Abstract: An engineered transmission line for transmitting high-frequency data signal s between two points of connection includes a dielectric body and a plurality of conductive elements disposed thereon, with the plurality of conductive elements being arranged in pairs for differential signal transmission. In one embodiment, the dielectric body is solid and has its conductive elements supported on its exterior surface. In another embodiment, the dielectric body is extruded and has grooves or raised lands formed therein. The grooves or lands support conductive elements formed thereon by a suitable plating process. A ground plane may be provided as a base layer of the dielectric body. Enlarged conductive surfaces may also be provided on the body which have a greater surface area than those intended for use with the signal channels. The enlarged surfaces are utilized to carry power.

Abstract: A termination structure for a cable connector having a pair of differential wire pairs and an associated ground wire utilizes a series of nests, or solder cups, that have their dimensions tailored to maintain a desired level of electrical performance. These nests are also arranged in a configuration to maintain the aforementioned electrical performance, and also position the ground and signal conductors of the cable in the termination area in the same position and orientation as they take in the cable.

Abstract: A termination structure for mating a cable connector to a circuit board has a ground terminal and two signal terminals arranged in triangular pattern through the connector in order to reduce the impedance through the connector. The width of the ground terminal increases along its extent with respect to the signal terminals. This increase occurs along either a transition or contact portion of the ground terminal.

Abstract: A termination structure for a cable connector having a pair of differential wire pairs and an associated ground wire utilizes a series of nests, or solder cups, that have their dimensions tailored to maintain a desired level of electrical performance. These nests are also arranged in a configuration to maintain the aforementioned electrical performance, and also position the ground and signal conductors of the cable in the termination area in the same position and orientation as they take in the cable.

Abstract: A termination structure for mating a cable connector to a circuit board has a ground terminal and two signal terminals arranged in triangular pattern through the connector in order to reduce the impedance through the connector. The width of the ground terminal increases along its extent with respect to the signal terminals. This increase occurs along either a transition or contact portion of the ground terminal.

Abstract: A termination structure for a cable connector having a pair of differential wire pairs and an associated ground wire utilizes a series of nests, or solder cups, that have their dimensions tailored to maintain a desired level of electrical performance. These nests are also arranged in a configuration to maintain the aforementioned electrical performance, and also position the ground and signal conductors of the cable in the termination area in the same position and orientation as they take in the cable.

Abstract: A connector having reduced noise characteristics is provided having an electronic component, such as a capacitor, electrically connecting together the power ground and power voltage terminals of the connector, with the electronic component being located within the connector housing. Such a structure reduces any induced electrical noise from occurring in the signal terminals of the connector due to the power terminals.

Abstract: A connector that is particularly suitable for use in high speed data transmission is provided in the form of a plug connector that may be terminated to the end of a high speed cable. The connector has a plurality of terminals for terminating to respective signal wires, ground wires and power wires of the cable, and also has an additional terminal that serves to detect and identify status information about the cable to circuits on a circuit board to which the cable is connected thorough the plug connector and a mating receptacle connector. This detection terminal is shorted to another terminal of the connector, preferably a power ground, or return, terminal. The shorting is done with an electronic component that modifies the voltage passing from the shorted terminal through the detection terminal. The modified voltage may be easily read on the circuit board to determine the status of the cable (such as the speed of the cable) or an electronic device attached thereto.

Abstract: A connector having an improved impedance aspect is provided with a triplet of conductive terminals for mating with opposing ground and signal terminals. Each triplet of the connector includes a pair of signal terminals and an associated ground terminal, with each terminal having a contact portion, a body portion and a mounting portion. The contact portion of the ground terminal overlies the contact portions of the signal terminals to provide an increased ground plane surface area. The body portion of the ground terminal is aligned with and extends between the body portions of the two signal terminals. With this arrangement, the impedance of the connector may be tuned to obtain an impendance with a reduced discontinuity through the connector as compared to similar connectors.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for terminating the metallic shield of a high speed cable. The method includes the steps of providing a cable with an exposed portion of the metallic shield of the cable and a conductive terminating member having a plurality of positioning arms. Each arm is formable from an open position to a closed position. The metallic shields are soldered to a positioning arm while the arm is in its open position. Each arm is formed to its closed position to properly position the high speed cables.