CN221239826U

CN221239826U - Electric connector, sub-assembly thereof and electronic system

Info

Publication number: CN221239826U
Application number: CN202322372777.8U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 邱楠; 曾涛; 侯耀华
Original assignee: Amphenol Commercial Products Chengdu Co Ltd
Current assignee: Amphenol Commercial Products Chengdu Co Ltd
Priority date: 2023-09-01
Filing date: 2023-09-01
Publication date: 2024-06-28
Anticipated expiration: 2033-09-01

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an electrical connector and a subassembly thereof, the subassembly comprising: a subassembly housing; and a row of conductors held by the subassembly housing at intervals along a longitudinal direction of the electrical connector, each conductor including a mating end, an opposite mounting end, and an intermediate portion therebetween along a respective length direction, each conductor being held by the subassembly housing via its intermediate portion, the row of conductors including at least one pair of first type conductors for transmitting differential signals, the intermediate portion of each first type conductor including first and second sections disposed at intervals along the respective length direction, the first and second sections being connected via an alternating current capacitor embedded in the subassembly housing. The application also relates to an electronic system.

Description

Electric connector, sub-assembly thereof and electronic system

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to electrical connectors, subassemblies for electrical connectors, and electronic systems configured with such electrical connectors.

Background

Electrical connectors are used in many electronic systems. It is often easier and more cost-effective to manufacture the system as separate electronic subassemblies such as Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) that can be connected together by electrical connectors. Having separable connectors enables components of electronic systems manufactured by different manufacturers to be easily assembled. The separable connector also enables components to be easily replaced after assembly of the system in order to replace defective components or upgrade the system with higher performance components.

A known arrangement for connecting several printed circuit boards is to have one printed circuit board act as a back plate. The known back-plate is a PCB on which a number of connectors can be mounted. Conductive traces in the backplane may be electrically connected to signal conductors in the connectors so that signals may be routed between the connectors. Other printed circuit boards, referred to as "daughter boards" or "daughter cards," may be connected by a backplane. For example, a connector may also be mounted on the daughter card. The connector mounted on the daughter card may be inserted into the connector mounted on the backplane. In this way, signals may be routed between daughter cards through the connector and backplane. The daughter card may be inserted into the backplane at a right angle. Connectors for these applications may therefore include right angle bends, and are commonly referred to as "right angle connectors.

The connectors can also be used in other configurations to interconnect printed circuit boards. Sometimes, one or more printed circuit boards may be connected to another printed circuit board called a "motherboard" that both extends over the electronic components and interconnects the daughter boards. In this configuration, the printed circuit board connected to the motherboard may be referred to as a "daughter board". The daughter boards are typically smaller than the motherboard and may sometimes be arranged parallel to the motherboard. Connectors used in such configurations are commonly referred to as "stacked connectors" or "mezzanine connectors. In other systems, the daughter board may be perpendicular to the motherboard.

For example, such configurations are often used in computers, where a motherboard may have a processor and a bus configured to transfer data between the processor and peripheral devices such as a graphics processor or memory. The connector may be mounted to the motherboard and connected to the bus. The peripheral may be implemented on a daughter card by a connector that mates with a connector on the bus so that separately manufactured peripherals can be easily integrated into a computer manufactured with a motherboard.

To improve the usability of the peripheral, the bus and the connector for physically connecting the peripheral through the bus may be standardized. In this way, a large number of peripherals can be obtained from a large number of manufacturers. All of these products can be used in a computer having a standard-compliant bus as long as they are standard-compliant. Examples of such standards include serial ATA (SATA), serial Attached SCSI (SAS), peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe), or SFF-8639, all of which are commonly used in computers. Over time, these standards have undergone many modifications to accommodate the higher performance requirements of computers.

With the increasing performance requirements of computers, the data transmission speed between the electrical connector and other electronic components is also increasing. It is often necessary to connect the terminals of the electrical connector to the PCB using cables and to transmit signal data to downstream electronic components. In such cases, a large number of Alternating Current (AC) capacitors are often required to be laid out on the PCB as needed, so that signals from the differential signal pair signal terminals of the electrical connector first flow through the AC capacitors and then to the cable to reduce resonance and current crosstalk phenomena common in high-speed signal transmission circuits. However, as electronic systems become more and more miniaturized, these AC capacitors occupy a lot of space on the PCB. Meanwhile, with the increasing demand of data transmission speed, the current cable is sometimes electrically connected with downstream electronic components by directly connecting with the signal terminals of the card edge connector. But this can result in difficulty in re-using the AC capacitors on the PCB to prevent the adverse effects of resonance and current cross-talk.

Disclosure of utility model

In addition to designing hybrid electrical connectors capable of transmitting both electrical power and high-speed signals, one of the objectives of the present application is to ensure that the cables directly connected to the electrical connectors reliably prevent the signal terminals from being affected by adverse resonance and current crosstalk in the circuit so that more space can be saved for the wiring design of the PCB while ensuring reliable transmission of high-speed signals.

