Interlaced Twinax Cable Assembly for Tight-Bend Signal Integrity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Twinax cable assemblies experience signal integrity degradation when bent at tight radii, particularly when the conductor pair alignment is perpendicular to the bend axis, leading to timing discrepancies between signals and failure to meet signal integrity performance standards.
Innovation Solution
The cable assembly design includes a controlled interlacing arrangement of cable sets, with tie bars and binders to maintain conductor alignment along a lateral direction, ensuring the conductor pairs remain equidistant to the bend axis, and the use of lacing to weave cables through each other, stabilizing the bundle and maintaining alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If twinax cable assemblies are bent at tight radii to fit in confined spaces, then the cable can be installed in tight spaces, but signal integrity degrades due to conductor pair misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The cable assembly is segmented into multiple cable sets, each containing specific conductor pairs. This segmentation allows independent routing and positioning of each cable set within the bundle, enabling the conductors to be arranged in a configuration that maintains alignment during bending while still allowing the overall assembly to be installed in tight spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional single-plane cable arrangement to a three-dimensional stacked configuration where cable sets are arranged in multiple layers. This dimensional change allows the cable bundle to maintain conductor alignment along the bend axis while accommodating tight bending radii, as the stacked arrangement provides spatial distribution that preserves signal integrity during installation in confined spaces.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional cable bundling is used without controlled interlacing, then the cable assembly is simpler to manufacture, but conductor alignment cannot be maintained during tight bends
Solution Approach 1:
The cable sets are pre-arranged in a controlled interlacing pattern and stacked configuration before final assembly. This preliminary arrangement ensures that conductor pairs are pre-positioned to maintain alignment during bending, eliminating the need for complex post-assembly adjustments and maintaining manufacturing precision without significantly complicating the overall assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces binder elements as intermediaries that secure the cable sets in their predetermined stacked and interlaced positions. These binders maintain the precise spatial relationship between cable sets during assembly and installation, ensuring conductor alignment is preserved without requiring complex manufacturing processes.
Data Source
AI summary
Twinax cable assemblies including cable lacing sections are described. An example cable assembly includes a first assembly end section, a second assembly end section, and a cable lacing section between the first and second assembly end sections, and a plurality of cable sets. Each cable set includes a plurality of cables. At least one cable set laces through at least one other cable set in the cable lacing section in one example. When the cable assembly bends substantially around a bend axis, conductors in the plurality of cable sets remain substantially aligned.