Abstract: A receptacle assembly includes a cage having an interior cavity and a divider that divides the interior cavity into first and second ports. The cage has a front end that is open to the first and second ports, which are configured to receive first and second pluggable modules, respectively, therein through the front end. The divider includes an internal compartment that extends between the first and second ports. The receptacle assembly includes a thermal transfer assembly having a base and a spring. The base is received within the internal compartment of the divider and includes a module side that faces the first port. The spring is operatively connected between the divider and the base such that the spring is configured to bias the base toward the first port and thereby press the module side of the base into thermal communication with the first pluggable module.

Abstract: A cable backplane system includes a backplane having a plurality of openings and mounting blocks proximate the openings. A cable rack is coupled to a rear of the backplane that includes a tray, spacers coupled to the tray and cable connector assemblies held by corresponding spacers. Each cable connector assembly has a plurality of cables extending between cable connectors. The cable connectors are received in corresponding openings and held in position relative to the backplane by the spacers. Locking assemblies are held by the tray and have a latch proximate to a front edge of the tray configured to interact with a corresponding one of the mounting blocks to lockably couple the tray to the backplane. The locking assemblies each have an actuator at a rear of the tray that is actuated by an installer to lock and unlock the latch with the mounting block.

Abstract: A cable backplane system includes a backplane having a plurality of openings and mounting blocks proximate the openings. A cable rack is coupled to a rear of the backplane that includes a tray, spacers coupled to the tray and cable connector assemblies held by corresponding spacers. Each cable connector assembly has a plurality of cables extending between cable connectors. The cable connectors are received in corresponding openings and held in position relative to the backplane by the spacers. Locking assemblies are held by the tray and have a latch proximate to a front edge of the tray configured to interact with a corresponding one of the mounting blocks to lockably couple the tray to the backplane. The locking assemblies each have an actuator at a rear of the tray that is actuated by an installer to lock and unlock the latch with the mounting block.

Abstract: A receptacle assembly includes a cage having an interior cavity and a divider that divides the interior cavity into first and second ports. The cage has a front end that is open to the first and second ports, which are configured to receive first and second pluggable modules, respectively, therein through the front end. The divider includes an internal compartment that extends between the first and second ports. The receptacle assembly includes a thermal transfer assembly having a base and a spring. The base is received within the internal compartment of the divider and includes a module side that faces the first port. The spring is operatively connected between the divider and the base such that the spring is configured to bias the base toward the first port and thereby press the module side of the base into thermal communication with the first pluggable module.

Abstract: A receptacle connector includes a housing having a mating interface for mating with a mating connector. Ground contacts are held by the housing. The ground contacts include ground mating segments arranged along the mating interface of the housing for mating with ground terminals of the mating connector. The ground mating segments of the ground contacts include ground mating surfaces configured to engage the ground terminals. The ground mating surfaces of the ground mating segments extending within at least one ground plane. Signal contacts are held by the housing. The signal contacts include signal mating segments arranged along the mating interface of the housing for mating with signal terminals of the mating connector. The signal mating segments of the signal contacts include signal mating surfaces configured to engage the signal terminals.

Abstract: A pluggable module includes a housing having a locating opening that is at least partially defined by a wall of the housing. A circuit board is at least partially disposed within the housing and includes an edge and a mating contact. An electrical connector is mounted to the circuit board and includes an electrical contact having a mounting segment that is configured to be electrically connected to the mating contact of the circuit board. The electrical connector includes a dielectric connector body that holds the electrical contact. The body has a base that is coupled to the edge of the circuit board and a locating boss that extends outwardly on the base. The locating boss is received within the locating opening of the housing and includes a crush rib that extends outwardly from the locating boss. The crush rib is deformed and engaged with the wall of the housing.

Abstract: A receptacle connector is provided for mating with a pluggable module having a plug and a printed circuit. The receptacle connector includes a housing having a mating receptacle and a slot. The mating receptacle is configured to receive the plug of the pluggable module therein. The slot is configured to receive the printed circuit of the pluggable module therein. A receptacle contact is held by the housing. The receptacle contact includes a receptacle mating segment that extends within the mating receptacle and is configured to engage a mating contact of the plug of the pluggable module. A slot contact is held by the housing. The slot contact includes a slot mating segment that extends within the slot and is configured to engage the printed circuit of the pluggable module.

