Abstract: A cable connector is designed to suppress at least a portion of energy that radiates from the signal contacts within the connector itself, and also reduces the effects of electrical interference from either other pairs in nearby connectors or other electrical sources. This is accomplished by grounding the connector's two outermost electrical contacts, thereby providing a path to ground between the signal contacts within the connector itself and any outside elements, including other signal pairs within other nearby connectors. To further improve signal integrity, the spacing between the connector's contacts can be selected such that the impedance of the connector substantially matches that of the cable terminated by the connector, thereby reducing return loss.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques and configurations for a communications network with data and power provision over communication channels. In some embodiments, the network may comprise a network control apparatus having a plurality of communication channels, to connect one or more devices with the network, wherein the network control apparatus is to provide data communications between a device of one or more devices and the network via a communication channel, and to provide power to the device via the communication channel. The network may further comprise a power management block coupled with the network control apparatus, to control the provision of power to the device of the one or more devices, which may include determining whether the communication channel carries a power level in excess of a threshold associated with the communication channel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques and configurations for a communications network with data and power provision over communication channels.

Abstract: A connector configured to operate in two different electrical performance modes. The connector may include a plurality of connector contacts, a plurality of contact pads, and an insulator having an insulating portion adjacent the plurality of contact pads. The insulator is movable between an insulating position and a non-insulating position. When the insulator is in the insulating position, the insulating portion insulates the plurality of contact pads from the plurality of connector contacts and the connector operates in a first one of the electrical performance modes. When the insulator is in the non-insulating position, the plurality of connector contacts contact the plurality of contact pads and the connector operates in a different second one of the electrical performance modes. The connector may be implemented as a plug or an outlet.

Abstract: A method of improving electrical isolation between a first circuit and a second circuit sharing a common substrate having an effective dielectric constant greater than that of air. The first and second circuits are spaced apart and separated from one another by an intermediate portion of the substrate. The method includes removing a portion of the intermediate portion to replace the portion removed with air thereby reducing the effective dielectric constant of the intermediate portion. By reducing the effective dielectric constant of the intermediate portion, electrical isolation between the first and second circuits is improved thereby reducing crosstalk between the first and second circuits. In particular implementations, the method may be used to reduce alien crosstalk between adjacent communication outlets in a patch panel.

Abstract: A connector configured to operate in two different electrical performance modes. The connector may include a plurality of connector contacts, a plurality of contact pads, and an insulator having an insulating portion adjacent the plurality of contact pads. The insulator is movable between an insulating position and a non-insulating position. When the insulator is in the insulating position, the insulating portion insulates the plurality of contact pads from the plurality of connector contacts and the connector operates in a first one of the electrical performance modes. When the insulator is in the non-insulating position, the plurality of connector contacts contact the plurality of contact pads and the connector operates in a different second one of the electrical performance modes. The connector may be implemented as a plug or an outlet.

Abstract: A connector configured to operate in two different electrical performance modes. The connector may include a plurality of connector contacts, a plurality of contact pads, and an insulator having an insulating portion adjacent the plurality of contact pads. The insulator is movable between an insulating position and a non-insulating position. When the insulator is in the insulating position, the insulating portion insulates the plurality of contact pads from the plurality of connector contacts and the connector operates in a first one of the electrical performance modes. When the insulator is in the non-insulating position, the plurality of connector contacts contact the plurality of contact pads and the connector operates in a different second one of the electrical performance modes. The connector may be implemented as a plug or an outlet.

Abstract: An outlet that includes first and second substrates, and a plurality of electrical contacts. The first substrate includes an electrical circuit adjacent to and spaced apart from a first ground plane. Each of the electrical contacts is connected to the circuit. The second substrate includes a second ground plane electrically connected to the first ground plane. The circuit is spaced apart from the second ground plane. The electrical contacts are positioned adjacent to the first and second substrates. Together the first and second ground planes may form a localized, electrically floating, isolated ground plane. The outlet may be connected to a cable and/or configured to be mounted to a panel for use with a rack. The outlet may be implemented as a Category 7A and/or Next Generation type outlet having an overall height that allows two rows of twenty-four like outlets to be mounted within one rack unit (“1RU”).

Abstract: A connector configured to operate in two different electrical performance modes. The connector may include a plurality of connector contacts, a plurality of contact pads, and an insulator having an insulating portion adjacent the plurality of contact pads. The insulator is movable between an insulating position and a non-insulating position. When the insulator is in the insulating position, the insulating portion insulates the plurality of contact pads from the plurality of connector contacts and the connector operates in a first one of the electrical performance modes. When the insulator is in the non-insulating position, the plurality of connector contacts contact the plurality of contact pads and the connector operates in a different second one of the electrical performance modes. The connector may be implemented as a plug or an outlet.

Abstract: Cables including central insulators and/or center separators. Each of at least some of the central insulators includes a first wire channel configured to receive a first wire of a wire pair, a second wire channel configured to receive a second wire of the wire pair, and an intermediate portion positioned between the first and second wire channels. Each of at least some of the center separators includes a longitudinally extending central portion as well as first, second, third, and fourth portions extending outwardly from the central portion. Optionally, the first, second, third, and/or fourth portions may include laterally extending through-holes. Optionally, the central, first, second, third, and/or fourth portions may include an air-filled longitudinally extending channel. Central insulators for use with coaxial cables and cables that conduct three-phase signals are also provided. Methods of forming central insulators are also described.

