Advances in communication cables technology [editorial article]

Copper-based communications cables have been a pivotal component in communications channels since the very earliest days of telegraphy and telephony and, despite rapid advances over the years in fibre technology and wireless and radio communication, copper channels are essential in virtually all forms of electronic communications. The demands being placed on cable technology include requirements for ever increasing bandwidth. As a result, research effort around the world is directed at inter alia developing a better understanding of the electronic and electromagnetic behaviour of the channels, techniques to better utilise installed systems and development of analysis and measurement techniques to understand the behaviour of these channels in various environments. This article gives a brief review of the papers addressing these researches contained in IEE Proc.-Sci. Meas. Tech., vol.150, no.6, (2003).