Abstract:
A data line includes a first data cable, a second data cable and a connecting element connecting the first and second data cables to one another. A connecting element interconnects a first parallel pair data cable and a second star quad data cable. The connecting element has multiple connecting lines which transition mutually adjacently disposed cores of a respective transmission pair of the first data cable to diagonally oppositely disposed cores of a transmission pair of the second data cable.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119, of German Patent Application DE 10 2015 221 089.8, filed Oct. 28, 2015; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a connecting element for connecting a first data cable to a second data cable, and to a data line having such a connecting element. 
         [0003]    A symmetrical transmission of a data signal is commonly used for high-frequency data transmission. In that case, the signal itself is transmitted in a first core and the signal which is inverted relative thereto is transmitted in an associated second core of a transmission pair. The two signals are evaluated at the receiver side and are summed and, in this case, external interferences that act on both signals cancel one another out. 
         [0004]    Different types of data cables are known as data cables for such symmetrical transmissions of data. Firstly, it is commonly the case that the symmetrical signals are transmitted through a core pair which is equipped with a pair shielding. The symmetrical signals are therefore transmitted in the mutually adjacently situated cores of the core pair. The cores disposed in pairwise fashion normally run parallel to one another. Four cores are required for two high-frequency symmetrical signals. For that purpose, core pairs led in parallel (parallel pair) are normally used. 
         [0005]    Furthermore, it is also known for symmetrical signals to be transmitted through a stranded assembly of multiple cores, wherein the pairing of a respective transmission pair is formed not by mutually adjacently disposed pairs but by typically diagonally oppositely situated pairs. Specific examples in that case include quad-stranded configurations, such as for example the so-called Dieselhorst-Martin quad or the star quad. 
         [0006]    In the case of the Dieselhorst-Martin quad, two cores are stranded (twisted) so as to form a respective pair, and in a separate working step, a quad-stranded assembly is manufactured from the two pairs. The required decoupling of the signals is realized by way of different lay lengths, in the case of the Dieselhorst-Martin quad. 
         [0007]    In the automotive field in particular, star quads are often used as transmission lines. The most commonly used system in that regard is referred to as the HSD system (High Speed Data System). That involves star-quad lines and a plug system adapted thereto. All observations made below apply not only generally to star-quad plugs and star-quad sockets but also to the commercially available HSD plugs and sockets. In the case of the HSD system, as is the case with all star-quad contacting systems, the symmetrical signals are fed in each case into the diagonals. Due to the mutually perpendicular fields, there is little influencing of the other pair. It is, however, necessary in that case for the diagonals not to be eliminated either in the cable or in the plug. The star-quad configuration is particularly preferentially used in that case due to its particularly space-saving and robust geometry. 
         [0008]    In the automotive field, such quad-stranded assemblies are commonly used due to their relatively inexpensive manufacture and their good flexibility. The most commonly used system is the HSD system (High Speed Data System). Standardized plug systems exist for that system. 
         [0009]    A special case in that regard is the parallel pair as already mentioned above. In that case, as in the case of the star quad, the four cores are disposed parallel to one another in the cable. However, the pairings are realized not across the diagonal but, as in the case of a stranded pair, adjacent one another. In that case, in order to decouple the high-frequency signals, the pairs running in parallel are in each case enclosed by a shield foil or a mesh or a helical shield. The self-contained, divided, conductive enclosure ensures very good near-end crosstalk (NEXT) and far-end crosstalk (FEXT). The alien near-end crosstalk and alien far-end crosstalk characteristics likewise benefit. 
         [0010]    The different data cable systems cannot be combined with one another. A parallel pair cannot be simply connected to a star-quad plug or socket, because the high-frequency characteristics suffer due to the elimination of the pairings. A corresponding plug element for a parallel pair, despite the almost identical external dimensions, requires two shielded chambers which continue the shielding concept of the parallel pair into, for example, a printed circuit board in the plug element. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a connecting element for connecting a first data cable to a second data cable and a data line having the connecting element, which overcome the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known cables and lines of this general type, which permit a reliable symmetrical transmission of data and in which a high level of flexibility exists with regard to the data transmission concept. 
