Abstract: An integrated connector module (ICM) is disclosed. In one embodiment, the ICM includes a plurality of shielding components, the plurality of shielding components comprising a port to port shield, an insert to insert shield and a main body shield. The ICM also contains one or more housing components, the one or more housing components comprising a plurality of ports that are arranged so as to be offset from a main signal conditioning portion of the one or more housing components; and an electronics assembly disposed within the one or more housing components. Methods and apparatus for utilizing and manufacturing the aforementioned ICM are also disclosed.

Abstract: A low profile, small size and high performance electronic device for use in, e.g., electronic circuits which provides maximum creepage and/or clearance distances. In one embodiment, the device is configured for a small footprint and utilizes two or more windings that require isolation. The exemplary device includes a self-leaded header made from a unitary construction which comprises a generally a box-like support body having a cavity for mounting a circuit element with primary and secondary windings, the support body having a base and a plurality of leads extending generally horizontally outward from the support body adjacent the base, the support body having one side opening on a side with leads permitting the loading of the inductive device in the cavity, and a routing channel residing on the top of the base, so as to maximize the creepage and clearance distance of the electronic device. Shaped-core and other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: An arc fault sensor disposed on a circuit board proximate to a current carrying trace. The arc fault sensor includes a magnetic flux concentrator (MFC). The MFC includes a first flange and a second flange that are joined by a center post. Each of the first and second flanges have a cross sectional area that is larger than the center post. A sense coil winding is wound around the center post. The arc fault sensor generates an output voltage that is proportional to a rate of change of current in the current carrying conductor. For a given diameter of the sense coil winding, the output voltage is enhanced by the ratio of the cross-sectional areas of the flanges relative to the cross-sectional area of the center post. Methods of manufacturing and utilizing the aforementioned arc fault sensor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A low profile, small size and high performance electronic device for use in, e.g., electronic circuits which provides maximum creepage and/or clearance distances. In one embodiment, the device is configured for a small footprint and utilizes two or more windings that require isolation. The exemplary device includes a self-leaded header made from a unitary construction which comprises a generally a box-like support body having a cavity for mounting a circuit element with primary and secondary windings, the support body having a base and a plurality of leads extending generally horizontally outward from the support body adjacent the base, the support body having one side opening on a side with leads permitting the loading of the inductive device in the cavity, and a routing channel residing on the top of the base, so as to maximize the creepage and clearance distance of the electronic device. Shaped-core and other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A low-cost and high-precision current sensing device and methods for use and manufacturing. In one embodiment, the current sensing apparatus comprises a Rogowski-type coil which is manufactured in segments so as to facilitate the manufacturing process. In an exemplary embodiment, the current sensing apparatus segments comprise a number of bobbin elements that are wound and subsequently formed into complex geometric shapes such as torus-like shapes. In an alternative embodiment, bonded windings are utilized which allow the segments to be formed without a bobbin or former. In yet another alternative embodiment, the aforementioned current sensing devices are stacked in groups of two or more. Methods of manufacturing and using the aforementioned current sensing apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary connector insert assembly, and methods of manufacture and use thereof. In one embodiment, the connector insert assembly comprises an insert body assembly consisting of two insert body elements made from a high-temperature polymer. The insert body assembly includes an electronic component receiving cavity that is configured to receive any number of electronic components, including without limitation, chip chokes and wire wound electronic components. The insert body assembly includes a wire termination feature that includes termination slots that position the wire ends of the wire wound electronic components adjacent to a substrate to which the wire ends are ultimately to be secured. The wire ends are then secured to the substrate using, for example, a mass termination technique. The aforementioned connector insert assembly can then be inserted into a single or multi-port connector assembly. Methods of manufacturing the aforementioned single or multi-port connector assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: Space- and cost-efficient antenna apparatus and methods of making and using the same. Antenna may comprise one or more planar radiator elements fabricated from an electrically conductive material. Surface area of the antenna radiator metallized portion may be reduced by utilizing a crosshatch pattern. The pattern may comprise of one or more metal-free elements disposed within the outline of the radiator. The elements may be interconnected by conductive crosslinks. The antenna may be coupled to radio electronics at one or more connection points. At least one of a size and/or a placement of the crosslinks may be configured based on distance from the connecting points. Crosslink size and/or placement may be configured to provide a prescribed current flow within the antenna. Reducing surface area of the antenna radiator may reduce manufacturing time and/or cost compared with prior art antenna design approaches.

Abstract: An exemplary header insert assembly, and methods of manufacture and use thereof. In one embodiment, the header insert assembly comprises a connector insert assembly having an insert body assembly consisting of an insert body element. The insert body element includes an electronic component receiving cavity that is configured to receive any number of electronic components. The insert body assembly also includes a wire termination feature that includes termination slots that position the wire ends of the wire wound electronic components adjacent to a substrate to which the wire ends are ultimately to be secured. The wire ends are then secured to the substrate using, for example, a mass termination technique. The aforementioned header insert assembly can then be optionally inserted into a single or multi-port connector assembly. Methods of manufacturing the aforementioned single or multi-port connector assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A low cost, reduced form factor, high performance electronic device for use in electronic circuits and methods. In one exemplary embodiment, the device includes a unitary header assembly construction that ensures device coplanarity and also includes vertically oriented terminal pins. The device utilizes preconfigured flat coil windings that are disposed directly within a planar core. The flat coil windings further include features that are configured to mate with the header assembly terminal pins which substantially simplify the manufacturing process. Methods for manufacturing the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: High electrical isolation connector apparatus and methods. In one embodiment, an integrated connector module (ICM) is disclosed. The ICM includes a number of adjacent electronic subassemblies that are shielded through the use of an insert body shield. The insert body shield beneficially increases electrical isolation between adjacent subassemblies thereby further mitigating possible electrical noise. The insert body shield is configured to be received within a slot formed within the connector housing. An internal shield is also included that is received in a slot of an insert body of the electronic sub-assemblies, thereby effectively shielding adjacent component receiving cavities from one another. Methods and apparatus are also disclosed which make use and take advantage of these shielded ICMs. For example, telecommunications/networking equipment that incorporates these ICMs are also disclosed.

