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 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 an outer jacket sized for insertion in a conduit running along a railway or other transportation line.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/806,757, entitled “Railway Deployable Composite Communications Cable” and filed Aug. 20, 2010, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to composite communication cables suited for railway applications and including twisted pairs of individually insulated electrical conductors and bundles of optical fibers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Typical high-performance communication cables in widespread use contain twisted pairs for transmitting electrical communication signals or optical fibers for transmitting optical communication signals, but usually not both. Engineering requirements for optical communication cables are typically very different than engineering requirements for electrical communication cables. 
     Communication cables that successfully transmit electrical communication signals and comply with industry specifications for electrical signals, such as ICEA S-84-608, ordinarily are designed to manage cabling forces that the twisted pairs experience in connection with installation, pulling, thermal expansion, and other conditions. This management can include translating cabling forces to cross sectional areas of the cables that are separated from the twisted pairs. Meanwhile, communication cables that successfully transmit optical communication signals and comply with industry specifications for optical signals, such as GR-20-Core, ordinarily are designed to manage cabling forces that the optical fibers experience in connection with installation, pulling, thermal expansion, and other conditions. This management can include translating cabling forces to cross sectional areas of the cables that are separated from the optical fibers. 
     However, for a cable containing optical fibers and twisted pairs, the translation of cabling forces is typically complicated by an objective of avoiding a translated force from encroaching on the optical fibers or the twisted pairs. Moreover, twisted pairs and optical fibers are sensitive to different types of stress and strain and further can generate forces that can interfere with one another. 
     Accordingly, need exists for a technology that supports disposing optical fibers and twisted pairs in a single cable while managing cable forces to achieve robust optical and electrical signal performance. Need further exists for a composite cable that can be deployed along a railway or other transportation line and meet specialized railway and transportation objectives. A capability addressing such need or some other related deficiency in the art could facilitate transmitting quality optical communication signals and quality electrical communication signals over a compact cable. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention can support transmitting electrical communication signals and optical communication signals in a common cable deployed adjacent a transportation pathway along which vehicles travel, such as a railway. 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a communication cable can comprise multiple electrical conductors for transmitting multiple electrical communication signals concurrently and multiple optical fibers for transmitting multiple optical communication signals concurrently. The communication cable can be engineered to manage strain on the optical fibers and tensile stress on the electrical conductors. The electrical conductors can be twisted pairs of individually insulated electrical conductors located in a central area of the cable and encased in a gelatinous material. A ring of buffer tubes can encircle the group of twisted pairs. Each buffer tube can carry a respective bundle of optical fibers. The communication cable can comprise one or more strength members and an outer jacket. 
     The discussion of communication cables presented in this summary is for illustrative purposes only. Various aspects of the present invention may be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments and by reference to the drawing and the claims that follow. Moreover, other aspects, systems, methods, features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawing and detailed description. It is intended that all such aspects, systems, methods, features, advantages, and objects are to be included within this description, are to be within the scope of the present invention, and are to be protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       The FIGURE is a cross sectional view of an exemplary communication cable that comprises twisted pairs of individually insulated electrical conductors and optical fibers in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the drawing. The depicted elements and features are not to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating principles of exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Moreover, certain dimensions may be exaggerated to help visually convey such principles. Like reference numerals designate like or corresponding, but not necessarily identical, elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Technology for managing strain on optical fibers and tensile stress on electrical conductors in a common, composite communication cable will