According to one aspect of the present application, there is provided a subassembly for fitting in an electrical connector, comprising:

A subassembly housing; and

A row of conductors held by the subassembly housing at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the electrical connector, each conductor including a mating end, an opposite mounting end, and an intermediate portion therebetween along the respective length, each conductor being held by the subassembly housing via the intermediate portion thereof, the row of conductors including at least one pair of conductors of a first type for transmitting differential signals,

The intermediate portion of each first type of conductor includes first and second sections spaced apart in respective lengths, the first and second sections being connected via an alternating current capacitor embedded in the subassembly housing.

Optionally, the distance separating the first section from the second section is primarily dependent on the size of the ac capacitor.

Optionally, the subassembly housing includes an encapsulation region including a slot formed in the subassembly housing, the ac capacitor being located within the slot, and the insulating encapsulation material filling the slot.

Optionally, the notch is formed through the subassembly housing or is formed without through the subassembly housing.

Optionally, an alternating current capacitor is welded between the first section and the second section.

Optionally, the conductor row further comprises at least one pair of second type conductors, two of the at least one pair of second type conductors being located on either side of a pair of first type conductors in the longitudinal direction of the electrical connector, respectively, and configured for providing a signal reference or return path to the pair of first type conductors.

Optionally, the conductor row further comprises a third type of conductor for transmitting sideband signals, the third type of conductor being connected to an adjacent one of the second type of conductors via an RC microcircuit block embedded in the subassembly housing, the RC microcircuit block comprising a resistor and an alternating current capacitor in series with each other.

Optionally, the subassembly housing includes an encapsulation region including a notch formed in the subassembly housing, the RC microcircuit block being located within the notch, and an insulating encapsulation material filling the notch.

Optionally, the notch for receiving the RC microcircuit block is formed through the subassembly housing or not.

Optionally, the RC microcircuit blocks are soldered between the respective second type of conductors and the third type of conductors.

Optionally, the intermediate portion of each of the first, second and third types of conductors includes first and second surfaces on opposite sides, the ac capacitor of the first type of conductor being located on only one of the first and second surfaces.

Optionally, the intermediate portion of each of the first, second and third types of conductors includes first and second surfaces on opposite sides, a pair of alternating current capacitors of a pair of the first type of conductors being located on the first and second surfaces, respectively; or one pair of alternating current capacitors in the two pairs of conductors of the first type is located on the first surface and the other pair of alternating current capacitors is located on the second surface; or the RC microcircuit blocks between the second type of conductor and the third type of conductor are located on the same or different surfaces than the ac capacitors of the first type of conductor.

Optionally, for each of the first type of conductor, the second type of conductor, and the third type of conductor:

the mounting end includes third and fourth surfaces on opposite sides;

The third surface of the mounting end extends from the first surface of the corresponding intermediate portion; and

The fourth surface of the mounting end is offset relative to the second surface of the intermediate portion.

Optionally, the mating end of each of the first, second and third type of conductors includes a curved mating contact portion having a width measured in a longitudinal direction of the electrical connector, and the middle portion of the same conductor has a width measured in the longitudinal direction that is greater than the width of the mating contact portion.

Optionally, the intermediate portion of each first or third type of conductor comprises a surface inclined towards the adjacent second type of conductor and the intermediate portion of each first or third type of conductor comprises a portion curved towards the adjacent second type of conductor.

Optionally, the mounting end of the conductor is configured to be connected to a cable.

Optionally, the first section is spaced from the second section by a distance of 0.25 mm.

According to another aspect of the present application, there is provided a subassembly for fitting in an electrical connector, comprising:

A subassembly housing; and

A row of conductors held by the subassembly housing at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the electrical connector, each conductor including a mating end, an opposite mounting end, and an intermediate portion therebetween along the respective length direction, each conductor being held by the subassembly housing via its intermediate portion, the row of conductors including at least one pair of first type conductors for transmitting differential signals, at least one pair of second type conductors, two of the at least one pair of second type conductors being located on either side of a pair of first type conductors in the longitudinal direction of the electrical connector and configured to provide a signal reference or return path for the pair of first type conductors, and a third type conductor for transmitting sideband signals, respectively,

The third type of conductor is connected to an adjacent one of the second type of conductor via an RC microcircuit block embedded in the subassembly housing, the RC microcircuit block comprising a resistor and an ac capacitor in series with each other.

Optionally, the intermediate portion of each of the first, second and third types of conductors includes first and second surfaces on opposite sides, the RC microcircuit block being located on only one of the first and second surfaces.

the mounting end includes third and fourth surfaces on opposite sides;

According to another aspect of the present application, there is provided an electrical connector comprising:

A housing including a first portion having a first slot, a second portion separated from the first portion by a rib and having a second slot;

A plurality of first conductors in the first portion of the housing, each of the plurality of first conductors including a mating end including a mating contact bent into the first slot and a mounting end extending from the first portion of the housing and configured for mounting to a printed circuit board; and

A plurality of second conductors in the second portion of the housing, each of the plurality of second conductors including a mating end including a mating contact bent into the second slot, a mounting end extending from the second portion of the housing, and an intermediate portion connecting the mating end and the mounting end, the mounting end being narrower than the intermediate portion and configured for a cable to be attached to the mounting end,

The plurality of second conductors including at least one pair of second conductors of a first type for transmitting differential signals, characterized in that,

The intermediate portion of each first type of conductor includes first and second sections spaced apart in respective lengths, the first and second sections being connected via an alternating current capacitor.

