Abstract: An electrical connector includes a connector housing and first and second differential contacts. A contact cavity is defined between opposed sides and opposed endwalls. First support members and second support members extend from the opposed sides into the contact cavity. Each of first support members is shorter than each of the second support members. The first and second differential contacts define a differential pair retained within the contact cavity. The first and second differential contacts are retained between two of the first support members. At least a portion of the first and second differential contacts extends past a level of the first support members. The portion(s) of the first and second differential contacts that extends past the level of first support members is exposed to air.

Abstract: An electrical communication system includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having first and second ground plates and a plurality of signal vias and a plurality of ground vias extending between and through the first and second ground plates. Each of the plurality of signal vias are electrically connected to a respective conductive trace on a surface of the PCB. Cables connect to the PCB at a right angle, with a connector attached to an opposite side of the PCB. Each cable has two signal wires and a ground wire extending therefrom. The two signal wires define a differential pair. The signal wires are symmetrical with respect to the ground wire. Each of the signal wires electrically connects to a respective one of the plurality of signal vias. The ground wire connects to one of the plurality of ground vias. The cables are offset with respect to one another on the first and second ground plates and within the PCB.

Abstract: An electrical communication system includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having first and second ground plates and a plurality of signal vias and a plurality of ground vias extending between and through the first and second ground plates. Each of the plurality of signal vias are electrically connected to a respective conductive trace on a surface of the PCB. Cables connect to the PCB at a right angle, with a connector attached to an opposite side of the PCB. Each cable has two signal wires and a ground wire extending therefrom. The two signal wires define a differential pair. The signal wires are symmetrical with respect to the ground wire. Each of the signal wires electrically connects to a respective one of the plurality of signal vias. The ground wire connects to one of the plurality of ground vias. The cables are offset with respect to one another on the first and second ground plates and within the PCB.

Abstract: An electrical connector including a connector housing having opposite mating and loading faces and a mating axis extending therebetween. The connector housing has interior walls that oppose each other with a contact cavity therebetween. The electrical connector also includes a retention insert that is sized and shaped to be advanced through the loading face and positioned within the contact cavity. The retention insert has an outer engagement surface. The electrical connector also includes first and second rows of mating contacts that are separated by the retention insert. The contact cavity has a component-receiving region that exists between the first and second rows of mating contacts and is accessible through the mating face. The mating contacts of the first and second rows are oriented to extend lengthwise along the mating axis and are held between the engagement surface of the retention insert and respective interior walls.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a connector housing and first and second differential contacts. A contact cavity is defined between opposed sides and opposed endwalls. First support members and second support members extend from the opposed sides into the contact cavity. Each of first support members is shorter than each of the second support members. The first and second differential contacts define a differential pair retained within the contact cavity. The first and second differential contacts are retained between two of the first support members. At least a portion of the first and second differential contacts extends past a level of the first support members. The portion(s) of the first and second differential contacts that extends past the level of first support members is exposed to air.

Abstract: An electrical connector including a connector housing having opposite mating and loading faces and a mating axis extending therebetween. The connector housing has interior walls that oppose each other with a contact cavity therebetween. The electrical connector also includes a retention insert that is sized and shaped to be advanced through the loading face and positioned within the contact cavity. The retention insert has an outer engagement surface. The electrical connector also includes first and second rows of mating contacts that are separated by the retention insert. The contact cavity has a component-receiving region that exists between the first and second rows of mating contacts and is accessible through the mating face. The mating contacts of the first and second rows are oriented to extend lengthwise along the mating axis and are held between the engagement surface of the retention insert and respective interior walls.

Abstract: A card edge connector is provided for mating with a printed circuit board (PCB) having a card edge. The connector includes a housing having an elongate card slot and a mounting side. The card slot extends a slot length and is configured to receive the card edge of the PCB therein. The mounting side extends a side length and a width. The side length of the mounting side extends in a direction that extends along a direction of the slot length of the card slot. Signal contacts are held by the housing. The signal contacts include first signal contacts and second signal contacts. The first and second signal contacts have respective first and second signal mounting segments that are arranged in first and second signal rows, respectively, that extend along the side length of the mounting side of the housing. The first and second signal rows are spaced apart from each other along the width of the mounting side. Ground contacts are held by the housing.