Abstract: The present invention is a method for determining the center to center spacing of conductors in an insulated, multi-conductor, flat cable. The method comprising applying an X-ray field to the cable, detecting the X-ray field intensity that passes through the cable, obtaining a digitized output waveform of the X-ray field intensity as a function of cable position, and determining a trough location of the waveform by averaging calculated position values for the center of the conductor at several longitudinal positions along a cross section of the conductor.

Abstract: A ribbon cable with improved skew control has a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinal conductors lying in a single plane, with insulation encasing the plurality of conductors. The insulation defines first and second outer surfaces which are substantially parallel to the plane of the plurality of conductors. A first sheet of extensible metallic foil is positioned adjacent the first outer surface of the insulation, and a second sheet of extensible metallic foil is positioned adjacent the second outer surface of the insulation. A third sheet of metallic foil is wrapped around substantially all cross-sectional sides of the plurality of conductors, insulation, and first and second sheets of metallic foil to provide a continuous electromagnetic shield around the conductors. A flexible jacket may be provided on the cable to protect the assembly.