Patent Grant
8764464
In general, the invention relates to the field of electrical connectors, in particular to a high speed electrical connector comprising an insulating housing module having a plurality of contacts. The invention further relates to a connector comprising a plurality of such insulating housing modules.
Electrical connectors provide signal connections between electronic devices using signal contacts. Often, the signal contacts are so closely spaced that undesirable interference, or “cross talk,” occurs between adjacent signal contacts. Cross talk occurs when a signal in one signal contact induces electrical interference in an adjacent signal contact due to interfering electrical fields, thereby compromising signal integrity. Cross talk may also occur between differential signal pairs. Cross talk increases with reduced distance between the interfering signal contacts. Cross talk may be reduced by separating adjacent signal contacts or adjacent differential signal pairs with ground contacts.
With electronic device miniaturization and high speed signal transmission, high signal integrity electronic communications and the reduction of cross talk become a significant factor in connector design. It is desired to provide an improved connector reducing the problematic occurrence of cross talk, especially for high speed connectors.
In one embodiment, an electrical connector includes a housing that retains a plurality of electrical contacts, wherein the electrical contacts includes a plurality of signal contacts and a plurality of ground contacts. The electrical connector further includes a shieldless ground coupling assembly that places at least a portion of the ground contacts in electrical communication with each other. The shieldless ground coupling assembly shifts unwanted spikes in insertion loss resonance frequencies to a higher frequency. Another embodiment includes an electrical connector that includes a first insulative housing comprising differential signal pairs, ground contacts, and a non-shielding ground coupling assembly, wherein the non-shielding ground coupling assembly shifts a resonance frequency to higher value as compared to a second electrical connector that is virtually identical to the electrical connector except for the non-shielding ground coupling assembly.
Electrical performance of existing differential signal connectors, such as serial advanced technology attachment (SATA), serial attached small computer system interface (SCSI) (SAS), back panel, and mezzanine connectors can be improved by electrically connecting ground contacts within the connectors. Embodiments described herein allow for a simple retrofit of existing connectors designed to operate at slower data transmission rates, resulting in a drop-in compatible, higher data transmission speed connector this is also compliant with developing new standards such as SATA Revision 2.6, SAS-2 Revision 15, IEEE 802.3ap, etc, the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in its entirety herein. More specifically, embodiments described herein can shift resonance frequencies of existing connectors to extend the existing operating frequency range without changing the mating or mounting interface dimensions of existing standardized or non-standardized connectors. Stated another way, the described embodiments can allow existing connectors to be modified and/or replaced to produce a modified connector within the confines of the existing connector housing dimensions so that the modified connector effectively operates at faster data transmission rates (within frequency domain and time domain crosstalk limits such as six percent or less at about 40 ps for time domain or about −24 dB or less (−26 dB) for frequency domain at about 40 ps set forth in the standards), yet still remain drop-in compatible with existing connectors that cannot operate with the parameters of the new developing standards. The embodiments described herein are simple to construct, yet provides a significant advantage to existing implementers of various standards and a significant cost savings to standard implementers and component suppliers.
Referring to
The first electrical connector 52 is illustrated as a receptacle connector having electrical contacts 60 that receive complementary electrical contacts 76 of the second electrical connector 54. Thus, the electrical contacts 76 are configured as header contacts of a header connector 54. It should be appreciated, however, that the first connector 52 could be provided as a header connector and the second connector 54 could be provided as a receptacle connector having electrical contacts that receive the contacts of the first connector 52, or either connector could be provided as some other suitable mating connector that mates with other connector.
Accordingly, though the embodiment illustrated in
Various structures are described herein as extending horizontally along a longitudinal direction “L” and lateral direction “A”, and vertically along a transverse direction “T”. As illustrated, the longitudinal direction “L” extends along a forward/rearward direction of the connector assembly 50, the lateral direction “A” extends along a width of the connector assembly 50, and the transverse direction “T” extends along a height of the connector assembly 50. Thus, unless otherwise specified herein, the terms “lateral,” “longitudinal,” and “transverse” are used to describe the orthogonal directional components of various components. The terms “inboard” and “inner,” and “outboard” and “outer” and like terms when used with respect to a specified directional component are intended to refer to directions along the directional component toward and away from the center of the apparatus being described.
It should be appreciated that while the longitudinal and lateral directions are illustrated as extending along a horizontal plane, and that the transverse direction is illustrated as extending along a vertical plane, the planes that encompass the various directions may differ during use, depending, for instance, on the orientation of the various components. Accordingly, the directional terms “vertical” and “horizontal” are used to describe the connector assembly 50 and its components as illustrated merely for the purposes of clarity and convenience, it being appreciated that these orientations may change during use.
The first electrical connector 52 may include an electrically insulating receptacle housing 58 (schematically illustrated in
The contacts 60 each include a lead portion 61, a mounting portion 66 disposed at the rear end of the lead portion 61, and a mating portion 68 disposed opposite the mounting portion 66 at the forward end of the lead portion 61. The mounting portions 66 may include press-fit tails, surface mount tails, or fusible elements such as solder balls that are configured to electrically connect to a first electrical component 70, which may be provided as a printed circuit board 72 having electrical terminals or contact pads 74, or any alternative electrical device such as cables.
Likewise, the second electrical connector 54 may include an electrically insulating header housing that can be made from any suitable dielectric material, such as plastic. The housing carries a second set of electrically conductive contacts 76, which includes signal contacts 78 and ground contacts 80. The ground contacts 80 can be disposed regularly or irregularly among the signal contacts 78. For instance, the ground contacts 80 can be disposed between pairs of signal contacts 78 in an S-S-G configuration. Pairs of signal contacts 78 can form differential signal pairs, or can be provided as single ended contacts. One or more power contacts can also be provided. The contacts 76 may be insert-molded prior to attachment to the header housing or stitched into the header housing.
The contacts 76 each include a lead portion 83, a mounting portion 82 disposed at the rear end of the lead portion 83, and a mating portion 84 disposed opposite the mounting portion 82 at the forward end of the lead portion 83. The mounting portions 82 may include press-fit tails, surface mount tails, or fusible elements such as solder balls that are configured to electrically connect to a second electrical component 86, which may be provided as a printed circuit board 88 having electrical terminals or contact pads 90, or any alternative electrical device such as cables.
The mating portions 68 of each of the first set of contacts 60 can be provided as receptacle ends, and the mating portions 84 of each of the second set of contacts 76 can be provided as horizontally oriented blade ends or beams. The lead portion 61 extends forward from the mounting portion 66 and can be slightly angled vertically toward the complementary second contact 76 to be mated. The lead portion 61 can be flexible so as to be compliant when mating with the complementary second electrical contact 76. The mating portion 68 can define a bend 71 that forms a hook that presents concave surface 72 with respect to the mating portion 84 of the complementary electrical contact 76, and a terminal end 73 can extend forward from the bend 71 and can be angled vertically upward.
Thus, one or more contacts 60 can have upwardly angled lead portions 61 whose mating portions 68 define upward-facing hooks whose upper horizontal surfaces mate with the second contacts 76. The terminal ends 73 extend forward and downward from the forward end of the hooks. One or more contacts 60 can also have downwardly angled lead portions 61 whose mating portions 68 define upward-facing hooks whose lower horizontal surfaces mate with the second contacts 76. The terminal ends 73 extend forward and upward from the forward end of the hooks. The mating portions 84 of the second contacts 86 can have a horizontally oriented blade-shaped mating ends that are configured to electrically connect to the lowest point of the bend 71 of the first contacts 60 when the second contacts 76 are received in the first connector housing 58.
Accordingly, the second set of contacts 76 is configured to be inserted into the first electrical connector 52 and electrically connect to the complementary first set of contacts 60, such that an electrical connection is established between the first and second electrical devices 70 and 86, respectively. Each of the first and second sets of contacts 60 and 76 can be compliant, or have compliant portions, so as to induce a biasing force at the mating interface between the contacts 60 and 76 that increases the reliability of the electrical connection. The contacts 60 and 76 each define a length from their respective mounting portions to their respective mating portions along the longitudinal direction L, and further define a width extending in the lateral direction A.
With continuing reference to
The legs 100 can extend longitudinally, and curve forward and downward from the plate 98, and then curve downward and rearward so as to define a hairpin turn that extends into a mating portion 102 that connects to the upper surface of the ground contacts 64. Thus, each leg 100 can correspond to one ground contact 64 that is to be electrically connected to at least one other ground contact. Alternatively, a given leg 100 can be electrically connected to more than one of the ground contacts 64. The legs 100 can be soldered or otherwise connected to any desired location along the ground contacts 64. In the illustrated embodiment, the legs 100 are discretely connected at two connection locations 103 to the ground contacts 64, for instance via solder or a clamping mechanism, though it should be appreciated that the legs 100 could alternatively be connected to the ground contacts 64 at one location or more than two locations. When the ground shorting bar 94 is connected to the ground contacts 64, the legs 100 position the plate 98 at a location spaced with respect to the signal contacts 62, such that the ground shorting bar 94 is electrically isolated from the signal contacts 62.
As illustrated, the mating portions 102 of the legs 100 are connected to the upper surface of the terminal ends 73 of the ground contacts 64, and are further connected to the lead portion 61 at a location between the mounting portion 66 and the mating portion 68. The distal end of the mating portions 102 of the legs 100 can flare upward away from the contact 64 such that the interface between the mating portions 102 of the legs 100 and the contacts 64 define a surface area greater than that of an edge of the legs 100. It should be appreciated, however, that the ground shorting bar 94 can alternatively be connected to the ground contacts 64 at any desired location along the ground contacts 64 or contact pads 74, and at any desired location of the ground shorting bar 94.
