Abstract: A connector assembly for mating with a pluggable module includes a receptacle assembly for receiving the pluggable module and an interface electrical connector defining a back of the receptacle assembly. The interface electrical connector is configured to mate with the pluggable module. A guide rail defines a side of the receptacle assembly. The guide rail is configured to guide the pluggable module within the receptacle assembly. The guide rail has a rail body having a cavity and the rail body having a side wall opening open to the cavity. A latch assembly is received in the cavity. The latch assembly includes a latch movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. The latch is configured to extend through the side wall opening to engage the pluggable module when the latch is in the latched position. The latch assembly further includes an actuator that forces the latch from the latched position to the unlatched position.

Abstract: A receptacle connector includes a housing having a front, a rear, and a cavity configured to receive a mating connector through a slot at the front of the housing. A plurality of contacts are loaded into the cavity of the housing through the rear of the housing, and the contacts have channel portions aligned with one another. A retention plug is separately provided from the housing and securely coupled to the rear of the housing. The retention plug is received within the channel portions of the contacts and engages the contacts to hold the contacts within the cavity.

Abstract: A pluggable module for mating with a receptacle connector of a host device. The pluggable module includes a housing having a front and a rear, a circuit board held by the housing that includes a mating edge and a plurality of contact pads arranged at the mating edge, and a straddle mount connector coupled to the mating edge of the circuit board. The straddle mount connector includes a plurality of contacts engaging corresponding contact pads. The contacts extend between a termination end coupled to the contact pads and a mating end configured to engage corresponding contacts of the receptacle connector. The straddle mount connector also includes a dielectric connector body having a platform for supporting the contacts. The platform includes a plurality of dividers between each of the contacts, where the dividers define a plurality of channels that receive the contacts. The dividers extend from the platform beyond the contacts such that the contacts are recessed below an outer surface of the dividers.

Abstract: A pluggable module for mating with a receptacle connector of a host device. The pluggable module includes a housing having a front and a rear, a circuit board held by the housing that includes a mating edge and a plurality of contact pads arranged at the mating edge, and a straddle mount connector coupled to the mating edge of the circuit board. The straddle mount connector includes a plurality of contacts engaging corresponding contact pads. The contacts extend between a termination end coupled to the contact pads and a mating end configured to engage corresponding contacts of the receptacle connector. The straddle mount connector also includes a dielectric connector body having a platform for supporting the contacts. The platform includes a plurality of dividers between each of the contacts, where the dividers define a plurality of channels that receive the contacts. The dividers extend from the platform beyond the contacts such that the contacts are recessed below an outer surface of the dividers.

Abstract: A receptacle connector includes a housing having a front, a rear, and a cavity configured to receive a mating connector through a slot at the front of the housing. A plurality of contacts are loaded into the cavity of the housing through the rear of the housing, and the contacts have channel portions aligned with one another. A retention plug is separately provided from the housing and securely coupled to the rear of the housing. The retention plug is received within the channel portions of the contacts and engages the contacts to hold the contacts within the cavity.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is provided. The electrical connector assembly includes a cage member configured for mounting in an opening in a panel. The cage member has a compartment for receiving a pluggable electrical component therein. The cage member includes a latch for cooperating with a latch element of the pluggable electrical component. An EMI gasket is mounted on the cage member such that the EMI gasket is electrically connected to the cage member. The EMI gasket is configured to engage the panel when the cage member is mounted in the opening in the panel. The EMI gasket includes a latch interface that engages the latch such that the latch interface is electrically connected to the latch.

Abstract: An electrical connector module configured to form a communicative connection with a host device is provided. The module includes a housing that is configured to be inserted into a receptacle of the host device. The housing extends substantially in an axial direction and includes a surface. The module also includes an actuating member that is slidably coupled to and movable along the surface of the housing from a locked position to a disengaged position. The module includes a spring member that is positioned on the actuating member and configured to exert a force against the housing and the actuating member. The spring member is biased in order to maintain the actuating member in the locked position.

Abstract: A connector assembly for mating with a pluggable module includes a receptacle assembly for receiving the pluggable module and an interface electrical connector defining a back of the receptacle assembly. The interface electrical connector is configured to mate with the pluggable module. A guide rail defines a side of the receptacle assembly. The guide rail is configured to guide the pluggable module within the receptacle assembly. The guide rail has a rail body having a cavity and the rail body having a side wall opening open to the cavity. A latch assembly is received in the cavity. The latch assembly includes a latch movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. The latch is configured to extend through the side wall opening to engage the pluggable module when the latch is in the latched position. The latch assembly further includes an actuator that forces the latch from the latched position to the unlatched position.

Abstract: A receptacle assembly that is coupled to a host system and configured to receive an electrical component is provided. The receptacle assembly includes a guideframe having a front end, a back end, and a passage that extends therebetween. The guideframe is configured to receive the electrical component and includes a rear panel that is proximate to the back end and a side panel that has a support member extending therefrom. The receptacle assembly also includes a light pipe structure that has a light pipe that extends alongside the guideframe from the front end to the back end. The light pipe includes a rearward end portion that is configured to receive a status indication from the host system. The light pipe structure is directly engaged to the support member and the rearward end portion is directly engaged to at least one of the side panel and the rear panel.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is provided. The electrical connector assembly includes a cage member configured for mounting in an opening in a panel. The cage member has a compartment for receiving a pluggable electrical component therein. The cage member includes a latch for cooperating with a latch element of the pluggable electrical component. An EMI gasket is mounted on the cage member such that the EMI gasket is electrically connected to the cage member. The EMI gasket is configured to engage the panel when the cage member is mounted in the opening in the panel. The EMI gasket includes a latch interface that engages the latch such that the latch interface is electrically connected to the latch.

