure sensitive adhesive, a hot melt adhesive, a thermosetting adhesive and a curable adhesive. The adhesive layer may be configured to provide a bond between the shielding films that is substantially stronger than the bond between the one or more insulating conductors and the shielding film. This can be achieved, for example, by proper selection of adhesive formulation. The advantage of this adhesive configuration is that the shielding film can be easily peeled off from the insulator of the insulating conductor. In other cases, the adhesive layer is configured to provide a joint between the shielding films and a joint between one or more insulating conductors and the shielding film, which are of substantially equivalent strength. obtain. The advantage of this adhesive configuration is that the insulating conductors are fixed between the shielding films. When the shielding electrical cable having this configuration bends, this allows for reduced relative motion and thus reduces the possibility of shielding film buckling. Suitable bond strengths may be selected depending on the intended application. In some cases, a compatible adhesive layer with a thickness of less than about 0.13 mm may be used. In a typical embodiment, the adhesive layer has a thickness less than about 0.05 mm.

A given adhesive layer may be adapted to achieve the desired mechanical and electrical performance characteristics of the shielding electrical cable. For example, the adhesive layer may be adapted to be thinner between the shielding films in the area between the conductor sets, which increases at least the lateral flexibility of the shielding cable. This may allow the shielding cable to be easily placed within the curved outer jacket. In some cases, the adhesive layer may be adapted to be thicker in the area directly adjacent to the conductor set and substantially to the conductor set. This may increase the mechanical strength and allow the curvilinear shape of the shielding film in this region to be formed, which may, for example, increase the durability of the shielding cable while the cable bends. In addition, this can help maintain the position and spacing of the insulating conductors with respect to the shielding film along the length of the shielding cable, which can result in more uniform impedance and better signal integrity of the shielding cable. ..

A given adhesive layer may be adapted to be effectively partially or completely removed, for example, between the shielding films in the area between the conductor sets in the sandwiched area of the cable. As a result, the shielding films may be in electrical contact with each other in these areas, which can increase the electrical performance of the cable. In some cases, the adhesive layer may be adapted to be effectively partially or completely removed between at least one of the shielding film and the ground conductor. As a result, the ground conductor may be in electrical contact with at least one of the shielding films in these areas, which can improve the electrical performance of the cable. Even if a thin layer of adhesive remains between the shielding film and at least one of the given ground conductors, the asperity of the ground conductor breaks through the thin adhesive layer and produces the intended electrical contact.

4a-4c are cross-sectional views of three typical shielding electrical cables, which show an example of the placement of the ground conductor of the shielding electrical cable. The mode of the shielding electrical cable is proper grounding of the shielding member, and such grounding can be achieved in many ways. In some cases, a given grounding conductor is in electrical contact with at least one of the shielding films, whereby grounding of a given grounding conductor can also ground the shielding film. Such a ground conductor may also be referred to as a "drain wire". The electrical contact between the shielding film and the ground conductor may be characterized by a relatively low DC resistance, such as a DC resistance of less than 10Ω, or less than 2Ω, or substantially 0Ω. In some cases, a given ground conductor may not be in electrical contact with the shielding film and any suitable individual termination element of any suitable termination component (eg, printed circuit board, paddle board). Or it can be a separate element within the cable configuration that is individually terminated (or a conductive path or other contact element on another device). Such a ground conductor may also be referred to as a "ground wire". FIG. 4a illustrates a typical shielding electrical cable in which the ground conductor is located outside the shielding film. Figures 4b and 4c illustrate embodiments in which the ground conductor is positioned between the shielding films and can be included in the conductor set. The one or more ground conductors may be placed on the outside of the shielding film, between the shielding films, or in combination of both, in any suitable position.

With reference to FIG. 4a, the shielded electrical cable 402a includes a single conductor set 404a extending along the length of the cable 402a. The conductor set 404a has two insulating conductors 406, i.e. a pair of insulating conductors. Cable 402a can be made to have a large number of conductor sets 404a that are spaced apart from each other over the width of the cable and extend along the length of the cable. The two shielding films 408a located on both sides of the cable include the cover portion 407a. In the cross section, the cover portions 407a are combined to substantially surround the conductive set 404a. Any adhesive layer 410a is placed between the sandwiched portions 409a of the shielding film 408a to bond the shielding films 408a to each other on both sides of the conductor set 404a. The insulating conductor 406 is generally configured in a single plane and effectively in a two-core coaxial cable configuration, which can be used in single-ended circuit configurations or differential paired circuit configurations. The shielding electrical cable 402a further includes a plurality of ground conductors 412 located outside the shielding film 408a. The ground conductor 412 is placed above, below, or on both sides of the conductor set 404a. Optionally, the cable 402a includes a shielding film 408a and a protective film 420 surrounding the ground conductor 412. The protective film 420 includes a protective layer 421 and an adhesive layer 422 that bonds the protective layer 421 to the shielding film 408a and the ground conductor 412. Alternatively, the shielding film 408a and the ground conductor 412 may be surrounded by an outer conductive shielding portion such as a conductive braid and an outer insulating jacket (not shown).

With reference to FIG. 4b, the shielded electrical cable 402b includes a single conductor set 404b extending along the length of the cable 402b. The conductor set 404b has two insulating conductors 406, i.e. a pair of insulating conductors. Cable 402b can be made to have a large number of conductor sets 404b that are spaced apart from each other over the width of the cable and extend along the length of the cable. The two shielding films 408b are located on both sides of the cable 402b and include a cover portion 407b. In the cross section, the cover portions 407b are combined to substantially surround the conductive set 404b. Any adhesive layer 410b is placed between the sandwiched portions 409b of the shielding film 408b to bond the shielding films to each other on both sides of the conductor set. The insulating conductor 406 is effectively arranged in a generally single plane and in a two-core coaxial or differential paired cable configuration. The shielding electrical cable 402b further includes a plurality of ground conductors 412 arranged between the shielding films 408b. Two of the ground conductors 412 are included in the conductor set 404b, and two of the ground conductors 412 are separated from the conductor set 404b.

With reference to FIG. 4c, the shielded electrical cable 402c contains a single conductor set 404c that extends along the length of the cable 402c. The conductor set 404c has two insulating conductors 406, i.e. a pair of insulating conductors. Cable 402c can be made to have a large number of conductor sets 404c that are spaced apart from each other over the width of the cable and extend along the length of the cable. The two shielding films 408c are located on both sides of the cable 402c and include a cover portion 407c. In the cross section, the cover portion 407c is combined to substantially enclose the conductor set 404c. Any adhesive layer 410c is placed between the sandwiched portions 409c of the shielding film 408c to bond the shielding films 408c to each other on both sides of the conductor set 404c. The insulating conductor 406 is effectively arranged in a generally single plane and in a two-core coaxial or differential paired cable configuration. The shielding electrical cable 402c further includes a plurality of ground conductors 412 arranged between the shielding films 408c. All ground conductors 412 are included in the conductor set 404c. The two ground conductors 412 and the insulating conductor 406 are generally arranged in a single plane.

The shielded cable shown may optionally be connected to a circuit board or other termination component using one or more conductive cable clips. For example, a shielded electrical cable may include a plurality of isolated conductor sets configured in a nearly single plane, and each conductor set may include two insulating conductors extending along the length of the cable. The two shielding films can be placed on either side of the cable and substantially enclose each of the conductor sets in a cross section. The cable clip may or may not be clamped to the end of the shielding electrical cable so that at least one of the shielding films is in electrical contact with the cable clip. The cable clip may be terminated at an installation reference point, such as a conductive trace or other contact element on a printed circuit board, to form a ground connection between the shielded electrical cable and the ground reference point. The cable clip may be terminated to a ground reference point using any suitable method, including soldering, welding, squeezing, mechanical squeezing, and adhesive junction. At termination, the cable clip may facilitate termination of the end of the conductor of the insulating conductor of the shielding electrical cable to the contact element at the termination point (eg, contact element on the printed circuit board). The shielding electrical cable may include, in addition to, or instead of, at least one of the shielding films, one or more grounding conductors as described herein that may come into electrical contact with the cable clip. ..

Figures 5a-5c illustrate typical methods for making shielded electrical cables. In particular, these figures illustrate typical methods of making shielded electrical cables that can be substantially the same as those shown in FIG.

In the process illustrated in FIG. 5a, the insulating conductor 506 is formed using any suitable method, such as extrusion molding, or is provided by another method. The insulating conductor 506 may be formed in any suitable length. The insulating conductor 506 may then be provided as such or may be cut to the desired length. Ground conductor 512 (see Figure 5c) can be formed and provided in a similar manner.

In the process illustrated in FIG. 5b, the shielding film 508 is formed. A single-layer or multi-layer web may be formed using any suitable method, such as a continuous wide web process. The shielding film 508 may be formed in any suitable length. The shielding film 508 may then be provided as such or may be cut to the desired length and / or width. The shielding film 508 may be preformed to have partial folds across it to increase longitudinal flexibility. One or both of the shielding films may include a compatible adhesive layer 510, which can be formed on the shielding film 508 using any suitable method such as lamination or sputtering.

In the process illustrated in FIG. 5c, a plurality of insulating conductors 506, grounding conductors 512, and shielding film 508 are provided. A forming tool 524 is provided. The forming tool 524 includes a pair of forming rolls 526a, 526b having a shape corresponding to the desired cross-sectional shape of the final shielding electrical cable, and the forming tool also includes a roll gap 528. The insulating conductor 506, the grounding conductor 512 and the shielding film 508 are configured according to the desired shielding cable configuration, such as any of the cables shown and / or described herein, and are close to the forming rolls 526a, 526b. Positioned, they are then delivered simultaneously within the roll gap 528 of forming rolls 526a, 526b and placed between forming rolls 526a, 526b. The forming tool 524 forms a shielding film 508 around the conductor set 504 and the grounding conductor 512, and joins the shielding film 508 to each other on both sides of each conductor set 504 and the grounding conductor 512. Heat may be applied to promote binding. In this embodiment, forming a shielding film 508 around the conductor set 504 and the grounding conductor 512, and joining the shielding films 508 to each other on both sides of each conductor set 504 and the grounding conductor 512 is a single operation. Although it occurs, in other embodiments, these steps may occur in separate operations.

In subsequent manufacturing operations, longitudinal divisions can optionally be formed between the conductor sets. The split may be formed in the shielded electrical cable using any suitable method, such as laser cutting or punching. In another optional manufacturing operation, the shielding electrical cable may be bent and bundled multiple times in the length direction along the sandwiched area, with the external conductive shielding member being any suitable method. May be provided around the folded bundle using. The outer jacket may be provided around the external conductive shielding member using any suitable method, such as extrusion molding. In other embodiments, the external conductive shielding member may be omitted and the external jacket may itself be provided around the bent shielding cable.

Figures 6a-6c exemplify the details of typical methods for making shielded electrical cables. In particular, these figures illustrate how one or more adhesive layers are adaptively formed during the formation and bonding of the shielding film.

In the process shown in FIG. 6a, an insulating conductor 606, a grounding conductor 612 separated from the insulating conductor 606, and two shielding films 608 are provided. Each of the shielding films 608 contains a adaptable adhesive layer 610. In the steps illustrated in FIGS. 6b-6c, the shielding film 608 is formed around the insulating conductor 606 and the grounding conductor 612 and is coupled to each other. Initially, the adhesive layer 610 still has its original thickness, as shown in FIG. 6b. As the formation and bonding of the shielding film 608 proceeds, the adhesive layer 610 is adapted to achieve the desired mechanical and electrical performance characteristics of the shielding electrical cable 602 (FIG. 6c).

In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 11c, the adhesive layer 610 fits thinner between the insulating conductor 606 and the shielding film 608 on both sides of the ground conductor 612, and a portion of the adaptable adhesive layer 610 is these. Move away from the area. Further, the adaptable adhesive layer 610 is adapted to be thicker in the region directly adjacent to the insulating conductor 606 and the grounding conductor 612, substantially to the insulating conductor 606 and the grounding conductor 612, and a part of the adhesive layer 610 is Move into these areas. Further, the adhesive layer 610 is adapted to be effectively removed between the shielding film 608 and the grounding conductor 612, and the adhesive layer 610 is such that the grounding conductor 612 is in electrical contact with the shielding film 608. Move away from the area of.

7a and 7b illustrate details of the sandwiched area during the manufacture of typical shielded electrical cables. The shielding electrical cable 702 (see Figure 7b) was made using the shielding film 708 and included a sandwiched area 718 (see Figure 7b), where the shielding film 708 can be substantially parallel. The shielding film 708 includes a non-conductive polymer layer 708b, a conductive layer 708a arranged on the non-conductive polymer layer 708b, and a stop layer 708d arranged on the conductive layer 708a. The adaptable adhesive layer 710 is placed on the stop layer 708d. The sandwiched area 718 includes a longitudinal grounding conductor 712 located between the shielding films 708. After the shielding film is pressed together around the grounding conductor, the grounding conductor 712 indirectly contacts the conductive layer 708a of the shielding film 708. This indirect electrical contact is made possible by the controlled separation of the conductive layer 708a and the ground conductor 712 by the stop layer 708d. In some cases, the stop layer 708d may or may be a non-conductive polymer layer. As shown in the figure, external pressure (FIG. 17a) presses the conductive layers 708a against each other and presses the adhesive layer 710 to fit around the ground conductor 712 (FIG. 17b). Since the stop layer 708d is not compatible at least under some process conditions, this prevents direct electrical contact between the ground conductor 712 and the conductive layer 708a of the shielding film 708, but achieves indirect electrical contact. .. The thickness and dielectric properties of the stop layer 708d can be selected to achieve a low target DC resistance, i.e. an indirect type of electrical contact. In some embodiments, the characteristic DC resistance between the ground conductor and the shielding film can be less than 10Ω, or less than 5Ω, for example, to achieve the desired indirect electrical contact, but more than 0Ω. Is. In some cases it is possible to form a direct electrical contact between a given grounding conductor and one or two shielding films, where such grounding conductors and such shielding films DC between

In a typical embodiment, the coverage area of the shielded electrical cable includes a concentric area and a transition area located on one or both sides of a given conductor set. A given shielding film portion of the concentric area is referred to as the concentric portion of the shielding film, and the shielding film portion in the transition area is referred to as the transition portion of the shielding film. The transition zone can be configured to provide high manufacturability of shielded electrical cables, as well as strain and stress relaxation. Maintaining a transition area in a substantially constant configuration (including, for example, dimensions, shape, capacitance, and radius of curvature) along the length of the shielded electrical cable allows the shielded electrical cable to provide substantially uniform electricity. Useful for having properties (eg, high frequency isolation, impedance, skew, insertion loss, reflection, mode conversion, eye aperture, and jitter).

In addition, for example, a set of conductors contains two insulating conductors that extend along the length of the cable, which are generally effectively configured as a single and two-core coaxial cable, differential paired circuits. In certain configurations, such as those that can be connected to the configuration, keeping the transitions in a substantially constant configuration along the length of the shielding electrical cable is ideal concentric for both conductors in the conductor set. It can advantageously provide a substantially equal deviation of the electromagnetic field from the case of the condition. Therefore, careful control of the configuration of this transition along the length of the shielded electrical cable can contribute to the favorable electrical performance and characteristics of the cable. 8a-10 illustrate various typical embodiments of shielding electrical cables, including transition areas for shielding films located on one or both sides of a conductor set.

