Communication cable with helically wound shielding tape and cable arrangement with a cable bundle of communication cables

Abstract

Communication cable (240) with insulated conductors (244, 246) and with a composite tape (354) comprising an insulating layer (360) and a conductive layer (362), wherein the composite tape (354) has a first, a second and a third lateral section (351, 352, 353) which are folded to form a shielding tape (350), wherein the first and the second lateral section (351, 352) are folded over each other to form a first folded edge (356), wherein the first and the third lateral section (351, 353) are folded over each other to form a second folded edge (358), wherein the first and the second folded edge (356, 358) are opposite each other and are formed by the conductive layer (362); wherein the shielding tape (350) has an inner side (232) formed along the first lateral section (351) of the conductive layer (362) and an outer side (230) formed along the second lateral section (352) and along the third lateral section (353) of the conductive layer (362), wherein the shielding tape (350) is wound helically several times along the length of the communication cable (240) around the insulated conductors (244, 246) to form a plurality of windings (260, 262), wherein the inner side (232) faces the insulated conductors (244, 246) and the first folded edge (356) is arranged in the winding direction at the front of the shielding tape (350), wherein the inner side (232) of a subsequent winding (262) of the shielding tape (350) overlaps a region of the outer side (230) of a previous winding (260) of the shielding tape (350) and the first folded edge (356), wherein the region of the outer side (230) of the previous winding (260) encloses the conductive layer (362) along the second lateral section (352), wherein the first folded edge (356) of the previous winding (260) extends between the inner side (232) of the previous winding (260) and the inner side (232) of the subsequent winding (262) and electrically couples them together, wherein the second and the third lateral section (352, 353) each have a longitudinal edge (364, 366) and wherein the longitudinal edges (364,366) are arranged above the first lateral section (351) and are separated from each other by a gap (368).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a communication cable comprising a plurality of insulated conductors and a helically wound shielding tape surrounding the insulated conductors. The invention further relates to a cable arrangement with a bundle of communication cables.

[0002] Communication cables contain insulated conductors that run side by side along the length of the cable. For example, a communication cable might contain a pair of insulated conductors that run parallel to each other. Examples of such communication cables include twinaxial cables, also known as twinax cables. The insulated conductors may be surrounded by a shielding tape, which in turn is enclosed by a cable jacket. The shielding tape contains a conductive foil that serves to shield the insulated conductors from electromagnetic interference (EMI) and to generally improve performance characteristics.

[0003] Examples of communication cables with insulated conductors are disclosed in documents JP 2011-222262A, US 2010 / 0108350A1, US 4912283A, DE 20017468U1 and JP S60-192318U.

[0004] In a conventional twinaxial cable, the shielding tape is a composite tape consisting of a plastic backing and a conductive foil. The plastic backing increases the strength of the shielding tape and protects the conductive foil from tearing or other damage. Like other types of tape, the shielding tape includes a lateral edge at one end and a pair of longitudinal edges that run parallel to each other along the length of the tape. When the shielding tape of a conventional twinaxial cable is wrapped around the insulated conductors, the conductive foil typically points radially inward and interacts with the insulated conductors. The shielding tape is wound helically around the insulated conductors, so the longitudinal edges are repeatedly wound helically around the insulated conductors.

[0005] In the conventional twinaxial cable described above, the shielding tape has numerous turns or coils around the insulated conductors, with each coil positioned further along the cable length relative to the previous coil. Each subsequent coil partially overlaps the previous coil, so that a portion of the conductive film of the subsequent coil overlaps an area of ​​the plastic carrier of the previous coil. As a result, the conductive film of the subsequent coil is electrically isolated from the conductive film of the previous coil along this overlap area. More precisely, the conductive film of the subsequent coil and the conductive film of the previous coil are separated from each other by the plastic carrier of the previous coil.It is suspected that this electrical separation along the overlap area, which also extends helically around the insulated conductors, causes a "suction effect" that limits the cable's data transmission speed. For example, conventional twinaxial cables with a wrapped shielding tape can have a maximum data transmission speed of 14 gigabits per second (Gb / s).

[0006] An alternative twinaxial cable is already in use in which the shielding tape is not repeatedly wrapped around the insulated conductors. Instead, the shielding tape is folded over the insulated conductors in such a way that one longitudinal edge of the shielding tape overlaps the opposite longitudinal edge. In this configuration, the longitudinal edges generally extend parallel to the insulated conductors (or a centerline of the cable). Although the folded configuration reduces the suction effect, this alternative cable has limited flexibility compared to communication cables that have helically wound shielding tapes.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a communication cable that allows high data transmission rates and has good flexibility.