now be described more fully with reference to the FIGURE, which describes representative embodiments of the present invention. A communication cable incorporating stress and strain management technology can be deployed along a railway or other vehicular route, for example. In such an application, twisted pairs of insulated electrical conductors within the cable can transmit electrical signals carrying voice between call boxes along the route. Optical fibers of the cable can transmit optical signals providing high-speed data transmission, for example. In certain embodiments, the communication cable can meet two industry specifications for communication cables, one focused on or specific to optical requirements and one focused on or specific to electrical requirements. For example the communications cable can comply with ICEA S-84-608 for electrical signals/twisted pairs and with GR-20-Core for optical signals/optical fibers. 
     The invention can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those having ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, all “examples” or “exemplary embodiments” given herein are intended to be non-limiting and among others supported by representations of the present invention. 
     Turning now to the FIGURE, a cross sectional view is illustrated of a communication cable  100  that comprises twisted pairs  105  of individually insulated electrical conductors and optical fibers  130  according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
     In certain exemplary embodiments, the communication cable  100  can be rated for an operating temperature of about −40 to 70 degrees Centigrade, can have a circular profile and size that facilitates duct or conduit installation, and can withstand installation tensile loading of about 600 pounds of force. In certain exemplary embodiments, the communication cable  100  can be rodent resistant, for example via an armor  124  made of a metal such as steel or a dielectric material. 
     An outer jacket  120  typically having a polymer-based composition seals the communication cable  100  from the environment and provides strength and structural support. In various embodiments, the outer jacket  120  comprises polymeric material, medium density polyethylene (“MDPE”), polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”), polyvinylidene fluoride (“PVDF”), polyurethane, one or more polymers, a fluoropolymer, polyethylene, neoprene, cholorosulphonated polyethylene, fluorinated ethylene propylene (“FEP”). flame retardant PVC, low temperature oil resistant PVC, polyolefin, flame retardant polyurethane, flexible PVC, or some other appropriate material known in the art, or a combination thereof, for example. In certain exemplary embodiments, the outer jacket  120  can comprise flame retardant and/or smoke suppressant materials. The outer jacket  120  can comprise carbon black or other suitable material for protection against exposure to ultraviolet (“UV”) light. 
     In certain exemplary embodiments, the outer jacket  120  has an outer diameter that is sized for insertion in a conduit or duct having a nominal or approximate internal diameter of about one inch (25.4 millimeters “mm”). In certain exemplary embodiments, the outer jacket  120  has an outside diameter that is less than or equal to about 0.65 inches (16.5 mm). In various exemplary embodiments, the outer jacket  120  can have an outer diameter that is about 10 mm, 12 mm, 15 mm, 16 mm, 16.5 mm, 16.7 mm, 17 mm, 18 mm, 20 mm, 22 mm, 25 mm, 25.4 mm, or 30 mm, or in a range between any two of these dimensions, or that is less than one of these dimensions for example. 
     In certain exemplary embodiments, the outer jacket  120  has a circular cross section or a substantially round outside diameter. In certain exemplary embodiments, the outer jacket  120  has an oval profile that deviates substantially or visually from circular. In a case of such an oval profile, the size values disclosed in the previous paragraph can describe the largest cross sectional dimension of the communication cable  120 . 
     The outer jacket  120  can be single layer or have multiple layers of extruded material. In various embodiments, the outer jacket  120  can be characterized as an outer sheath, a casing, a circumferential cover, or a shell. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the communication cable  100  includes a pair of strength rods  122 , which can be viewed as strength members, that the outer jacket  120  covers. In the illustrated configuration, the strength rods  122  enhance tensile strength of the communication cable  100 . As illustrated, the strength rods  122  are substantially embedded in the outer jacket  120  and are located on opposing lateral sides of the longitudinal axis  135  of the communication cable  100 . The strength rods  122  may be comprised of a metal such as steel, fiberglass, or glass-reinforced plastic (“GRP”), for example. 
     In certain exemplary embodiments, the strength rods  122  cause the outer surface of the outer jacket  120  to bulge or protrude (not illustrated) lateral to the strength rods  122 . Accordingly, the strength rods  122  can cause either a slight or a significant deviation from exactly circular in the cross sectional profile of the communication cable  100 , for example. 