Optionally, the plurality of second conductors further comprises at least one pair of second conductors of a second type, two second conductors of the at least one pair of second conductors of a second type being located on either side of the pair of second conductors of a first type in a longitudinal direction of the electrical connector, respectively, and configured to provide a signal reference or return path for the pair of second conductors of the first type.

Optionally, the plurality of second conductors further comprises a third type of second conductor for transmitting sideband signals, the third type of second conductor being connected to an adjacent one of the second type of second conductors via an RC microcircuit block comprising a resistor and an alternating current capacitor in series with each other.

Optionally, the RC microcircuit blocks are soldered between the respective second conductors of the second type and the third type.

Optionally, the intermediate portion of each of the first type of second conductor, the second type of second conductor and the third type of second conductor comprises a first surface and a second surface on opposite sides, the ac capacitor of the first type of second conductor being located on only one of said first and second surfaces.

Optionally, the intermediate portion of each of the first type of second conductor, the second type of second conductor, and the third type of second conductor includes a first surface and a second surface on opposite sides, a pair of alternating current capacitors in a pair of the first type of second conductors being located on the first surface and the second surface, respectively; or one pair of alternating current capacitors in the two pairs of second conductors of the first type is located on the first surface and the other pair of alternating current capacitors is located on the second surface; or the RC microcircuit block between the second conductor of the second type and the second conductor of the third type is located on the same or a different surface than the ac capacitor of the second conductor of the first type.

Optionally, for each of the first type of second conductor, the second type of second conductor, and the third type of second conductor:

the mounting end includes third and fourth surfaces on opposite sides;

Optionally, the intermediate portion of each first or third type of second conductor comprises a surface inclined towards an adjacent second type of second conductor, and the intermediate portion of each first or third type of second conductor comprises a portion curved towards an adjacent second type of second conductor.

Optionally, the electrical connector comprises a subassembly comprising a subassembly housing, the plurality of second conductors being held in a row by the subassembly housing along a longitudinal direction of the electrical connector.

Optionally, an alternating current capacitor connecting the first section with the second section is embedded in the subassembly housing.

Optionally, an RC microcircuit block connecting second conductors of a third type and second type is embedded in the subassembly housing.

Optionally, the mating contact portions of the plurality of first conductors have a first width in a longitudinal direction of the electrical connector, the mating contact portions of the plurality of second conductors have a second width in the longitudinal direction, and the first width is greater than the second width.

Optionally, the intermediate portions of the plurality of first conductors have a third width in the longitudinal direction, and the third width is equal to the first width.

Optionally, the intermediate portions of the plurality of second conductors have a fourth width in the longitudinal direction, and the fourth width is greater than the second width.

Optionally, the first portion of the housing includes a plurality of first channels, each of the plurality of first channels configured to hold one of the plurality of first conductors, and a plurality of first partitions at least partially separating the plurality of first channels;

Each of the plurality of first partitions includes one or more slots;

Each of the plurality of first conductors includes a wider portion adjacent the mounting end; and

The wider portion extends into the slots of the first plurality of partitions.

Optionally, the second portion of the housing includes a plurality of second channels, each of the plurality of second channels configured to hold one of the plurality of second conductors, and a plurality of second dividers at least partially separating the plurality of second channels; and

The subassembly housing is disposed between the plurality of second partitions and a wall of the housing.

Optionally, the plurality of first conductors includes a plurality of first type first conductors and a plurality of second type first conductors;

the intermediate portion of each of the plurality of second-type first conductors includes a portion that curves toward the first slot; and

The plurality of first-type first conductors and the plurality of second-type first conductors alternate in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the mating direction.

Optionally, the mating ends of the plurality of first conductors are aligned along a first line parallel to the longitudinal direction;

The mounting ends of the plurality of first type first conductors are aligned along a second line parallel to the first line; and

The mounting ends of the plurality of second type first conductors are aligned along a third line parallel to the first line and offset relative to the second line in a transverse direction perpendicular to the mating direction and the longitudinal direction of the electrical connector.

Optionally, the mating end of each of the plurality of first conductors includes a tip portion disposed on a shelf of the first portion of the housing.

Optionally, the mating end of each of the plurality of first conductors includes a tip portion disposed on a shelf of the second portion of the housing; and

The shelf of the second portion of the housing is lower than the shelf of the first portion of the housing in the mating direction.

Optionally, the tip portion of each of the plurality of first conductors is narrower than the corresponding mating contact.

Optionally, the intermediate portion of each of the plurality of second conductors of the second type includes a protrusion protruding toward the second slot.

According to another aspect of the present application, there is also provided an electrical connector comprising:

A housing including a first portion having a first slot, a second portion separated from the first portion by a rib and having a second slot, and a bottom member attached to the second portion;

A plurality of first conductors held by the first portion of the housing, each of the plurality of first conductors including a mating end including a mating contact bent into the first slot and a mounting end extending from the first portion of the housing and extending beyond the bottom member in a mating direction; and

A plurality of second conductors held by the second portion of the housing, each of the plurality of second conductors including a mating end including a mating contact bent into the second slot and a mounting end extending from the second portion of the housing and extending within the base member in the mating direction, wherein:

the plurality of first conductors are configured for mounting to a printed circuit board; and

The plurality of second conductors is configured for mounting a cable,

Optionally, the plurality of second conductors further comprises at least one pair of second conductors of a second type, two of the pair of second conductors of a second type being located on either side of the pair of second conductors of a first type in the longitudinal direction of the electrical connector, respectively, and configured to provide a signal reference or return path for the pair of second conductors of a first type.

