Abstract: A cable assembly comprising an insulation displacement contact (IDC) connector which includes a dielectric housing having front and rear faces. An array of passageways is defined between the front and rear faces and each passageway securely receiving a terminal therein. Each the terminal forms an insulation displacement section extending beyond the rear face. A ground plane cable is assembled to the rear face of the housing and includes signal and ground wires. The signal wires are terminated to the IDC connector by a cover and the ground wires are soldered to a ground plane of the cable.

Abstract: An electrical cable assembly (1) is adapted with a circuit board (9) for connection of a pin connector (2) to a cable (2), and wherein, signal pins (5) of the connector (2) connect to contact pads (10) on a first side (11) of the circuit board (9), insulated conductors (7) of the cable (2) connect to contact pads (10') on a second side (12) of the circuit board (9), and ground pins (6) of the connector (2) and conducting shields (18) on the insulated conductors (7) connect to a ground plane (14) on the circuit board (9).

Abstract: An electrical-installation system comprising flat cable and connectors. Power-supply and data-transmission functions are combined in essentially the same plane. The data-transmission wires are not twisted. Contact can be established with the cores inside the connectors by piercing their insulation without stripping it.

Abstract: An electrical cable connector assembly (10) includes an insulator (16) defining a plurality of receiving passageways (18, 20) therein for receiving a corresponding number of contacts (22, 24) therein wherein each contact has an IDC termination end (40) for engagement with the corresponding wire (46). A shunting device (60) includes a unitary body with fork-like piercing lances (68) thereon for engagement with the selective contacts. A pair of spacers (48, 50) are disposed on the upper and lower surfaces (21, 23) of the insulator (16) to providing a plurality of troughs (52) for receiving the corresponding wires (46) therein. A pair of metal shields (82, 84) are attached to the exterior of the spacers (48, 50). A pair of covers (90, 91) are respectively positioned on the exterior of the corresponding metal shields (82, 84) for protection and fastening the internal parts therein.

Abstract: A cable connector with a grounding contact having a bipartite connector housing formed of two mutually closable parts having therein a strip member formed of plastic material and provided with plug-in contacts, and a grounding plate having at one side thereof a terminal element for cable shielding, and on another side thereof a plurality of contact lugs extending at an angle away from the grounding plate, includes insulation-piercing connecting devices formed on the plug-in contacts of the strip member in a line terminal region thereof, the insulation-piercing connecting devices being accessible from an outer side of the strip member, the contact lugs being formed and arranged in the vicinity of the insulation-piercing connecting devices so that they can make contact with the respective insulation-piercing connecting devices assigned thereto, when the two parts of the connector housing are closed.

Abstract: An electrical cable includes a connector that contains an electrically conductive shunt. The shunt includes multiple electrically conductive clips that shunt selected wires in the connector together. The chips are removable so that different combinations of wires can be shunted together. The clips each comprise a pair of vertically aligned fingers extending perpendicularly from a top surface of a mounting plate. The fingers on each clip include oppositely aligned tapered top ends forming a wide opening for receiving the cable wire. The clips extend longitudinally along an entire front end and longitudinally along an entire rear end of the mounting plate. The clips on the front end of the shunt are offset from the clips in the rear end so that each clip aligns with only one wire in the connector.

Abstract: An insulation displacement connector that includes a plurality of apertures disposed through a mating face and a ribbon-contacting face of the insulation displacement connector. The mating face is configured to mate with a complementary connector complementary in gender to the insulation displacement connector. The ribbon-contacting face is disposed opposite the mating face and configured for coupling with an interspersed ground conductor ribbon cable having a plurality of parallel insulated conductors. The insulation displacement connector includes a plurality of first conductor coupling structures. Each of the first conductor coupling structures is disposed in one of the plurality of apertures and is configured to couple to one of first designated conductors of the plurality of parallel insulated conductors and a contact on the complementary connector when the complementary connector is coupled to the insulation displacement connector at the mating face.

