LAN cable and LAN cable connector

Abstract

Data communication between devices of a transmission system can be carried out through differential signals at a transmission distance exceeding the maximum 100 m on the standard. The LAN cable includes: a LAN cable main body in which n (n is an integer of 4 or more) unbalanced cables are housed in a sheath as n pairs of signal lines; and a connector plug provided to at least one end of the LAN cable body. The connector plug includes n pairs of contact pins, a circuit board, and a connector body surrounding the contact pins and the circuit board. The circuit board includes: n pairs of signal line-side terminals electrically connected to respective conductor pairs of the unbalanced cable; n pairs of pin-side terminals electrically connected to each pair of contact pins of the n pairs of contact pins; n surface mount type balun converters; and an electrical wiring that electrically connects each pair of the n pairs of signal line-side terminals, each converter of the n surface mount balun converters, and each pair of the n pairs of pin-side terminals in a one-to-one manner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a LAN cable and a connector for a LAN cable, and more particularly, to an electrical LAN cable with an extended transmission distance and a connector used for the LAN cable. Background Art

[0002] There are various types of LAN cables for connecting transmission system devices that perform data communication. Among them, a TP-type LAN cable in which four pairs of twisted pair wires are housed in a cable sheath and 8P8C (eight position, eight conductors) modular connectors (specifically, RJ45) are provided at both ends is widely used. This type of LAN cable functions as a transmission path for data communication of differential signals between transmission system devices.

[0003] In the Ethernet standard standardized by IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.3i, current LAN cables corresponding to communication speeds of 1 Gbps or more, that is, 1000BASE-T or more, are classified as Category 6A, Category 6, and Category 5e (CAT6A, CAT6, CAT5e) specified in ANSI / TIA / EIA-568 (American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Telecommunication Industries Association (TIA), and Electronic Industries Association (EIA) of the United States).

[0004] The electrical LAN cables, that is, TP-type LAN cables, classified as CAT6A, CAT6, and CAT5e are designed for a maximum transmission distance of 100 m. In other words, in existing TP-type LAN cables, there is no design that covers a long transmission distance exceeding 100 m up to 200 m.

[0005] For long-distance transmission exceeding 100 m, a transmission system using an optical fiber cable and an optical module is envisioned. However, compared with the case of using an electrical LAN cable, it requires a high cost and it is difficult to design a transmission system in a broadcasting station or the like. In fact, in in-station applications such as a broadcasting station, the transmission distance between transmission system devices is mostly more than 100 m and less than 200 m.

[0006] If an electrical LAN cable with an extended transmission distance that can reach a maximum of 200 m can be used, high-cost optical fiber cables and optical modules can be dispensed with. Additionally, if such an electrical LAN cable with an extended transmission distance exists, it may be possible to cover more than 80% of in-office usage with electrical LAN cables.

[0007] Generally, for long-distance transmission exceeding 100 m, there is a problem of requiring an additional power source. As an example, in the case of using an optical fiber cable and an optical module for signal transmission, a power source for supplying power to the optical module is needed. As another example, in order to perform signal transmission over a distance exceeding 100 m through a conventional electrical LAN cable, active devices such as repeaters need to be additionally arranged between the LAN cables and made to operate. Due to the need for a power source for active devices, there are problems of complicating the design of the transmission system and increasing the operating cost.

[0008] On the other hand, a technique is known for connecting transmission system devices that communicate data through single-ended signals rather than differential signals via an unbalanced cable (coaxial cable). For example, according to the 10BASE-5 or 10BASE-2 standard, transmission up to a maximum of 500 m can be achieved using an N-type connector and a 50-Ω coaxial cable, or transmission up to a maximum of 185 m can be achieved using a 50-Ω coaxial cable with a BNC connector.

[0009] However, a technique is known for connecting transmission system devices that communicate data through differential signals in a network environment where balanced cables and unbalanced cables are used in combination (for example, Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, Patent Document 3).

[0010] Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 disclose a connector-integrated balun that is built into the connector body of the transmission medium used in a balun (also called a "Balun") for connecting an information wiring system that communicates through a balanced signal and an unbalanced signal communication system that uses the information wiring system as a transmission path. A modular connector is provided at one end of a twisted pair balanced cable, and a BNC connector is provided at the other end. A balun composed of a transformer using a toroidal core is built into the BNC connector body.

