Abstract: A device for receiving and organizing twisted pairs of conductors from a cable having a plurality of twisted pairs of conductors includes a block with upper and lower surfaces, first and second opposing end walls that define a longitudinal axis, and first and second opposing side walls. The block further comprises at least one aperture extending from the upper surface toward the lower surface, the aperture being sized and configured to receive each of the plurality of twisted pairs of a cable. Each of the side walls includes at least one open-ended slot opening downwardly, each of the slots being sized and configured to receive a respective twisted pair of conductors. In this configuration, the device can facilitate termination of twisted pair conductors onto IDCs or the like and can provide a termination with less dimensional variation (and, in turn, less variation in electrical performance) than prior termination devices.

Abstract: A telecommunications patching system includes a patch panel having a plurality of connector ports, and having an RFID reader and RF antennas associated with the connector ports. A plurality of patch cords are configured to selectively interconnect pairs of the connector ports. Each patch cord has opposite ends and a respective connector secured to each end that is configured to be removably secured within a connector port. Each connector of a respective patch cord includes an RFID tag. The RFID tags for a respective patch cord have the same unique identifier stored therewithin. The RF antenna associated with a connector port emits RF signals that cause a patch cord connector RFID tag to transmit its identifier. Each RF antenna detects the transmitted identifier of a patch cord connector RFID tag when the respective patch cord connector is inserted within, and removed from, a respective one of the connector ports.