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 novel backplane interconnection system that is useful in the telecommunication and data process industries for ultra high speed backplane systems. It is capable of transmitting digital signals with bandwidths of 10 GHz and beyond. The invention provides high performance at a low cost of manufacture. It is suitable for use in a wide variety of system applications.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided that includes a first conductor having a first length and a second conductor having a second length. The impedance between the first and second conductor is substantially constant along the first and second length to allow high speed communications. The impedance between the first and second conductors may be controlled by controlling the spacing between the first and second conductors.

Abstract: The invention includes an electrical connector having a housing, and a first plurality of contacts in the housing that are adapted to be in electrical communication with a first substrate. The electrical connector further includes a second plurality of contacts in the housing that are adapted to be coupled to the first substrate. A first body of reflowable, electrically conductive material disposed on at least one of the first contacts, and a second body of material disposed on at least one of the second contacts. The first body is adapted to provide an electrical path between the connector and the first substrate, and the second body is adapted to provide relief for mechanical strain between the connector and the first substrate. The second body may also be peripheral to the first body, and/or positioned along a series of contacts adjacent to an edge of the connector.

Abstract: A contact having a retention portion, a tail portion and a pair of beams. The beams each have a first portion which displaces the beam from opposite sides of the plane of the retention portion and a second portion extending from, and canted relative to, the first portion. The second portions interact to receive a mating contact therebetween.

Abstract: An electrical connector, comprising: a frame; a housing; and a cover. A contact extends through the housing, which secures to the frame. The cover secures to the frame and moves relative to the housing between a first position and a second position. An electrical connector may connect an electrical component having a terminal to a substrate having a conductive element. The housing has: a contact mounted to the substrate and adapted to engage a terminal of the electrical component, and guidance structure. The frame mounts to the substrate and supports the housing. An insert mounts to an opening in the cover and includes guidance structure corresponding to the guidance structure on the housing.

Abstract: An air dielectric backplane interconnection system is disclosed. The interconnection system disclosed is a high speed backplane interconnection system having a plurality of conductor matched impedance transmission line elements and an air dielectric surrounding the plurality of transmission line elements. An interconnection system also having spacers disposed between the transmission line elements and a ground plate is disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical connector having an insulating housing, a plurality of first contacts (139), a plurality of second contacts (141,143), wherein the connector exhibits a desired characteristic impedance. The second contacts are angled relative to the first contacts and each has an edge (151) disposed adjacent to an edge or side of first contacts. An electrical connector as described above where the first contacts are signal contacts, the second contacts are power or ground contacts, and the desired impedance is approximately less than 50 ohms.

Abstract: An electrical connector mountable to a substrate, including: a frame mountable to the substrate; a housing supported by the frame; and a plurality of contacts extending through said housing and mountable to the substrate. A socket for connecting an electrical component to a substrate, including: a housing; a frame; and a cover. The housing includes: a contact mountable to the substrate and adapted to engage a terminal of the electrical component, and guidance structure. The frame is mountable to the substrate and supports the housing. The cover movably secures to the frame and includes: guidance structure that corresponds to the guidance structure on the housing so that the cover aligns with the housing and can move between a first and a second position; and an opening so that the contact can engage the terminal of the electrical component.

Abstract: An electrical connector has a non-conductive planar base defining a centrally located center aperture extending therethrough. The base has at least three generally identical sectors circumferentially arranged around the center aperture. Each sector defines a plurality of contact-receiving apertures extending through the base in a first direction perpendicular to the base. The contact-receiving apertures in each sector are organized into a plurality of rows. Each row in each sector extends along the base in a second direction with regard to such center aperture. The base is formed from an injection mold that includes a gate structure at the center aperture of the to-be-molded base. A non-conductive molding material is injected into the injection mold through the gate structure, whereby the injected material is generally evenly distributed into each sector of the base.

Abstract: An electrical connector, comprising: a frame; and a plurality of modules retained by the frame. Each module has: a housing; a plurality of contacts in the housing; and a plurality of fusible elements secured to the contacts for mounting the connector to a substrate. An electrical connector, comprising: a frame having a plurality of walls defining a perimeter of the connector and defining at least one opening; and a plurality of modules positioned within the at least one opening. Each module has: a housing; a plurality of contacts in the housing; and a plurality of fusible elements secured to the contacts for mounting the connector to a substrate.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a base and a contact and retains a generally longitudinally extending pin therein. The base has a surface and defines an aperture that extends from the surface thereinto. The aperture has a contact-receiving portion and a pin-receiving portion arranged adjacent one another along the surface. The pin is initially received in the pin-receiving portion and is then moved along a pin path generally parallel to the surface into the contact-receiving portion. A protrusion extends from the base into the aperture from a first side of the pin path in a direction generally perpendicular thereto. The contact is retained within the contact-receiving portion and has first and second beams that extend generally perpendicular to the surface of the base. The first beam has a first-contacted surface generally residing on a second side of the pin path generally opposite the first side thereof. The first-contacted surface is relatively closer to the protrusion along the pin path.