Abstract: A female socket of a connector adapted for connecting to coaxial wires of a flat cable. The female socket mainly includes a socket base, a cover, and a metal shell. The socket base is provided at one front side with a plurality of insertion slots and a plurality of terminal receiving slots corresponding to and communicable with the insertion slots for each receiving an electrical terminal therein. The flat cable is extended into the socket base from another side opposite to the insertion slots with each coaxial wire of the flat cable rested in one terminal receiving slot to contact with an inner arm portion of the terminal. The cover is closed to a top of the socket base to tightly press the coaxial wires against the terminals. The cover has a top window for receiving a ground pin which contacts with a conductive plate connected to the coaxial wires.

Abstract: An electrical connector (1) constructed with a carrier (2) on which circuit traces (8) attach to signal transmitting conductors (4) of electrical cables (3), an opening (12) through the carrier (2) at which conductors (4) of the cables (3) project for electrical connection to an electrical circuit positioned at the opening (12), and the traces (8) having different portions (15,21,24) that are spaced apart on different pitch spacing for connection to respective signal transmitting conductors that are spaced apart on corresponding different pitch spacings. The traces (8) may include test pads (13) in registration with windows (19) in the carrier (2).

Abstract: A connector for use with a ribbon cable grounds alternate conductors of a fine pitch ribbon cable, and allows selected conductors associated with the connector signal contacts to be grounded. The connector is readily adaptable to differing grounding configurations. The connector includes a plurality of signal contacts housed within an insulative body. The signal contacts electrically connect to alternate individual conductors (the "signal conductors") of the ribbon cable. A first ground bus is electrically connected to the conductors of the ribbon cable which are not connected to a signal contact (the "ground conductors"). A second ground bus electrically connects selected conductors of the signal conductors with the ground conductors. By altering the second ground bus, the grounding scheme of the connector can easily and quickly be altered. A latching cover is provided for securing the ribbon cable to the connector body and against the signal contacts, the first ground bus and the second ground bus.

Abstract: An electrical connector (1) constructed with a carrier (2) on which circuit traces (8) attach to signal transmitting conductors (4) of electrical cables (3), an opening (12) through the carrier (2) at which conductors (4) of the cables (3) project for electrical connection to an electrical circuit positioned at the opening (12), and at least one, or a pair of ground pads (11) on the carrier (2) to reach and connect with a ground portion of the electrical circuit.

Abstract: An insulation displacement connector that includes a plurality of apertures disposed through a mating face and a ribbon-contacting face of the insulation displacement connector. The mating face is configured to mate with a complementary connector complementary in gender to the insulation displacement connector. The ribbon-contacting face is disposed opposite the mating face and configured for coupling with an interspersed ground conductor ribbon cable having a plurality of parallel insulated conductors. The insulation displacement connector includes a plurality of first conductor coupling structures. Each of the first conductor coupling structures is disposed in one of the plurality of apertures and is configured to couple to one of first designated conductors of the plurality of parallel insulated conductors and a contact on the complementary connector when the complementary connector is coupled to the insulation displacement connector at the mating face.

Abstract: A low insertion force multi-pin connector for a flat flexible cable includes an insulative housing, conductive terminals mounted in the housing and a slide member which is laterally inserted into the housing to press a flat flexible cable against contact arms of the terminals. The terminals have pin portions which protrude through a header side of the housing. The connector is mounted to an external surface of an electrical device such that the header side of the housing projects outwardly to provide external electrical connection to the pin portions of the terminals.

Abstract: A connector for connecting to ribbon cable corresponding to the SFF-8049 specification. The connector includes a plurality of ground contacts having an insulation displacement end that are positioned within a retainer plate so that the insulation displacement end of the ground contacts pierce the insulation surrounding every other conductor of the ribbon cable which comprise the grounded conductors forming the ground bus. Signal contacts having an insulation displacement end and a mating end are positioned within a body of the connector so that the insulation displacement end can be positioned through the retainer plate in an orientation where they will be able to engage with signal conductors within the ribbon cable. The plurality of ground contacts are configured to have tabs to engage with selected signal contacts so that grounded signal conductors within the ribbon cable can be connected to the ground bus in the connector.

