Abstract: A flexible circuit assembly including a pair of mating panels. Each of the mating panels has an engagement face and a power contact. The circuit assembly also includes adjacent first and second flex interconnects that mechanically and electrically couple the mating panels. The first and second flex interconnects extend alongside each other and have respective interior surfaces. The first and second flex interconnects are stacked with respect to each other such that the interior surfaces face each other and define a heat-dissipating interspace therebetween. The circuit assembly also includes a plurality of power conductors that extend through the first and second flex interconnects between the mating panels. The power conductors are electrically parallel to one another between the power contacts. At least one of the power conductors extends proximate to the interior surface of one of the first and second flex interconnects.

Abstract: An interposer connector assembly includes a substrate, conductive pads, and contacts. The substrate has opposite first and second sides with a conductive via extending through the substrate. The conductive pads are mounted to the first and second sides of the substrate and electrically coupled with each other by the via. The contacts are electrically joined with the conductive pads on the first and second sides of the substrate. The contacts protrude from the substrate to outer ends that are configured to engage conductive members of electronic packages that mate with the first and second sides of the substrate. A differential electrical impedance characteristic of a conductive pathway extending from the outer end of one of the contacts to the outer end of another one of the contacts is at least 65 Ohms.

Abstract: A flexible circuit assembly including a pair of mating panels. Each of the mating panels has an engagement face and a power contact. The circuit assembly also includes adjacent first and second flex interconnects that mechanically and electrically couple the mating panels. The first and second flex interconnects extend alongside each other and have respective interior surfaces. The first and second flex interconnects are stacked with respect to each other such that the interior surfaces face each other and define a heat-dissipating interspace therebetween. The circuit assembly also includes a plurality of power conductors that extend through the first and second flex interconnects between the mating panels. The power conductors are electrically parallel to one another between the power contacts. At least one of the power conductors extends proximate to the interior surface of one of the first and second flex interconnects.

Abstract: An interposer connector assembly includes a substrate, conductive pads, and contacts. The substrate has opposite first and second sides with a conductive via extending through the substrate. The conductive pads are mounted to the first and second sides of the substrate and electrically coupled with each other by the via. The contacts are electrically joined with the conductive pads on the first and second sides of the substrate. The contacts protrude from the substrate to outer ends that are configured to engage conductive members of electronic packages that mate with the first and second sides of the substrate. A differential electrical impedance characteristic of a conductive pathway extending from the outer end of one of the contacts to the outer end of another one of the contacts is at least 65 Ohms.

Abstract: An electronic connector system includes an electronic package and an interposer connector assembly. The electronic package has a body with a conductive member disposed on a mating surface of the body. The conductive member is coupled with a conductive via that extends into the body and is oriented along a center axis. The interposer connector assembly includes a substrate with an elongated conductive pad mounted to the substrate and a contact joined to the conductive pad. The contact engages the conductive member when the electronic package mates with the interposer connector assembly such that the center axis extends through the contact.

Abstract: An electronic connector system includes an electronic package and an interposer connector assembly. The electronic package has a body with a conductive member disposed on a mating surface of the body. The conductive member is coupled with a conductive via that extends into the body and is oriented along a center axis. The interposer connector assembly includes a substrate with an elongated conductive pad mounted to the substrate and a contact joined to the conductive pad. The contact engages the conductive member when the electronic package mates with the interposer connector assembly such that the center axis extends through the contact.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a carrier having opposite first and second sides. A plurality of contacts are held in the carrier. Each contact includes a first conductive element and a second conductive element. The first conductive element defines a conductive path configured to electrically connect an electrical component on the first side of the carrier to an electrical component on the second side of the carrier. The second conductive element provides an electrostatic shield for the first conductive element.

Abstract: A circuit board and connector for use in an electrical connector has been provided. The circuit board comprises first and second signal contacts associated as a differential pair. A ground contact is located immediately adjacent the first signal contact and is joined directly to a ground plane provided within the circuit board. A floated contact is located immediately adjacent the second signal contact. A component interconnects the floated contact to the ground plane, forming an open circuit when a DC signal is impressed on the floated contact and a closed circuit when AC interference is impressed on the floated contact.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is provided. The electrical connector assembly includes a housing including a body fabricated at least partially from a dielectric material. The housing body has an opening therein. An electrical contact is held by the housing. The electrical contact includes an intermediate portion and a spring potion each held at least partially within the opening. The spring portion of the electrical contact is engaged by the housing body such that the spring portion is deflected into shorting engagement with the intermediate portion of the electrical contact.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a carrier having opposite first and second sides. A plurality of contacts are held in the carrier. Each contact includes a first conductive element defining a first conductive path and a second conductive element defining a second conductive path separate from the first conductive path. The first and second conductive paths are configured to electrically connect an electrical component on one side of the carrier to an electrical component on the opposite side of the carrier.