The shielded electrical cable 802 shown in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 8a and 8b includes a single conductor set 804 extending along the length of the cable. Cable 802 can be made to have a large number of conductor sets 804 that are spaced apart from each other over the width of the cable and extend along the length of the cable. One insulating conductor 806 is shown in FIG. 8a, but a large number of insulating conductors may be included in the conductor set 804 if desired.

The insulating conductor of a conductor set that is located closest to the pinched area of the cable is considered the end conductor of the conductor set. As shown, the conductor set 804 has a single insulating conductor 806, which is also an end conductor because it is located closest to the sandwiched area 818 of the shielding electrical cable 802.

The first and second shielding films 808 are located on both sides of the cable and include a cover portion 807. In the cross section, the cover portion 807 substantially surrounds the conductor set 804. Any adhesive layer 810 is placed between the sandwiched portions 809 of the shielding film 808 and bonds the shielding films 808 to each other at the sandwiched areas 818 of the cable 802 on either side of the conductor set 804. Any adhesive layer 810 may extend partially or completely over the cover portion 807 of the shielding film 808 (eg, from the sandwiched portion 809 of the shielding film 808 on one side of the conductor set 804 to the conductor set 804. Up to the sandwiched part 809 of the shielding film 808 on the opposite side of.

Insulated conductor 806 is effectively configured as a coaxial cable that can be used in single-ended circuit configurations. The shielding film 808 may include a conductive layer 808a and a non-conductive polymer layer 808b. As illustrated in FIGS. 8a and 8b, in some embodiments, the conductive layer 808a of both shielding films faces the insulating conductor. Alternatively, the orientation of one or both conductive layers of the shielding film 808 may be reversed, as described elsewhere herein.

The shielding film 808 includes concentric portions that are substantially concentric with the end conductor 806 of the conductor set 804. Shielded electrical cable 802 includes transition area 836. The portion of the shielding film 808 in the transition area 836 of the cable 802 is the transition portion 834 of the shielding film 808. In some embodiments, the shielding electrical cable 802 comprises a transition zone 836 located on either side of the conductor set 804, and in some embodiments the transition zone 836 is located on only one side of the conductor set 804. May be good.

Transition area 836 is defined by shielding film 808 and conductor set 804. The transition area 834 of the shielding film 808 of the transition zone 836 provides a gradual transition between the concentric portion 811 of the shielding film 808 and the sandwiched portion 809. Gradual or gradual transitions, such as substantially S-shaped transitions, as opposed to sudden transitions, such as right-angled transitions or transition points (as opposed to transitions), are applied to the shielding film 808, transition area 836. Provides strain and stress relaxation in, and prevents damage to the shielding film 808 when the shielding electrical cable 802 is in use, for example when bending the shielding electrical cable 802 laterally or axially. This damage can include, for example, fracture in the conductive layer 808a and / or delamination between the conductive layer 808a and the non-conductive polymer layer 808b. In addition, the stepwise transition prevents damage to the shielding film 808 in the manufacture of the shielding electrical cable 802, which may include cracking or shearing of the conductive layer 808a and / or the non-conductive polymer layer 808b. The use of disclosed transition areas on one, some or all of the conductor sets of shielded electrical ribbon cables, for example, is typical of coaxial cables (shielding members are approximately around a single insulating conductor. Deforms from traditional cable configurations such as (continuously arranged) or typical conventional dual-core coaxial cable (shielding members are continuously arranged on a pair of insulating conductors). These conventional shielding configurations may provide model electromagnetic field profiles, but such profiles may not be required to achieve acceptable electrical properties in a given application.

According to at least some aspect of the shielded electrical cable disclosed, the transition zone, for example, by reducing the dimensions of the transition zone and / or by carefully controlling the configuration of the transition zone along the length of the shielded electrical cable. Acceptable electrical properties can be achieved by reducing the electrical impact of the. By reducing the dimensions of the transition zone, the deviation of electrical capacity is reduced, the required space between multiple conductor sets is reduced, thereby reducing the pitch of the conductor sets, and / or the electricity between the conductor sets. Increase target separation. Careful control of the configuration of the transition zone along the length of the shielded electrical cable contributes to the acquisition of predictable potential behavior and consistency, which provides a high-speed transmission line, which ensures the transmission of electrical data. can do. Careful control of the configuration of the transmission area along the length of the shielded electrical cable is a factor in the transition as it approaches the lower limit of the dimension.

The electrical characteristics that are often considered are the characteristic impedance of the transmission line. Due to impedance fluctuations along the length of the transmission line, power may be reflected back to the source instead of being transmitted to the target. .. Ideally, the transmission line will not have impedance fluctuations along its length, but depending on the intended application, fluctuations of 5-10% may be acceptable. Another electrical property often considered for dual-core coaxial cables (differential drive) is the skew, or unequal transfer, of two transmission lines in a pair along at least a portion of their length. The speed. Skew causes the conversion of the differential signal to a common mode signal, which can be reflected back to the source, reducing the signal strength transmitted, producing electromagnetic radiation, and bits at certain jitters. The error rate can be significantly increased. Ideally, a pair of transmission lines have no skew, but S-parameters (differential) in differential mode from less than -25 to -30 dB to the frequency of interest (eg 6 GHz), depending on the application. S-parameters) SCD21 or SCD12 values (representing the conversion from one end of a transmission line to the other, from differential mode to common mode) can be acceptable. Alternatively, the skew can be measured in the time domain and compared to the required specifications. Depending on the intended application, less than about 20 picoseconds / meter (ps / m), preferably less than about 10 ps / m, may be acceptable.

See again in FIGS. 8a and 8b, each transition zone 836 of the shielded electrical cable 802 may have a cross-section transition zone 836a to partially aid in acceptable electrical characteristics. The transition area 836a is preferably smaller than the cross-sectional area 806a of the conductor 806. As best shown in Figure 8b, the cross-section transition zone 836a of transition zone 836 is defined by transition points 834'and 834'.

Transition point 834'occurs when the shielding film leaves a substantially concentric state with the edge insulating conductor 806 of the conductor set 804. The transition point 834'is the bending point of the shielding film 808 where the sign of the curve of the shielding film 808 changes. For example, with reference to FIG. 8b, the curvature of the upper shielding film 808 transitions from a downward curvature to an upward curvature at a bending point, which is the upward transition point 834'in the figure. The curvature of the lower shielding film 808 shifts from an upward curvature to a downward curvature at a bending point (which is the downward transition point 834'in the figure). The other transition point 834 is that the spacing between the sandwiched portions 809 of the shielding film 808 is by a given factor, eg 1.2 or 1.5, the minimum spacing d of the sandwiched portion 809.₁Occurs when exceeding.

In addition, each transition region 836a may include a gap region 836b. The gap region 836b on either side of the conductor set 804 can be substantially the same. Further, the adhesive layer 810 has a thickness T at the concentric portion 811 of the shielding film 808._acAnd at the transition part 834 of the shielding film 808, T_acIt can have a larger thickness. Similarly, the adhesive layer 810 has a thickness T between the sandwiched portions 809 of the shielding film 808._ap, And T at transition part 834 of shielding film 808_apCan have a greater thickness than. The adhesive layer 810 may represent at least 25% of the cross-section transition area 836a. Adhesive layer 810 at transition area 836a, especially thickness T_ac, Or thickness T_apThe presence at greater thickness contributes to the strength of cable 802 in transition zone 836.

Shielding electrical cable 802 Careful control of the manufacturing process and material properties of the various elements reduces variation in the thickness of the void region 836b and the flexible adhesive layer 810 in the transition zone 836, which in turn reduces the variation in the thickness of the cross-section transition zone 836a. Fluctuations in capacitance can be reduced. The shielded electrical cable 802 may include a transition area 836 located on one or both sides of the conductor set 804, including a cross-sectional area transition area 836a, which is substantially equal to or less than the cross-sectional area 806a of the conductor 806. The shielded electrical cable 802 may include a transition zone 836 located on one or both sides of the conductor set 804, including a cross-sectional area transition region 836a that is substantially the same along the length of the conductor 806. For example, the cross-sectional area transition region 836a can vary by less than 50% over a length of 1 meter. The shielded electrical cable 802 may include transition zones 836 located on either side of the conductor set 804, each containing a cross-section transition zone, and the total cross-sectional area 834a is substantially the same along the length of conductor 806. For example, the total cross-sectional area of 834a can vary by less than 50% over a length of 1 m. The shielded electrical cable 802 may include transition zones 836 located on either side of the conductor set 804, each containing cross-section transition zone 836a, which are substantially the same. The shielded electrical cable 802 may include transition zones 836 located on either side of conductor set 804, which are substantially identical. The insulating conductor 806 has an insulating thickness T._iThe transition area 836 has an insulation thickness of T_iLateral length L less than_tMay have. The central conductor of the insulating conductor 806 has a diameter of D._cThe transition area 836 has a diameter of D_cLateral length L smaller than_tCan have. The various configurations described above may provide characteristic impedances that remain in the desired range, eg, within 5-10% of the target impedance value (eg 50 ohms), over the desired length (eg 1 meter).

Factors that can affect the configuration of transition zone 836 along the length of the shielded electrical cable 802 are the manufacturing process, the thickness of the conductive layer 808a and the non-conductive polymer layer 808b, and the adhesive layer, to name a few. Includes 810, as well as the bond strength between the insulating conductor 806 and the shielding film 808.

In one aspect, the conductor set 804, the shielding film 808 and the transition zone 836 can be configured cooperatively in an impedance control relationship. The impedance control relationship means that the conductor set 804, the shielding film 808, and the transition zone 836 are cooperatively configured to control the characteristic impedance of the shielding electrical cable.

FIG. 9 illustrates a typical shielded electrical cable 902 containing two insulating conductors within a connector set 904, each of the individual insulated conductors 906 extending along the length of the cable 902. Two shielding films 908 are placed on either side of the cable 902 and combined to substantially enclose the conductor set 904. Any adhesive layer 910 is placed between the sandwiched portions 909 of the shielding film 908 and bonds the shielding films 908 to each other at the cable sandwiched areas 918 on either side of the conductor set 904. The insulating conductor 906 can be effectively configured in a substantially single plane and in a two-core coaxial configuration. The two-core coaxial cable configuration may be used in a differential pair circuit configuration or a single-ended circuit configuration. The shielding film 908 may include a conductive layer 908a and a non-conductive polymer layer 908b, or may include a conductive layer 908a without the non-conductive polymer layer 908b. In the figure, the conductive layer 908a of each shielding film is shown facing the insulating conductor 906, but in another embodiment, one or both of the shielding films may have opposite orientations.

At least one cover portion 907 of the shielding film 908 includes a concentric portion 911 that is substantially concentric with the corresponding end conductor 906 of the conductor set 904. In the transition area of cable 902, the transition portion 934 of the shielding film 908 is between the concentric portion 911 of the shielding film 908 and the sandwiched portion 909. Transition portions 934 are located on either side of the conductor set 904, and each such portion includes a cross-section transition area 934a. The sum of the cross-section transition areas 934a is preferably substantially the same along the length of conductor 906. For example, the total cross-sectional area of 934a can vary by less than 50% over a length of 1 m.

In addition, the cross-section transition area 934a can be substantially the same and / or substantially the same. This configuration of the transition zone is conductor 906 (single-ended), where both are over a given length, eg 1 m, and both are within the desired range, eg, within 5-10% of the target impedance value. Contributes to the characteristic impedance and differential impedance of. In addition, the transition zone configuration can minimize the skew of the two conductors 906 along at least some of these lengths.

When the cable is unbent and in a flat configuration, each of the shielding films can be characterized in cross section by the radius of curvature that varies over the width of the cable 902. The maximum radius of curvature of the shielding film 908 can occur, for example, at the sandwiched portion 909 of the cable 902 in FIG. 9 or near the midpoint of the cover portion 907 of the multi-conductor cable set 904. At these positions, the film can be substantially flat and the radius of curvature can be substantially infinite. The minimum radius of curvature of the shielding film 908 can occur, for example, at the transition portion 934 of the shielding film 908. In some embodiments, the radius of curvature of the shielding film over the width of the cable is at least about 50 micrometers, i.e. the radius of curvature is any point along the width of the cable between the edges of the cable. However, it does not have a size smaller than 50 micrometers. In some embodiments, in the shielding film including the transition portion, the radius of curvature of the transition portion of the shielding film is also at least about 50 micrometers.

In an unfolded, flat configuration, the shielding film with concentric and transitional portions has a radius of curvature R of the concentric portions.₁, And / or the radius of curvature r of the transition part₁Can be characterized by. These parameters are illustrated in FIG. 9 for cable 902. In a typical embodiment, R₁/ r₁Is in the range of 2 to 15.

FIG. 10 illustrates another representative shielding electrical cable 1002, which includes a conductor set with two insulating conductors 1006. In this embodiment, the shielding film 1008 has an asymmetrical configuration, which repositions the transition to a more symmetrical embodiment, such as that of FIG. In FIG. 10, the shielding electrical cable 1002 has a sandwiched portion 1009 of the shielding film 1008 located in a plane slightly offset from the plane of symmetry of the insulating conductor 1006. Despite the slight offset, the cable of FIG. 10 and its various elements can still be considered to extend approximately along a given plane and be substantially flat. Transition zone 1036 has a position and configuration slightly offset from other indicated embodiments. However, the two zones 1036 are positioned substantially symmetrically with respect to the corresponding insulating conductor 1006 (eg, with respect to the vertical plane between the conductors 1006), and the configuration of the transition zone 1036 is the shielding electrical cable 1002. By ensuring that it is carefully controlled along its length, the shielded electrical cable 1002 can still be configured to provide acceptable electrical characteristics.

11a and 11b illustrate additional typical shielded electrical cables. These figures are used to further illustrate how the sandwiched portion of the cable is configured to electrically insulate the conductor set of the shielding electrical cable. The conductor set may be electrically isolated from the adjacent conductor set (eg, to minimize crosstalk between adjacent conductor sets) or electrically insulated from the external environment of the shielding electrical cable. May (eg, to minimize electromagnetic radiation escaping from shielded electrical cables and minimize electromagnetic interference from external sources). In both cases, the sandwiched portion may include various mechanical structures to achieve electrical separation. To give a few examples, examples include the proximity of shielding films, high dielectric constant materials between shielding films, ground conductors that make direct or indirect electrical contact with at least one of the shielding films, adjacent conductors. Physical breaks between sets, longitudinal, transverse, or both, direct and intermittent contact of the shielding films with each other, and conductive adhesives.

FIG. 11 shows a shielded electrical cable 1102 in cross section, which includes two conductor sets 1104a, 104b that are spaced apart across the width of the cable 102 and extend longitudinally along the length of the cable. Each conductor set 1104a, 1104b has two insulating conductors 1106a, 1106b. Two shielding films 1108 are placed on both sides of cable 1102. In the cross section, the cover portion 1107 of the shielding film 1108 substantially surrounds the conductor sets 1104a, 1104b of the cover area 1114 of the cable 1102. In the sandwiched area 1118 of the cables on either side of the conductor sets 1104a, 1104b, the shielding film 1108 includes the sandwiched portion 1109. In the shielding electrical cable 1102, the sandwiched portion 1109 of the shielding film 1108 and the insulating conductor 1106 are configured in a substantially single plane when the cable 1102 is in a flat and / or unbent configuration. The sandwiched portion 1109 located between the conductor sets 1104a and 1104b is configured to electrically insulate the conductor sets 1104a and 1104b from each other. High frequency electricity of the first insulating conductor 1106a in the conductor set 1104a to the second insulating conductor 1106b in the conductor set 1104a, as illustrated in FIG. 11a, when configured in a nearly flat, unbent configuration. The insulation is substantially smaller than the high frequency electrical insulation of the first conductor set 1104a to the second conductor set 1104b.