Abstract: A rolling gimbal harness for interconnecting between a gimbal mounted electronics assembly and a near gimbal electronics assembly in an airborne missile. The harness negotiates the dynamic range of the gimbal while exerting very little spring torque and friction. The harness is a flat ribbon of many shielded twisted wire pairs embedded in a highly flexible insulation material. The twisted wire pairs are terminated in very small connectors with pins having 0.025 spacing. The harness includes a pre-formed arcuate region which follows a circumferential path defined by the periphery of the gimbal platform.

Abstract: Two data communication channels having electrical ground positions that alternate with control and data positions are terminated in a single, dual-channel connector that occupies generally the same interconnection board real estate as is required for a single, prior art, data communication SI connector, such as for a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) communication channels. A two-channel SCSI connector system and connection method includes providing a two-channel header having two ground buses, to which the alternating electrical ground wires of respective first and second SCSI channels are terminated. Only a few of the pins or positions of the two-channel connector are connected to the two ground buses while the majority of pins or positions are connected to the signal (control, data) wires of the two SCSI channels.

Abstract: A high speed connector allows the conductors of a cable to be connected directly to the circuit traces of a printed circuit board by providing a plug having an end where the conductors terminate and a housing for the plug which cooperatively urges the conductors toward the circuit board.

Abstract: An electrical connector 1 comprises a mediate circuit board assembly 4, a housing 2, and a plurality of contacts 3. The mediate circuit board assembly 4 has a plurality of signal paths, to which signal cables 5 are connected, and the housing 2 houses this mediate circuit board assembly 4. The contacts 3 are retained in the housing 2 and connected to the signal paths of the mediate circuit board assembly 4, which is housed in the housing 2. Two double-sided circuit boards, each having at least the signal paths formed on the front face and a grounding path formed on the rear face, constitute the mediate circuit board assembly 4 when these two double-sided circuit boards are abutted with each other, connecting the grounding paths of their rear faces.

Abstract: A PCMCIA multi-cable interface system and method which parallel interface cables include analogous multicharacter pin line groups in adjacent cables, which are grouped adjacently to each other by kind of group. Control pin line groups in adjacent cables are established adjacent to each other. Status pin line groups in adjacent cables are established adjacent to each other. Interface pin line groups in adjacent cables are established adjacent to each other. Data pin line groups in adjacent cables are established adjacent to each other. Address pin line groups in adjacent cables are established adjacent to each other.

Abstract: A 360 degree shielded jumper connection using flat and flexible electrical cable is used. The cable has multiple signal conductors imbedded in an insulation layer, a broad flexible ground conductor overlaying a first section of the insulation layer, and a shield overlaying a second section of the insulation layer and the ground conductor. The ends of the signal conductors project beyond a cut end of the insulation for mating the signal conductors with a female type electrical connector. The insulation projects beyond a cut end of the shield. The ground conductor also projects beyond a cut end of the shield. A shield can encircles the cut end of the shield. And a ground strap pick up tab on the shield can contacts the projecting ground conductor to provide a 360 degree shielded jumper connection.

Abstract: A connector for coaxial cables in the form of three flat cables. The coaxial cables are arranged in the cable holder in three rows, so that bared signal conductors extend straight from the cable holder in the insulating body of the connector and ground conductors or ground wires remain in the cable holder. The connector includes wide ground contacts which are inserted in the cable holder to contact the ground conductors or ground wires of the coaxial cables under pressure, and three rows of signal contacts to which bared ends of signal conductors of the coaxial cables are soldered. Three rows of signal contacts are supported by three parallel support plates, respectively. The ground contacts are arranged between first and second rows of the signal contacts and between second and third rows of the signal contacts. A ground shell surrounds the signal contacts whereby a multi-layer strip line structure is formed.