         [0012]    With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a connecting element for connecting a first data cable to a second data cable that differs from the first. The first data cable in this case is, in particular, in the form of a parallel pair. The first data cable has two core pairs in each case having two cores disposed, in particular, mutually adjacently and in parallel, which cores form a transmission pair for a symmetrical transmission of data and are, in particular, provided with a pair shielding. In particular, the first data cable includes exactly two core pairs. The second data cable is, by contrast, in the form of a stranded assembly, in particular a quad-stranded assembly with four cores, which is preferably equipped with an overall shield surrounding the cores. In the case of the second data cable, diagonally oppositely situated cores each form one transmission pair for a symmetrical transmission of data. Specifically, the second data cable is a star quad. It is thus preferable for the two data cables to each have exactly two transmission pairs. 
         [0013]    The connecting element is formed in the manner of an adapter element and has multiple connecting lines by way of which the mutually adjacently disposed cores of the transmission pairs of the first data cable are transitioned or connected to the diagonally oppositely disposed cores of the transmission pairs of the second data cable. 
         [0014]    Thus, by way of the connecting element, a transition between two different data cable types within a connection path is made possible, thus altogether making it possible to construct and configure a data transmission system for symmetrical data signals in a simplified and more flexible manner. For example, components which are constructed for connecting shielded core pairs may, for data transmission purposes, be readily combined with stranded assemblies which, specifically in the automotive field, are used due to their high level of (bending) flexibility and their lower costs in relation to data cables shielded in a pairwise fashion. Thus, in general, by way of the connecting element, a respective transmission pair of one data cable is transitioned to a respective transmission pair of the other data cable. The initially parallel pairing is thus converted into a diagonal pairing and vice versa. 
         [0015]    The connecting element in the form of an adapter element in this case normally has a length of only a few cm, for example at most 10 cm. 
         [0016]    The connecting element is preferably in the form of a separate component. In this case, in particular, the connecting element is in the form of a plug, so that it can be easily connected to at least one of the two data cable types by way of a simple plug connection. For this purpose, a plug part is formed on a respective end side of the connecting element for forming the plug connection to a complementary plug part of the respective data cable. The connecting lines in this case are expediently disposed entirely within a (plug) housing of the connecting element. The housing may be either a plastics component or a metallic component. In the case of a metallic (or metalized) or generally conductive component for the plug housing, a shielding action is simultaneously realized. 
         [0017]    In a first embodiment of the connecting element as a plug, a plug part is formed only at one end side of the adapter element, and a connector for the respective other data cable is formed at the other end side. In the assembled state, the transmission pairs of the other data cable are directly fixedly, that is to say non-detachably, connected at the other end side. This is realized for example by way of a soldered, crimped or other connection. In this case, there is then in particular a preassembled data cable of one type, to the end of which the connecting element is attached as a plug element, in such a way that a plug connection to a corresponding preassembled data cable of the other type can be readily formed. 
         [0018]    In an alternative structural variant of the connecting element as a plug, the connecting element is formed in the manner of an adapter plug which thus has, at its two opposite end sides, plug parts of different types, in such a way that one end side is constructed for a plug connection to the first data cable and the opposite plug part is constructed for a plug connection to the second data cable. 
         [0019]    The opposite plug parts in this case preferably have different constructions, and therefore have different plug faces. This, is however, not imperatively necessary. In the simplest case, the plug parts have a total of four plug terminals for the four cores of the respective data cable. 
         [0020]    The plug parts in this case are expediently generally in the form of simple plug elements such as are found, in particular, in the automotive field. They are preferably compatible with commercially available plug elements specifically for parallel-pair data cables and for star-quad data cables, in particular HSD plugs. 
