Cable with variable pitch

Abstract

A high frequency cable can include at least one insulation strip wound around a cable shield of the high frequency cable with a non-uniform pitch. The cable can include at least one signal conductor, an insulation surrounding the at least one signal conductor, and a cable shield surrounding the at least one signal conductor. The pitch of the insulation strip can represent a distance between successive windings of the cable. The cables described herein can be manufactured with a non-uniform pitch, and the non-uniform pitch reduces signal attenuation at certain high frequencies. Because the cables described herein have lower attenuation at these high frequencies, the cables can transmit higher bit rate signals, allowing the cables to transmit more data between high performance electronic components.

Description

Related applications

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 626,525, entitled “CABLE WITH VARIABLE PITCH,” filed January 29, 2024, pursuant to 35 U.S.C., § 119(e), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The disclosed embodiments relate to cables with high-frequency performance, including biaxial cables capable of operating at data rates above 212 Gbps, including biaxial cables capable of operating at 224 Gbps. Background Technology

[0003] The cable provides a signal path with high signal integrity, particularly for high-frequency signals, such as signals above 40 Gbps using non-return-to-zero (NRZ) protocols or signals above 50 Gbps using pulse amplitude modulation protocols such as PAM4. Each cable has one or more signal conductors surrounded by at least one dielectric material. This dielectric material is then surrounded by a conductive layer that serves as a ground conductor. A protective outer sheath, typically made of plastic, may surround these components. Furthermore, the outer sheath or other parts of the cable may include fibers or other structures for mechanical support.

[0004] Traditionally, the cable components that primarily affect signal propagation (i.e., the signal conductor, at least one dielectric layer, and a conductive layer) are typically uniform along the length of the cable. Non-uniformity along the signal path (e.g., caused by variations in the shape or material of the components) can cause impedance changes or promote mode switching, thereby reducing signal integrity. Loss of signal integrity can manifest as insertion loss, return loss, crosstalk, or other adverse effects.

[0005] A type of cable known as a "biaxial cable" supports the transmission of differential signals. A biaxial cable has balanced signal pairs embedded in a dielectric material and surrounded by a conductive layer that serves as a ground conductor. This conductive layer is sometimes referred to as the cable shield. One or more insulating layers may surround the cable shield. For example, these layers can be formed by wrapping insulating tape around the shielded signal wires, or they may be extruded.

[0006] Cable shielding can be formed using foil, such as aluminum Mylar wound around the dielectric. The conductive layer affects the characteristic impedance of the cable and provides shielding to reduce crosstalk between signal conductors in biaxial cables that may be routed together as cable bundles.

[0007] Biaxial cables may optionally have drain lines. Unlike signal lines, which are typically coated with a dielectric to prevent electrical contact with other conductors in the cable, drain lines may be uncoated, allowing them to contact the conductive layer at multiple points along the cable's length. At the end of the cable where it terminates to a connector or other termination structure, the protective outer sheath, dielectric, and foil can be removed, exposing portions of the signal lines and drain lines to the cable end. These lines can be attached to a connector. Signal lines can be attached to a conductive element that serves as a signal contact in the connector. Drain lines can be attached to a ground conductor in the connector, which can then serve as a ground contact. In this way, a ground return path extends from the cable through the connector to the component that mates with it. In cables without drain lines, the conductive layer can be directly attached to the ground conductor in the connector.

[0008] Cable shielding can be formed by wrapping conductive foil strips (with or without a backing such as Mylar) around the insulated wire. A common arrangement is spiral winding of the conductive foil. Figure 1 A segment of cable 1000 with a spirally wound shielding layer 1002 is shown. Figure 1 The diagram shows that n conductive strips of uniform width are wound at uniform intervals between the edges of the conductive strips on one turn of the cable and the edges on the next turn. This interval, as well as the number of turns per unit length, can be a measure of the winding pitch P. Although not shown in... Figure 1 As shown, however, one or more insulation layers may be applied over the cable shield.

[0009] In other cases, the shielding layer can be wrapped longitudinally. Figure 2 A segment of a biaxial cable is shown, in which, in addition to two signal lines 110 both surrounded by insulator 112, the biaxial cable also has a drain line 122. In this example, the cable shield 114 is formed by wrapping conductive foil around the conductor, such that the two edges of the foil converge at a seam extending along the length of the cable. The shield is wrapped with one or more strips. Figure 2 Two such belts, 116 and 118, are shown. These two belts are spirally wound in opposite directions. An additional layer, shown as an outer sheath 120, can be applied for mechanical and environmental protection. Figure 2 In the example, chain segments of varying lengths were removed from each cable layer to expose at least a portion of each layer. Further details regarding the construction and performance of this cable are shown in U.S. Patent No. 7,790,981. Summary of the Invention

[0010] According to an aspect of this disclosure, a high-frequency cable is provided, comprising: at least one signal conductor; a cable shielding layer surrounding the at least one signal conductor; and at least one insulating strip wound around the cable shielding layer with a non-uniform pitch.

