Segmented Cable Shield for Crosstalk Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional signal cables experience significant crosstalk issues as signal frequency increases, particularly due to the close proximity of wire pairs, and existing shielding methods like continuous conductive shields are complex to install, stiffen the cable, and can lead to safety issues and resonance-related interference.

Innovation Solution

A discontinuous cable shield system with separated conductive shield segments along the cable length, each segment being electrically isolated from others, provides effective shielding by averaging electrostatic and magnetic emissions and reducing external interference without the need for a drain wire or complex termination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a continuous conductive shield is used to reduce crosstalk, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but cable flexibility deteriorates and installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrosstalk reductionVSAvoidcable flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous conductive shield is divided into multiple discrete conductive shield segments separated by insulation gaps. Each segment is individually insulated from adjacent segments, creating a segmented shielding structure that maintains electromagnetic shielding effectiveness while restoring cable flexibility and simplifying installation procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a continuous conductive shield is used to reduce crosstalk, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases due to drain wire and termination requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrosstalk reductionVSAvoidtermination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shield is segmented into electrically isolated sections, eliminating the need for continuous drain wire connections and complex termination schemes. Each segment operates independently, simplifying the overall grounding and termination architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The drain wire and complex termination system are extracted from the design. The segmented shield structure achieves effective crosstalk reduction without requiring traditional continuous shield terminations, drain wires, or specialized connectors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If physical spacing is increased to reduce crosstalk, then crosstalk reduction is improved, but cable diameter increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrosstalk reductionVSAvoidcable diameter
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Conductive shield segments are introduced as intermediary elements between wire pairs. These segments provide electromagnetic shielding and crosstalk reduction without requiring increased physical separation between wire pairs, thereby maintaining compact cable dimensions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The discontinuous shield system effectively reduces crosstalk and external interference across a wide range of frequencies, enhances cable flexibility, and simplifies installation by eliminating the need for ground connections, thereby improving signal integrity and safety.

Implementation Method 1

The conductive shield 16 can be used to a certain degree to reduce crosstalk by reducing electrostatic and magnetic coupling between twisted wire pairs 20

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic shielding: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

The conductive shield 16 can be used to a certain degree to reduce crosstalk by reducing electrostatic and magnetic coupling between twisted wire pairs 20

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic shielding: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP2592631B1Discontinous cable shield system
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 LEVITON MFG CO INC
  • EP2592631B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2592631B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2592631B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates on an electrical signal transmission cable comprising: at least one differential transmission line pair of twisted insulated conductive wires extending longitudinally along a length of cable for carrying electrical signals there-along; and a plurality of electrically isolated conductive shield segments extending longitudinally along and at least partially circumferentially around respectively corresponding portions of at least one differential transmission line pair sufficient to effect, while in use carrying electrical communication signals there-along: (a) substantial electrostatic coupling to each wire of at least one differential transmission line pair thereby tending to average together positive and negative electrostatic near-field emissions from the at least one differential transmission line pair, and (b) substantial magnetic coupling via eddy currents to each wire of at least one differential transmission line pair thereby tending to average together oppositely directed magnetic field emissions from the at least one differential transmission line pair.