[0011] Patent Document 3 discloses a converter cord, which has a balun connected to one end of a coaxial cable or a balanced pair cable. The balun is configured to connect an inductor and a capacitor to a transformer using an iron core and the windings of the transformer a specified number of times. In one example of the converter cord, a modular plug is provided at one end of the balanced cable, and a balun is provided at the other end of the balanced cable. A BNC connector is provided on the balun and is configured to be connectable to the coaxial cable via the BNC connector.

[0012] Prior Art Documents

[0013] Patent Documents

[0014] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-174903

[0015] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-152997

[0016] Patent Document 3: Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 05-039026 and the full text of the specification Summary of the Invention

[0017] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0018] The above patent documents all disclose a balun with a cable, which is premised on a network environment that mixes balanced cables and unbalanced cables. Therefore, when connecting between transmission system devices that communicate data through differential signals, it is necessary to connect a balun with a balanced cable to each transmission system device through a modular plug, and connect an unbalanced cable to the BNC connectors of the two baluns with balanced cables. In addition, even if a single transformer using a toroidal core can be assembled into the connector of a single twisted pair cable, assembling four transformers into the connectors of 4 groups of twisted pair cables has the problem of increasing the size and weight of the connectors.

[0019] In summary, there is a need to develop a passive, electrical LAN cable that does not require a power supply and can communicate data between transmission system devices that communicate data through differential signals over a transmission distance exceeding the maximum of 100 m specified by the standard.

[0020] In addition, there is a need to develop an electrical LAN cable with a simple structure that does not require a network environment that mixes balanced cables and unbalanced cables.

[0021] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical LAN cable and a connector for a LAN cable, which can perform data communication between transmission system devices that communicate data through differential signals over a transmission distance exceeding the maximum of 100 m specified.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide a passive electrical LAN cable and a connector for a LAN cable, which can perform transmission over a transmission distance exceeding 100 m without requiring a power supply.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical LAN cable and a connector for a LAN cable with a simple structure, which do not require a network environment that mixes balanced cables and unbalanced cables.

[0024] Means for Solving the Problem

[0025] In one aspect of the present invention, the LAN cable has the following structure.

[0026] The LAN cable includes: a LAN cable main body that houses n (n is an integer of 4 or more) unbalanced cables as n pairs of signal lines in a sheath; and a connector plug provided at at least one end of the LAN cable main body and connected to a connector jack on the transmission system device side that communicates data through differential signals. The connector plug includes n pairs of contact pins, a circuit board, and a connector body that surrounds the n pairs of contact pins and the circuit board. The circuit board includes: n pairs of cable-side terminals electrically connected to the respective conductor pairs of the n unbalanced cables; n pairs of pin-side terminals electrically connected to the contact pins of the respective pairs of the n pairs of contact pins; n surface-mounted balun converters; and electrical wirings that electrically connect the respective pairs of the cable-side terminals, the respective converters of the surface-mounted balun converters, and the respective pairs of the pin-side terminals in a one-to-one manner.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the LAN cable of the present invention, the connector plug may be a modular connector.

[0028] In addition, in a preferred embodiment of the LAN cable of the present invention, the modular connector may be an RJ45.

[0029] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the LAN cable of the present invention, the connector plug may be an industrial X-ray connector.

[0030] In addition, in a preferred embodiment of the LAN cable of the present invention, the industrial X-ray connector may be an M12 series X-ray connector.

[0031] In another aspect of the present invention, the connector for a LAN cable has the following structure.

[0032] The connector for a LAN cable includes: a connector plug that can be mounted on at least one end of a LAN cable main body in which n unbalanced cables (n is an integer of 4 or more) are accommodated as n pairs of signal lines in a sheath, and can be connected to a connector jack on the transmission system device side that performs data communication through differential signals. The connector plug includes n pairs of contact pins, a circuit board, and a connector body that surrounds the n pairs of contact pins and the circuit board. The circuit board includes: n pairs of cable-side terminals that are electrically connected to the respective conductor pairs of the n unbalanced cables; n pairs of pin-side terminals that are electrically connected to the contact pins of the respective pairs of the n pairs of contact pins; n surface-mounted balun converters; and electrical wirings that electrically connect the respective pairs of the n pairs of cable-side terminals, the respective converters of the n surface-mounted balun converters, and the respective pairs of the n pairs of pin-side terminals in a one-to-one manner.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment of the connector for a LAN cable of the present invention, the connector plug may be compatible with a modular connector.

[0034] Further, in a preferred embodiment of the connector for a LAN cable of the present invention, the modular connector may be an RJ45.

