Abstract: Electrostatic discharge protection, also known as ESD protection, is provided in the form of a discrete array with a voltage variable material (VVM) or a VVM device. The array is fabricated with a common electrode for connection to ground, and one or more electrodes configured for connection to an electrical component. The electrical component is a connector attached to an electrical circuit containing devices subject to damage by ESD events. The array is placed into a pocket or space on the connector and is held in place mechanically by spring force or by soldering to leads or electrodes of the connector. The array may be soldered to a ground connection or held in place by pressure, such as from a spring or from an outer housing or shell. In some embodiments, the array is removable from the component without affecting component circuits other than removal of ESD protection.

Abstract: Electrostatic discharge protection, also known as ESD protection, is provided in the form of a discrete array with a voltage variable material (VVM) or a VVM device. The array is fabricated with a common electrode for connection to ground, and one or more electrodes configured for connection to an electrical component. The electrical component is a connector attached to an electrical circuit containing devices subject to damage by ESD events. The array is placed into a pocket or space on the connector and is held in place mechanically by spring force or by soldering to leads or electrodes of the connector. The array may be soldered to a ground connection or held in place by pressure, such as from a spring or from an outer housing or shell. In some embodiments, the array is removable from the component without affecting component circuits other than removal of ESD protection.

Abstract: A termination structure for mating a cable connector to a circuit board has a ground terminal and two signal terminals arranged in triangular pattern through the connector in order to reduce the impedance through the connector. The width of the ground terminal increases along its extent with respect to the signal terminals. This increase occurs along either a transition or contact portion of the ground terminal.

Abstract: A terminal contact arrangement for a connector promotes reduction in deviation of the impedance of the connector when mated to an opposing connector and energized. The connector has an insulative housing with a plurality of terminal-receiving passages disposed in it. Conductive terminals are supported in some, but not all of the passages. The terminal contain distinct terminal sets that include a pair of differential signal terminals and at least two associated ground reference terminals. The two associated ground reference terminals are interconnected together so that electrically, they act as a single ground terminal having a width equal to the sum of the widths of the two connected ground reference terminals. The ground reference terminals of the sets are disposed in a single row of terminals, while the differential signal terminals of the same terminal set are disposed in another row of terminals spaced apart from the row of ground reference terminals.