Optionally, the subassembly housing includes a plurality of protrusions disposed in mating openings of the second portion of the housing, the middle portion of each of the plurality of second type second conductors includes a protrusion protruding toward the second slot, and the subassembly housing includes a plurality of openings disposed corresponding to the protrusions of the plurality of second type second conductors.

Optionally, the base member includes a body, a plurality of struts extending from the body toward the second portion of the housing, and a plurality of protrusions extending from the struts toward the mounting ends of the plurality of second conductors.

Optionally, a portion of the plurality of protrusions comprises a plurality of recesses;

Each of the plurality of second conductors includes a transition region between the intermediate portion and the mounting end;

The plurality of second conductors includes a plurality of first type second conductors and a plurality of second type second conductors; and

Transition regions of the plurality of first-type second conductors are disposed in corresponding ones of the plurality of recesses.

Optionally, the housing further comprises a lossy member configured to electrically couple with the plurality of second-type second conductors.

Optionally, the lossy member comprises a body, a plurality of first struts extending from the body towards the second portion of the housing, and a plurality of second struts extending from the body away from the second portion of the housing and disposed between adjacent struts of the base member.

Optionally, the plurality of second struts of the lossy member comprises a plurality of recesses, and transition regions of the plurality of second conductors of the second type are disposed in corresponding ones of the plurality of recesses of the plurality of second struts of the lossy member.

Optionally, the plurality of first struts of the lossy member comprises a plurality of protrusions protruding towards the plurality of second type second conductors.

Optionally, for each of the plurality of second type second conductors:

The respective recesses of the second leg are offset relative to the protrusions of the first leg in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the mating direction.

Optionally, the lossy member includes a plurality of first openings, the base member includes a plurality of second openings stacked in the mating direction below corresponding ones of the plurality of first openings of the lossy member, and the second portion of the housing includes a plurality of protrusions, each of the plurality of protrusions extending through the first opening of the lossy member and the second opening of the base member.

The plurality of second conductors including at least one pair of first type second conductors for transmitting differential signals, at least one pair of second type second conductors, and a third type second conductor for transmitting sideband signals, two of the at least one pair of second type second conductors being located on either side of the pair of first type second conductors in a longitudinal direction of the electrical connector and configured to provide a signal reference or return path for the pair of first type second conductors, respectively,

The second conductors of the third type are connected to adjacent ones of the second conductors of the second type via an RC microcircuit block comprising a resistor and an alternating current capacitor connected in series with each other.

Optionally, the intermediate portion of each of the first type of second conductor, the second type of second conductor, and the third type of second conductor includes a first surface and a second surface on opposite sides, the RC microcircuit block being located on only one of the first surface and the second surface.

the mounting end includes third and fourth surfaces on opposite sides;

Optionally, the mating end of each of the first type of second conductor, the second type of second conductor, and the third type of second conductor comprises a curved mating contact having a width measured in a longitudinal direction of the electrical connector, and the middle portion of the same second conductor has a width measured in the longitudinal direction that is greater than the width of the mating contact.

Optionally, the intermediate portion of each first or third type of second conductor comprises a surface inclined towards an adjacent second type of conductor, and the intermediate portion of each first or third type of second conductor comprises a portion curved towards an adjacent second type of second conductor.

Optionally, the electrical connector comprises a subassembly comprising a subassembly housing through which the plurality of second conductors are held in rows at intervals along a longitudinal direction of the electrical connector via an intermediate portion.

Optionally, an RC microcircuit block is embedded in the subassembly housing.

Each of the plurality of first partitions includes one or more slots;

The wider portion extends into the slots of the first plurality of partitions.

The plurality of second conductors is configured for mounting a cable,

the mounting end includes third and fourth surfaces on opposite sides;

Optionally, an RC microcircuit block is embedded in the subassembly housing.

Optionally, for each of the plurality of second type second conductors:

According to another aspect of the present application, there is also provided an electronic system including:

a printed circuit board;

The aforementioned electrical connector; and

And the printed circuit board is connected with the first conductor of the electric connector, and the cable is connected with the second conductor of the electric connector.

The unique design of the electrical connector and its subassemblies of the present disclosure can reduce resonance or current crosstalk in the circuit while reducing insertion loss and improving signal integrity.

Drawings

The principles and aspects of the present disclosure will be more fully understood from the following detailed description in conjunction with the following drawings. It is noted that the scale of the drawings may be different for clarity of illustration purposes, but this does not affect an understanding of the present disclosure. In the drawings:

Fig. 1A is a top front perspective view of a portion of an electronic system showing a hybrid card edge connector with power conductors mounted on a printed circuit board, in accordance with some embodiments.

Fig. 1B is a bottom front perspective view of the electronic system of fig. 1A.

Fig. 2A is a top rear perspective view of a hybrid card edge connector of the electronic system of fig. 1A, according to some embodiments.

Fig. 2B is a bottom front perspective view of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 2A.

Fig. 2C is a partially exploded perspective view of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 2B, with the power conductors, signal conductors, and board locks hidden, showing an example in which an optional lossy member is mounted in the bottom member.

