Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6655966
-
Patent Number
6,655,966
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, March 19, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, December 2, 200320 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 439 761
- 439 607
- 439 608
- 439 79
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
An electrical connector is provided having a connector housing with signal modules and grounding members therein. Each of the signal modules has a ground plane on at least one side of each of the signal modules. The ground planes have contact pads formed at opposite ends thereof proximate mating ends of the signal modules. The grounding members interconnect the ground planes on the sides of adjacent signal modules to one another at a point along one of the ground planes and the contact pads. Optionally, the signal modules may include vias having conductive liners therethrough that electrically connect ground planes from opposite sides of a signal module to one another. Alternatively, the signal modules can be printed circuit boards. The signal modules may be arranged parallel to one another within the housing.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Certain embodiments of the present invention generally relate to electrical connectors, and more particularly to high-speed high-density board-to-board connectors.
Modular connectors exist for connecting various types of circuit boards, such as daughter cards, mother boards, back planes and the like. The modular connectors convey a densely packed number of signal lines between the circuit boards. The modular connectors each include multiple wafers or signal modules stacked in parallel. The wafers have two sides that have ground planes and signal lines formed thereon. The signal lines carry data between mating ends of the wafers, and the ground planes control impedance. The signal lines may be arranged on adjacent wafers to form differential pairs. In differential pair applications, a signal is divided and transmitted in a first direction over a pair of conductors (and hence through a pair of pins or contacts). A return signal is similarly divided and transmitted in an opposite direction over the same pair of conductors (and hence through the same pair of pins or contacts). For example, two signal lines on adjacent wafers may form a differential pair and carry a divided signal along the two signal lines.
There is a trend in board-to-board connectors toward increased data rates and line densities. Line density is a measure of differential pairs per linear inch measured along the direction perpendicular to the wafers. Generally, increasing the data rates and line density increases insertion loss and cross talk between signal lines. Ground planes reduce interference between signal lines and therefore decrease insertion loss and cross talk.
However, existing modular connectors have experienced difficulty in conveying extremely high speed data signals without severely attenuating the output signal. In particular, as data rates rise into the giga-hertz range, the signals output by the modular connectors are increasingly attenuated, such as by over 1 dB. This attenuation is also referred to as insertion loss. Attenuation is due in part to the fact that the ground planes within the connector housing develop local potentials with respect to one another during use. The buildup of the potentials between the ground planes causes the ground planes to resonate at certain frequencies, resulting in degraded throughput signals (insertion loss) and increased cross talk between signal lines on the wafers.
A need remains for an improved connector that can more adequately handle high-speed high-density data rates.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention provides an electrical connector having a connector housing with signal modules and grounding members therein. Each signal module has a ground plane on at least one side thereof. The ground planes have contact pads formed at opposite ends thereof proximate mating ends of the signal modules. The grounding members interconnect the ground planes on adjacent signal modules to one another at a point along the ground planes or the contact pads. Optionally, the signal modules may be printed circuit boards. Alternatively, the signal modules may be pieces of molded plastic with metal traces mounted thereon.
Optionally, the signal modules may include vias having conductive liners therethrough that electrically connect ground planes on opposite sides of a signal module. The signal modules may be arranged parallel to one another within the housing. Each signal module may have one or more ground planes and one or more signal lines. Optionally, adjacent signal modules may have signal lines facing one another and forming differential pairs.
The grounding member may include pins adjoining two or more vias on two or more signal modules to one another. Alternatively, the grounding member may be a conductive rod that extends through a plurality of vias in a plurality of signal modules. The grounding member may be a metal object interposed between adjacent signal modules and may have one of spring members, dimples and beams that contact ground planes on the adjacent modules. Alternatively, the grounding member may be a metal rack having slots cut therein for receiving signal modules, where the signal modules include projections contacting ground planes on the signal modules.