In the illustrated embodiment, the ground shorting bar 94 can be overmolded by the housing 58, or otherwise retained in the housing 58, such that the bar 94 does not interfere with the mounting portions 66 or mating portions 68 of the contacts. The outer surface of the plate 98 (which is illustrated as the upper surface as illustrated in
The ground shorting bar 94 does not extend over the entire length or substantially the entire length of the signal contacts 62 such that the signal contacts or corresponding differential pairs would be shielded from crosstalk, and thus the ground shorting bar 94 does not provide an electrical shield as is understood by one having ordinary skill in the art. In fact, the ground shorting bar 94 is elongate in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction of elongation of the signal contacts 62. Furthermore, as illustrated, the first connector 52 does not include any shields, though it should be appreciated that, unless otherwise specified, one or more shields may be provided as metallic crosstalk plates that cover substantially the entire length of the signal contacts 62 if desired. Thus, unless otherwise indicated, the connector 52 can be a shieldless connector (that is, a connector that operates in the absence of metallic crosstalk plates) having a shieldless ground shorting bar 94, or a shielded connector having a shieldless ground shorting bar 94.
Without being bound by theory, it is believed that shorting the ground contacts to each other at multiple locations makes the ground more robust and effectively shortens the electrical length of the ground, thereby shifting the electrical resonance of the ground contacts to higher frequencies. This improves both insertion loss and crosstalk. The ground coupling assembly 92 can thus achieve various performance advantages for the connector 52 and connector assembly 50, such as shifting the frequency at which resonance occurs, which can refer to a frequency at which significant unwanted signal degradation occurs as described in more detail below. Shifting significant unwanted insertion loss resonances to higher frequencies can allow for more usable bandwidth in the connector assembly 50. For example, consider a connector that can operate with acceptable insertion loss and crosstalk (such as six percent or −24 dB or less) at 1.5 GHz (about 3 Gigabits/sec). The data transfer rate can be increased until a resonance frequency is encountered. At the resonance frequency, the crosstalk becomes too high (i.e., above six percent for time domain or a comparable time domain measurement) or the insertion loss to crosstalk ratio becomes too low and the connector no longer functions accecptably (out of specification or loss of data). According to the embodiments of the invention, the example 3 Gigabit/sec connector can be modified as described herein to shift the first resonance frequency so that the connector can operate acceptably at 3 GHz (about 6 Gigabits/sec). This increases the usable bandwidth of the electrical connector from 3 Gigabits/sec to 6 Gigabits/sec without changing the form factor of the connector. Furthermore, it is believed that shifting the above-described resonant frequencies can be achieved without substantially altering the impedance profile of the connector.
It is believed that shorting ground contacts 64 at locations closest to the middle of the longest electrical length section of the ground contacts 64 halves that ground length, which thereby doubles the frequency at which the first resonance occurs. Improvements have also been observed in embodiments where the grounds are shorted at locations offset from the middle of the longest electrical length section, or at multiple locations. It is also believed that the geometric configuration of the ground coupling assembly 92, or ground shorting bar 94, can affect the frequency of the electrical resonance. It should be appreciated that the multiple ground shorting bars 94 may connect the same or different grounds in a given connector. Thus, a first ground shorting bar 94 can electrically connect a first set of ground contacts, and a second ground shorting bar 94 can connect a second set of ground contacts, and the first set of ground contacts can be the same or different than the second set of ground contacts.
Thus, one or more electrical connectors, for instance connectors 52, can be provided having a ground coupling assembly that can include one or more ground shorting bars, such as ground shorting bar 94, that causes the signal contacts to have at least one differing performance characteristic, which can be an electrical resonant frequency characteristic, with respect to one or more of the other connectors. For instance, the electrical connectors 52 can have ground coupling assemblies 92 that 1) are connected at one or more different locations along the ground contacts 64, 2) are connected to different ground contacts 64, and/or 3) have different geometric configurations such that a kit of electrical connectors can be provided, wherein different connectors have differently tuned electrical resonant frequencies. This is believed to apply to not only the connectors 52, but any electrical connector or electrical connector module that incorporates a ground coupling assembly of the type described herein.
For instance, the legs 100, or any alternative location of a ground shorting bar of the type illustrated or described herein, can be connected to one or more location of each ground contacts 64 to which the ground shorting bar is attached. For instance, the ground shorting bar can be attached to a location that is coincident or substantially coincident with the longitudinal midpoint of the ground contact 64, at a location rearward of the longitudinal midpoint, or at a location forward of the longitudinal midpoint, including at or proximate the terminal end 73 of the contact 64. Furthermore, the ground shorting bar, for instance ground shorting bar 94, can be constructed having a geometry such that the plate 98 or portions of the plate 98 are positioned at alternative locations. For instance, the plate 98 can extend above, or otherwise along, the ground contacts 64 such that the plate 98 is centered or otherwise disposed at a location spaced forward from the longitudinal midpoint of the contacts, at a location that includes the longitudinal midpoint, or at a location that is disposed rearward of the longitudinal midpoint. The plate 98 may also be constructed having a geometry such that portions of the plate 98 are located at different locations with respect to the longitudinal midpoint of one or more contacts 64 than other portions of the plate 98. The plate 98 may also be centered with respect to the connection interface between the ground contacts 64 and 90, or can be offset with respect to the connection interface.
Thus, a first electrical connector 52 can be provided that includes a first ground coupling assembly 92, having a first geometrical configuration, that is connected to two or more ground contacts at a first location or first set of locations of the respective ground contacts. Another connector can be provided that is constructed similar to the connector 52 (and can be constructed substantially identical or identical with respect to connector 52), but having a ground coupling assembly 92, having a second geometrical configuration, that is connected to two or more ground contacts at a second location or second set of locations of the respective ground contacts. The second geometrical configuration can be different than the first geometrical configuration and/or the second location or second set of locations can be different than the first location or first set of locations. In other words, the second ground coupling assembly 92 can be connected to one or more different locations to a given ground contact with respect to the first ground coupling assembly 92, the second ground coupling assembly 92 can be connected at different locations to some but not all ground contacts with respect to the first ground coupling assembly 92, and/or the second ground coupling assembly 92 can be connected to different ground contacts with respect to the first ground coupling assembly 92.
In this regard, a method can be provided of tuning the electrical resonant frequency of a connector or a plurality of electrical connectors by adjusting an electrical resonant frequency characteristic, for instance 1) the location on the ground contacts 64 to which the ground coupling assembly 92 is connected, 2) the identity of the ground contacts 64 to which the ground coupling assembly 92 is connected and/or 3) the geometrical configuration of the ground coupling assembly 92.
The geometrical configuration of the ground coupling assembly 92 can be varied, for instance, by changing the geometry of the conductive plate 98. For example, while the conductive plate 98 is illustrated as being substantially rectangular in
Referring to
Referring now to
As illustrated, the first plate portions 99A extend over the terminal ends 73 of the ground contacts 64 in the manner described above with respect to the second example ground shorting bar 94A. The legs 100B extend rearward and down from the rear end of the first plate portions 99A, and connect to the ground contacts 64 in the manner described above with respect to the legs 100A of the second example ground shorting bar 94A. The second plate portions 99B extend over the terminal ends 73 along with a portion of the lead portion 61. It should be appreciated that while the third example ground shorting bar 94B is connected to the ground contacts 64 at one connection location 103, the shorting bar 94B could alternatively be connected at more than one location on the ground contacts 64, and at any desired location or locations along the ground contacts 64 in the manner described above. Furthermore, the third ground shorting bar 94B can have any alternative geometrical configuration as described above.
Referring now to
While the ground contacts 80 extend vertically above the ground contacts 64 in the illustrated embodiment, it should be appreciated that the connector 54 can include a ground coupling assembly 92 when the ground contacts 80 extend vertically below the ground contacts 64.
For instance, referring now to
While the ground coupling assembly 92 has been illustrated as a ground shorting bar constructed in accordance with various embodiments, it should be appreciated that the ground coupling assembly can be configured as a ground shorting bar that is integrally connected to the ground contacts 64 as illustrated in
It should be further appreciated that the ground coupling assembly 92 can include an eight example ground shorting bar 94 that is spaced longitudinally forward with respect to the signal contacts 62. For instance, as illustrated in
While the ground coupling assembly 92 has been illustrated and described above in combination with a SAS or SATA connector, or any suitable alternative vertical or mezzanine connector, a ground coupling assembly can further be installed in a right-angle electrical connector, as will now be described.
Referring now to
The connector 122 may include a connector housing 123, and can have a first end 127A that defines a mounting end 128A and a second end 127B that defines a mating end 128B. Similarly, the header connector 124 may include a connector housing 125, and can have a first end 129A that defines a mounting end 130A and a second end 129B that defines a mating end 130B. The mounting end 128A of the right-angle connector 122 may be adapted to connect to the printed circuit board 126A, and the mounting end 130A of the header connector 124 may be adapted to connect to the printed circuit board 126B. The mating end 128B of the right-angle connector 122 may be adapted to connect to the mating end 130B of the header connector 124. Although the connector 122 is shown as mating with the header connector 124, it will be appreciated that, in other embodiments, the connector 122 may mate directly with the printed circuit board 126B.
The connector 122 may include one or more electrical connector modules 132 which can be provided as insert molded leadframe assemblies (IMLAs). At least one of the modules 132, including all modules, may be shieldless in the manner described above. The connector 122 can be constructed as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/958,098, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in its entirety herein. Each connector module 132 may include an insulating or dielectric module housing 134, or IMLA housing. The connector modules 132 may be attached to one another by way of a retaining clip 136, which can be provided in the form of an organizer housing such as the organizer housing 196 described below. Therefore, the connector modules 132, including the electrical contacts therein, may be removably secured within the connector 122. As such, one or more connector modules 132 within the connector 122 may be removed and/or replaced as necessary.
Referring now also to
The first end 138A of the electrical contact 138 may include any suitable terminal for establishing an electrical and mechanical connection with the printed circuit board 126A. For example, the mounting end 138A may include a solder ball that is soldered to a solder pad on the printed circuit board 126A. In addition, the mounting end 138A may be a compliant end configured to be inserted into a plated through-hole of the printed circuit board 126A. Like the first end 138A, the first end 140A of the electrical contact 140 may also include any suitable terminal for establishing an electrical and mechanical connection with the printed circuit board.