Fig. 2CA is an enlarged view of a first portion of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 2B, with some of the power conductors hidden.

Fig. 2D is a perspective view of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 2A, wherein the housing is hidden.

Fig. 2E is a side view of a power conductor of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 2A.

Fig. 2F is a perspective view of a set of signal conductors of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 2A.

Fig. 2G is a perspective view of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 2A, wherein the housing, the board lock, the power conductors, and some of the signal conductors are hidden.

Fig. 2H is a partially exploded perspective view of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 2G showing the lossy member and the base member.

Fig. 3A is a front perspective view of a conductor sub-assembly of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 2A, in accordance with some embodiments.

Fig. 3B is a rear perspective view of the conductor sub-assembly of fig. 3A.

Fig. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 2A along the line labeled "4A-4A" in fig. 2A, showing the power conductors.

Fig. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 2A along the line labeled "4B-4B" in fig. 2A, showing signal conductors.

Fig. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 2A taken along a line parallel to the line labeled "4B-4B" in fig. 2A, showing upper portions of the first type of signal conductors and the second type of signal conductors.

Fig. 4D is a cross-sectional view of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 2A taken along another line parallel to the line labeled "4B-4B" in fig. 2A, showing a lower portion of the second type signal conductor of fig. 4C.

Fig. 4E is a cross-sectional view of the divider of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 2A along the channel of the housing, the divider being shown as a line labeled "4E-4E" in fig. 2C.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of signal conductors of the hybrid card edge connector held by the subassembly housing;

Fig. 6A is a partial perspective view of a cable connected to signal conductors in a housing of the connector;

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of a cable connected to the mounting end of a signal conductor, wherein the signal conductor includes a pair of signal conductors for transmitting differential signals and signal conductors on either side thereof for providing a reference or return path for the signals;

fig. 7A to 7F are schematic views of steps of a method for fabricating a group of signal conductors;

fig. 8A to 8C schematically show frequency-attenuation curves of differential insertion loss, differential return loss-cable side, and differential return loss-card side obtained for signal conductors for transmitting differential signals using a signal integrity simulation test;

fig. 9 is a flow chart of a method of assembling a connector.

Detailed Description

Features that are structurally identical or functionally similar are denoted by the same reference numerals in the various figures of the present disclosure.

The inventors have recognized and appreciated connector designs that support the use of high speed plug-in cards in compact electronic systems. Such connectors can overcome challenges associated with incompatible requirements for power and signal transmission in system design and maintain and/or improve signal integrity through hybrid connectors at higher speeds while ensuring that the add-in card can receive sufficient power without significantly increasing the size of the electronic system. Such connectors are capable of simultaneously transferring power and high speed signals.

Such a connector may have a first portion with conductors configured to carry power and a second portion with conductors configured for high speed signals. The conductors in the first portion may have mounting ends configured for connection to a printed circuit board on which the connector is mounted. The second portion of the connector may be configured for alignment with an opening through the printed circuit board and the high speed conductor of the second portion may have a mounting end configured for terminating a cable passing through the opening in the printed circuit board. The first portion and the second portion may be integrated to collectively provide a PCIe or other standard compliant mating interface. Connectors meeting the mechanical requirements of PCIe specifications at the performance required for 32Gbps and 64Gbps and higher are used as examples of connectors to which these technologies are applied. The connector may also be compatible with speeds below 32Gbps, such as PCIe Gen1 through Gen4.

Such electrical connectors may have one or more rows of conductors. Some conductors in a bank may be used as power conductors and some conductors may be used as high speed signal conductors. Alternatively, some conductors may be used as low speed signal conductors. Some of the low speed signal conductors and/or power conductors may also be designated as ground, providing a reference to signals carried on the signal conductors, or providing a return path for such signals. It should be appreciated that the ground conductor need not be connected to ground, but may carry a reference potential, which may include ground (earth ground), a dc voltage, or other suitable reference potential.

The connector may have a housing with a first portion configured to hold the power conductors and a second portion configured to hold a subassembly of signal conductors, some of which may carry high speed signals. The first and second portions may be separated from each other by, for example, ribs. The mounting surface of the first portion may be arranged beyond the mounting surface of the second portion in the mating direction. The housing may include a base member disposed at the mounting face of the second portion. The housing may further include a lossy member having a body disposed between the mounting of the second portion and the body of the base member. This configuration may enable the power conductors in the first portion to be mounted to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and the conductors in the second portion to transmit high speed signals with high integrity through the cable terminated with these conductors.

The first and second portions may include channels configured to retain power and signal conductors, respectively. The first portion may include a strip portion disposed adjacent to the mating face of the connector and configured to serve as a shelf for holding the end portion of the power conductor. The second portion may include a strip portion disposed adjacent to the mating face of the connector, and a protrusion extending from the strip portion and being elongated in the mating direction. The protrusion may be configured to act as a shelf for holding the end portion of the signal conductor. This configuration may enable the power conductors to mate/contact with the electronic card of the engagement/disengagement connector prior to the signal conductors. This configuration may also enable signal conductors to have shorter tip portions and thus improve signal integrity.