[0011] Optionally, the at least one insulating strip is spirally wound.

[0012] Optionally, the cable shield is spirally wound; and the spirally wound cable shield has a different pitch than the at least one insulating strip.

[0013] Alternatively, the cable shielding layer is wrapped longitudinally.

[0014] Optionally, each of the at least one signal conductor is surrounded by an insulator and the cable shield is outside the insulator; and each of the at least one signal conductor has a diameter of 26 AWG or less.

[0015] Optionally, each of the at least one insulating strip has a uniform width; and each of the at least one insulating strip has a width between 2 mm and 10 mm.

[0016] Optionally, each of the at least one insulating strip comprises a polymer tape.

[0017] Optionally, the high-frequency cable further includes a conductive layer adhered to each of the at least one insulating strip, wherein each of the at least one insulating strip is Mylar, and the conductive layer is a metal foil.

[0018] Optionally, the at least one insulating strip comprises two insulating strips wound in opposite directions.

[0019] Optionally, the high-frequency cable includes a biaxial cable without drain lines.

[0020] Optionally, the high-frequency cable includes a biaxial cable with a drain line.

[0021] Optionally, the width of the at least one insulating strip varies along the length of the high-frequency cable; and each of the at least one insulating strip has a width between 2 mm and 10 mm.

[0022] Optionally, the high-frequency cable supports a data rate of 224 Gbps.

[0023] Optionally, the average pitch of the at least one insulating strip is in the range of 1 mm to 7 mm.

[0024] Optionally, the pitch of the at least one insulating strip varies by at least + / - 5% over a 1 m length of the high-frequency cable.

[0025] Optionally, the pitch of the at least one insulating strip varies periodically along the length of the high-frequency cable; and the pitch of the at least one insulating strip varies periodically in the range of 0.5 to 2 meters.

[0026] Optionally, the pitch of the at least one insulating strip varies periodically along the length of the high-frequency cable; and the pitch of the at least one insulating strip varies sinusoidally.

[0027] According to an aspect of this disclosure, a method for manufacturing a high-frequency cable is provided, the method comprising: surrounding at least one signal conductor with a cable shielding layer; and pulling the surrounded at least one signal conductor through at least one winding head, while each of the at least one winding head rotates around the surrounded at least one signal conductor and distributes an insulating strip, wherein, during the manufacturing of the high-frequency cable, the linear velocity of the surrounded at least one signal conductor being pulled through the at least one winding head and / or the rotational speed of the at least one winding head are varied.

[0028] Optionally, the rotational speed varies periodically.

[0029] Optionally, the linear velocity varies periodically. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a cable chain segment with a known spiral-wound shielding layer.

[0031] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a cable chain segment with a longitudinally wrapped shielding layer and two polymer strips.

[0032] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a cable manufacturing process used to produce cables with variable pitch insulation windings.

[0033] Figure 4A and Figure 4B It shows that by having Figure 2 The structure compares the signal strength as a function of frequency for cables with insulation tapes having uniform pitch and those with non-uniform pitch.

[0034] Figure 5A and Figure 5B This is an image showing the arrangement of the winding layers of an exemplary cable. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The inventors have recognized and realized that a cable having a tape with a non-uniform pitch surrounding the cable shield increases the frequency range in which the cable can operate, compared to a cable wound with a tape having a uniform pitch. This tape can be insulating. The insulating tape can be a strip of a material generally considered an insulator, such as Mylar, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or other polymers. For example, the volume conductivity of the insulating material can be less than half that of the cable shield, and in some examples, more than an order of magnitude lower, or more than four or more orders of magnitude lower. For example, the conductivity can be less than 10. -10 / Ohm-meter.

[0036] The insulating tape may optionally include an adhesive layer, but is not required to do so. For example, when the insulating tape is wrapped directly onto the cable shield, the insulation layer can allow the insulating tape to adhere to the cable shield. Alternatively or additionally, the tape can be mechanically integrated into the cable by other means, such as by applying an adhesive to the shield, surface bonding of overlapping areas of the insulating tape in a continuous winding, or heating the insulation layer to fuse overlapping areas of the insulating tape in a continuous winding.

[0037] Alternatively, a conductive material can be attached to the insulating tape. For example, the insulating tape can be Mylar, with a metal, such as aluminum, deposited or bonded to its surface.

