Abstract: A printed circuit board which is easily compensation adjustable. The PCB has compensator traces which are directly above and parallel to each other. Each of the layers of the PCB contains compensator traces which are aligned in a plane such that each of the compensating traces are aligned in a direction that is perpendicular to the respective planes. Thus, compensation can be effected in each of the various layers of the PCB by drilling one hole for each of the layers since the compensation traces are vertically aligned.

Abstract: An electrical connector (e.g., a plug or receptacle for a plug) has multiple conductors that carry two or more transmission paths, where each transmission path uses (at least) two conductors to carry a balanced signal. A portion of the like conductors of one type are grouped together and separated from a portion of like conductors of another type. For example, in one embodiment, the electrical connector is a plug having contacts used to terminate a multi-wire cable carrying up to four voice or data signal transmission paths and having four pairs of TIP-RING contacts, where a portion of the four TIP contacts are grouped together and a portion of the four RING contacts are grouped together and separated from the group of TIP contacts. In this way, electromagnetic (e.g., capacitive and/or inductive) coupling between like conductors (e.g., from TIP contact to TIP contact) will be generated that opposes electromagnetic coupling between unlike conductors (e.g.

Abstract: Connectors, such as 110-type patch plugs, are designed to reduce near-end crosstalk that is generated between the twisted pairs of multi-wire cordage. Connectors of the present invention have a wire guide having a plurality of channels within which the different twisted pairs and ultimately the individual wires are distributed from the cordage to corresponding conducting contacts of the connectors. The channels of the wire guide enable improved control over the twist rates of the different twisted pairs as well as the routing paths between the cordage and the contacts which reduces the level of near-end crosstalk as well as variability in that level from one connector assembly to another. In one particular embodiment, the connector has a four-piece modular design (not counting the individual contacts) having separate wire guide, contact base, top cover, and bottom cover.

Abstract: A plug for interconnecting a pair of wires at its input with a pair of insulation displacement connectors (IDC) at its output is improved. The plug comprises a dielectric housing and a pair of non-insulated conductors within the housing that cross over and are spaced-apart from each other. Each conductor comprises a generally flat blade portion for insertion into an IDC at one end, and a terminal for making electrical contact with a wire at the other. In the illustrative embodiment of the invention, the terminal comprises an insulation displacement connector. Additionally, the conductors are identical to each other, but are reverse-mounted with respect to each other to achieve crossover.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bridge assembly for mounting within a network interface unit. The assembly includes a jack and a housing for an integrated circuit which are molded into a single entity. The housing and jack are separated by a flexible hinge which permits the bridge assembly to be mounted in the chassis of the network interface unit.