As illustrated in FIG. 11a, the cable 1102 has a maximum spacing D between the covering portions 1107 of the shielding film 1108 and a minimum spacing d between the covering portions 1107 of the shielding film 1108.₂, Minimum spacing of sandwiched part 1109 of shielding film 1108 d₁Can be characterized by. In some embodiments, d₁/ D is less than 0.25 or less than 0.1. In some embodiments, d₂/ D is over 0.33.

Any adhesive layer may be included between the sandwiched portions 1109 of the shielding film 1108, as shown. The adhesive layer may be continuous or discontinuous. In some embodiments, the adhesive layer extends completely or partially (eg, between the covering portion 1107 of the shielding film 1108 and the insulating conductors 1106a, 1106b) within the covering area 1114 of the cable 1102. You may. The adhesive layer may be placed on the cover portion 1107 of the shielding film 1108, from the sandwiched portion 1109 of the shielding film 1108 on one side of the conductor sets 1104a, 1104b to the shielding film on the opposite side of the conductor sets 1104a, 1104b. It can extend completely or partially to the sandwiched portion 1109 of 1108.

The shielding film 1108 has a radius of curvature R over the width of the cable 1102 and / or a radius of curvature r of the shielding film transition portion 1112.₁And / or the radius of curvature r of the concentric portion 1111 of the shielding film₂Can be characterized by.

In the transition zone 1136, the transition portion 1112 of the shielding film 1108 may be configured to provide a gradual transition between the concentric portion 1111 of the shielding film 1108 and the sandwiched portion 1109 of the shielding film 1108. The transition portion 1112 of the shielding film 1108 is a bending point of the shielding film 1108 and extends from the first transition point 1121 to the second transition point 1122 indicating the end of the concentric portion 1111, and the distance between the shielding films is , Minimum spacing of sandwiched part 1109 d₁Exceeds by a predetermined factor.

In some embodiments, the cable 1102 has a radius of curvature R over the width of the cable, which is at least about 50 micrometers, and / or a minimum radius of curvature r of the transition portion 1112 of the shielding film 1102, which is at least about 50 micrometers.₁Includes at least one shielding film with. In some embodiments, the minimum radius of curvature of the concentric portion, the minimum radius of curvature of the transition portion r₂/ r₁The ratio to is in the range of 2 to 15.

FIG. 11b is a cross-sectional view of a shielded electrical cable 1202 that includes two conductor sets 1204 that are spaced apart from each other over the width of the cable and extend longitudinally along the length of the cable. Each conductor set 1204 has only one insulating conductor 1206, and two shielding films 1208 are placed on either side of the cable 1202. In the cross section, the cover portion 1207 of the shielding film 1208 is combined to substantially surround the insulating conductor 1206 of the conductor set 1204 of the cable coverage area 1214. In the sandwiched area 1218 of the cables on either side of the conductor set 1204, the shielding film 1208 includes the sandwiched portion 1209. In the shielding electrical cable 1202, the sandwiched portion 1209 of the shielding film 1208 and the insulating conductor 1206 can be configured in a nearly single plane when the cable 1202 is in a flat and / or unbent configuration. The cover portion 1207 of the shielding film 1208 and / or the sandwiched portion 1218 of the cable 1202 are configured to electrically insulate the conductor set 1204 from each other.

As shown in the figure, the cable 1202 has a minimum distance d between the cover portion 1207 of the shielding film 1208 and the sandwiched portion 1209 of the shielding film 1208.₁Can be characterized by. In a typical embodiment, d₁/ D is less than 0.25 or less than 0.1.

Any adhesive layer can be arranged, as shown, between the sandwiched portions 1209 of the shielding film 1208, as shown. The adhesive layer may be continuous or discontinuous. In some embodiments, the adhesive layer may extend completely or partially within the cable coverage area 1214 (eg, between the cover portion 1207 of the shielding film 1208 and the insulating conductor 1206). .. The adhesive layer may be placed on the cover portion 1207 of the shielding film 1208, and is sandwiched from the sandwiched portion 1209 of the shielding film 1208 on one side of the conductor set 1204 to the shielding film 1208 on the opposite side of the conductor set 1204. It may extend completely or partially to the spilled portion 1209.

The shielding film 1208 has a radius of curvature R over the width of the cable 1202 and / or a minimum radius of curvature r of the transition portion 1212 of the shielding film 1208.₁And / or the minimum radius of curvature r of the concentric portion 1211 of the shielding film 1208₂Can be characterized by. The transition area 1236 of cable 1202, the transition portion 1212 of the shielding film 1202, is configured to provide a gradual transition between the concentric portion 1211 of the shielding film 1208 and the sandwiched portion 1209 of the shielding film 1208. obtain. The transition portion 1212 of the shielding film 1208 is the inflection point of the shielding film 1208 and extends from the first transition point 1221 to the second transition point 1222 indicating the ends of the concentric portions 1211, and the spacing between the shielding films is , Minimum spacing of sandwiched part 1209 d₁Exceeds by a predetermined factor.

In some embodiments, the radius of curvature R of the shielding film over the width of the cable is at least about 50 micrometers, and / or the minimum radius of curvature of the transition portion of the shielding film is at least 50 micrometers.

In some cases, the sandwiched area of any of the described shielding cables may be configured to be bent laterally, for example, at an angle α of at least 30 °. This lateral flexibility of the sandwiched area may allow the shielding cable to be bent in any suitable configuration, for example a configuration that can be used around a round cable. In some cases, lateral flexibility of the sandwiched area is made possible by a shielding film that contains two or more relatively thin individual layers. Especially under bending conditions, the bonds between them are preferably left intact to ensure the integrity of these individual layers. The sandwiched area has a minimum thickness of less than about 0.13 mm, for example, and the bond strength between the individual layers can be at least 17.86 g / mm (1 lbs / inch) after heat exposure during process or use. ..

It may be beneficial for the electrical properties of the disclosed shielding electrical cables that the sandwiched area of the cable has approximately the same dimensions and shape on either side of a given conductor set. Any dimensional changes and imbalances can create imbalances in capacitance and inductance along the length of the sandwiched area. This can then result in impedance differences along the length of the sandwiched portion and impedance imbalances between adjacent conductor sets. For these reasons, at least control of the spacing between the shielding films may be desirable. In some cases, the sandwiched portions of the shielding film (each side of the conductor set) within the sandwiched area of the cable can be separated from each other by less than about 0.05 mm.

Figure 12 shows that when two adjacent conductor sets of a conventional electrical cable are completely separated (ie, they have no common ground (Sample 1)), the shielding film 1108 is separated by about 0.025 mm. (Sample 2), showing a far end crosstalk (FEXT) separation between two adjacent conductor sets of shielded electrical cable 1102 (shown in Figure 11a), both having a cable length of approximately 3 meters. The test method to be created is well known in the technology. The data is Agilent 8720ES 50MHz ~ 20GHz S-Parameter Network Generated using Analyzer. By comparing the far-end crosstalk plots, it can be seen that the conventional and shielded electrical cables 1102 provide similar far-end crosstalk performance. In particular, it is generally accepted that far-end crosstalk of less than about -35 dB is suitable for most applications. It is easy to see from FIG. 12 that both the conventional electrical cable and the shielding electrical cable 1102 provide satisfactory electrical separation performance for the configurations tested. Good electrical separation performance, combined with the higher strength of the sandwiched portion due to the ability to separate the shielding film, is an advantage over conventional electrical cables of at least some of the disclosed shielding electrical cables.

In a typical embodiment described above, the shielding electrical cable comprises two shielding films placed on either side of the cable, whereby in a cross section of the shielding film, the covering portions of the shielding film are combined to give a given conductor set. Substantially encloses and individually encloses each of the separated conductor sets. However, in some embodiments, the shielding electrical cable may include only one shielding film, which is located on only one side of the cable. The advantages of including only a single shielding film within the shielding cable when compared to a shielding cable with two shielding films are reduced material costs and mechanical flexibility, manufacturability, and stripping. And the ease of termination. A single shielding film can provide an acceptable level of electromagnetic interference (EMI) isolation in a given application and can reduce proximity effects, which can reduce signal attenuation. FIG. 13 illustrates one embodiment of such a shielding electrical cable containing only one shielding film.

FIG. 13 illustrates a shielding electrical cable 1302 having only one shielding film 1308. Insulated conductors 1306 are configured in two conductor sets 1304, each having only one pair of insulated conductors, but conductor sets with other numbers of insulated conductors are also conceivable, as described herein. .. The shielded electrical cable 1302 is shown to include a ground conductor 1312 in various typical positions, some or all of which may be omitted if desired, or may include an additional ground conductor. The ground conductor 1312 extends in substantially the same direction as the insulating conductor 1306 of the conductor set 1304 and is positioned between the shielding film 1308 and the carrier film 1346 which does not function as a shielding film. One ground conductor 1312 is contained in the sandwiched portion 1309 of the shielding film 1308, and three ground conductors 1312 are contained in one of the conductor sets 1304. One of these three ground conductors 1312 is positioned between the insulating conductor 1306 and the shielding film 1308, and two of the three ground conductors 1312 are configured to be approximately flush with the insulating conductor 1306 of the conductor set. Will be done.

In addition to signal lines, drain wires, and ground wires, any of the disclosed cables may also include one or more individual wires, typically for any purpose defined by the user (). These are typically insulated). Sufficient for, for example, power transfer or low speed communication (eg, less than 1 or 0.5 Gbps, or 1 or less than 0.5 GHz, or in some cases less than 1 MHz), but high speed communication (eg, 1 Gpbs or greater than 1 GHz). These additional wires, which may not be sufficient for), can be collectively referred to as sidebands. Sidebands can be used to carry power signals, reference signals or other signals of interest. The wires in the sidebands are typically not in direct or indirect electrical contact with each other, but in at least in some cases they may not be shielded from each other. The sideband may include any number of wires, such as two or more, or three or more or five or more.

Further and other information regarding typical shielded electrical cables, US Patent Application No. 61 / 378,877, "Connector Arrangements for Shielded Electrical Cable," filed on the same date and incorporated herein by reference. It can be found at (agent reference number 66887US002).

Item 2: High Density Shielding Cable Further details regarding shielding ribbon cables, which can utilize a set of mutually shielding conductors with high packing density, are provided here. The cable design characteristics disclosed allow them to be manufactured in a format that allows for very high density signal lines within the signal ribbon cable. This may allow for high density engagement interfaces and ultra-thin connectors, and / or crosstalk separation in standard connector interfaces. In addition, high density cables reduce manufacturing costs per signal pair and reduce the flexural rigidity of the pair's assembly (eg, one ribbon of high density is generally more than two stacked ribbons of lower density. Also easily bends), and because one ribbon is generally thinner than two stacked ribbons, the total thickness can be reduced.

One potential use of at least some of the disclosed shielding cables is high speed (I / O) data transmission between components or devices of computer systems or other electronic systems. The protocol known as SAS (Serial Attached SCSI), maintained by the International Committee for Information Technology Standards (INCITS), is a computer bus protocol that includes sending and receiving data to and from computer storage devices such as hard drives and tape drives. Is. SAS uses a standard SCSI command set and includes a point-to-point serial protocol. Specifications known as mini-SAS have been developed for certain types of connectors within the SAS standard.

Traditional twinax cable assemblies for internal applications, such as mini-SAS cable assemblies, use individual twinax pairs, each pair having its own associated drain wire, and how many. In that case, it has two drain wires. When terminating such cables, not only must each insulating conductor of each twinax pair be managed, but also each drain wire (or both drain wires) of each twinax pair must be managed. These typical twinax pairs are typically composed of loose bundles arranged within a loose outer braid, the loose outer braid containing pairs so that they can be routed to each other. In contrast, the shielding ribbon cables described herein, for example, the first 4-pair ribbon cable engages the main surface of the paddle card (eg, see Figure 3d above), and then 4 Pair Ribbon Cables (these can be similar or substantially the same in configuration or design as the first 4 Pair Ribbon Cables) engage the other main surface at the same end of the paddle card and 4 transmit It can be used in configurations that form a 4x or 4i mini-SAS assembly with shield pairs and 4 receive shield pairs. This configuration is advantageous over configurations using traditional cable twinax pairs, one reason where less than one drain wire can be used per twinax and therefore less drain wire is required for termination. Because. However, configurations using a stack of 4-pair ribbon cables have the limitation that two separate ribbons are required to provide a 4x / 4i assembly, which additionally requires management of the two ribbons. , Has a disadvantageous increase in hardness and thickness of two ribbons for one ribbon.

The disclosed shielding ribbon cables can be made tight enough, i.e., sufficiently small wire spacing, sufficiently small conductor set spacing, and sufficiently small number of drain wires and drain wire spacing, appropriate loss characteristics. And crosstalk, or shielding properties, and not a single ribbon cable, or a stack of multiple ribbon cables, but a side-by-side configuration that extends along a single plane to engage the connector. To enable. This ribbon cable can contain at least three twinax pairs in total, and if a large number of cables are used, at least one ribbon can contain at least two twinax pairs. In a typical embodiment, a single ribbon cable can be used, and if desired, a single pair can be routed to two planes or major surfaces of the connector or other termination component, but the ribbon cable. Extends along only one plane. The routing can be accomplished in many ways, and the tips or ends of the individual conductors may be folded out of the plane of the ribbon cable and touch the main surface of one or the other of the termination components, or The termination component may use conductive through holes or vias, for example connecting one conductive path portion of one main surface to another conductive path portion of the other main surface. Particularly important for high density cables, preferably, the ribbon cable also contains less drain wire than the conductor set, and if part or all of the conductor set is twinax, i.e., part or all of the conductor set. If each contains only a pair of insulating conductors, the number of drain wires is preferably less than the number of twinax pairs. Since the drain wires of a given cable are typically spaced apart from each other along the width dimension of the cable, reducing the number of drain wires makes it possible to reduce the width of the cable. Reducing the number of drain wires also simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of connections required between the cable and the termination component, thus reducing the number of fabrication steps and essential for fabrication.

In addition, fewer drain wires are used and the remaining drain wires are located farther than usual from the nearest signal line, making the termination process much easier with only a slight increase in cable width. For example, a given drain wire may be characterized by a distance σ1 from the center of the drain wire to the center of the closest conductor wire in the closest conductor set, with the closest conductor set being the center of the insulated conductor. It may be characterized by the interval σ2, where σ1 / σ2 can be greater than 0.7. In contrast, conventional twinax cables have a drain wire spacing of 0.5 times the insulation conductor spacing + drain wire diameter.

In a typical high density embodiment of the disclosed shielding electrical ribbon cable, the center spacing or pitch between two adjacent twinax pairs (this distance is hereinafter referred to as Σ in relation to FIG. 16) is It is at least less than 4 times, and preferably less than 3 times, the center spacing of one pair of signal lines (referred to below this distance as σ in connection with FIG. 16). This relationship, which can be expressed as Σ / σ &lt;4 or Σ / σ &lt;3, can be satisfied for both unjacketed cables designed for internal use and jacketed cables designed for external use. .. As described elsewhere herein, we have shown shielded electrical ribbon cables with multiple twinax pairs and acceptable loss and shielding (crosstalk) properties (Σ / σ is 2.5 ~. Range of 3).