[0008] This problem is solved by a communication cable according to claim 1.

[0009] According to the invention, a communication cable comprises insulated conductors and a composite tape having an insulating layer and a conductive layer. The composite tape has a first, a second, and a third lateral section, which are folded over one another to form a shielding tape. The first and second lateral sections are folded over one another to form a first folded edge. The first and third lateral sections are folded over one another to form a second folded edge, and the first and second folded edges are opposite each other and are formed by the conductive layer. The shielding tape has an inner surface formed by the conductive layer along the first lateral section and an outer surface formed by the conductive layer along the second and third lateral sections.The shielding tape is wound helically around the insulated conductors multiple times along the length of the communication cable to form a plurality of turns or coils, with the inner side facing the insulated conductors and the folded edge positioned at the front of the shielding tape in the winding direction. The inner side of each subsequent coil of the shielding tape overlaps a portion of the outer side of a previous coil and the first folded edge. This portion of the outer side of the previous coil encloses the conductive layer along the second lateral section. The first folded edge of the previous coil extends between the inner side of the previous coil and the inner side of the subsequent coil, electrically coupling them. The second and third lateral sections each have a longitudinal edge.The longitudinal edges are positioned above the first lateral section and separated from each other by a gap.

[0010] The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings; these show: Fig. 1 A perspective view of a cable arrangement with a cable connector and a bundle of communication cables. Fig. 2 A perspective view of an exemplary contact module used in the cable arrangement of the Fig. 1 can be used; Fig. 3. A split view of the contact module of the Fig. 2; Fig. 4 an end view of a composite tape according to an embodiment that can be used to form a shielding tape; Fig. 5 End views of the composite tape during a folding process to form the shielding tape; Fig. 6 A side view of a communication cable, while the shielding tape of the Fig. 5 is wrapped around insulated conductors; Fig. 7 a cross-sectional side view of the communication cable, in which one coil of shielding tape overlaps another coil of shielding tape; Fig. 8 A graphical representation illustrating a relationship between insertion loss and transmission frequency for a conventional communication cable and for the communication cable of the Fig. 6; Fig. 9 an end view of a shielding strip according to an embodiment that is not part of the claimed invention; Fig. 10 an end view of a shielding strip according to an embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 11 an end view of a shielding strip according to an embodiment which is not part of the claimed invention.

[0011] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective front view of one end of a cable assembly 100, which includes a cable connector 101 and a cable bundle 103 of communication cables 110. The cable connector 101 includes a plurality of contact modules 102. Each of the contact modules 102 includes a signal assembly 104 and a shielding assembly 106 coupled to the signal assembly 104. Each of the communication cables 110 is electrically coupled to a corresponding signal assembly 104 and a corresponding shielding assembly 106. As shown, the contact modules 102 can be arranged in a two-dimensional contact arrangement 118 along a connection surface 115 of the cable connector 101. The cable connector 101 is configured for connection with a complementary connector (not shown), wherein each of the contact modules 102 can interact with a corresponding module (not shown) of the complementary connector.In the illustrated embodiment, each of the signal arrangements 104 includes a first and a second signal contact 112, 114. The signal contacts 112, 114 are at least partially surrounded by the shielding arrangement 106.

[0012] As also shown, the cable connector 101 includes a housing 116 that supports the contact modules 102. The housing 116 holds the contact modules 102 in a parallel arrangement, so that the contact modules 102 are aligned in rows and columns in the contact arrangement 118. Fig. Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment, however, any number of contact modules 102 can be held by the housing 116 in different arrangements depending on the specific application.

[0013] The cable connector 101 is configured to interact with the complementary connector, which may be designed for mounting on a printed circuit board or may be another cable connector. In some embodiments, the cable connector 101 is a high-speed cable connector having a number of signal paths configured for differential signal transmission. For example, the communication cable 110 may be configured to transmit data signals at a data rate or speed of 15 gigabits per second (Gb / s), 20 Gb / s, 25 Gb / s, or more. As described below, the signal wires of the differential pairs along the communication cable 110 are shielded to reduce noise, crosstalk, and other interference.

[0014] Fig. Figure 2 shows an isolated perspective view of one of the contact modules 102, and Fig. Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the contact module 102. As shown, the contact module 102 includes the shielding assembly 106 and the signal assembly 104. The shielding assembly 106 can have a first grounding shield (or cover shield) 120 and a second grounding shield (or base shield) 122, which are configured to couple with each other. The signal assembly 104 is located between the first and second grounding shields 120, 122 when the contact module 102 is assembled. In other embodiments, the shielding assembly can have only a single grounding shield, or alternatively, the shielding assembly 106 can have more than two grounding shields.

