Patent attributes
Embodiments of the invention are directed to transmission cables, and particularly to twinax cables, for transmitting digital data and other information between components in a data processing environment. One embodiment of the invention is directed to an information transmission cable that comprises first and second signal carrying conductors of specified length, each of the signal carrying conductors being disposed to carry information signals and having a longitudinal axis. The embodiment further includes an insulating structure comprising an amount of specified dielectric insulation material, the insulating structure being positioned to surround the first and second signal carrying conductors along their respective lengths, and acting to maintain the first and second signal conductors in spaced apart parallel relationship with each other. A first drain conductor is positioned proximate to the first signal carrying conductor in spaced apart parallel relationship, and is further positioned in a first prespecified relationship with a reference line that intersects the respective longitudinal axes of the first and second signal carrying conductors, and that lies in a plane orthogonal thereto. In similar manner, a second drain conductor is positioned proximate to the second signal carrying conductor in spaced apart parallel relationship, and is further positioned in a second prespecified relationship with the reference line. Shielding material is spirally wrapped around the first and second signaling conductors, the first and second drain conductors and the insulating structure.