Hybrid cables for communication networks

Abstract

Hybrid cables for communication networks are disclosed. An example network element includes a first interface to connect to at least one of a plurality of electrical conductors disposed along a central axis of the cable. The plurality of electrical conductors includes a first twisted pair cable in a twisted configuration with a second twisted pair cable. The network element further includes a second interface to connect to one of a plurality of optical fibers adjacent to the plurality of electrical conductors.

1 . A network element comprising: 
 a first interface to connect to at least one of a plurality of electrical conductors disposed along a central axis of the cable, wherein the plurality of electrical conductors includes a first twisted pair cable in a twisted configuration with a second twisted pair cable; and    a second interface to connect to one of a plurality of optical fibers adjacent to the plurality of electrical conductors.    
   
   
       2 . A network element as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the network element is a coupler.  
   
   
       3 . A network element as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the network element is configured to be powered via the at least one of the plurality of electrical conductors.  
   
   
       4 . A network element as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the network element is configured to receive a communication signal via the at least one of the plurality of electrical conductors or via at least one of the plurality of optical fibers.  
   
   
       5 . A method comprising: 
 transmitting an electrical communication signal via first twisted pair conductors in a plurality of conductors disposed along a central axis of a cable;    transmitting electrical power without a communication signal via second twisted pair conductors in the plurality of conductors; and    transmitting an optical communication signal via one of a plurality of optical fibers arranged on the plurality of conductors.    
   
   
       6 . A method as defined in  claim 5 , wherein transmitting the electrical communication signal via the first twisted pair conductors comprises transmitting the electrical communication signal via twisted pair copper conductors.  
   
   
       7 . A method as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the optical fibers are arranged in a radial configuration around the plurality of conductors.  
   
   
       8 . A method comprising: 
 coupling first twisted pair conductors to an electrical signal communicator;    coupling second twisted pair conductors to an electricity supply, wherein the first and second twisted pair conductors form part of a bundle of conductors located along an axial center of a cable; and    coupling one of a plurality of optical fibers to an optical signal communicator, wherein the plurality of optical fibers are on the bundle of conductors.    
   
   
       9 . A method as defined in  claim 8 , further comprising removing a water-blocking jacket surrounding the plurality of optical fibers.  
   
   
       10 . A method as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the optical fibers are arranged in a radial configuration around the bundle of conductors.  
   
   
       11 . A method comprising: 
 transmitting an optical communication signal via one of a plurality of optical fibers disposed along a central axis of a cable;    transmitting an electrical communication signal via at least a first electrical conductor disposed in one of a plurality of bundles of electrical conductors circumferentially spaced around the plurality of optical fibers, wherein each of the bundles of electrical conductors includes a plurality of twisted pair conductors or a plurality of coaxial cable conductors; and    transmitting electrical power without a communication signal via at least a second electrical conductor disposed in any of the bundles of electrical conductors.    
   
   
       12 . A method as defined in  claim 11 , wherein transmitting the electrical communication signal via the first electrical conductor comprises transmitting the electrical communication signal via a twisted pair conductor.  
   
   
       13 . A method as defined in  claim 11 , wherein transmitting the optical communication signal via the one of the plurality of optical fibers comprises transmitting the optical communication signal via an optical fiber ribbon.  
   
   
       14 . A method as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of bundles of electrical conductors are at least one of twisted or braided around the plurality of optical fibers.  
   
   
       15 . A method comprising: 
 coupling one of a plurality of optical fibers to an optical signal communicator, wherein the plurality of optical fibers are disposed along a central axis of a cable;    coupling a first electrical conductor to an electrical signal communicator; and    coupling a second electrical conductor to an electricity supply, wherein the first and second electrical conductors are disposed in one of a plurality of electrical conductor bundles circumferentially spaced around the plurality of optical fibers, and wherein each of the bundles of electrical conductors includes a plurality of twisted pair conductors or a plurality of coaxial cable conductors.    
   
   
       16 . A method as defined in  claim 15 , further comprising removing a water-blocking jacket surrounding the plurality of optical fibers.  
   
   
       17 . A method as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the electrical conductor bundles are arranged in a radial configuration around the plurality of optical fibers.  
   
   
       18 . A method as defined in  claim 15 , further comprising removing a dry-core tube surrounding the plurality of optical fibers.  
   
   
       19 . A method as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of optical fibers are disposed in an optical ribbon fiber bundle.  
   
   
       20 . A method as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of electrical conductor bundles are at least one of twisted or braided around the plurality of optical fibers.