[0035] Moreover, in a preferred embodiment of the connector for a LAN cable of the present invention, the connector plug may be compatible with an industrial X-ray connector.

[0036] Further, in a preferred embodiment of the connector for a LAN cable of the present invention, the industrial X-ray connector may be an M12 series X-ray connector.

[0037] Advantages of the Invention

[0038] By using an electrical LAN cable in which n unbalanced cables are accommodated as n pairs of signal lines in a sheath, it is possible to achieve data communication between transmission system devices that perform data communication through differential signals and have a transmission distance exceeding the maximum of 100 m specified.

[0039] Further, in the electrical LAN cable, it is possible to transmit n-channel signals over a transmission distance of more than 100 m without requiring a power supply.

[0040] Moreover, it is possible to realize a network environment with a simple structure that does not require a mixed use of balanced cables and unbalanced cables.

[0041] The above objects and advantages of the present invention and other objects and advantages will be more clearly understood from the following description of the embodiments. However, the embodiments described below are illustrative, and the present invention is not limited thereto. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Figure 1 FIG. Figure 1 is a schematic view showing an example of a LAN cable.

[0043] Figure 2 FIG. Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the LAN cable main body.

[0044] Figure 3 FIG. Figure 3 is a schematic top view showing the internal structure of a connector in an example of a LAN cable.

[0045] Figure 4 FIG. Figure 4 is a schematic front view showing the internal structure of a connector in an example of a LAN cable.

[0046] Figure 5 FIG. Figure 5 is a circuit diagram showing the electrical connection between the cable main body and the connector.

[0047] Figure 6 FIG. Figure 6 is a schematic top view showing the internal structure of a connector in another example of a LAN cable.

[0048] Figure 7 FIG. Figure 7 is a schematic front view showing the internal structure of a connector in another example of a LAN cable.

[0049] Figure 8 FIG. Figure 8 is a schematic top view showing the internal structure of a connector in another example of a LAN cable.

[0050] Figure 9 FIG. Figure 9 is a schematic front view showing the internal structure of a connector in another example of a LAN cable.

[0051] Figure 10 FIG. Figure 10 is a partial perspective view of another example of a LAN cable.

[0052] Figure 11 FIG. Figure 11 is a schematic top view showing the internal structure of a connector in another example of a LAN cable.

[0053] Figure 12 FIG. Figure 12 is a schematic front view showing the internal structure of a connector in another example of a LAN cable.

[0054] Figure 13 FIG. Figure 13 is a schematic top view showing the internal structure of a connector in another example of a LAN cable.

[0055] Figure 14 FIG. Figure 14 is a schematic front view showing the internal structure of a connector in another example of a LAN cable. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0056] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the LAN cable of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0057] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a LAN cable to which the present invention is applied, Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the LAN cable main body, Figure 3 is a schematic top view showing the internal structure of a connector in an example of a LAN cable, and Figure 4 is a schematic front view showing the internal structure of a connector in an example of a LAN cable.

[0058] The LAN cable and the LAN cable connector of the present embodiment described below are examples that can be used as electrical LAN cables classified as CAT6A, CAT6, and CAT5e specified in ANSI / TIA / EIA-568. In addition, this is an example, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0059] Referring to Figure 1 , the LAN cable 1 includes a cable main body 10 and a connector 20. The cable main body 10 is a LAN cable in which four unbalanced cables are housed as four pairs of signal lines in a sheath, and its cross-section is as shown in Figure 2 . The connector 20 can be installed at both ends of the cable main body 10. In this example, the connector 20 is an RJ45-compatible connector plug that can be connected to an RJ45 connector jack on the transmission system device side that communicates data through differential signals.

[0060] The cable main body 10 is a four-core (four-channel) coaxial multi-wire cable. For example, it includes four coaxial cables 13-1, 13-2, 13-3, and 13-4 bundled by a binding band 12 in a polyvinyl chloride sheath 11. The coaxial cables 13-1, 13-2, 13-3, and 13-4 respectively include internal conductors 15-1, 15-2, 15-3, and 15-4 and external conductors 16-1, 16-2, 16-3, and 16-4. The internal conductor and the external conductor are insulated by an insulator such as foamed polyethylene, and the periphery of the external conductor is covered by a sheath such as polyvinyl chloride. These coaxial cables are equivalent to unbalanced cables, and the internal conductors and external conductors of each coaxial cable are equivalent to each conductor pair of the unbalanced cable.

