An analyte sensor system comprising: (a) an amperometric glucose sensor (12; 100) that is implanted in vivo, comprising: an elongated flexible base layer; a conductive layer disposed on the base layer; an analyte sensing layer disposed on the conductive layer; an analyte modulating layer disposed on the analyte sensing layer; (b) a sensor input operatively coupled to the amperometric glucose sensor and capable of receiving signals from the amperometric glucose sensor; and (c) a processor coupled to the sensor input, wherein the processor is capable of analyzing and/or characterizing one or more signals received from the amperometric glucose sensor; and (d) a multiple-conductor electrical lead for electrically connecting elements in the analyte sensor system together, comprising: a central core; and at least one ribbon cable coiled around the central core along a length of the central core, the at least one ribbon cable comprising a plurality of separate electrical conductors coupled together along their lengths in series and electrically insulated from one another with an insulating material; wherein the conductive layer comprises a plurality of working, counter and reference electrodes (20, 360) that are grouped together as a unit and positionally distributed in a repeating pattern of units. (a) an amperometric glucose sensor (12; 100) that is implanted in vivo, comprising: an elongated flexible base layer; a conductive layer disposed on the base layer; an analyte sensing layer disposed on the conductive layer; an analyte modulating layer disposed on the analyte sensing layer; an elongated flexible base layer; a conductive layer disposed on the base layer; an analyte sensing layer disposed on the conductive layer; an analyte modulating layer disposed on the analyte sensing layer; (b) a sensor input operatively coupled to the amperometric glucose sensor and capable of receiving signals from the amperometric glucose sensor; and (c) a processor coupled to the sensor input, wherein the processor is capable of analyzing and/or characterizing one or more signals received from the amperometric glucose sensor; and (d) a multiple-conductor electrical lead for electrically connecting elements in the analyte sensor system together, comprising: a central core; and at least one ribbon cable coiled around the central core along a length of the central core, the at least one ribbon cable comprising a plurality of separate electrical conductors coupled together along their lengths in series and electrically insulated from one another with an insulating material; wherein the conductive layer comprises a plurality of working, counter and reference electrodes (20, 360) that are grouped together as a unit and positionally distributed in a repeating pattern of units. a central core; and at least one ribbon cable coiled around the central core along a length of the central core, the at least one ribbon cable comprising a plurality of separate electrical conductors coupled together along their lengths in series and electrically insulated from one another with an insulating material; wherein the conductive layer comprises a plurality of working, counter and reference electrodes (20, 360) that are grouped together as a unit and positionally distributed in a repeating pattern of units.