The mating end 138B of each electrical contact 138 may be received within the connector housing 123. The mating end 138B of each electrical contact 138 may include any suitable mating end for establishing an electrical and mechanical connection with the second end 140B of the electrical contact 140 of the header connector 124. For example, as shown in
With continuing reference to
Though adjacent signal contacts (S) have been described as forming differential signal pairs, it will be appreciated that the electrical contacts 138 of each connector module 132 may also be arranged for single signal applications. For example, the signal contacts (S) and the ground contacts (G) may be arranged or designated in the connector module 132 such that adjacent signal contacts (S) in the connector module 132 may be separated by a ground contact (G) in an S-S-G configuration.
Referring now to
The electrical contacts 138 may be arranged in a linear array within each connector module 132 along a first direction 146. The electrical contacts 138 may also be arranged in a linear array across adjacent connector modules 132 along a second direction 148. The second direction 148 may define a non-zero angle (e.g., 90 degrees) with the first direction 146. The dimensions (e.g., width, length and height) of the electrical contacts 138, the spacing between adjacent electrical contacts 138 within a particular connector module 132, and the spacing between adjacent electrical contacts 138 in adjacent connector modules 132, may each be optimized to minimize cross talk and to match the impedance to a desired system impedance.
The retaining clip 136 may be electrically insulating and, therefore, may assist with the EMI shielding of the connector 122. For example, the retaining clip 136 may be made of a conductive material. In addition, the retaining clip 136 may be floating or grounded. For example, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
Referring now to
It should be appreciated that the ground shorting bar 144 can connect to the ground contacts (G) in various configurations and/or arrangements (e.g., horizontal, vertical, diagonal, etc.). The ground shorting bar 144 may be connected to each ground contact (G) in the connector module 132, or may be connected to less than all of the ground contacts (G) in the connector module 132. Each ground contact (G) in the connector 122 may define an electrical path that extends from the mounting end 138A to the mating end 138B of the ground contact (G). As shown in
Referring to
As shown in
By dividing the overall electrical path of the ground contact (G) into relatively shorter portions, it is believed that the fundamental wavelength for resonant signals, and thus that of higher harmonics thereof, is reduced, thereby shifting the resonance to higher frequencies. Particular resonances may further be prevented, or the frequency shifted, by applying additional ground shorting bars 144 to further divide the electrical path of the ground contact (G) into additional portions.
The ground shorting bar 144 may be connected to the ground contacts (G) in the connector module 132 by any suitable means, such as by soldering or a clamping mechanism. In addition, one or more ground shorting bars 144 may be at least partly accommodated in the connector module 132 by being fit or integrated in or onto the insulating material of the connector module 132.
As shown in
The ground shorting bar 144 may define any suitable shape, such as an L-shape, a U-shape, V-shape, etc. If the connector 122 includes two or more ground shorting bars 144, the ground shorting bars 144 may be arranged in any suitable orientation. For example, as shown in
The length of the electrical path of each electrical contact 138 may depend on the physical parameters (e.g., dimensions, materials, etc.) of the electrical contact 138 and any nearby contacts and any nearby dielectric materials. Generally, it has proven advantageous to provide air as the main dielectric material for high-speed connectors (e.g., by providing the module housing 134 with one or more openings between adjacent connector modules 132 and between adjacent electrical contacts 138 in each connector module 132, and to reduce shielding material. Thus, the ground shorting bar 144 may be relatively small. For example, the dimensions of the ground shorting bar 144 may be the same or similar to the dimensions of the electrical contacts 138.
Referring now to
Furthermore, it is appreciated that a kit can be provided that includes a first and a second connector housing of the type described herein, or a plurality of connector housings. Each housing retains a plurality of signal contacts and ground contacts. The housings can be similarly, substantially identically, or identically constructed. The kit can further include a ground coupling assembly that is carried by each housing, and electrically connected to at least two ground contacts of the housing, wherein the ground coupling assembly has a different configuration in the first housing than in the second housing, and the different configuration causes the signal contacts retained in the first housing to achieve at least one differing performance characteristic with respect to the signal contacts retained in the second housing. The performance characteristic can include resonant frequencies of differential return loss, and/or different resonant frequencies of differential insertion loss, and/or different resonant frequencies of near end and/or far end differential cross talk. The housings in the kit can be configured for installation in an electrical connector, such as a SAS connector, a SATA connector, or a right-angle connector. The connector can thus be a vertical, mezzanine, or a right-angle connector. Alternatively, the kit can include a first and a second electrical connector that includes the first and second housings, respectively, or a plurality of electrical connectors that includes a plurality of housings. One or more connectors in the kit can be vertical, mezzanine connectors, and/or right-angle connectors, and can be header and/or receptacle connectors. It should be appreciated that the electrical connectors provided in the kit can be retrofitted into an existing electrical connector assembly without changing the dimensions of either connector, thereby replacing a previous electrical connector in the electrical connector assembly.
Accordingly, a preexisting connector having a footprint, height, depth, and mating interface that operates at a commercially acceptable speed at no more than 6% crosstalk at a 40 ps rise time or another speed according to an existing standard can be modified or replaced by a connector of any type described herein having a ground shorting assembly to produce a replacement connector having the same footprint, height, and mating interface as the preexisting connector (e.g., externally identical). Furthermore a connector of any type described herein can be configured to operate at a speed that is higher than that of the preexisting connector at no more than 6% crosstalk, while shifting resonant frequencies to levels that are higher than that of the operating frequency, and higher than the preexisting resonant frequency at the preexisting speed. An existing connector that does not meet the IEEE 802.3ap insertion loss over a frequency domain cross talk ratio can be modified or replaced to produce an externally identical connector as described herein to produce a replacement connector that meets the IEEE cross talk standard IEEE 802.3ap. Examples of resonant frequencies that can be shifted include differential return loss, differential insertion loss, near end differential crosstalk, and far end differential cross talk.
It should also be appreciated that a method can be provided for tuning an electrical connector to a desired performance characteristic, which can include desired resonant frequencies of differential return loss, and/or desired resonant frequencies of differential insertion loss, and/or desired resonant frequencies of near end differential cross talk, and/or desired resonant frequencies of far end differential cross talk. The method can include the steps of providing an electrical connector having a dielectric housing that retains a set of electrical contacts. The electrical contacts can include a plurality of signal contacts and a plurality of ground contacts. The method can further include installing a ground coupling element, for instance one or more ground shorting bars, into the connector. The installing step can include attaching one or more ground shorting bars to some or all ground contacts in the connector. Differently geometrically configured ground shorting bars can be installed, and connected to different locations of the ground contacts, until the desired performance characteristic is achieved.
Referring now to
The connector module 170 may include an insulating or dielectric connector module housing 172 that retains a plurality of right-angle electrical contacts 174. Each electrical contact 174 may include a first mounting end 174A, a second mating end 174B, and a lead portion 174C (see
The connector module 170 includes a ground coupling assembly 176 that includes a first ground shorting bar 178 and a second ground shorting bar 180 configured to electrically connect certain ground contacts. The second ground shorting bar 180 has a length that is shorter than that of the first ground shorting bar 178. The connector module 170 is illustrated as including a pair of the second ground shorting bars 180 disposed proximate to the mounting end 174A and the mating end 174B of the contacts 174, and the first ground shorting bar 178 is disposed between the second ground shorting bars 180. Because the first ground shorting bar 178 is longer than each of the second ground shorting bars 180, the first ground shorting bar 178 is configured to electrically connect a greater number of ground contacts than the second ground shorting bars 180. It should be appreciated, however, that the connector module 170 can include any number of ground shorting bars having different geometrical configurations as desired. For instance, the connector module 170 could include only one of the second ground shorting bars 180, only the first ground shorting bar 178, or a combination of the first ground shorting bar 178 and one second ground shorting bar 180.
Referring now to
As shown in
Referring now to
The legs 188 can present a barbed outer end 190, and can have a thickness less than that of the insert apertures 187 such that the legs 188 can extend through the apertures 187. In one embodiment, the legs 188 do not contact the apertures 187, though if the insert body 186 is insulating or does not contact the signal contacts of the connector module 170, the legs 188 can contact the apertures if desired. The ground shorting bar 178 can include a greater number of legs 188 than the ground shorting bar 180. While the second ground shorting bar 180 includes three legs 188 as illustrated, and the first ground shorting bar 178 includes five legs as illustrated, it should be appreciated that the ground shorting bars 178 and 180 can include any desired number of legs configured to electrically connect to the ground contacts G of the connector module 170 in the manner as illustrated in
The edges 186 include a plurality of notches 191 formed in the edges on opposing sides of the legs 188. One or both of the edges 186A and 186B can further include one or at least one locating notch 192 constructed similar to the notches 191. The locating notch 192 is disposed between notches 191, and is sized to receive the locating rib 185 of the insert 184 when the ground shorting bar 178 is inserted into the slot 189 of the insert to ensure that the ground shorting bar 178 is in its desired orientation.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
With continuing reference to
Referring now to
As illustrated in
Referring now to
The conductive plate 242 is discreetly or integrally connected to a first plurality of legs 248A that projects out from the front edge 246A in a first direction, and a second plurality of legs 248B that projects out from the front edge 246A in a second direction opposite the first direction. A first beam 249A can connect each of the first legs 248A to the plate 242, and a second beam 249B can connect each of the second legs 248B to the plate, thereby rendering the legs 248A and 248B compliant. The legs 248A and 248B extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the connector module housing 221 sufficient so as to engage the mating ends 224B of the ground contacts extending out from the housing 221. The legs 248A and 248B are offset with respect to the lateral direction.
