Abstract: Shielded twisted pair communication cables are described. A cable may include at least one twisted pair of insulated conductors, and an outer circumference may be defined by the twisted pair along a longitudinal length of the cable. A shield may be formed around the twisted pair, and a jacket may be formed around the shield. Additionally, a dielectric film may separate the insulated conductors of the twisted pair, and the dielectric film may extend beyond the outer circumference of the twisted pair and contact the shield.

Abstract: Water-resistant optical fiber cables and associated methods for forming water-resistant optical fiber cables are provided. A cable may include an outer jacket that defines a cable core. At least one optical fiber may be positioned within the cable core and encapsulated within a suitable sheath, such as a buffer tube. Additionally, a plurality of discrete water swellable fibers may be loosely positioned within the cable to provide water-resistance for the at least one optical fiber.

Abstract: Premise cables for installation in indoor environments, such as risers and plenums, are described. A premise cable may include an outer jacket and at least one twisted pair of individually insulated conductors positioned within a cable core defined by the jacket. Moisture mitigation material is positioned between an outer surface of the jacket and the twisted pair(s), for example, within the cable core. The moisture mitigation material is configured to absorb water vapor that penetrates the jacket, thereby improving electrical performance of the cable. However, the moisture mitigation material does not provide water blocking for the cable.

Abstract: Cables incorporating discontinuous separators or separation fillers are described. A cable may include a plurality of twisted pairs of individually insulated electrical conductors, and a separator may be disposed between at least two of the plurality of twisted pairs. The separator may include a plurality of discrete sections respectively positioned along a longitudinal length of the cable and each section may optionally include electrically conductive material. A jacket may be formed around the plurality of twisted pairs and the separator.

Abstract: A communication cable can comprise optical fibers protected by an armor, such as a corrugated metallic tube. An outer jacket can cover the armor to provide environmental protection. A net located between the outer jacket and the armor can comprise openings, with the outer jacket extending into the openings, towards the armor. The net can be wrapped, formed, or woven around the armor, for example. The net can aid a craftsperson in separating the outer jacket from the corrugated metal tube, for example in connection with servicing the cable. The openings can control coupling between the outer jacket and the armor, for example providing a desired level of friction, bonding, adhesion, adherence, fusion, and/or contact between the outer jacket and the armor.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable can comprise technology for mitigating stress on optical fibers of the cable. The technology can protect the optical fibers from compression, such as stemming from installation, deployment, or handling. The technology can compensate for thermally induced expansion and contraction of cable elements having differing thermal expansion characteristics, arising when the cable is subjected to temperature variations. The cable can comprise a central strength member onto which an elastomeric material, such as silicone, has been applied. The elastomeric material can protect optical fibers that are located between the central strength member and an outside jacket.

Abstract: A communication cable can comprise optical fibers protected by an armor, such as a corrugated metallic tube. An outer jacket can cover the armor to provide environmental protection. A tape located between the outer jacket and the armor can comprise holes, with the outer jacket extending into the holes, towards the armor. The tape can be wrapped around the armor to form a tube, for example. The holes can control coupling between the outer jacket and the armor, for example providing a desired level of friction, bonding, adhesion, adherence, fusion, and/or contact between the outer jacket and the armor.

Abstract: A tape can comprise a dielectric film that has a pattern of electrically conductive areas adhering thereto. The conductive areas can be electrically isolated from one another. The tape can utilize means to obscure the metallic finish and can contain indicators to deter installers from grounding the tape at either end. The tape can be wrapped around one or more conductors, such as wires that transmit data, to provide electrical or electromagnetic shielding for the conductors. The resulting cable can have a shield that is electrically discontinuous between opposite ends of the cable.

Abstract: A tape can comprise a strip of dielectric material, with adhering patches of electrical conductive material. The patches can be substantially electrically isolated from one another. The strip can be disposed in a communication cable to provide a shield that is electrically discontinuous or has high resistance between opposite cable ends. Each patch can interact with electromagnetic radiation associated with electrical signals transmitting over the cable. The patches can collectively interact with the transmitting electrical signals in a cumulative or resonant manner to produce a spike in return loss at a particular frequency of the transmitting signals. The frequency location of the spike can depend upon the sizes of the patches, with size impacting manufacturability. The patches can be sized such that the spike falls within an operating frequency of the transmitting signal but is suppressed, so the cable meets return loss specifications while offering manufacturing advantage.

Abstract: A communication cable can comprise twisted pairs of electrical conductors for transmitting electrical signals and bundles of optical fibers for transmitting optical signals. The electrical signals and/or the optical signals can support voice and digital communication or data transmission. The twisted pairs can be encased in a gelatinous material and disposed along a central axis of the communication cable. Each bundle of optical fibers can be disposed in a respective buffer tube. The buffer tubes can be arranged in a ring around the twisted pairs. The communication cable can be configured to manage strain on the optical fibers without subjecting the twisted pairs to deleterious tensile stress. The communication cable can include strength rods embedded in an outer jacket, with the outer jacket sized for insertion in a conduit running along a railway or other transportation line.

