Abstract: A communications cable has coated conductor wires separated by a wire separator with at least one hole in the cross section to form a twisted pair configured to maintain a distance of approximately 0.375 mm between the conductors and a characteristic impedance of approximately 100 ohms. The coating on the conductors may be an enamel or other appropriately thin insulating material.

Abstract: Cable foil tape having random or pseudo-random patterns or long pattern lengths of discontinuous metallic shapes and a method for manufacturing such patterned foil tape are provided. In some embodiments, a laser ablation system is used to selectively remove regions or paths in a metallic layer of a foil tape to produce random distributions of randomized shapes, or pseudo-random patterns or long pattern lengths of discontinuous shapes in the metal layer. In some embodiments, the foil tape is double-sided, having a metallic layer on each side of the foil tape, and the laser ablation system is capable of ablating nonconductive pathways into the metallic layer on both sides of the foil tape.

Abstract: Cable foil tape having random or pseudo-random patterns or long pattern lengths of discontinuous metallic shapes and a method for manufacturing such patterned foil tape are provided. In some embodiments, a laser ablation system is used to selectively remove regions or paths in a metallic layer of a foil tape to produce random distributions of randomized shapes, or pseudo-random patterns or long pattern lengths of discontinuous shapes in the metal layer. In some embodiments, the foil tape is double-sided, having a metallic layer on each side of the foil tape, and the laser ablation system is capable of ablating nonconductive pathways into the metallic layer on both sides of the foil tape.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector has a lens component and a fiber component. The lens component has at least one lens and an opening with at least one V-groove therein. The at least one lens is associated with the at least one V-groove. The fiber component is configured to be partially inserted into the lens component and has at least one bare fiber flexible retention feature configured to retain a fiber of a fiber optic cable within the at least one V-groove and also to align the fiber with the lens.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector has a lens component and a fiber component. The lens component has at least one lens and an opening with at least one V-groove therein. The at least one lens is associated with the at least one V-groove. The fiber component is configured to be partially inserted into the lens component and has at least one bare fiber flexible retention feature configured to retain a fiber of a fiber optic cable within the at least one V-groove and also to align the fiber with the lens.

Abstract: Cable foil tape having random or pseudo-random patterns or long pattern lengths of discontinuous metallic shapes and a method for manufacturing such patterned foil tape are provided. In some embodiments, a laser ablation system is used to selectively remove regions or paths in a metallic layer of a foil tape to produce random distributions of randomized shapes, or pseudo-random patterns or long pattern lengths of discontinuous shapes in the metal layer. In some embodiments, the foil tape is double-sided, having a metallic layer on each side of the foil tape, and the laser ablation system is capable of ablating nonconductive pathways into the metallic layer on both sides of the foil tape.

Abstract: Cable foil tape having random or pseudo-random patterns or long pattern lengths of discontinuous metallic shapes and a method for manufacturing such patterned foil tape are provided. In some embodiments, a laser ablation system is used to selectively remove regions or paths in a metallic layer of a foil tape to produce random distributions of randomized shapes, or pseudo-random patterns or long pattern lengths of discontinuous shapes in the metal layer. In some embodiments, the foil tape is double-sided, having a metallic layer on each side of the foil tape, and the laser ablation system is capable of ablating nonconductive pathways into the metallic layer on both sides of the foil tape.

Abstract: A communications cable has a plurality of twisted pairs of insulated conductors, metal foil tape between the twisted pairs, and a cable jacket are disclosed. The metal foil tape can include a substrate, a metal layer on the substrate, and a triboelectric coating on at least the metal layer of the metal foil tape. The triboelectric coating has a charge affinity closer to a charge affinity of the insulated conductors than a charge affinity of the metal layer to prevent charge build up between the conductors and the metal foil tape.

Abstract: A communications cable has a plurality of twisted pairs of insulated conductors, metal foil tape between the twisted pairs, and a cable jacket are disclosed. The metal foil tape can include a substrate, a metal layer on the substrate, and a triboelectric coating on at least the metal layer of the metal foil tape. The triboelectric coating has a charge affinity closer to a charge affinity of the insulated conductors than a charge affinity of the metal layer to prevent charge build up between the conductors and the metal foil tape.

Abstract: A communications cable having a plurality of twisted pairs of conductors and various embodiments of a metal foil tapes between the twisted pairs and a cable jacket is disclosed. In some embodiments, a metal foil tape includes a discontinuous metal layer and a polymer layer bonded to the metal layer. Portions of the metal layer and the polymer layer are deformed to form a plurality of dimples, the dimples forming air gaps between the polymer layer and the cable core or a barrier layer if used. The air gaps lower the overall dielectric constant between the metal layer and the cable core, thereby lowering the alien capacitance of the communications cable.

Abstract: Cable foil tape having random or pseudo-random patterns or long pattern lengths of discontinuous metallic shapes and a method for manufacturing such patterned foil tape are provided. In some embodiments, a laser ablation system is used to selectively remove regions or paths in a metallic layer of a foil tape to produce random distributions of randomized shapes, or pseudo-random patterns or long pattern lengths of discontinuous shapes in the metal layer. In some embodiments, the foil tape is double-sided, having a metallic layer on each side of the foil tape, and the laser ablation system is capable of ablating nonconductive pathways into the metallic layer on both sides of the foil tape.