Another way to characterize the density of a given shielding ribbon cable (whether one of the conductor sets of the cable has a pair of conductors in a twinax configuration) is to use the closest insulating conductor of two adjacent conductor sets. Use as a reference. Therefore, when the shielding cable is laid flat, the first insulating conductor of the first conductor set is closest to the second (adjacent) conductor set, and the second insulating conductor of the second conductor set is the first conductor set. Closest to. The center spacing of the first and second insulating conductors is S. The first insulating conductor has an outer diameter D1 (eg, the diameter of its insulator) and the second insulating conductor has an outer diameter D2 (eg, the diameter of its insulator). In many cases, the conductor set uses insulated conductors of the same dimensions, in which case D1 = D2. However, in some cases D1 and D2 may be different. The parameter Dmin can be defined as the smaller of D1 and D2. Of course, if D1 = D2, then Dmin = D1 = D2. The design characteristics of the shielding electrical ribbons described herein can be used to make such cables with S / D min in the range of 1.7-2.

Tight packing or high density can be partially achieved by one or more of the following characteristics of the disclosed cable: a minimum number of drain wires, or in other words, less than one drain wire per connector set (and In some cases, less than one drain wire in two, three or four or more connector sets, eg only one or two drain wires in all cables) is used in the cable set. The need for the ability to provide sufficient shielding for some or all of the, high frequency signal separation structures between adjacent conductor sets (eg, shielding film of suitable shape), relatively few used in cable configurations. A forming process that ensures proper placement and composition of thin layers, as well as insulating conductors, drain wires and shielding films (and in a manner that provides uniformity along the length of the cable). High density properties may be favorably provided for cables that can be mass stripped and mass terminated for paddle cards or other linear arrays. Mass stripping and termination take one, some or all of the drain wires in the cable from these corresponding closest signal lines (the closest insulating conductors in the closest conductor set) to the adjacent insulating conductors in the conductor set. It is facilitated by spacing greater than half the distance between them, and preferably greater than 0.7 times such spacing.

By electrically connecting the drain wire to the shielding film and properly forming the shielding film to enclose each conductor set, the shielding structure alone provides suitable high frequency crosstalk separation between adjacent conductor sets. And the shielding ribbon cable can be constructed with only the minimum number of drain wires. In a typical embodiment, a given cable can have only two drain wires (one of which can be located at or near each edge of the cable), but with only one drain wire. It is possible, and of course three or more drain wires are also possible. By using less drain wire in the cable configuration, less termination pads are required for paddle cards or other termination components, which components can therefore be made smaller and / or have higher signal densities. Can be supported. Cables can also be smaller (narrower) and have higher signal densities because less drain wire is present and consumes smaller ribbon width. A smaller number of drain wires support a higher density of disclosed shielded cables than traditional separate twinax cable ribbon cables, ribbon cables consisting of separate twinax pairs, and common ribbon cables. It is an important factor that makes it possible.

Near-end crosstalk and / or far-end crosstalk can be an important measure of signal integrity or occlusion of any electrical cable, including the disclosed cables and cable assemblies. Grouping signal lines (eg, twinax pairs or other conductor sets) closer within the cable and termination region tends to increase unwanted crosstalk, but the cable design and cable design disclosed herein Termination designs can be used to resist this trend. The problem of crosstalk in cables and crosstalk in connectors can be addressed separately, but some of these methods of crosstalk reduction can be used together to improve crosstalk reduction. To increase high frequency shielding and reduce crosstalk in the disclosed cable, use two shielding films on either side of the cable to form the shielding member surrounding the conductor set (eg twinax) as completely as possible. Is desirable. Thus, the shielding film is provided such that the combined cover portion substantially surrounds any given conductor set (eg, at least 75% or at least 80, 85% or 90% of the outer edges of the conductor set). It is desirable to form. Also, in many cases, minimizing any gap between the shielding films in the sandwiched zone of the cable (including exclusion) and / or direct contact or contact, or through one or more drain wires. It is desirable to use low impedance or direct electrical contact between the two shielding films, either by electrical contact or by using a conductive adhesive between the two shielding films. If separate "transmit" and "receive" twinax pairs or conductors are specified or specified in a given cable or system, all such "transmit" conductors are grouped so that they are physically adjacent to each other. And by grouping all such "received" conductors within the same ribbon cable so that they are physically adjacent to each other but as isolated as possible from the transmitting pair, high frequency shielding can also be done with the cable and / or End It may be improved in the end component. The transmitting group of conductors may also be separated from the receiving group of conductors by one or more drain wires or other separation structures described elsewhere herein. In some cases, two separate ribbon cables, one for the transmitting conductor and one for the receiving conductor, may be used, but two (or more) cables are preferably stacked. Rather, it is constructed in a side-by-side configuration, which can retain the advantages of a single flexible flat surface of the ribbon cable.

The shielded cables described may exhibit high frequency separation between adjacent insulating conductors in a given conductor set characterized by Crosstalk C1 at a specific frequency of 3-15 GHz, at a cable length of 1 meter. And the high frequency separation between a given conductor set and an adjacent conductor set (cable sandwiched from the first conductor set), characterized by C2 at that particular frequency (C2 is at least 10 dB lower than C1). (Separated by part) can be exhibited. Alternatively, or in addition, the described shielding cable may meet similar or the same shielding specifications as those used in mini-SAS applications: a signal of a given signal strength is one of the transmitting conductor sets ( Or connected to one end of the receiving conductor set) at one end of the cable and the cumulative signal strength of all of the receiving conductor set (or all of the transmitting conductor set) is calculated (measured at the same end of the cable). Near-end crosstalk, calculated as a ratio of cumulative signal strength to the original signal strength and expressed in decibels, is preferably less than -26 dB.

If the cable ends are not properly shielded, crosstalk at the cable ends can be noticeable for a given application. A potential solution with the disclosed cable is to keep the structure of the shielding film as close as possible to the termination point of the insulating conductor so that it contains any stray electromagnetic field within the conductor set. In addition to cables, design details of paddle cards or other termination components can also be adjusted to maintain proper crosstalk isolation in the system. One method is to electrically separate the transmitted and received signals from each other as much as possible (the termination and routing wires and conductors associated with these two signal types are as physically as far as possible from each other. Release). One option is to terminate such wires and conductors on separate sides of the paddle card (the front and back main surfaces), which automatically routes the signal on different planes or sides of the paddle card. Can be used to Another option is to separate the transmitting wire laterally from the receiving wire by separating such wires and conductors laterally as much as possible. A combination of these methods can also be used for further separation. In this regard, US Patent Application No. 61 / 378,877, "Connector Arrangements for Shielded Electrical Cable," cited earlier, filed on the same date and incorporated herein by reference. No.). These methods can be used with the disclosed high-density ribbon cables in combination with conventional or smaller sized paddle cards, plus a single plane of ribbon cables, both of which benefit significant systems. Can be provided.

The reader should understand that the above description relating to paddle card termination, and the description of another part of this specification for paddle cards, also includes any other type of termination. Keep in mind that there is. For example, a forged metal connector may include a linear array of one or more rows of contacts that connect to a ribbon cable. Such a row can be similar to that of a paddle card, which can also contain two linear arrays of contacts. The same, staggered, alternating, and separate termination methods of the disclosed cables and termination components can be utilized.

Loss or attenuation is another important consideration in many electrical cable applications. One typical loss specification for high speed I / O applications is for the cable to have a frequency loss of less than about -6dB, eg 5GHz. (In this regard, the reader understands, for example, that a loss of -5 dB is less than a loss of -6 dB.) Such specifications simply make the wire thinner by the insulating conductor and / or drain wire of the conductor set. It imposes restrictions on trying to miniaturize the cable by using it. Generally, if other factors are comparable, the thinner the wire used in the cable, the higher the cable loss. Wire plating (eg silver, tin, or gold plating) can often affect cable loss, but is 32 gauge (32 AWG) (approximately 0.032 mm).²) Less than or slightly smaller dimensions, whether this is a solid core wire or a stranded wire design, may present practically lower dimensional limits on the signal line in certain high speed I / O applications. However, smaller wire dimensions may be feasible in other high speed applications, and technical advantages can also be expected to make smaller wire dimensions acceptable.

Referencing FIG. 14 here, the cable system 1401 is identified, which includes a shielding electrical ribbon cable 1402 in combination with the termination component 1420, such as a paddle card. Cable 1402, which may have any of the design features and characteristics shown and described elsewhere in this specification, is shown as having eight conductor sets 1404 and two drain wires 1412, respectively. , Located at or near each edge of the cable. Each conductor set is essentially a twinax pair, i.e. each conductor contains only two insulating conductors 1406, and each conductor set is preferably tuned to transmit and / or receive high speed data signals. Of course, other numbers of conductor sets, other numbers of insulating conductors in a given conductor set, and other numbers of drain wires (if needed) can generally be used for cable 1402. However, eight twinax pairs are paddle cards designed for use with four "lanes" or "channels" (each lane or channel has exactly one transmit pair and exactly one receive pair). It is of some importance due to the current penetration rate of. The generally flat or flat design of the cable, and its design features, allow it to be easily bent or otherwise manipulated, as shown, while the conductor set is good. Maintain high frequency shielding and acceptable loss. The number of drain wires (2) is substantially less than the number of conductor sets (8), allowing the cable 1402 to have a substantially smaller width w1. Since only two drain wires are included (in this embodiment), such a smaller width is the signal of the conductor set closest to the signal wire with which the drain wire 1412 is closest (closest insulating conductor 1406). This can be achieved even if the lines are separated by at least 0.7 times the spacing.

The termination component 1420 has a first end 1420a and a second end 1420b on the opposite side, and a first main surface 1420c and a second main surface 1420d on the opposite side. The conductive path 1421 is provided, for example, by printing or other conventional deposition process and / or etching process on at least the first main surface 1420c of the component 1420. In this regard, the conductive path is deposited on a suitable electrically insulated substrate that is typically rigid or rigid, but in some cases flexible. Each conductive path typically extends from the first end 1420a to the second end 1420b of the component. In the embodiments represented, the individual wires and conductors of cable 1402 are electrically connected to each one of the conductive paths 1421.

For simplicity, each path is shown as a straight line extending from one end of the component 1420 or substrate to the other end of the same main surface of the component. In some cases, one or more of the conductive paths may extend through holes or "vias" in the substrate, whereby, for example, a portion and one end of the path is located on the main surface and another of the paths. And the other end are located on the main surface opposite the substrate. Also, in some cases, some of the wires and conductors of the cable may be attached to a conductive path (eg, a contact pad) on one main surface of the substrate, while the other of the wires and conductors. The portion may be attached to a conductive path (eg, a contact pad) at the same end of the component, although the portion is on the main surface opposite the substrate. This can be achieved, for example, by slightly bending the ends of the wires and conductors upwards towards one main surface or downwards towards the other main surface. In some cases, all conductive paths corresponding to the signal lines and / or drain wires of the shielding cable may be located on one main surface of the substrate. In some cases, at least one of the conductive paths may be located on one main surface of the substrate and at least another of the conductive paths may be located on the opposite main surface of the substrate. .. In some cases, at least one of the conductive paths is at the first end on the first main surface of the substrate and at the second end on the second main surface opposite the substrate. May have a second part. In some cases, alternating conductor sets of shielding cables may be attached to conductive paths on the main surfaces that form the front and back of the substrate.

The termination component 1420 or its substrate has a width w2. In a typical embodiment, the width w1 of the cable is not significantly larger than the width w2 of the component, thereby forming the necessary connection between, for example, the wire of the cable and the conductive path of the component. The cables need not be folded back at their ends or bundled together to do so. In some cases, w1 can be slightly larger than w2, but still small enough that the ends of the conductor set have a generally planar configuration of the cable at and near the junction. It can be bent in the plane of the cable in a funnel-type manner to connect to the relevant conductive path while still retaining. In some cases, w1 can be less than or equal to w2. Conventional four-channel paddle cards currently have a width of 15.6 mm, and therefore, for at least some applications of shielding cables, it is desirable to have a width of about 16 mm or less, or about 15 mm or less.

Figures 15 and 16 are frontal cross-sections of typical shielded electrical cables, which also show parameters useful for characterizing the density of conductor sets. Shielding cables 1502 include at least conductor sets 1504a, 1504b and 1504c, which are the first and second shielding films 1508 on either side of the cable and their corresponding coverings, sandwiched portions, preferably formed. And transitions shield each other. The shielding cable 1602 also includes at least three conductor sets 1604a, 1604b and 1604c, which are shielded from each other by the first and second shielding films 1608. The conductor set of cable 1502 contains a different number of insulated conductors 1506, with conductor set 1504a having one, conductor set 1504b having three, and conductor set 1504c having two (in the twinax design). The conductor sets 1604a, 1604b, 1604c are all twinax designs and have exactly two insulating conductors 1606. Although not shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, each cable 1502, 1602 is preferably also sandwiched by a shielding film at or near the edge of the cable, preferably at least one, as shown in FIG. 1 or 14. Includes one and optionally two (or more) drain wires.

Figure 15 shows some specific dimensions associated with the closest insulating conductor in two adjacent conductor sets. The conductor set 1504a is adjacent to the set 1504b. The insulating conductor 1506 of set 1504a is closest to set 1504b, and the leftmost insulating conductor 1506 of set 1504b (from the viewpoint of the figure) is closest to set 1504a. The insulating conductor of set 1504a has an outer diameter D1 and the leftmost insulating conductor of set 1504b has an outer diameter D2. The distance between the centers of these insulating conductors is S1. By defining the parameter Dmin as the smaller of D1 and D2, it can be specified that S1 / Dmin is in the range of 1.7 to 2 for densely packed shielding cables.

Further, in FIG. 15, the conductor set 1504b is adjacent to the adjacent conductor set 1504c. The rightmost insulating conductor 1506 of set 1504b is closest to set 1504c, and the leftmost insulating conductor 1506 of set 1504c is closest to set 1504b. The rightmost insulating conductor 1506 of set 1504b has an outer diameter D3 and the leftmost insulating conductor 1506 of set 1504c has an outer diameter D4. The distance between the centers of these insulating conductors is S3. By defining the parameter Dmin as the smaller of D3 and D4, S3 / Dmin can be specified to be in the range 1.7-2 for tightly packed shielded cables.

FIG. 16 shows some specified dimensions associated with a cable having at least one set of adjacent twinax pairs. The conductor sets 1604a, 1604b represent one such set of adjacent twinax pairs. The spacing and pitch between the centers between these two conductor sets is expressed as Σ. The center spacing between the signal lines in the twinax conductor set 1604a is expressed as σ1. The center spacing of the signal lines in the twinax conductor set 1604b is expressed as σ2. It can be identified that in a tightly packed shielding cable, one or both of Σ / σ1 and Σ / σ2 are in the range of less than 4, less than 3, or 2.5-3.