         [0021]    For this purpose, the plug parts normally have an electrically conductive plug socket or an electrically conductive plug pin for each core. The plug parts are therefore different from plug elements used in the case of high-speed computer networks, for which it is common for a plug contact tongue to be provided for plug contacting purposes. Such a plug contact tongue is formed in the manner of a printed circuit board and is equipped with multiple mutually adjacently disposed terminal contacts. 
         [0022]    With regard to a reliable and, in particular, interference-free transmission of data even in the region of the connecting element, it is provided, in an expedient refinement, that the overall shield is connected to the pair shields. The respective shielding of the two data cables is therefore also realized across the connecting element. The individual shields of the two data cables are therefore at the same (ground) potential. 
         [0023]    In this case, it is expediently provided that the connecting lines are also shielded to the outside. The connecting lines are therefore, within the connecting element, at least partially and preferably entirely surrounded by a shield. For this purpose, it is for example the case that either the pair shields or the overall shield are or is continued in the connecting element and connected to the respective other shield of the other data cable. Alternatively or in addition, the connecting element itself has a shield, for example, in the form of a conductive housing or of a conductive, in particular sleeve-shaped shield element. 
         [0024]    It is particularly preferable for the connecting lines to be in each case individually shielded. By way of such individual shielding, the pairings of the individual transmission pairs are, in effect, eliminated, in such a way that a respective connecting line can be laid arbitrarily within the connecting element, without the data transmission quality being adversely affected. 
         [0025]    In a preferred structural variant, the connecting lines are in the form of crossing-over cores. This means that, within the connecting element, there is a number of cores which corresponds to the number of cores of the respective data cable. In particular, the connecting element thus has four cores. Due to the transitioning of the pairing in the shielded core pairs to the transmission pairs of the quad-stranded configuration, it is necessary for at least two cores to cross over. By way of this measure, a particularly inexpensive and simple embodiment is realized which is desired and used specifically in the automotive field. 
         [0026]    With regard to a particularly reliable transmission of data, a respective connecting line is preferably in the form of a coaxial conductor which thus has an inner conductor which is initially surrounded by an insulator (dielectric) and thus forms a core. The dielectric in turn is concentrically surrounded by an outer conductor, also referred to as an outer shield. The coaxial conductor is thus also an individually shielded connecting line. The inner conductor is connected to a respective conductor of the data cable. In an expedient refinement, the outer conductor is then connected at one side to a respective pair shielding and at the other side to the overall shield. 
         [0027]    As an alternative to this, the connecting lines are formed by the cores of one of the two data cables. The cores are thus continued within the connecting element. 
         [0028]    In order to provide a particularly simple and inexpensive embodiment, it is the case in a preferred embodiment that an end region of one of the two data cables itself forms the connecting lines. This means that, in the end region of the respective data cable, the pairing is, in effect, eliminated, and two cores are crossed over. In this way, the pairing of the mutually adjacently situated transmission pairs are transitioned to the diagonally oppositely situated transmission pairs or vice versa. In this case, there is thus no need for a separate component. The connecting element in this case, in particular, is integrated into a plug of the respective data cable. 
         [0029]    In this case, in a first embodiment, in an end region of the data cable, a cable sheath and the respective shielding of the data cable are removed, and the cores that have had the shielding removed form the connecting lines. These are in this case preferably not individually shielded. Due to the short distance, this is tolerable for certain fields of use. 
         [0030]    As an alternative to this, it is advantageously the case that the shielding of the respective data cable is continued in the connecting element and is used for the individual shielding of the connecting lines. In this structural variant, it is thus the case that a reliable, secure transmission of data is ensured even in the connecting region, without additional shielding measures or additional components being required. 
         [0031]    For this purpose, it is expediently the case that, in the first data cable, the pair shieldings are cut open, specifically in a parting plane between the two cores, in such a way that the respective (individual) core is assigned an, in particular, U-shaped partial shield. This therefore has a region which is open to one side. 