An advantage of certain embodiments of the present invention is that the connector can carry large amounts of data quickly and in a very high line density with reduced insertion loss and cross talk. Because the ground planes are electrically interconnected within the connector housing by the conductive liners of the vias and the grounding members, the development of local potentials on the ground planes is minimized, thereby reducing insertion loss rates and cross talk between signal lines.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
illustrates a top front perspective view of a connector assembly formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2
illustrates a bottom rear perspective view of a connector assembly formed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3
illustrates a top rear perspective view of a connector assembly formed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4
illustrates a top rear perspective view of a connector assembly formed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5
illustrates a top rear perspective view of a signal module and a grounding bracket formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6
illustrates a bottom front perspective view of a grounding plate formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7
illustrates a top front perspective view of the grounding plate of
FIG. 6
joined with a signal module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8
illustrates a right side plan view of a signal module formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
FIG. 9
illustrates a left side plan view of a signal module formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10
illustrates a bottom front perspective view of a grounding plate formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11
illustrates a bottom front perspective view of a grounding plate formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12
illustrates a top rear perspective view of a connector assembly with an inter-connector assembly grounding clip formed in accordance with an embodiment of the resent invention.
FIG. 13
illustrates a top rear perspective view of a connector assembly with an inter-connector assembly grounding clip formed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14
illustrates a graph of insertion loss performance of a right angle connector assembly not formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15
illustrates a graph of insertion loss performance of a right angle connector assembly formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings, certain embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1
illustrates a plug
2
formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The plug
2
is configured to mate with a receptacle (not shown) to form a right angle connector assembly (not shown). The plug
2
includes a connector housing
4
and a plurality of signal modules
6
mounted therein. The signal modules
6
are arranged parallel to one another and spaced apart by gaps
8
. The signal modules
6
include mating ends
10
and
12
formed at right angles to one another. The mating end
10
includes pads
14
for mating with a contact (not visible) that has a pin
16
extending downward therefrom. The pin
16
is configured to be inserted into a via in a daughter printed circuit board (PCB) (not shown). The mating end
12
includes pads
18
that are configured to mate with a back plane PCB (not shown). The signal modules include side surfaces
20
and
22
that have ground planes
24
and signal lines
28
. For example, each of the signal modules
6
includes six ground planes
24
and four signal lines
28
.
Each of the signal modules
6
also includes a drill hole
32
for location purposes during manufacturing and a plurality of holes or vias
34
. The vias
34
include conductive liners
36
that electrically connect the ground planes
24
on the side surfaces
20
and
22
of each signal module
6
to one another. In the embodiment of
FIG. 1
, grounding rods
38
are inserted through selected vias
34
in at least two signal modules
6
. The grounding rods
38
electrically inter-connect the ground planes
24
of different signal modules
6
to one another.
FIG. 2
illustrates a plug
42
formed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The plug
42
includes connector housings
44
and
46
(unmated in FIG.
2
). The connector housing
44
includes top and rear walls
48
and
50
that hold a plurality of signal modules
52
arranged parallel to one another and spaced apart at gaps
54
. The signal modules
52
include ground planes
56
and signal lines
58
arranged on both sides
60
,
62
of the signal modules
52
. The ground planes
56
include pads
64
that are located proximate mating ends
66
of the signal modules
52
. The signal modules
52
also include vias
68
having conductive liners therethrough that electrically connect the ground planes
56
on opposite sides
60
and
62
of the signal modules
52
to one another.
The connector housing
46
includes front and bottom walls
70
and
72
that join with the top and rear walls
48
and
50
. The bottom wall
72
includes channels
74
extending along a length thereof for receiving bottom edges
76
of the signal modules
52
. The front wall
70
includes slots
78
for receiving mating ends
66
of the signal modules
52
.