In FIGS. 17a and 17b, a plan view and a side view of the cable system 1701 are observed, respectively, which includes a shielding electric ribbon cable 1702 combined with a termination component 1720 such as a paddle card. Cable 1702, which may have any of the design features and characteristics shown and described elsewhere in this specification, is shown as having eight conductor sets 1704 and two drain wires 1712, respectively. , Located at or near each edge of the cable. Each conductor set is essentially a twinax pair, i.e. each conductor contains only two insulating conductors 1706, and each conductor set is preferably tuned to transmit and / or receive high speed data signals. Just as in FIG. 14, the number of drain wires (2) is substantially less than the number of conductor sets (8), for example, cable 1702 has one or two drain wires per conductor set. Allows the cable to have a substantially smaller width. Since only two drain wires are included (in this embodiment), such a smaller width is the signal of the closest conductor set to the signal wire closest to the drain wire 1712 (closest insulating conductor 1706). This can be achieved even if the lines are separated by at least 0.7 times the spacing.

Termination component 1720 includes a suitable substrate having a first end 1720a and an opposite second end 1720b, a first main surface 1720c and an opposite second main surface 1720d. The conductive path 1721 is provided on at least the first main surface 1720c of the substrate. Each conductive path typically extends from the first end 1720a to the second end 1720b of the component. Conductive paths are shown as including contact pads at both ends of the component, in which the individual wires and conductors of cable 1702 are electrically connected to each one of conductor paths 1721 at the corresponding contact pads. Shown as a thing. With respect to the arrangement, composition and arrangement of conductive paths on the substrate, and the arrangement, composition and arrangement of the various wires and conductors of the cable, and attachment to one or both of the main surfaces of these termination components. The variations described in many parts are also intended to apply to system 1701.

