Which cable/connector for mass input

[Snowman]

Hi,

I'm working on a project that takes in a large number of inputs from sensors that are being "piped" to a CPLD where certain logic is applied. Each sensor unit is some fixed distance from the logic unit, it takes 2 lines in for power, and outputs up to 5 data lines - 7 lines required to connect the logic unit to each sensor. So, for example, for 5 sensors, I need 5x7-line cables.

I currently have 30 sensors but that number may grow to more than 100.
Each sensor unit can be as close as 1 foot (~31cm) or as far as 10 feet(~305cm) away. I'm using TTL levels (0-5V) with very low currents (<5mA in most places). Right now I'm using ribbon cable soldered right onto the logic unit that lead to a female IDC connector which plugs into its male counterpart on the sensor.

I'm wondering if there is a better way to achieve the same results using a different cable, different connector and what type of considerations I should keep in mind (other than general capacitance and resistance problems I will encounter with cables of this length).

Also, the IDC connector I'm using is cumbersome; I need a cheap(<50c CDN for both female/male parts) connector that's as good as a shrouded IDC connector but not as expensive

Thanks for help and sorry for the somewhat vague "question"
Avital

 

[Styx]

you mention TTL, does that mean all those signals are LOGIC and not ANALOGUE?

If that is the case and for that many signals think about multiplexing them together