Abstract: A card edge connector is provided for mounting to a printed circuit board (PCB). The card edge connector includes a housing having a mating side, a mounting side, and a card slot that extends into the mating side. The card edge connector also includes first and second contacts held by the housing. The first and second contacts include mounting segments that extend outwardly from the mounting side of the housing. The mounting segments include mounting interfaces. The mounting segments of the first and second contacts are configured to be electrically connected to corresponding contact pads on the PCB at the mounting interfaces. The mounting interface of the first contact is offset from the mounting interface of the second contact in a direction generally away from mounting side of the housing.

Abstract: A card edge connector is provided for mounting to a printed circuit board (PCB). The card edge connector includes a housing having a mating side, a mounting side, and a card slot that extends into the mating side. The card edge connector also includes first and second contacts held by the housing. The first and second contacts include mounting segments that extend outwardly from the mounting side of the housing. The mounting segments include mounting interfaces. The mounting segments of the first and second contacts are configured to be electrically connected to corresponding contact pads on the PCB at the mounting interfaces. The mounting interface of the first contact is offset from the mounting interface of the second contact in a direction generally away from mounting side of the housing.

Abstract: A terminal for use with a zero insertion force socket is disclosed which electrically connects a mating connector to a printed circuit board or the like. The terminal has a pin engaging portion which has a pair of nonsymmetrical contact arms which are positioned to make electrical engagement with the mating pin. A first contact arm of the pair of contact arms is configured to have a longer electrical path across which signals are transmitted than a second contact arm. The first contact arm also has a reduced cross section compared to the second contact arm, such that the first contact arm is configured to have a matched inductance to the second contact arm. A retention portion extends from the pin engaging portion. Side edges of the retention portion are dimensioned to create a frictional interference with side wall of a cavity of the socket. A mounting portion extends from the retention portion in an opposite direction from the pin engaging portion.

Abstract: An electrical connector for terminating flat cable of the type having a plurality of signal and ground conductors in parallel alignment comprises a housing which holds a plurality of signal contacts and a ground bus. Each of the signal contacts has a signal conductor termination slot configured for insulation displacement termination of a respective said signal conductor. The ground bus has a plurality of ground conductor termination slots each configured for insulation displacement termination of a respective said ground conductor, and at least one bypass slot configured to permit at least one of said signal conductors to pass through said ground bus without termination thereto. The signal conductor termination slots, the ground conductor termination slots and the at least one bypass slot are arranged such that the plurality of signal and ground conductors reside in a common plane in the connector after termination thereto.

Abstract: A terminal with use with a zero insertion force socket is disclosed which electrically connects a mating connector to a printed circuit board or the like. The terminal has a pin engaging portion which has a pair of contact arms positioned to make electrical engagement with a mating pin. The pin engaging portion has a pair of nonsymmetrical contact arms which are positioned to make electrical engagement with the mating pin. A first contact arm of the pair of contact arms is configured to have a longer electrical path across which signals are transmitted than a second contact arm. The first contact arm also has a reduced cross section compared to the second contact arm, such that the first contact arm is configured to have a matched inductance to the second contact arm. A retention portion extends from the pin engaging portion. Side edges of the retention portion are dimensioned to create a frictional interference with side wall of a cavity of the socket.

Abstract: An electrical connector for terminating flat cable of the type having a plurality of signal and ground conductors in parallel alignment comprises a housing which holds a plurality of signal contacts and a ground bus. Each of the signal contacts has a signal conductor termination slot configured for insulation displacement termination of a respective said signal conductor. The ground bus has a plurality of ground conductor termination slots each configured for insulation displacement termination of a respective said ground conductor, and at least one bypass slot configured to permit at least one of said signal conductors to pass through said ground bus without termination thereto. The signal conductor termination slots, the ground conductor termination slots and the at least one bypass slot are arranged such that the plurality of signal and ground conductors reside in a common plane in the connector after termination thereto.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a dielectric member interposed between two electrical components which have different coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs). The dielectric member has conductive traces for electrically connecting the electrical components. The traces may be joined by solder balls to a printed circuit board. The dielectric member may include reservoirs for locating the solder balls and receiving solder after reflow of the solder balls. Adhesive layers may be used for bonding the traces to the dielectric member. The dielectric member is made of a material having a selected CTE value which minimizes the CTE mismatch at the electrical interface and effectuates absorption of the thermal expansion and contraction of the system. Stresses induced by thermal expansion and contraction at the electrical interface are thereby reduced, preventing problems such as fractured solder joints.

Abstract: A contact to electrically connect at least one pin of a pin grid array to a printed circuit board is described. The contact comprises a receiving portion having a pair of contact arms, with each contact arm having a curved portion and a straight portion. The contact arms are positioned so that the curved portions form a curved receiving area while the straight portions are substantially parallel to each other to form a contact area. The contact also includes a tail portion having a solder ball receiving portion. The contact further includes a center portion connecting the pin receiving portion to the tail portion.

Abstract: An electrical connector for terminating flat cable of the type having a plurality of signal and ground conductors in parallel alignment comprises a housing which holds a plurality of signal contacts and a ground bus. Each of the signal contacts has a signal conductor termination slot configured for insulation displacement termination of a respective said signal conductor. The ground bus has a plurality of ground conductor termination slots each configured for insulation displacement termination of a respective said ground conductor, and at least one bypass slot configured to permit at least one of said signal conductors to pass through said ground bus without termination thereto. The signal conductor termination slots, the ground conductor termination slots and the at least one bypass slot are arranged such that the plurality of signal and ground conductors reside in a common plane in the connector after termination thereto.

Abstract: An electrical connector for terminating flat cable of the type having a plurality of signal and ground conductors in parallel alignment comprises a housing which holds a plurality of signal contacts and a ground bus. Each of the signal contacts has a signal conductor termination slot configured for insulation displacement termination of a respective said signal conductor. The ground bus has a plurality of ground conductor termination slots each configured for insulation displacement termination of a respective said ground conductor, and at least one bypass slot configured to permit at least one of said signal conductors to pass through said ground bus without termination thereto. The signal conductor termination slots, the ground conductor termination slots and the at least one bypass slot are arranged such that the plurality of signal and ground conductors reside in a common plane in the connector after termination thereto.