Abstract: A connector is provided and includes a cage, a plurality of partition devices, and a heat dissipation device. The cage includes a plurality of plug receiving units that are arranged in at least a two columns by two rows arrangement. The plurality of partition devices include an upper partition plate and a lower partition plate and is positioned between two adjacent plug receiving units of the plurality of plug receiving units. The heat dissipation device includes a heat conduction block positioned between the upper partition plate and the lower partition plate, and a heat conduction pipe that contacts the heat conduction block and extends beyond a rear wall of the cage.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a cage member having a plurality of walls comprising side walls and an end wall defining a port configured to receive a pluggable module that is electrically connected to a communication connector housed within the cage member. The port has an airflow channel along the end wall allowing airflow through the port along the pluggable module. Standoff features extend from at least one of the end wall and the side walls. The standoff features extend into the airflow channel and are configured to engage the pluggable module and locate the pluggable module relative to the communication connector for mating thereto and locate the pluggable module relative to the airflow channel.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a cage member having a plurality of walls defining a port configured to receive a pluggable module therein through a front end of the cage member. The pluggable module is configured to be electrically connected to a communication connector housed within the cage member at a rear end of the cage member. The walls are manufactured from a metal material and provide electrical shielding for the pluggable module and the communication connector. The walls include side walls and a top wall between the side walls. The top wall is non-planar and includes an upper step and a lower step. The lower step is aligned above the communication connector at or near the rear end and the upper step is aligned above the pluggable module at or near the front end.

Abstract: A connector is provided and includes a cage, a plurality of partition devices, and a heat dissipation device. The cage includes a plurality of plug receiving units that are arranged in at least a two columns by two rows arrangement. The plurality of partition devices include an upper partition plate and a lower partition plate and is positioned between two adjacent plug receiving units of the plurality of plug receiving units. The heat dissipation device includes a heat conduction block positioned between the upper partition plate and the lower partition plate, and a heat conduction pipe that contacts the heat conduction block and extends beyond a rear wall of the cage.

Abstract: A pluggable module is provided for being pluggably received within a receptacle assembly. The pluggable module includes a circuit board configured to be terminated to a cable, and a housing extending a length from a plug end to a cable end. The housing includes complementary first and second shells that are mated together along a mating axis such that the first and second shells define an interior chamber of the housing. The circuit board is held within the interior chamber such that the circuit board is exposed at the plug end. The first and second shells includes respective first and second openings that extend into the respective first and second shells along respective first and second central axes that each extend non-parallel to the mating axis. The first and second openings are at least partially aligned. A spring pin extends within the first and second openings to hold the first and second shells together.

Abstract: A receptacle connector includes a housing having a socket configured to receive a plug connector. The housing includes a cavity having datum surfaces therein. The receptacle connector includes a contact assembly received in the cavity and located in a fixed location relative to the datum surfaces. The contact assembly has a dielectric base holding a plurality of contacts configured to mate with the plug connector received in the socket. The dielectric base has datum surfaces. At least one of the housing or the dielectric base comprising crush ribs forcing the datum surfaces of the dielectric base to engage corresponding datum surfaces of the housing.

Abstract: A receptacle connector includes a housing having a socket configured to receive a plug connector. The housing includes a cavity having datum surfaces therein. The receptacle connector includes a contact assembly received in the cavity and located in a fixed location relative to the datum surfaces. The contact assembly has a dielectric base holding a plurality of contacts configured to mate with the plug connector received in the socket. The dielectric base has datum surfaces. At least one of the housing or the dielectric base comprising crush ribs forcing the datum surfaces of the dielectric base to engage corresponding datum surfaces of the housing.

