Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical connector in which the conductive and dielectric elements are arranged in a composite I-beam shaped geometry in which the conductive element is perpendicularly interposed between two parallel dielectric and ground plane elements. Low cross talk and controlled impedance are found to result from the use of this geometry.

Abstract: A method for measuring a common mode current (Icm) in an outer conductor of a shielded electrical connector comprising also at least one inner conductor which includes the steps of interconnecting the one inner conductor and the outer conductor at a junction point to a power source and supplying a current (Icm) to the junction point draining substantially all common mode current (Icm) from the outer conductor at the opposite side of the connector by means of a low impedance drain; and sensing the drained common mode current (Icm) with a current sensing device.

Abstract: A connector for use with a circuit substrate having a plurality of elongated conductors. A solder ball is fused to the end of the conductors for connection of the connector to a circuit substrate. Method for attaching the solder ball to the end of the conductors using a solder paste with or without a preformed solder ball. The conductors are fitted into passages of an interface member. A tail end of each conductor terminates in a well in a surface of the interface member that facilitates the attachment of solder ball to the end of the conductors. The passages in the interface member hold the conductor tail ends in place while providing a clearance around the conductor to accommodate the effects of thermal expansion and contraction.

Abstract: A latch member (52) for coupling a connector (48) and header (44) together to provide an electrical connector assembly. The latch member (52) comprises an elongated member (60) having a first end (62) and a second end (64). A fastening segment (68), which can securely engage an outer wall of a header to assist in securing the latch member in an operating position, is intergrally coupled near the second end. At least one latch element, adapted to securely engage and immobilize the connector element in cooperation with the header, is integrally coupled near the first end. The latch member also functions as an electrical shield for the header and the mating connector.

Abstract: An electrical cable assembly in which the conductive and dielectric elements are arranged in a composite with a conductive I-beam shaped geometry in which the conductive element is perpendicularly interposed between two parallel dielectric and ground plane elements. Low cross talk and controlled impedance are found to result from the use of this geometry.

Abstract: A connector for mounting to a circuit substrate comprising a housing and a connector pair supported by the housing. The connector pair includes a header connector having an electrically conductive connector housing, an opening in which an insulator element having a pin opening is disposed, a signal pin extending through the pin opening in the insulator element and through the connector housing and separated from the connector housing by the insulator element, and a raised cylindrical ground surface surrounding the insulator element the signal pin; and a socket connector, having a signal receptacle contact, a ground receptacle contact, and a dielectric separating element separating the signal contact and the ground contact from one another, so that, in mated condition, the signal contact mechanically connects and electrically contacts with the signal pin, and the ground contact mechanically connects and electrically contacts with the raised cylindrical ground surface.

Abstract: A console including an electrical connector adapted to be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising a base member mounted on the PCB, an insert member mounted on the base member, a jack member engaging said insert member and a component member positioned on the base member remotely from said insert member and said jack member.

Abstract: Connectors are formed from insulative, terminal-carrying frames that are open on at least one major surface. The open major surfaces allows rapid insertion of contact terminals and attachment of wires to contact surfaces within the frame. The frame includes wire receiving openings and cavities for positioning wires within the frame. Electrical continuity between the wires and the terminals may be achieved directly or by a circuit substrate that has circuit traces for electrically connecting an attached wire to a connector terminal. High speed cable connectors can be made in an industrially effective manner by such structures.

Abstract: A linear attenuation equalizer and a method for designing such an equalizer using the cable attenuation curve to determine the D.C. attenuation and the lower or first corner frequency. The D.C. attenuation and the lower corner frequency are used to fix the design. A curve fit technique is used to determine the cable attenuation parameter which fixes the D.C. attenuation of the equalizer. The lower corner frequency is set at between about 10% and less than about 50% of the data rate, and preferably at approximately 20% of the data rate.

Abstract: Modular connectors employ terminal carriers for gang mounting of terminals onto circuit substrates. The carriers may be shielded for providing shielding through the connector. Substrate mounting systems include press fit, floating surface mount, solder ball and intrusive reflow arrangements.

Abstract: A connector assembly for a PC card, including a spring positioned in recesses in the lateral longitudinal elements of the frame. After the PC card unmates with the connector portion of the assembly, the spring imparts additional forward longitudinal force to the PC card while passing the recesses. This allows the PC card to be ejected an additional distance from the connector, where it can be easily gripped and withdrawn by the user. A method of ejecting a PC card from a computer in which the PC card is first moved out of engagement with the connector to an initial location. Then, the PC card is moved by an automatically activated resilient device to a location further away from the connector.

