Abstract: A cage assembly is provided for receiving a pluggable module. The cage assembly includes a cage having a front end, a mounting side, and an internal compartment. The front end is open to the internal compartment of the cage. The internal compartment is configured to receive the pluggable module therein through the front end. A heat sink is mounted to the mounting side of the cage. The heat sink has a module side that is configured to thermally communicate with the pluggable module. An electromagnetic interference (EMI) gasket extends along at least a portion of an interface between the mounting side of the cage and the module side of the heat sink. The EMI gasket includes electrically conductive spring fingers that are engaged with and electrically connected to the mounting side of the cage.

Abstract: A cage assembly is provided for receiving a pluggable module. The cage assembly includes a cage having a front end, a mounting side, and an internal compartment. The front end is open to the internal compartment of the cage. The internal compartment is configured to receive the pluggable module therein through the front end. A heat sink is mounted to the mounting side of the cage. The heat sink has a module side that is configured to thermally communicate with the pluggable module. An electromagnetic interference (EMI) gasket extends along at least a portion of an interface between the mounting side of the cage and the module side of the heat sink. The EMI gasket includes electrically conductive spring fingers that are engaged with and electrically connected to the mounting side of the cage.

Abstract: A receptacle assembly is provided for a pluggable module. The receptacle assembly includes a cage having an internal compartment and a front end that is open to the internal compartment. The internal compartment is configured to receive the pluggable module therein through the front end. The cage includes an alignment spring extending into the internal compartment. An electrical connector is positioned within the internal compartment of the cage. The electrical connector is configured to mate with the pluggable module to electrically connect the electrical connector to the pluggable module. The alignment spring of the cage is configured to engage the pluggable module as the pluggable module is received within the internal compartment of the cage such that the alignment spring biases the pluggable module in an alignment direction as the pluggable module is received within the internal compartment.

Abstract: A cage is provided for a receptacle assembly that includes a receptacle connector. The cage includes a die cast body having side walls that are spaced apart to define an internal compartment of the die cast body therebetween. The die cast body has a front end that is open to the internal compartment of the die cast body. The internal compartment is configured to receive the receptacle connector therein. The internal compartment is configured to receive a pluggable module therein through the front end. An alignment plate is mounted to the die cast body. The alignment plate includes an alignment segment that extends between the side walls to form a bottom wall of the cage. The alignment segment includes an alignment surface that defines a bottom boundary of the internal compartment of the die cast body.

Abstract: A pluggable module includes a housing having a locating opening that is at least partially defined by a wall of the housing. A circuit board is at least partially disposed within the housing and includes an edge and a mating contact. An electrical connector is mounted to the circuit board and includes an electrical contact having a mounting segment that is configured to be electrically connected to the mating contact of the circuit board. The electrical connector includes a dielectric connector body that holds the electrical contact. The body has a base that is coupled to the edge of the circuit board and a locating boss that extends outwardly on the base. The locating boss is received within the locating opening of the housing and includes a crush rib that extends outwardly from the locating boss. The crush rib is deformed and engaged with the wall of the housing.

Abstract: A cage is provided for a receptacle assembly that includes a receptacle connector. The cage includes a die cast body having side walls that are spaced apart to define an internal compartment of the die cast body therebetween. The die cast body has a front end that is open to the internal compartment of the die cast body. The internal compartment is configured to receive the receptacle connector therein. The internal compartment is configured to receive a pluggable module therein through the front end. An alignment plate is mounted to the die cast body. The alignment plate includes an alignment segment that extends between the side walls to form a bottom wall of the cage. The alignment segment includes an alignment surface that defines a bottom boundary of the internal compartment of the die cast body.

Abstract: A receptacle connector is provided for mating with a pluggable module having a plug and a printed circuit. The receptacle connector includes a housing having a mating receptacle and a slot. The mating receptacle is configured to receive the plug of the pluggable module therein. The slot is configured to receive the printed circuit of the pluggable module therein. A receptacle contact is held by the housing. The receptacle contact includes a receptacle mating segment that extends within the mating receptacle and is configured to engage a mating contact of the plug of the pluggable module. A slot contact is held by the housing. The slot contact includes a slot mating segment that extends within the slot and is configured to engage the printed circuit of the pluggable module.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a cage having a front end and an internal compartment. The front end is open to the internal compartment of the cage. The internal compartment is configured to receive a pluggable module therein through the front end. An electromagnetic interference (EMI) gasket is mounted to the front end of the cage such that the EMI gasket is engaged with an electrically connected to the cage. The EMI gasket includes electrically conductive springs that are configured to engage and electrically connect to the pluggable module when the pluggable module is received within the internal compartment of the cage. The EMI gasket including a flange. A bracket is mounted to the front end of the cage such that the bracket extends at least partially around the EMI gasket. The bracket having a wall that is engaged with the flange of the EMI gasket for holding the EMI gasket on the front end of the cage.

Abstract: A pluggable module includes a housing having a locating opening that is at least partially defined by a wall of the housing. A circuit board is at least partially disposed within the housing and includes an edge and a mating contact. An electrical connector is mounted to the circuit board and includes an electrical contact having a mounting segment that is configured to be electrically connected to the mating contact of the circuit board. The electrical connector includes a dielectric connector body that holds the electrical contact. The body has a base that is coupled to the edge of the circuit board and a locating boss that extends outwardly on the base. The locating boss is received within the locating opening of the housing and includes a crush rib that extends outwardly from the locating boss. The crush rib is deformed and engaged with the wall of the housing.