The front wall
70
includes plastic rails
80
located between, and along, the slots
78
and having contact brackets
82
clasped thereto. The contact brackets
82
include a flat body section
84
having flat legs
86
that clasp the rails
80
. When the connector housings
44
and
46
are mated, the slots
78
receive the mating ends
66
of the signal modules
52
, and the flat legs
86
of the contact brackets
82
engage the ground planes
56
. For example, when the connector housings
44
and
46
are mated, each of the contact brackets
82
is electrically connected to the ground planes
56
of two adjacent of the signal modules
52
.
FIG. 3
illustrates a plug
90
formed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The plug
90
includes connector housings
92
and
94
. The connector housing
92
includes signal modules
96
therein. The signal modules
96
include side surfaces
98
having ground planes
100
and signal lines
102
formed thereon. The signal modules
96
are held within a conductive plate
104
having flat parallel bars
106
separated by parallel slots
108
cut therebetween. The slots
108
receive the signal modules
96
so that the planes of the signal modules
96
are perpendicular to the plane of the conductive plate
104
. The bars
106
include compliant fingers
110
extending horizontally therefrom and bending towards mating ends
112
of the signal modules
96
. The compliant fingers
110
engage, and electrically interconnect, the ground planes
100
of the signal modules
96
. Thus all of the ground planes
100
are electrically connected to one another.
FIG. 4
illustrates a plug
114
formed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The plug
114
includes connector housings
116
and
118
. The connector housing
116
includes signal modules
120
and a U-shaped grounding jacket
122
therein. The connector housing
116
includes front and bottom walls
124
and
126
that are aligned perpendicular to one another. The front and bottom walls
124
and
126
include L-shaped channels
128
(only partially visible) for receiving the signal modules
120
. The channels
128
turn 90 degrees at a juncture
130
between the front and bottom walls
124
and
126
. The signal modules
120
include side surfaces
132
having ground planes
134
and signal lines
136
formed thereon. The grounding jacket
122
includes front and back walls
138
and
140
that are aligned parallel to one another and spaced apart. The front and back walls
138
and
140
are joined together by a bottom wall
139
. The walls
138
-
140
include parallel slots
142
cut therethrough and spaced apart by flat bars
144
. The slots
142
are aligned with the channels
128
and receive the signal modules
120
. The flat bars
144
include semicircular projections
146
protruding into the slots
142
and engaging, and electrically interconnecting, the ground planes
134
on the signal modules
120
.
FIG. 5
illustrates a signal module
150
adjacent to and engaged with a U-shaped grounding bracket
152
formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The signal module
150
includes vias
154
having conductive liners
156
therethrough. The signal module
150
also includes side surfaces
158
,
160
having ground planes
162
and signal lines
164
formed thereon. The grounding bracket
152
includes planar sidewalls
166
and
168
aligned parallel to, and separated from, one another, and joined by a bottom wall
170
. The sidewalls
166
and
168
include extruded dimples
172
protruding outward in a direction perpendicular to, and away from, both of the sidewalls
166
and
168
. The dimples
172
engage the ground planes
162
of the signal module
150
, thereby electrically interconnecting the ground planes
162
on the side surface
158
.
The ground planes
162
on the side surface
160
(not visible) are electrically connected to the ground planes
162
on the side surface
158
through the conductive liners
156
of the vias
154
. Thus, all of the ground planes
162
of the signal module
150
are electrically connected to one another. Alternatively, the signal module
150
and grounding bracket
152
can be stacked into a connector housing (not shown) in an alternating arrangement of signal modules
150
and metal brackets
152
so that all of the ground planes
162
of several signal modules
150
are electrically interconnected with one another. In such an arrangement, friction between the dimples
172
and the ground planes
162
retains the metal brackets
152
in position.
FIG. 6
illustrates a grounding plate
174
formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The grounding plate
174
is for insertion between parallel signal modules (not shown) and can be mounted on a signal module. The grounding plate
174
includes a flat body section
176
. The flat body section
176
includes via-engaging beams
178
extending therefrom in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the flat body section
176
. The flat body section
176
also includes ground-plane engaging beams
180
extending therefrom at acute angles to the plane of the flat body section
176
. The ground-plane engaging beams
180
bend away from the flat body section
176
in a direction opposite to a direction in which the via-engaging beams
178
extend.
