Abstract: Upstream noise suppression circuits include a splitter and a combiner that are connected by first and second communications paths. An information signal removal circuit is provided on the second communications path and is configured to remove an upstream information signal therefrom. A phase shifter is also provided on the second communications path between the upstream information signal removal circuit and the combiner.

Abstract: Upstream noise suppression circuits include a splitter and a combiner that are connected by first and second communications paths. An information signal removal circuit is provided on the second communications path and is configured to remove an upstream information signal therefrom. A phase shifter is also provided on the second communications path between the upstream information signal removal circuit and the combiner.

Abstract: A cord bundle assembly includes: a plurality of communications cords, each of the communications cords comprising a plurality of communications signal-carrying members, the communications cords being grouped as a bundle; and a cord management assembly. The cord management assembly includes: a fixed cuff that encircles and is fixed relative to the plurality of communications cords; a slip cuff that encircles and is slidable relative to the plurality of communications cords; and a generally cylindrical sleeve having first and second ends, the fixed cuff being mounted to the first end, and the slip cuff being mounted to the second end. This configuration can assist in the management and organization of cords arranged in a cord bundle as they are routed between communications equipment.

Abstract: A communications system includes a plurality of patch panels, wherein each patch panel has a plurality of connector ports on a front surface thereof that are each connected to a respective communication line, and one or more optical couplers/connector ports on a rear surface thereof for linking two or more patch panels together. A cable for linking patch panels includes opposite ends and a respective connector at each end that is configured to be removably secured within a respective coupler/connector port on the rear surface. Each connector has an RFID tag attached thereto. An RF antenna is secured to each patch panel adjacent each respective coupler, and each antenna is configured to activate and read information from a cable RFID tag when a cable connector is secured within a coupler adjacent thereto.

Abstract: An optical fiber management shelf includes a housing having a first opening and a fiber optic termination module mounted to the fiber management shelf. A first door is pivotably mounted on the housing and pivotable about an axis from a first position substantially covering the first opening to a second position allowing access to the first opening. A first projection is on the first door, and a first receiver is on the housing configured to receive and selectively retain the first projection to releasably secure the first door to the housing. The first receiver includes a latch configured to retain the first projection when the first projection is initially inserted or pushed into the first receiver. The first receiver is also configured to release the first projection when the first projection is subsequently pressed or pushed toward the first receiver after the initial insertion into the first receiver.

Abstract: A copper clad steel (CCS) wire is at least partially covered on its exterior to visibly distinguish the CCS wire from a pure/solid copper wire. A coating, such as tin, zinc or paint, covers at least portions of the CCS wire. The coating may be applied in strips, rings or a helix to identify the CCS wire as not be formed of solid copper. In the instance of a stranded CCS wire, one or more of the outer strands may be partially or entirely coated to give the overall stranded CCS wire a distinguishing outer structure.

Abstract: Cable conduits include an elongated tubular conduit body having an exterior surface and an interior surface that define a tube wall, the interior surface of the tubular body defining a longitudinal internal cavity that is configured to hold a plurality of jacketed cables. The conduits also have first and second longitudinally extending channels within the tube wall. A first ripcord is free-floating within at least a portion of the first longitudinally extending channel and a second ripcord is free-floating within at least a portion of the second longitudinally extending channel. The first and second longitudinally extending channels are located on opposite sides of the longitudinal internal cavity. Related methods of slitting such cable conduits are also provided.

Abstract: A communications cabinet includes a housing defining a location for mounting communications equipment, the housing having a wall formed of a first material with a first penetration resistance, a vent opening in the wall, and a door. At least one plate of material having a second penetration resistance greater than or about equal to the first penetration resistance is mounted between the vent opening and the location for mounting the communications equipment, and the plate is positioned to stop projectiles larger than a given size from traveling in a straight line from the at least one vent opening to the location for mounting communication equipment while leaving an airflow path from the vent opening to the location for mounting the communications equipment that passes around at least one edge of the plate of material through a gap between the at least one plate and the wall.

Abstract: Communications cable management systems include a cable trough and a door that is configured to provide access to the cable trough. A first latch structure is attached to the door that includes a first latch and a second latch. A second latch structure is attached to the door that includes a third latch and a fourth latch. The systems also include a support structure that has first through fourth latch receiving assemblies that are configured to receive the respective first through fourth latches. The first through fourth latch receiving assemblies may comprise hinge brackets and/or pivotable latch members. The first and second latches and their corresponding first and second latch receiving assemblies are each configured to act as a hinge when the third and fourth latches are removed from their corresponding latch receiving assemblies.

Abstract: Patch panels are provided that include a mounting frame and a plurality of MPO-to-MPO couplers that are mounted on the mounting frame. Each MPO-to-MPO coupler includes a first connector port that is accessible from the front side of the patch panel and a second connector port that is accessible from the rear side of the patch panel. The patch panels also include a first set of antennas, where each antenna from the first set of antennas is adjacent the first connector port of a respective one of the MPO-to-MPO couplers and a second set of antennas, where each antenna from the second set of antennas is adjacent the second connector port of a respective one of the MPO-to-MPO couplers.

Abstract: A cable for ensuring the authenticity thereof and discouraging the unauthorized counterfeiting of the cable may include a cable core and an opaque outer jacket surrounding the cable core. The jacket may include identifying indicia visible on an inner surface of the opaque outer jacket when opened, but visually obscured from viewing from outside the opaque outer jacket when unopened. The indicia may be integrally molded plastic stripes, for example.

