Abstract: A tool and method for using the tool for a push-pull plug with an outer housing that may be moved forwardly and backwardly along a plug housing in order to affect the operation of a latch arm. The tool has a handle, stem, and a clip on the stem on the opposite end as the handle. The clip has a pair of opposing clip arms perpendicular to the stem. The clip arms have clip ridges that face each other. The stem and clip can be made of a flexible material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for crosstalk compensation in a jack of a modular communications connector includes a flexible printed circuit board connected to jack contacts and to connections to a network cable. The flexible printed circuit board includes conductive traces arranged as one or more couplings to provide crosstalk compensation.

Abstract: A self-laminating rotating cable marker label is constructed of a transparent film having a first adhesive area, an adhesive-free smooth area, and a second adhesive area. A print-on area forms one side of the transparent film, the print-on area adapted to receive indicia identifying the cable about which the marker label is applied. A perforation extends across the transparent film providing a line of separation of the transparent film. When wrapped around a cable, the second adhesive area overlies the print-on area such that the cable identifying indicia is visible through the transparent second adhesive area. As the transparent film is wrapped around the cable, the first adhesive area adheres to the cable. The remainder of the transparent film is rotated, breaking the perforation, whereby the smooth area of the film in contact with the cable provides smooth rotation of the label around the cable.

Abstract: An intelligent network patch field management system is provided that includes active electronic hardware, firmware, mechanical assemblies, cables, and software that guide, monitor, and report on the process of connecting and disconnecting patch cords plugs in an interconnect or cross-connect patching environment. The system is also capable of monitoring patch cord connections to detect insertions or removals of patch cords or plugs. In addition, the system can map embodiments of patch fields.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for crosstalk compensation in a jack of a modular communications connector includes a flexible printed circuit board connected to jack contacts and to connections to a network cable. The flexible printed circuit board includes conductive traces arranged as one or more couplings to provide crosstalk compensation.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods according to the presentation use RFID signaling to detect patch cord connections in a patch panel, and also to provide visible indicators to technicians making moves, adds, or changes to patch cord connections. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a series of RFID antennae combined into an antenna array and mounted on an add-on adapter, which in turn may be mounted on corresponding telecommunication equipment.

Abstract: A network cable jack includes a printed circuit board (PCB) for balancing both inductive and capacitive coupling. Using a PCB allows compact trace paths to be formed without significantly increasing manufacturing costs. By including on each trace path two distinct inductance zones separated by a neutral zone, significant gains in degrees of freedom are achieved for designing PCB trace patterns in which a pair of inductive coupling zones jointly offset the inductive coupling caused by a specification plug and the jack contacts, both in magnitude and phase angle. Further, using distinct inductance zones offers more freedom regarding the placement of capacitive plates for use in capacitance balancing as well as the placement of terminals and insulation displacement contacts. Although the magnitude of a capacitive coupling is determined by the length of the capacitor plates parallel to current carrying traces, the approach allows capacitive and inductive coupling to be balanced independently.

Abstract: A communication jack, system using the jack, and method of fabricating the jack are disclosed. The jack includes a cavity configured to accept a communication plug to form a communication connector. The jack includes a plurality of plug interface contacts that extend into the cavity such that a plug inserted into the cavity makes electrical contact with the plug interface contacts at plug/jack interfaces of the plug interface contacts. One or more of the plug interface contacts is formed from multiple conductive layers. The conductive layers are movable relative to each other at at least one end. A dielectric layer or flexible printed circuit board may be disposed between the conductive layers.

Abstract: A fiber optic stub fiber connector for reversibly and nondestructively terminating an inserted field fiber having a buffer over at least a portion thereof. The connector includes a housing and a ferrule including a stub fiber disposed within and extending from a bore through the ferrule. The ferrule is generally at least partially disposed within and supported by the housing. The connector further includes a reversible actuator for reversibly and nondestructively terminating the inserted field fiber to the stub fiber. The reversible actuator includes a buffer clamp for engaging with the buffer to simultaneously provide reversible and nondestructive strain relief to the terminated field fiber.

Abstract: An adjustable exhaust duct includes a lower duct section and an upper duct section. The lower duct section may be larger or smaller than the upper duct section, and each duct has four identical locking systems. The locking systems secure the lower duct section and the upper duct section.

Abstract: An intelligent network patch field management system is provided that includes active electronic hardware, firmware, mechanical assemblies, cables, and software that guide, monitor, and report on the process of connecting and disconnecting patch cords plugs in an interconnect or cross-connect patching environment. The system is also capable of monitoring patch cord connections to detect insertions or removals of patch cords or plugs. In addition, the system can map embodiments of patch fields.