FIG. 7
illustrates a signal module
182
with the metal plate
174
mounted thereon. The signal module
182
includes a drill hole
184
for location purposes during manufacturing. The signal module
182
also has side surfaces
186
and
188
that have ground planes
190
and signal lines
192
formed thereon. The ground planes
190
include vias
194
that extend through the signal module
182
. The vias
194
have conductive liners
196
therethrough that electrically connect the ground planes
190
on the side surface
186
to the ground planes
190
on the side surface
188
. The via-engaging beams
178
of the metal plate
174
are inserted into selected vias
194
on the side surface
186
, thereby electrically connecting and physically attaching the metal plate
174
to the ground planes
190
. Thus, all of the ground planes
190
of the signal module
182
are electrically connected to one another.
Optionally, additional metal plates
174
and signal modules
182
can be stacked into a connector housing (not shown) in an alternating arrangement so that all of the ground planes
190
of the multiple signal modules
182
are electrically interconnected with one another. In such an arrangement, the ground plane-engaging beams
180
of the metal plates
174
contact the ground planes
190
on the side surfaces
188
of the signal modules
182
. The ground plane-engaging beams
180
of each of the metal plates
174
would be electrically connected, but not physically attached, to the ground planes
190
of the side surface
188
, while the via-engaging beams
178
of each of the metal plates
174
would be electrically connected, and physically attached, to the ground planes
190
of the side surface
186
.
FIG. 8
illustrates a right side plan view of a signal module
200
formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The signal module
200
includes mating ends
202
and
204
that are aligned perpendicular to one another and have pads
206
for mating with contacts (not shown). The signal module
200
includes a drill hole
207
for location purposes during manufacturing. The signal module
200
also includes a side surface
208
that has ground planes
210
-
212
and signal lines
214
and
216
. The signal line
214
is located between the ground planes
210
and
211
, and the signal line
216
is located between the ground planes
211
and
212
. The ground planes
210
-
212
include vias
218
that have conductive lining extending through the vias
218
.
FIG. 9
illustrates a left side plan view of the signal module
200
. The signal module
200
includes a side surface
222
opposite to the side surface
208
. The side surface
222
includes ground planes
224
-
226
and signal lines
228
and
230
. The signal line
228
is located between the ground planes
224
and
225
, and the signal line
230
is located between the ground planes
225
and
226
. The conductive lining that extends through the vias
218
electrically connects the ground planes
210
-
212
of the side surface
208
to the ground planes
224
-
226
of the side surface
222
. For example, the ground plane
210
is electrically connected to the ground plane
224
, the ground plane
211
is electrically connected to the ground planes
224
and
225
, and the ground plane
212
is electrically connected to the ground planes
225
and
226
.
FIG. 10
illustrates a grounding contact
232
, for insertion between signal modules
200
stacked in a parallel arrangement (not shown), formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The grounding contact
232
is a stamped strip of metal having rectangular ends
234
and
236
configured to be inserted into slots in a connector housing (not shown). The grounding contact
232
includes a height
238
, width
240
, and thickness
242
. The grounding contact
232
includes spring elements
244
having rounded ends
246
that extend outward beyond the width
240
of the grounding contact
232
. When the grounding contact
232
is installed between the signal modules
200
in a connector housing (not shown), the rounded ends
246
of the spring elements
244
engage the ground planes
210
-
212
and
224
-
226
of the signal modules
200
, thereby electrically connecting the ground planes
210
-
212
on the side surfaces
208
of the signal modules
200
to the ground planes
224
-
226
on the side surfaces
222
of adjacent signal modules
200
.