         [0032]    In this case, it is preferable for at least a part of the cores with its partial shield to be twisted, specifically in the range from 30° to 110°, preferably in the range from 60° to 90°. By way of this measure, the partial shield can be twisted at a suitable position in such a way that efficient shielding is realized. 
         [0033]    The cores are preferably twisted in such a way that the open regions of the partial shields are directed outward. By way of this measure, it is thus the case that good overall shielding is realized within the connecting element with the cut-open pair shields. 
         [0034]    In a further structural variant for the embodiment of the connecting lines, they are in the form of conductor tracks of a printed circuit board. In particular, it is the case herein that two conductor tracks cross over. For this purpose, it is preferable for at least a part of the conductor tracks to be led on different planes of the printed circuit board, wherein individual conductor tracks are transitioned from one plane into the other plane using vias. 
         [0035]    The printed circuit board is thus generally a multi-layer printed circuit board. The connection of the individual transmission pairs and the crossing-over are in this case realized by way of measures known per se from the field of printed circuit board technology. 
         [0036]    In this case, it is expediently the case that the printed circuit board has, for example at its opposite end sides, terminal contacts to which the individual cores of the respective data cable can be or are connected. In this case, it is possible for the cores of one or both data cables to be directly connected to the terminal contacts by way of soldering, for example. It is alternatively also possible for the connection of at least one data cable, or else of both data cables, to be realized by way of a plug connection. 
         [0037]    In this case, the printed circuit board furthermore has at least one ground connection for the pair shielding and at least one ground connection for the overall shielding. The two ground connections are in this case connected to one another, in such a way that the individual shieldings of the data cables are connected to one another in electrically conductive fashion and are at a common potential. In general, therefore, the printed circuit board preferably has one ground connection. 
         [0038]    The printed circuit board preferably has at least one, and preferably two, opposite ground planes. A ground plane is, in particular, a conductive layer covering a full area. In the case of two opposite ground planes, the connecting lines are expediently led between the two ground planes. The shields of the data lines are preferably connected to one of the ground planes. 
         [0039]    In general, the crossing-over of the connecting lines gives rise to different path lengths for a respective transmission pair. In a preferred embodiment, it is now the case that a compensation path is formed within the connecting element, in such a way that the path lengths of the cores for a respective transmission pair are adapted to one another and are, in particular, identical. This means that the relatively long path resulting from the crossing-over of one of the cores of a transmission pair is also lengthened in the case of the connecting line for the other core of the transmission pair. 
         [0040]    In an expedient embodiment, it is provided for this purpose that the connecting element has an altogether angled form and is preferably in the form of an angled plug element. The different connecting lines are in this case expediently led in such a way that the compensation path is formed by way of the angled construction. In particular, it is provided in this case that the respective crossing-over connecting line (e.g. core with the thus lengthened path) is led on the inside, and that core which is led through normally, and which does not cross over, of a respective transmission pair is led on the outside, in the angled region. An automatic path length adaptation is thus realized in this way. 
         [0041]    With the objects of the invention in view, there is concomitantly provided a data line having a first data cable and having a second data cable which are connected to one another by way of a connecting element according to the invention. 
         [0042]    The connecting element described herein and the described data line having a connecting element of this type serve preferably for use in a transportation device on land, on water and/or in the air, such as for example in motor vehicles, aircraft, ships and boats, hovercraft, etc. The connecting element and the data line are used in particular in a motor vehicle. 
         [0043]    Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. 
         [0044]    Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a connecting element for connecting a first data cable to a second data cable and a data line having the connecting element, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. 
