Method and apparatus for implementing common mode cable noise suppression for medium range frequencies

1. A localized in-line cable filter system for implementing electromagnetic cable noise suppression comprising:

a cable connected to a noise source; said cable comprising a ribbon cable including a plurality of wires extending parallel to each other in a common plane;

an electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter disposed near the noise source;

said EMI filter including a plurality of EMI filter elements arranged in dual, staggered rows within a housing; said plurality of said electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter elements connected to said ribbon cable; at least one said EMI filter element being implemented with at least one discrete value capacitor;

a ferrite core surrounding said cable disposed proximate one side of said housing of said EMI filter opposite the noise source; and

a current return path member coupled between said EMI filter element and the noise source; said current return path member shunting noise current back to the noise source; said current return path member comprising a sheet metal member extending through a generally rectangular slot defined in said housing and in a plane adjacent to said common plane of said ribbon cable; said current return path member having a minimized path length for connecting to the noise source; and said housing containing said at least one discrete value capacitor implementing one said EMI filter element, said connection of said EMI filter elements to said ribbon cable and a portion of said current return path member.

2. A localized in-line cable filter system as recited in claim 1 wherein said EMI filter includes an insulation displacement terminal connecting said EMI filter element to said cable.

3. A localized in-line cable filter system as recited in claim 1 wherein said EMI filter includes a conductor member connecting said EMI filter element to said current return path member.

4. A localized in-line cable filter system as recited in claim 1 wherein said housing is formed by a pair of mating housing members.

5. A localized in-line cable filter system as recited in claim 4 wherein said mating housing members are formed of electrically insulative material.

6. A localized in-line cable filter system as recited in claim 4 wherein one of said housing members contains said EMI filter elements, said ribbon cable and at least one insulation displacement terminal; said insulation displacement terminal connecting said EMI filter element to one of said plurality of wires of said ribbon cable.

7. Apparatus for implementing electromagnetic cable noise suppression comprising:

a cable connected to a noise source; said cable comprising a ribbon cable including a plurality of wires extending parallel to each other in a common plane;

an electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter including a plurality of EMI filter elements arranged in dual, staggered rows within a housing; said plurality of said electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter elements connected to said ribbon cable; at least one said EMI filter element being implemented with at least one discrete value capacitor;

a ferrite core surrounding said cable disposed proximate one side of said housing of said EMI filter opposite the noise source;

a current return path member coupled between said EMI filter element and the noise source; said current return path member shunting noise current back to the noise source; said current return path member comprising a sheet metal member extending through a generally rectangular slot defined in said housing and in a plane adjacent to said common plane of said ribbon cable; said current return path member having a minimized path length for connecting to the noise source; and

said housing containing said at least one discrete value capacitor implementing one said EMI filter element, said connection of each said EMI filter element to said ribbon cable and a portion of said current return path member; said

housing being formed by a pair of mating housing members; said mating housing members formed of electrically insulative material.

8. Apparatus for implementing electromagnetic cable noise suppression as recited in claim 7 includes an insulation displacement terminal connecting said EMI filter element to said cable.

9. Apparatus for implementing electromagnetic cable noise suppression as recited in claim 7 wherein each said EMI filter element and said current return path provide a low impedance connection toward a source.

10. A method for implementing electromagnetic cable noise suppression comprising the steps of:

providing a cable connected to a noise source; said cable comprising a ribbon cable including a plurality of wires extending parallel to each other in a common plane;

providing an electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter including a plurality of said electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter elements arranged in dual, staggered rows within a housing disposed near the noise source;

connecting said plurality of said electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter elements of said EMI filter to said ribbon cable; at least one said EMI filter element being implemented with at least one discrete value capacitor including a connection to said cable;

providing a ferrite core surrounding said cable disposed proximate one side of said EMI filter opposite the noise source;

coupling a current return path member between said EMI filter element and the noise source; said current return path member comprising a sheet metal member extending through a generally rectangular slot defined in said housing and in a plane adjacent to said common plane of said ribbon cable; said current return path member shunting noise current back to the noise source; said current return path member having a minimized path length for connecting to the noise source; and

providing said housing containing said at least one discrete value capacitor and said connection to said cable, and a portion of said current return path member; said housing being formed by a pair of mating housing members; said matting housing members formed of electrically insulative material.