FIG. 11
illustrates a bottom front view of a grounding contact
248
, for insertion between signal modules
200
stacked in a parallel arrangement (not shown), formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The grounding contact
248
is a stamped strip of metal having a planar body section
250
and rectangular ends
252
and
254
configured to be inserted into slots in a connector housing (not shown). The grounding contact
248
includes edges
256
and
258
extending vertically from the end
252
to the end
254
. The edges
256
and
258
include compliant beams
260
-
265
extending outward horizontally therefrom and at angles to the planar body section
250
of the grounding contact
248
. The compliant beams
260
-
265
include curved ends
268
for engaging the ground planes
210
-
212
and
224
-
226
of the signal modules
200
. When the grounding contact
248
is installed between the signal modules
200
in a connector housing, the curved ends
268
of the compliant beams
260
-
265
engage the ground planes
210
-
212
and
224
-
226
of the signal modules
200
, thereby electrically connecting the ground planes
210
-
212
on the side surfaces
208
of the signal modules
200
to the ground planes
224
-
226
on the side surfaces
222
of adjacent signal modules
200
.
FIG. 12
illustrates a plug
270
formed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The plug
270
includes mated connector housings
272
and
274
having a plurality of signal modules
276
aligned parallel to one another therein. The plug
270
includes sides
278
and
280
. The side
278
includes an inter-connector assembly grounding clip
282
. The grounding clip
282
includes two zigzagged bars
284
and
286
. The bar
284
includes corners
288
-
290
protruding inward toward, and contacting, ground planes
292
on the signal module
276
that is most closely located to the side
278
. The bar
286
includes corners
294
-
296
protruding outward away from the corners
288
-
290
and configured to the contact ground planes
292
on a signal module
276
in an adjacent plug
270
, thereby electrically interconnecting the ground planes
292
of signal modules
276
on adjacent plugs
270
.
FIG. 13
illustrates a plug
300
formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The plug
300
includes mated connector housings
302
and
304
having a plurality of signal modules
306
aligned parallel to one another therein. The plug
300
includes sides
308
and
310
. The side
308
includes an inter-connector assembly grounding clip
312
. The grounding clip
312
includes three flat beams
314
-
316
.
316
. The beams
314
and
316
include buckles
318
protruding inward toward, and contacting, the ground planes
320
on the signal module
306
that is most closely located to the side
308
. The middle beam
315
is bent outward away from the connector assembly
300
and is configured to contact a middle beam
315
of a grounding clip
312
on a side
310
of an adjacent plug
300
, thereby electrically interconnecting the ground planes
320
of adjacent plugs
300
.
FIG. 14
illustrates a graph of insertion loss performance of a right angle connector assembly not formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The graph depicts insertion loss measured in dB along a y-axis versus fundamental frequency of a transmitted signal measured in GHz along an x-axis. The insertion loss is equal to 20 times the log base
10
of (voltage output/voltage input). Voltage input is the measure in volts of the signal input at one end of a signal line, and voltage output is the measure in volts of the signal output at an opposite end of the signal line. As the fundamental frequency increases from 0.00 to 5.00 GHz, the absolute value of insertion loss increases. As the fundamental frequency increases from 5.00 to 6.00 GHz, the absolute value of insertion loss generally increases, but along ranges
322
and
324
, the absolute value of insertion loss decreases. At a fundamental frequency of 4.00 GHz, the absolute value of insertion loss is greater than 1.00 dB
326
. At a fundamental frequency of 5.00 GHz, the absolute value of insertion loss is about 2.50 dB
328
. At a fundamental frequency of 6.00 GHz, the absolute value of insertion loss is about 4.00 dB
330
.
FIG. 15
illustrates a graph of insertion loss performance of a right angle connector assembly formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The graph depicts insertion loss measured in dB along a y-axis versus fundamental frequency measured in GHz along an x-axis. As the fundamental frequency increases from 0.00 to 6.00 GHz, the absolute value of insertion loss increases. At a fundamental frequency of 4.00 GHz, the absolute value of insertion loss is less than 1.00 dB
332
. At a fundamental frequency of 5.00 GHz, the absolute value of insertion loss is less than 1.50 dB
334
. At a fundamental frequency of 6.00 GHz, the absolute value of insertion loss is still less than 1.50 dB
336
.