Abstract: Cable foil tape having random or pseudo-random patterns or long pattern lengths of discontinuous metallic shapes and a method for manufacturing such patterned foil tape are provided. In some embodiments, a laser ablation system is used to selectively remove regions or paths in a metallic layer of a foil tape to produce random distributions of randomized shapes, or pseudo-random patterns or long pattern lengths of discontinuous shapes in the metal layer. In some embodiments, the foil tape is double-sided, having a metallic layer on each side of the foil tape, and the laser ablation system is capable of ablating nonconductive pathways into the metallic layer on both sides of the foil tape.

Abstract: A communications cable having a plurality of twisted pairs of conductors and various embodiments of a metal foil tapes between the twisted pairs and a cable jacket is disclosed. In some embodiments, a metal foil tape includes a discontinuous metal layer and a polymer layer bonded to the metal layer. Portions of the metal layer and the polymer layer are deformed to form a plurality of dimples, the dimples forming air gaps between the polymer layer and the cable core or a barrier layer if used. The air gaps lower the overall dielectric constant between the metal layer and the cable core, thereby lowering the alien capacitance of the communications cable.

Abstract: A communications cable has a plurality of twisted pairs of insulated conductors, metal foil tape between the twisted pairs, and a cable jacket are disclosed. The metal foil tape can include a substrate, a metal layer on the substrate, and a triboelectric coating on at least the metal layer of the metal foil tape. The triboelectric coating has a charge affinity closer to a charge affinity of the insulated conductors than a charge affinity of the metal layer to prevent charge build up between the conductors and the metal foil tape.

Abstract: A communications cable has a cable core with a plurality of twisted pairs of conductors and a metal foil tape disposed between the cable core and a jacket of the communications cable. The metal foil tape has a plurality of cuts that create a plurality of discontinuous regions in a metal layer of the metal foil tape. The metal foil tape is wrapped around the cable core such that the discontinuous regions overlap to form a plurality of overlapping regions. The overlapping regions producing capacitances connected in series, reducing an overall capacitance between the overlapping discontinuous regions. The plurality of cuts form a Y-shape cut having a first straight cut starting at one side of the metal foil tape and two cuts branching off of the first straight cut at opposite angles near a second side of the metal foil tape.

Abstract: A communications cable having a plurality of twisted pairs of conductors and various embodiments of a metal foil tapes between the twisted pairs and a cable jacket is disclosed. In some embodiments, a metal foil tape includes a discontinuous metal layer and a polymer layer bonded to the metal layer. Portions of the metal layer and the polymer layer are deformed to form a plurality of dimples, the dimples forming air gaps between the polymer layer and the cable core or a barrier layer if used. The air gaps lower the overall dielectric constant between the metal layer and the cable core, thereby lowering the alien capacitance of the communications cable.

Abstract: A communications cable having a plurality of twisted pairs of conductors and various embodiments of a metal foil tapes between the twisted pairs and a cable jacket is disclosed. In some embodiments, a metal foil tape includes a discontinuous metal layer and a polymer layer bonded to the metal layer. Portions of the metal layer and the polymer layer are deformed to form a plurality of dimples, the dimples forming air gaps between the polymer layer and the cable core or a barrier layer if used. The air gaps lower the overall dielectric constant between the metal layer and the cable core, thereby lowering the alien capacitance of the communications cable.

Abstract: A communications cable having a plurality of twisted pairs of conductors and various embodiments of a metal foil tape between the twisted pairs and a cable jacket is disclosed. In some embodiments, the metal foil tapes include a cut that creates discontinuous regions in a metal layer of the metal foil tapes. When the metal foil tapes are wrapped around the cable core, the discontinuous regions overlap to form at least one overlapping region. The cuts are formed such that overlapping region is small and limits current flow through the metal foil tapes, thereby minimizing alien crosstalk in the communications cable.

Abstract: In one embodiment a matrix tape includes a support layer, a metallic layer composed of metallic segments attached to the support layer and a barrier layer attached to the support layer opposite the metallic layer. In another embodiment a matrix tape includes a support layer, a metallic layer composed of metallic segments attached to the support layer and a strength member attached to the metallic layer opposite the support layer. In a third embodiment a method of manufacturing a matrix tape includes providing a payout and an uptake reel. Dispensing a tape with a support layer and a metallic layer from the payout reel, ablating the metallic reel with a laser, attached at least one of a strength member or a barrier layer to the tape, and spooling the tape on the uptake reel.

Abstract: Cable foil tape having random or pseudo-random patterns or long pattern lengths of discontinuous metallic shapes and a method for manufacturing such patterned foil tape are provided. In some embodiments, a laser ablation system is used to selectively remove regions or paths in a metallic layer of a foil tape to produce random distributions of randomized shapes, or pseudo-random patterns or long pattern lengths of discontinuous shapes in the metal layer. In some embodiments, the foil tape is double-sided, having a metallic layer on each side of the foil tape, and the laser ablation system is capable of ablating nonconductive pathways into the metallic layer on both sides of the foil tape.