Abstract: An outlet that includes first and second substrates, and a plurality of electrical contacts. The first substrate includes an electrical circuit adjacent to and spaced apart from a first ground plane. Each of the electrical contacts is connected to the circuit. The second substrate includes a second ground plane electrically connected to the first ground plane. The circuit is spaced apart from the second ground plane. The electrical contacts are positioned adjacent to the first and second substrates. Together the first and second ground planes may form a localized, electrically floating, isolated ground plane. The outlet may be connected to a cable and/or configured to be mounted to a panel for use with a rack. The outlet may be implemented as a Category 7A and/or Next Generation type outlet having an overall height that allows two rows of twenty-four like outlets to be mounted within one rack unit (“1RU”).

Abstract: A communications cable for use with a communications connector having eight contacts arranged in a series. The cable has first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth wires configured to be connected to first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth contacts, respectively, of the series. The fourth and fifth wires are twisted together to form a first twisted wire pair (“twisted pair”). The first and second wires form a second twisted pair. The third and sixth wires form a third twisted pair. The seventh and eighth wires form a fourth twisted pair. The twisted pairs extend alongside one another and are arranged such that the first twisted pair is closer to the second and third twisted pairs than to the fourth twisted pair, and the second twisted pair is closer to the first and fourth twisted pairs than to the third twisted pair.

Abstract: A substrate operable to construct a male-type connector, a female-type connector, and/or a multi-outlet module. The substrate has a plurality of circuits and an edge card male connector including contacts for each circuit. For each circuit, the substrate has a ground plane connected to one or more of the contacts for the circuit. The ground planes may be implemented as localized, electrically floating, isolated ground planes. The substrate may include multiple layers upon which portions of the circuits and ground planes may be disposed. The ground plane corresponding to each of the plurality of circuits may be located in close proximity to conductive elements of the circuit so as to provide a localized common ground to which energy can be conveyed from the conductive elements to thereby limit an amount of energy radiated outwardly from the conductive elements to surrounding conductors.

Abstract: A communications cable for use with a communications connector having eight contacts arranged in a series. The cable has first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth wires configured to be connected to first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth contacts, respectively, of the series. The fourth and fifth wires are twisted together to form a first twisted wire pair (“twisted pair”). The first and second wires form a second twisted pair. The third and sixth wires form a third twisted pair. The seventh and eighth wires form a fourth twisted pair. The twisted pairs extend alongside one another and are arranged such that the first twisted pair is closer to the second and third twisted pairs than to the fourth twisted pair, and the second twisted pair is closer to the first and fourth twisted pairs than to the third twisted pair.

Abstract: A plug including first, second, third, and fourth pairs of contacts connected to first, second, third, and fourth wire pairs, respectively. The first pair of contacts is positioned between first and second contacts of the third pair of contacts, the second pair of contacts is positioned alongside the first contact, and the fourth pair of contacts is positioned alongside the second contact. A first and second capacitive coupling member each including a sleeve and contact member are spaced from the plug contacts. The second wire pair extends through the sleeve of the first coupling member and the contact member of the first coupling member is electrically connected to the wire connected to the second contact. The fourth wire pair extends through the sleeve of the second coupling member and the contact member of the first coupling member is electrically connected to the wire connected to the first contact.

Abstract: A communications outlet includes a plurality of electrically conductive paths arranged in pairs and an electrically conductive shield. A plurality of conductive elements connected to a corresponding conductive path and the conductive elements configured, for each pair, to balance a capacitive coupling between the electrically conductive shield and the conductive paths of that pair.

Abstract: A plug including first, second, third, and fourth pairs of contacts connected to first, second, third, and fourth wire pairs, respectively. The first pair of contacts is positioned between first and second contacts of the third pair of contacts, the second pair of contacts is positioned alongside the first contact, and the fourth pair of contacts is positioned alongside the second contact. A first and second capacitive coupling member each including a sleeve and contact member are spaced from the plug contacts. The second wire pair extends through the sleeve of the first coupling member and the contact member of the first coupling member is electrically connected to the wire connected to the second contact. The fourth wire pair extends through the sleeve of the second coupling member and the contact member of the first coupling member is electrically connected to the wire connected to the first contact.

Abstract: A method of improving electrical isolation between a first circuit and a second circuit sharing a common substrate having an effective dielectric constant greater than that of air. The first and second circuits are spaced apart and separated from one another by an intermediate portion of the substrate. The method includes removing a portion of the intermediate portion to replace the portion removed with air thereby reducing the effective dielectric constant of the intermediate portion. By reducing the effective dielectric constant of the intermediate portion, electrical isolation between the first and second circuits is improved thereby reducing crosstalk between the first and second circuits. In particular implementations, the method may be used to reduce alien crosstalk between adjacent communication outlets in a patch panel.

Abstract: A plug including first, second, third, and fourth pairs of contacts connected to first, second, third, and fourth wire pairs, respectively. The first pair of contacts is positioned between first and second contacts of the third pair of contacts, the second pair of contacts is positioned alongside the first contact, and the fourth pair of contacts is positioned alongside the second contact. A first and second capacitive coupling member each including a sleeve and contact member are spaced from the plug contacts. The second wire pair extends through the sleeve of the first coupling member and the contact member of the first coupling member is electrically connected to the wire connected to the second contact. The fourth wire pair extends through the sleeve of the second coupling member and the contact member of the first coupling member is electrically connected to the wire connected to the first contact.

Abstract: A method of improving electrical isolation between a first circuit and a second circuit sharing a common substrate having an effective dielectric constant greater than that of air. The first and second circuits are spaced apart and separated from one another by an intermediate portion of the substrate. The method includes removing a portion of the intermediate portion to replace the portion removed with air thereby reducing the effective dielectric constant of the intermediate portion. By reducing the effective dielectric constant of the intermediate portion, electrical isolation between the first and second circuits is improved thereby reducing crosstalk between the first and second circuits. In particular implementations, the method may be used to reduce alien crosstalk between adjacent communication outlets in a patch panel.