High frequency ribbon cable for twist capsule cable applications

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for surrounding electrical cable, such as coax cable or twinax cable, with an elastomer to form a twist capsule cable. The cables are placed in a fixture and stretched to a desired tautness using rubber bands at opposite ends of each cable without allowing the cables to sag in the fixture. The cables are clamped into yokes at opposite ends of the fixture. An elastomer, such as silicone, is poured into the fixture and allowed to cure. The portion of the cables within the fixture are embedded into the elastomer after the elastomer cures. Additional length of twist capsule cable can be fabricated by performing a similar process on adjoining sections of cable. The elastomer is then coated with a polyxylylene or similar polymer such as Parylene™ to prevent the elastomer from rubbing on itself when coiled and when uncoiling. Advantageously, any number of cables can be embedded in the elastomer to form the twist capsule cable. Also advantageously, the present invention provides excellent attenuation at 1 GHz. Some channels operate between 10 MHz and 80 MHz. The cables are capable of carrying radio, Identify Friend and Foe (IFF), Ethernet and other signals.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.