     The communication cable  100  can comprise strength members contacting the outer jacket  120  and arranged substantially symmetrically about the longitudinal axis  135 . In various embodiments, such strength members can comprise aramid yarn that may be reinforced with plastic, glass, rods, tapes, metal, or other suitable material. In certain exemplary embodiments, such strength members can form a ring around the longitudinal axis  135  and central portion of the communication cable  100 . 
     In certain exemplary embodiments, the communication cable  100  can comprise a messenger (not illustrated) that can be co-extruded with the outer jacket  120 . Such a messenger can provide sufficient strength for aerial applications, for example. In certain exemplary embodiments, the communication cable  100  can comprise strength yarns (not illustrated) providing sufficient strength for aerial deployment. 
     As illustrated, the exemplary communication cable  100  comprises an armor  124  defining a core  150  of the cable and providing mechanical protection, for example providing rodent resistance. The armor  124  can comprise a tape that is formed into a tube and has a composition of steel or other appropriate metal, for example. The armor  124  can comprise a strip of steel formed so as to interlock with itself and/or may be corrugated, for example. The armor  124  can be coated with a polymer to promote adhesion, bonding, or a selected level of friction with the interior surface of the outer jacket  120 , for example. As an alternative to metal, the armor  124  can be made exclusively from one or more dielectric materials, including fiberglass, glass, epoxy, and/or appropriate polymeric materials, for example. In certain exemplary embodiments, rodent resistance is provided by adding strength members or materials to the jacket  120 , for example during extrusion. 
     In certain exemplary embodiments, the communication cable  100  comprises a flooding compound under the outer jacket  120 . For example, the strength rods  122  and the outer surface of the armor  124  (which can comprise a polymer coat as discussed above) can be wetted or in contact with a flooding compound such as a thermoplastic flooding compound. 
     In certain exemplary embodiments (not illustrated), the communication cable  100  can comprise a double jacket with a double armor. In certain exemplary embodiments (not illustrated), the communication cable  100  can comprise a double jacket with a single armor. In certain exemplary embodiments (not illustrated), the communication cable  100  can comprise a double jacket without an armor. In certain exemplary embodiments (not illustrated), the communication cable  100  can comprise a single jacket without an armor. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the core  150  of the communication cable  100  comprises twelve twisted pairs  105  of individually insulated electrical conductors. The insulation can be a foamed polymeric material with a non-foamed or solid polymeric skin, for example. The illustrated number of twisted pairs  105  is exemplary, rather than limiting. Other embodiments of the communication cable  100  can have a wide range of numbers of twisted pairs  105 , i.e. fewer or more than illustrated. 
     Each twisted pair  105  can carry voice, data, or some other form of information. For example, each twisted pair  105  can carry data in a range of about one to ten Giga bits per second (“Gbps”) or another appropriate speed, whether faster or slower. In certain exemplary embodiments, each twisted pair supports data transmission of about two and one-half Gbps (e.g. nominally two and one-half Gbps). In certain exemplary embodiments, each twisted pair  105  supports data transmission of about ten Gbps (e.g. nominally ten Gbps). In certain exemplary embodiments, the twisted pairs  105  carry voice information or voice traffic exclusively. Whether voice, data, or other information or a combination of information types, each twisted pair  105  typically provides a distinct information channel. 
     In certain exemplary embodiments, the metallic conductor diameter of each twisted pair  105  can be in a range of about 0.0223 inches to about 0.0227 inches. In certain exemplary embodiments, the twisted pair electrical conductors can have a diameter in a range of about 0.0201 to 0.0253 inches, for example. In certain exemplary embodiments, the electrical conductors can be 22, 23, or 24 AWG (American Wire Gauge). In certain exemplary embodiments, the electrical conductors of the twisted pairs  105  have consistent or common diameter, for example being manufactured to a common specification. Alternatively, in certain exemplary embodiments, different twisted pairs  105  can have different conductor diameters. 
     In exemplary certain embodiments, the outer, insulation diameter covering each metallic conductor can be in a range of about 0.0385 inches to about 0.0395 inches, for example. In certain exemplary embodiments, the insulation of the twisted pairs  105  can be foamed with a skin. Alternatively, the twisted pairs  105  can have solid insulation. In various embodiments, insulations of the twisted pairs  105  can comprise HDPE, FEP, PVC, or a polyolefin such as PE, PP, or a copolymer. 
     At least two of the twisted pairs can have different twist rates (twists-per-meter or twists-per-foot). That is, at least two of the twisted pairs  105  have different twist lengths or twist lays, which can be characterized in units of centimeters-per-twist, inches-per-twist, or inches-per-lay. In certain exemplary embodiments, each of the twisted pairs  105  has a different twist length. That is, every twisted pair  105  in the communication cable  100  can have a different twist rate. 
