Abstract: A method is disclosed for terminating the metallic shield of a high speed cable. The method includes the steps of providing a cable with an exposed portion of the metallic shield of the cable and a conductive terminating member having a plurality of positioning arms. Each arm is formable from an open position to a closed position. The metallic shields are soldered to a positioning arm while the arm is in its open position. Each arm is formed to its closed position to properly position the high speed cables.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for terminating the metallic shield of a high speed cable, and including a terminating member used with the method. At least a portion of the outer jacket of the high speed cable is removed to expose a portion of the metallic shield of the cable. The cable is positioned on a conductive terminating member having an opening in registry with the exposed portion of the metallic shield. The shield is soldered to the terminating member through the opening.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for terminating the shield a high speed cable having an outer jacket, an inner metallic shield with a portion of the outer jacket removed to expose a portion of the metallic shield, and an inner dielectric inside the metallic shield. The system includes a conductive two-part terminating member having a shield management part and a shield terminating part. The shield management part is adapted for allowing separation of the metallic shield from the inner dielectric and soldering of the shield to the shield management part, while protecting the inner dielectric from the heat of soldering. The shield terminating part is adapted for grounding the metallic shield and includes a receptacle for receiving the shield management part in conductive engagement therewith.

Abstract: A panel mount system includes an electrical connector for mounting in an aperture in a panel. The connector has a mounting flange for interfacing with the panel, and a pair of cantilevered latch structures. Each latch structure includes a base arm projecting from the mounting flange and one locking arm deflectably cantilevered at one side of the base arm from an end thereof remote from the mounting flange. The locking arm extends angularly from the end of the base arm and from the one side thereof back towards the mounting flange. The other side of the base arm opposite the locking arm is substantially rigid. The maximum cross-sectional dimensions of one of the latch structures and its adjacent portion of the mounting aperture is different from the maximum cross-sectional dimensions of the other latch structure and its adjacent portion of the mounting aperture to provide polarization for the connector relative to the panel.

Abstract: A backplane signal connector assembly includes a header connector adapted for mounting on a backplane and a receptacle connector adapted for mounting on a daughter printed circuit board. Each connector includes a conductive housing having a cavity for receiving at least two signal terminals and at least one ground terminal. The signal terminal has an insert molded insulating mounting body about a portion thereof to provide a module for mounting in the cavity to insulate the terminal from the conductive housing. The ground terminal is in direct conductive engagement with the housing. The terminals are stamped and formed metal components. At least one ground clip is mounted on each conductive housing in direct conductive engagement therewith and is adapted for commoning to a ground on the respective backplane and daughter printed circuit board, whereby the housing establishes a primary ground reference for the connector.

Abstract: A backplane signal connector assembly includes a header connector adapted for mounting on a backplane and a receptacle connector adapted for mounting on a daughter printed circuit board. Each connector includes a conductive housing having a cavity for receiving at least two signal terminals and at least one ground terminal. The signal terminal has an insert molded insulating mounting body about a portion thereof to provide a module for mounting in the cavity to insulate the terminal from the conductive housing. The ground terminal is in direct conductive engagement with the housing. The terminals are stamped and formed metal components. At least one ground clip is mounted on each conductive housing in direct conductive engagement therewith and is adapted for commoning to a ground on the respective backplane and daughter printed circuit board, whereby the housing establishes a primary ground reference for the connector.

Abstract: A surface mount electrical connector assembly is provided for electrically connecting a plurality of terminals of an electrical connector to circuit traces on a printed circuit board. The terminals are mounted on a dielectric housing of the connector and have contact ends exposed exteriorly on one side of the housing. A flexible circuit sheet is mounted on the side of the housing, with conductive circuit paths being electrically terminated to the contact ends of the terminals. The flexible circuit sheet has an edge for surface engaging the printed circuit board, with contact pads at the edge for electrical termination to the circuit traces on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An electrical terminal is provided for insulation displacement termination of an electrical wire having a conductor core surrounded by an insulating sleeve. The terminal includes a forward mating end for engaging a complementary terminal and a rear terminating end for terminating the electrical wire. The rear terminating end includes at least a forward insulation displacement section, a forward strain relief section behind the forward insulation displacement section, a rear insulation displacement section behind the forward strain relief section, and a rear strain relief section behind the rear insulation displacement section. The rear terminating end of the terminal is generally U-shaped defining a bottom wall and space side walls. The strain relief sections are formed out of the spaced side walls, and the insulation displacement sections are formed out of the bottom wall.

Abstract: A shielded electrical connector is formed by the mating of upper and lower housing covers and is used with twisted pair cables, each of which includes a pair of signal wires and a drain wire enclosed within an outer insulation. Each pair of terminated signal wires is disposed in a contact module which is positioned in one of a plurality of shielded compartments formed between adjacent separating walls extending from the outer housing covers when the covers are mated with each other. Each of the separating walls has a positioning slot into which a positioning rib on the contact modules may be disposed in order to properly position and retain the contact module in one of the shielded compartments. A ferrule assembly is crimped about the end of the insulation of each of the cables and is coupled to the drain wire of the twisted pair cable.

Abstract: A shielded electrical connector is formed by the mating of upper and lower housing covers and is used with twisted pair cables, each of which includes a pair of signal wires and a drain wire enclosed within an outer insulation. Each pair of terminated signal wires is disposed in a contact module which is positioned in one of a plurality of shielded compartments formed between adjacent separating walls extending from the outer housing covers when the covers are mated with each other. Each of the separating walls has a positioning slot into which a positioning rib on the contact modules may be disposed in order to properly position and retain the contact module in one of the shielded compartments. A ferrule assembly is crimped about the end of the insulation of each of the cables and is coupled to the drain wire of the twisted pair cable.

Abstract: A shielded electrical connector is formed by the mating of upper and lower housing covers and is used with twisted pair cables, each of which includes a pair of signal wires and a drain wire enclosed within an outer insulation. Each pair of terminated signal wires is disposed in a contact module which is positioned in one of a plurality of shielded compartments formed between adjacent separating walls extending from the outer housing covers when the covers are mated with each other. Each of the separating walls has a positioning slot into which a positioning rib on the contact modules may be disposed in order to properly position and retain the contact module in one of the shielded compartments. A ferrule assembly is crimped about the end of the insulation of each of the cables and is coupled to the drain wire of the twisted pair cable.