Abstract: In one embodiment of a two-channel SCSI-compatible interconnection system and method, a dielectric material into which SCSI data and control signal carrying wires are embedded frees ground wires in the SCSI cable to carry first and second SCSI channels so that one conventional SCSI cable and cable connector can support two separate SCSI channels without signal ground wires. In another embodiment of a two-channel SCSI compatible interconnection system and method, a high-density, 100 position dual channel SCSI connector having connector positions doubled in number and spaced at halved intervals relative to a conventional SCSI cable connector supports two separate SCSI channels. In this embodiment, a single one hundred (100) wire SCSI cable or two (2) fifty (50) wire SCSI cables may be attached to the high-density dual channel SCSI connector. In all embodiments, the SCSI channel handling capability is effectively doubled over the heretofore known SCSI connectors for a given connector size or footprint.

Abstract: A connection (1) on an end of an electrical cable, comprises, a flexible and flat conductive shield (7), a flexible ribbon of insulation (3) separating the shield (7) from multiple flexible signal conductors (2) extending along the insulation (3), at least one flexible ground conductor (6) between the insulation (3) and the shield (7), and the signal conductors (2) and each said ground conductor (6) projecting beyond an end of the insulation (3) and being laminated to a stiffener (11), for use as an electrical connector for being received in a mating connector.

Abstract: A composite shield jacket and woven electrical transmission cable assembly is disclosed wherein the shield jacket comprises an outer elastomeric cover and a metalized backing on the interior side of the cover which advantageously may comprise a thin flexible fibrous web formed either by weaving metallic coated fibers or forming a non-woven web from the metallic coated fibers, or by applying a thin metallic layer to the backside of the cover. In any case, a highly durable, flexible shield jacket is provided. When the jacket is applied to a flat transmission cable according to the invention, the side edges of the shield are on opposite sides of the cable so as to overlap the sides of the shield and cover so that exits from the shield are defined on opposing sides of the cable reducing the unwanted escape of interference noises.

Abstract: A shielded ribbon cable electrical connector assembly includes a shielded cable connector with an overmolded body mounted on the end of the shielded cable and a shielded pin header adapted to be mounted on a circuit board and to mate with the connector. The connector includes a cable clamp on the end of the cable, a premolded connector block containing a row of disconnect terminals and a circuit board forming electrical connections between conductors in the cable and terminals in the connector block. A ground shield plate overlies the circuit board and includes a contact tongue which extends into the cable clamp and is held against the cable shield and a contact finger which overlies the connector block and forms a ground connection with a ground shield on the header. An overmolded plastic body surrounds the cable clamp, circuit board, connector ground shield and part of the connector block.

Abstract: A device for digital data transmission includes a U-shaped support rail and a plastic strand which can be clamped into the U-shaped support rail. A strip-like metal contact conductor is mounted on a portion of the inner side of the plastic strand located frontally opposite and at a distance from an insertion gap for a collector shoe which is longitudinally movable in the support rail. The contact conductor contacts a contact body of the collector shoe. Compared to the plastic strand, the contact conductor has a significantly smaller thickness. A shielding member is provided between the inner side of the plastic strand and the support rail. The shielding member has shield contact surfaces which interact with a contact piece of the collector shoe. The contact conductor is clamped into a longitudinal channel of the plastic strand which is bent into a circular shape. The plastic strand is locked to the support rail.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to improve the performance properties of the cable terminal end assembly and to make its configuration compact. A cable having signal wires and a ground wire are arranged laterally in a casing which is provided with a coupling section for coupling to the electrical device. The signal wires and the ground wires are separated by an insulation plate, and extend out from the ends of the cable into the casing. Signal wires and ground wires are bonded, to specific respective contact strips disposed inside the coupling section. The electrical connections inside the casing are molded with moulding.