     In certain exemplary embodiments, the differences between twist rates of twisted pairs  105  that are circumferentially adjacent one another are greater than the differences between twist rates of twisted pairs  105  that are diagonal or otherwise separated from one another. The different twist lengths can help reduce crosstalk among the twisted pairs  105 . Physically separating the twisted pairs  105  having similar twist rates while increasing the twist differential between adjacent or neighboring twisted pairs  105  can reduce susceptibility to cross talk. 
     The twisted pairs  105  can be bunched together such that the group of twisted pairs  105  exhibits a collective twist. More generally, the twisted pairs  105  can form a bundle. While the FIGURE illustrates relatively large interstices associated with the twisted pairs  105 , the individual twists and the collective twists of the twisted pairs  105  typically reduces interstitial space, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill having benefit of this disclosure. That is, the FIGURE may be viewed as exaggerating interstitial space within the group of twisted pairs  105 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a film  132 , typically in a tape format and comprising polyester or other suitable polymer, is wrapped about the twisted pairs  105  to form a tube. A water-blocking material  144  can be disposed in the volume formed by the tube of film  132 . In certain exemplary embodiments, the film  132  is replaced with (or covered by) a jacket. In certain exemplary embodiments, such a jacket can be extruded. In certain exemplary embodiments, such a jacket and the circumferentially covered twisted pairs  105  can form a twisted pair cable. Accordingly, the core  150  of the communication cable  100  can comprise an internal cable carrying electrical communication signals over the twisted pairs  105 . That internal cable can be broken out from the communication cable  100  during installation of the communication cable  100  without severing optical fibers  130  of the communication cable  100 , for example. 
     The water-blocking material  144  can coat each of the twisted pairs  105 . The twisted pairs  105  can be embedded in water-blocking material  144 . In an exemplary embodiment, the water-blocking material  144  comprises a gelatinous or semi-liquid substance. The water-blocking material  144  can comprise an extended thermoplastic rubber floodant (“ETPR”), for example. In an exemplary embodiment, the tube of film  132  is substantially filled with the water-blocking material  144  and the twisted pairs  105 . 
     Alternatively, the tube of film  132  can be filled with a gas such as air, powder, a moisture absorbing material, a water-swellable substance, dry filling compound, or foam material, for example in interstitial spaces between the twisted pairs  105 . Other elements can be added, for example one or more optical fibers, additional electrical conductors, or strength members, depending upon application goals. 
     In certain exemplary embodiments, the communication cable  100  comprises a flexible member or pair separator (not illustrated) that maintains a desired orientation of the twisted pairs  105  to promote signal performance. In various exemplary embodiments, such a flexible member can comprise polypropylene, PVC, polyethylene, FEP, ethylene chlorotrifluoroethlyene (“ECTFE”), or some other suitable polymeric or dielectric material, for example. If used, such a flexible member can be filled, unfilled, foamed, un-foamed, homogeneous, or inhomogeneous and may or may not comprise additives. In certain exemplary embodiments, the flexible member can comprise electrically conductive patches that are electrically isolated from one another to provide one or more shields. Such patches can adhere to a surface of the flexible member, for example. 
     In certain exemplary embodiments, the communication cable  100  can comprise shielding or may be unshielded. In certain exemplary embodiments, a metallic foil or other electrically conductive material can cover the twisted pairs  105  and/or the cable core  150  to provide shielding. In certain exemplary embodiments, the communication cable  100  can be shielded with a system of electrically isolated patches of shielding material, for example as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/313,914, entitled “Communication Cable Comprising Electrically Isolated Patches of Shielding Material,” the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     In certain exemplary embodiments, a metallic material other than the armor  124 , whether continuous or comprising electrically conductive patches, can be disposed on a substrate, such as a tape, and placed between the twisted pairs  105  and the jacket  120 . In certain embodiments, such a material may adhere to an interior surface of the jacket  120 . Shielding, whether continuous or electrically isolated, can be disposed or sandwiched between the jacket  120  and a tube or tape that is disposed between the jacket  120  and the twisted pairs  105 . In certain embodiments, the jacket  120  comprises conductive material and may be a shield and/or function as a shield. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the communication cable  100  comprises twelve buffer tubes  128  arranged in a ring around the twisted pairs  105  and the associated film  132  that forms a tube as discussed above. Twelve is an exemplary number of buffer tubes  128 ; various other embodiments can have fewer or more. In an exemplary embodiment, the buffer tubes  128  comprises polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or polypropylene or other suitable polymer. In certain embodiments, the buffer tubes  128  can be a composite or comprise multiple polymeric materials. In an exemplary embodiment, the each buffer tube  128  has an inner diameter of about 1.3 mm and an outer diameter of about 2.0 mm, such dimensions being examples rather than limiting. 
