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 spillover fitting is positioned on an upstanding side of a lateral cable trough. The spillover fitting includes a first exit path having a first curved surface that extends at least partially over a base of the lateral cable trough, and a bottom wall having a second curved surface intersecting with the first curved surface. The first surface curves upward relative to the base of the lateral cable trough and defines a top surface of a cable path, and the second surface is convexly curved and defines a bottom surface of the cable path. The radius of curvature of the first curved surface is equal to the radius of curvature of the second curved surface.

Abstract: A wire containment cap has twisted pair slots for routing twisted wire pairs through the wire containment cap. The twisted pair slots are provided with funnel-shaped entrances to assist in routing the twisted wire pairs from a rear end of the wire containment cap toward wire slots of the wire containment cap. The wire containment cap may be provided in shielded or unshielded versions, and is adapted for use with a communication jack assembly.

Abstract: A network documentation and revision system is presented that includes first and second devices connected by a patch cord. The first device has provisioning and signal ports with corresponding contact assemblies. The second device has a switch port without a contact assembly. The patch cord has signal and control wires, a first connector that connects the signal wires into a signal port and the control wire to a corresponding contact assembly, and a second connector that connects the signal wires to the switch port and terminates the control wire. The second connector contains an indicator controlled by control circuitry, detection circuitry detecting whether the second connector is plugged into the second device, and ID circuitry providing an ID number through the first connector. Installation or removal of the patch cord is guided by indicators on the patch cord and first device without retrofit contacts being added to the second device.

Abstract: A communication jack having crosstalk compensation features for overall crosstalk interference reduction is disclosed. In one embodiment, the jack is configured to receive a plug to form a communication connection, and comprises jack contacts disposed in the jack, with each contact having at least a first surface and a second surface. Upon the plug being received by the jack, the plug contacts interface with the first surface of the jack contacts. The jack further includes a first capacitive coupling connected between two pairs of jack contacts to compensate for near end crosstalk, with the first capacitive coupling being connected to the pairs of jack contacts along the second surface adjacent to where the plug contacts interface with the jack contacts. A far end crosstalk compensation scheme is also set forth.

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 least one end. A dielectric layer or flexible printed circuit board may be disposed between the conductive layers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a telescoping wire cable tray system. The wire cable tray system includes an outer wire cable tray and an inner wire cable tray positioned within the outer wire cable tray. The inner wire cable tray slides or telescopes with respect to the outer wire cable tray enabling the length of the wire cable trays to be adjusted during installation of the wire cable tray system. The wire cable tray system may include trapeze support bars, clamps, side walls or downspout fittings.

Abstract: A network cabinet fitting system includes a grommet, a corrugated tube fitting assembly and a filler panel. The grommet and the filler panel are installed within an opening of a network cabinet top. The fitting assembly is secured around a corrugated tube and inserted into the grommet to seal the opening.

Abstract: A communication jack is provided with plug interface contacts that have a short conductive signal pathway between a plug-jack interface and crosstalk compensation provided on a printed circuit board within the jack. Contacts of the jack are specially designed not to take a permanent set if a six-position plug or an eight-position plug is inserted into an eight-position jack. A printed circuit board in the jack is placed at an angle, shortening the conductive pathway between plug contacts and the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for monitoring and reporting cable connectivity such as patch panel port-level connectivity on a real-time basis. For patch panel systems, the approach is based upon a distributed architecture that may be modularly scalable and may reduce, if not eliminate, the need for a centralized signal processor and complex cabling between patch panels and the centralized signal processor. Each patch panel may determine port level connectivity independently. Polling delays and polling-related overhead processing may be reduced or eliminated by supporting real-time monitoring of port connectivity at the port level. The approach provides improved real-time reporting of patch panel connectivity with reduced cabling complexity, increased reliability, and decreased maintenance costs. In addition, the approach is compatible with (i.e., may communicate with and be controlled by) a multipurpose network management system (NMS). In addition, a compatible revision system is provided.

Abstract: An AC common mode backchannel signaling system is used to provide outlet ID information in a communication network. Wire pairs of a communication network are used to support the AC common mode backchannel signaling system, while also supporting Ethernet communications as well as Power Over Ethernet (PoE). Query and receiving AC circuitry is provided in an intelligent patch panel, and outlet ID receiving and response AC circuitry is provided in communication outlets. These two sets of AC circuitry use the AC common mode backchannel signaling system to communicate with one another, without disrupting PoE or Ethernet signaling on the wire pairs of the network.

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 spillover fitting is positioned on an upstanding side of a lateral cable trough. The spillover fitting includes a first exit path having a first curved surface that extends at least partially over a base of the lateral cable trough, and a bottom wall having a second curved surface intersecting with the first curved surface. The first surface curves upward relative to the base of the lateral cable trough and defines a top surface of a cable path, and the second surface is convexly curved and defines a bottom surface of the cable path. The radius of curvature of the first curved surface is equal to the radius of curvature of the second curved surface.

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: Methods and apparatus for documenting network path connectivity are described that allow a network management system/revision management system (NMS/RMS) to determine what equipment and ports support a network path by interrupting and restoring Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) service on the network path. Upon detecting a loss of PoE service, communication active jacks that support network path connectivity may activate an internal switch that interrupts downstream connectivity. Each communication active jack along the network path may then begin broadcasting a unique message in the upstream direction that is addressed to the NMS/RMS. Upon receiving a unique active jack message, the NMS/RMS may record the information contained within and instruct the communication active jack to reestablish connectivity to the next downstream device.

Abstract: A network documentation and revision system is presented that includes first and second devices connected by a patch cord. The first device has provisioning and signal ports with corresponding contact assemblies. The second device has a switch port without a contact assembly. The patch cord has signal and control wires, a first connector that connects the signal wires into a signal port and the control wire to a corresponding contact assembly, and a second connector that connects the signal wires to the switch port and terminates the control wire. The second connector contains an indicator controlled by control circuitry, detection circuitry detecting whether the second connector is plugged into the second device, and ID circuitry providing an ID number through the first connector. Installation or removal of the patch cord is guided by indicators on the patch cord and first device without retrofit contacts being added to the second device.

Abstract: A wire containment cap has twisted pair slots for routing twisted wire pairs through the wire containment cap. The twisted pair slots are provided with funnel-shaped entrances to assist in routing the twisted wire pairs from a rear end of the wire containment cap toward wire slots of the wire containment cap. The wire containment cap may be provided in shielded or unshielded versions, and is adapted for use with a communication jack assembly.

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: The embodiments provide a barb assembly for use with a cable duct component to oppose removal of a cable duct section from the cable duct component. The barb assembly can comprise a releasable assembly for applying a force to a barb and, responsive to the application of the force, for moving the barb and one or more barb arms from an unengaged position to an engaged position without the use of tools. The barb assembly and/or cable duct component can also comprise a spring bias, which can bias the releasable assembly to the unengaged position upon actuating the releasable assembly to the unengaged position. The embodiments also provide methods of installing cable duct components and systems with the above-described features.

Abstract: An identification and authorization system is provided that utilizes a national ID database and a number of application-specific databases. The national ID database contains unique individual ID numbers linked to unique biometric codes. The application-specific databases contain an applicable portion of the same unique individual ID numbers that are contained in the national ID database. To complete a transaction, a credential such as an ID card is scanned and a biometric scan of the individual is completed. The transaction information and the individual ID number is sent to the appropriate application-specific database. Verification of identity is completed at the national ID database, which compares the biometric code of the biometric scan with the biometric code linked to the unique individual ID number. A response from the application-specific database and a response from the national ID database is sent to the scanning location.