When the ground shorting bar 240 is installed onto the connector modules 222 and 222A, the front edge 246A is substantially aligned with the front edge of the housing 221, such that the legs 248A and 248B are disposed forward of the front edge of the housing 221. The legs 248A contact corresponding ground contacts G of the connector module 222, and the legs 248B contact corresponding ground contacts G of the connector module 222A. Accordingly, the ground shorting bar 240 is a common ground shorting bar that electrically connects two or more, up to all, ground contacts G of a pair of connector modules of a connector module assembly 250. It should be appreciated that because the legs 248A can be laterally offset with respect to legs 248B, the ground shorting bar 240 can be configured to electrically connect to ground contacts G of the second connector modules 222A having offset ground contacts with respect to the connector module 222. It should be appreciated that the legs 248 can be laterally aligned in accordance with alternative embodiments. A plurality of subassemblies 250 can be joined to form a connector, for instance as described above with respect to the connector 198, that can be integrated into a connector assembly.
Referring now to
As shown in
The connector module 302A can include a set of one or more right-angle electrical contacts 304 as described above, including a first mounting end 304A, a second mating end 304B, and a lead portion extending between the first end 304A and the second end 304B. The mounting end 304A of the electrical contact 304 may include any suitable terminal for establishing an electrical and mechanical connection with an electrical device. For example, the mounting end 304A may include a solder ball that is soldered to a solder pad on the electrical device. In addition, the mounting end 304A may be a compliant end configured to be inserted into a plated through-hole of the electrical device. The mating end 304B of each electrical contact 304 may include any suitable mating end for establishing an electrical and mechanical connection with a complementary connector, for instance a header connector of the type described above. As illustrated, the mating ends 304B of the contacts 304 are arranged as receptacle contacts configured to receive mating header contacts. It should be appreciated, however, that the mating ends 304B could alternatively define a blade-shaped mating end.
Referring now to
The conductive plate 312 is discreetly or integrally connected to a first plurality of legs 322A a second plurality of legs 322B. The legs of the first and second pluralities of legs 322A and 322B are arranged in an alternating manner along the front edge 316A of the conductive plate 312.
The first legs 322A extend forward from the plate 312, and include an L-shaped leg 323 having a first portion 323A that extends out from the front edge 316A in a direction co-planar with the plate 312A. The first legs 322A each include a second portion 323B extending in a first downward direction from the outer end of the first portion. The second portion 323B provides a contacting member that is angled with respect to, and as illustrated is perpendicular to, the first portion 323A. The second legs 322B each include a curved beam 324 that is concave with respect to the first direction, and thus presents a contacting member that extends in a second upward direction from the conductive plate 312.
Referring now to
When the ground shorting bar 301A is installed in the connector modules 302A, each leg of the first plurality of legs 322A is disposed in the corresponding first notches 306, such that the second portion 323B of the first legs 322A contact the ground contacts G of the first connector module 302A. In this regard, it should be appreciated that the first portion 323A of the first legs 322A extends beyond the forward edge of the connector housing 303. Each of the second plurality of legs 322B is disposed in the corresponding second notches 308, and extends vertically above the connector housing 303.
When the second ground shorting bar 301B is installed in the second connector module 302B, the connector modules 302A and 302B can be mated by positioning the first surface 303A of the first connector module 302A to face the second surface 303B of the second connector module 302B. The connector modules 302A and 302B can then be brought towards each other until the curved beams 324 of the first connector module 302A contact the complementary curved beams 324 of the second connector module 302B when the connector modules 302A and 302B are mated. The first legs 324 of the first and second ground shorting bars 301A and 301B are aligned when mounted onto the connector modules 302A and 302B, and are thus configured to electrically connect to aligned ground contacts (G) of the connector modules. The connector modules 302A and 302B thus mate to forming a connector module assembly 330 that can form part of an electrical connector, for instance as described above with respect to the connector 198, that can be integrated into a connector assembly. Thus, the ground coupling assembly 300 can place the ground contacts of the each connector module 302A and 302B in electrical communication with each other, and in further electrical communication with the ground contacts of the other connector module 302A.
Referring now to
One or more of the slots, up to all slots, can further include opposing aligned necks 358 that extend in from each side edge 355. The necks 358 define a necked gap 360 therebetween that has a thickness substantially equal or slightly less than the width “W” of the ground contacts “G,” which can be equal to the width of the signal contacts “S,” such that when the ground contacts G are disposed in their associated necked gaps 360, the ground contacts “G” contact each of the opposing necks 358.
The slots 352 further define slot sections 352A that are disposed adjacent one or more necked gaps 360. The slot sections 352A have the thickness “T,” as defined by the distance between opposing side edges 355 of a given slot 352 along a direction perpendicular to the side edges 355, that is greater than the width “W” of the contacts 174. Accordingly, when the plate 350 is installed onto the mating end or mounting end of the connector housing, the contacts 174 of a given connector module 170, such as an IMLA, are disposed in a common slot 352, such that the ground contacts “G” are at least partially disposed in the necked gap 360, while the signal contacts “S” are disposed in the slots 352 at slot sections 352A, at locations between the opposing side edges 355 such that the signal contacts “S” do not contact the plate 350.
When the plate 350 is mounted onto a mating end or mounting end of the connector housing, such as the front housing 194 or the rear organizer housing 196, the contacts 174 of each connector module 170 are inserted into a corresponding slot 352. Thus, the number of columns 354 can be equal to the number of connector modules 170 of the connector 198. Thus, the plate 350 can electrically connect the ground contacts “G” of a plurality of adjacent connector modules 170 arranged in columns. The plate 350 is elongate in a direction perpendicular with respect to the direction of elongation of the contacts 174 with respect to the location of the contacts 174 that contacts the plate 350. For instance, when the plate 350 is installed onto the mating end of the connector 198, the plate 350 is oriented such that the plate is elongate in a direction perpendicular to the mating ends of the contacts 174. When the plate 350 is installed onto the mounting end of the connector 198, the plate 350 is oriented such that the plate is elongate in a direction perpendicular to the mounting ends of the contacts 174. The plate 350 can have a thickness less than 1 mm, such as between 0.2 and 0.5 mm, for instance 0.2 mm or 0.35 mm.
It should be appreciated that the necked gaps 360 can be spaced as desired, and as illustrated are spaced to receive contacts 174 arranged in a repeating S-S-G pattern such that each ground contact “G” is disposed in a necked gap 360. It should be appreciated that the number of necked gaps 360 in a given slot 352 can be decreased so as to cause the plate 350 to contact a select number of ground contacts of a given connector module 170 that is less than all of the ground contacts. Furthermore, the necked gaps 360 can be spaced to receive ground contacts “G” of contacts 174 that are arranged in a different pattern than a repeating S-S-G pattern. The plate 350 can be positioned at the mating end and/or the mounting end of the connector housing.
