Abstract: Example electrical connectors are provided including a plurality of electrical contacts configured to communicate between electrical devices. The plurality of electrical contacts includes a plurality of ground contacts. A ground coupling assembly is configured to electrically connect ground contacts of an electrical connector to adjust a performance characteristic of the electrical connector as desired.

Abstract: An electrical connector including a housing; and a plurality of first ground contacts. The first ground contacts each comprise a male contact blade configured to be inserted into a contact channel of a housing of a mating electrical connector. The male contact blade has a portion configured to contact the housing of the mating electrical connector, after the male contact blade makes electrical contact with the deflectable beam, to move the male contact blade in the contact channel, increase deflection of the deflectable beam by the male contact blade, and increase or maintain normal force between the mating contact and the ground contact generally.

Abstract: An electrical connector including a housing; and a plurality of first ground contacts. The first ground contacts each comprise a male contact blade configured to be inserted into a contact channel of a housing of a mating electrical connector. The male contact blade has a portion configured to contact the housing of the mating electrical connector, after the male contact blade makes electrical contact with the deflectable beam, to move the male contact blade in the contact channel, increase deflection of the deflectable beam by the male contact blade, and increase or maintain normal force between the mating contact and the ground contact generally.

Abstract: The invention provides a high speed connector wherein differential signal pairs are arranged so as to limit the level of cross talk between adjacent differential signal pairs. The connector comprises lead frame assembly having a pair of overmolded lead frame housings. Each lead frame housing has a respective signal contact extending therethrough. The lead frame housings may be operatively coupled such that the signal contacts form a broadside-coupled differential signal pair. The contacts may be separated by a gap having a gap width that enables insertion loss and cross talk between signal pairs to be limited.

Abstract: A mezzanine style electrical connector is disclosed. The connector includes first and second arrays of electrical contacts extending through a connector housing. Each contact array may include single ended signal conductors or differential signal pairs or a combination of both. The contact arrays are disposed adjacent to one another such that cross-talk between adjacent signal contacts is limited, even in the absence of any electrical shielding or ground contacts between the contact arrays.

Abstract: A mezzanine style electrical connector is disclosed. The connector includes first and second arrays of electrical contacts extending through a connector housing. Each contact array may include single ended signal conductors or differential signal pairs or a combination of both. The contact arrays are disposed adjacent to one another such that cross-talk between adjacent signal contacts is limited, even in the absence of any electrical shielding or ground contacts between the contact arrays.

Abstract: A retention member aligns and stabilizes one or more insert molded lead assemblies (IMLAs) in an electrical connector. The retention member provides for alignment and stability in the x-, y-, and z-directions. Such a retention member may be in connection with a right angle header connector. The retention member provides stability by maintaining the true positioning of the terminal ends of the contacts. The retention member is expandable in length, and may be sized and shaped to fit a single header assembly or multiple position configurations.

Abstract: The invention provides a high speed connector wherein differential signal pairs are arranged so as to limit the level of cross talk between adjacent differential signal pairs. The connector comprises lead frame assembly having a pair of overmolded lead frame housings. Each lead frame housing has a respective signal contact extending therethrough. The lead frame housings may be operatively coupled such that the signal contacts form a broadside-coupled differential signal pair. The contacts may be separated by a gap having a gap width that enables insertion loss and cross talk between signal pairs to be limited.

Abstract: A retention member aligns and stabilizes one or more insert molded lead assemblies (IMLAs) in an electrical connector. The retention member provides for alignment and stability in the x-, y-, and z-directions. Such a retention member may be in connection with a right angle header connector. The retention member provides stability by maintaining the true positioning of the terminal ends of the contacts. The retention member is expandable in length, and may be sized and shaped to fit a single header assembly or multiple position configurations.

Abstract: An electrical contact that is particularly suitable for use in high speed, grid array connectors is disclosed. The contact includes a retention member extending along a length thereof. The retention member is adapted to retain the contact within a connector base and to deform upon insertion of the contact into the base to cause a generally straight edge to be formed along a portion of the contact that includes the length along which the retention member extends. Thus, a generally uniform impedance profile may be created between adjacent contacts along the respective portions that are inserted into the connector base.

Abstract: The invention provides a high speed connector wherein differential signal pairs are arranged so as to limit the level of cross talk between adjacent differential signal pairs. The connector comprises a lead frame assembly having a pair of overmolded lead frame housings. Each lead frame housing has a respective signal contact extending therethrough. The lead frame housings may be operatively coupled such that the signal contacts form a broadside-coupled differential signal pair. The contacts may be separated by a gap having a gap width that enables insertion loss and cross talk between signal pairs to be limited.