<p> A shielded electrical ribbon cable with a commonly designed cable 1402 (see Figure 14) was made. 16 isolated 32 gauge (AWG) (0.032 mm) configured in 8 twinax pairs for signal lines²Two non-insulated 32 (AWG) (0.032 mm) configured along the edge of the cable for the wire and drain wire²) Wire was used. Each of the 16 signal wires used had a solid copper core with silver plating. Each of the two drain wires had a twisted configuration (7 twists each) and was tin-plated. The insulating member of the insulating wire had a nominal outer diameter of 0.025 inches (0.0635 cm). The 16 insulated wires and 2 non-insulated wires were delivered to a device similar to that shown in Figure 5c and sandwiched between two shielding films. The shielding film was substantially identical and had the following composition: a polyester base layer (0.00048 inch (0.00122 cm) thickness), on top of which a continuous layer of aluminum (0.00028 inch (0.000711 cm) thickness). Was placed, on which a continuous layer of non-conductive adhesive (0.001 inch (0.00254 cm) thick) was placed. The shielding film was oriented so that the metal coatings on the film faced each other and faced the conductor set. The process temperature was about 270 ° F (132 ° C). The resulting cable produced by this process is imaged, a plan view is shown in FIG. 18a, and an oblique view of the end of the cable is shown in 18b. In the figure, 1804 refers to the twinax conductor set and 1812 refers to the drain wire.</p><p> The resulting cable was not ideal due to the lack of concentricity of the solid core wires in the insulating conductors used for the signal lines. Nevertheless, certain parameters and characteristics of the cable can be measured, taking into account (correcting) the problem of non-concentricity. For example, dimensions D, d₁, D₂(See Figure 2c) were approximately 0.028 inches (0.071 cm), 0.0015 inches (0.0038 cm) and 0.028 inches (0.071 cm), respectively. In the cross section, none of the shielding films had a radius of curvature of less than 50 micrometers at any point along the width of the cable. The center spacing between a given drain wire and the closest insulating wire in the closest twinax conductor set is about 0.83 mm, and the center spacing of the insulating wires in each conductor set (see, eg, parameters σ1 and σ2 in Figure 16). Was about 0.025 inches (0.64 mm). The center spacing of adjacent twinax conductor sets (see parameter Σ in Figure 16) was approximately 0.0715 inches (1.8 mm). The spacing parameters S (S1 and S3 in FIG. 15) were approximately 0.0465 inches (0.118 cm). The width of the cable, measured between the edges, was about 16-17 mm and the spacing between the drain wires was 15 mm. The cable, including the drain wire, could be easily mass terminated.</p><p> From these values we find: The spacing from the drain wire to the nearest signal line is about 1.3 times the wire spacing in each twinax pair, and therefore more than 0.7 times the wire spacing; cable density parameter Σ / σ is about 2.86 (ie, in the range 2.5-3); the other cable density parameter S / Dmin is about 1.7 (ie, in the range 1.7-2), d₁/ D (the minimum spacing between the sandwiched parts of the shielding film divided by the maximum spacing between the covering parts of the shielding film) is about 0.05 (ie less than 0.25 and also less than 0.1; ratio d₂/ D (minimum separation between shielding film coverings in the area between insulating conductors divided by the maximum spacing between shielding film coverings) was about 1 (ie, greater than 0.33).</p><p> The width of the cable (ie, between the edges of about 16 mm and between the drain wires of 15.0 mm) is smaller than the width of the conventional mini-SAS internal cable external molding end (typically 17.1 mm), mini- Also note that it was about the same width as a typical SAS paddle card (15.6mm). The smaller width than the paddle card allows for simple one-to-one routing from the cable to the paddle card without the need for lateral adjustment of the wire ends. Even if the cable is slightly wider than the termination board or housing, the external wires can be laterally routed or bent to fit the pads on the outer edges of the board. Physically this cable can provide twice the density of other ribbon cables, the assembly can be half the thickness (because one less ribbon is needed), and others in common. It can allow connectors thinner than cables. The cable end can be terminated and manipulated in any suitable manner to connect with the termination components described elsewhere herein.</p><p> Item 3: Shielding cable with on-demand drain wire mechanism Further details are provided regarding shielding ribbon cables that may utilize an on-demand drain wire mechanism.</p><p> In many of the disclosed shielding electrical cables, drain wires that make direct or indirect electrical contact with one or both of the shielding films make such electrical contact over the substantial length of the cable. The drain wire is then coupled to an external ground connection at the termination position to reduce (or "drain") any stray signal that can generate crosstalk and reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI). , A grounding reference may be provided for the shielding member. In this section of the embodiment of the invention, electrical contact between a given drain wire and a given shielding film, not along the entire cable length, but in one or more separation regions of the cable. The configuration and method of providing the above are described more completely. The configurations and methods characterized by electrical contact in the separation region are sometimes referred to as on-demand techniques.</p><p> This on-demand technique may use a shielding cable described elsewhere herein, the cable being at least one with the drain wire in all or at least a substantial portion of the length of the drain wire. It is made to include at least one drain wire with a high DC electrical resistance between it and the shielding film. Such cables may be referred to as unprocessed cables for the purposes of describing on-demand technology. The untreated cable is treated in at least one specific local area to substantially reduce the DC resistance and provide electrical contact (direct or indirect) between the drain wire and the shielding film in the local area. Can be done. The DC resistance in the local area can be, for example, 10 Ω or less, or 2 Ω or less, or substantially zero Ω.</p><p> The untreated cable may include at least one drain wire, at least one shielding film, and at least one conductor set, which includes at least one insulating conductor suitable for carrying high speed signals. FIG. 19 is a front sectional view of a representative shielded electrical cable 1902 that can function as an untreated cable, but substantially any other shielded cable shown or described herein is also used. Can be done. Cable 1902 includes three conductor sets 1904a, 1904b, 1904c, each containing one or more insulating conductors, the cable also has six drain wires 1912a-f, which are for demonstration purposes. Shown in various positions for. Cable 1902 also includes two shielding films 1908 that are located on either side of the cable, preferably having a cover portion, a sandwiched portion and a transition portion, respectively. First, a non-conductive adhesive material, or other flexible non-conductive material, separates each drain wire from one or both shielding films. The drain wire, the shielding film and the non-conductive material in between can be made such that the shielding film is in direct or indirect electrical contact with the drain wire on demand in a local or treated area. A suitable treatment process is then used to achieve this selective electrical contact between any of the shown drain wires 1912a-f and the shielding film 1908.</p><p> Figures 20a, 20b and 21 are front sectional views of the shielding cable or its portion, which demonstrate at least some of such processing processes. In FIG. 20a, a portion of the shielding electrical cable 2002 includes an opposing shielding film 2008, each of which may include a conductive layer 2008a and a non-conductive layer 2008b. The shielding film is oriented so that the conductive layer of each shielding film faces the drain wire 2012 and other shielding films. In another embodiment, one or both non-conductive layers of the shielding film may be omitted. Importantly, the cable 2002 contains a non-conductive material (eg, a dielectric material) 2010 between the shielding films 2008, which separates the drain wire 2012 from each shielding film 2008. In some cases, the material 2010 may or may be a non-conductive flexible adhesive material. In some cases, the material 2010 may or may be a thermoplastic dielectric material, such as polyolefin, of 0.02 mm or some other suitable thickness. In some cases, the material 2010 can be in the form of a thin layer that covers one or both of the shielding films prior to cable manufacturing. In some cases, the material 2010 can be in the form of a thin insulating layer covering the drain wire (and of the untreated cable) prior to cable manufacturing, in which case such material is shown in FIGS. 20a and 20b. Unlike the embodiment shown in, it may not extend into the area where the cable is sandwiched.</p><p> To form an extreme connection, compressive force and / or heat is applied inside a limited area or zone to effectively stagger the material 2010, thereby permanently shifting the shielding film 2008 with the drain wire 2012. Make electrical contact with. Electrical contact may be direct or indirect and may be characterized by DC resistance in the local processing area, less than 10Ω, less than 2Ω, or substantially 0Ω. (The untreated part of the drain wire 2012 continues to be physically separated from the shielding film and has a high DC resistance (eg&gt;&gt; Characterized by 100Ω), but of course, the untreated portion of the drain wire is electrically connected to the shielding film through the untreated portion of the drain wire) It may be repeated and / or may be performed in multiple separate regions of the cable in any given single step. Shielding cables also preferably include at least one group of one or more isolated signal lines for faster data communication. In FIG. 21, for example, the shielding cable 2102 has a plurality of twinax conductor sets 2104 having the shielding provided by the shielding film 2108. Cable 2102 includes drain wire 2112, two of which (2112a, 2112b) are single, using processing component 2130, for example by pressure, heat, radiation and / or any other suitable mediation. It is shown as being processed in the process of. The processing component preferably has a small length compared to the length of the cable 2102 (dimensions along the axis perpendicular to the plane of the figure), so that the area to be processed is also compared to the length of the cable. And small. The on-demand drain wire contact processing process is (a) during cable manufacturing, (b) after the cable has been cut to length for the termination process, and (c) during the termination process (and the cable is terminated). (At the same time), (d) after the cable has been made into the cable assembly (eg, after the termination components have been attached to both ends of the cable), or either (e) (a)-(d). Can be done in the combination of.</p><p> The process for providing local electrical contact between the drain wire and one or both of the shielding films may use compression in some cases. This process may be performed at room temperature with a high local force that significantly deforms the material to cause contact, or at a high temperature at which the thermoplastic material can flow more easily. The treatment can also include supplying ultrasonic energy to this region to form contacts. The treatment process may also be assisted by the use of conductive particles in the dielectric material that separates the shielding film and drain wire, and / or by the asperity provided for the drain wire and / or shielding film.</p><p> 22a and 22b are plan views of the shielding electrical cable assembly 2201 showing another configuration that can be selected to provide on-demand contact between the drain wire and the shielding film. In both figures, the shielding electric ribbon cable 2202 is connected to the termination components 2220, 2222 at both ends thereof. Each termination component includes a substrate with a separate conductive path provided at the top for electrical connection with each wire and conductor of cable 2202. Cable 2202 includes several conductor sets of insulated conductors, such as the twinax conductor set adapted for high speed data communication. Cable 2202 also includes two drain wires 2212a, 2212b. The drain wire has an end that connects to each conductive path of each termination component. The drain wire is also located near (eg, covered by) at least one shielding film of the cable, and preferably between two such films shown, for example, in the cross-sections of FIGS. 19 and 20a. It is positioned in. Except for the local treatment areas or zones described below, the drain wires 2212a, 2212b do not make electrical contact with the shielding film at any point along the length of the cable, which is any suitable. It can be achieved by utilizing any of the means, eg, electrical separation techniques described elsewhere herein. The DC resistance between the drain wire and the shielding film in the untreated region can be, for example, greater than 100Ω. However, the cable is preferably processed in the selected zone or region described above to provide electrical contact between a given drain wire and a given shielding film. In FIG. 22a, the cable 2202 is treated in the local region 2213a to provide electrical contact between the drain wire 2212a and the shielding film, which is also electrical contact between the drain wire 2212b and the shielding film. Local area 2213 to provide It is processed in b and 2213c. In FIG. 22b, cable 2202 is shown as being processed in the same local regions 2213a and 2213b and in different local regions 2213d, 2213e.</p><p> In some cases, multiple processing areas may be used for a single drain wire, either extra or for other purposes. In other cases, a single processing area may be used for a given drain wire. In some cases, the first treated area of the first drain wire may be located at the same length as the second treated area of the second drain wire (see regions 2213a, 2213b of FIGS. 22a, 22b). , And the procedure shown in Figure 21). In some cases, the processing area of one drain wire may be located at a different lengthwise position from the processing area of another drain wire (areas 2231a and 2213c of FIG. 22a, or areas 2213d and 22b of FIG. 22b and See 2213e. In some cases, the processing area of one drain wire may be located in the longitudinal position of the cable where the other drain wire does not have any local electrical contact with the shielding film (Fig. 22a). 2213c, or 2213d or 2213e in FIG. 22b).</p><p> FIG. 23 is a plan view of another shielding electrical cable assembly 2301, showing another configuration that can be selected to provide on-demand contact between the drain wire and the shielding film. In assembly 2301, the shielding electrical ribbon cable 2302 is connected to the termination components 2320, 2322 at both ends. Each termination component includes a substrate with a separate conductive path provided at the top for electrical connection with each wire and conductor of cable 2302. Cable 2302 includes several conductor sets of insulated conductors, such as the twinax conductor set adapted for high speed data communication. Cable 2302 also includes some drain wires 2312a ~ d. The drain wire has an end that connects to each conductive path of each termination component. The drain wire is also located near (eg, covered by) at least one shielding film of the cable, and preferably between two such films shown, for example, in the cross-sections of FIGS. 19 and 20a. It is positioned in. Except for the local treatment areas or zones described below, at least the drain wires 2312a, 2312d do not make electrical contact with the shielding film at any point along the length of the cable, which is any suitable. It can be achieved by utilizing any of the means, eg, any of the electrical separation techniques described elsewhere herein. The DC resistance between the drain wire and the shielding film in the untreated region can be, for example, greater than 100Ω. For example, the cables are preferably processed in the selected zones or regions described above to provide electrical contact between these drain wires and a given shielding film. In this figure, the cable 2302 is shown to be treated in the local region 2313a to provide electrical contact between the drain wire 2312a and the shielding film, and between the drain wire 2312d and the shielding film. Local area 23 to provide electrical contact Shown as being processed at 13b, 2313c. One or both of the drain wires 2313b, 2312c may be of a suitable type for local treatment, or one or both of them may be in electrical contact with the shielding film along their substantial overall length during cable manufacturing. May be made by a more standard method of forming.</p><p> (Example) Two examples are shown in this section. First, two substantially equivalent untreated shielded electric ribbon cables were made with the same number and configuration of conductor sets and drain wires as the shielded cables shown in FIG. Each cable was made using two opposite shielding films with the same composition: a polyester base layer (0.00048 inch (0.00122 cm) thickness), on top of which a continuous layer of aluminum (0.00028 inches (0.00028 inches)). 0.00071 cm) thickness) was placed, on which a continuous layer of non-conductive adhesive (0.001 inch (0.00254 cm) thickness) was placed. The eight insulated conductors used in each cable to make the four twinax conductor set are 30 gauge (AWG) (0.051 mm).²), Solid core wire, silver-plated copper wire. The eight drain wires used for each cable are 32 gauge (AWG) (0.032 mm)²), Tin-plated, 7 stranded wires. The setting used in the manufacturing process leaves a thin layer (less than 10 micrometers) of adhesive material (polyolefin) between each drain wire and each shielding film, preventing electrical contact between them in untreated cables. So adjusted. Each of the two untreated cables was cut to a length of approximately 1 meter and mass-terminated at one end.</p><p> The first of these untreated cables was first tested to determine if any of the drain wires were in electrical contact with any of the shielding films. This was done by connecting a microohm meter at the stripped end of the cable to all 28 possible combinations of the two drain wires. These measurements did not produce measurable DC resistance in any of the combinations, i.e. all combinations produced DC resistance well in excess of 100Ω. Then, as shown in FIG. 21, two adjacent drain wires were processed in one step to provide a local contact area between these drain wires and the two shielding films. Another two adjacent drain wires, eg, two adjacent wires labeled 2112 on the left side of FIG. 21, were also treated in the same way in the second step. Each process is accomplished by squeezing a portion of the cable with a tool, which is approximately 0.25 inch (0.635 cm) long and 0.05 inch (0.127) wide, and the tool width is one length of cable. In the directional position, it covers two adjacent drain wires. Each treated part was about 3 cm from one end of the cable. In this first embodiment, the tool temperature was 220 ° C. and a force of about 75-150 pounds (34-68 kg) was applied in each treated portion for 10 seconds. The tool was then removed and the cable cooled. The microohmmeter was then connected at the end of the cable opposite the treated end and all 28 possible combinations of the two drain wires were tested again. The DC resistance of one pair (two of the treated drain wires) is measured as 1.1Ω and the DC resistance of all other combinations of the two drain wires (measured at the end of the cable opposite the treated end). ) Is not measurable, i.e. well over 100Ω.</p><p> The second of these untreated cables was first tested to determine if any of the drain wires were in electrical contact with any of the shielding films. This is also done by connecting a microohm meter at the stripped end of the cable to all 28 possible combinations of the two drain wires, and the measurements are also measurable in any of the combinations. No DC resistance was produced, that is, all generated DC resistance far exceeded 100Ω. Then, as shown in FIG. 21, two adjacent drain wires were processed in the first step to provide a local contact area between these drain wires and the two shielding films. This treatment was performed with the same tool as in Example 1, and the treatment portion was about 3 cm from the first end of the cable. In the second treatment step, the same two drain wires were treated under the same conditions as in the first step, but at a position 3 cm from the second end of the cable, opposite the first end. In the third step, the two adjacent wires, marked 2112, on the left side of FIG. 21, were also treated in the same way as in the first step, also 3 cm from the first end of the cable. In the fourth treatment step, the same two drain wires treated in step 3 were treated under the same conditions, but at the treatment position 3 cm from the second end of the cable. In this second embodiment, the tool temperature was 210 ° C. and a force of about 75-150 pounds (34-68 kg) was applied for 10 seconds in each treatment step. The tool was then removed and the cable cooled. A microohm meter was then connected at one end of the cable and tested for all 28 possible combinations of the two drain wires. In five combinations, an average DC resistance of 0.6Ω was measured (all these combinations contained four drain wires with processing regions), and in the remaining combinations containing four drain wires with processing regions, 21. A DC resistance of 5Ω was measured. Of the two drain wiresThe DC resistance of all other combinations was not measurable, i.e. well over 100Ω.</p><p> FIG. 24a is a photograph of a shielded electrical cable made and processed for these examples. Four locally processed areas can be observed. FIG. 24b is an enlarged detailed view of a part of FIG. 24a, showing two local processing areas. FIG. 24c is a schematic front view of the front cross-sectional design of FIG. 24a.</p><p> Item 4: Shielding cable with multiple drain wires Here we provide further details regarding shielding ribbon cables that can utilize multiple drain wires, and unique combinations of such cables that have one or more termination components at one end or both ends of the cable.</p><p> Traditional coaxial or twinax cables use a number of separate groups of wires, each with their own drain wire, forming a ground connection between the cable and the end point. An advantageous aspect of the shielding cables described herein is that they may include drain wires in many positions throughout the structure, as shown in FIG. Any given drain wire can be directly (DC) connected to the shielding structure, the AC may be connected to the shielding member (low impedance AC connection), or weakly connected to the shielding member or not connected at all ( High AC impedance). Since the drain wires are elongated conductors, they can extend beyond the shielding cable and form a connection with the grounded termination of the engaging connector. The advantage of the disclosed cable is that generally fewer drain wires can be used in some applications because the electrical shielding member provided by the shielding film is common throughout the cable structure.</p><p> It has been found that the disclosed shielding cables can be used to advantageously provide a variety of different drain wire configurations that can be electrically interconnected through the conductive shielding members of the shielding ribbon cable. In short, any of the disclosed shielding cables may include at least first and second drain wires. The first and second drain wires may extend along the length of the cable, and at least both of them may be electrically connected to each other as a result of electrical contact with the first shielding film. .. The cable may be combined with one or more first termination components at the first end of the cable and one or more second termination components at the second end of the cable. In some cases, the first drain wire may be electrically connected to one or more first termination components, but may not be electrically connected to one or more second termination components. .. In some cases, the first drain wire may be electrically connected to one or more second termination components, but may not be electrically connected to one or more first termination components.</p><p> The first and second drain wires may be members of a plurality of drain wires extending along the length of the cable, with several n1 drain wires connected to one or more first termination components. Often, a few n2 drain wires can be connected to one or more second termination components. The number n1 can be different from n2. Further, one or more first termination components may have a total of several m1 of first termination components, and one or more second termination components may have a total of several m2 of second termination components. It may have an element. In some cases, n2&gt; n1 and m2&gt; m1. In some cases, m1 = 1. In some cases, m1 = m2. In some cases, m1 &lt;m2. In some cases, m1&gt; 1 and m2&gt; 1.