[0038] Therefore, high-frequency cables may include at least one insulating strip wound around their cable shield with a non-uniform pitch. The cable may include at least one signal conductor, an insulator surrounding the at least one signal conductor, and a cable shield surrounding the at least one signal conductor. The pitch of the insulating strip may represent the distance between the edges of a continuous winding around the cable. The cables described herein can be manufactured with a non-uniform pitch, and this non-uniform pitch reduces signal attenuation at certain high frequencies. Because the cables described herein have lower attenuation at these high frequencies, they can transmit signals at higher bit rates, thereby allowing the cables to transmit more data between high-performance electronic components.

[0039] exist Figure 2 In the example, tapes 116 and 118 are wound in opposite directions around the cable shield 114. As shown, the cable has a longitudinally wrapped cable shield 114 and insulating tapes 116 and 118 spirally wound around the cable shield. In this example, these tapes are wound with a substantially uniform pitch P. Figure 2 As shown, cable 100 may include a differential data transmission cable having at least one pair of conductors 110. Here, Figure 2 This is a plan view showing the overall configuration of the first embodiment of data transmission.

[0040] exist Figure 2In this structure, each conductor 110 is coated with an insulator 112, such as a plastic material. The outer periphery of the insulator 112 is successively covered by a shielding strip 114, two polymer strips 116 and 118, and an outer sheath 120 as an optional component.

[0041] In some embodiments, a grounding drain line 122 is also provided along the insulated conductor 110 so as to be housed together with the conductor 110 within the shielding strip 114, although the cable may also be without a drain line. The conductor 110 (coated with insulator 112) and the drain line 122 constitute the cable core. The location of the drain line 122 is not limited to... Figure 2 As shown. Drainage line 122 can be located in a horizontal position so as to be adjacent to conductor 110 or located between conductors 110, similar to a flat strip structure. Various drainage line positions are known in the field and can be used.

[0042] Various methods can be considered to cover conductor 110 (coated with insulator 112) with shielding tape 114. For example, conductor 110 can be wrapped longitudinally with shielding tape 114 such that the two ends of shielding tape 114 overlap each other along the longitudinal direction of conductor 110, such as... Figure 2 As shown, this can be called "vertical wrapping".

[0043] When the cable is a differential data transmission cable, at least one pair of conductors housed inside the cable 100 are in a parallel state to each other.

[0044] Conductor 110 consists of a single-wire conductor (e.g., formed from soft copper wire, tinned soft copper wire, silver-plated copper alloy wire, etc.) or a stranded conductor made by twisting the single wires. Other metallic materials commonly used in the manufacture of cable conductors, such as aluminum, steel, etc., may be used.

[0045] The insulator 112 may be composed of a polymer material, which may be, but is not limited to, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE), tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkoxy copolymer (PFA), fluororubber, or mixtures thereof.

[0046] In some embodiments, the shielding tape 114 comprises a sheet of metal coated with an adhesive on its surface facing the insulating conductor 110. This adhesive secures the shielding tape to the cable core, thereby minimizing slippage of one branch of the cable core relative to another when the cable is bent.

[0047] According to some embodiments, two polymer tapes 116 and 118 may be wrapped around the shielding tape 114, each consisting of a polymer sheet having an adhesive on one surface to form a tape. The polymer tapes 116 and 118 are spirally wound around the shielding tape 114 and may be oriented in opposite directions relative to each other. For example, if the first polymer tape 116 is wound clockwise, the second polymer tape 118 is wound counterclockwise; and vice versa. The polymer tapes 116 and 118 may be made of plastic, such as Mylar, a polyester. Mylar is a biaxially oriented thermoplastic film made of ethylene glycol and dimethyl terephthalate (DMT). In some embodiments, the tape is wound such that the adhesive-coated surfaces face each other to bond the polymer tapes together. In some embodiments, the interface between the first polymer tape 116 and the shielding tape 114 does not contain an adhesive. Other polymer films, such as Capton, may also be used in addition to Mylar.

[0048] The outer sheath 120 (although optional) can be a polymer resin, which may be, but is not limited to: polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE), tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkoxy copolymer (PFA), fluororubber, and combinations thereof. The outer sheath 120 can be extruded around the periphery of the polymer strips 116 and 118 at a uniform thickness using an extruder or the like.

[0049] Although Figure 2 An embodiment in which the cable core comprises a pair of parallel wires is shown, but the cable core may include more or fewer than two parallel wires. For example, three, four or more parallel insulated conductors 110 may be used as the cable core of the communication cable 100.

