Signal Cable Varying Lay Length Return Loss
Solution Overview
Problem
High-frequency signal cables, such as coaxial and symmetrical cables, experience return loss due to periodic deformations caused by the stranding process, leading to interference peaks at specific frequencies, which reduce signal power transmission, especially in the gigahertz range.
Innovation Solution
The signal cables are designed with a varying lay length for the stranded conductors, distributing the return loss over a wider frequency range by altering the periodicity of the stranding, thereby reducing peak interference at critical frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the conductors are stranded with a constant lay length, then the cable structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but return loss increases at specific frequencies due to periodic deformations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from a static, constant lay length to a dynamic, variable lay length in the stranding process. The lay length is intentionally varied along the length of the cable to break the periodicity of deformations that cause return loss at specific frequencies. This dynamic approach maintains manufacturing feasibility while significantly improving signal transmission quality across a broader frequency range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the lay length parameter during the stranding process. Instead of maintaining a fixed lay length, the parameter is deliberately changed along the cable length to distribute return loss across multiple frequencies rather than concentrating it at a single frequency. This parameter variation effectively reduces peak return loss while keeping the manufacturing process relatively simple.
2Reliability
If the lay length is varied to reduce return loss, then signal transmission quality improves across a broader frequency range, but the stranding process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from a static, constant lay length to a dynamic, variable lay length in the stranding process. The lay length is intentionally varied along the length of the cable to break the periodicity of deformations that cause return loss at specific frequencies. This dynamic approach maintains manufacturing feasibility while significantly improving signal transmission quality across a broader frequency range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the lay length parameter during the stranding process. Instead of maintaining a fixed lay length, the parameter is deliberately changed along the cable length to distribute return loss across multiple frequencies rather than concentrating it at a single frequency. This parameter variation effectively reduces peak return loss while keeping the manufacturing process relatively simple.
Data Source
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Figure 7~9B
AI summary
In order to form a signal cable (2a, 2b), namely a coaxial cable (20) or a symmetrical cable (25), having at least one signal conductor (4a, 4b) for transmitting high-frequency signals in particular also in the gigahertz range with acceptable return loss (R), it is provided selectively or in combination that the signal conductor (4a) is formed as a stranded wire conductor (4) with a varying lay length (s) or that the signal cable (2b) is a symmetrical cable with signal conductors (4b) twisted together with a varying lay length (s).