Abstract: A communications jack includes: a jack frame having a plug aperture; a plurality of contact wires, the contact wires having free ends that extend into the plug aperture, the free ends of the contact wires being arranged serially in side-by-side relationship; a plurality of electrical terminals, the terminals being arranged in pairs, each pair defining a communication channel; a dielectric mounting substrate, the mounting substrate including a plurality of mounting locations for contact wires and a plurality of mounting locations for the electrical terminals; and a plurality of conductors mounted on the substrate, each of the conductors extending, defining a path, and establishing electrical connection between a contact wire mounting location and an electrical terminal mounting location.

Abstract: An electrical communications element having a foamed plastic insulation extruded about a conductor with said insulation comprising at least one component with no more than 20% by weight of an ultra-high die swell ratio polymer (UHDSRP), preferably around 15% by weight. The UHDSRP is defined as greater than 55% die swell ratio and more preferably greater than 65% die swell ratio. The insulation also preferably comprises at least a second component with a high degree of stress crack resistance, such that the combination of (minimally) these polymers will yield an insulation layer that has a unique combination of physical properties yielding a high degree of foaming, small uniform cell structure, characteristically lower attenuation, and stress crack resistance capable of withstanding greater than 100 hours at 100° C. while coiled at a stress level of 1 times the insulation outside diameter without failure (cracking).

Abstract: A coaxial communications cable has a center conductor extending coaxially of the longitudinal axis of the cable with a low loss foam dielectric surrounding the inner conductor and bonded thereto. An electrically and mechanically continuous sheath surrounds the foam dielectric. The sheath is a smooth-walled longitudinally welded tube formed of a bimetallic material, which in one embodiment has an inwardly facing copper layer and an outwardly facing aluminum layer. A polymeric jacket surrounds the tubular sheath and is bonded thereto.

Abstract: A hanger for mounting a cable to a support structure includes a flexible resilient unitary metallic strip. The strip has a medial portion shaped in a generally circular configuration about a longitudinal axis to form a cable holding section defining a longitudinally extending passageway for receiving and at least partially surrounding the cable. The strip has attachment legs extending from opposite ends of the medial portion in opposing spaced apart relation to one another generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The attachment legs are configured for being inserted into an installation opening. The cable holding section includes a first circumferentially extending slot extending at least partially around the circumferential extent of the passageway, and a pair of second circumferentially extending slots formed in the cable holding section on opposite sides of the first slot.

Abstract: The communications system transmits both communications signals and electrical power to a plurality of subscribers. The communications signals can include video, voice and data signals. The communications system includes a coaxial drop cable for transmitting both the communications signals and electrical power from a cable tap to at least one subscriber of the communications system. The coaxial drop cable includes an annular outer conductor surrounding the dielectric material and having a mechanically and electrically continuous, non-overlapping tubular metallic shield. The coaxial drop cable has predetermined signal transmission characteristics, including enhanced shielding properties, which are maintained while the coaxial drop cable is flexed due, at least in part, to an increase in the stiffness of the dielectric material relative to the outer conductor.

Abstract: There is disclosed a communications cable having a cable jacket and a first pair of twisted wires disposed within the jacket, each wire thereof having a conductor surrounded by a first insulating material. A second twisted pair of wires is disposed within the jacket and has a twist lay length different from that of the first twisted pair. Each wire of the second twisted pair has a conductor surrounded by an insulating material. The insulating material of the first twisted pair differs in a physical property from the insulating material of the second twisted pair, the physical property of the insulating material of the second pair being correlated with the physical property of the insulating material of the first twisted pair and with differences in twist lay length of the first and second twisted pairs so that the phase delay of the twisted pairs is matched. There is also provided a communications cable having more than two twisted pairs.

Abstract: A coaxial, fiber optic, or twisted pair cable having a is core surrounded by an armor layer and an outer protective jacket such that relative movement between the armor layer and the protective jacket is permitted. The armor layer has a pair of opposing longitudinal edge portions and is wrapped around a cable core such that a longitudinally extending seam is produced. The outer surface of the armor layer has an adhesive layer disposed thereon for bonding an outer protective jacket thereto. Portions of the outer surface of the armor layer adjacent the longitudinally extending seam are oxidized, thereby effectively neutralizing the adhesive layer. The oxidized portions of the armor layer reduce, if not eliminate, adherence between the protective jacket and the armor layer along the longitudinally extending seam.

Abstract: A reinforced coaxial cable for underground service is disclosed. The cable generally includes an elongate center conductor, a surrounding dielectric material such as a foamed polymer dielectric, an outer conductor, a first jacket, an intermediate protective layer, and a second jacket. A ripcord can be positioned longitudinally between the first jacket and the intermediate protective layer to facilitate removal of both the intermediate protective layer and the second jacket. A tracer, or other visible indicia, extends longitudinally along the outer surface of the second jacket to facilitate locating the underlying ripcord. The intermediate layer and the second jacket provide increased impact resistance, cut-through resistance, and compressive strength, as well as increased resistance to abrasion and other frictionally induced damage. In addition, the intermediate layer and second jacket can be readily removed to allow increased flexibility or connectorization of the cable.

Abstract: An apparatus for winding continuously produced cable about a take-up spool includes a frame, a traveler assembly, multiple take-up spool assemblies, and a translation system for automatically moving the traveler assembly into an aligned position with each spool assembly. The traveler assembly is movably mounted to the frame for receiving and for paying out continuously produced cable. Each spool assembly comprises a pair of opposing arms and a cable snagger. Each pair of opposing arms is configured to rotatably mount a spool therebetween. The cable snagger is secured to a member rotatably mounted on one arm and is configured to extend through an aperture in a flange of a spool in order to engage a free end of a continuously produced cable. A release mechanism for disengaging the snagger from the cable, once at least one wrap of the cable has been wound about the spool, is also provided.