Each power conductor may include a mating end having a mating contact portion, a mounting end opposite the mating end, and an intermediate portion connecting the mating end and the mounting end. The mating end may have the same width in the longitudinal direction as the intermediate portion, which may provide a greater contact area for power transmission to the inserted card. The mating ends of the power conductors in a row may be aligned along a line. In some embodiments, the mounting end may be configured for mounting to a PCB. The middle portion of every other power conductor may include a portion that is bent toward an adjacent row such that the mounting ends of the power conductors in one row may be aligned parallel to each other on two different lines. This configuration allows for more power conductors in the connector while requiring no more mounting area on the PCB than is standard. In some embodiments, the mounting end may be configured to mate with a power adapter, which may be configured for mounting to a PCB. This configuration may enable the power conductors to be electrically coupled with the PCB through the power adapter, which may eliminate the need to solder the power conductors on the PCB and thus facilitate subsequent maintenance and reduce maintenance costs.

Each signal conductor may include a mating end having a mating contact portion, a mounting end configured for mounting a cable, and an intermediate portion connecting the mating end and the mounting end. The mating ends may be narrower in the longitudinal direction than the middle portion, which may enable greater spacing between the mating ends, thereby reducing crosstalk at the mating interface. The intermediate portion may include a transition portion such that the mounting end is recessed from the intermediate portion, which can provide room for the protrusion of the base member or the lossy member to protrude into, thereby providing mechanical support to the mounting end. The resulting narrower mounting end may reduce the impedance effects of increased mass at the cable attachments, thereby reducing impedance imbalance at the mounting interface. The signal conductors may include a first type of signal conductor and a second type of signal conductor.

The mounting ends of the first type of signal conductors may abut the protrusions of the base member and may thus be electrically isolated from each other. The mounting ends of the second type of signal conductors may abut the protrusions of the lossy member and may thus be electrically coupled by the lossy member.

The first type of signal conductors and the second type of signal conductors may be arranged in groups. Each set may be configured for wires with one cable mounted. The set may include a pair of first type signal conductors each configured to transmit a differential signal and a pair of second type signal conductors configured to provide a reference or return path for the pair of first type signal conductors carrying the differential signal. The pair of second-type signal conductors may be disposed on opposite sides of the pair of first-type signal conductors. The intermediate portions of the pair of first-type signal conductors may include surfaces that are inclined toward each other to enhance coupling between the pair of first-type signal conductors. The intermediate portions of the pair of second-type signal conductors may each include a portion that is bent toward the pair of first-type signal conductors such that the mounting ends of the pair of second-type signal conductors may be disposed closer to the mounting ends of the pair of first-type signal conductors. Such a configuration may enable the mating ends of the signal conductors to have a first spacing configured for mating with an electronic card and the mounting ends of the signal conductors to have a second spacing configured for mounting with a cable. This configuration can compensate for the impedance effects of the added mass at the cable attachment, thereby reducing impedance imbalance. Alternatively or additionally, the first type of signal conductors are configured to be used to transmit sideband signals in addition to differential signals.

The techniques described herein may be used alone or in any suitable combination. The following embodiments illustrate examples of combinations of these techniques.

Fig. 1A-4D are examples of techniques described herein integrated into a hybrid card edge connector 200, which hybrid card edge connector 200 or electrical connector 200 may be provided in an electronic system 100. As shown in fig. 1A-1B, the electronic system 100 may include a PCB 102 and a PCB 104, the connector 200 may be mounted to the PCB 102, and the PCB 104 may have an edge that is inserted into one or more slots of the connector 200 along the mating direction 116. In this example, the PCB 102 is partially shown in phantom so that only the portion of the PCB 102 adjacent to the connector 200 is visible. The removed portion of PCB 102 may include other components of electronic system 100 that are not shown, such as semiconductor components, power regulators, and the like. In addition, conductive structures in PCB 102 are not specifically shown for simplicity of illustration. Such PCBs may include power and/or ground planes that may be coupled to power conductors within connector 200.

The PCB 102 may include contact locations 106 and recesses 108 or openings (not shown), the contact locations 106 configured for having power conductors of the connector 200 mounted thereon, the recesses 108 or openings for passing cables mounted to signal conductors of the connector 200 therethrough so that the cables may be routed to design locations on the PCB 102 and/or another component in the system 100. Since the area of the contact locations 106 may be smaller than the area of the recesses 108, the PCB 102 may include features for securing the housing 202 of the connector 200 to the PCB 102 when the connector 200 is mounted to the PCB 102. In the illustrated example, PCB 102 includes a board lock receiver 110 on one side of recess 108 and configured to receive a board lock 226 of connector 200, a guide post receiver 112 on an opposite side of recess 108 and configured to receive a guide post 224 of connector 200, and a pair of openings 114 on opposite sides of recess 108 and configured to pass, for example, screws therethrough.

As shown in fig. 2A-2D, the connector 200 may include a housing 202 that may have a mating face 124 through which the pcb 104 may be inserted. The housing 202 may include a first portion 204 and a second portion 206 separated from the first portion 204 by a rib 216. The first portion 204 may include a first slot 212 that is elongated in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the mating direction 116, and a first channel 208 that is at least partially separated by a divider 233. Each first channel 208 may be configured to retain a power conductor 236 such that mating contact 244 of the power conductor 236 is able to flex into the first slot 212 to establish contact with the PCB 104 when the PCB 104 is inserted into the first slot 212. Each divider 233 may include one or more slots 235 configured for extending a wider portion 237 of a power conductor 236 therein, which can ensure that the power conductor 236 is secured in the corresponding channel 208. The first portion 204 may include a strip 276 adjacent the mating face 124 and configured to serve as a shelf for holding the tip portion 248 of the power conductor 236 (see fig. 4A).

