Abstract: Disclosed are methodologies for defining matched-impedance surface-mount technology footprints on a substrate such as a printed circuit board, for example, that is adapted to receive an electrical component having an arrangement of terminal leads. Such a footprint may include an arrangement of electrically-conductive pads and an arrangement of electrically-conductive vias. The via arrangement may differ from the pad arrangement. The vias may be arranged to increase routing density, while limiting cross-talk and providing for matched impedance between the component and the substrate. The via arrangement may be altered to achieve a desired routing density on a layer of the board. Increasing the routing density may decrease the number of board layers, which tends to decrease capacitance and thereby increase impedance. Ground vias and signal vias may be arranged with respect to one another in such a manner as to affect impedance.

Abstract: An orthogonal backplane connector systems having midplane footprints that provide for continuity of impedance and signal integrity through the midplane and allow for the same connector to be coupled to either side of the midplane. This design creates an orthogonal interconnect without taking up unnecessary PCB real estate. The midplane circuit board may include a first differential signal pair of electrically conductive vias disposed in a first direction, and a second differential signal pair of electrically conductive vias disposed in a second direction that is generally orthogonal to the first direction. The first and second differential signal pair of electrically conductive vias are electrically connected through the midplane circuit board. Each pair may be associated with and be located in between ground vias. A ground via that is large relative to the signal vias may be provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical connector assembly for optically connecting to a waveguide structure in a x-y plane of a layer stack, wherein the connector assembly comprises a coupling device providing a first optical path, and the waveguide structure provides a second optical path, deflecting from said first optical path. The coupling device comprises first reference means adapted to co-operate with second reference means in the layer stack, wherein the second reference means are adapted for aligning the coupling device to the waveguide structure in both the x- and y-direction of the x-y plane as to optically couple the first and second optical path. As a result an optical connector assembly is provided that improves the optical coupling between the optical path in a waveguide structure and in a coupling device and/or a mating optical device. The coupling device may comprise third reference means to couple an optical connector to the waveguide structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for connecting a first part and a second part, wherein the first part comprises a power supply line, a plurality of signal contacts and a plurality of ground contacts and the second part comprises a plurality of corresponding signal contacts and a plurality of corresponding ground contacts. The power supply line is connected via at least one ground contact of said first part to a corresponding ground contact of said second part. The first part may be a device board and said second part may be a connector assembly. The invention further relates to a cable connector for use in such a system.

Abstract: A backpanel connector system comprises a backpanel connector, a board connector and a plurality of connector plugs for optical fibers. The backpanel connector comprises a first and a second housing, said first housing having a bottom with an opening. The second housing is slidably mounted in said first housing in a z-direction extending perpendicular to the bottom of the first housing. The second housing has a receiving space for a connector plug. The second housing is also movable in x- and y-directions with respect to the first housing. The second housing and the board connector are provided with co-operating positioning means for positioning the second housing in x- and y-directions with respect to the board connector during insertion of the board connector into the first housing.

Abstract: A multifibre connector plug (1) comprises a connector plug part (6) for receiving a plurality of optical fibres (2), a coupling body (10) and a coupling sleeve (19). The connector plug part is provided with a contact face (7) at one end and is slidable in the coupling body. The connector plug part projects out of the coupling body with its end having the contact face. The coupling sleeve (19) encloses the coupling body and is slidable on this coupling body from a coupling position into a decoupling position against the action of a spring means (21). The spring means (21) comprises at least one spring (21) being an integrated unitary part of the coupling sleeve (19) and a free end (22) of the spring means engaging a corresponding support shoulder (23) of the coupling body (10).

Abstract: A connector assembly comprises a first connector (1) and a second connector (2) adapted to be mated with the first connector. Each connector has two spaced rows of contact elements (4,10) arranged at a given pitch, each of the contact elements having a contact face (6). In the first connector (1) at least two adjacent contact elements (4) of one row of contact elements are made integral as one first power contact element (13) having two contact faces (6) at the given pitch. In the second connector (2) at least one contact element (10) of one row of contact elements can be made integral with an opposite contact element (10) of the other row of contact elements as one second power contact element (14).

Abstract: A connector assembly comprises a first connector (1) and a second connector (2) adapted to be mated with the first connector. The first connector (1) comprises a first housing (3) having a bottom (4) and two longitudinal walls (5, 6) determining a receiving space (8), a row of male signal contacts (9) projecting from the bottom upwardly into the receiving space and a row of male ground contacts (10), wherein as seen in row direction a male ground contact is located at both sides of a corresponding male signal contact. The second connector (2) comprises a second housing (11) which can be substantially completely received within the receiving space, and a row of female signal contacts (12) adapted to be connected with the male signal contacts when the connectors are mated.

Abstract: A backpanel connector comprises a first and a second housing, wherein said first housing is provided with a bottom with an opening and four side walls upstanding from the bottom and lying opposite each other two by two and wherein said second housing is provided with four side walls lying opposite each other two by two. The second housing is slidably mounted in the first housing in a z-direction perpendicular to the bottom of the first housing and has a receiving space for a connector plug. Two opposite side walls of the second housing each carry a first stop means and two corresponding side walls of the first housing each comprise a second stop means. The stop means engage each other in a rest position of the second housing directed away from the bottom of the first housing. A spring means loads the second housing in the direction of the rest position.

Abstract: A multifibre connector plug (1) comprises a connector plug part (6) for receiving a plurality of optical fibres (2), a coupling body (10) and a coupling sleeve (19). The connector plug part is provided with a contact face (7) at one end, and is slidable in the coupling body. The connector plug part projects out of said coupling body with its end having the contact face. A corresponding spring means loads the connector plug part in an outward direction. The coupling sleeve (19) encloses the coupling body and is slidable on the coupling body from a coupling position into a decoupling position against the action of a spring means. Both spring means comprise a single common spring (22).

