Electrical characteristics of ribbon-based probe cables

We have electrically evaluated a ribbon-based probe cable that eliminates served wire shields and concomitantly reduces the installed cost of cables. Evaluation consists of (a) cable characterization by finding frequency-dependent multiconductor transmission line R, L and C matrices and (b) probe characterization by assuming a 3-meter cable terminated in 75 ohms and then finding cross talk and insertion loss. Based on the said analysis and early system level tests with an ultrasound system, we conclude that the ribbon-based cable provides a technically workable and cost effective new approach to probe cabling.