Abstract: An electrical connector (12) comprises, two rows (14) of opposed electrical contacts (13, 16) for clamping a flat cable (5), at least one row (11) of coaxial cables (5) having signal wires (6) connected to signal contacts (13) of one contact row (14), and conductive shields (8) of the cables (5) connected to a ground bus (17), in turn, connected to each available ground contact (16) of the one contact row (14), both rows (14) of contacts (13, 16) being held by insulative holders (24), cover plates (28) over the contacts (13, 16) and the ground bus (17), and a removable ground plate (19) connected to the ground bus (17) by bendable grounding tails (18) extending from the ground bus (17).

Abstract: The shielded harness has multiple branches and at least one fork, and has shielding braids over the various branches. The harness includes shielding continuity means over each fork, which means are constituted exclusively by enlarged tabs in the individual shielding braids of the various branches, each enlarged tab extending over the fork and beyond over another branch, and being covered by the shielding braid of said other branch.

Abstract: A connector (10) having two rows of signal terminals (20) easily terminated to conductors (106) of discrete wires (14) and including an integral shield ground (40) to ground the shielding braid (16) of the cable (12). A wire-carrying subassembly (130) having the discrete wires secured thereto is moved against the rear (36) of the front housing member (30) to place stripped conductor portions (108) of the wires adjacent the rear terminal sections (28) for termination. The wire-carrying subassembly (130) includes a body member (50) having a wire-receiving region along a forward edge in which ends of the wires will be secured, and a conductive shield ground section (40) having one or two rearward extensions (42) having tabular end portions (44) for termination to the cable braid (16), and one or two ground contact sections (48) extending forwardly to be terminated to a ground terminal of the connector subassembly.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a pin-and-socket connector for accommodating and electrically contacting the strip conductors of a flat conductor flat cable with corresponding plug contacts via the intermediary of an electrical component.The component is connected directly to one of the strip conductors of the flat conductor flat cable.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for connecting a triaxial or coaxial cable to a substrate by surface mount technology wherein the substrate has a plurality of contact pads located on the surface thereof. The connector includes a signal wire connector element connected to the signal wire of the cable and a drain wire connector element connected to each of the drain wires of the cable. The connection also includes resilient connector element, including a flexible circuit having a plurality of spaced electrical conducting lines thereon. One set of lines is for connection to the signal wires of the cable and the other set for connection to the drain wire(s) of the cable. The opposite ends of the signal line and drain line of the flexible circuit element are connected to electrical connection pads on the substrate to provide signal and drain connections between the cable and the substrate.

Abstract: A grounding connection and method for use with multi-wire cable (10) of a type having a plurality of individual cables (12) arranged in side-by-side relationship with each cable including an outer insulation sheath (14) extending around a relatively fragile, thin ground shield (16) in turn extended around a dielectric sleeve (18) carrying a fine signal wire (20) includes the provision of a body (22) of conductive plastic molded or cast around the exposed shield to provide a permanent electrical interconnection and commoning of the shield (16) of the multiple cables. A grounding bus (26) is used with the body (22) to interconnect ground circuits to external ground paths of circuit boards or the like. An alternative embodiment includes plastic material having sufficient strength to form fasteners (50) or latches (54) extending the use of the body (22). A thin wall plastic housing (60) may be used as an alternative definition of a cavity into which the material is poured to form the body (22).

Abstract: A wire organizer (16) comprises, signal wire receiving passages (22), fingers (19) receiving electrical contacts (9) of an electrical connector assembly (6), and each of the passages (22) that receives a signal wire (2) superposes the signal wire (2) over one of the contacts (9) for joined connection of the signal wire (2) to the contact (9).

Abstract: A connector assembly (6) comprises, conductive signal contacts (9) and a ground bus (10), a separator (16) between first and second rows of the contacts (9), the contacts (9) and the ground bus (10) being supported against the separator (16), the separator (16) having fingers (19) between adjacent contacts (9) of each row, and the ground bus (10) and the contacts (9) being of greater height than the fingers (19) for ease in connection to wires (2, 5) of an electrical cable (1).