Abstract: A connector assembly for interconnecting optical and/or electrical conductors, comprising a first connector part (1) for one or more first conductors, a second connector part (7) for one or more second conductors, and a coupling auxiliary piece (13) adapted to be attached to a support plate (14) or the like. The coupling auxiliary piece (13) comprises a first receiving space (15) for the first connector part (1), and at the side opposite of the first receiving space (15) a second receiving space (19) for the second connector part (7). The receiving spaces are adapted to support each connector part independent of the other connector part and the coupling auxiliary piece (13) comprises a passage (22) for the second connector part (7) debouching into the first receiving space (15).

Abstract: An alignment piece for optical conductors comprises a support plate, a guiding plate made with very high accuracy, one or more alignment channels for the conductors, which alignment channels have ends formed in the guiding plate, a first positioning element and a first positioning means formed in the guiding plate and holding the first positioning element at a predetermined location with respect to the ends of the alignment channels. The first positioning element has a supporting zone engaging the conductors. The alignment piece comprises a second positioning element and a second positioning means formed in the alignment piece at the side of the first positioning element opposite of the ends of the alignment channels and holding the second positioning element at a predetermined location with respect to the ends of the alignment channels.

Abstract: An alignment piece (1, 13) for a connector for optical conductors (10) comprises a support plate (2, 14), a guiding plate (3, 15) manufactured with very high accuracy and one or more alignment channels (4) for the conductors. At least the ends (11) of the alignment channels are formed in the guiding plate. The guiding plate (3, 15) is further provided with an inclining guiding plate part (5) in which the alignment channels (4) are formed. The support plate (2, 14) has a recess (6) in which the free end of the inclining guiding plate part (5) is received. The support plate includes a guiding surface (7) for the conductors (10), the guiding surface with its side directed towards the inclining guiding plate part lying above the free end of the guiding plate part.

Abstract: An alignment piece (1, 9) for a connector for optical conductors (16) comprises a support plate (2, 10), a guiding plate (3, 11) made with very high accuracy and one or more alignment channels (4) for the conductors. The guiding plate (3, 11) has an end edge (5) in which the ends of the alignment channels are made as V-shaped slots (6) and the support plate (2, 10) is provided with an inclining guiding surface (8) in which the alignment channels (4) extend. The inclining guiding surface (8) of the support plate (2, 10) ends at a distance from the end edge (5) of the guiding plate (3, 11) wherein a support member (14, 20) is provided between this end edge and the guiding surface (8), which support member (14, 20) projects above the guiding surface (8). This support member (14, 20) supports the conductors (16) during introduction under such an angle of inclination that the conductors project above the end edge of the guiding plate (3, 11).

Abstract: An alignment piece (1, 6) for a connector for optical conductors (9) comprises a support plate (2, 7), a guiding plate (3, 8) which is manufactured with very high accuracy, and one or more alignment channels (4) for the conductors. At least the ends of the alignment channels are formed in the guiding plate. Further a positioning element (11) is provided and the guiding plate (3, 8) is provided with a positioning means (14) for holding the positioning element at a predetermined location with respect to the ends of the alignment channels (4). The positioning element has a supporting area engaging the conductors and determining together with the ends of the alignment channels the angle of inclination of the conductors in the alignment piece.

Abstract: For manufacturing a connector for optical conductors on a printed circuit board a first printed circuit board part is made and an alignment piece with one or more reference faces and with one or more alignment channels for the conductors is fixed on the first printed circuit board part. The optical conductors are put in the alignment channels and are attached in the alignment piece, whereafter the parts of the optical conductors projecting out of the alignment piece and superfluous attachment material are removed by polishing and optical contact pads are formed in the upper surface of the alignment piece. A protection cover is put on the alignment piece, which protection cover seals the reference faces and the optical contact pads from the environment, whereafter the printed circuit board is completed and finally the protection cover is removed.

Abstract: A connector for a cable for high frequency signals, in particular for connecting cables with contact pins on a printed circuit board comprises a ground plate, a housing of dielectric material with cavities for receiving female contact members, at least one female signal contact member and at least one female ground contact member. The (each) ground contact member is formed out of the ground plate unitary with the ground plate.

Abstract: A connector for shielded cables comprises a housing and signal and ground contacts mounted in the housing, the housing having an upper wall with inlet openings for the cables. A strain relief member for each cable joins an inlet opening, each strain relief member being unitary with the upper wall of the housing and projecting from the upper wall, wherein the shape of each strain relief member is adapted to the outer jacket of the corresponding cable.

Abstract: A connector for shielded cables comprises a housing of insulating material and signal and ground contacts accommodated in said housing and to which corresponding conductors of the cables are connectable, said contacts being arranged in rows and columns. The housing is assembled of one or more modules and at least one module cap, wherein each module can be detachably mounted in the module cap in a predetermined position with respect to the module cap, and wherein each module is provided with at least one column of contacts.

Abstract: A connector assembly for printed circuit boards comprises a first and a second connector part. The first connector part has a first housing of insulating material and having a bottom and two opposite side walls and with male contact elements mounted in the bottom of the housing and arranged in rows and columns and having portions projecting from the bottom of the housing adapted to be inserted into holes of the corresponding printed circuit board. The second connector part has a second housing of insulating material adapted to be inserted into the first housing with an insertion side and with female contact elements mounted in the housing and arranged in a corresponding manner in rows and columns and having portions projecting from a lower side of the housing, which projecting portions can be inserted into holes of the corresponding printed circuit board.