It should be noted that the illustrations and discussions of the embodiments shown in the figures are for exemplary purposes only, and should not be construed limiting the disclosure. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure contemplates various embodiments. Additionally, it should be understood that the concepts described above with the above-described embodiments may be employed alone or in combination with any of the other embodiments described above. It should be further appreciated that the various alternative embodiments described above with respect to one illustrated embodiment can apply to all embodiments as described herein, unless otherwise indicated.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application No. 61/032,613 filed Feb. 29, 2008, and U.S. patent application No. 61/092,268 filed Aug. 27, 2008, the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference This application is related by subject matter to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/958,098, filed Dec. 17, 2007, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,471,548, the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in its entirety herein.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2664552 | Ericsson et al. | Dec 1953 | A |
| 2849700 | Perkin | Aug 1958 | A |
| 2858372 | Kaufman | Oct 1958 | A |
| 3115379 | McKee | Dec 1963 | A |
| 3286220 | Marley et al. | Nov 1966 | A |
| 3343120 | Whiting | Sep 1967 | A |
| 3399372 | Uberbacher | Aug 1968 | A |
| 3538486 | Shlesinger, Jr. | Nov 1970 | A |
| 3587028 | Uberbacher | Jun 1971 | A |
| 3591834 | Kolias | Jul 1971 | A |
| 3601775 | Longenecker et al. | Aug 1971 | A |
| 3641475 | Irish et al. | Feb 1972 | A |
| 3663925 | Proctor | May 1972 | A |
| 3669054 | Desso et al. | Jun 1972 | A |
| 3701076 | Irish | Oct 1972 | A |
| 3748633 | Lundergan | Jul 1973 | A |
| 3827005 | Friend | Jul 1974 | A |
| 3867008 | Gartland, Jr. | Feb 1975 | A |
| 4030792 | Fuerst | Jun 1977 | A |
| 4076362 | Ichimura | Feb 1978 | A |
| 4157612 | Rainal | Jun 1979 | A |
| 4159861 | Anhalt | Jul 1979 | A |
| 4232924 | Kline et al. | Nov 1980 | A |
| 4260212 | Ritchie et al. | Apr 1981 | A |
| 4288139 | Cobaugh et al. | Sep 1981 | A |
| 4383724 | Verhoeven | May 1983 | A |
| 4402563 | Sinclair | Sep 1983 | A |
| 4407552 | Watanabe et al. | Oct 1983 | A |
| 4482937 | Berg | Nov 1984 | A |
| 4487464 | Kirschenbaum | Dec 1984 | A |
| 4523296 | Healy, Jr. | Jun 1985 | A |
| 4560222 | Dambach | Dec 1985 | A |
| 4571014 | Robin et al. | Feb 1986 | A |
| 4664456 | Blair et al. | May 1987 | A |
| 4664458 | Worth | May 1987 | A |
| 4717360 | Czaja | Jan 1988 | A |
| 4762500 | Dola et al. | Aug 1988 | A |
| 4776803 | Pretchel et al. | Oct 1988 | A |
| 4815987 | Kawano et al. | Mar 1989 | A |
| 4846727 | Glover et al. | Jul 1989 | A |
| 4850887 | Sugawara | Jul 1989 | A |
| 4867713 | Ozu et al. | Sep 1989 | A |
| 4898539 | Glover et al. | Feb 1990 | A |
| 4900271 | Colleran et al. | Feb 1990 | A |
| 4907990 | Bertho et al. | Mar 1990 | A |
| 4913664 | Dixon et al. | Apr 1990 | A |
| 4917616 | Demler, Jr. et al. | Apr 1990 | A |
| 4932888 | Senor | Jun 1990 | A |
| 4973271 | Ishizuka et al. | Nov 1990 | A |
| 4975066 | Sucheski et al. | Dec 1990 | A |
| 4975069 | Fedder et al. | Dec 1990 | A |
| 4997390 | Scholz et al. | Mar 1991 | A |
| 5004426 | Barnett | Apr 1991 | A |
| 5046960 | Fedder | Sep 1991 | A |
| 5055054 | Doutrich | Oct 1991 | A |
| 5065282 | Polonio | Nov 1991 | A |
| 5066236 | Broeksteeg | Nov 1991 | A |
| 5077893 | Mosquera et al. | Jan 1992 | A |
| 5094623 | Scharf et al. | Mar 1992 | A |
| 5098311 | Roath et al. | Mar 1992 | A |
| 5104341 | Gilissen et al. | Apr 1992 | A |
| 5127839 | Korsunsky et al. | Jul 1992 | A |
| 5141455 | Ponn | Aug 1992 | A |
| 5161987 | Sinisi | Nov 1992 | A |
| 5163337 | Herron et al. | Nov 1992 | A |
| 5163849 | Fogg et al. | Nov 1992 | A |
| 5167528 | Nishiyama et al. | Dec 1992 | A |
| 5169337 | Ortega et al. | Dec 1992 | A |
| 5174770 | Sasaki et al. | Dec 1992 | A |
| 5181855 | Mosquera et al. | Jan 1993 | A |
| 5197893 | Morlion et al. | Mar 1993 | A |
| 5226826 | Nillson et al. | Jul 1993 | A |
| 5228864 | Fusselman et al. | Jul 1993 | A |
| 5231274 | Reynier et al. | Jul 1993 | A |
| 5238414 | Yaegashi et al. | Aug 1993 | A |
| 5254012 | Wang | Oct 1993 | A |
| 5257941 | Lwee et al. | Nov 1993 | A |
| 5274918 | Reed | Jan 1994 | A |
| 5277624 | Champion et al. | Jan 1994 | A |
| 5286212 | Broeksteeg | Feb 1994 | A |
| 5288949 | Crafts | Feb 1994 | A |
| 5302135 | Lee | Apr 1994 | A |
| 5330371 | Andrews | Jul 1994 | A |
| 5342211 | Broeksteeg | Aug 1994 | A |
| 5356300 | Costello et al. | Oct 1994 | A |
| 5356301 | Champion et al. | Oct 1994 | A |
| 5357050 | Baran et al. | Oct 1994 | A |
| 5382168 | Azuma et al. | Jan 1995 | A |
| 5387111 | DeSantis et al. | Feb 1995 | A |
| 5395250 | Englert, Jr. et al. | Mar 1995 | A |
| 5399104 | Middlehurst et al. | Mar 1995 | A |
| 5413491 | Noschese | May 1995 | A |
| 5429520 | Morlion et al. | Jul 1995 | A |
| 5431578 | Wayne | Jul 1995 | A |
| 5474472 | Niwa et al. | Dec 1995 | A |
| 5475922 | Tamura et al. | Dec 1995 | A |
| 5518422 | Zell et al. | May 1996 | A |
| 5522727 | Saito et al. | Jun 1996 | A |
| 5558542 | O'Sullivan et al. | Sep 1996 | A |
| 5564949 | Wellinsky | Oct 1996 | A |
| 5575688 | Crane, Jr. | Nov 1996 | A |
| 5586908 | Lorrain | Dec 1996 | A |
| 5586912 | Eslampour et al. | Dec 1996 | A |
| 5586914 | Foster, Jr. et al. | Dec 1996 | A |
| 5590463 | Feldman et al. | Jan 1997 | A |
| 5609502 | Thumma | Mar 1997 | A |
| 5620340 | Andrews | Apr 1997 | A |
| 5634821 | Crane, Jr. | Jun 1997 | A |
| 5637019 | Crane, Jr. et al. | Jun 1997 | A |
| 5664968 | Mickievicz | Sep 1997 | A |
| 5668408 | Nicholson | Sep 1997 | A |
| 5672064 | Provencher et al. | Sep 1997 | A |
| 5697799 | Consoli et al. | Dec 1997 | A |
| 5713746 | Olson et al. | Feb 1998 | A |
| 5713767 | Hanson et al. | Feb 1998 | A |
| 5730609 | Harwath | Mar 1998 | A |
| 5741144 | Elco et al. | Apr 1998 | A |
| 5741161 | Cahaly et al. | Apr 1998 | A |
| 5766023 | Noschese et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
| 5775947 | Suzuki et al. | Jul 1998 | A |
| 5782656 | Zell et al. | Jul 1998 | A |
| 5795191 | Preputnick et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
| 5803768 | Zell et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
| 5817973 | Elco et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
| 5820392 | Lin et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
| 5823828 | Bricaud et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
| 5833475 | Mitra | Nov 1998 | A |
| 5853797 | Fuchs et al. | Dec 1998 | A |
| 5860816 | Provencher et al. | Jan 1999 | A |
| 5871362 | Campbell et al. | Feb 1999 | A |
| 5876222 | Gardner et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
| 5882227 | Neidich | Mar 1999 | A |
| 5887158 | Sample et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
| 5892791 | Moon | Apr 1999 | A |
| 5893761 | Loungeville | Apr 1999 | A |
| 5902136 | Lemke et al. | May 1999 | A |
| 5904581 | Pope et al. | May 1999 | A |
| 5904594 | Longueville et al. | May 1999 | A |
| 5908333 | Perino et al. | Jun 1999 | A |
| 5938479 | Paulson et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
| 5961355 | Morlion et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
| 5967844 | Doutrich et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
| 5971817 | Longueville | Oct 1999 | A |
| 5980321 | Cohen et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
| 5984690 | Riechelmann et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
| 5992953 | Rabinovitz | Nov 1999 | A |
| 5993259 | Stokoe et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
| 6007376 | Shimizu | Dec 1999 | A |
| 6022227 | Huang | Feb 2000 | A |
| 6027345 | McHugh et al. | Feb 2000 | A |
| 6042427 | Adriaenssens et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
| 6050862 | Ishii | Apr 2000 | A |
| 6053751 | Humphrey | Apr 2000 | A |
| 6068520 | Winings et al. | May 2000 | A |
| 6086386 | Fjrlstad et al. | Jul 2000 | A |
| 6095868 | Hyland et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
| 6116926 | Ortega et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
| 6116965 | Arnett et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
| 6123554 | Ortega et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
| 6125535 | Chiou et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
| 6129592 | Mickievicz et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
| 6132255 | Verhoeven | Oct 2000 | A |
| 6139336 | Olson | Oct 2000 | A |
| 6146157 | Lenoir et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