Abstract: A receptacle assembly that is coupled to a host system and configured to receive an electrical component is provided. The receptacle assembly includes a guideframe having a front end, a back end, and a passage that extends therebetween. The guideframe is configured to receive the electrical component and includes a rear panel that is proximate to the back end and a side panel that has a support member extending therefrom. The receptacle assembly also includes a light pipe structure that has a light pipe that extends alongside the guideframe from the front end to the back end. The light pipe includes a rearward end portion that is configured to receive a status indication from the host system. The light pipe structure is directly engaged to the support member and the rearward end portion is directly engaged to at least one of the side panel and the rear panel.

Abstract: An electrical connector module configured to form a communicative connection with a host device is provided. The module includes a housing that is configured to be inserted into a receptacle of the host device. The housing extends substantially in an axial direction and includes a surface. The module also includes an actuating member that is slidably coupled to and movable along the surface of the housing from a locked position to a disengaged position. The module includes a spring member that is positioned on the actuating member and configured to exert a force against the housing and the actuating member. The spring member is biased in order to maintain the actuating member in the locked position.

Abstract: An electrical connector module assembly is provided and includes first and second shells that mate together along an interface extending along a length of the shells. The first and second shells form a cavity therebetween that extends along the length of the shells. The cavity is configured to hold an electrical component therein, and the first shell has an interior surface. The module assembly also includes a shielding element that has a major body located along the interior surface of the first shell. The shielding element also includes a spring member that is coupled to the major body and located within the interface. The spring member is compressed between the first and second shells.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a dielectric housing that holds pairs of signal modules adjacent one another. Each signal module includes a mating edge having a row of mating contacts, a mounting edge having a row of mounting contacts, and a plurality of conductors electrically connecting each mating contact with a respective mounting contact. The mating contacts in adjacent modules have a first contact spacing therebetween, and the mounting contacts in adjacent modules have a second spacing therebetween. The conductors in adjacent modules have a third spacing therebetween. The second and third spacings are selected to provide a pre-determined impedance through the signal modules.

Abstract: A receptacle assembly includes a guide frame having a front end with an opening to an interior cavity of the guide frame. The front end is configured to receive a module assembly; and an EMI gasket is secured to an edge of the opening. The EMI gasket includes at least one conductive strap extending along a length of the edge, and the conductive strap covers a substantial majority of the edge to form a shielded EMI interface along the edge. A continuous conductive collar is provided on peripheral edges surrounding the opening. The collar is configured to form an uninterrupted and continuous EMI shielding interface with a gasket secured to a bezel. A bail ion the module may be used to cause actuators on the module to move and to press guide frame latches to a release position.

Abstract: A receptacle assembly includes a plurality of guide frames, each of the guide frames having top, bottom and side walls joined to form an interior cavity configured to receive an electrical module. Each of the plurality of guide frames have a heat sink opening extending through one of the top, bottom and side walls. A heat sink is mounted over each of the guide frames and extends through a respective one of the heat sink openings. Each respective heat sink has an engagement surface located proximate the interior cavity of each respective guide frame. The engagement surface of each heat sink is configured to physically contact a respective module when installed in each respective interior cavity. A heat sink clip spans the plurality of guide frames.

Abstract: A receptacle assembly includes a guide frame having top, bottom and side walls joined to form an interior cavity configured to receive an electrical module. One of the top, bottom and side walls has an opening therethrough, and a heat sink is mounted over the opening. The heat sink has an engagement surface located proximate the interior cavity of the guide frame, and the engagement surface of the heat sink is configured to physically contact a module when installed in said interior cavity. The heat sink dissipates heat generated in the module and facilitates a data transmission rate of 10 Gbs through the assembly.

Abstract: A receptacle assembly includes a guide frame having a front end with an opening to an interior cavity of the guide frame. The opening is configured to receive a module assembly. The guide frame has a bottom with a bottom opening to the interior cavity, and the bottom is configured to be joined to a circuit board. An EMI gasket is provided along at least a portion of a perimeter of the bottom opening to be held between the guide frame and a circuit board. The EMI gasket forms a shielded interface along the portion of the perimeter of the bottom opening. Conductive straps are provided along the leading edge of the opening and have widths sufficient to cover a substantial majority of the leading edge to form a shielded interface along the leading edge. An EMI gasket including a skirt extending partially along a portion of the perimeter of the bottom opening is also provided.

Abstract: An electrical module assembly is configured for latching engagement with a receptacle assembly that is adapted for mounting to a printed circuit board. The electrical module assembly comprises an ejector mechanism comprising first and second substantially parallel actuator arms adapted to extend longitudinally along a respective one of opposite side walls of the receptacle assembly. Each of the arms comprises an ejector tab extending longitudinally therewith, and a bias element extends longitudinally with and in contact with each of the actuator arms.

Abstract: An electrical module assembly is configured for latching engagement with a receptacle assembly that is adapted for mounting to a printed circuit board. The electrical module assembly comprises an ejector mechanism comprising first and second substantially parallel actuator arms adapted to extend longitudinally along a respective one of opposite side walls of the receptacle assembly. Each of the arms comprises an ejector tab extending longitudinally therewith, and a bias element extends longitudinally with and in contact with each of the actuator arms.