Patent ID: 7276664

Claim:
A data communication cable comprising: at least one twisted pair of insulated conductors; an insulation layer comprising a polymer surrounding each conductor of the at least one twisted pair of insulated conductors, the insulation layer having a first thickness; a first jacket layer surrounding the insulation layer, the first jacket comprising a material having flame-resistant and smoke-suppressive properties; a second jacket layer surrounding the first jacket layer, the second jacket layer comprising a polyvinyl chloride material containing flame-resistant and smoke-suppressive additives; and a metallic shield disposed underneath the second jacket layer and surrounding the first jacket layer; wherein the first jacket layer has a substantially uniformly smooth outer circumference along substantially a whole length of the cable; wherein a thickness of the first jacket layer is selected so as to provide the data communication cable with electrical signal attenuation and impedance characteristics substantially equivalent to those of an unshielded cable including a twisted pair of insulated conductors with insulation thicknesses similar to the first insulation thickness; wherein the first jacket layer is circular in cross-section with a thickness of between 0.015 inch and 0.032 inch; and wherein the first jacket layer comprises a polyolefin containing non-halogenated flame-resistant and smoke suppressive additives.