Shielded Cable Assembly for 5 Gb/s Signal Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wire cables, such as coaxial cables, struggle to support high data transfer rates of 5 Gb/s required for applications like automotive infotainment systems, while fiber optic cables are costly and not suitable for cost-sensitive applications, necessitating a cable that balances high data rates, flexibility, and low mass.

Innovation Solution

A shielded twisted pair cable design featuring a dielectric structure with consistent radial spacing between conductors and a shield, along with a braided conductor to maintain impedance, allowing for efficient transmission of digital signals at 5 Gb/s with reduced mass and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If fiber optic cable is used to achieve high data transfer rates, then data transfer rate is improved, but cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer rateVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive fiber optic cable with a cost-effective twisted pair cable construction that achieves comparable high-speed data transmission (5 Gb/s) performance. The twisted pair cable uses conventional copper conductors with optimized shielding and dielectric structures, providing an economical alternative to fiber optics for applications requiring 5 Gb/s data rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of manufacture

If coaxial cable is used to reduce cost, then cost is reduced, but data transfer rate is insufficient for 5 Gb/s requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecostVSAvoiddata transfer rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the physical and electrical parameters of the cable construction, including conductor spacing, dielectric material properties, and shielding configuration, to optimize the cable for 5 Gb/s data transmission. These parameter changes enable the twisted pair cable to achieve high-speed performance that exceeds conventional coaxial cable capabilities while maintaining cost effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If multiple twisted pairs are used to achieve high data transfer rates, then data transfer rate is improved, but cable mass increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer rateVSAvoidcable mass
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary cable components and structures to reduce mass. By using a single twisted pair with optimized shielding instead of multiple twisted pairs, and by employing a compact dielectric structure with air gaps, the cable achieves 5 Gb/s data transmission with significantly reduced weight and mass.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If shielding is added to improve electromagnetic interference resistance, then electromagnetic interference resistance is improved, but cable complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic interference resistanceVSAvoidcable structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs thin film dielectric layers and flexible shielding structures that provide effective electromagnetic interference protection while maintaining cable flexibility and reducing overall complexity. The shielding design integrates seamlessly with the cable construction, avoiding excessive complexity while achieving the required EMI resistance for high-speed data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 cable achieves reliable data transfer rates of up to 5 Gb/s with minimal insertion loss and low mass, making it suitable for automotive and other applications, while being cost-effective compared to fiber optic solutions.

Implementation Method 1

a dielectric structure configured to maintain a first predetermined spacing between the first inner conductor and the second inner conductor and a second predetermined spacing between the first inner conductor and the second inner conductor and the shield

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric insulation: Dielectric

Implementation Method 2

The shield includes an inner shield conductor at least partially enclosing the dielectric structure, thereby establishing a characteristic impedance of the wire cable, a ground conductor external to the inner shield conductor, extending generally parallel to the pair of first and second inner conductors and in electrical communication with the inner shield conductor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP2779176B1Shielded cable assembly
Publication Date: 2017.01.04 DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES INC
  • EP2779176B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2779176B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2779176B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A wire cable assembly capable of transmitting signals at speeds of 5 Gigabits per second over a single pair or conductors. The assembly has a characteristic impedance of 95 Ohms and can support transmission data according to either USB 3.0 or HDMI 1.3 performance specifications. The wire cable (100a) includes a pair of conductors (102a, 104a), a shield surrounding the conductors (102a, 104a), and a dielectric structure (108, 110, 112) configured to maintain a first predetermined spacing between the conductors (102a, 104a) and a second predetermined spacing between said the conductors (102a, 104a) and shield. The shield includes an inner shield conductor (116) enclosing the dielectric structure, a ground conductor (120a) external to the inner shield conductor (116), extending generally parallel to the pair of conductors (102a, 104a), an outer shield conductor (124) enclosing the inner shield conductor (116) and the ground conductor (120a).