[0050] In another embodiment, the communication cable may include multiple cable cores. Each cable core may contain a pair of insulated conductors and an optional drain wire, which are successively covered by shielding tape and two layers of polymer tape. The multiple cable cores may then be covered with an outer sheath. In some embodiments, the multiple cable cores may be wrapped with wrapping tape (e.g., spirally wound polyester tape) and / or an auxiliary shielding layer before the outer sheath is applied. In this embodiment, the auxiliary shielding layer may include shielding tape and / or a braided shielding layer.

[0051] In some examples, the cable can be configured as follows: Figure 2As shown, the difference lies in that tapes 116 and 118 can be wound with a non-uniform pitch. One or more tapes (such as tapes 116 and 118) can be wound with a pitch that varies along the cable length. For example, each tape can be a polymer tape with a width ranging from about 2 mm to about 10 mm. In this example, the tapes have a uniform width along the length of the cable, and the variable pitch is generated by changing the percentage by which the width of the tape in one turn around the cable overlaps with the tape in the previous turn. Alternatively, in an alternative embodiment, the width of the tape can vary along the length of the cable, thereby producing a non-uniform pitch.

[0052] Figure 5A and Figure 5B This is an image showing the arrangement of the winding layers of an exemplary cable. Figure 5A The example illustrates the pitch of the cable's winding layers, while Figure 5B The width of the cable winding layer is shown in the example. Figure 5A and Figure 5B A cable 500 is shown having one or more signal lines 502, each signal line being surrounded by an insulator 504, which in turn is surrounded by a cable shield 506, wherein one or more insulating tapes 508 are wound around the cable shield. These one or more insulating tapes 508 may be made of a material similar to other tapes described herein and wound in a similar manner.

[0053] The belt can be wound with a pitch. Figure 5A The example illustrates the pitch of one or more wound insulating tapes 508. For example... Figure 5A As shown, one or more insulating tapes 508 can be wound along the winding direction 510. In other words, as the tape is wound around the cable, the wound tape extends further along the winding direction 510. Figure 5A In the winding, there may be a first edge 512a and a second edge 512b. The first edge 512a may correspond to the leading edge of a shorter first loop of tape extending in the winding direction, and the second edge 512b may correspond to the leading edge of a longer second loop of tape extending in the winding direction. In other embodiments, the first edge 512a and the second edge 512b may each correspond to a trailing edge. The distance A between the first edge 512a and the second edge 512b shows the winding pitch along the cable at that point. A similar pitch B may be shown between the third edge 512c and the fourth edge 514d (both of which may be leading edges or both of which may be trailing edges). The pitch B is shown for a tape wound in the opposite direction of rotation to the tape shown with pitch A, although both tapes are wound along the winding direction 510.

[0054] The strip can have width. Figure 5B The width of one or more insulating tapes 508 wound around the surface is illustrated. Figure 5BIn the winding, there can be fifth edges 512e and 512f. Fifth edge 512e can correspond to the leading edge of a turn, and sixth edge 512f can correspond to the trailing edge of the same turn. The distance C between fifth edge 512e and sixth edge 512f shows the winding width along the cable at that point. A similar width D can be shown between the seventh edge 512g (which can be the leading edge of a turn) and the eighth edge 514h (which can be the trailing edge of that turn). The pitch D is shown for a strip wound in the opposite direction of rotation to the strip shown with pitch C, although both strips are wound along the winding direction 510.

[0055] Regardless of how the non-uniform pitch is generated, the pitch of one or more insulation tapes can vary along the cable, such that in some examples the pitch variation is as high as about 5% or as high as about 10%. In other examples, the pitch variation can be as high as about 15%. For example, the average pitch can be in the range of 1 mm to 7 mm. This pitch can be achieved by being a polymer strip or a tape including a polymer strip. The width of the tape can be, for example, between 2 mm and 10 mm.

[0056] The pitch can vary periodically along the length of the cable. Within one cycle, the pitch can increase from a minimum to a maximum and then return to a minimum. The pitch variation can be continuous over the length of one cycle. For example, the pitch can monotonically increase from a minimum to a maximum and then return to its minimum. In other examples, the pitch can vary continuously over multiple cycles. As an example, the pitch variation can be sinusoidal.

[0057] The period of pitch variation can be between approximately 0.5 m and 2 m. As a specific example, the period of pitch variation can be approximately 1 m.

[0058] Figure 3 A block diagram illustrating a high-speed cable manufacturing process is shown. In the illustrated process, insulated conductors 312 and conductive foil 322 are inputs. In this example, two insulated conductors 312 are shown. Such inputs can be used, for example, to manufacture biaxial cables. The process can alternatively be performed with a single insulated conductor or more than two insulated conductors. In the illustrated example, the signal conductor of the cable being manufactured is positioned on a carrier, such as one or more spools 310. In this example, the signal conductor is surrounded by an insulator when supplied as an input to the manufacturing process. In other examples, the conductor may be surrounded by an insulator as part of a continuous process, such that the input for the manufacturing process of high-speed cables is bare wire.