         [0045]    The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0046]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic, side-elevational view of a data line having two data cables of different types which are connectable to one another by way of a connecting element; 
           [0047]      FIG. 2  is a simplified plan view of a connection layout in a connecting element for a connection of cores of a parallel pair to cores of a quad-stranded assembly; 
           [0048]      FIG. 3  is a side-elevational view of a structural variant in which the connecting element is an integral constituent part of a plug of the first data cable; 
           [0049]      FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 3 , in which the connecting element is an integral constituent part of a plug of the second data cable; 
           [0050]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are plan views illustrating a connecting element in which the cores of the parallel pair are used as connecting lines wherein, in order to eliminate the pairings, the pair shields have been cut open and twisted; 
           [0051]      FIG. 6A  is a simplified plan view of a printed circuit board on which the connecting lines are formed; 
           [0052]      FIG. 6B  is a side-elevational view of the multi-layer printed circuit board according to  FIG. 6A ; and 
           [0053]      FIG. 7  is a side-elevational view of the two data cables with an angled plug connector. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0054]    Referring now in detail to the figures of the drawings, in which parts having an identical function are denoted by the same reference designations, and first, particularly, to  FIG. 1  thereof, there is generally seen a data line  2  having a first data cable  4  and a second data cable  6 . In this case, the first data cable  4  is in the form of a so-called parallel pair with (exactly) two core pairs  4   a ,  4   b  (see also  FIG. 2 ). Each core pair  4   a ,  4   b  in this case is surrounded by a respective pair shielding  8 . The latter is furthermore normally also surrounded by a cable sheath. A first plug  10  is disposed on the end of the first data cable  4 . The plug typically has an, in particular, metallic housing. 
         [0055]    The second data cable  6  is a quad-stranded assembly (star quad) which likewise has two core pairs  6   a ,  6   b . Individual cores  7  of a respective core pair  6   a ,  6   b  in this case are disposed diagonally with respect to one another. The total of four cores  7  is surrounded by an overall shield  12 . In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the end of the second data cable  6  has a second plug  11 , which likewise has, for example, a metallic housing. 
         [0056]    The configuration of the individual cores  7  of the two data cables  4 ,  6  emerges, in particular, from the diagrammatic illustration of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0057]    The data cables  4 ,  6  serve generally for the transmission of high-frequency data signals for high-speed data transmission of two symmetrical data signals. In  FIG. 1 , there is also provided a connecting element  14  for the connection of the two data cables  4 ,  6 . The respective core pairs  4   a ,  4   b ;  6   a ,  6   b , with their respective pairings, of the two data cables  4 ,  6  are transitioned to one another by way of the connecting element. The connection layout for this purpose can be seen from  FIG. 2 . 
         [0058]    The connecting element  14  generally has connecting lines  16  by way of which the individual cores  7  of the two data cables  4 ,  6  are connected to one another. Due to the different pairings, it is necessary in this case for at least two of the connecting lines  16  to cross over (in this regard, see the two central connecting lines  16 ). Furthermore, a ground connection  18  is also formed, which electrically connects the pair shields  8  to the overall shield  12 . 
         [0059]    Furthermore, in  FIG. 2 , a compensation path  20  is also indicated in the two connecting lines that do not cross over. Due to the crossing-over connecting lines  16 , the connecting lines have a lengthened path. In order to compensate for this path, the two connecting lines  16  that do not cross over are extended by the compensation path  20 . 
         [0060]    In  FIG. 2 , the configuration of the cores  7  of the first data cable  4  is illustrated in the left-hand half of the image, and the configuration of the cores of the second data cable  6  is illustrated on the right-hand side. The left-hand half of the image may in this case also be regarded as a plug face of a first plug part  22 , and the right-hand half of the image may be regarded as a second plug part  24  of the connecting element  14  at the opposite end sides thereof. 
         [0061]    In this case, the plug parts  22 ,  24  have in each case, or jointly, a plug housing  26  which is preferably composed of conductive material, in particular metal. The plug housing may alternatively also be composed of non-conductive material. In this case, the plug housing is, for example, metalized. In this way, overall, shielding to the outside is realized in the plug region. The two plug parts  22 ,  24  are compatible with the above-mentioned plugs  10 ,  11  of the first and second data cables  4 ,  6 . 