[0015] In relation to Fig. Figure 3 of the signal arrangement 104 includes a mounting block 130 designed to hold the signal contacts 112, 114. The mounting block 130 has a front end 152 and a loading end 154 and extends between these along a longitudinal axis 156 of the contact module 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting block 130 has contact channels 140, 142 designed to hold the respective signal contacts 112, 114. The contact channels 140, 142 are generally open along a top surface of the mounting block 130 to accommodate the signal contacts 112, 114, but they may have other configurations in alternative embodiments. The mounting block 130 may have features for securing the signal contacts 112, 114 in the respective contact channels 140, 142. For example, the signal contacts 112, 114 can be held in a fixed position in the contact channels 140, 142.In some embodiments, the mounting block 130 and the contact channels 140, 142 are designed for impedance control of the signal contacts 112, 114.

[0016] The mounting block 130 is positioned in front of the communication cable 110. Signal wires from the communication cable 110, such as those in Fig. The six signal wires 250 shown are designed to extend into the mounting block 130 for connection to the respective signal contacts 112 and 114. The mounting block 130 is designed to guide or position the signal wires for connection within it. In an exemplary embodiment, the signal wires are connected to the signal contacts 112 and 114 in place after being inserted into the mounting block 130. For example, the mounting block 130 can position the signal contacts 112 and 114 and the signal wires in direct physical contact. The signal contacts 112 and 114 can be connected to the respective signal wires, for example, by welding or soldering.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the signal contacts 112, 114 extend forward from the mounting block 130 beyond the front end 152. The mounting block 130 includes locking pins 158, 160 extending from opposite sides of the mounting block 130. The locking pins 158, 160 are designed to position the mounting block 130 relative to the grounding shield 120 when the grounding shield 120 is coupled to the mounting block 130.

[0018] The signal contacts 112, 114 can be formed from conductive sheet material by stamping and forming, or by other processes. Each of the signal contacts 112, 114 extends longitudinally between a corresponding connecting end 172 and a corresponding terminal end (not shown). The signal contacts 112, 114 are designed to be connected to the signal wires at their terminal ends. In an exemplary embodiment, the signal contacts 112, 114 have pins 166 that include the connecting ends 172. The pins 166 extend forward from the front end 152 of the mounting block 130. The pins 166 are designed to connect to corresponding electrical contacts (not shown) of the complementary connector (not shown).

[0019] The grounding shield 120 has a plurality of walls 181, 182, 183 that form a first chamber 176, which is designed to receive the signal arrangement 104. The grounding shield 120 extends between a connecting end 178 and a terminal end 180. The connecting end 178 is designed to connect to the complementary connector. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting end 178 of the grounding shield 120 is positioned either at or beyond the connecting ends 172 of the signal contacts 112, 114 when the contact module 102 is assembled. The terminal end 180 of the grounding shield 120 is positioned either at or beyond the terminal ends of the signal contacts 112, 114. The grounding shield 120 can provide shielding along the entire length of the signal contacts 112, 114.

[0020] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the contact module 102 includes a grounding clamp 196, which is coupled to a terminal end of the communication cable 110. The grounding clamp 196 is designed to be electrically coupled to a grounding wire (not shown) and / or a conductive foil (not shown) of the communication cable 110. For example, the grounding clamp 196 can be attached to the grounding wire by laser welding. The grounding clamp 196 can, in turn, be coupled to the shielding assembly 106. The shielding assembly 106 can also be coupled to the grounding clamp 196. For example, the terminal end 180 of the grounding shield 120 can be electrically connected to the grounding clamp 196 by soldering or welding.

[0021] The grounding shield 122 has a plurality of walls 185, 186, 187 that form a second chamber 188, which accommodates the signal arrangement 104. The grounding shield 122 extends between a connecting end 190 and a terminal end 192. The connecting end 190 is configured for connection with the complementary connector (not shown). Similar to the grounding shield 120, the grounding shield 122 can also provide shielding along the length of the signal contacts 112, 114. When the grounding shields 120, 122 are coupled together to form the shielding arrangement 106, the chambers 176, 188 overlap and / or occupy the same space, forming a contact cavity of the contact module 102. The signal arrangement 104 is designed to be positioned in the contact cavity such that the shielding arrangement 106 surrounds the signal arrangement 104 circumferentially.

