Abstract: An electrical connector includes a contact sub-assembly having a plurality of contacts arranged on a contact support member. The contact support member has a pair of opposed support walls extending from a base to a mating end, and the support walls are separated by a gap that extends from the mating end toward the base. The contacts extend at least partially along the support walls between the mating end and the base, wherein a first set of the contacts are provided on one of the support walls and a second set of the contacts are provided on the other of the support walls. The contacts are exposed to the gap for connection with a mating connector received within the gap. The electrical connector also includes a housing having a cavity configured to receive the mating connector, wherein the contact sub-assembly is received within the cavity for mating with the mating connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a contact sub-assembly having a plurality of contacts arranged on a contact support member. The contact support member has a pair of opposed support walls extending from a base to a mating end, and the support walls are separated by a gap that extends from the mating end toward the base. The contacts extend at least partially along the support walls between the mating end and the base, wherein a first set of the contacts are provided on one of the support walls and a second set of the contacts are provided on the other of the support walls. The contacts are exposed to the gap for connection with a mating connector received within the gap. The electrical connector also includes a housing having a cavity configured to receive the mating connector, wherein the contact sub-assembly is received within the cavity for mating with the mating connector.

Abstract: A high speed signal connector having a plurality of signal conductors disposed within the housing and a ground bus or plane disposed within the housing and including a plurality of coextensive layers of different conductive materials including at least a first conductive base layer having predetermined conductivity and permeability and a second conductive top layer have predetermined conductivity and permeability. A multiple layer common ground provides for improved current flow within the common ground so as to minimize cross talk between signal contacts. As a result, the present invention provides a connector for high frequency signal transmission which exhibits an attenuation characteristic which is substantially independent of frequency within a predetermined and selectable frequency range and which permits the tailoring of the attenuation and phase response of the connector as a function of frequency.