Abstract: A communication cable can include twisted pairs of electrical conductors for transmitting electrical signals, such as for digital communication or data transmission. A flexible member within the cable can position the twisted pairs relative to one another to help the cable carry the electrical signals more effectively. The flexible member can have a cross section that is shaped like the letter T, the letter L, the letter J, or the letter Y. A jacket can circumferentially cover the positioned twisted pairs and the flexible member.

Abstract: A tape can comprise a dielectric film that has a pattern of electrically conductive areas adhering thereto. The conductive areas can be electrically isolated from one another. The tape can utilize means to obscure the metallic finish and can contain indicators to deter installers from grounding the tape at either end. The tape can be wrapped around one or more conductors, such as wires that transmit data, to provide electrical or electromagnetic shielding for the conductors. The resulting cable can have a shield that is electrically discontinuous between opposite ends of the cable.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable can inhibit water that may inadvertently enter the cable from flowing lengthwise within the cable. The fiber optic cable can include a buffer tube defining an interior volume extending along the cable. Water blocking barriers can be disposed in the buffer tube intermittently along the length of the cable. The barriers can be formed from a UV and thermal cured material and can comprise an acrylic. The barriers can be applied to the optical fibers or to a carrier tape that is wrapped around the optical fibers or fiber bundle. The barriers (or carrier tape) can be disposed against and/or adhere to an inner surface of the buffer tube to provide intermittent water blocking. Each barrier can provide a seal around the optical fibers and can limit flow of water in the interior volume.

Abstract: A communication cable can comprise twisted pairs of electrical conductors for transmitting electrical signals, such as for digital communication or data transmission. The pairs can be twisted to different lengths, thereby managing interference among the pairs. The electrical conductors of the pairs can be individually insulated with a polymeric material comprising a base polymer that is foamed with a gas such as nitrogen. The respective foaming levels of the electrical conductors in each pair can be selected to balance electrical properties among the pairs.

Abstract: A drop cable supportable in a drop cable clamping assembly includes a conductive, non-conductive, or combination conductive and non-conductive core enclosed by an extruded cable jacket of thermoplastic material. The cable jacket has a flattened top surface and a flattened bottom surface, either or both of which is provided with a friction engaging surface consisting of indentations or projections formed by one or more rollers following extrusion of the cable jacket and operatively configured for engagement by a clamping surface of the clamping assembly.

Abstract: A connectorized fiber optic communications cable can comprise a section rated for indoor service and a section rated for outdoor service. A continuous optical fiber can extend through the indoor-rated section and the outdoor-rated section, for example from an outdoor-rated connector on the outdoor-rated section to an indoor-rated connector on the indoor-rated section. The cable can be installed via feeding the section rated for indoor service through a hole in a building, such as a home, to a communication or computing device within the building. The section rated for outdoor service can be buried underground and extended to another communication or computing device located outside the building.

Abstract: A cable shield tape can comprise patches of electrically conductive material disposed adjacent a strip of dielectric material, with the patches electrically isolated from one another. An attachment system can mechanically attach the patches to the dielectric material, for example to avoid flammable adhesives. The attachment system can comprise one or more mechanical fasteners, rivets, staples, clips, clamps, metallic members, nonorganic materials, nonflammable materials, holes, holes with flared or mushroomed rims, protrusions, etc. The attachment system can also or alternatively comprise technology for knolling, punching, seating, surface patterning, peening, embossing, etc. The tape can be wrapped around one or more cable conductors, such as wires that transmit data, to provide electrical or electromagnetic shielding. The resulting cable can have a shield that is electrically discontinuous between opposite ends of the cable.

Abstract: A shield for a communication cable can comprise a narrow substrate of electrically insulating material extending lengthwise along the cable. Patches of electrically conductive material can be disposed on, in, or adjacent the substrate, with the patches electrically isolated from one another. The substrate can comprise holes, apertures, openings, and/or areas in which substrate material has been eliminated, reduced, thinned, or removed. Reducing substrate material can benefit the communication cable, for example imparting the cable with an improved burn, flammability, or smoke characteristic or performance rating/score, for example. The resulting cable can comprise a shield that is electrically discontinuous between opposite ends of the cable.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable can inhibit water, that may inadvertently enter the cable, from damaging the cable's optical fibers. The fiber optic cable can comprise buffer tubes extending along the fiber optic cable. The buffer tubes can be arranged such that a ring of buffer tubes surrounds one or more centrally located buffer tubes. Stacked ribbons of optical fibers can be disposed in each buffer tube, along with water-swellable tape and water-swellable yarn. The tape, yarn, and optical fibers can be dry or free from water-blocking gels or fluids. The water-swellable materials can provide an unexpected level of water protection. The water-swellable materials can, for example, limit flow of seawater within the buffer tubes. In an exemplary embodiment, progression of seawater can be limited to three meters or less for a twenty-four hour test period during which the seawater is under about one meter of head pressure.

Abstract: A tape can comprise a dielectric film that has a pattern of electrically conductive areas adhering thereto. The conductive areas can be electrically isolated from one another. The tape can utilize means to obscure the metallic finish and can contain indicators to deter installers from grounding the tape at either end. The tape can be wrapped around one or more conductors, such as wires that transmit data, to provide electrical or electromagnetic shielding for the conductors. The resulting cable can have a shield that is electrically discontinuous between opposite ends of the cable.