[0022] Fig. Figure 4 shows an end view of a composite strip 200. The composite strip 200 is designed to fold itself over to form a shielding strip 205 (in Fig. 5 shown) to form, which then spirals around the insulated conductors 244, 246 (in Fig. 6) is wrapped around it. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the composite strip 200 includes a lateral edge 202 that extends between a first and a second longitudinal edge 204, 206 of the composite strip 200. The lateral edge 202 defines an end of the composite strip 200. The first and the second longitudinal edges 204, 206 extend over the length of the composite strip 200, which is divided into Fig. 4 extends into the sheet. The lateral edge 202 extends between the first and second longitudinal edges 204, 206 over a width 208 of the composite strip 200. The width 208 can be, for example, between approximately 4 mm and approximately 20 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second longitudinal edges 204, 206 extend parallel to each other over the entire length of the composite strip 200.

[0023] The composite tape 200 comprises an insulating layer 210 and a conductive layer 212. The insulating layer 210 comprises a side surface 216 of the composite tape 200, and the conductive layer 212 comprises a side surface 218 of the composite tape 200. The insulating layer 210 has a dielectric material that provides structural integrity to the composite tape 200 and protects the conductive layer 212 from damage, for example, by tearing. For example, the insulating layer 210 can comprise polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyolefin, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or polyester. In some embodiments, the side surface 216 of the insulating layer 210 can be free of an adhesive. In other embodiments, however, the insulating layer 210 can have an adhesive at least along a region of the side surface 216.For example, the side surface 216 may have an adhesive along its entire length. In other configurations, the side surface 216 may be free of adhesive near a fold line 217. For example, the fold line 217 may be located approximately halfway between the longitudinal edges 204 and 206, or in other words, at a midpoint between the longitudinal edges 204 and 206. The side surface 216 may be free of adhesive for a designated area on both sides of the fold line 217.

[0024] In some embodiments, the conductive layer 212 can be characterized as a conductive film. The conductive layer 212 can comprise aluminum, copper, or the like. In specific embodiments, the conductive layer 212 is free of adhesive along the side surface 218. As shown in the enlarged view of the Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the insulating layer 210 and the conductive layer 212 each have a layer thickness of 211, 213.

[0025] Fig. Figure 5 shows an end view 220 of the composite tape 200 in a partially folded state and an end view 222 of the shielding tape 205, which is the composite tape 200 after folding around the fold line 217. The composite strip 200 (or the shielding strip 205) comprises a first lateral section 224 and a second lateral section 226. The first and second lateral sections 224, 226 comprise the first and second longitudinal edges 204, 206, respectively, and extend laterally from the fold line 217 to the first and second longitudinal edges 204, 206, respectively. Each of the first and second lateral sections 224, 226 comprises a portion of the lateral edge 202. The fold line 217, as well as the first and second lateral sections 224, 226, extend longitudinally along the composite strip 200.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second lateral sections 224, 226 can be areas of the composite strip 200 that are not readily identifiable within the composite strip 200 before it is folded to form the shielding strip 205. For example, the composite strip 200 can have a continuous composition and a uniform cross-section along its lateral course between the first and second longitudinal edges 204, 206. The first and second lateral sections 224, 226 can only be designated after the fold line 217, along which the composite strip 200 is folded, has been determined.

[0027] In other embodiments, the composite tape 200 may have a structural change and / or a change in composition along the fold line 217. In such embodiments, the first and second lateral sections 224, 226 may be identifiable before the folding process. For example, a linear indentation may be pressed into the insulating layer 210 of the composite tape 200 along the fold line 217 before folding. Alternatively, the composite tape 200 may be manufactured such that it has a depression or indentation within the insulating layer 210 extending along the fold line 217. The depression or indentation may facilitate the folding of the composite tape 200.

[0028] The first lateral section 224 has a section width 225, and the second lateral section 226 has a section width 227. In one exemplary embodiment, the section widths 225 and 227 are essentially equal, so that the first and second longitudinal edges 204 and 206 are arranged side by side and extend parallel to each other over the entire length of the shielding strip 205. More specifically, the longitudinal edges 204 and 206 can combine to form a stacking edge 236 of the shielding strip 205. In other embodiments, the section widths 225 and 227 are not equal, so that either the first lateral section 224 or the second lateral section 226 extends beyond the longitudinal edge of the other lateral section. Such embodiments are described below.

[0029] When forming the shielding strip 205, the first and second lateral sections 224, 226 are folded over each other. In the fully folded state, the first and second lateral sections 224, 228 extend along an inner interface 229 of the shielding strip 205. In some embodiments, one or more air gaps may be present between the first and second lateral sections 224, 226, at least over a portion of the inner interface 229. For example, an air gap 231 may be present near the fold line 217 in the shielding strip 205. In some embodiments, the first and second lateral sections 224, 226 may be attached to each other, at least over a portion of the inner interface 229. For example, the insulating layer 210 may have an adhesive.When the first and second lateral sections 224, 226 are folded together, the adhesive can fasten the first and second lateral sections 224, 226 to each other along the inner interface 229.

