Abstract: Techniques are described for protecting components of an RFID tag from electrostatic discharge. For example, an RFID tag includes a conductive cage that shields the components of the RFID tag from electrostatic discharge. The conductive cage includes a first conductive shield on a first side of a substrate of the RFID tag and a second conductive shield on a second side of the substrate. The first conductive shield is positioned on the first side of the substrate to cover an integrated circuit (IC). The second conductive shield is positioned on the second side of the substrate, and is substantially opposite from the first conductive shield. The first and second conductive shields are interconnected by one or more conductors. In this manner, the interconnected conductive shields form a conductive cage that protects the IC from electrostatic discharge.

Abstract: A header connector apparatus (10) is configured to receive an electronic card (11). The apparatus (10) includes a body (12) having first and second spaced apart side arms (14, 16) formed integrally with the body (12) and configured to receive the card (11) therebetween. The first side arm (14) has a longitudinally extending first dovetail member (52). The apparatus (10) also includes an actuator button (48, 70) having a longitudinally extending second dovetail member (54, 74) configured to mate with the first dovetail member (52) to allow the button (48, 70) to move longitudinally relative to the body (12), and an ejector mechanism (36) coupled to the body (12) and the button (48, 70). The ejector mechanism (36) is configured to eject the card (11) from the body (12) upon longitudinal movement of the button (48, 70) relative to the body (12).

Abstract: A connector includes a plurality of horizontally-spaced contacts arranged in a row with each contact having a forwardly-extending contact portion configured to engage a corresponding contact in a mating connector, an intermediate portion and a rearwardly-extending tail portion. An insulative housing encases the intermediate portions of the contacts. The housing has horizontally-spaced, vertical slots between the contact intermediate portions. A shield is provided for each contact. Each shield has a vertical flange portion for insertion into a vertical slot and an upper horizontal portion extending along and above the intermediate portion of the adjacent contact. The insulative housings with contacts and shields assembled therein are configured to be inserted into horizontally-extending slots in a connector housing.

Abstract: An electrical header connector of the present invention includes a header body formed to include a plurality of first openings and a plurality of second openings. The header body having a front wall and a back wall. A plurality of signal pins are configured for insertion into the plurality of first openings. Each signal pin includes a first end extending from the front wall of the header body to form an array of pin contacts, and a second end spaced apart from the first end and extending from the back wall of the header body. A plurality of shield blades are configured for insertion into the plurality of second openings. Each of the plurality of shield blades has a first end extending from the front wall of the header body adjacent to the first end of a signal pin, a second end extending from the back wall of the header body adjacent to the second end of the signal pin, and a generally right angle shielding portion configured to be disposed adjacent to an intermediate portion of the signal pin.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing and a plurality of horizontal shields and connector modules configured for insertion into the housing. Each connector module includes an insulated material encasing a plurality of conductive paths, each coupled to a forwardly-extending receptacle contact. The receptacle contacts are formed to have a plurality of horizontally-extending slots to receive the horizontal shields when the connector modules are inserted into the housing.

Abstract: A connector includes a plurality of horizontally-spaced contacts arranged in a row with each contact having a forwardly-extending contact portion configured to engage a corresponding contact in a mating connector, an intermediate portion and a rearwardly-extending tail portion. An insulative housing encases the intermediate portions of the contacts. The housing has horizontally-spaced, vertical slots between the contact intermediate portions. A shield is provided for each contact. Each shield has a vertical flange portion for insertion into a vertical slot and an upper horizontal portion extending along and above the intermediate portion of the adjacent contact. The insulative housings with contacts and shields assembled therein are configured to be inserted into horizontally-extending slots in a connector housing.

Abstract: An electrical header connector of the present invention includes a header body formed to include a plurality of first openings and a plurality of second openings. The header body having a front wall and a back wall. A plurality of signal pins are configured for insertion into the plurality of first openings. Each signal pin includes a first end extending from the front wall of the header body to form an array of pin contacts, and a second end spaced apart from the first end and extending from the back wall of the header body. A plurality of shield blades are configured for insertion into the plurality of second openings. Each of the plurality of shield blades has a first end extending from the front wall of the header body adjacent to the first end of a signal pin, a second end extending from the back wall of the header body adjacent to the second end of the signal pin, and a generally right angle shielding portion configured to be disposed adjacent to an intermediate portion of the signal pin.

Abstract: An electrical header connector of the present invention includes a header body formed to include a plurality of first openings and a plurality of second openings. The header body having a front wall and a back wall. A plurality of signal pins are configured for insertion into the plurality of first openings. Each signal pin includes a first end extending from the front wall of the header body to form an array of pin contacts, and a second end spaced apart from the first end and extending from the back wall of the header body. A plurality of shield blades are configured for insertion into the plurality of second openings. Each of the plurality of shield blades has a first end extending from the front wall of the header body adjacent to the first end of a signal pin, a second end extending from the back wall of the header body adjacent to the second end of the signal pin, and a generally right angle shielding portion configured to be disposed adjacent to an intermediate portion of the signal pin.

Abstract: A two-part high-speed backplane electrical connector with improved electromagnetical shielding comprises a socket connector and a header connector. The socket connector includes a plurality of connector modules encasing a plurality of conductive paths. Each connector module is formed to include a plurality of laterally-extending angled passageways which are interleaved with the plurality of conductive paths. The socket connector further includes a plurality of first shields, each of which is configured to be coupled to a connector module along a first side thereof to form a paired connector unit. Each first shield is formed to include a plurality of laterally-extending angled passageways in substantial alignment with the passageways in the connector modules. A socket housing is configured to receive a plurality of paired connector units. A plurality of second shields are configured to be received in the plurality of laterally-extending angled passageways in the paired connector units.