</p><p> Configurations such as these provide the ability to connect one drain wire to an external connection and one or more other drain wires to a common shield only, thereby effectively externalizing all of these. Connect to ground. Therefore, advantageously, not all wires in the cable need to be connected to an external grounding structure, which is used to simplify the connection by requiring fewer engagement connections in the connector. obtain. Another potential advantage is that extra contacts can be created when two or more of the drain wires are connected to an external grounding and shielding member. In this case, one drain wire may not be able to form contact with the shielding member or the external ground, but through the other drain wire, the electrical contact between the external ground and the shielding member is still well formed. In addition, if the cable assembly has a fan-out configuration, one end of the cable is connected to one external connector (m1 = 1), and a common grounding point, the other end is coupled to many connectors (m2&gt; 1), and , Not less connections (n1) than those used at many connector ends (n2) can be made at the common end. The simplified grounding provided by such a configuration may provide benefits in terms of less complexity required at the termination and a smaller number of contact pads.</p><p> In many of these configurations, the unique interconnected nature of the drain wire through the shielding film (although, of course, the drain wire in question is in electrical contact with the shielding film) is used to simplify the termination configuration. And can provide a tighter (narrower) connection pitch. In one simple embodiment, a shielding cable containing a high speed conductor set and many drain wires is terminated at each end of the connector at both ends and less than all drain wires are terminated at each end, but at one end. Each terminated drain wire is also terminated at the other end. Unterminated drain wires are still maintained at low potentials as they are also directly or indirectly coupled to the grounding point. In the embodiments involved, one of the drain wires may be connected at one end, but may not be connected at the other end (intentionally or by mistake). This situation also maintains the grounding structure as long as one drain wire is connected at each end. In another related embodiment, the drain wire attached at one end is not the same as the drain wire attached at the other end. This simple form is shown in FIG. In this figure, cable assembly 2501 includes a shielded electrical cable 2502 that is connected to termination component 2520 at one end and to termination component 2522 at the other end. Cable 2502 is substantially as shown herein, as long as it includes a first drain wire 2512a and a second drain wire 2512b, both of which are electrically connected to at least one shielding film. Or it can be any of the shielded cables listed. As shown, the drain wire 2512b connects to component 2520 instead of component 2522, and drain wire 2512a connects to component 2522 instead of component 2520. The ground potential (or other controlled potential) is The common grounding maintains the same potential in the structure because they are common between the rainwires 2512a, 2512b, and the shielding film of the cable 2502 due to their mutual electrical connection. Both the termination components 2520 and 2522 are advantageously made smaller (narrower) by eliminating unused conductive paths.</p><p> Further complex embodiments showing these techniques are shown in Figures 26a-26b. In these figures, the shielding cable assembly 2601 has a fanout configuration. Assembly 2601 is connected to termination component 2620 at the first end and to termination components 2622, 2624, 2626 at the second end (which is divided into three separate fanout compartments). Includes electric ribbon cable 2602. Most commonly seen in the cross section of Figure 26b, taken along the straight line 26b-26b of Figure 26a, the cable 2602 is a set of three conductors of insulating conductors (one coaxial type and two twinax type), And 8 drain wires 2612a ~ h are included. All eight drain wires are electrically connected to at least one, and preferably two shielding films in the cable 2602. The coaxial conductor set is connected to the termination component 2626, one twinax conductor set is connected to the termination component 2624, the other twinax conductor set is connected to the termination component 2622, and all three conductor sets are of the cable. Connect to termination component 2620 at the first end. All eight drain wires may be connected to the termination component at the second end of the cable, i.e. the drain wires 2612a, 2612b and 2612c may be connected to the appropriate conductive path of termination component 2626. Well, the drain wires 2612d and 2612e may be connected to the appropriate conductive path of the termination component 2624, and the drain wires 2612f and 2612g may be connected to the appropriate conductive path of the termination component 2622. However, advantageously, less than eight drain wires may be connected to the termination component 2620 at the first end of the cable. In the figure, only the drain wires 2612a and 2612h are shown as being connected to the appropriate conductive path of component 2620. By omitting the termination connection between the drain wire 2612b ~ g and the termination component 2620, assembly 2601 can be manufactured. Simplified and streamlined. Further, for example, the drain wires 2612d and 2612e couple the conductive path to a ground potential (or another desired potential), but neither of these is physically connected to the termination component 2620.</p><p> With respect to the above parameters n1, n2, m1 and m2, the cable assembly 2601 has n1 = 2, n2 = 8, m1 = 1 and m2 = 3.</p><p> Another fanout cable assembly 2701 is shown in Figures 27a-b. Assembly 2701 is connected to termination component 2720 at the first end and to termination components 2722, 2724, 2726 at the second end (which is divided into three separate fanout compartments). Includes electric ribbon cable 2702. Most commonly found in the cross section of Figure 27b, taken along the straight line 27b-27b of Figure 27a, the cable 2702 is a set of three conductors of insulating conductors (one coaxial type and two twinax type), And 8 drain wires 2712a ~ h are included. All eight drain wires are electrically connected to at least one, and preferably two shielding films in the cable 2702. The coaxial conductor set is connected to the termination component 2726, one twinax conductor set is connected to the termination component 2724, the other twinax conductor set is connected to the termination component 2722, and all three conductor sets are of the cable. Connect to termination component 2720 at the first end. All six drain wires may be connected to the termination component at the second end of the cable, i.e. the drain wires 2712b and 2712c may be connected to the appropriate conductive path of the termination component 2726. Drain wires 2712d and 2712e may be connected to the appropriate conductive path of termination component 2724, and drain wires 2712f and 2712g may be connected to the appropriate conductive path of termination component 2722. None of these six drain wires connect to the termination component 2720 at the first end of the cable. At the first end of the cable, the other two drain wires, namely drain wires 2712a and 2712h, are connected to the appropriate conductive path of component 2720. Omit the termination connection between the drain wire 2712b ~ g and the termination component 2720, between the drain wire 2712a and the termination component 2726, and between the drain wire 2712h and the termination component 2722.</p><p> With respect to the above parameters n1, n2, m1 and m2, the cable assembly 2701 has n1 = 2, n2 = 6, m1 = 1 and m2 = 3.</p><p> Many other embodiments are possible, but in general, grounding is complete, at least one grounding is connected to each end position at each end of the cable, and three or more are fanout cables. To ensure, it may be advantageous to utilize cable shielding to connect the two separate ground connections (conductors) together. This means that each drain wire does not have to be connected to each end point. If two or more drain wires are connected to either end, extra connections are formed and are less likely to fail.</p><p> Item 5: Shielding cable with mixed conductor set Here we provide further details regarding shielding ribbon cables that can utilize mixed conductor sets (eg, one conductor set is adapted for high speed data transmission and another conductor set is adapted for power transfer or low speed data transmission). .. A conductor set adapted for power transfer or low speed data transmission may be referred to as a sideband.</p><p> Some interconnections and defined standards in high-speed signal transmission allow both high-speed signal transmission (eg, provided by twinax or coaxial wire configurations) and low-speed or power conductors, both of which provide insulation in the conductor. I need. This example is the SAS standard, which defines the fast pairs and "sidebands" included in the mini-SAS 4i interconnect scheme. SAS standards indicate that sideband use is outside that range and is vendor-specific, but common sideband use is the SGPIO (serial general purpose input / output) bus (described in the industry specification SFF-8485). ). SGPIO has a clock speed of only 100kHz and does not require high speed shielding wires.</p><p> This section therefore describes the mode of the cable tuned to carry both high speed and low speed signals (or power transfer), including cable configurations, linear contact array and termination component (eg paddle card) configurations. Focus on. In general, shielded electrical ribbon-like cables described elsewhere herein can be used with minor modifications. In particular, the disclosed shielding cables can be modified to include a set of conductors adapted for high speed data transmission, as well as insulating wires configured to be suitable for low speed signal transmission rather than high speed signal transmission, and also drain / ground wires. It can also be included. Shielding cables can therefore include at least two sets of insulated wires that carry signals with significantly different data rates. Therefore, in the case of power conductors, the line has no data velocity. Also for high speed / low speed shielding cable combinations where the conductive path of the slow conductor is rerouted between the opposite ends of the termination component (eg, between the termination end and the connector engagement end). Disclose the termination components.</p><p> In other words, the shielding electrical cable may include a plurality of conductor sets and a first shielding film. The plurality of conductor sets may extend along the length of the cable and may be spaced apart from each other along the width of the cable, and each conductor set comprises one or more insulating conductors. The first shielding film may include a cover portion and a sandwiched portion, in which the cover portion covers the conductor set and the sandwiched portion is placed in the sandwiched portion of the cable on each side of each conductor set. It is configured to be. The plurality of conductor sets may include one or more first conductor sets adapted for high speed data transmission and one or more second conductor sets adapted for power transmission or low speed data transmission.</p><p> The electrical cable may also include a second shielding film located opposite the first shielding film of the cable. The cable may include a first drain wire that is in electrical contact with the first shielding film and extends along the length of the cable. One or more first conductor sets may include a plurality of first insulating conductors having a center spacing of σ1, and one or more second conductor sets may include a plurality of second insulating conductors having a center spacing of σ2. It may include a second conductor set that includes, and σ1 can be greater than σ2. All of the insulating conductors of one or more first conductor sets can be configured in a single plane when the cables are laid flat. Further, one or more second conductor sets may include a second conductor set having a plurality of insulating conductors in a stacked configuration when the cables are laid flat. One or more first conductor sets may be adapted from a maximum data transmission rate of at least 1 Gbps (ie, about 0.5 GHz) to a maximum, such as 25 Gbps (about 12.5 GHz) or higher, or a maximum signal frequency of at least 1 GHz. One or more second conductor sets may be adapted for maximum data transmission rates below 1 Gbps (about 0.5 GHz) or less than 0.5 Gbps (about 250 MHz), eg, maximum signal frequencies below 1 GHz or 0.5 GHz. One or more first conductor sets can be adapted to a maximum data transmission rate of at least 3 Gbps (about 1.5 GHz).</p><p> Such an electrical cable may be combined with a first termination component located at the first end of the cable. The first termination component may include a substrate and a plurality of conductive paths on the substrate, and the plurality of conductive paths may include each first termination pad configured on the first end of the first termination component. You may have. The shielding conductors of the first and second conductor sets are connected to each one of the first termination pads at the first end of the first termination component, in an ordered configuration that matches the configuration of the shielding conductor of the cable. You may. The plurality of conductive paths may have a corresponding second end pad configured on the second end of the first end component, having a different configuration than that of the first end pad at the first end.</p><p> Conductor sets adapted for power transfer and / or low speed data transmission include groups or individual insulating conductors, which do not necessarily have to be shielded from each other and do not necessarily require associated grounding or drain wires. And it is not necessary to have a specific impedance. The benefit of introducing them together in a cable with a high speed signal pair is that they can be aligned and terminated in one step. This is different from traditional cables, which require processing several wire groups, for example, without being automatically aligned with the paddle card. The process of simultaneously stripping and terminating both slow and fast signals (in a linear array on a single paddle card, or a linear array of contacts) is particularly advantageous when it is itself a mixed signal wire. is there.</p><p> 28a-d are front sectional views of typical shielded electrical cables 2802a, 2802b, 2802c and 2802d to which a mixed signal wire mechanism can be introduced. Each embodiment comprises two opposing shielding films having a suitable covering portion and a sandwiched portion, as described elsewhere herein, some shielding conductors for high speed data transmission. Grouped into a adapted conductor set (see conductor set 2804a) and some shielded conductors are grouped into a conductor set adapted for low speed or power transmission (conductor sets 2804b, 2804c). Each embodiment also preferably comprises one or more drain wires 2812. The fast conductor set 2804a is shown as a twinax pair, but other configurations are also possible, as described elsewhere herein. Low speed insulating conductors are shown as being smaller (having smaller diameters or lateral dimensions) than fast insulating conductors because the former conductors do not have to have a controlled impedance. In another embodiment, it may be necessary or advantageous to have a larger insulation thickness around the slow conductor as compared to the fast conductor in the same cable. However, since space is important in many cases, it is desirable to form the insulation thickness as small as possible. Note that the gauges and plating of low speed lines may differ compared to the high speed lines of a given cable. In FIGS. 28a-d, the high-speed and low-speed insulating conductors are all configured in a single plane. In such a configuration, it may be advantageous to group a large number of low speed insulating conductors together into a single set in conductor set 2804b in order to keep the cable width as small as possible.</p><p> When grouping low-speed insulating conductors into a set, the conductors do not need to be placed in exactly the same geometric plane in order for the cables to maintain a nearly flat configuration. The shielding cable 2902 of FIG. 29 uses, for example, low speed insulated conductors stacked together in a small space to form the conductor set 2904b, which cable 2902 also includes high speed conductor sets 2904a and 2904c. Stacking slow insulating conductors in this way can help provide a small, narrow cable width, but after mass termination, arrange the conductors in a regular linear fashion (contact of the linear array of termination components). May not provide the benefit of engaging with the child). Cable 2902 also includes opposing shielding film 2908 and drain wire 2912, as shown. In another embodiment involving different numbers of slow insulating conductors, a stacking array for slow insulating conductors can be used, as shown in sets 2904d-h of FIG. 29a.</p><p> Another aspect of mixed signal wire shielding cables relates to the termination components used with the cables. In particular, the conductor path on the substrate of the termination component is from one configuration at one end of the termination component (eg, the termination end of the cable) to the opposite end of the component (eg, the engaging end of the connector). Different configurations may be configured to repath the slow signal. Different configurations may include, for example, contacts or conductor paths of different order at one end of the termination component with respect to the other end. The configuration of the terminal ends of a component can be adjusted to match the order or configuration of the conductors of the cable, while the configuration of the opposite end of the component is a circuit board with a different configuration than that of the cable. Alternatively, it can be adjusted to match the connector configuration.</p><p> Repath designation uses one or more vias in combination with a multilayer circuit board configuration to transition a given conductive path from the first layer of the printed circuit board to at least the second layer, and then optionally to the first layer. It can be achieved by using any suitable technique, including a representative embodiment of the transition back. Some examples are shown in the plan views of FIGS. 30a and 30b.</p><p> In FIG. 30a, cable assembly 3001a includes a shielded electrical cable 3002 connected to termination component 3020, such as a paddle card or circuit board, having a substrate and an upper conductive path (eg, including a contact pad). Cable 3002 includes, for example, a conductor set 3004a in the form of a twinax pair, adapted for high speed data communication. Cable 3002 also includes a sideband, including conductor set 3004b adapted for low speed data and / or power transfer, conductor set 3004b having four insulating conductors in this embodiment. After the cable 3002 is mass-terminated, the conductors of the various conductor sets are connected at the first end 3020a of the component to each end (eg, contact pad) of the conductive path of the terminal component 3020 (eg, contact pad). Has a conductor end (by welding). The contact pads or other ends of the conductive path corresponding to the sidebands of the cable are labeled 3019a, 3019b, 3019c, 3019d, which are constructed in this order from top to bottom of the termination component 3020 ( However, there are other contact pads associated with the high speed conductor above and below the sideband contact pads at the first end 3020a). The conductive path of the sideband contact pads 3019a-d, shown only schematically in the figure, connects the contact pad 3019a to the contact pad 3021a of the second end 3020b of the component and connects the contact pad 3019b, if necessary. Connect the contact pad 3019c to the contact pad 3021b at the second end 3020b of the component, connect the contact pad 3019c to the contact pad 3021c at the second end 3020b of the component, and connect the contact pad 3019d to the contact pad 3020b at the second end 3020b of the component. Vias and / or other patterned layers of component 3020 are used to connect to pad 3021d. In this way, the conductive path of the termination component is different from the low speed signal from the conductor set 3004b from one configuration (abcd) of one end 3020a of the termination component to the opposite end 3020b of the component. Reroute to configuration (dacb)</p><p> FIG. 30b shows a plan view of another cable assembly 3001b, with similar reference numbers used to specify the same or similar parts. In FIG. 30b, the cable 3002 is mass terminated and connected to the termination component 3022, which is similar in design to the termination component 3020 of FIG. 30a. Similar components 3020, component 3022, include contact pads or other ends of the conductive path corresponding to the sidebands of cable 3002, the contact pads labeled 3023a, 3023b, 3023c, 3023d, which are: It is configured in this order from top to bottom of the termination component 3022 (but other contact pads associated with the high speed conductors of the cable are above and below the sideband contact pads of the first end 3022a of the component 3022. Exists in). The conductive paths of the sideband contact pads 3023a-d are also shown only schematically in the figure. They connect the contact pad 3023a to the contact pad 3025a at the second end 3022b of the component, connect the contact pad 3023b to the contact pad 3025b at the second end 3022b of the component, and contact pads, if necessary. Vias and / or other components of component 3022 to connect the 3023c to the contact pad 3025c at the second end of the component 3022b and the contact pad 3023d to the contact pad 3025d at the second end of the component 3022b. Use a patterned layer. In this way, the conductive path of the termination component is different from the low speed signal from the conductor set 3004b from one configuration (abcd) of one end 3022a of the termination component to the opposite end 3022b of the component. Configured in 3022b to reroute to configuration (dacb).</p><p> In both cases, the cable assembly of FIGS. 30a and 30b physically repaths the conductive path of the slow signal over the other conductive paths of the other slow signal, but not over any conductive path of the fast signal. , Are similar to each other. In this regard, it is usually not desirable to route low speed signals across high speed signal paths in order to maintain high quality high speed signals. However, in some situations, with proper occlusion (eg, multilayer circuit boards and suitable occlusion layers), this can be achieved by the limited signal degradation of the high speed signal shown in FIG. Here, the mass-terminated shielded electrical cable 3102 is connected to the terminating component 3120. Cable 3102 includes, for example, a conductor set 3104a in the form of a twinax pair, adapted for high speed data communication. Cable 3102 also includes a sideband, including conductor set 3104b adapted for low speed data and / or power transfer, conductor set 3004b having one insulating conductor in this embodiment. After the cable 3102 is mass-terminated, the conductors of the various conductor sets are connected at the first end 3120a of the component to each end (eg, contact pad) of the conductive path of the terminating component 3120 (eg, contact pad). Has a conductor end (by welding). The contact pad or other end of the conductive path that corresponds to the sideband of the cable is labeled 3119a, which is configured directly above one contact pad in the middle of the conductor set 3104a (from the perspective of FIG. 31). .. The conductive path of the sideband contact pad 3119a (shown only schematically in the figure) connects the contact pad 3119a to the contact pad 3121a at the second end 3120b of the component, so that the component 3120 is required. Vias and / or other patterned layers are used. In this way, the conductor path of the terminating component sends the slow signal from the conductor set 3104b from one configuration of one end 3120a of the terminating component (just above the one in the middle of the conductor set 3104a) to the opposite side of the component. Different configurations of the end 3120b (conductor set)</p><p> A mixed signal line shielded electrical cable with the general design of cable 2802a in Figure 28a was made. As shown in Figure 28a, the cable contains four high speed twinax conductor sets and one low speed conductor set placed in the middle of the cable. The cable is 30 gauge (AWG) (0.051 mm) for the high speed signal lines of the twinax conductive set.²) 30 gauge (AWG) (0.051 mm) of silver-plated wire and low-speed signal line of low-speed conductor set²) Made using tin-plated wire. The outer diameter (OD) of the insulating material used for high-speed signal lines was about 0.028 inches (0.071 cm), and the OD of the insulating material used for low-speed wires was about 0.022 inches (0.056 cm). As shown in Figure 28a, drain wires were also included along each edge of the cable. The cables were mass-terminated and the individual wire ends were soldered to the corresponding contacts on a mini-SAS compliant paddle card. In this embodiment, all conductive paths of the paddle card wire intersect each other from the cable end of the paddle card to the opposite (connector) end so that the contact pad configuration is the same at both ends of the paddle card. The route was specified without any problems. A photograph of the resulting terminated cable assembly is shown in Figure 32.</p><p> Unless otherwise specified, all numerical values used herein and in the claims to represent measurements of quantities, properties, etc. should be understood as being modified by the word "about". Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the numerical parameters described above and in the claims may vary depending on the desired properties desired by those skilled in the art utilizing the teachings of the present application. The value. Not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the claims, but for each numerical parameter to at least take into account the number of significant digits recorded and to apply the usual rounding. Should be interpreted by. Although the numerical ranges and parameters that indicate the broad scope of the invention are approximations, they are reported reasonably as accurately as possible to the extent that any numerical value is shown in the specific examples described herein. Will be done. However, any number may contain errors related to test and measurement limits.</p><p> Various modifications and modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and gist of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described herein. Should be understood. For example, the reader should presume that the characteristics of one disclosure embodiment may apply to all other disclosure embodiments, unless otherwise stated. It is also understood that all US patents, published patent applications, and other patent and non-patent documents referenced herein are incorporated by reference to the extent that they are consistent with the disclosures described above. Should be.</p><p> The following items are typical embodiments of the electric cable configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention.</p><p> Item 1 is a shielding electric ribbon cable, which is a set of conductors extending in the length direction along the cable and separated from each other along the width of the cable, and each conductor. The set contains one or more insulating conductors, the conductor set contains multiple conductor sets, including the first conductor set adjacent to the second conductor set, and the first and second shielding films placed on either side of the cable. The first and second shielding films include a cover portion and a sandwiched portion, and the cover portions of the first and second films combined in the cross section surround each conductor set, and the first and second shield films are combined. 2 When the cables are laid flat, including the first and second shielding films configured so that the sandwiched portion of the film forms the sandwiched portion of the cable on each side of each conductor set. In addition, the first insulating conductor of the first conductor set is closest to the second conductor set, the second insulating conductor of the second conductor set is closest to the first conductor set, and the first and second insulating conductors have a center spacing S. The insulating conductor has an outer diameter D1, the second insulating conductor has an outer diameter D2, the S / Dmin is in the range of 1.7 to 2, and Dmin is the smaller of D1 and D2.</p><p> Item 2 is the cable of item 1 in which each pair of adjacent conductor sets of a plurality of conductor sets has a value corresponding to S / D min in the range of 1.7 to 2.</p><p> In item 3, each of the plurality of conductor sets has only a pair of insulating conductors, the center spacing of the pair of insulating conductors of the first conductor set is σ1, and the center spacing of the first and second conductor sets is σ1. Σ, and Σ / σ1 is the cable of item 1 in the range of 2.5 to 3.</p><p> Item 4 is a shielding electric ribbon cable, which is a plurality of conductor sets extending in the length direction of the cable and separated from each other along the width of the cable, and each conductor set is 1. Multiple conductor sets and cables, including one or more insulating conductors, the conductor set containing the first conductor set adjacent to the second conductor set, and the first and second conductor sets each having only one pair of insulated conductors. 1st and 2nd shielding films arranged on both sides of the conductor, the 1st and 2nd films including the cover part and the sandwiched part, and the 1st and 2nd films combined in the transverse cross section are each conductor set. When the cables are laid flat, the sandwiched portion of the combined first and second films is configured to form the sandwiched portion of the cable on each side of each conductor set. In addition, the center spacing of the pair of insulating conductors of the first conductor set is σ1, the center spacing of the first and second conductor sets is Σ, and Σ / σ1 is in the range of 2.5 to 3.</p><p> Item 5 is that each conductor set contains only a pair of insulating conductors, the conductor set as a whole has an average center spacing of σavg, a pair of insulating conductors, and as a whole, the average center spacing of adjacent conductor sets of Σavg. Σavg / σavg is the cable of item 4, which is in the range of 2.5 to 3.</p><p> Item 6 is either Item 1 or Item 4, wherein the cover portion of the combined first and second shielding films substantially encloses each conductor set by enclosing at least 75% of the outer edge of each conductor set. That cable.</p><p> Item 7 has a first conductor set with high frequency separation between adjacent insulating conductors characterized by crosstalk C1 at a cable length of 1 meter at specific frequencies in the range 3-15 GHz, first conductor. The high frequency separation between the set and the second conductor set is characterized by crosstalk C2 at that particular frequency, which is either item 1 or item 4 cable, which is at least 10 dB lower than C1.</p><p> Item 8 is a cable according to item 1 or item 4, wherein each shielding film comprises a conductive layer arranged on a dielectric substrate.</p><p> Item 9 is a cable of either item 1 or item 4, further comprising a first drain wire that is in electrical contact with at least one of the first and second shielding films.</p><p> Item 10 is the cable of item 9 in which the first drain wire is separated from the plurality of conductor sets along the width of the cable.</p><p> Item 11 is the cable of item 9, wherein the combined first and second shielding films substantially surround the first drain wire in a cross section.</p><p> Item 12 is that the first drain wire is characterized by the drain wire distance σ1 to the nearest insulating wire of the closest conductor set, the closest conductor set is characterized by the center spacing of the insulating conductors of σ2, σ1 / σ2. Is a cable of item 9 with a value of more than 0.7.</p><p> Item 13 is the cable of item 9, wherein the cable does not include a drain wire other than the first drain wire.</p><p> Item 14 includes a plurality of conductor sets containing at least eight conductor sets, each conductor set containing only a pair of insulating conductors, and a cable width of 16 mm or less when the cables are laid flat, item 9. Cable.</p><p> Item 15 is that the second drain wire is separated from the working pair along the width of the cable so that the plurality of differential pairs are located between the first drain wire and the second drain wire. , Item 9 cable.</p><p> Item 16 is the cable of item 15 which does not include a drain wire other than the first and second drain wires.</p><p> Item 17 is that multiple conductor sets include at least eight conductor sets, each conductor set contains only a pair of insulating conductors, and the width of the cable is 16 mm or less when the cables are laid flat, item 15. Cable.</p><p> Item 18 of item 1 or item 4 where, in each conductor set, the cover portion of the first and second films surrounds the conductor set, except for the gaps associated with the sandwiched cables on each side of the conductor set. Either cable.</p><p> Item 19 is the cable of item 18 in which the gap is filled with a material, which joins the first and second films together in the flattened cable portion.</p><p> In item 20, each conductor set includes a first conductor surrounded by a first insulating material and a second conductor surrounded by a second insulating material, and in each conductor set, the cover portion of the first shielding film is , Item 1 or item 4 cable including a first portion concentric with the first conductor and a second portion concentric with the second conductor.</p><p> Item 21 is combined with a substrate having multiple conductive paths at the top that extends from the first end to the second end of the substrate and is a separate conductor of the insulating conductor of the cable. Is the cable of item 1 or item 4 where the first end of the substrate is attached to the corresponding one of the conductive paths at the first end of the substrate.</p><p> Item 22 is a combination of item 21 in which all of the corresponding conductive paths are located on one main surface of the substrate.</p><p> In item 23, at least one of the corresponding conductive paths is placed on one main surface of the substrate and at least another of the corresponding conductive paths is placed on the opposite main surface of the substrate. It is a combination of item 21.</p><p> In item 24, at least one of the conductive paths has a first portion on the first main surface of the substrate at the first end and a second on the second main surface opposite the substrate at the second end. It is a combination of item 21 having a portion.</p><p> Item 25 is a combination of item 21 in which one of the alternating sets of conductors is attached to a conductive path on the main surface on both sides of the substrate.</p><p> Item 26 is a combination of item 21 in which the substrate comprises a paddle card.</p><p> Item 27 is a shielded electrical cable, which is a set of conductors extending along the length of the cable and spaced apart from each other along the width of the cable, one for each conductor set. It includes a plurality of conductor sets including the above insulating conductors, a cover portion and a sandwiched portion, in which the cover portion covers the conductor set and the sandwiched portion is a cable on each side of each conductor set. Includes a first shielding film configured to be located in the sandwiched portion of the cable and a first drain wire that is in electrical contact with the first shielding film and extends along the length of the cable. 1 The electrical contacts of the drain wire to the first shielding film are localized to at least the first processing area.</p><p> Item 28 is the cable of item 27, where the electrical contacts of the first drain wire to the first shielding film in the first processing region are characterized by a DC resistance of less than 2Ω.</p><p> In item 29, the first shielding film covers the first drain wire in the first treatment region and the second region, the second region is at least as long as the first treatment region, and the first drain wire and the first shielding film The DC resistance between is greater than 100Ω in the second region, item 28 cable.</p><p> In item 30, the dielectric material separates the first drain wire from the first shielding film in the second region, and in the first processing region, the dielectric material mostly separates the first drain wire from the first shielding film. Or the cable of item 29, which does not exist at all.</p><p> Item 31 is the cable of item 27, wherein the electrical contacts of the first drain wire to the first shielding film are also localized to a second processing area that is separated from the first processing area along the length of the cable. is there.</p><p> Item 32 further includes a second drain wire that extends along the length of the cable and separates from the first drain wire and is in electrical contact with the first shielding film, the second drain to the first shielding film. The electrical contact of the wire is the cable of item 27, localized in the second processing area.</p><p> Item 33 is the cable of item 32 in which the second processing area is arranged at a position in the length direction of the cable, which is different from the first processing area.</p><p> Item 34 is the cable of item 32, wherein the second processing area is located at a position in the lengthwise direction of the cable where the first processing area has no local electrical contact with the first shielding film.</p><p> Item 35 further includes a second shielding film that also includes a cover portion and a sandwiched portion, the first and second shielding films being arranged on both sides of the cable and combined in a cross section with the first film and An item in which the cover portion of the second film substantially surrounds each conductor set, and the sandwiched portion of the combined first and second films forms the sandwiched portion of the cable on each side of each conductor set. There are 27 cables.</p><p> Item 36 is the cable of item 35 in which the first drain wire is also in electrical contact with the second shielding film in the first processing region by a localized method.</p><p> Item 37 is the cable of item 35, wherein the cover portion of the combined first and second shielding films substantially encloses each conductor set by enclosing at least 75% of the outer edge of each conductor set. ..</p><p> Item 38 is the cable of item 35, wherein in each conductor set, the cover portion of the first and second shielding films surrounds the conductor set, except for the gaps associated with the sandwiched cables on each side of the conductor set. is there.</p><p> Item 39 is the cable of item 38, where the gap is filled with material, which joins the first and second films together in the flattened cable portion.</p><p> Item 40 is a set of conductors extending along the length of the cable and spaced apart from each other along the width of the cable, with each set of conductors including one or more insulating conductors. , Includes a cover portion and a sandwiched portion, which are configured such that the cover portion covers the conductor set and the sandwiched portion is located in the sandwiched portion of the cable on each side of each conductor set. A process of providing a cable that includes a first shielding film and a first drain wire that extends along the length of the cable, and a first treatment that selectively treats the cable in the first treatment area. A method of making a shielding electrical cable that includes a step of locally increasing or forming electrical contact of the first drain wire to the first shielding film in the region.</p><p> Item 41, the DC resistance between the first drain wire and the first shielding film in the first treatment region is greater than 100Ω before the selective treatment and less than 2Ω after the selective treatment. Item 40 method.</p><p> Item 42 is the method of item 40, wherein the process of selectively processing comprises the process of selectively applying force to the cable in the first processing area.</p><p> Item 43 is the method of item 40, wherein the selective processing step comprises the step of selectively heating the cable in the first processing region.</p><p> Item 44 includes a second drain wire in which the cable extends along the length of the cable but is separated from the first drain wire, and selective treatment is the electricity of the second drain wire to the first shielding film. Item 40, which does not substantially increase or form contact.</p><p> Item 45 further includes a second shielding film that also includes a cover portion and a sandwiched portion, the first and second shielding films being arranged on both sides of the cable and combined in a cross section with the first film and The cover portion of the second film substantially surrounds each conductor set, and the sandwiched portion of the combined first and second films forms the sandwiched portion of the cable on each side of each conductor set. 1 The method of item 40, in which the drain wire is placed between the first shielding film and the second shielding film.</p><p> Item 46 is the method of item 45, wherein the selective treatment also locally increases or forms electrical contact of the first drain wire to the second shielding film in the first treatment area.</p><p> Item 47 is a shielded electrical cable, the shielded electrical cable is a set of conductors extending along the length of the cable and spaced apart from each other along the width of the cable, one for each conductor set. It includes a plurality of conductor sets including the above insulating conductors, a cover portion and a sandwiched portion, in which the cover portion covers the conductor set and the sandwiched portion is a cable on each side of each conductor set. The first shielding film and the first and second drain wires extending along the length of the cable, which are configured to be arranged in the sandwiched portion of the cable, are the first and second drain wires. , At least both of which are electrically connected to each other as a result of electrical contact with the first shielding film, including first and second drain wires.</p><p> Item 48 is a second shielding film that also includes a cover portion and a sandwiched portion, wherein the first and second shielding films are arranged on both sides of the cable and combined in a transverse cross section. And the cover part of the second film substantially surrounds each conductor set, and the sandwiched part of the combined first and second films forms the sandwiched part of the cable on each side of each conductor set. The 1st and 2nd drain wires are also cables of item 47, which are in electrical contact with each other as a result of at least both of them being in electrical contact with the 2nd shielding film.</p><p> Item 49 is a cable of item 48, wherein the DC resistance between the first shielding film and the first drain wire is less than 10Ω and the DC resistance between the second shielding film and the first drain wire is less than 10Ω. Is.</p><p> Item 50 is a cable of item 49 in which the DC resistance between the first shielding film and the first drain wire is less than 2Ω and the DC resistance between the second shielding film and the first drain wire is less than 2Ω. Is.</p><p> Item 51 is the cable of item 47 combined with one or more first termination components at the first end of the cable and one or more second termination components at the second end of the cable.</p><p> Item 52 is a member of a plurality of drain wires in which the first and second drain wires extend along the length of the cable, and several n1 drain wires are connected to one or more first termination components. , A combination of item 51, in which a number n2 of drain wires are connected to one or more second termination components and n1 n2.</p><p> In item 53, one or more first termination components have a total of several m1 of first termination components, and one or more second termination components have a total of several m2 of second termination components. It is a combination of item 52 having.</p><p> Item 54 is a combination of items 53 in which n2&gt; n1 and m2&gt; m1.</p><p> Item 55 is a combination of items 54, where m1 = 1.</p><p> Item 56 is a combination of items 53, where m1 = m2.</p><p> Item 57 is a combination of items 56, where m1 = 1.</p><p> Item 58 is a combination of items 53 where m1 &lt;m2.</p><p> Item 59 is a combination of items 53, m1&gt; 1 and m2&gt; 1.</p><p> Item 60 is a combination of item 51, wherein the first drain wire is electrically connected to one or more first termination components and electrically to one or more second termination components.</p><p> Item 61 is a combination of item 60, wherein the second drain wire is electrically connected to one or more first termination components and electrically to one or more second termination components.</p><p> Item 62 is a shielded electrical cable, where the shielded electrical cable is a set of conductors that extend along the length of the cable and are spaced apart from each other along the width of the cable, one for each conductor set. Includes a plurality of conductor sets, including the above insulating conductors, a cover portion and a sandwiched portion, wherein the cover portion covers the conductor set and the sandwiched portion is a cable on each side of each conductor set. Multiple conductor sets include one or more conductor sets adapted for high speed data transmission, and for power transmission or low speed data transmission, including a first shielding film configured to be placed in the sandwiched portion of. Includes one or more fitted second conductor sets.</p><p> Item 63 further includes a second shielding film that also includes a cover portion and a sandwiched portion, the first and second shielding films being arranged on both sides of the cable and combined in a cross section with the first film and An item in which the cover portion of the second film substantially surrounds each conductor set, and the sandwiched portion of the combined first and second films forms the sandwiched portion of the cable on each side of each conductor set. There are 62 cables.</p><p> Item 64 is the cable of item 62, which is in electrical contact with the first shielding film and extends along the length of the cable.</p><p> Item 65 is the cable of item 64 in which the DC resistance between the first shielding film and the first drain wire is less than 10Ω.</p><p> Item 66 is the cable of item 65, where the DC resistance between the first shielding film and the first drain wire is less than 2Ω.</p><p> Item 67 includes a first conductor set in which one or more first conductor sets contain a plurality of first insulating conductors having a center spacing of σ1 and one or more second conductor sets having a center spacing of σ2. 62. The cable of item 62, wherein the cable comprises a second conductor set that includes a plurality of second insulating conductors and has σ1&gt; σ2.</p><p> Item 68 is the cable of item 62, wherein the insulating conductors of one or more first conductor sets are all configured in a single plane when the cables are laid flat.</p><p> Item 69 is a cable of item 68, wherein one or more second conductor sets include a second conductor set having a plurality of insulating conductors in a stacked configuration when the cables are laid flat.</p><p> Item 70 is the cable of item 62, where one or more first conductor sets are adapted to a maximum data transmission rate of at least 1 Gbps and one or more second conductor sets are adapted to a maximum data transmission rate of less than 1 Gbps. is there.</p><p> Item 71 is a cable of item 70 in which one or more first conductor sets are adapted for a maximum data transmission rate of at least 3 Gbps.</p><p> Item 72 is the cable of item 62 in combination with the first termination component located at the first end of the cable.</p><p> Item 73, the first termination component comprises a substrate and a plurality of conductive paths on top, the plurality of conductive paths having each first termination pad located on the first end of the first termination component. , The shield conductors of the first and second conductor sets connect to each one of the first termination pads at the first end of the first termination component, configured in an order that matches the configuration of the shield conductor of the cable, item. It is a combination of 72.</p><p> Item 74 has a second end pad, each of which has a plurality of conductive paths configured at the second end of the first main end component in a configuration different from the first end pad at the first end. It is a combination of.</p><p> Item 75 is a combination of items 72, wherein the first termination component contains a paddle card.</p><p> Item 76 comprises providing the cable of claim 62 and simultaneously stripping the insulating material from the insulating conductors of one or more first and second conductors at the first end of the cable. , The method of terminating the shielding cable.</p><p> Item 77 includes a step of providing one or more first termination components, including one or more first substrates, having multiple first conductive paths at the top, and stripping the first end of the cable. The method of item 76 further comprises the step of attaching the conductor to the plurality of first conductive paths.</p><p> Item 78 is the method of item 77, wherein the stripped conductors are attached to a plurality of first conductive paths at the first end of the cable in an order that matches the configuration of the cable's shielding conductors. ..</p><p> Item 79 is the method of item 77, wherein one or more first termination components include a first paddle card.</p><p> Item 80 further comprises the step of simultaneously stripping the insulating material from the insulating conductors of one or more first and second conductor sets at the second end opposite to the first end of the cable, of item 77. The method.</p><p> Item 81 is a step of providing one or more second termination components containing one or more second substrates with multiple second conductive paths at the top and stripping of the second end of the cable. The method of item 80 further comprises the step of attaching the conductor to the plurality of second conductive paths.</p><p> Item 82 is the step of attaching the stripped conductors at the second end of the cable to multiple second conductor paths, where the stripped conductors are routed to multiple second conductor paths at the second end of the cable. The method of item 81, which is carried out so that it is mounted in an order that matches the configuration of the shielding conductor of the cable.</p><p> Item 83 is the method of item 81, wherein one or more second termination components include a second paddle card.</p><p> Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein for the purpose of explaining preferred embodiments, a wide range of alternative and / or equivalent embodiments that are expected to achieve similar objectives. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it can be replaced with the particular embodiments illustrated and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the mechanical, electromechanical, and electrical fields will immediately recognize that the present invention can be implemented in a wide range of embodiments. The present application includes all conformations or variations of the preferred embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is made clear that the present invention is limited only by the claims and their equivalents.</p>