The second portion 206 may include a second slot 214 that is elongated in the longitudinal direction, and a second channel 210 that is at least partially separated by a divider 231. Each second channel 210 may be configured to retain a signal conductor 238 or 240 such that the mating contact 254 of the signal conductor 238 or 240 is able to flex into the second slot 214 to establish contact with the PCB 104 when the PCB 104 is inserted into the second slot 214. The second portion 206 may include a bar 276 and a protrusion 218, the bar 276 being adjacent to the mating face 124, the protrusion 218 extending from the bar 278 along the mating direction 116 such that the protrusion 218 can function as a shelf for holding the head portions 258 of the signal conductors 238, 240 (see fig. 4B). This configuration enables the mating contact 254 of the signal conductors 238, 240 to be disposed lower in the mating direction 116 than the mating contact 244 of the power conductor 236, which can ensure that the power is turned on and off before the signal is connected. The protrusion 218 may have a surface 402 that is sloped toward the second slot 214 so that the signal conductors 238, 240 can have a shorter head portion 258, which can improve signal integrity.

The first portion 204 may have a mounting face 120 opposite the mating face 124. The first channel 208 may extend through the mating face 124 and the mounting face 120. The second portion 206 may have a mounting face 122 opposite the mating face 124 and disposed higher in the mating direction 116 than the mounting face 120 at the first portion 204. The second channel 210 may extend through the mating face 124 and the mounting face 122.

As shown in fig. 2D and 2E, the power conductors 236 held in the first portion 204 of the housing 202 may each include a mating end 242, a mounting end 246, and an intermediate portion 248, the mating end 242 including a mating contact 244 and a tip portion 248, the mounting end 246 extending beyond the mounting face 120 of the first portion 204. The mating end 242 may have the same width in the longitudinal direction as the intermediate portion 248, which can provide a larger contact area to deliver sufficient power to an add-in card (e.g., PCB 104). Each of the power conductors 236 may include a wider portion 237 adjacent the mounting end 246.

The power supply conductors 236 may include first type power supply conductors 236A and second type power supply conductors 236B that are alternately arranged. The intermediate portion 248 of each of the first type of power conductors 236A may have a portion 250 that is bent inward. This configuration may allow more power conductors to be retained by the first portion 204 without requiring a larger footprint.

Although the power conductors 236 are shown as separate conductors, it should be understood that the power conductors in a row may be stamped from the same metal plate and connected at an intermediate portion thereof. Thus, there may be one power conductor on each side of the first slot 212 instead of several separate conductors.

Referring back to fig. 2C, the housing 202 may include a bottom member 222 and a lossy member 228, both of which bottom member 222 and lossy member 228 may be attached to the second portion 206. The second portion 206 may have a protrusion 230 extending from the mounting surface 122. The bottom member 222 may have an opening 234 and the lossy member 228 may have an opening 232, the opening 232 being stacked with a corresponding opening 234 of the bottom member 222 such that each protrusion 230 of the second portion 206 is capable of extending through the opening 232 of the lossy member 228 and the opening 234 of the bottom member 222.

As shown in fig. 2H-2G, the bottom member 222 may include a body 282, a post 284 extending from the body 282 toward the second portion 206, and a protrusion 286 extending outwardly from the post 284. Some of the protrusions 286 may have recesses 290 that may be configured to receive the transition regions 268 of the first type of signal conductors 238.

The lossy member 228 may include a body 291, an upper post 292 extending from the body 291 toward the second portion 206, a lower post 294 extending from the body 291 away from the second portion 206 and configured to be disposed between the posts 284 of the base member 222. The upper leg 292 may include an outwardly protruding projection 298. The lower post 294 may include a recess 296, which may be configured to receive the transition region 268 of the second type of signal conductor 240. As shown, each upper leg 292 may have a corresponding lower leg 294 that may be offset in the longitudinal direction relative to the upper leg 292 depending on the configuration of the corresponding second type of signal conductor 240.

As shown in fig. 2F, the signal conductors 238, 240 retained in the second portion 206 of the housing 202 may each include a mating end 252, a mounting end 256, and an intermediate portion 260, the mating end 252 including a mating contact 254 and a header portion 258, the mounting end 256 extending beyond the mounting face 122 of the second portion 206. The width of the mating ends 252 in the longitudinal direction may be less than the width of the intermediate portion 260 in the longitudinal direction, which can increase the spacing between adjacent mating ends 252, thereby reducing cross-talk at the mating interface. Further, as shown in fig. 2D, the width of the mating end 252 of the signal conductor 238 or 240 in the longitudinal direction may be less than the width of the mating end 242 of the power conductor 236 in the longitudinal direction. This configuration may enable connector 200 to carry sufficient power through power conductor 236 and transmit high speed signals with high integrity through signal conductors 238, 240.