[0059] In this example, the insulating conductor 312 is fed into the wrapping stage 330. The wrapping stage 330 can be performed in a device for wrapping the insulating conductor with conductive foil 322. For example, the conductive foil can be supplied on a carrier 320. The wrapping stage 330 can position the insulating conductor 312 parallel to each other and wrap the conductive foil 322 around these insulating conductors. The conductive foil 322 can be wrapped longitudinally around the insulating conductor 312 or can be spirally wound around the insulating conductor.

[0060] Regardless of how the conductive foil is wrapped, the conductors within these wraps can be transferred to stage 344. At stage 344, a spiral head rotating around the wrapped conductors can wrap insulating tape 342 around the conductive foil 322, which serves as a cable shield. Figure 3 In the example, insulating tape 342 is supplied on a carrier (such as spool 340).

[0061] Further down the manufacturing line, the insulated conductor, wrapped in conductive foil, can enter stage 354. At stage 354, a second spiral head wraps a second insulating tape 352 around the shielded insulated conductor. Figure 3 In the example, insulating tape 352 is supplied on a carrier (such as spool 350).

[0062] In the example shown, the helical head at stage 344 rotates in the opposite direction to the helical head at stage 354. This configuration can produce reverse-wound cables, such as… Figure 2 As shown.

[0063] Figure 3 The cable being manufactured can be pulled through successive stages of the manufacturing process. In this example, the cable is pulled by a traction wheel 370. The cable can be pulled at a speed (here illustrated as linear velocity V). L (t) is pulled through stages 344 and 354. The spiral head at stages 344 and 354 can be driven at a speed (here illustrated as rotational speed V). r1 (t) and V r2 (t)) Rotates around the cable. In the manufacturing process, the rotation speed of the spiral head can be the same or different. In this example, the rotation speed V r1 (t) and V r2 (t) differ only in direction. In other examples, the rotational speed at one or more helical heads can differ, which can result in different pitches in the different bands wound around the cable shield. One or more of these pitches can vary along the length of the cable.

[0064] Cables with variable pitch for the insulation winding can change the speed V when the insulation winding is applied. L (t), V r1 (t) and / or V r2One or more of (t) are used to implement this. In the example shown, the linear velocity V L (t) is variable. A grooved reel 360 may be included to accommodate the variable speed, while enabling the traction reel 370 to operate at a constant speed. Alternatively or additionally, the variation in linear speed may be adapted in subsequent stages (not shown), for example by a take-up reel that receives the cable at a variable rate.

[0065] In other examples, cables with variable pitch insulation windings can be modified by changing... Figure 3 The rotational speed V of the spiral head in the example r1 (t) and / or V r2 (t) is used to form it. As yet another example, both the linear velocity and the rotational velocity can vary.

[0066] Regardless of which of the one or more speeds affecting the pitch is varied, the speed can be varied according to a pattern that provides one or more insulating tapes wound around the conductive foil 322 with a pitch varying along the cable length. This pitch can be varied periodically, for example, by periodically changing the speed.

[0067] Although not shown for simplicity, other manufacturing steps can be performed before or after any of the stages shown. For example, insulating conductors can be coated with an adhesive to ensure they have a stable relative position before the conductive foil 322 is applied. As another example, once the insulating conductors 312 are aligned, a further insulating coating can be extruded around them to space the signal conductors from the conductive foil 322, which serves as a cable shield. Therefore, although Figure 3 The illustration shows a configuration where the insulating tape is applied directly to the conductive foil used as a cable shield; however, in some embodiments, the insulating tape may be applied indirectly. As another example, after wrapping the cable core with one or more insulating tapes, an outer sheath may be extruded onto the insulating tape. Similarly, in Figure 3 After the stage shown, the cable can be wound onto a spool or other carrier for transport or movement into other manufacturing operations.

[0068] Figure 4A and Figure 4B This illustrates the differences in cable performance caused by the variable pitch of one or more insulation tapes. Figure 4A The curves 400a and Figure 4B Graph 400b illustrates the same signal integrity metric for signals passing through a cable chain segment. In this example, this signal integrity metric is referred to as SDD21. Such a metric can indicate the amount of signal energy injected into one end of the cable relative to the amount of signal energy at the far end. Conversely, Figure 4A and Figure 4BThe graph in the diagram illustrates the magnitude of signal attenuation within the cable. Here, signal attenuation is indicated in dB per meter of cable length.