[0061] Referring to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the internal structure of a connector in an example of a LAN cable will be described. The connector 20 of the LAN cable 1 includes: a total of eight contact pins 21-1, 22-1, 21-2, 22-2, 21-3, 22-3, 21-4, and 22-4 in four pairs; a circuit board 25; and a connector body 29 that surrounds the four pairs of contact pins and the circuit board.

[0062] When the contact pins 21-1, 22-1, 21-2, 22-2, 21-3, 22-3, 21-4, and 22-4 are mated with the RJ45 connector jacks (8P8C modular connector jacks) on the device side of the transmission system, they are electrically connected to the respective contacts on the connector jack side.

[0063] The circuit board 25 includes: four pairs of cable-side terminals 27-1, 28-1, 27-2, 28-2, 27-3, 28-3, 27-4, 28-4 and four pairs of pin-side terminals 23-1, 24-1, 23-2, 24-2, 23-3, 24-3, 23-4, 24-4, which are electrically connected to the respective conductor pairs 15-1, 16-1, 15-2, 16-2, 15-3, 16-3, 15-4, 16-4 of the four coaxial cables; and four surface-mounted baluns 26-1, 26-2, 26-3, 26-4. The four pairs of pin-side terminals 23-1, 24-1, 23-2, 24-2, 23-3, 24-3, 23-4, 24-4 are electrically connected to the respective contact pins of the four pairs of contact pins 21-1, 22-1, 21-2, 22-2, 21-3, 22-3, 21-4, 22-4.

[0064] In this example, among the four pairs of cable-side terminals and the four surface-mounted baluns, two pairs of cable-side terminals 27-1, 28-1, 27-2, 28-2 and two baluns 26-1, 26-2 are mounted on the surface of the circuit board 25, and the remaining two pairs of cable-side terminals 27-3, 28-3, 27-4, 28-4 and the remaining two baluns 26-3, 26-4 are mounted on the back of the circuit board 25.

[0065] Each pair of the cable-side terminals can be a pair of conductive pads 27-1, 27-2, 27-3, 27-4 that weld the front ends of the inner conductors 15-1, 15-2, 15-3, 15-4 of the coaxial cables 13-1, 13-2, 13-3, 13-4 and conductive terminals 28-1, 28-2, 28-3, 28-4 that sandwich the outer conductors 16-1, 16-2, 16-3, 16-4 from both sides. In addition, the sheaths of the respective coaxial cables 13-1, 13-2, 13-3, 13-4 can be mechanically fixed to the substrate by cable clips 30-1, 30-2, 30-3, 30-4. Further, instead of welding the inner conductor to the conductive pad, it can be crimped or screwed to the conductive terminal. On the other hand, instead of clamping the outer conductor by the conductive terminal, welding or screwing can be performed.

[0066] An example of the surface-mounted baluns 26-1, 26-2, 26-3, 26-4 can be the 1:1.33, Transmission Line Balun Transformer of MACOM Technology Solutions Inc. (company name), which functions as a balun between a balanced line with a characteristic impedance of 100 Ω and an unbalanced line of 75 Ω. Compared with the conventional baluns using toroidal cores, the surface-mounted baluns of the above example are small-sized and low-profile electronic components with a size of approximately 4 mm square in length and width and a height of approximately 3 mm. Even if multiple surface-mounted baluns are mounted on both sides of the substrate, the size of the connector body enclosing them (especially the height) can be not increased. In addition, the above specific example is just an example, and of course, other baluns designed in a manner suitable for surface mounting can also be used.

[0067] Refer to Figure 5 , and the electrical connection between the cable body and the connector will be described using a circuit diagram. The circuit board 25 includes electrical wirings 31-1, 32-1, 31-2, 32-2, 31-3, 32-3, 31-4, 32-4, 33-1, 33-2, 33-3, 33-4. The electrical wirings 31-1, 32-1, 31-2, 32-2, 31-3, 32-3, 31-4, 32-4 electrically connect the balanced pairs of each of the surface-mounted baluns 26-1, 26-2, 26-3, 26-4 to the respective pairs of the pin-side terminals 23-1, 24-1, 23-2, 24-2, 23-3, 24-3, 23-4, 24-4 in a one-to-one manner. The electrical wirings 33-1, 33-2, 33-3, 33-4 electrically connect one end of each of the surface-mounted baluns 26-1, 26-2, 26-3, 26-4 to the cable-side terminals 27-1, 27-2, 27-3, 27-4 (conductive pads) in a one-to-one manner. In addition, although the ground wire is not shown in Figure 5 , the ground wire electrically connects the ground side of each converter and the cable-side terminals 28-1, 28-2, 28-3, 28-4 (conductive terminals. Refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 ).