Abstract: A pluggable module includes a housing having a locating opening that is at least partially defined by a wall of the housing. A circuit board is at least partially disposed within the housing and includes an edge and a mating contact. An electrical connector is mounted to the circuit board and includes an electrical contact having a mounting segment that is configured to be electrically connected to the mating contact of the circuit board. The electrical connector includes a dielectric connector body that holds the electrical contact. The body has a base that is coupled to the edge of the circuit board and a locating boss that extends outwardly on the base. The locating boss is received within the locating opening of the housing and includes a crush rib that extends outwardly from the locating boss. The crush rib is deformed and engaged with the wall of the housing.

Abstract: A receptacle connector includes a housing having a mating interface for mating with a mating connector. Ground contacts are held by the housing. The ground contacts include ground mating segments arranged along the mating interface of the housing for mating with ground terminals of the mating connector. The ground mating segments of the ground contacts include ground mating surfaces configured to engage the ground terminals. The ground mating surfaces of the ground mating segments extending within at least one ground plane. Signal contacts are held by the housing. The signal contacts include signal mating segments arranged along the mating interface of the housing for mating with signal terminals of the mating connector. The signal mating segments of the signal contacts include signal mating surfaces configured to engage the signal terminals.

Abstract: A receptacle connector is provided for mating with a pluggable module having a plug and a printed circuit. The receptacle connector includes a housing having a mating receptacle and a slot. The mating receptacle is configured to receive the plug of the pluggable module therein. The slot is configured to receive the printed circuit of the pluggable module therein. A receptacle contact is held by the housing. The receptacle contact includes a receptacle mating segment that extends within the mating receptacle and is configured to engage a mating contact of the plug of the pluggable module. A slot contact is held by the housing. The slot contact includes a slot mating segment that extends within the slot and is configured to engage the printed circuit of the pluggable module.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is provided for mating with electrical plugs. The electrical connector assembly includes a housing having a top wall and a bottom wall that is opposite the top wall. The housing includes a mating face having ports that are configured to receive the electrical plugs therein. A jack sub-assembly is held by the housing. The jack sub-assembly includes jacks having electrical contacts held within the ports for engagement with the electrical plugs. The jack sub-assembly includes a signal pin array having signal pins for connection to a host circuit board. The signal pin array includes a front side extending along the bottom wall of the housing. An electrically conductive outer shield covers the top wall of the housing. The outer shield includes a bottom flap covering an end of the bottom wall of the housing. An electrically conductive bottom shield covers the bottom wall of the housing between the bottom flap of the outer shield and the front side of the signal pin array.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is provided for mating with electrical plugs. The electrical connector assembly includes a housing having a top wall and a bottom wall that is opposite the top wall. The housing includes a mating face having ports that are configured to receive the electrical plugs therein. A jack sub-assembly is held by the housing. The jack sub-assembly includes jacks having electrical contacts held within the ports for engagement with the electrical plugs. The jack sub-assembly includes a signal pin array having signal pins for connection to a host circuit board. The signal pin array includes a front side extending along the bottom wall of the housing. An electrically conductive outer shield covers the top wall of the housing. The outer shield includes a bottom flap covering an end of the bottom wall of the housing. An electrically conductive bottom shield covers the bottom wall of the housing between the bottom flap of the outer shield and the front side of the signal pin array.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is disclosed which includes a housing; and a plurality of substantially identical contact assemblies each including a pair of electrical contacts with receptacle contact portions configured to be received by the housing. The plurality of contact assemblies are arranged in sequence in a linear array in the housing, and in alternating first and second orientations. The second orientation is a reverse orientation with respect to the first orientation. The substantially identical electrical contact assemblies each include a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact and a receptacle contact portion in electrical communication with the edge connector portion. The edge connector portions are substantially a mirror image while the receptacle contact portions are substantially slide-along images of each other. A method of manufacturing is also disclosed for the electrical contact assemblies.