[0069] As can be seen by comparing graphs 400a and 400b, cables manufactured with and without variable pitch insulation windings both exhibit increasing signal attenuation with frequency. However, graph 400a, representing a cable with a generally uniform winding pitch, includes feature 402. In this example, feature 402 indicates a sudden increase in signal attenuation near a frequency of approximately 30 GHz.

[0070] In this example, feature 402 affects signals with frequency components in the range of approximately 30 GHz to approximately 31 GHz. Although feature 402 spans a relatively narrow frequency range, if these signals have frequency components within that relatively narrow range, this abrupt change in attenuation as a function of frequency can have a significant impact on the signal passing through the cable. This impact may cause devices receiving signals through the cable to improperly decode the signal or to completely fail to detect the signal, thereby interrupting communication on the cable. Therefore, cables with features such as feature 402 may not be classified as usable for signals with frequency components within the frequency range that includes that feature. In other words, cables represented as in graph 400a may be rated for signals with a maximum fundamental frequency less than 30 GHz.

[0071] Conversely, graph 400b shows similar signal integrity but without feature 402. The cable represented by graph 400b is not limited by feature 402 to the highest fundamental frequency and can operate at higher frequencies. Since the bit rate of a cable is related to the frequencies that the cable can support, enabling higher frequencies through the cable is equivalent to enabling signals with higher bit rates through the cable.

[0072] As a specific example, feature 402 may cause the cable to be rated for operation at less than 212 Gbps and possibly less than 120 Gbps when using PAM4 modulation. Conversely, a cable with a variable pitch insulation winding may be rated for operation at greater than 120 Gbps and possibly greater than 212 Gbps or 224 Gbps when using PAM4 modulation.

[0073] In Figure 4A and Figure 4B In a related example, the cable could have a shielding layer consisting of two counter-rotating insulating tapes wound longitudinally, with a sinusoidal pitch that varies by approximately 10% from its maximum to its minimum value over one cycle, with a cycle of approximately 1 m. However, using a variable-pitch insulating wrapping can improve the high-frequency performance of cables with other designs.

[0074] According to some embodiments, the pitch of the insulating strip can be varied in an additional or alternative manner. For example, in some embodiments, the width of the strip can vary along its length. In some embodiments, the external mechanical dimensions and / or geometry of cable components (e.g., insulators or shielding layers) can vary along the length of the cable, effectively altering the pitch of the helical strip applied at a constant feed rate. In some embodiments, the effect of the strip (or insulator) can be varied electrically, rather than or in addition to mechanically. For example, the dielectric constant of the strip and / or insulator can vary along the length of the cable, causing a variation in the electrical length of the pitch. In some embodiments, the dielectric constant can be altered by removing portions of the strip or insulator, for example by providing channels of variable width (e.g., by cutting) and / or holes of variable diameter (e.g., by drilling) along the length of the cable. In other embodiments, different shapes can be used to provide both mechanical and electrical benefits.

[0075] According to some embodiments, examples of possible arrangements include the following: 1. A high-frequency cable, comprising: a. At least one signal conductor; b. A cable shielding layer surrounding the at least one signal conductor; and c. At least one insulating strip wound around the cable shield with a non-uniform pitch.

[0076] 2. The high-frequency cable as described in Example 1, wherein the cable shield is spirally wound.

[0077] 3. The high-frequency cable as described in Example 2, wherein the at least one insulating strip is spirally wound.

[0078] 4. The high-frequency cable as described in Example 3, wherein the spirally wound cable shield has a different pitch than the at least one insulating strip.

[0079] 5. The high-frequency cable as described in Example 1, wherein the cable shield is longitudinally wrapped.

[0080] 6. The high-frequency cable as described in any of the foregoing examples, wherein each of the at least one signal conductor is surrounded by an insulator, and the cable shield is outside the insulator.

[0081] 7. The high-frequency cable as described in any of the foregoing examples, wherein each of the at least one insulating strip has a uniform width.

[0082] 8. The high-frequency cable as described in any of the foregoing examples, wherein each of the at least one insulating strip is a polymer tape.

[0083] 9. The high-frequency cable as described in any of the foregoing examples further includes a conductive layer adhered to each of the at least one insulating strip.

[0084] 10. The high-frequency cable as described in Example 9, wherein each of the at least one insulating strip is Mylar and the conductive layer is a metal foil.

[0085] 11. The high-frequency cable as described in any of the foregoing examples further includes an outer sheath surrounding the at least one insulating strip.

[0086] 12. The high-frequency cable as described in any of the foregoing examples, wherein the at least one signal conductor is a pair of signal conductors.

[0087] 13. The high-frequency cable as described in any of the foregoing examples, wherein the at least one insulating strip comprises two insulating strips wound in opposite directions.