Abstract: The invention provides a high speed connector wherein differential signal pairs are arranged so as to limit the level of cross talk between adjacent differential signal pairs. The connector comprises lead frame assembly having a pair of overmolded lead frame housings. Each lead frame housing has a respective signal contact extending therethrough. The lead frame housings may be operatively coupled such that the signal contacts form a broadside-coupled differential signal pair. The contacts may be separated by a gap having a gap width that enables insertion loss and cross talk between signal pairs to be limited.

Abstract: A mezzanine style electrical connector is disclosed. The connector includes first and second arrays of electrical contacts extending through a connector housing. Each contact array may include single ended signal conductors or differential signal pairs or a combination of both. The contact arrays are disposed adjacent to one another such that cross-talk between adjacent signal contacts is limited, even in the absence of any electrical shielding or ground contacts between the contact arrays.

Abstract: The invention provides a high speed connector wherein differential signal pairs are arranged so as to limit the level of cross talk between adjacent differential signal pairs. The connector comprises lead frame assembly having a pair of overmolded lead frame housings. Each lead frame housing has a respective signal contact extending therethrough. The lead frame housings may be operatively coupled such that the signal contacts form a broadside-coupled differential signal pair. The contacts may be separated by a gap having a gap width that enables insertion loss and cross talk between signal pairs to be limited.

Abstract: An electrical contact that is particularly suitable for use in high speed, grid array connectors is disclosed. The contact includes a retention member extending along a length thereof. The retention member is adapted to retain the contact within a connector base and to deform upon insertion of the contact into the base to cause a generally straight edge to be formed along a portion of the contact that includes the length along which the retention member extends. Thus, a generally uniform impedance profile may be created between adjacent contacts along the respective portions that are inserted into the connector base.

Abstract: A header assembly is mounted to a backplane and receives a complementary electrical connector. The header assembly has an insulating shroud having a base with backplane and connector sides and a primary edge, and differential signal pin pairs, ground shields, and ground pins mounted to the base. The signal pin pairs are arranged into rows extending in a first direction along the base and along the base primary edge, and columns extending in a perpendicular second direction along the base. The signal pins in each pair are adjacently arranged into a sub-row extending in the first direction. Each signal pin in a pair has an inner side facing the other pin in the pair, an opposing outer side, and primary and non-primary sides facing toward and away from the base primary edge, respectively. One ground shield is associated with each signal pin. Each ground shield extends through the base between the connector side and the backplane side, and includes first and second attached wings arranged at right angles.

Abstract: A receptacle for an electrical connector which comprises an elongated insulative housing having parallel lateral walls, parallel end walls and base wall. An interior cavity is formed by those walls, and a longitudinal groove extends between the longitudinal walls from adjacent one of said end walls to the other end wall. At least one conductive contact having a base end and a distal end extends upwardly in the interior cavity. It is fixed to the housing adjacent the base end and is movably attached at a medial guide and then extends upwardly such that the distal end of the contact is adjacent the longitudinal groove. Critical dimensional tolerances relative to the terminal contacts can be achieved with this receptacle.

Abstract: A receptacle for an electrical connector which comprises an elongated insulative housing having parallel lateral walls, parallel end walls and base wall. An interior cavity is formed by those walls, and a longitudinal groove extends between the longitudinal walls from adjacent one of said end walls to the other end wall. At least one conductive contact having a base end and a distal end extends upwardly through the base wall and then in the interior cavity. A wafer having a hardness greater than the base wall is positioned beneath the base wall to enhance dimensional stability of the receptacle in a vertical or other direction perpendicular to the substrate on which the receptacle is mounted.

Abstract: A receptacle for an electrical connector which comprises an elongated insulative housing having parallel lateral walls, parallel end walls and base wall. An interior cavity is formed by those walls, and a longitudinal groove extends between the longitudinal walls from adjacent one of said end walls to the other end wall. At least one conductive contact having a base end and a distal end extends upwardly through the base wall and then in the interior cavity. A wafer having a hardness greater than the base wall is positioned beneath the base wall to enhance dimensional stability of the receptacle in a vertical or other direction perpendicular to the substrate on which the receptacle is mounted.

Abstract: A compression arm connector for connecting two circuit substrates in a disk drive and a method of producing the same are provided. The compression arm connector replaces the need for two vertical connectors and a base plate header traditionally used in disk drives for connecting the two circuit substrates. Another compression arm connector for connecting wires to solder pads on a circuit substrate are also provided. The contacts of this compression arm connector are bent through an angle of more than about 90.degree. to form a deflectable member and a solder member. The solder member may be exposed through the connector housing through the use of solder windows or passageways formed in the housing. Both connectors are capable of exhibiting large wipe and deflection capabilities. Additionally, both connectors can be used in a low-cost disk drive provided by the invention.