Abstract: Printed wiring boards having low signal-to-ground ratios. Printed wiring boards described herein comprise a first and second sides, and a plurality of signal plated-through-holes extending from the first side to the second side of the printed wiring board. There is also provided a plurality of ground plated-through-holes extending from the first side to the second side of the printed wiring board, and a ground plane plated on a first side and in electrical communication with selected ones of the plurality of ground plated-through-holes and defining a signal-to-ground ratio for the printed wiring boards. Printed wiring boards described herein with plating patterns in accordance with the invention are versatile and ensure high electrical integrity by modifying the signal-to-ground ratio of the printed wiring boards and enabling higher density of contact pads.

Abstract: An electrical contact having a center leg and a pair of beams connected to the center leg. Each beam has a metal-coated end which may mate and unmate with electrical interfaces in a wiping movement. A plurality of electrical contacts are received in a plurality of spaced-apart retention openings in a contact module in a manner compatible with automatic insertion.

Abstract: A system for handling variable digital information comprising a key having an active integrated circuit component with leads extending therefrom, a battery for powering the component, unplated leads extending from the component to both the battery and to one edge of the key, and a container for sealing the component, battery and leads except at the edge of the container; and a receptacle having a plurality of unplated leads couplable at their inboard ends to electronic machinery and couplable at their outboard ends to the leads at the edge of the container.

Abstract: Connectors systems for electrically interfacing contacts to surfaces. The connectors (10) comprise a printed wiring board (30) adapted to receive a connector element (80) which communicates data from an outside source to a device (140) , a housing (20) for mounting the printed wiring board (30), and a securing barrel (120) interfaceable through the printed wiring board and further matable to a mating surface (240) in the device (140) for securing the printed wiring board (30) to a substrate (150) such that the printed wiring board makes effective electrical contact with the substrate (150). Connector systems described and claimed herein are matable and unmatable to an electronic, diagnostic, or other analytical device which utilizes data bussed through the device through the connector. Thus, these connectors (10) are versatile and highly reliable for achieving high integrity electrical interface in the device (140) utilizing the data signals.

Abstract: Electrical contacts adapted to electrically mate with two electronic components having high cycle life. The contacts comprise a first interface means for electrically mating with a planar mating face of a first such electronic component and a second interface means for electrically mating with, a planar face of a second such electronic component. The contacts also preferably comprise connecting means for resiliently connecting said first and second interface means and mating resistance means for providing a first amount of mating resistance to said first interface means and a second amount of mating resistance to said second interface means.

Abstract: A connector assembly (100) for an array of discrete microcoaxial wires (10) includes a housing (102) with signal terminals (140) disposed therein having intermediate sections (154) exposed along a rearward housing section (114) for eventual solder termination to inner conductor ends (20) of the wires. The signal terminals of each row are initially joined to a respective carrier strip (146) until after soldering. A ground plate (50) is insertable into a medial slot (106) of the housing and includes an array of semicylindrical nests (56) formed to receive portions of the microcoaxial wires thereinto for soldering of ground ferrules (30) therearound directly to the nests (56) prior to insertion of the ground plate into the housing, thereby defining a wire-carrying subassembly (90). When the ground plate (50) is inserted into the housing (102), the stripped inner conductors (20) are positioned at termination sites (144) of the signal terminals (140) for soldering.

Abstract: A system for handling variable digital information comprising a key having an active integrated circuit component with leads extending therefrom, a battery for powering the component, unplated leads extending from the component to both the battery and to one edge of the key, and a container for sealing the component, battery and leads except at the edge of the container; and a receptacle having a plurality of unplated leads couplable at their inboard ends to electronic machinery and couplable at their outboard ends to the leads at the edge of the container.