[0088] 14. The high-frequency cable as described in any of the foregoing examples, wherein the cable is a biaxial cable.

[0089] 15. The high-frequency cable as described in Example 14, wherein the biaxial cable is a drainless cable.

[0090] 16. The high-frequency cable as described in Example 14, wherein the biaxial cable includes a drain line.

[0091] 17. A high-frequency cable as described in any of the preceding examples, wherein the signal conductor has a diameter of 26 AWG or less.

[0092] 18. A high-frequency cable as described in any of the foregoing examples, wherein the at least one insulating strip has at least one dimension that varies along the length of the cable.

[0093] 19. The high-frequency cable as described in Example 18, wherein the width of the at least one insulating strip varies along the length of the cable.

[0094] 20. A high-frequency cable as described in any of the preceding examples, wherein the cable supports a data rate of 224 Gbps.

[0095] 21. The high-frequency cable as described in any of the foregoing examples, wherein the average pitch is in the range of 1 mm to 7 mm.

[0096] 22. A high-frequency cable as described in any of the preceding examples, wherein the pitch varies by at least + / - 5% over a 1 m length of the cable.

[0097] 23. A high-frequency cable as described in any of the preceding examples, wherein the pitch varies by at least + / - 9% over a 1 m length of the cable.

[0098] 24. A high-frequency cable as described in any of the preceding examples, wherein the pitch varies periodically along the length of the cable.

[0099] 25. The high-frequency cable as described in Example 24, wherein the pitch varies periodically in the range of 0.5 to 2 meters.

[0100] 26. A high-frequency cable as described in any of the preceding examples, wherein the pitch varies sinusoidally.

[0101] 27. The high-frequency cable as described in any of the foregoing examples, wherein each of the at least one insulating strip has a width between 2 mm and 10 mm.

[0102] 28. A method for manufacturing a high-frequency cable, the method comprising: a. Surrounding at least one signal conductor with a cable shield; and b. Pull the wrapped at least one signal conductor through at least one winding head, while each of the at least one winding head rotates around the wrapped at least one signal conductor and distributes an insulating strip. c. Wherein, during the manufacture of the high-frequency cable, the linear velocity of the at least one signal conductor being pulled through the at least one winding head and / or the rotational speed of the at least one winding head are varied.

[0103] 29. The method as described in Example 28, wherein the rotational speed varies periodically.

[0104] 30. The method as described in Example 28, wherein the linear velocity varies periodically.

[0105] Terms indicating direction, such as "up" and "down," are used in conjunction with some embodiments. These terms are used to indicate direction based on the orientation of the illustrated component or its connection to other components, such as the surface of a printed circuit board with termination assemblies. It should be understood that electronic components can be used in any suitable orientation. Therefore, directional terms should be understood as relative, rather than fixed to a coordinate system considered immutable (e.g., the Earth's surface).

[0106] Furthermore, while advantages of the invention have been pointed out, it should be understood that not every embodiment of the invention will include every stated advantage. Some embodiments may not achieve any of the advantageous features described herein, and in some cases, they may not. Moreover, the illustrated embodiments are exemplary and not limiting. For example, an embodiment with cable cores having parallel lines is given. Optionally, in some examples, the wire pairs may be twisted. Therefore, the foregoing description and figures are merely examples.

[0107] Various aspects of the present invention can be used alone, in combination, or in various arrangements not specifically discussed in the embodiments described above, and therefore its application is not limited to the details and arrangements of the components set forth in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings. For example, aspects described in one embodiment can be combined in any way with aspects described in other embodiments.

[0108] Furthermore, the invention can be embodied as a method, examples of which have been provided. The operations performed as part of this method can be ordered in any suitable manner. Therefore, embodiments in which operations are performed in a different order than those shown can be constructed, which may include performing certain operations simultaneously, even if they are shown as sequential operations in the illustrative embodiments.

[0109] Furthermore, the circuits and modules shown and described can be reordered in any order, and signals can be provided to achieve the corresponding reordering.

[0110] The use of ordinal numbers such as “first,” “second,” and “third” to modify claim elements in claims does not imply any priority, order, or sequence of one claim element relative to another, nor does it imply a temporal order of operations of the method. Rather, it serves only as a marker to distinguish one claim element with a specific name from another element with the same name (but using an ordinal number), thus differentiating these claim elements.

[0111] All definitions used in this document should be understood as control dictionary definitions, definitions in documents merged by reference, and / or the general meaning of the defined terms.

[0112] Unless there is an explicit indication to the contrary, the indefinite articles “a” and “an” as used herein in the specification and claims shall be understood to mean “at least one”.