[0030] When the shielding tape 205 is formed, the side surface 218 of the conductive layer 212 forms almost the entirety of an outer surface or skin of the shielding tape 205. More specifically, the conductive layer 212 forms an outer surface 230 of the shielding tape 205, an inner surface 232 of the shielding tape 205, and a folded edge 234 of the shielding tape 205. The folded edge 234 is formed when the composite tape 200 is folded around the fold line 217. The folded edge 234 is arranged opposite the stacking edge 236. As shown, the inner surface 232 and the outer surface 230 point in generally opposite directions. The inner surface 232 is configured to provide the insulated conductors 244, 246 ( Fig. 6) to be arranged facing away from each other.

[0031] The shielding tape 205 is electrically conductive along its inner and outer surfaces 232, 230, as well as along the folded edge 234. More specifically, the conductive layer 212 extends continuously from the first longitudinal edge 204 along the inner surface 232 to the folded edge 234, and continuously from the folded edge 234 along the outer surface 230 to the second longitudinal edge 206. In one exemplary embodiment, the inner and outer surfaces 232, 230, and the folded edge 234 are electrically conductive over the entire length of the shielding tape 205. Thus, the outer surface of the shielding tape 205 is electrically conductive, with the exception of a portion of the stacked edge 236. However, as will be described below, embodiments can have shielding tapes in which both edges of the respective shielding tape are electrically conductive.

[0032] Fig. Figure 6 shows a side view of a communication cable 240, which has the shielding strip 205. The communication cable 240 is for electrical coupling with a contact module, such as the contact module 102 ( Fig. 1), trained and can be used with a cable connector, such as cable connector 101 ( Fig. 1). In the illustrated embodiment, the communication cable 240 comprises a cable sheath 242, the shielding tape 205, and the insulated conductors 244, 246. The cable sheath 242, the shielding tape 205, and the insulated conductors 244, 246 can extend along the length of the communication cable 240 and can run along a central axis or longitudinal axis 290 of the communication cable 240. It should be noted that the communication cable 240 can be a flexible cable and, as such, the central axis 290 need not be linear over the entire length of the communication cable 240. Rather, the central axis 290 can extend through a geometric center of a cross-section of the communication cable 240. In the illustrated embodiment, the central axis 290 extends along a tangent line where the insulated conductors 244, 246 form an interface with each other or touch each other.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, each of the insulated conductors 244, 246 has a signal wire 250 surrounded by a corresponding insulating layer or sheath 252. In alternative embodiments, the insulated conductors 244, 246 can share the insulating layer 252. For example, the signal wires 250 can be spaced apart from each other, and the insulating layer 252 can be formed around both of the signal wires 250. The signal wires 250 are designed to be connected to electrical contacts, such as the signal contacts 112, 114 ( Fig. 1).

[0034] In some embodiments, the communication cable 240 may also include at least one grounding conductor extending along its length. For example, the communication cable 240 may have an inner grounding wire 254 and / or an outer grounding strip 256. The inner grounding wire 254 is surrounded by the shielding tape 205. In contrast, the outer grounding strip 256 extends along an outer surface of the shielding tape 205 and is located between the shielding tape 205 and the cable jacket 242. The cable jacket 242 may be a plastic tape wrapped around the shielding tape 205. Alternatively, the cable jacket 242 may be extruded in such a way that it encloses the shielding tape 205.

[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, the shielding tape 205 directly encloses and interacts with the insulated conductors 244, 246, and the cable sheath 242 directly encloses and interacts with the shielding tape 205. In alternative embodiments, other layers and / or materials can be arranged between the cable sheath 242 and the shielding tape 205 or between the shielding tape 205 and the insulated conductors 244, 246.

[0036] In some embodiments, the communication cable 240 can be referred to as a twinaxial cable or twinax cable. For example, the insulated conductors 244, 246 can extend parallel to each other over the length of the communication cable 240. The in Fig. The configuration of communication cable 240 shown in Figure 6 is merely one example of the various configurations that communication cable 240 can have. For example, the insulated conductors 244 and 246 may not extend parallel to each other and may instead form a twisted pair. In other embodiments, communication cable 240 may have only a single insulated conductor or more than two insulated conductors. Furthermore, communication cable 240 may also have more than one pair of insulated conductors, such as four pairs.