Abstract: An interconnect structure for connecting electrical components that includes a plurality of micromachined silicon cantilever beams. The cantilever beams are formed having a shape dictated by predetermined scaling rules that determine the mechanical and electrical properties of the cantilever beam. The cantilever beams are arranged in two generally parallel rows and are mounted to a dielectric material to form a recess between the rows. An electrical component may be inserted into the recess to create a contact force against the cantilever beams to place the component and the interconnect into electrical communication. Also, an electrical connector system may be constructed having a first electrical connector comprising a contact formed of metalized silicon and a base supporting the contact, and a second electrical connector mateable with the first electrical connector that comprises a contact formed of metalized silicon and a base supporting the contact.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprising electrical contacts and a housing. The electrical contacts are connected to the housing. The housing comprises a first housing member and a second housing member movably connected to the first housing member. The second housing member comprises holes for allowing contact pins of an electrical component to be inserted into the housing. The housing also comprises contact preload projections. The contact preload projections contact the electrical contacts to preload the electrical contacts and, when the contact pins are inserted into the holes, the contact preload projections contact the contact pins to form a strain relief support for the contact pins.

Abstract: Electrical connectors capable of being mounted on circuit substrates (204) by BGA techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing such connectors. There is at least one recess (20, 22, 24) on the exterior side of the connector elements (12). A conductive contact (66) extends from adjacent the interior side into the recess on the exterior side of the housing. A controlled volume of solder paste is introduced into the recess. A fusible conductive element, in the form of solder balls (82) is positioned in the recess. The connector is subjected to a reflow process to fuse the solder ball to the portion of the contact extending into said recess. Contacts are secured in the insulative housing of the connector by deformable sections that minimize stress imposed on the central portions of the contacts to promote uniformity of solder volume.

Abstract: An electronic package and contacts therefor are disclosed. The package includes a planar base and a plurality of conductive pads positioned on one planar side of the base. Each contact is formed as a generally unitary body from a conductive material, and is conductively coupled to a respective one of the pads. Each contact has a coupling tab and a longitudinally extending blade coupled to the tab. The tab extends along the respective pad and is coupled thereto. The blade extends perpendicularly with respect to the one planar side of the base.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprising electrical contacts and a housing. The electrical contacts are connected to the housing. The housing comprises a first housing member and a second housing member movably connected to the first housing member. The second housing member comprises holes for allowing contact pins of an electrical component to be inserted into the housing. The housing also comprises contact preload projections. The contact preload projections contact the electrical contacts to preload the electrical contacts and, when the contact pins are inserted into the holes, the contact preload projections contact the contact pins to form a strain relief support for the contact pins.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprising electrical contacts and a housing. The electrical contacts are connected to the housing. The housing comprises a first housing member and a second housing member movably connected to the first housing member. The second housing member comprises holes for allowing contact pins of an electrical component to be inserted into the housing. The housing also comprises contact preload projections. The contact preload projections contact the electrical contacts to preload the electrical contacts and, when the contact pins are inserted into the holes, the contact preload projections contact the contact pins to form a strain relief support for the contact pins.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprising a housing, an electrical contact in the housing, and a shield connected to the housing. The shield comprises a latching section with a latch, a deflection control section, and a first torsionally deflectable beam extending laterally from the latching section at a location between the latch and the deflection control section. The beam connects the latching section to the rest of the shield.

Abstract: An electrical connector having a connector body with a passage extending from an interface portion toward a mounting portion; a conductive terminal having a base section secured in the passage and a tab adjacent the mounting interface; and an opening through the terminal at a location within the body to provide a thermal break for retarding the flow of liquid solder along said terminal. A method of making an electrical connector, comprising the steps of: inserting a contact in a passage of a connector body to a generally fixed position, a void existing between the contact and a wall defining the passage and adjacent a mounting interface; and reflowing a fusible element to attach to the contact and to fill the void. A method of retaining a contact within a body of an electrical connector, comprising the steps of: inserting a contact into an aperture in a connector body; limiting entry of the contact into the aperture; and reflowing a fusible element to attach to the contact.