Abstract: A receptacle adapted to be mounted on a printed wiring board (PWB) which includes an insulative member supporting a plurality of conductive contacts which conductive contacts engage the PWB and a conductive sheet having a lower wall superimposed on said PWB. An upper wall is superimposed over the insulative member in spaced relation over the lower wall and a pair of side walls perpendicularly interposed between said upper and lower walls to form a plug receiving space. A conductive sensor is positioned adjacent one of said conductive contacts and which contacts one of the conductive contacts when a plug is inserted in the plug receiving space. In an alternate embodiment a convex projection on the plug presses the power contact against the sensor.

Abstract: A right angle press fit connector employs a modular construction having a common terminal carrying press block that is associable with different types of shroud structures. The press block may include true positioned location structures for press fit tails. The true position structures may be integral with the press block. A cruciform shaped terminal insertion passage in the press block minimizes damage to the plating of the terminals and provides structural stiffness.

Abstract: An upper and lower contact especially for a double-deck or dual in-line module, each includes a solder tail that is coupled to the main body of the contact by a compliant portion. The compliant portion is thus intermediate the main body and the solder portion of the solder tail. The compliant portion isolates and absorbs stresses induced on the module housing through card insertion such that the solder joint does not receive the stress. Additionally, the provision of a compliant portion absorbs non-linearities created by circuit board warpage on which the module is attached. The compliant portion may take the form of a modified spring, a U-shaped section, a radiused section, or other form.

Abstract: Electrical connectors capable of being mounted on circuit substrates by BGA techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing such connectors. There is at least one recess on the exterior side of the connector elements. A conductive contact extends from adjacent the interior side of the into the recess on the exterior side of the housing. A controlled volume of solder paste is introduced into the recess. A fusible conductive element, in the form of solder balls is positioned in the recess. The connector is subjected to a reflow process to fuse the solder ball to the portion of the contact extending into said recess. Contacts are secured in the insulative housing of the connector by deformable sections that minimize stress imposed on the housing, thereby reducing warpage. Solder resist areas are formed on central portions of the contacts to promote uniformity of solder volume.

Abstract: A connector having a first element and a second element. Each element includes an insulative housing and a plurality of contacts secured to the insulative housing. The elements engage to progressively mate the contacts. A method of mating a connector including the steps of: engaging the first and second elements; and progressively connecting the first and second element contacts.

Abstract: An electrical connector formed from a plurality of modules. The connector relays differential pairs of signals, with the signal conductors that define each of the differential pairs residing on different modules in a twin-ax configuration. The modules can include one or more circuit substrates. The conductors on adjacent circuit substrates can have a mirror image relationship.

Abstract: Electrical connectors capable of being mounted on circuit substrates by BGA techniques and a method for manufacturing such connectors. There is at least one recess on the exterior side of the connector elements. A conductive contact extends from adjacent the interior side of the into the recess on the exterior side of the housing. A controlled volume of solder paste is introduced into the recess. A fusible conductive element, in the form of solder balls is positioned in the recess. The connector is subjected to a reflow process to fuse the solder ball to the portion of the contact extending into the recess. Contacts are secured in the insulative housing of the connector by deformable sections that minimize stress imposed on the housing, thereby reducing warpage. Solder resist areas are formed on central portions of the contacts to promote uniformity of solder volume. As a result of these features, substantial coplanarity of the BGA array along the mounting interface of the connector is achieved.

Abstract: A modular jack assembly including an insulative housing which has a first element a first and a second longitudinal wall positioned in spaced parallel relation and a first pair of traverse walls interposed between said first and second longitudinal walls to form a first plug receiving port. There is also a second element which has a third and fourth longitudinal wall and a second pair of transverse walls are interposed between said third and further longitudinal walls to form a forward second plug receiving port. A releasable latch fixes the third longitudinal means of the second element in superimposed abutting relation on the second longitudinal wall of the first element. A first insulative insert having base and upper sides and rear end terminal ends and is positioned such that its terminal end extends into the first plug receiving port. A second insulative insert having base and upper sides and rear and terminal ends and is positioned so that its terminal end extends into the second plug receiving.

Abstract: A low profile coaxial connector for at least three stacked boards (12, 14, 16) has a first part (20) with signal (22) and ground/shield (24) contacts to be secured on a first board (12). A second mating part (40) includes a signal contact (42) to be secured on an outermost (16) of the remaining circuit boards and a ground/shield contact (50) to be secured on an intermediate circuit board (14). The connector is especially useful when the intermediate circuit board constitutes a ground plane for shielding the first board, such as an electronics board, from the outermost circuit board, such as an antenna.