[0037] The shielding tape 205 is wound several times around the insulated conductors 244, 246. The shielding tape 205 can be wound helically such that the folded edge 234 and the stacked edge 236 each form a corresponding helix that runs around the central axis 290. When the shielding tape 205 is wound around the insulated conductors 244, 246, the shielding tape 205 is arranged in a self-overlapping manner. In more detail, Fig. 6. A first wrap 260 and a second wrap 262 that overlaps the first wrap 260. In relation to each other, the first wrap 260 can be called the preceding wrap, and the second wrap 262 can be called the subsequent wrap.

[0038] In Fig. 6 The folded edge 234 forms the front or preceding edge of the shielding tape 205, such that the folded edge 234 is arranged at the front of the shielding tape 205 in the winding direction, while the shielding tape 205 is wound helically around the insulated conductors 244, 246. The stacking edge 236 forms the rear or following edge. While the second winding 262 of the shielding tape 205 is wound around the insulated conductors 244, 246, for example, a leading region 264 of the second winding 262, in the winding direction, encloses the insulated conductors 244, 246. The leading region 264 includes the folded edge 234. The folded edge 234 can directly surround the insulated conductors 244, 246, so that the folded edge 234 interacts with the insulated conductors 244, 246 or a nominal gap exists between them.While the second winding 262 of the shielding tape 205 is wound around the insulated conductors 244, 246, a rearward section 266 of the second winding 262 extends over and covers the first winding 260. The rearward section 266 includes the stacking edge 236. The stacking edge 236 extends over the first winding 260 and interacts with it.

[0039] The shielding tape 205 has a shielding width of 268. In some embodiments, the subsequent winding overlaps, such as the one in Fig. The second winding 262 shown in Figure 6 overlaps at most half the shielding width 268 of the previous winding. In one exemplary embodiment, the subsequent winding overlaps less than half the shielding width 268. For example, the subsequent winding can overlap by approximately one-third of the shielding width 268. However, in other embodiments, the subsequent winding can also overlap by less than one-third or more than half the shielding width 268 of the previous winding.

[0040] Fig. Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional side view of the 240 mm communication cable. Fig. Figure 7 shows only the insulated conductor 244, however, the insulated conductor 246 ( Fig. 6) arranged adjacent to the insulated conductor 244 and also surrounded by the shielding tape 205. The shielding tape 205 is wound several times around the insulated conductors 244, 246, so that several windings 271, 272, 273 of the shielding tape 205 are formed. In Fig. Figure 7 shows only a portion of each of the windings 271 to 273. In relation to each other, winding 271 is the preceding winding and winding 272 is the following winding. Similarly, winding 272 is the preceding winding and winding 273 is the following winding. The shielding tape 205 is wound helically around the insulated conductors 244, 246, such that the inner side 232 faces the insulated conductors 244, 246. In special embodiments, the inner side 232 lies directly against the insulated conductors 244, 246.

[0041] Each subsequent winding of the shielding tape 205 overlaps a portion of the preceding winding. For example, the inner surface 232 of winding 272 overlaps an overlapping area 284 of winding 271. The inner surface 232 of winding 272 interacts with the outer surface 230 of winding 271. The area of ​​winding 272 that overlaps winding 271 can be referred to as the overlapping area 286 of winding 272. In some embodiments, the shielding tape 205 is arranged in a self-overlapping manner, while the shielding tape 205 is wound helically around the insulated conductors 244, 246. The inner surface 232 and the outer surface 230 are each areas of the conductive layer 212 and, as such, are electrically conductive. Thus, the shielding strip 205 is electrically coupled to itself along an overlap area 275.

[0042] Unlike conventional shielding tapes, overlapping windings are not electrically separated from each other by the folded edge 234. The conductive layer 212 incorporates the folded edge 234. Thus, an electrical conduction path 280 (represented by a series of arrows) can extend continuously along the length of the communication cable 240. In specific embodiments, the electrical conduction path 280 includes the inner surface 232 of the preceding winding, at least a portion of an edge surface 282 of the folded edge 234 of the preceding winding, and optionally a portion of the outer surface 230 of the preceding winding. The electrical conduction path 280 then extends into a region on the inner surface 232 of the subsequent winding. Although the arrows indicating the conduction path 280 point in one direction, it is understood that the conduction path 280 can also carry electrical energy in the opposite direction.