     Each buffer tube  128  carries a bundle of optical fibers  130  and a water-blocking material  142 , such as a gel, grease, or other appropriate material. The water-blocking material  142  can coat each of the optical fibers  130 . The optical fibers  130  can be embedded in water-blocking material  142 . In an exemplary embodiment, the water-blocking material  142  comprises a gelatinous or semi-liquid substance. In an exemplary embodiment, each buffer tube  128  is substantially filled with the water-blocking material  142  and the optical fibers  130 . 
     Alternatively, the buffer tubes  128  can be filled with a gas such as air, powder, a moisture absorbing material, a water-swellable substance, dry filling compound, or foam material, for example in interstitial spaces between the optical fibers  130 . Other elements can be added, for example strength members, strength yarns, tapes, solid or foamed polymeric filler rods, or electrical conductors, depending upon application goals. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, each buffer tube  128  carries six optical fibers  130 , six being an exemplary rather than limiting number. In certain exemplary embodiments, each buffer tube  128  carries about six to twelve optical fibers  130 ; however, more or fewer can carried. The optical fibers  130  are typically single mode fibers, but may alternatively be multimode. Each optical fiber  130  typically transmits pulses of light or optical communication signals carrying data or another form of information, for example. 
     The optical fibers  130  of the individual buffer tubes  128  can be bundled together via imparting the fibers  130  with a common twist. In certain embodiments, the optical fibers  130  can be oscillated in reverse-oscillating-lay with a lay length that manages tensile and environmental contractive strain on the optical fibers  130 . 
     In certain exemplary embodiments, the communication cable  100  comprises one or more solid or foamed polymeric rods that maintain geometry of the communication cable  100 . For example, the ring of buffer tubes  128  can be replaced with a ring of solid or foamed polymeric rods. 
     The illustrated embodiment of the communication cable  100  further comprises water swellable materials  126 ,  146  for impeding flow of any water that inadvertently enters the cable  100 , for example due to damage of the outer jacket  120 . Upon contact with water, the water swellable materials  126 ,  146  can absorb the water and swell, helping to prevent the water from damaging the optical fibers  130 . Impeding the longitudinal flow of water also helps confine any fiber damage to facilitate repair. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the water swellable material  146  comprises water swellable yarn that is located between the film  132 , which can be shaped into a tube as discussed above, and the buffer tubes  128 . In certain embodiments, the water sellable material  146  comprises multiple yarns that wrap around the film  132 . In certain embodiments, the water swellable material  146  can be disposed between two of the buffer tubes  128 . As illustrated, the water swellable material  126  is a water swellable tape that is disposed between the buffer tubes  128  and the armor  124 . The water swellable material  126  and the water swellable material  146  can each comprise a super absorbent polymer or other material that swells in the presence of water, for example. 
     Tables 1, 2, and 3 provide representative design parameters for a communication cable in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The values and parameters presented in Tables 1, 2, and 3 are representative but not limiting. These parameters and values, and others implemented in accordance with the present teaching by those of ordinary skill, can support balancing and managing cabling forces experienced by the optical fibers  130  and the twisted pairs  105  during installation, cable pulling, thermal expansion and contraction, and other cabling operations and conditions. Accordingly, the communication cable  100  can achieve robust optical and electrical performance across diverse conditions and can meet both fiber optic industry standards and electrical industry standards. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Exemplary Design Parameters for a Representative Embodiment 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Process 
                 Design Parameter 
                 Design 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Copper 
                 Twisted pairs 
                 # of pairs 
                 12 
               