Abstract: A pluggable module is provided for being pluggably received within a receptacle assembly. The pluggable module includes a circuit board configured to be terminated to a cable, and a housing extending a length from a plug end to a cable end. The housing includes complementary first and second shells that are mated together along a mating axis such that the first and second shells define an interior chamber of the housing. The circuit board is held within the interior chamber such that the circuit board is exposed at the plug end. The first and second shells includes respective first and second openings that extend into the respective first and second shells along respective first and second central axes that each extend non-parallel to the mating axis. The first and second openings are at least partially aligned. A spring pin extends within the first and second openings to hold the first and second shells together.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing extending from a mating face to an opposite face, and first and second side walls that extend between the mating face and the opposite face. The housing has a contact cavity that includes opposing sides. The first side wall includes a side opening that extends through the first side wall into communication with the contact cavity. The contact cavity is accessible through the mating face for receiving a mating connector therein. Electrical contacts are held by the housing and arranged in opposing rows that extend along the opposing sides of the contact cavity. A retention insert is received within the side opening. The retention insert includes fingers that extend into the contact cavity and engage in physical contact with corresponding electrical contacts of one of the rows of the electrical contacts to hold the corresponding electrical contacts within the contact cavity.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing extending from a mating face to an opposite face, and first and second side walls that extend between the mating face and the opposite face. The housing has a contact cavity that includes opposing sides. The first side wall includes a side opening that extends through the first side wall into communication with the contact cavity. The contact cavity is accessible through the mating face for receiving a mating connector therein. Electrical contacts are held by the housing and arranged in opposing rows that extend along the opposing sides of the contact cavity. A retention insert is received within the side opening. The retention insert includes fingers that extend into the contact cavity and engage in physical contact with corresponding electrical contacts of one of the rows of the electrical contacts to hold the corresponding electrical contacts within the contact cavity.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided having a housing. Contact modules are positioned within the housing. The contact modules each have a dielectric body holding at least one conductive lead. The at least one conductive lead extends between a mating end and a mounting end. The mating end is configured to be electrically connected to an electrical component. The mounting end is configured to be electrically connected to a circuit board. Ground plates are positioned within the housing between corresponding contact modules. The contact modules and the ground plates form a contact assembly held by the housing. A conductive elastomeric material extends through the contact modules and engages the ground plates to electrically interconnect the ground plates.

Abstract: Plug assembly including first and second plug connectors that are configured to be stacked with respect to each other. Each of the first and second plug connectors has a mating side that extends between leading and trailing ends along a plug axis. The mating side includes an attachment area and an exposed area that are laterally adjacent to each other. Each of the first and second plug connectors also has an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield section coupled to the mating side at the attachment area. The mating sides of the first and second plug connectors interface with each other when the first and second plug connectors are stacked. The EMI shield section of the first plug connector engages the mating side of the second plug connector at the exposed area. The EMI shield section of the second plug connector engages the other mating side at the exposed area.

Abstract: An electrical connector is configured to mate with at least one mating connector to electrically connect a first electrical component to a second electrical component. The electrical connector includes a first connector and a second connector housing. The first connector housing includes a plurality of first contacts. The first connector housing is associated with a first communication protocol. The second connector housing includes a plurality of second contacts, and is associated with a second communication protocol that is separate and distinct from the first communication protocol. The first and second connector housings are integrally connected to one another.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided having a housing. Contact modules are positioned within the housing. The contact modules each have a dielectric body holding at least one conductive lead. The at least one conductive lead extends between a mating end and a mounting end. The mating end is configured to be electrically connected to an electrical component. The mounting end is configured to be electrically connected to a circuit board. Ground plates are positioned within the housing between corresponding contact modules. The contact modules and the ground plates form a contact assembly held by the housing. A conductive elastomeric material extends through the contact modules and engages the ground plates to electrically interconnect the ground plates.

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 is configured to mate with at least one mating connector to electrically connect a first electrical component to a second electrical component. The electrical connector includes a first connector and a second connector housing. The first connector housing includes a plurality of first contacts. The first connector housing is associated with a first communication protocol. The second connector housing includes a plurality of second contacts, and is associated with a second communication protocol that is separate and distinct from the first communication protocol. The first and second connector housings are integrally connected to one another.