[0043] In some embodiments, a bending force 292 (represented by the double-headed arrow) is provided by a region of the insulating layer 210 located near the fold line 217, which prestresses or bends the first and second lateral sections 224, 226 of the preceding coil away from each other. In some embodiments, the bending force 292 can cause the air gap 231 and effectively increase the shielding thickness 294 of the shielding tape 205 along the overlapping region 284 and / or near the folded edge 234. The bending force 292 can depend on the properties of the insulating layer 210. For example, the insulating layer 210 may resist folding about itself. This resistance is the bending force 292, which may be greatest near the fold line 217, thus forming the air gap 231.In such embodiments, the bending force 292 can facilitate the electrical contact between the outside 230 of the previous winding and the inside 232 of the subsequent winding along the overlap area 275.

[0044] Fig. Figure 8 shows a graphic representation 400, which shows a relationship between the insertion loss and the transmission frequency for a conventional communication cable (represented by line 406) and for the communication cable 240 ( Fig. 6) illustrates that in Fig. Figure 8 is represented by line 408. The conventional communication cable is a twinaxial cable helically wrapped with conventional shielding tape. As described above, in the conventional shielding tape, the conductive foil of a subsequent winding is separated from the conductive foil of a previous winding, creating the suction effect. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the insertion loss of the conventional communication cable increases significantly at frequencies above 16 gigahertz (GHz). However, the insertion loss of the communication cable 240 does not increase significantly above 16 GHz. Therefore, the communication cable 240 can achieve improved electrical performance characteristics compared to the conventional communication cable. For example, the insertion loss of the communication cable 240 at 25 GHz is lower than the insertion loss of the conventional communication cable at 16 GHz. In some embodiments, the communication cable 240 is capable of transmission at a data rate of at least 20 GHz with an insertion loss of less than approximately 25 decibels. In more specialized embodiments, the communication cable 240 is capable of transmission at a data rate of at least 25 GHz with an insertion loss of less than approximately 25 decibels.

[0045] Thus, the embodiments described herein can reduce the suction effect and therefore enable higher data rates than conventional cables with helically wound shielding. Furthermore, the embodiments described herein feature helically wound shielding. This allows the embodiments to exhibit a flexibility similar to that of conventional cables that also have helically wound shielding.

[0046] Fig. Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional side view of a shielding strip 300. The shielding strip 300 can be formed from a composite strip 301, which is related to the composite strip 200 ( Fig. 4) may be similar to or identical with it. The composite tape 301 (or the shielding tape 300) has a first and a second lateral section 302, 304, which are folded over each other and joined together along a folded edge 306. The shielding tape 300 has an insulating layer 310 and a conductive layer 312. After folding the shielding tape 300, the first and second lateral sections 302, 304 form an inner surface 314 and an outer surface 316, respectively, of the shielding tape 300, as well as the folded edge 306. The conductive layer 312 forms the inner surface, the outer surface 316, and the folded edge 306.

[0047] The first and second lateral sections 302, 304 include a first and a second longitudinal edge 320, 322 of the composite strip 301, respectively. The first and second lateral sections 302, 304 have unequal section widths 303 and 305, respectively, which are measured from the folded edge 306 to the respective longitudinal edges 320, 322. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the section width 303 can be larger than the section width 305, so that the first and second longitudinal edges 320, 322 are offset relative to each other. More specifically, the first longitudinal edge 320 extends a distance or space 324 beyond the second longitudinal edge 322. The second longitudinal edge 322 is located closer to the folded edge 306 than the first longitudinal edge 320.

[0048] Similar to shielding band 205 ( Fig. 5) The shielding tape 300 is also designed to be wound helically around insulated conductors (not shown) such that the subsequent winding overlaps a previous winding. In some embodiments, the shielding tape 300 includes an overlap area 311 corresponding to the distance 324. The distance 324 can be configured relative to a distance of the overlapping area (not shown) of the previous winding. For example, the distance 324 can be slightly greater than the distance of the overlapping area. In such embodiments, the overall thickness of the shielding tape 300 can be reduced.

[0049] Fig. Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional side view of a shielding strip 350 according to an embodiment of the invention, which is formed from a composite strip 354. The composite strip 354 can be combined with the composite strip 200 ( Fig. 4) be similar to or identical with it. The composite tape 354 has a first, second, and third lateral section 351, 352, 353, which may be folded relative to each other. The composite tape 354 has an insulating layer 360 and a conductive layer 362. As shown, the first and second lateral sections 351, 352 are folded over each other, forming a first folded edge 356. The first and third lateral sections 351, 353 are folded over each other, forming a second folded edge 358. The conductive layer 362 forms the first and second folded edges 356, 358. As shown, the second lateral section 352 includes a longitudinal edge 364, and the third lateral section 353 includes a longitudinal edge 366. The longitudinal edges 364, 366 are arranged over the first lateral section 351 and are separated from each other by a gap 368.