         [0062]    In  FIG. 1 , the connecting element  14  is illustrated as a separate component with each of the two plug parts  22 ,  24 . Alternatively, it is also possible for the connecting element  14  to be integrated into the respective plug  10  of one of the two data cables  4 ,  6 , as is diagrammatically illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In this case, therefore, the cores  7  are transitioned from one pairing to the other pairing within the combined plug part  10 ,  24 ;  11 ,  22 . If a combined second plug part  10 ,  24  is involved, as is illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the first data cable  4  is connected thereto, and the cores  7  of the parallel pair are transitioned for example to the plug face illustrated in the right-hand half of the image. 
         [0063]    In the structural variant of  FIG. 4 , the situation is reversed. There, within the combined first plug part  11 ,  22 , the connected second data cable  6  with the quad-stranded configuration is transitioned, for example, to the plug face illustrated in the left-hand half of the image of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0064]    In general, the connecting element  14  has a housing which is formed, for example, by the above-mentioned common plug housing  26 . 
         [0065]    The connecting lines  16  may be constructed in various ways. 
         [0066]    With regard to a transmission which is reliable and interference-free as far as possible, it is basically sought in this case for the pairings of the individual core pairs  4   a ,  4   b  and  6   a ,  6   b  to be eliminated and, in effect, re-created. 
         [0067]    For this purpose, it is provided in particular that the connecting lines  16  run within the connecting element  14  so as to be shielded with respect to one another as far as possible or, generally, a reliable potential reference of the respective connecting line  16  to a ground potential be realized. The shields (pair shielding  8 , overall shield  12 ) are in this case normally connected to ground potential. 
         [0068]    In a first structural variant, the connecting lines  16  are in the form of coaxial lines  30  which have an inner conductor  32  and an outer conductor  34 . The coaxial lines  30  are indicated by way of example in  FIG. 1 . The outer conductor  34  in this case is typically formed by a shield layer, in particular a shield mesh, which surrounds a dielectric (plastic) with the inner conductor  32  led therein. In addition, in this case, each coaxial line  30  typically has an outer insulating sheath. 
         [0069]    The respective inner conductor  32  in this case is electrically contacted in each case with a core  7 . The respective outer conductor  34  serves for connecting the respective pair shield  8  to the overall shield  12 . Through the use of the coaxial line  30 , it is thus the case that each individual connecting line  16  is individually shielded. In this way, the pairings are eliminated, and interference is prevented. 
         [0070]    In this structural variant with the coaxial lines  30 , a separate housing  26  is not imperatively necessary. The coaxial lines  30  may also be combined in a simple manner and for example connected, at the end, to the first and the second plug parts  22 ,  24  for a respective plug connection to the first data cable  4  and second data cable  6 . 
         [0071]    Instead of coaxial lines  30  being used, simple cores are used, that is to say a conductor surrounded by a core insulation. In this case, the cores are preferably disposed in the housing  26 . Alternatively, only the first and the second plug parts  22 ,  24  are attached, at the end, to the cores. 
         [0072]    In an alternative embodiment, in particular in conjunction with, for example, the variants according to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in particular in conjunction with  FIG. 3 , the cores  7  of a respective data cable  4 ,  6  are continued in the connecting element  14 , and thus form the connecting lines  16 . For this purpose, the cores  7  each have the cable sheath that is normally provided, and also the shielding (pair shielding  8  or overall shield  12 ), removed. In particular, the cable sheath is thus stripped, and the shields in the region of the connecting element  14  are removed. This is possible, in particular, in situations with relatively low demands with regard to transmission quality, because the cores  7  are unshielded only over a relatively short transmission path. 