[0068] Various changes can be made to the LAN cable and the connector. Refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 , and the internal structure of the connector in other examples of the LAN cable will be described. In the structure of the connector 20 of the LAN cable 2, compared with Figure 3 andFigure 4 The structure of the connector 20 of the LAN cable 1 shown is different in the arrangement of the surface-mounted balun converters 26-1, 26-2, 26-3, 26-4 mounted on the circuit board 25 surrounded by the connector body 29. That is, in the connector 20 of the LAN cable 2, four converters are mounted longitudinally in two columns on the surface of the circuit board 25. As described above, the surface-mounted balun converter is a small-sized and low-height electronic component, so even if the arrangement relationship is changed like this, only a slight extension of the length of the connector body 29 is required.

[0069] Next, refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 to describe the internal structure of the connector in another example of the LAN cable. In the structure of the connector 20 of the LAN cable 3, the difference from the structure of the connector 20 of the LAN cable 2 shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7 is that in the connector 20 of the LAN cable 3, four surface-mounted balun converters 26-1, 26-2, 26-3, 26-4 are mounted transversely in one row on the surface of the circuit board 25. If the arrangement relationship is changed like this, the width of the connector body 29 becomes about twice as large, but even so, since the converter is a low-height electronic component, the size of the connector body 29 can also be smaller than the size of the connector envisioned in the case of using a conventional toroidal core converter in the same mounting arrangement.

[0070] In the above examples, an example of mounting a modular connector, especially an RJ45-compatible connector, on the cable body of the LAN cable has been described, but different forms of connectors can also be mounted. As an example, a connector compatible with an industrial X-ray connector can be mounted.

[0071] The industrial X-ray connector is an industrial connector corresponding to a communication speed of 10 Gbps classified as CAT6A. An example of the industrial X-ray connector is the M12 series X-ray connector, which has 4-channel 8-core contact pins. Therefore, in another example of the LAN cable, as shown in Figure 10 , the LAN cable 4 can replace the connector compatible with the modular connector and mount a connector 40 having 4-channel 8-core contact pins 41-1, 42-1, 41-2, 42-2, 41-3, 42-3, 41-4, 42-4 and compatible with the M12 series X-ray connector on the cable body 10 of the 4-core (4-channel) coaxial multi-line cable.

[0072] Figure 11 and Figure 12The internal structure of the connector in another example of the LAN cable is shown. The connector 40 of the LAN cable 4 is different from the connector plug compatible with RJ45 in that it has contact pins for the M12 series X-type connector and a connector body 49 of the sleeve type. However, the internal structure of the connector 40 is the same as that of the connector 20 of the LAN cable 1 shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 , so the detailed description here is omitted.

[0073] Figure 13 and Figure 14 The internal structure of the connector in another example of the LAN cable is shown. The internal structure of the connector 40 of the LAN cable 4 compatible with the M12 series X-type connector is the same as that of the connector 20 of the LAN cable 2 shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7 , so the detailed description here is omitted.

[0074] As an example of the LAN cable according to the present invention, a LAN cable with a cable body length exceeding 100 m is manufactured, and then the results of measuring the cable characteristics, particularly the attenuation, are described as an example.

[0075] [Example]

[0076] Using 150 m of the 75 Ω coaxial multi-wire cable "V4-2.5CHW" of Canare Electric Co., Ltd. and the 1:1.33, Transmission Line Balun Transformer "MABA-009092-CT1A40" of MACOM Technology Solutions Inc., a LAN cable with the structure shown in Figures 1 to 5 is manufactured. The attenuation of this LAN cable is 40.8 dB (500 MHz), which meets the standards of LAN cables classified as CAT6A, CAT6, and CAT5e. That is, an electrical LAN cable capable of transmitting over a transmission distance of more than 100 m and less than 200 m can be realized.

[0077] In the description of the present embodiment based on the above-mentioned multiple examples, examples in which a 75 Ω coaxial multi-wire cable and a 100 Ω balanced-75 Ω unbalanced converter are used for the cable body are described, but a 50 Ω coaxial multi-wire cable and a 100 Ω balanced-50 Ω unbalanced converter can also be used. In addition, the 4-core 4-channel LAN cable applied to the 8P8C modular connector (RJ45) is only exemplary, and the present invention can of course be applied to multi-core multi-channel LAN cables with 5 cores 5 channels or more in the future.