[0050] Fig. Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional side view of a shielding strip 370, which is formed from a composite strip 374. The composite strip 374 can be compared to the composite strip 200 ( Fig.4) be similar to or identical with it. The composite tape 374 has a first, second, and third lateral section 371, 372, 373 which are folded relative to each other. The shielding tape 370 has an insulating layer 380 and a conductive layer 382. As shown, the first and second lateral sections 371, 372 of the shielding tape 350 are folded over each other, forming a first folded edge 376. The first and third lateral sections 371, 373 are folded over each other, forming a second folded edge 378. The conductive layer 382 forms the first and second folded edges 376, 378. As also shown, the second lateral section 372 includes a longitudinal edge 384, and the third lateral section 373 includes a longitudinal edge 386. The longitudinal edge 384 is arranged over the first lateral section 371.However, the third lateral section 373 overlaps the second lateral section 372, so that the longitudinal edge 386 is located over the second lateral section 372.

Claims

[1] Communication cable (240) with insulated conductors (244, 246) and with a composite tape (354) comprising an insulating layer (360) and a conductive layer (362), wherein the composite tape (354) has a first, a second and a third lateral section (351, 352, 353) which are folded to form a shielding tape (350), wherein the first and the second lateral section (351, 352) are folded over each other to form a first folded edge (356), wherein the first and the third lateral section (351, 353) are folded over each other to form a second folded edge (358), wherein the first and the second folded edge (356, 358) are opposite each other and are formed by the conductive layer (362); wherein the shielding tape (350) has an inner side (232) formed along the first lateral section (351) of the conductive layer (362) and an outer side (230) formed along the second lateral section (352) and along the third lateral section (353) of the conductive layer (362), wherein the shielding tape (350) is wound helically several times along the length of the communication cable (240) around the insulated conductors (244, 246) to form a plurality of windings (260, 262), wherein the inner side (232) faces the insulated conductors (244, 246) and the first folded edge (356) is arranged in the winding direction at the front of the shielding tape (350), wherein the inner side (232) of a subsequent winding (262) of the shielding tape (350) overlaps a region of the outer side (230) of a previous winding (260) of the shielding tape (350) and the first folded edge (356), wherein the region of the outer side (230) of the previous winding (260) encloses the conductive layer (362) along the second lateral section (352), wherein the first folded edge (356) of the previous winding (260) extends between the inner side (232) of the previous winding (260) and the inner side (232) of the subsequent winding (262) and electrically couples them together, wherein the second and the third lateral section (352, 353) each have a longitudinal edge (364, 366) and wherein the longitudinal edges (364,366) are arranged above the first lateral section (351) and are separated from each other by a gap (368). [2] Communication cable (240) according to claim 1, wherein the composite tape (354) is folded along a fold line (217) when forming the shielding tape (350), wherein the insulating layer (360) provides a bending force (292) which prestresses the first and second lateral sections (351, 352, 353) away from each other near the fold line (217), wherein the bending force (292) facilitates the electrical contact between the outside (230) of the previous winding (260) and the inside (232) of the subsequent winding (262). [3] Communication cable (240) according to claim 1, wherein the composite tape (354) is folded along a fold line (217) when forming the shielding tape (350), wherein the composite tape (354) is free of adhesive along a side surface (216) of the insulated layer (360) located near the fold line. [4] Communication cable (240) according to claim 1, wherein the shielding tape (350) has a shielding width (268), wherein the subsequent winding (262) overlaps at most half of the shielding width of the previous winding (260), wherein the inside (232) of the overlapped areas that are overlapped by the subsequent windings (262) and the first folded edge (356) form an electrically conductive connection that extends continuously along the length of the communication cable (240). [5] Communication cable (240) according to claim 1, further comprising an earthing conductor (254) extending over the length of the communication cable (240) and a cable sheath (242) surrounding the earthing conductor, the shielding tape (350) and the insulated conductors (244, 246), wherein the shielding tape (350) is wound around the earthing conductor (254) and the insulated conductors (244, 246). [6] Communication cable (240) according to claim 1, wherein the insulated conductors (244, 246) comprise a parallel pair of insulated conductors (244, 246). [7] Cable arrangement (100) with a cable bundle (103) of communication cables (110, 240); and a cable connector (101) having a plurality of contact modules (102) forming a two-dimensional contact arrangement of the cable connector (101), wherein the contact modules (102) are electrically coupled to the associated communication cables (110, 240) of the cable bundle (103), and wherein at least one of the communication cables (110, 240) is a communication cable (110, 240) according to one of the preceding claims.

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