Communication cable comprising electrically isolated patches of shielding material

An apparatus for isolating an electrical conductor, comprising:

• a strip of dielectric film comprising a first edge, a second edge, a first side between the first edge and the second edge, and a second side opposite the first side;
• a first plurality of conductive film segments, each attached to the first side of the strip of dielectric film, wherein first isolation regions separate the first plurality of conductive film segments from one another;
• and
• a second plurality of conductive film segments, each attached to the second side of the strip of dielectric film, wherein second isolation regions separate the second plurality of conductive film segments from one another,
• wherein the first plurality of film segments overlap the second isolation regions,
• wherein each of the first plurality of conductive film segments comprises a respective thickness within a first thickness range,
• wherein each of the second plurality of conductive film segments comprises a respective thickness within a second thickness range, and
• wherein the first thickness range is outside the second thickness range.

An apparatus for isolating an electrical conductor, comprising:

• a strip of dielectric film comprising a first edge, a second edge, a first side between the first edge and the second edge, and a second side opposite the first side;
• a first plurality of conductive film segments, each attached to the first side of the strip of dielectric film, wherein first isolation regions separate the first plurality of conductive film segments from one another;
• and
• a second plurality of conductive film segments, each attached to the second side of the strip of dielectric film, wherein second isolation regions separate the second plurality of conductive film segments from one another,
• wherein the first plurality of film segments overlap the second isolation regions,
• wherein the first plurality of conductive film segments are electrically isolated from the second plurality of conductive film segments,
• wherein the first side of the strip of dielectric film faces the electrical conductor,
• wherein the each of the first plurality of conductive film segment is thicker than a skin depth for a frequency of a signal that the electrical conductor is operative to carry, and
• wherein each of the first plurality of conductive film segments is thicker than each of the second plurality of conductive film segments.

A communication cable comprising:

• a core that comprises a plurality of pairs of individually insulated electrical conductors, wherein each pair is individually twisted in a rotational direction, and wherein the core is twisted in the rotational direction;
• and
• a tape, curled around the core, that comprises:
• a first edge extending substantially parallel to the communication cable;
• a second edge extending substantially parallel to the communication cable;
• a first side;
• a second side;
• a plurality of electrically conductive patches that are electrically isolated from one another and that are attached to the first side, wherein each patch comprises an edge that spirals around the core opposite the rotational direction;
• and
• a second plurality of electrically conductive patches that are electrically isolated from one another and that are attached to the second side,
• wherein each of the plurality of electrically isolated patches that are attached to the first side has a first thickness, and wherein each of the plurality of electrically isolated patches that are attached to the second side has a second thickness that is different than the first thickness.

A communication cable comprising:

• a core that comprises a plurality of pairs of individually insulated electrical conductors, wherein each pair is individually twisted in a rotational direction, and wherein the core is twisted in the rotational direction;
• a tape, curled around the core, that comprises:
• a first edge extending substantially parallel to the communication cable;
• a second edge extending substantially parallel to the communication cable;
• a first side;
• a second side;
• and
• a plurality of electrically conductive patches that are electrically isolated from one another and that are attached to the first side, wherein each patch comprises an edge that spirals around the core opposite the rotational direction;
• and
• a second plurality of electrically conductive patches, disposed adjacent the second side, that are electrically isolated from one another and from the plurality of electrically conductive patches,
• wherein the plurality of electrically conductive patches and the second plurality of electrically conductive patches circumferentially encase the core,
• wherein the communication cable is operative to carry a signal that comprises a frequency,
• wherein each of the plurality of electrically conductive patches is substantially thicker than a skin depth for the frequency,
• wherein the first side faces the core,
• wherein the second side faces away from the core,
• wherein each of the plurality of electrically conductive patches is thicker than each of the second plurality of electrically conductive patches, and
• wherein each of the plurality of electrically conductive patches and each of the second plurality of electrically conductive patches comprises a respective edge forming an acute angle with the first edge of the tape or the second edge of the tape.

An apparatus for isolating an electrical conductor, comprising:

• a strip of dielectric film comprising a first edge, a second edge, a first side between the first edge and the second edge, and a second side opposite the first side;
• a first plurality of conductive film segments, each attached to the first side of the strip of dielectric film, wherein first isolation regions separate the first plurality of conductive film segments from one another;
• and
• a second plurality of conductive film segments, each attached to the second side of the strip of dielectric film, wherein second isolation regions separate the second plurality of conductive film segments from one another,
• wherein the first plurality of film segments overlap the second isolation regions, and
• wherein the first plurality of conductive film segments and the second plurality of conductive film segments spiral around a plurality of twisted pairs of electrical conductors in a common direction.