Abstract: A layered tape having pockets therein is used as part of a communication cable to improve alien crosstalk attenuation. In one embodiment, a single layered tape has an embossed layer bonded to a matrix tape layer having non-continuous conductive traces, with the resulting layered tape reducing alien crosstalk between cables. Pockets resulting from the embossing are filled with a gas such as dry air to decrease the dielectric constant through the effective thickness of the tape. A layered tape may alternatively be provided as a separate tape from a matrix tape, such that coupling between conductive pairs of the cable and the matrix tape is reduced. Decreasing the dielectric constant of materials between adjacent cables also decreases alien crosstalk coupling between the cables.

Abstract: A market-based labeling system and method provides tools to assist a user in accurately generating labels. The system includes a processor-based device, such as a computer, that has associated input/output devices, such as a keyboard and a display. The processor-based device also includes a user-friendly labeling application, which may be implemented as a set of instructions to be executed by the processor. The labeling application may guide the user through a series of steps to produce a set of labels. The labeling application preferably generates the user interfaces and a file that may be viewed, edited, saved and/or printed on an associated printer. The labeling application may include one or more modules, each module being geared toward labels for a particular market. This labeling application tool may run on a general purpose processor, such as a computer, and may interface with general purpose labeling software.

Abstract: An intelligent network patch field management system is provided that includes active electronic hardware, firmware, mechanical assemblies, cables, and software that guide, monitor, and report on the process of connecting and disconnecting patch cords plugs in an interconnect or cross-connect patching environment. RFID tag integrated chips are used in some embodiments of the system to allow for detection of patch cord insertion and removal at switch ports. RFID tags may also be used to detect users and control access to the network based on the users' levels of authorization. Network access can also be controlled at the outlet jack level. The system is capable of monitoring patch cord connections to detect insertions or removals of patch cords or plugs. In addition, the system can map entire networks.

Abstract: A network cable jack includes a printed circuit board (PCB) for balancing both inductive and capacitive coupling. Using a PCB allows compact trace paths to be formed without significantly increasing manufacturing costs. By including on each trace path two distinct inductance zones separated by a neutral zone, significant gains in degrees of freedom are achieved for designing PCB trace patterns in which a pair of inductive coupling zones jointly offset the inductive coupling caused by a specification plug and the jack contacts, both in magnitude and phase angle. Further, using distinct inductance zones offers more freedom regarding the placement of capacitive plates for use in capacitance balancing as well as the placement of terminals and insulation displacement contacts. Although the magnitude of a capacitive coupling is determined by the length of the capacitor plates parallel to current carrying traces, the approach allows capacitive and inductive coupling to be balanced independently.

Abstract: A communication jack, system using the jack, and method of fabricating the jack are disclosed. The jack includes a cavity configured to accept a communication plug to form a communication connector. The jack includes a plurality of plug interface contacts that extend into the cavity such that a plug inserted into the cavity makes electrical contact with the plug interface contacts at plug/jack interfaces of the plug interface contacts. One or more of the plug interface contacts is formed from multiple conductive layers. The conductive layers are movable relative to each other at at least one end. A dielectric layer or flexible printed circuit board may be disposed between the conductive layers.

Abstract: A cable and method of forming the cable are presented. The cable contains twisted wire pairs disposed in a cavity defined by a jacket. Each wire has a conductor and an insulator surrounding the conductor. The cable may also contain a spline that separates the twisted wire pairs. At least one of the insulators or the jacket is helically corrugated such that ridges extend radially inward or outward. The ridges of the insulators may be the same or different. The cable is extruded from an extruder. The jacket may contain corrugations after being extruded by the extruder. The cable may be passed through dies to form a helically corrugated jacket. The jacket heated by a heater prior to being passed through the dies, or may pass through the dies while still hot from the extruder.

Abstract: An intelligent network patch field management system is provided that includes active electronic hardware, firmware, mechanical assemblies, cables, and software that guide, monitor, and report on the process of connecting and disconnecting patch cords plugs in an interconnect or cross-connect patching environment. The system is also capable of monitoring patch cord connections to detect insertions or removals of patch cords or plugs. In addition, the system can map embodiments of patch fields.

Abstract: An Ethernet outlet senses the presence of an Ethernet signal and transmits an Ethernet ID signal in response to the restoration of an Ethernet signal that was interrupted. The sensing circuit is designed to have no detrimental effect on Ethernet signals. Using this system, the locations of Ethernet outlets and network endpoint devices connected to the outlets can be determined following the interruption and reestablishment of network communications. Outlets according to the present invention can be used in copper-based networks or in networks having fiber optic components.

Abstract: A communication network device and corresponding patch field system are disclosed. The device includes a port module, ports, and an appliqué attached to a face of the port module. The appliqué includes a printed circuit board (PCB) with conductive pads. A patch cord connects the device with an intelligent patch panel. The patch cord contains at least one system wire. The patch panel is adapted to measure a resistance associated with each port via the system wire. An open circuit indicates that no patch cord is attached to the port, a resistance within a first range indicates that the patch cord is attached only to the port of the intelligent patch panel, and a resistance within a second range less than the first range indicates that the patch cord connects the intelligent patch panel and the device.