[0113] As used herein in the specification and claims, the phrase "at least one" referring to a list of one or more elements should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more elements in the list, but does not necessarily include at least one of every element specifically listed in the list, nor exclude any combination of elements in the list. This definition also allows for the optional presence of other elements, whether related to or unrelated to those specifically identified elements, in addition to those specifically identified in the list referred to by the phrase "at least one".

[0114] As used herein in the specification and claims, the phrase “and / or” should be understood to mean “any one or both” of the elements so connected, i.e., elements that exist together in some cases and separately in others. Multiple elements listed with “and / or” should be interpreted in the same way, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so connected. In addition to the elements specifically identified by the “and / or” clause, other elements may optionally be present, whether related to or unrelated to those specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising,” references to “A and / or B” may in some embodiments refer only to A (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, only to B (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); and so on.

[0115] As used herein in the specification and claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and / or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and / or” should be interpreted as inclusive, including at least one, but also including more than one of the listed elements, as well as optional additional unlisted items. Only terms that explicitly indicate the opposite, such as “only one of…” or “exactly one of…”, or when used in a claim, “consisting of…”, refer to an exact one of the listed elements. Generally, the term “or” as used herein should be interpreted as indicating an exclusive choice (i.e., “one or the other but not both”) only when preceded by an exclusive term (e.g., “any,” “one of…,” “only one of…,” or “exactly one of…”). When used in a claim, “consisting substantially of…” should have the ordinary meaning used in the field of patent law.

[0116] Furthermore, the phrases and terms used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be considered restrictive. The use of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” or “involving,” and variations thereof, is intended to cover the items listed thereafter (or their equivalents) and / or as additional items.

Claims

1. A high-frequency cable, comprising: At least one signal conductor; Cable shielding surrounding the at least one signal conductor; as well as At least one insulating strip wound around the cable shield with a non-uniform pitch.

2. The high-frequency cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one insulating strip is spirally wound.

3. The high-frequency cable as described in claim 2, wherein: The cable shielding layer is spirally wound; and The spirally wound cable shield has a different pitch than the at least one insulating strip.

4. The high-frequency cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cable shielding layer is longitudinally wrapped.

5. The high-frequency cable as described in claim 1, wherein: Each of the at least one signal conductor is surrounded by an insulator, and the cable shielding layer is outside the insulator; as well as Each of the at least one signal conductor has a diameter of 26 AWG or less.

6. The high-frequency cable as described in claim 1, wherein: Each of the at least one insulating strip has a uniform width; and Each of the at least one insulating strip has a width between 2 mm and 10 mm.

7. The high-frequency cable of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one insulating strip comprises a polymer tape.

8. The high-frequency cable of claim 1, further comprising a conductive layer adhered to each of the at least one insulating strip. Each of the at least one insulating strip is Mylar, and the conductive layer is a metal foil.

9. The high-frequency cable of claim 1, wherein the at least one insulating strip comprises two insulating strips wound in opposite directions.

10. The high-frequency cable of claim 1, wherein the high-frequency cable comprises a biaxial cable without drain lines.

11. The high-frequency cable of claim 1, wherein the high-frequency cable comprises a biaxial cable including a drain line.

12. The high-frequency cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The width of the at least one insulating strip varies along the length of the high-frequency cable; and Each of the at least one insulating strip has a width between 2 mm and 10 mm.

13. The high-frequency cable of claim 1, wherein the high-frequency cable supports a data rate of 224 Gbps.

14. The high-frequency cable of claim 1, wherein the average pitch of the at least one insulating strip is in the range of 1 mm to 7 mm.

15. The high-frequency cable of claim 1, wherein the pitch of the at least one insulating strip varies by at least + / - 5% over a 1 m length of the high-frequency cable.

16. The high-frequency cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The pitch of the at least one insulating strip varies periodically along the length of the high-frequency cable; The pitch of the at least one insulating strip varies periodically in the range of 0.5 to 2 meters.

17. The high-frequency cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The pitch of the at least one insulating strip varies periodically along the length of the high-frequency cable; and The pitch of the at least one insulating strip varies sinusoidally.

18. A method for manufacturing a high-frequency cable, the method comprising: At least one signal conductor is surrounded by a cable shielding layer; as well as The at least one signal conductor that has been wrapped around is pulled through at least one winding head, while each of the at least one winding head rotates around the at least one signal conductor that has been wrapped around and distributes an insulating strip. In the manufacture of the high-frequency cable, the linear velocity of the at least one signal conductor being pulled through the at least one winding head and / or the rotational speed of the at least one winding head are varied.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the rotational speed varies periodically.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the linear velocity varies periodically.

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