Abstract: A circuit board for use in a modular electrical connector. The circuit board has a first surface and an oppositely facing second surface. Signal pathways are provided on the first surface. The signal pathways have signal pathway ends abutting a mounting end of the circuit board. First ground pathways are provided on the first surface. The first ground pathways are positioned adjacent at least one of the signal pathways. The first ground pathways have first ground pathway ends abutting the mounting end of the circuit board. One or more second ground pathways are provided on the second surface. The one or more second ground pathways have second ground pathway ends abutting the mounting end of the circuit board. The positioning of the signal pathway ends, the first ground pathway ends and the second ground pathway ends abutting the mounting end reduces crosstalk between signal pairs.

Abstract: A circuit board for use in a modular electrical connector. The circuit board has a first surface and an oppositely facing second surface. Signal pathways are provided on the first surface. The signal pathways have signal pathway ends abutting a mounting end of the circuit board. First ground pathways are provided on the first surface. The first ground pathways are positioned adjacent at least one of the signal pathways. The first ground pathways have first ground pathway ends abutting the mounting end of the circuit board. One or more second ground pathways are provided on the second surface. The one or more second ground pathways have second ground pathway ends abutting the mounting end of the circuit board. The positioning of the signal pathway ends, the first ground pathway ends and the second ground pathway ends abutting the mounting end reduces crosstalk between signal pairs.

Abstract: An RF module includes a housing including connector cavities and having a rear wall with lands adjacent openings. The RF module includes RF connectors received in the connector cavities each having a conductive shell and a dielectric body positioning a center contact in the shell. The RF connector has a spring surrounding the shell between front and rear flanges and a rear retainer having a front rim. The RF connector is received in the opening such that the front rim engages the rear wall to retain the RF connector in the corresponding opening. The RF connector is spring loaded in the connector cavity to allow the RF connector to float in the connector cavity.

Abstract: An RF module includes a housing including connector cavities and having a rear wall with lands adjacent openings. The RF module includes RF connectors received in the connector cavities each having a conductive shell and a dielectric body positioning a center contact in the shell. The RF connector has a spring surrounding the shell between front and rear flanges and a rear retainer having a front rim. The RF connector is received in the opening such that the front rim engages the rear wall to retain the RF connector in the corresponding opening. The RF connector is spring loaded in the connector cavity to allow the RF connector to float in the connector cavity.

Abstract: A flexible circuit to wire transition member and method which transitions wires connected to a standard wire termination connector to a flexible circuit. The transition member includes a housing with a flexible circuit receiving recess provide proximate a first surface of the housing. A wire receiving recess is provided in the housing proximate a first surface of the housing. A contact extends between the flexible circuit receiving recess and the wire receiving recess, the contact provides an electrical connection between a flexible circuit received in the flexible circuit receiving recess and a wire received in the wire receiving recess.

Abstract: A crimping tool includes a frame holding first and second crimping dies within a crimping zone. The frame has an opening providing access to the crimping zone. A ram is coupled to the first die and is configured to drive the first die toward the second die. A swinging arm is rotatably coupled to the frame between an open position and a closed position. The swinging arm closes the opening in the frame when in the closed position. The swinging arm has a pivot end pivotably coupled to the frame and a distal end opposite to the pivot end. The distal end engages the frame when in the closed position. A biasing member coupled to the swinging arm to bias the swinging arm toward the closed position to close the opening.

Abstract: A cable header connector includes a cable including a pair of signal wires, a contact sub-assembly terminated to the cable and a ground shield providing electrical shielding for the contact sub-assembly. The contact sub-assembly has a mounting block having contact channels therein. The contact sub-assembly has a pair of signal contacts each received in corresponding contact channels and held in the contact channels by an interference fit. The contact channels receive corresponding signal wires of the cable and position the signal wires in position adjacent to the corresponding signal contacts. The signal contacts are laser welded to the signal wires of the cable at terminating ends of the signal contacts after being positioned in the contact channels.

Abstract: A communication cable including a cable jacket having a jacket end and a shielding layer having an electrically conductive exterior surface. The exterior surface extends along a length of the communication cable and interfaces with the cable jacket. The exterior surface has an exposed section that extends beyond the jacket end to a shielding end of the shielding layer. The communication cable also includes at least one insulated conductor that extends along the length of the communication cable and that is surrounded by the shielding layer and the cable jacket. The communication cable also includes an adhesive layer that surrounds the exposed section of the exterior surface. The adhesive layer is electrically conductive and is in intimate contact with the exterior surface.

Abstract: A cable header connector includes a cable including a pair of signal wires, a contact sub-assembly terminated to the cable and a ground shield providing electrical shielding for the contact sub-assembly. The contact sub-assembly has a mounting block having contact channels therein. The contact sub-assembly has a pair of signal contacts each received in corresponding contact channels and held in the contact channels by an interference fit. The contact channels receive corresponding signal wires of the cable and position the signal wires in position adjacent to the corresponding signal contacts. The signal contacts are laser welded to the signal wires of the cable at terminating ends of the signal contacts after being positioned in the contact channels.

Abstract: A crimping tool includes a frame holding first and second crimping dies within a crimping zone. The frame has an opening providing access to the crimping zone. A ram is coupled to the first die and is configured to drive the first die toward the second die. A swinging arm is rotatably coupled to the frame between an open position and a closed position. The swinging arm closes the opening in the frame when in the closed position. The swinging arm has a pivot end pivotably coupled to the frame and a distal end opposite to the pivot end. The distal end engages the frame when in the closed position. A biasing member coupled to the swinging arm to bias the swinging arm toward the closed position to close the opening.