| 6146202 | Ramey et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
| 6146203 | Elco et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
| 6152747 | McNamara | Nov 2000 | A |
| 6154742 | Herriot | Nov 2000 | A |
| 6168458 | Kraft | Jan 2001 | B1 |
| 6171115 | Mickievicz et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
| 6171149 | Van Zanten | Jan 2001 | B1 |
| 6179663 | Bradley et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
| 6190213 | Reichart et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
| 6210227 | Yamasaki et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
| 6212755 | Shimada et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
| 6219913 | Uchiyama | Apr 2001 | B1 |
| 6220896 | Bertoncini et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
| 6224432 | Billma | May 2001 | B1 |
| 6227882 | Ortega et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
| 6241535 | Lemke et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
| 6267604 | Mickievicz et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
| 6269539 | Takahashi et al. | Aug 2001 | B1 |
| 6273759 | Perino et al. | Aug 2001 | B1 |
| 6280209 | Bassler et al. | Aug 2001 | B1 |
| 6280809 | Wang et al. | Aug 2001 | B1 |
| 6293827 | Stokoe et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
| 6299483 | Cohen et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
| 6299484 | Van Woensel et al. | Oct 2001 | B2 |
| 6302711 | Ito | Oct 2001 | B1 |
| 6319075 | Clark et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
| 6322379 | Ortega et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
| 6322393 | Doutrich et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
| 6328602 | Yamasaki et al. | Dec 2001 | B1 |
| 6338635 | Lee | Jan 2002 | B1 |
| 6343955 | Billman et al. | Feb 2002 | B2 |
| 6347952 | Hasegawa et al. | Feb 2002 | B1 |
| 6347962 | Kline | Feb 2002 | B1 |
| 6350134 | Fogg et al. | Feb 2002 | B1 |
| 6354877 | Shuey et al. | Mar 2002 | B1 |
| 6358061 | Regnier | Mar 2002 | B1 |
| 6361366 | Shuey et al. | Mar 2002 | B1 |
| 6363607 | Chen et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
| 6364710 | Billman et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
| 6371773 | Crofoot et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
| 6375474 | Harper, Jr. et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
| 6375478 | Kikuchi | Apr 2002 | B1 |
| 6379188 | Cohen et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
| 6386914 | Collins et al. | May 2002 | B1 |
| 6386924 | Long | May 2002 | B2 |
| 6390826 | Affolter et al. | May 2002 | B1 |
| 6409543 | Astbury, Jr. et al. | Jun 2002 | B1 |
| 6414248 | Sundstrom | Jul 2002 | B1 |
| 6420778 | Sinyansky | Jul 2002 | B1 |
| 6431914 | Billman | Aug 2002 | B1 |
| 6435914 | Billman | Aug 2002 | B1 |
| 6457983 | Bassler et al. | Oct 2002 | B1 |
| 6461202 | Kline | Oct 2002 | B2 |
| 6464529 | Jensen et al. | Oct 2002 | B1 |
| 6471548 | Bertoncini et al. | Oct 2002 | B2 |
| 6482038 | Olson | Nov 2002 | B2 |
| 6485330 | Doutrich | Nov 2002 | B1 |
| 6494734 | Shuey | Dec 2002 | B1 |
| 6503103 | Cohen et al. | Jan 2003 | B1 |
| 6506076 | Cohen et al. | Jan 2003 | B2 |
| 6506081 | Blanchfield et al. | Jan 2003 | B2 |
| 6520803 | Dunn | Feb 2003 | B1 |
| 6526519 | Cuthbert | Feb 2003 | B1 |
| 6527587 | Ortega et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
| 6528737 | Kwong et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
| 6530134 | Laphan et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
| 6537086 | Mac Mullin | Mar 2003 | B1 |
| 6537087 | McNamara et al. | Mar 2003 | B2 |
| 6537111 | Brammer et al. | Mar 2003 | B2 |
| 6540522 | Sipe | Apr 2003 | B2 |
| 6540558 | Paagman | Apr 2003 | B1 |
| 6540559 | Kemmick et al. | Apr 2003 | B1 |
| 6544074 | Bricaud et al. | Apr 2003 | B2 |
| 6547066 | Koch | Apr 2003 | B2 |
| 6551140 | Billman et al. | Apr 2003 | B2 |
| 6554640 | Koike et al. | Apr 2003 | B1 |
| 6554647 | Cohen et al. | Apr 2003 | B1 |
| 6561849 | Naito et al. | May 2003 | B2 |
| 6565387 | Cohen | May 2003 | B2 |
| 6565388 | Van Woesel et al. | May 2003 | B1 |
| 6572409 | Nitta et al. | Jun 2003 | B2 |
| 6572410 | Volstorf et al. | Jun 2003 | B1 |
| 6589071 | Lias et al. | Jul 2003 | B1 |
| 6592381 | Cohen et al. | Jul 2003 | B2 |
| 6602095 | Astbury, Jr. et al. | Aug 2003 | B2 |
| 6607402 | Cohen et al. | Aug 2003 | B2 |
| 6609933 | Yamasaki | Aug 2003 | B2 |
| 6633490 | Centola et al. | Oct 2003 | B2 |
| 6641411 | Stoddard et al. | Nov 2003 | B1 |
| 6641825 | Scholz et al. | Nov 2003 | B2 |
| 6648657 | Korsunsky et al. | Nov 2003 | B1 |
| 6652318 | Winings et al. | Nov 2003 | B1 |
| 6652319 | Billman | Nov 2003 | B1 |
| 6655966 | Rothermel et al. | Dec 2003 | B2 |
| 6659808 | Billman et al. | Dec 2003 | B2 |
| 6672886 | Billman | Jan 2004 | B2 |
| 6672907 | Azuma | Jan 2004 | B2 |
| 6692272 | Lemke et al. | Feb 2004 | B2 |
| 6695627 | Ortega et al. | Feb 2004 | B2 |
| 6712646 | Shindo | Mar 2004 | B2 |
| 6717825 | Volstorf | Apr 2004 | B2 |
| 6736664 | Ueda et al. | May 2004 | B2 |
| 6743057 | Davis et al. | Jun 2004 | B2 |
| 6746278 | Nelson et al. | Jun 2004 | B2 |
| 6749439 | Potter et al. | Jun 2004 | B1 |
| 6749468 | Avery | Jun 2004 | B2 |
| 6762067 | Quinnones et al. | Jul 2004 | B1 |
| 6764341 | Lappoehn | Jul 2004 | B2 |
| 6776649 | Pape et al. | Aug 2004 | B2 |
| 6786771 | Gailus | Sep 2004 | B2 |
| 6799215 | Giroir et al. | Sep 2004 | B1 |
| 6805278 | Olson et al. | Oct 2004 | B1 |
| 6808399 | Rothermel et al. | Oct 2004 | B2 |
| 6808420 | Whiteman, Jr. et al. | Oct 2004 | B2 |
| 6824391 | Mickievicz et al. | Nov 2004 | B2 |
| 6835072 | Simons et al. | Dec 2004 | B2 |
| 6843679 | Kuo et al. | Jan 2005 | B2 |
| 6843686 | Ohnishi et al. | Jan 2005 | B2 |
| 6848944 | Evans | Feb 2005 | B2 |
| 6851974 | Doutrich | Feb 2005 | B2 |
| 6851980 | Nelson et al. | Feb 2005 | B2 |
| 6852567 | Lee et al. | Feb 2005 | B1 |
| 6863543 | Lang et al. | Mar 2005 | B2 |
| 6869292 | Johnescu et al. | Mar 2005 | B2 |
| 6872085 | Cohen et al. | Mar 2005 | B1 |
| 6884117 | Korsunsky et al. | Apr 2005 | B2 |
| 6890214 | Brown et al. | May 2005 | B2 |
| 6893300 | Zhou et al. | May 2005 | B2 |
| 6893686 | Egan | May 2005 | B2 |
| 6899566 | Kline et al. | May 2005 | B2 |
| 6902411 | Kubo | Jun 2005 | B2 |
| 6913490 | Whiteman, Jr. et al. | Jul 2005 | B2 |
| 6918776 | Spink, Jr. | Jul 2005 | B2 |
| 6918789 | Lang et al. | Jul 2005 | B2 |
| 6932649 | Rothermel et al. | Aug 2005 | B1 |
| 6939173 | Elco et al. | Sep 2005 | B1 |
| 6945796 | Bassler et al. | Sep 2005 | B2 |
| 6951466 | Sandoval et al. | Oct 2005 | B2 |
| 6953351 | Fromm et al. | Oct 2005 | B2 |
| 6960103 | Tokunaga | Nov 2005 | B2 |
| 6969280 | Chien et al. | Nov 2005 | B2 |
| 6976886 | Winnings et al. | Dec 2005 | B2 |
| 6979215 | Avery et al. | Dec 2005 | B2 |
| 6981883 | Raistrick et al. | Jan 2006 | B2 |
| 6988902 | Winings et al. | Jan 2006 | B2 |
| 6994569 | Minich et al. | Feb 2006 | B2 |
| 7001188 | Kobayashi | Feb 2006 | B2 |
| 7021975 | Lappohn | Apr 2006 | B2 |
| 7040901 | Benham et al. | May 2006 | B2 |
| 7044794 | Consoli et al. | May 2006 | B2 |
| 7048589 | Bricaud et al. | May 2006 | B2 |
| 7074086 | Cohen et al. | Jul 2006 | B2 |
| 7090501 | Scherer et al. | Aug 2006 | B1 |
| 7094102 | Cohen et al. | Aug 2006 | B2 |
| 7097506 | Nakada | Aug 2006 | B2 |
| 7101191 | Benham | Sep 2006 | B2 |
| 7108556 | Cohen et al. | Sep 2006 | B2 |
| 7112082 | Tsai | Sep 2006 | B2 |
| 7114964 | Winings et al. | Oct 2006 | B2 |
| 7118391 | Minich et al. | Oct 2006 | B2 |
| 7131870 | Whiteman, Jr. et al. | Nov 2006 | B2 |
| 7137832 | Mongold et al. | Nov 2006 | B2 |
| 7139176 | Taniguchi et al. | Nov 2006 | B2 |
| 7153162 | Mizumura et al. | Dec 2006 | B2 |
| 7160117 | Ngo | Jan 2007 | B2 |
| 7172461 | Davis et al. | Feb 2007 | B2 |
| 7175446 | Bright et al. | Feb 2007 | B2 |
| 7179108 | Goodman et al. | Feb 2007 | B2 |
| 7186123 | Lemke et al. | Mar 2007 | B2 |
| 7207807 | Fogg | Apr 2007 | B2 |
| 7207836 | Tsai | Apr 2007 | B2 |
| 7239526 | Bibee | Jul 2007 | B1 |
| 7241168 | Sakurai et al. | Jul 2007 | B2 |
| 7244126 | Morana et al. | Jul 2007 | B2 |
| 7247050 | Minich | Jul 2007 | B1 |
| 7270574 | Ngo | Sep 2007 | B1 |
| 7278856 | Minich | Oct 2007 | B2 |
| 7281950 | Belopolsky | Oct 2007 | B2 |
| 7285018 | Kenny et al. | Oct 2007 | B2 |
| 7292055 | Egitto et al. | Nov 2007 | B2 |
| 7310875 | Evans | Dec 2007 | B2 |
| 7322855 | Mongold et al. | Jan 2008 | B2 |
| 7331802 | Rothermel et al. | Feb 2008 | B2 |
| 7331830 | Minich | Feb 2008 | B2 |
| 7396259 | Marshall | Jul 2008 | B2 |
| 7407387 | Johnescu et al. | Aug 2008 | B2 |
| 7422483 | Avery et al. | Sep 2008 | B2 |
| 7429176 | Johnesu et al. | Sep 2008 | B2 |