         [0073]    In a preferred embodiment, it is the case that the shield of the respective data cable  4 ,  6  is continued for the purposes of shielding within the connecting element  14 . This will be discussed in more detail below, in particular in conjunction with  FIGS. 5A and 5B : 
         [0074]    Proceeding from the first data cable  4 , the individual core pairs  4   a ,  4   b  are severed. Specifically, for this purpose, a respective pair shield  8  is severed in the middle, in such a way that two partial shields  36  are realized per core pair  4 ,  4   a . These are in each case approximately U-shaped as viewed in cross section. The partial shields  36 , or the respective cores  7  with their partial shield  36 , are then preferably twisted through 90°, in such a way that an open region  38  of the respective partial shield  36  is oriented outward. Therefore, in the direction of a respective adjacent core  7 , there is at least one part of one or more partial shields  36 . The individual cores  7  are thus reciprocally shielded with respect to one another. 
         [0075]    In this case, too, the connecting element  14  expediently has a housing  26  which forms a shielding to the outside. The open regions  38  are oriented toward the housing  26 , in such a way that the open region  38  is thus shielded by the housing  26 . 
         [0076]    The cores  7  which are prepared in this way and which have the partial shields  36  are transitioned or converted, within the connecting element  14 , from the core distribution illustrated in  FIG. 5A  to the core distribution illustrated in  FIG. 5B . 
         [0077]    In a further structural variant, the connecting lines  16  are formed as conductor tracks of a printed circuit board  40 . A conductor track of this type is illustrated in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . The printed circuit board is illustrated in a plan view in  FIG. 6A  and is illustrated in a side view in  FIG. 6B . The printed circuit board  40  is a multi-layer printed circuit board, in which the connecting lines  16  are led in different layers or planes. The connecting lines  16  of one layer are illustrated as solid lines, and those of the other layer are illustrated as dotted lines. 
         [0078]    The printed circuit board  40  furthermore normally has, on its opposite sides, terminal contacts  42  which are typically likewise disposed in different layers. In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 6A , the left-hand side of the printed circuit board  40  is provided for the connection of the first data cable  4  or for the connection of two pairwise shielded core pairs  4   a ,  4   b . The first core pair  4   a  in this case is disposed in one plane of the printed circuit board  40 , and the other core pair  4   b  is disposed in the layer of the printed circuit board  40  situated underneath. The two middle connecting lines  16  are in each case crossed over and transitioned into the respective other plane for the transitioning of the pairing to the star-quad configuration. For this purpose, so-called vias  44 , that is to say through-connections, are provided through an insulation layer  46 . The contacting of the data lines  4  to the printed circuit board  40  is realized, for example, in a manner which is known per se. For this purpose, it is possible, on one hand, for the conductors of the cores  7  to be directly electrically contacted with the terminal contacts  42 , for example by way of soldering. As an alternative to this, the terminal contacts  42  are suitably connected to a respective plug part  22 ,  24  or to a part thereof. This means that the printed circuit board  40  is optionally integrated in the separate connecting element  14 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , or else in a combined plug part  10 ,  24  or  11 ,  22 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0079]    The multi-layer construction of the printed circuit board  40  is shown in  FIG. 6B . As can be seen, a middle insulation layer  46  is disposed between two layers  48  with the connecting lines  16 . The layers are in each case in turn followed by an insulation layer  46 . Adjoining these, two ground planes or plates  50  are also formed, in such a way that the connecting lines  16  are enclosed between the two ground planes  50 . By way of this measure, it is likewise the case that the respective pairing between the pairs  4   a ,  4   b ;  6   a ,  6   b  is eliminated. Each individual connecting line  16  is connected to the ground potential. The respective pair shielding  8  or the overall shield  12  is preferably connected indirectly or directly to the ground planes  50 . 
         [0080]    Finally,  FIG. 7  shows a structural variant in which the connecting element  14  has an angled form or shape. In this case, the angled profile of the connecting lines  16  is also illustrated in highly simplified and diagrammatic form. Due to the angled profile, an inner side  52  and an outer side  54  are formed. It is now preferably the case that the two crossing-over connecting lines  16  are laid on the inner side  52 , and the non-crossing-over connecting lines  16  are laid on the outer side  54 . This automatically yields an automatic compensation of the different path lengths.