[0078] Industrial Applicability

[0079] The present invention can be widely applied to LAN cables for connecting transmission system devices that communicate data via differential signals to each other over a transmission distance exceeding 100 m.

[0080] Symbolic description

[0081] 1, 2, 3, 4 - LAN cables; 10 - cable body; 11 - sheath; 12 - binding tape; 13-1, 13-2, 13-3, 13-4 - coaxial cables; 15-1, 15-2, 15-3, 15-4 - inner conductors; 16-1, 16-2, 16-3, 16-4 - outer conductors; 20, 40 - connectors; 21-1, 22-1, 21-2, 22-2, 21-3, 22-3, 21-4, 22-4, 41-1, 42-1, 41-2, 42-2, 41-3, 42-3, 41-4, 42-4 - contact pins; 23-1, 24-1, 23-2, 24-2, 23-3, 24-3, 23-4, 24-4 - pin-side terminals; 25 - circuit board; 26-1, 26-2, 26-3, 26-4 - surface-mounted balun; 27-1, 27-2, 27-3, 27-4 - conductive pads (cable-side terminals); 28-1, 28-2, 28-3, 28-4 - conductive terminals (cable-side terminals); 29, 49 - connector bodies; 30-1, 30-2, 30-3, 30-4 - cable clips; 31-1, 32-1, 31-2, 32-2, 31-3, 32-3, 31-4, 32-4, 33-1, 33-2, 33-3, 33-4 - electrical wirings.

Claims

1. A LAN cable, characterized in that, comprising: a LAN cable main body which houses n unbalanced cables as n pairs of signal lines in a sheath, where n is an integer of 4 or more; and a connector plug which is provided at at least one end of the LAN cable main body and is connected to a connector jack on the transmission system device side for data communication by differential signals, the connector plug comprising: n pairs of contact pins; a circuit board which includes: n pairs of cable-side terminals which are electrically connected to respective conductor pairs of the n unbalanced cables; n pairs of pin-side terminals which are electrically connected to contact pins of respective pairs of the n pairs of contact pins; n surface-mounted balun converters; and electrical wirings which electrically connect respective pairs of the n pairs of cable-side terminals, respective ones of the n surface-mounted balun converters, and respective pairs of the n pairs of pin-side terminals in a one-to-one manner; and a connector body which surrounds the n pairs of contact pins and the circuit board.

2. The LAN cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, the connector plug is compatible with a modular connector.

3. The LAN cable according to claim 2, characterized in that, the modular connector is an RJ45.

4. The LAN cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, the connector plug is compatible with an industrial X-ray connector.

5. The LAN cable according to claim 4, characterized in that, the industrial X-ray connector is an M12 series X-ray connector.

6. The LAN cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, a part of the n surface-mounted balun converters is mounted on the surface of the circuit board, and the remaining part is mounted on the back surface of the circuit board.

7. A connector for a LAN cable, characterized in that, comprising a connector plug, the connector plug being capable of being mounted on at least one end of a LAN cable main body which houses n unbalanced cables as n pairs of signal lines in a sheath and being capable of being connected to a connector jack on the transmission system device side for data communication by differential signals, where n is an integer of 4 or more, the connector plug comprising: n pairs of contact pins; a circuit board which includes: n pairs of cable-side terminals which are electrically connected to respective conductor pairs of the n unbalanced cables; n pairs of pin-side terminals which are electrically connected to contact pins of respective pairs of the n pairs of contact pins; n surface-mounted balun converters; and electrical wirings which electrically connect respective pairs of the n pairs of cable-side terminals, respective ones of the n surface-mounted balun converters, and respective pairs of the n pairs of pin-side terminals in a one-to-one manner; and a connector body which surrounds the n pairs of contact pins and the circuit board.

8. The connector for a LAN cable according to claim 7, characterized in that, the connector plug is compatible with a modular connector.

9. The connector for a LAN cable according to claim 8, characterized in that, the modular connector is an RJ45.

10. The connector for LAN cable according to claim 7, characterized in that, the connector plug is compatible with an industrial X-ray connector.

11. The connector for LAN cable according to claim 10, characterized in that, the industrial X-ray connector is an M12 series X-ray connector.

12. The connector for LAN cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, a part of the n surface-mounted balun transformers is mounted on the surface of the circuit board, and the remaining part is mounted on the back surface of the circuit board.

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