| 7431616 | Minich | Oct 2008 | B2 |
| 7438600 | Hung et al. | Oct 2008 | B1 |
| 7462924 | Shuey | Dec 2008 | B2 |
| 7467955 | Raistrick et al. | Dec 2008 | B2 |
| 7494379 | Do et al. | Feb 2009 | B2 |
| 7494381 | Wu et al. | Feb 2009 | B1 |
| 7497735 | Belopolsky | Mar 2009 | B2 |
| 7497736 | Minich et al. | Mar 2009 | B2 |
| 7500871 | Minich et al. | Mar 2009 | B2 |
| 7503804 | Minich | Mar 2009 | B2 |
| 7524209 | Hull et al. | Apr 2009 | B2 |
| 7534142 | Avery et al. | May 2009 | B2 |
| 7553182 | Buck et al. | Jun 2009 | B2 |
| 7621781 | Rothermel et al. | Nov 2009 | B2 |
| 7651337 | McNamara | Jan 2010 | B2 |
| 7663890 | Nelson et al. | Feb 2010 | B2 |
| 7670185 | Zhang et al. | Mar 2010 | B2 |
| 7762843 | Minich et al. | Jul 2010 | B2 |
| 7789716 | Fedder et al. | Sep 2010 | B2 |
| 7798861 | Liu et al. | Sep 2010 | B2 |
| 7916488 | Chang | Mar 2011 | B2 |
| 8062046 | Daily et al. | Nov 2011 | B2 |
| 8137119 | Stoner | Mar 2012 | B2 |
| 8361896 | De Geest | Jan 2013 | B2 |
| 20010012729 | Van Woensel | Aug 2001 | A1 |
| 20010046810 | Cohen et al. | Nov 2001 | A1 |
| 20020017397 | Ramey et al. | Feb 2002 | A1 |
| 20020039857 | Naito et al. | Apr 2002 | A1 |
| 20020084105 | Geng et al. | Jul 2002 | A1 |
| 20020098727 | McNamara et al. | Jul 2002 | A1 |
| 20020106930 | Pape et al. | Aug 2002 | A1 |
| 20020111068 | Cohen et al. | Aug 2002 | A1 |
| 20020115318 | Apicelli | Aug 2002 | A1 |
| 20020127890 | Billman et al. | Sep 2002 | A1 |
| 20030116857 | Taniguchi et al. | Jun 2003 | A1 |
| 20030143894 | Kline et al. | Jul 2003 | A1 |
| 20030171010 | Winings et al. | Sep 2003 | A1 |
| 20030203665 | Ohnishi et al. | Oct 2003 | A1 |
| 20030220021 | Whiteman, Jr. et al. | Nov 2003 | A1 |
| 20040127098 | Kuo et al. | Jul 2004 | A1 |
| 20040157477 | Johnson et al. | Aug 2004 | A1 |
| 20040224559 | Nelson et al. | Nov 2004 | A1 |
| 20040235321 | Mizumura et al. | Nov 2004 | A1 |
| 20050009402 | Chien et al. | Jan 2005 | A1 |
| 20050032401 | Kobayashi | Feb 2005 | A1 |
| 20050048838 | Korsunsky et al. | Mar 2005 | A1 |
| 20050079763 | Lemke et al. | Apr 2005 | A1 |
| 20050101188 | Benham et al. | May 2005 | A1 |
| 20050118869 | Evans | Jun 2005 | A1 |
| 20050148239 | Hull et al. | Jul 2005 | A1 |
| 20050164555 | Winings et al. | Jul 2005 | A1 |
| 20050170700 | Shuey et al. | Aug 2005 | A1 |
| 20050196987 | Shuey et al. | Sep 2005 | A1 |
| 20050202722 | Regnier et al. | Sep 2005 | A1 |
| 20050215121 | Tokunaga | Sep 2005 | A1 |
| 20050227552 | Yamashita et al. | Oct 2005 | A1 |
| 20050277315 | Mongold et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
| 20050287869 | Kenny et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
| 20060003628 | Long et al. | Jan 2006 | A1 |
| 20060014433 | Consoli et al. | Jan 2006 | A1 |
| 20060024983 | Cohen et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
| 20060024984 | Winings et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
| 20060046526 | Minich | Mar 2006 | A1 |
| 20060051987 | Goodman et al. | Mar 2006 | A1 |
| 20060068610 | Belopolsky | Mar 2006 | A1 |
| 20060068641 | Hull et al. | Mar 2006 | A1 |
| 20060073709 | Reid | Apr 2006 | A1 |
| 20060116857 | Sevic et al. | Jun 2006 | A1 |
| 20060121749 | Fogg | Jun 2006 | A1 |
| 20060160425 | Fuerst | Jul 2006 | A1 |
| 20060192274 | Lee et al. | Aug 2006 | A1 |
| 20060216969 | Bright et al. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
| 20060228912 | Morlion et al. | Oct 2006 | A1 |
| 20060232301 | Morlion et al. | Oct 2006 | A1 |
| 20070004287 | Marshall | Jan 2007 | A1 |
| 20070042639 | Manter et al. | Feb 2007 | A1 |
| 20070099455 | Rothermel et al. | May 2007 | A1 |
| 20070138617 | Knighten et al. | Jun 2007 | A1 |
| 20070205774 | Minich | Sep 2007 | A1 |
| 20070207641 | Minich | Sep 2007 | A1 |
| 20080045079 | Minich et al. | Feb 2008 | A1 |
| 20080176453 | Minich et al. | Jul 2008 | A1 |
| 20080318450 | Regnier et al. | Dec 2008 | A1 |
| 20090011641 | Cohen et al. | Jan 2009 | A1 |
| 20090017652 | Stoner | Jan 2009 | A1 |
| 20090017682 | Amleshi et al. | Jan 2009 | A1 |
| 20090267183 | Temple et al. | Oct 2009 | A1 |
| 20090303689 | Chang | Dec 2009 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 0 273 683 | Jul 1988 | EP |
| 0 554 821 | Aug 1993 | EP |
| 0 932 226 | Jul 1999 | EP |
| 0 635 910 | Jun 2000 | EP |
| 0 891 016 | Oct 2002 | EP |
| 1 148 587 | Apr 2005 | EP |
| 1635429 | Mar 2006 | EP |
| 1 933 422 | Jun 2008 | EP |
| 02-284372 | Nov 1990 | JP |
| 03-266383 | Nov 1991 | JP |
| 06-236788 | Aug 1994 | JP |
| 07-114958 | May 1995 | JP |
| 11185886 | Jul 1999 | JP |
| 2000-003743 | Jan 2000 | JP |
| 2000-003744 | Jan 2000 | JP |
| 2000-003745 | Jan 2000 | JP |
| 2000-003746 | Jan 2000 | JP |
| 2004-103527 | Apr 2004 | JP |
| WO 9016093 | Dec 1990 | WO |
| WO 0129931 | Apr 2001 | WO |
| WO 0139332 | May 2001 | WO |
| WO 02101882 | Dec 2002 | WO |
| WO 2006031296 | Mar 2006 | WO |
| WO 2006105535 | Oct 2006 | WO |
| WO 2008082548 | Jul 2008 | WO |
| WO 2010068671 | Jun 2010 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| DesignCon, Interconnect Design Optimization and Characterization for Advanced High Speed Backplane Channel Links, Jan. 2009, 38 pages. |
| Search Report/Written Opinion for PCT/US2009/035388, dated Oct. 12, 2009. |
| B.? Bandwidth and Rise Time Budgets, Module 1-8. Fiber Optic Telecommunications (E-XVI-2a), htt-://cord.org/step online/st1-8/st18exvi2a.htm, 3 pages. |
| Amphenol TCS (ATCS): VHDM Connector, http://www.teradyne.com/prods/tcs/products/connectors/backplane/vhdm/index.html, 2 pages. |
| Amphenol TCS (ATCS):HDM® Stacker Signal Integrity, http://www.teradyne.com/prods/tcs/products/connectors/mezzanine/hdm—stacker/signintegr, 3 pages. |
| Backplane Products Overview Page, http://www.molex.com/cgi-bin/bv/molex/super—family/super—family.jsp?BV—Session ID=@, 2005-2006 © Molex, 4 pages. |
| Communications, Data, Consumer Division Mezzanine High-Speed High-Density Connectors Gig-Array® and Meg-Array® electrical Performance Data, 10 pages FCI Corporation. |
| FCI's Airmax VS Connector System Honored at Design.con, 2005, Heilind Electrnoics, Inc., http://www.heilind.com/products/fci/airmax-vs-design.asp, 1 page. |
| Framatome Connector Specification, 1 page. |
| HDM Separable Interface Detail, Molex®, 3 pages. |
| Hult, B., “FCI's Problem Solving Approach Changes Market, The FCI Electronics AirMax VS®”, ConnectorSupplier.com, Http://www.connectorsupplier.com/tech—updates—FCI-Airmax—archive.htm, 2006, 4 pages. |
| Lucent Technologies' Bell Labs and FCI Demonstrate 25gb/S Data Transmission over Electrical Backplane Connectors, Feb. 1, 2005, http://www.lucent.com/press/0205/050201.bla.html, 4 pages. |
| Metral® 2mm High-Speed Connectors, 1000, 2000, 3000 Series, Electrical Performance Data for Differential Applications, FCI Framatome Group, 2 pages. |
| MILLIPACS Connector Type A Specification, 1 page. |
| Molex Incorporated Drawings, 1.0 HDMI Right Angle Header Assembly (19 PIN) Lead Free, Jul. 20, 2004, 7 pages. |
| Molex, High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), www.molex.com, 2 pages. |
| NSP, Honda The World Famous Connectors, http://www.honda-connectors.co.jp, 6 pages, English Language Translation attached. |
| PCB-Mounted Receptacle Assemblies, 2.00 mm(0.079in) Centerlines, Right-Angle Solder-to-Board Signal Receptacle, Metral™, Berg Electronics, 10-6-10-7, 2 pages. |
| Samtec, High Speed Characterization Report, SEAM-30-02.0-S-10-2 Mates with SEAF-30-05.0-S-10-2, Open Pin Field Array, 1.27 mm x 1.27mm Pitch 7mm Stack Height, 2005, www.samtec.com, 51 pages. |
| Teradyne Connection Systems, Inc., Customer Use Drawing No. C-163-5101-500, Rev. 04. |
| Tyco Electronics, “Champ Z-Dok Connector System”, Catalog # 1309281, Issued Jan. 2002, 3 pages. |
| Tyco Electronics, Z-Pack TinMan Product Portofolio Expanded to Include 6-Pair Module, 2005, 1 page. |
| VHDM High-Speed Differential (VHDM HSD), http://www.teradyne.com/prods/bps/vhdm/hsd.html, 6 pages. |
| International Patent Application No. PCT/US2010/059639: International Search Report dated Aug. 26, 2011, 3 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 12/833,322: Non-Final Office Action, dated Feb. 18, 2011, 11 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 12/833,322: Response to Office Action dated Feb. 18, 2011, dated May 18, 2011, 11 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 12/833,322: Final Rejection dated Jul. 25, 2011, 25 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 12/833,322, filed Jul. 9, 2010, Stuart C. Stoner. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 12/833,322: Response to Final Rejection dated Jul. 25, 2011, dated Oct. 25, 2011, 7 pages. |