Abstract: A coaxial ribbon cable connector (1) consists of a cable connector (2) and a substrate connector (3). The cable connector includes an insulating case (4) having a partition wall (4a); a plurality of signal terminals (8) to which signal lines of a coaxial ribbon cable (11) are connected; a plurality of ground terminals (9) to which drain lines of the cable are connected; the signal and ground terminals being disposed on the partition wall in a back-to-back relationship to form a microstrip line; a plurality of shield terminals (10) disposed between the signal terminals and each having a short-circuit portion (10c) brought into contact with one of the ground terminal.

Abstract: The connection system permits an easy fixing of a flat cable (1) to a connector (20). The flat cable (1) has a central contact end (12A) terminating a conductive plate (12) and surrounded by an earth contact end (14A) extending an earth plate (14). The flat cable is coated with an insulant. These ends are fixed to the connector (20) by means of a potted cap (21), which is fitted by pressure. The position of the flat cable (1) can be of a random nature around the connector (20). Application to high voltage connections in a severe environment and to low voltage connections with or without shielding.

Abstract: An electrical connector for a coaxial flat cable, includes pairs of contacts, each consisting of signal contacts and ground contacts and an insulating body for securely holding the contacts. Connection terminals of the pairs of the contacts are arranged in every pair in a row in a flat plane so that the signal contacts and the ground contacts are alternately arranged. The contact portions of the signal contacts and the contact portions of the ground contacts are arranged in every pair in one row and also the other row. The contact portions of the signal contacts of two adjacent pairs are arranged in different rows and the contact portions of the ground contacts of the two adjacent pairs are arranged in different rows. In another aspect, the contact portions of the pairs of contacts of odd numbers and even numbers are arranged in every pair in one row and also in the other row, respectively, so that the signal contacts and the ground contacts are alternately arranged.

Abstract: A cable termination assembly including a multiconductor ribbon cable of the woven or Teflon insulation type includes loop connection portions for respective conductors with a stiffening insert located in respective loops, the loops being coupled to contacts via a printed circuit board interface for connecting the cable conductors to an external member, and a strain relief system including a rigid bar-like member directly molded or otherwise affixed to the cable and to which a housing portion of the cable termination assembly may grab in order to transmit force between the cable and housing without applying forces to the connections of the loops and the circuit board and/or contacts to which such loops are connected.

Abstract: A connector (1) for coaxial ribbon cable (11) consists of a male connector (2) and a female connector (3). The male connector includes an insulation case (4) with a partition wall (4a); a plurality of signal terminals (8) mounted on one side of the partition wall of the insulation case for connection with a plurality of signal lines (17) of a coaxial cable; and a plurality of ground terminals (9) mounted on the other side of the partition wall for connection with a plurality of drain lines (14) of the coaxial cable to form microstrip lines together with the signal terminals.

Abstract: A cable clamping device is provided for use with an electrical connector for electrically terminating conductors of a multi-conductor cable. The cable includes a shielding foil running the length of the cable. The cable clamping device includes first and second clamp means hingedly attached and defining mating faces profiled to provide a cable passage therebetween. Complementary interengaging latch means are provided on the first and second clamp means to hold the clamp means together sandwiching the cable in the passage. A foil shield bus terminal is mounted on one of the first and second clamp means and includes puncture means for penetrating the shielding foil. The other first and second clamp mans bias the shielding foil into penetrating engagement with the puncture means. A conductive means couples the foil shield bus terminal to the ground conductor of the cable.

Abstract: An electrical connector establishing daisy chain connections of wires to electrical contacts, comprises, a first set of electrical contacts (9) on an insulative housing block (16), wire connecting portions (21, 23) of the contacts (9) for connection to first electrical wires (2, 5), and means on the contacts (9) for joining to a second set of electrical contacts (9) connecting with second electrical wires (2, 5) for establishing daisy chain connections of the first wires (2, 5) and the second wires (2, 5) to the first and second sets of electrical contacts (9).