Abstract: A connector assembly configured to be mounted to a device substrate is provided. She connector assembly includes a connector substrate, an electronic component. contacts, and conductive wires. The connector substrate has a mounting side and an opposite supporting side interconnected by an edge. The mounting side is used to mount the connector substrate to the device substrate. The electronic component is disposed on the supporting side of the connector substrate. The contacts are provided on the mounting side of the connector substrate and are used to electrically couple the electronic component with the device substrate. The wires are joined to the electronic component and to the contacts. The wires extend along the supporting and mounting sides and wrap around the edge of the connector substrate. The conductive wires are separated from one another by a separation gap along the supporting side and the mounting side of the connector substrate.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a housing having an array of compartments, and substantially identical signal contact assemblies arranged in sets, each including a pair of the signal contact assemblies arranged opposite first and second orientations, and selectively installed in a respective pair of compartments. One ground contact may form a signal-signal-ground pattern, while two ground contacts may form a signal-signal-ground-ground pattern. Additionally, an electrical connector assembly includes a housing having at least two substantially identical signal contact assemblies, one in a first orientation, another in a second orientation. At least one recess is formed within the signal contact assembly; and at least one protruding ridge extends from the signal contact assembly. The recesses of the signal contact assembly in the first orientation receive at least one of the protruding ridges in a second orientation.

Abstract: A connector assembly configured to be mounted to a device substrate is provided. She connector assembly includes a connector substrate, an electronic component. contacts, and conductive wires. The connector substrate has a mounting side and an opposite supporting side interconnected by an edge. The mounting side is used to mount the connector substrate to the device substrate. The electronic component is disposed on the supporting side of the connector substrate. The contacts are provided on the mounting side of the connector substrate and are used to electrically couple the electronic component with the device substrate. The wires are joined to the electronic component and to the contacts. The wires extend along the supporting and mounting sides and wrap around the edge of the connector substrate. The conductive wires are separated from one another by a separation gap along the supporting side and the mounting side of the connector substrate.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes a shielding cage, a center plate and an electromagnetic seal element. The shielding cage includes side walls with ports disposed between the side walls. The ports receive mating connectors through a mating interface of the shielding cage. The center plate includes transverse walls disposed between and coupling the side walls of the shielding cage to one another. The center plate separating the ports and defines a chamber between the transverse walls and the side walls of the shielding cage. The electromagnetic seal element is disposed in the chamber of the center plate and engages the transverse walls of the center plate to prevent electromagnetic interference within the center plate from radiating through the mating interface.

Abstract: A connector for connecting a card edge module to a circuit board includes a housing that extends along a longitudinal axis between opposite first and second end portions. The housing including a card slot configured to receive a mating edge of the card edge module and a channel proximate one of the first and second end portions. A protective member is received in the channel and positioned to inhibit contact between a side edge of the card edge module and the one of the first and second end portions of the housing when the card edge module is loaded into the connector.

Abstract: A connector for connecting a card edge module to a circuit board includes a housing that extends along a longitudinal axis between opposite first and second end portions. The housing including a card slot configured to receive a mating edge of the card edge module and a channel proximate one of the first and second end portions. A protective member is received in the channel and positioned to inhibit contact between a side edge of the card edge module and the one of the first and second end portions of the housing when the card edge module is loaded into the connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a housing having an array of compartments, and substantially identical signal contact assemblies arranged in sets, each including a pair of the signal contact assemblies arranged opposite first and second orientations, and selectively installed in a respective pair of compartments. One ground contact may form a signal-signal-ground pattern, while two ground contacts may form a signal-signal-ground-ground pattern. Additionally, an electrical connector assembly includes a housing having at least two substantially identical signal contact assemblies, one in a first orientation, another in a second orientation. At least one recess is formed within the signal contact assembly; and at least one protruding ridge extends from the signal contact assembly. The recesses of the signal contact assembly in the first orientation receive at least one of the protruding ridges in a second orientation.