Abstract: A circuit board and connector for use in an electrical connector has been provided. The circuit board comprises first and second signal contacts associated as a differential pair. A ground contact is located immediately adjacent the first signal contact and is joined directly to a ground plane provided within the circuit board. A floated contact is located immediately adjacent the second signal contact. A component interconnects the floated contact to the ground plane, forming an open circuit when a DC signal is impressed on the floated contact and a closed circuit when AC interference is impressed on the floated contact.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a carrier having opposite first and second sides. A plurality of contacts are held in the carrier. Each contact includes a first conductive element defining a first conductive path and a second conductive element defining a second conductive path separate from the first conductive path. The first and second conductive paths are configured to electrically connect an electrical component on one side of the carrier to an electrical component on the opposite side of the carrier.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a carrier having opposite first and second sides. A plurality of contacts are held in the carrier. Each contact includes a first conductive element and a second conductive element. The first conductive element defines a conductive path configured to electrically connect an electrical component on the first side of the carrier to an electrical component on the second side of the carrier. The second conductive element provides an electrostatic shield for the first conductive element.

Abstract: A circuit board and connector for use in an electrical connector has been provided. The circuit board comprises first and second signal contacts associated as a differential pair. A ground contact is located immediately adjacent the first signal contact and is joined directly to a ground plane provided within the circuit board. A floated contact is located immediately adjacent the second signal contact. A component interconnects the floated contact to the ground plane, forming an open circuit when a DC signal is impressed on the floated contact and a closed circuit when AC interference is impressed on the floated contact.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is provided. The electrical connector assembly includes a housing including a body fabricated at least partially from a dielectric material. The housing body has an opening therein. An electrical contact is held by the housing. The electrical contact includes an intermediate portion and a spring portion each held at least partially within the opening. The spring portion of the electrical contact is engaged by the housing body such that the spring portion is deflected into shorting engagement with the intermediate portion of the electrical contact.

Abstract: An electrical connector including a housing having a mating interface and a contact interface configured to receive an end of a flexible printed circuit (FPC) having at least one row of FPC contacts, and contacts received in the housing and extending between the mating interface and the contact interface. Each of the contacts being configured to engage a corresponding one of the FPC contacts. An insert member is received within the housing. The insert member includes individual fingers moving independently with respect to one another, and the insert member is configured to be loaded into the housing to a mated position at which each of the fingers separately engage the FPC.

Abstract: A flex film card edge connector includes a substantially planar substrate having opposite major surfaces joined at an edge; and a flexible film wrapped around the edge and supported on both of the major surfaces. A first and second set of conductive pads are arrayed along the edges on one and the other of the major surfaces. The flexible film has a span that extends around the edge without any electrical connection between the first set of conductive pads and the second set of conductive pads. A flex film cable assembly includes a flexible film configured as an elongated strip having first and second ends, and the flex film card edge connector at least one of the ends. Methods of manufacturing both the flex film card edge connector and the flex film cable assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical contact includes a conductor spirally wrapped about itself from a longitudinal edge. The spirally wrapped conductor defines a longitudinal axis through the contact. The spirally wrapped conductor includes a center spiraled section between first and second contact ends, and the spirally wrapped conductor is compressible along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An electrical connector for interconnecting a circuit card to a substrate includes a dielectric housing having an elongated slot which is open for receiving an edge portion of the circuit card, and a plurality of contacts which are spaced-apart along a length of the slot. Each of the contacts has a base portion, a lead extending from the housing for connection with a circuit path on the substrate, and a contact arm having a contact surface which extends into the slot for engaging a respective contact pad on the circuit card. An electrical path through each contact is defined from the contact surface to the lead, the electrical path being relatively long when the contact is undeflected. The contact arm has a free end which engages the base portion of the contact during insertion of the circuit card into the slot, wherein a relatively shorter electrical path through the contact is defined from the contact surface to the lead.