               
                 Core 
                   
                 Wire gauge 
                 24 AWG 
               
               
                 Unit 
                   
                 Insulation type 
                 Foam-skin 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Material type 
                 HDPE, natural 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Material type 
                 HDPE foam agent 
               
               
                   
                 Bundling 
                 Filling compound 
                 ETPR, 80° 
               
               
                   
                 components 
                 Wrap type 
                 0.003 × 1 inch Polyester 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Wrap binder type 
                 Flat Poly, 1000 D, 1E 
               
               
                 Fibers 
                 Optical fibers 
                 # of fibers 
                 72 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Fiber type 
                 Single mode 
               
               
                 Coloring 
                 Fiber coloring 
                 Dia. of colored fiber 
                 250 μm 
               
               
                 Buffer 
                 Excess fiber length 
                   
                 0.05% 
               
               
                 Tubing 
                 Tube 
                 Material type 
                 PBT 
               
               
                   
                   
                 # of tubes 
                 12 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Diameter (inner/outer) 
                 1.3 mm/2.0 mm 
               
               
                   
                   
                 # fibers per tube 
                 6 
               
               
                   
                 Filling compound 
                 Material type 
                 Gel, Buffer Tube 
               
               
                 Jacketing 
                 Water blocking 
                 Material type 
                 Water-Blocking Yarns 
               
               
                   
                 materials 
                 Position 
                 Wrapped around central copper 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 core 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Material type 
                 Water-swellable Tape 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Position 
                 Around fiber tubes, under armor 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Position/# of ripcords 
                 180° apart under armor/2 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Position/# of ripcords 
                 180° apart over armor/2 
               
               
                   
                 Longitudinal 
                 Material type, OD 
                 Steel Music Wire, 0.060″ 
               
               
                   
                 strength member 
                 # of strength members 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Position 
                 180° apart over armor 
               
               
                   
                 Armor 
                 Material type 
                 2S Coated Steel Armor, 0.010 × 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 1⅝″ 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Position 
                 Longitudinally applied over WST 
               
               
                   
                 Thermoplastic 
                 Material type 
                 Commercially flooding compound 
               
               
                   
                 Flooding Compound 
                 Position 
                 Over armor and strength rods 
               
               
                   
                 Jacket 
                 Material type 
                 MDPE, Blk 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Thickness, nominal 
                 2.2 mm 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Cable OD, inches (mm) 
                 0.64 (16.3) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Additional Design Parameters for a  
               
               
                 Representative Embodiment-Exemplary  
               
               
                 Lay Lengths of Twisted Pairs 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Design Twist Lay, 
               
               
                   
                 Pair 
                 Tip 
                 Ring 
                 inches 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 1 
                 White 
                 Blue 
                 2.00 
               
               
                   
                 2 
                 White 
                 Orange 
                 4.70 
               
               
                   
                 3 
                 White 
                 Green 
                 3.10 
               
               
                   
                 4 
                 White 
                 Brown 
                 5.20 
               
               
                   
                 5 
                 White 
                 Slate 
                 3.90 
               
               
                   
                 6 
                 Red 
                 Blue 
                 2.80 
               
               
                   
                 7 
                 Red 
                 Orange 
                 4.10 
               
               
                   
                 8 
                 Red 
                 Green 
                 3.70 
               
               
                   
                 9 
                 Red 
                 Brown 
                 2.20 
               
               
                   
                 10 
                 Red 
                 Slate 
                 4.90 
               
               
                   
                 11 
                 Black 
                 Blue 
                 2.70 
               
               
                   
                 12 
                 Black 
                 Orange 
                 4.50 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Additional Design Parameters for a Representative  
               
               
                 Embodiment-Exemplary Dimensions 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Component, Parameter 
                 Value 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Cable OD, mm 
                 16.3 
               
               
                   
                 Jacket Thickness, mm 
                 2.3 
               
               
                   
                 Jacket Thickness over Steel Rod, mm 
                 0.9 
               
               
                   
                 Buffer Tube OD, mm 
                 1.9 
               
               
                   
                 Buffer Tube ID, mm 
                 1.2 
               
               
                   
                 Copper Core OD, mm (After Cabling) 
                 5.2 
               
               
                   
                 Finished Cable Weight, kg/km 
                 284 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that an embodiment of the present invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is not limited to any specifically discussed application and that the embodiments described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. From the description of the exemplary embodiments, equivalents of the elements shown therein will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and ways of constructing other embodiments of the present invention will suggest themselves to practitioners of the art. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the claims that follow.