| Tyco Electronics, “High Speed Backplane Connectors, Multigig RT Connector Products,” Catalog 1773095 Issued Apr. 2005, 21 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 60/584,928, filed Jul. 1, 2004, Cohen. |
| International Patent Application No. PCT/US2008/002569: International Search Report, dated Sep. 26, 2008, 2 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 11/713,503: Advisory Action, dated May 5, 2009, 3 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 11/713,503: Notice of Abandonment, dated Sep. 11, 2009, 2 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 11/713,503: Final Rejection, dated Feb. 27, 2009, 4 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 11/713,503: Non-Final Office Action, dated Nov. 6, 2008, 4 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 11/713,503: Notice of Publication, dated Sep. 4, 2008, 1 page. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 11/713,503: Non-Final Office Action, dated Jun. 20, 2008, 5 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 11/713,503: (Tyco) Declaration Under 37 1.132, dated Sep. 22, 2008, 11 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 11/713,503: Request for Consideration after Final Rejection, dated Apr. 24, 2009, 5 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 11/713,503: Response to Non-Final Office Action issued Nov. 6, 2008, dated Feb. 6, 2009, 5 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 11/713,503: Response to Non-Final Office Action issued Jun. 20, 2008, dated Sep. 22, 2008, 4 pages. |
| Tyco Electronics, “Z-Pack TinMan High Speed Orthogonal Connector Product Feature Selector”, http://catalog.tycoelectronics.com/catalog/feat/en/s/24643?BML=10576.17560.17759, accessed Oct. 13, 2009, 2 pages. |
| “Tyco Unveils Z-Pack TinMan Orthogonal Connector System”, http://www.epn-online.com/page/new59327/tyco-unveils-z-pack-tinman-orthogonal-conn, accessed Oct. 13, 2009, 4 pages. |
| International Preliminary Report on Patentability, issued Apr. 2, 2013, for PCT/US2011/053378 filed Sep. 27, 2011. |
| 4.0 UHD Connector: Differential Signal Crosstalk, Reflections, 1998, p. 8-9. |
| Airmax VS®, High Speed Connector System, Communications, Data, Consumer Division, 2004, 16 pages. |
| AMP Z-Pack 2mm HM Connector, 2mm Centerline, Eight-Row, Right-Angle Applications, Electrical Performance Report, EPR 889065, Issued Sep. 1998, 59 pages. |
| AMP Z-Pack 2mm HM Interconnection System, 1992 and 1994 © by AMP Incorporated, 6 pages. |
| AMP Z-Pack HM-Zd Performance at Gigabit Speeds, Tyco Electronics, Report #20GC014, Rev.B., May 4, 2001, 30 pages. |
| Amphenol TCS (ATCS): Backplane Connectors, 2002, www.amphenol-tcs.com, 3 pages. |
| Amphenol TCS (ATCS): Ventura® High Performance, Highest Density Available, 2002, www.amphenol-tcs.com, 2 pages. |
| Amphenol TCS (ATCS) VHDM Connector, http://www.teradyne.com/prods/tcs/products/connectors/backplane/vhdm/index.html, 2 pages, 2006. |
| Amphenol TCS (ATCS):HDM® Stacker Signal Integrity, http://www.teradyne.com/prods/tcs/products/connectors/mezzanine/hdm—stacker/signintegr, 3 pages, 2006. |
| Amphenol TCS (ATCS)-XCede® Connector, 2002, www.amphenol-tcs.com, 5 pages. |
| Amphenol TCS(ATCS): VHDM L-Series Connector, http://www.teradyne.com/prods/tcs/products/connectors/backplane/vhdm—1-series/index.html, 2006, 4 pages. |
| Backplane Products Overview Page, http://www.molex.com/cgi-bin/bv/molex/super—family.jsp?BV—Session ID=@, 2005-2006 © Molex, 4 pages. |
| Backplane Products, www.molex.com, 2007, 3 pages. |
| Communications, Data, Consumer Division Mezzanine High-Speed High-Density Connectors GIG-ARRAY® and MEG-ARRAY® electrical Performance Data, 10 pages FCI Corporation, Jun. 5, 2008. |
| FCI's Airmax VS Connector System Honored at Design.con, 2005, Heilind Electronics, Inc., http://www.heilind.com/products/fci/airmax-vs-design.asp, 1 page. |
| Framatome Connector Specification, 1 page, May 10, 1999. |
| Fusi, M.A. et al., “Differential Signal Transmission through Backplanes and Connectors”, Electronic Packaging and Production, Mar. 1996, 27-31. |
| GIG-ARRAY® High Speed Mezzanine Connectors 15-40 mm Board to Board, Jun. 5, 2006, 1 page. |
| Gig-Array® Connector System, Board to Board Connectors, 2005, 4 pages. |
| Goel, R.P. et al., “AMP Z-Pack Interconnect System”, 1990, AMP Incorporated, 9 pages. |
| HDM Separable Interface Detail, Molex®, 3 pages, Feb. 17, 1993. |
| HDM/HDM plus, 2mm Backplane Interconnection System, Teradyne Connection Systems, © 1993, 22 pages. |
| HDM® HDM Plus® Connectors, http://www.teradyne.com/prods/tcs/products/connectors/backplane/hdm/index.html, 2006, 1 page. |
| Honda Connectors, Honda High-Speed Backplane Connector NSP Series, Honda Tsuschin Kogyo Co. Ltd. Development Engineering Division, Tokyo Japan, Feb. 7, 2003, 25 pages. |
| Hult, B., “FCI's Problem Solving Approach Changes Market, The FCI Electronics AirMax VS® ”, ConnectorSupplier.com, Http://www.connectorsupplier.com/tech—updates—FCI-Airmax—archive.htm, 2006, 4 pages. |
| Lucent Technologies' Bell Labs and FCI Demonstrate 25gb/S Data Transmission over Electrical Backplane Connectors, Feb. 1, 2005, http://www.lucent.com/press/0205/050201.bla.hml, 4 pages. |
| Metral® 2mm High-Speed Connectors, 1000, 2000, 3000 Series, Electrical Performance Data for Differential Application, FCI Framatome Group, 2 pages, Jan. 1, 2000. |
| Metral™, “Speed & Density Extensions”, FCI, Jun. 3, 1999, 25 pages. |
| MILLIPACS Connector Type A Specification, 1 page, Dec. 14, 2004. |
| Molex Incorporated Drawing, 1.0 HDMI Right Angle Header Assembly (19 PIN) Lead Free, Jul. 20, 2004, 7 pages. |
| Molex, Features and Specifications, www.molex.com/link/Impact.html, May 2008, 5 pages. |
| Molex, GbXI-Trac™ Backplane Connector System, www.molex.com/cgi-bin, 2007, 3 pages. |
| Molex, High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), www.molex.com, 2 pages, 2008. |
| Nadolny, J. et al., “Optimizing Connector Selection for Gigabit Signal Speeds”, ECN™, Sep. 1, 2000, http://www.ecnmag.com/article/CA45245, 6 pages. |
| NSP, Honda The World Famous Connectors, http://www.honda-connectors.co.jp, 6 pages, English Language Translation attached, Feb. 3, 2003. |
| PCB-Mounted Receptacle Assemblies, 2.00 mm(0.079in) Centerlines, Right-Angle Solder-to-Board Signal Receptacle, Metral™, Berg Electronics, 10-6-10-7, 2 pages, 2001. |
| SAMTEC, E.I.P. Extended Life Product, Open Pin Field Array Seaf Series, 2005, www.samtec.com, 1 page. |
| SAMTEC, High Speed Characterization Report, SEAM-30-30.02.0-S-10-2 Mates with SEAF-30-05.0-S-10-2, Open Pin Field Array, 1.27 mm x 1.27mm Pitch 7mm Stack Height, 2005, www.samtec.com, 51 pages. |
| TB-2127 “VENTURA™ Application Design”, Revision, “General Release”, Specification Revision Status-B. Hurisaker, Aug. 25, 2005, Amphenol Coproation 2006, 1-13. |
| Teradyne Connection Systems, Inc., Customer Use Drawing No. C-163-5101-500, Rev. 04, Aug. 25, 2005. |
| Tyco Electronics Engineering Drawing, Impact, 3 Pair 10 Column Signal Module, Mar. 25, 2008, 1 page. |
| Tyco Electronics Engineering Drawing, Impact, 3 Pair Header Unguided Open Assembly, Apr. 11, 2008, 1 page. |
| Tyco Electronics Z-Dok+ Connector, May 23, 2003, http://zdok.tycoelectronics.com, 15 pages. |
| Tyco Electronics, High Speed Backplane Interconnect Solutions, Feb. 7, 2003, 6 pages. |
| Tyco Electronics, Impact™ Connector Offered by Tyco Electronics, High Speed Backplane Connector System, Apr. 15, 2008, 12 pages. |
| Tyco Electronics, Overview for High Density Backplane Connector (Z-Pack TinMan), 2005, 1 page. |
| Tyco Electronics, Overview for High Density Backplane Connectors (Impact™) Offered by Tyco Electronics, www.tycoelectronics.com/catalog, 2007, 2 pages. |
| Tyco Electronics, Two-Piece, High-Speed Connectors, www.tycoelectronics.com/catalog, 2007, 3 pages. |
| Tyco Electronics, Z-Dok and Connector, Tyco Electronics, Jun. 23, 2003, http://2dok.tyco.electronics.com, 15 pages. |
| Tyco Electronics, Z-Pack Slim UHD, http://www.zpackuhd.com, 2005, 8 pages. |
| Tyco Electronics, Z-Pack TinMan Product Portfolio Expanded to Include 6-Pair Module, 2005, 1 page. |
| Tyco Electronics/AMP, “Z-Dok and Z-Dok and Connectors”, Application Specification # 114-13068, Aug. 30, 2005, Revision A, 16 pages. |
| VHDM Daughterboard Connectors Feature press-fit Terminations and a Non-Stubbing Seperable Interface, © Teradyne, Inc. Connections Systems Division, Oct. 8, 1997, 46 pages. |
| VHDM High-Speed Differential (VHDM HSD), http://www.teradyne.com/prods/bps/vhdm/hsd.html, 6 pages, Jan. 24, 2000. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20090221165 A1 | Sep 2009 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61032613 | Feb 2008 | US | |
| 61092268 | Aug 2008 | US |