Abstract: An advanced modular plug connector assembly incorporating an insert assembly disposed in the rear portion of the connector housing. In one embodiment, the connector has a plurality of ports in multi-row configuration, and the insert assembly includes a substrate adapted to receive one or more electronic components such as choke coils, transformers, or other signal conditioning elements or magnetics. The substrate also interfaces with the conductors of two modular ports of the connector, and is removable from the housing such that an insert assembly of a different electronics or terminal configuration can be substituted therefor. In this fashion, the connector can be configured to a plurality of different standards (e.g., Gigabit Ethernet and 10/100). In yet another embodiment, the connector assembly comprises a plurality of light sources (e.g., LEDs) received within the housing. Methods for manufacturing the aforementioned embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wire-less inductive device and methods of manufacturing and use are disclosed. In one embodiment, the inductive device comprises a plurality of through-hole vias which act to replace windings disposed around a magnetically permeable core. In another embodiment, the inductive device comprises a plurality of connection elements disposed or formed within channels which act as windings disposed around a magnetically permeable core. In a second aspect of the invention, a method of manufacturing the aforementioned inductive devices is disclosed. In a third aspect of the invention, an electronics assembly and circuit comprising the wire-less inductive devices are disclosed.

Abstract: A device for electrically interconnecting and packaging electronic components. In one embodiment, a modular non-conducting base member having one or more component recesses and a plurality of lead channels formed therein is provided. At least one electronic component is disposed within the recess, and the wire leads of the component routed through the lead channels to a conductive lead terminal. A plurality of lead terminals, adapted to cooperate with the non-conducting base member, are received therein, and adapted to place the device in signal communication with an external printed circuit board. The modular non-conducting base members are assembled or stacked to form a unitary modular assembly. Methods for fabricating the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical connector mountable on a printed circuit board. In one embodiment, the electrical connector comprises an insulative housing comprising one or more electronic components, a plurality of electrical conductors in signal communication with the electronic components and adapted to interface with a plug and a plurality of terminals in signal communication with the one or more electronic components. In one aspect, the plurality of terminals are adapted to interface with one or more externally mounted electronic components on the printed circuit board thereby filtering signals passing between the electrical conductors and the printed circuit board, with the externally mounted electronic components mounted within the footprint of the electrical connector. Methods of manufacture for the aforementioned electrical connector and business methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A low cost, low profile, small size and high performance electronic device for use in, e.g., electronic circuits where a transformer or inductor is required. In one exemplary embodiment, the device includes a self-leaded header made from a unitary construction. The header includes a vertically oriented winding post that obviates the need for e.g. a binocular aperture type configuration. Methods for manufacturing the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: Improved form-less electronic apparatus and methods for manufacturing the same. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a shape-core inductive device having a bonded-wire coil which is formed and maintained within the device without resort to a bobbin or other form(er). The absence of the bobbin simplifies the manufacture of the device, reduces its cost, and allows it to be made more compact (or alternatively additional functionality to be disposed therein). One variant utilizes a termination header for mating to a PCB or other assembly, while another totally avoids the use of the header by directly mating to the PCB. Multi-core variants and methods of manufacturing are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a low-cost and high-precision inductive device. In one embodiment, the inductive device comprises a substrate based inductive device which utilizes inserted conductive pins in combination with plated substrates which replace windings disposed around a magnetically permeable core. In some variations this is accomplished without a header disposed between adjacent substrates while alternative variations utilize a header. In another embodiment, the substrate inductive devices are incorporated into integrated connector modules. Methods of manufacturing and utilizing the aforementioned substrate based inductive devices and integrated connector modules are also disclosed.

Abstract: Space- and cost-efficient antenna apparatus and methods of making and using the same. In one embodiment, the antenna is formed using a deposition process, whereby a conductive fluid or other material is deposited directly on one or more interior components of a host device (e.g., cellular phone or tablet computer). The antenna can be formed in a substantially three-dimensional “loop” shape, and obviates several costly and environmentally unfriendly processing steps and materials associated with prior art antenna manufacturing approaches.

Abstract: Improved inductive electronic apparatus and methods for manufacturing the same. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises an inductive device module comprising N inductors and N+1 core elements. The core elements comprise ferrite core pieces that are optionally identical to one another. These core elements are stacked (e.g., in a longitudinal coaxial arrangement) such that the back of one core element associated with a first inductor provides a magnetic flux path for a second inductor. Form-less (bonded) windings are also optionally used to simplify the manufacture of the device, reduce its cost, and allow it to be made more compact (or alternatively additional functionality to be disposed therein). One variant utilizes a termination header for mating to a PCB or other assembly, while another totally avoids the use of the header by directly mating to the PCB.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly having shielded cage assembly with at least one port for receiving modules, and methods of manufacture and use thereof. In one embodiment, the modules comprise SFP-type (small form-factor pluggable) modules, and the shielded cage assembly comprises an EMI shield member that is disposed at a port opening for the electrical connector assembly. In one variant, the EMI shield member can be disposed on the electrical connector cage assembly without the need for secondary processing techniques such as soldering, or resistance welding. This is accomplished via for example the utilization of mechanical snap features.