Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical connector that includes an insulating connector housing containing a plurality of slots arranged in a matrix of rows and columns. A plurality of single ended contacts is received in the slots. In particular, the single ended contacts are arranged in pairs in said slots of said matrix, such that, in a first row, a first pair of said contacts accommodates slots in a first column and a second column of said matrix and, in a second row adjacent to said first row, a second pair of said contacts accommodates slots in said second column and a third column of said matrix, wherein positions corresponding respectively to the first row and the third column, and to the first column and the second row are free of contact.

Abstract: A method including providing a connector having a plurality of signal contacts and non-signal contacts. A circuit trace element is provided to be disposed within the connector. The circuit trace element has a ground structure. The circuit trace element has at least two non-signal traces, a first one of the non-signal traces being electrically connected to the ground structure by a connection within the circuit trace element and a second one of the non-signal traces being connectable to the ground structure through a separate electrical component. The second non-signal trace may serve to power an active signal conditioning element within the second connector or, in the absence of the active signal conditioning element, may be connected to the ground structure through the separate electrical component.

Abstract: A method including providing a connector having a plurality of signal contacts and non-signal contacts. A circuit trace element is provided to be disposed within the connector. The circuit trace element has a ground structure. The circuit trace element has at least two non-signal traces, a first one of the non-signal traces being electrically connected to the ground structure by a connection within the circuit trace element and a second one of the non-signal traces being connectable to the ground structure through a separate electrical component. The second non-signal trace may serve to power an active signal conditioning element within the second connector or, in the absence of the active signal conditioning element, may be connected to the ground structure through the separate electrical component.

Abstract: An assembly including a first electrical component and either a first electrical cable assembly or an alternative second electrical cable assembly. The first electrical component includes a first electrical connector having a first non-signal contact adapted to be connected to a power supply line. The first cable assembly includes a first electrical cable having a first length and a second electrical connector. The second electrical connector includes a second non-signal contact and an active electronic circuit, wherein the active electronic circuit is powered, in operation, by the power supply line of the first electrical component through the non-signal contacts. The second cable assembly includes a second electrical cable having a second shorter length and a third electrical connector, wherein the third electrical connector includes a third non-signal contact which can be connected to the first non-signal contact, wherein the third electrical connector does not comprise the active electronic circuit.

Abstract: An assembly including a first electrical component and either a first electrical cable assembly or an alternative second electrical cable assembly. The first electrical component includes a first electrical connector having a first non-signal contact adapted to be connected to a power supply line. The first cable assembly includes a first electrical cable having a first length and a second electrical connector. The second electrical connector includes a second non-signal contact and an active electronic circuit, wherein the active electronic circuit is powered, in operation, by the power supply line of the first electrical component through the non-signal contacts. The second cable assembly includes a second electrical cable having a second shorter length and a third electrical connector, wherein the third electrical connector includes a third non-signal contact which can be connected to the first non-signal contact, wherein the third electrical connector does not comprise the active electronic circuit.

Abstract: An electrical connector that includes first and second linear arrays of electrical contacts is disclosed. The first linear array is arranged in a first pattern of signal contacts and ground contacts. The second linear array is arranged in a second pattern of signal contacts and ground contacts that is different from the first pattern. The signal contacts define differential signal pairs. The signal contacts in the first linear array are elongated along a direction along which the first linear array extends.

Abstract: Lightweight, low-cost, high-density electrical connectors are disclosed that provide impedance-controlled, high-speed, low-interference communications, even in the absence of shields between the contacts, and that provide for a variety of other benefits not found in prior art connectors. An example of such an electrical connector may include a first signal contact positioned within a first linear array of electrical contacts and a second signal contact positioned within a second linear array of electrical contacts that is adjacent to the first linear array. Either of the signal contacts may be a single-ended signal conductor, or one of a differential signal pair. The connector may be devoid of shields between the signal contacts, and of ground contacts adjacent to the signal contacts.

Abstract: Lightweight, low-cost, high-density electrical connectors are disclosed that provide impedance-controlled, high-speed, low-interference communications, even in the absence of shields between the contacts, and that provide for a variety of other benefits not found in prior art connectors. An example of such an electrical connector may include a first signal contact positioned within a first array of electrical contacts and a second signal contact positioned within a second array of electrical contacts that is adjacent to the first linear array. Either of the signal contacts may be a single-ended signal conductor, or one of a differential signal pair. The connector may be devoid of shields between the signal contacts, and of ground contacts adjacent to the signal contacts.

Abstract: Lightweight, low cost, high density electrical connectors are disclosed that provide impedance controlled, high-speed, low interference communications, even in the absence of shields between the contacts, and that provide for a variety of other benefits not found in prior art connectors, such as low insertion loss. Signal contacts and ground contacts within the connectors can be scaled and positioned relative to one another such that a differential signal in a first differential signal pair produces a high field in the gap between the contacts that form the signal pair and a low field near an adjacent signal pair. Consequently, cross talk between adjacent signal contacts can be limited to acceptable levels for the particular application. In such connectors, the level of cross talk between adjacent signal contacts can be limited to the point that the need for (and cost of) shields between adjacent contacts is unnecessary, even in high speed, high signal integrity applications.

Abstract: A high speed electrical connector configured to reduce the incidence of cross-talk is disclosed. The connector includes a connector housing and a plurality of columns of differential contact pairs and ground contacts. Each column of differential contact pairs and ground contacts is offset from an adjacent column such that multi-active cross-talk is reduced with respect to each differential contact pair.

Abstract: A high speed electrical connector configured to reduce the incidence of cross-talk is disclosed. The connector includes a connector housing and a plurality of columns of differential contact pairs and ground contacts. Each column of differential contact pairs and ground contacts is offset from an adjacent column such that multi-active cross-talk is reduced with respect to each differential contact pair.

Abstract: Lightweight, low cost, high density electrical connectors are disclosed that provide impedance controlled, high-speed, low interference communications, even in the absence of shields between the contacts, and that provide for a variety of other benefits not found in prior art connectors, such as low insertion loss. Signal contacts and ground contacts within the connectors can be scaled and positioned relative to one another such that a differential signal in a first differential signal pair produces a high field in the gap between the contacts that form the signal pair and a low field near an adjacent signal pair. Consequently, cross talk between adjacent signal contacts can be limited to acceptable levels for the particular application. In such connectors, the level of cross talk between adjacent signal contacts can be limited to the point that the need for (and cost of) shields between adjacent contacts is unnecessary, even in high speed, high signal integrity applications.