Abstract: A straddle mount connector includes a connector body having a base and a plug. The plug extends a length from the base to an end surface of the plug. The plug has opposite first and second sides and is configured to be received within a receptacle of a receptacle connector. Electrical contacts are held by the connector body and include mating segments arranged in a row that extends along the first side of the plug. The mating segments extend lengths along the first side of the plug from the base to contact tips. The contact tip of a first of the electrical contacts is positioned closer to the end surface of the plug than the contact tip of a second of the electrical contacts such that the mating segment of the first electrical contact mates with a corresponding mating contact before the mating segment of the second electrical contact.

Abstract: A straddle mount connector includes a connector body having a base and a plug. The plug extends a length from the base to an end surface of the plug. The plug has opposite first and second sides and is configured to be received within a receptacle of a receptacle connector. Electrical contacts are held by the connector body and include mating segments arranged in a row that extends along the first side of the plug. The mating segments extend lengths along the first side of the plug from the base to contact tips. The contact tip of a first of the electrical contacts is positioned closer to the end surface of the plug than the contact tip of a second of the electrical contacts such that the mating segment of the first electrical contact mates with a corresponding mating contact before the mating segment of the second electrical contact.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a cage having a front end and an internal compartment. The front end is open to the internal compartment of the cage. The internal compartment is configured to receive a pluggable module therein through the front end. An electromagnetic interference (EMI) gasket is mounted to the front end of the cage such that the EMI gasket is engaged with an electrically connected to the cage. The EMI gasket includes electrically conductive springs that are configured to engage and electrically connect to the pluggable module when the pluggable module is received within the internal compartment of the cage. The EMI gasket including a flange. A bracket is mounted to the front end of the cage such that the bracket extends at least partially around the EMI gasket. The bracket having a wall that is engaged with the flange of the EMI gasket for holding the EMI gasket on the front end of the cage.

Abstract: A receptacle assembly is provided for a pluggable module. The receptacle assembly includes a cage having an internal compartment and a front end that is open to the internal compartment. The internal compartment is configured to receive the pluggable module therein through the front end. The cage includes an alignment spring extending into the internal compartment. An electrical connector is positioned within the internal compartment of the cage. The electrical connector is configured to mate with the pluggable module to electrically connect the electrical connector to the pluggable module. The alignment spring of the cage is configured to engage the pluggable module as the pluggable module is received within the internal compartment of the cage such that the alignment spring biases the pluggable module in an alignment direction as the pluggable module is received within the internal compartment.

Abstract: A cage assembly is provided for receiving a pluggable module. The cage assembly includes a cage having a front end, a mounting side, and an internal compartment. The front end is open to the internal compartment of the cage. The internal compartment is configured to receive the pluggable module therein through the front end. A heat sink is mounted to the mounting side of the cage. The heat sink has a module side that is configured to thermally communicate with the pluggable module. An electromagnetic interference (EMI) gasket extends along at least a portion of an interface between the mounting side of the cage and the module side of the heat sink.

Abstract: A connector assembly configured to be positioned relative to a light-emitting element. The connector assembly includes a receptacle connector that has a member cavity and a base. The connector assembly also includes a light pipe (LP) structure that has input and output ends. The input end is configured to capture light emitted from the light-emitting element. The connector assembly also includes an alignment member that is received within the member cavity of the receptacle connector and is coupled to the LP structure. The alignment member is sized to float within the member cavity to control a relative position of the input end of the LP structure with respect to the base.

Abstract: A receptacle connector is provided for mating with a pluggable module having a plug and a printed circuit. The receptacle connector includes a housing having a mating receptacle and a slot. The mating receptacle is configured to receive the plug of the pluggable module therein. The slot is configured to receive the printed circuit of the pluggable module therein. A receptacle contact is held by the housing. The receptacle contact includes a receptacle mating segment that extends within the mating receptacle and is configured to engage a mating contact of the plug of the pluggable module. A slot contact is held by the housing. The slot contact includes a slot mating segment that extends within the slot and is configured to engage the printed circuit of the pluggable module.

Abstract: A receptacle connector includes a housing having a slot configured to receive a mating connector therein. Contacts are held by the housing. The contacts include mating segments that are arranged side-by-side within a row that extends along a row axis. The mating segments of the contacts include mating interfaces that are exposed within the slot for engagement with the mating connector. The contacts include a differential pair of signal contacts. The mating segments of the signal contacts within the differential pair are arranged within a column that extends along a column axis that is oriented non-parallel to the row axis.

Abstract: A connector assembly configured to be positioned relative to a light-emitting element. The connector assembly includes a receptacle connector that has a member cavity and a base. The connector assembly also includes a light pipe (LP) structure that has input and output ends. The input end is configured to capture light emitted from the light-emitting element. The connector assembly also includes an alignment member that is received within the member cavity of the receptacle connector and is coupled to the LP structure. The alignment member is sized to float within the member cavity to control a relative position of the input end of the LP structure with respect to the base.

Abstract: A connector assembly that includes a receptacle connector and a light pipe. The connector is configured to receive a removable device inserted along a longitudinal axis. The connector has a side surface that extends along a plane defined by the longitudinal axis and a vertical axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The connector includes a ledge and a positive stop that project laterally outward from the side surface. The ledge has a ledge surface that joins the side surface. The light pipe extends substantially along the longitudinal axis. The light pipe has an inward-facing surface that is substantially flat throughout and abuts the side surface of the connector. The light pipe rests upon the ledge surface and the positive stop is positioned on the side surface to block the light pipe from moving in at least one direction along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes a shielding cage and a center plate. The shielding cage includes side walls with ports disposed between the side walls. The ports are configured to receive a mating connector through a mating interface of the shielding cage. The center plate is disposed between and couples the side walls to one another. The center plate separates the ports and includes dividing plates and a connecting plate formed with the dividing plates. The dividing plates include spring members extending into the ports to engage the mating connectors received in the ports. The connecting plate extends along the mating interface to interconnect the dividing plates at a location proximate to the mating interface.