While certain embodiments of the present invention employ plugs for right angle connector assemblies, other embodiments may include plugs for straight or orthogonal connector assemblies.
While certain embodiments of the present invention employ plugs for connector assemblies, other embodiments may include receptacles for connector assemblies.
While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. An electrical connector assembly, comprising:signal modules having mating ends and opposite side surfaces, at least one of said side surfaces having a signal line and a ground plane formed thereon; a housing holding said signal modules adjacent to and spaced apart from one another; and a grounding member interconnecting said ground planes on adjacent signal modules at a grounding point along said ground planes.
- 2. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said signal modules have vias therethrough, said vias having pins therethrough, said pins electrically interconnecting said ground planes on said adjacent signal modules at grounding points between said contact pads.
- 3. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein one of said signal modules has a via, said via electrically interconnecting ground planes on opposite sides of said one of said signal modules.
- 4. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said grounding member constitutes a conductive rod extending through a plurality of said ground planes.
- 5. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said signal modules has more than one ground plane.
- 6. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said signal modules include signal lines arranged in differential pairs, each of said signal lines including first and second signal lines located on a side surface of said first and second signal modules.
- 7. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said grounding member includes spring members interposed between said adjacent signal modules, each of said spring members including spring beams on opposite sides thereof, said spring beams engaging said ground planes on said adjacent signal modules.
- 8. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said grounding member includes a grounding jacket having a series of slots cut therein, each of said slots receiving a corresponding signal module, each of said slots including projections that contact said ground planes.
- 9. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said grounding member includes a U-shaped bracket having planar sides with dimples formed on said planar sides, said bracket being held by said housing between said signal modules in order that said dimples contact said ground planes.
- 10. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said grounding member includes a plate having beams formed therein, said plate being located between adjacent signal modules, said beams contacting said ground planes on said adjacent signal modules.
- 11. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said grounding member includes a plate having beams formed therein, said plate being located between adjacent signal modules, said beams being inserted into vias in ground planes on adjacent signal modules.
- 12. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said grounding member includes bridging clips mounted to said housing between adjacent signal modules, each of said bridging clips including arms contacting said adjacent signal modules.
- 13. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said grounding member includes plates fastened to said housing between said adjacent signal modules, each of said plates including beams contacting said adjacent signal modules.
- 14. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said ground planes include contact pads formed at opposite ends of said ground planes, said contact pads being located proximate said mating ends of said signal modules.
- 15. An electrical connector assembly, comprising:signal modules having opposite side surfaces and mating ends, at least one of said side surfaces having a signal line and a ground plane formed thereon; a housing holding said signal modules adjacent to and spaced apart from one another; and means for interconnecting said ground planes on adjacent signal modules at a grounding point along said ground planes.
- 16. The electrical connector assembly of claim 14, wherein said interconnecting means includes a conductive rod extending through a plurality of said ground planes.
- 17. The electrical connector assembly of claim 14, wherein said interconnecting means includes spring members interposed between said adjacent signal modules, each of said spring members including spring beams on opposite sides thereof, said spring beams engaging said ground planes on said adjacent signal modules.
- 18. The electrical connector assembly of claim 14, wherein said interconnecting means includes a grounding jacket having a series of slots cut therein, each of said slots receiving a corresponding signal module, each of said slots including projections that contact said ground planes.
- 19. The electrical connector assembly of claim 14, wherein said interconnecting means includes a U-shaped bracket having planar sides with dimples formed on said planar sides, said bracket being held by said housing between said signal modules in order that said dimples contact said ground planes.
- 20. The electrical connector assembly of claim 14, wherein said interconnecting means includes a plate having beams formed therein, said plate being located between adjacent signal modules, said beams contacting said ground planes on said adjacent signal modules.
US Referenced Citations (8)