Abstract: A cable connector for a multi-wire cable which includes a grounded casing and wherein the cable wires have their insulation stripped at one end, to expose the ground casing. The cable wires are connected to a socket. The one end of the cable is provided with a transfer piece of conductive metal to assure continuity of ground between connected equipment and the cable. The transfer piece is affixed mechanically to the ground casing and mechanically reinforces the cable connection to the socket. The transfer piece contains a part forming a catch which is made in the form of a comb having teeth bent in a U-shape to provide a flexible connection and at the same time a ground connection. The connector may further be provided with a clamp to press the transfer piece to the cable and assure contact of such piece with the grounded casing.

Abstract: Shielding portions are superposed on opposite sides of an elongated flexible circuit board on which signal wires are formed to provide a flexible shielded signal wire. The flexible shielded signal wire is especially adapted to transmit signals to and from a rotary head drum of a digital audio tape recorder.

Abstract: An electrical connector for coupling the wires of a plurality of multiconductor flat cables with another electrical connector comprising, in combination a pluarlity of electrically insulating blocks; a plurality of signal contacts extending through each block, the signal contacts of each block adapted to receive the wires of one associated multiconductor flat cable; and a housing for supporting the plurality of blocks in a fixed position with respect to each other, the housing having means to releasably couple with another electrical connector. Also disclosed is the method of fabricating the electrical connector.

Abstract: A minature connector capable of providing an electrically shielded connection at close pin spacings comprises a double sided printed circuit board (PCB) having parallel tracks etched on an upper surface and contacts soldered thereto. A screening shell having insulation material on an inner surface encloses the PCB end contacts and is electrically connected to the edges of the undersurface of the PCB to complete a rectangular-section screening casing. A stack of such assemblies is enclosed in a grouper housing to form, for example, a six by four connector array which is electrically shielded.

Abstract: A compact connector assembly and insulative termination guide for termination of very small conductors and cables with retention of good strain relief, load sharing between conductors, minimum wire manipulation stress and damage, reliable connection, separation, and insulation of conductors and shielding, and superior electrical performance.

Abstract: A tunnel multiconnect system comprising a substrate of flexible dielectric material, a plurality of at least three first line conductors supported on the substrate to form a multiconductor pattern, a second conductor shaped to form a ground plane, a structure for mechanically positioning the second conductor in spaced relation to the multiconductor pattern to form a tunnel therebetween, and connectors located at each end of the first conductors for coupling the first conductors and the ground plane to respective multiport terminals of electrical subassemblies thereby forming a flexible high speed ribbon interconnect system.

Abstract: A high density connector for electrically connecting a high density cable to a matable electrical connector has a housing with a plurality of terminals provided therein. The terminals have sharp outer edges which enable the terminals to cooperate with a portion of the connector to provide the securing force required to retain the terminal in position. The positioning of the terminals in the housing is accurately controlled through the use of an alignment tool which is manufactured from a material which does not expand or contract when exposed to various environmental conditions. Therefore, the precise positioning of the terminals is guaranteed and is repeatable for many connectors.

Abstract: A shielded electrical connector is formed by the mating of upper and lower housing covers and is used with twisted pair cables, each of which includes a pair of signal wires and a drain wire enclosed within an outer insulation. Each pair of terminated signal wires is disposed in a contact module which is positioned in one of a plurality of shielded compartments formed between adjacent separating walls extending from the outer housing covers when the covers are mated with each other. Each of the separating walls has a positioning slot into which a positioning rib on the contact modules may be disposed in order to properly position and retain the contact module in one of the shielded compartments. A ferrule assembly is crimped about the end of the insulation of each of the cables and is coupled to the drain wire of the twisted pair cable.