The intermediate portion 260 of each of the signal conductors 238, 240 may include a transition region 268 such that the mounting end 256 may be recessed relative to the intermediate portion 260. For each of the signal conductors 238, 240, the intermediate portion 260 may include a first surface 265 and a second surface 267 on opposite sides. The mounting end 256 may include a third surface 269 and a fourth surface 271 on opposite sides. The third surface 269 of the mounting end 256 may extend from the first surface 265 of the intermediate portion 260. The fourth surface 271 of the mounting end 256 may be offset relative to the second surface 267 of the intermediate portion 260. This arrangement may provide room for the protrusions 286 of the base member 222 or the lower struts 294 of the lossy member 228 to protrude into, thereby providing mechanical support to the mounting end 256. The resulting thinner mounting end 256 can reduce the impedance effects of the additional mass of the cable wires attached to the mounting end 256 and thus reduce impedance imbalance at the mounting interface.

The signal conductors 238, 240 may include a first type of signal conductor 238 and a second type of signal conductor 240. The first type of signal conductors 238 may be configured to transmit high speed signals or low speed signals. The second type of signal conductor 240 may be configured to provide a reference or return path for the signal. As shown in fig. 4B-4D, the mounting end 256 of the first type of signal conductor 238 may abut the protrusion 286 of the bottom member 222. The protrusions 286 of the bottom member 222 may be configured to provide support to the cable accessory and improve impedance imbalance at the cable accessory. The mounting end 256 of the second type signal conductor 240 may abut the lower leg 294 of the lossy member 228. A portion of the intermediate portion 260 of the second type of signal conductor 240 can abut the projection 298 of the upper leg 292 of the lossy member 228. This configuration may provide support for the cable accessory and sufficiently couple the second type of signal conductors 240, which may improve signal integrity at higher speeds.

Returning to fig. 2F, the first type of signal conductors 238 and the second type of signal conductors 240 may be arranged in groups 280. The set 280 may include one or more pairs of first type signal conductors 238, wherein each pair may be configured to transmit a pair of differential signals. The intermediate portions 260 of each pair of first type signal conductors 238 may have surfaces 266 that are inclined toward each other in order to enhance coupling between each other.

The set 280 may include the second type of signal conductors 240 disposed on opposite sides of each pair of first type of signal conductors 238. The intermediate portion 260 of each of the second type signal conductors 240 may include a portion 262 that is bent toward an adjacent first type signal conductor 238 such that the corresponding mounting end 256 may be disposed closer to the adjacent first type signal conductor 238 and thus provide shielding. Some of the second type signal conductors 240 may be shared by two pairs of the first type signal conductors. The middle portion 260 of each of these second type signal conductors 240 may include two portions 262 that are each bent toward an adjacent first type signal conductor 238. The intermediate portion 260 of each of the second type signal conductors 240 may include a protrusion 260 configured to establish contact with a protrusion 298 of the upper leg 292 of the lossy member 228.

As shown, the mating ends 252 of the signal conductors 238, 240 in the set 280 may have a first center-to-center spacing p1 configured for mating with an electronic card (e.g., PCB 104) that may have contact pads uniformly spaced along an edge. The mounting ends of the signal conductors 238, 240 in the set 280 may have a second center-to-center spacing p2 configured for mounting a cable, which cable 500 may include a pair of signal conductors and ground conductors disposed on opposite sides of the pair of signal conductors (see, e.g., fig. 6A, 6B). In some embodiments, the mounting ends 256 of the second type of signal conductors 240 may be wider than the mounting ends 256 of the first type of signal conductors 238, which may enhance shielding and thus signal integrity. Thus, the second center-to-center spacing p2 between the two first type signal conductors 238 may be different than the second center-to-center spacing p2 between the first type signal conductors 238 and the second type signal conductors 240.

As shown in fig. 2D and 3A-3B, the signal conductors 238, 240 in a row may be held by the subassembly housing 302, which may allow for more precise spacing between the signal conductors 238, 240 and thus reduce impedance imbalance along the length of the signal conductors 238, 240, thereby improving signal integrity at higher speeds. The subassembly housing 302 may include a protrusion 304 configured for placement in a mating opening of the housing 202 (see fig. 4B). The subassembly housing 302 may include openings 306 and 308 disposed and sized to correspond to the protrusions 264 of the second type signal conductors 240 such that the protrusions 264 can establish contact with the protrusions 298 of the upper leg 292 of the lossy member 228.

Referring to fig. 2C, 4E, the second portion 206 of the housing 202 may include a space 404 between the partition 231 and the wall 406. The space 404 may be sized and shaped to hold the corresponding subassembly housing 302. This configuration may ensure accurate positioning of the subassembly 300 in the second portion 206 of the housing 202. This configuration may also ensure accurate relative positioning of the subassembly 300 with respect to the base member 222 and the lossy member 228, such as when combined with the mating protrusion 230 of the housing 202 and the opening 232 of the lossy member 228 and the opening 234 of the base member 222.

In some embodiments, the bottom member 222 and/or the lossy member 228 may be inserted into place after the subassembly 300 is inserted. The base member 222 and/or the lossy member 228 described herein may provide support to the signal conductors 238, 240 to maintain coplanarity between the signal conductors 238, 240 in each subassembly 300. The base member 222 and/or the lossy member 228 described herein may reduce the risk of deformation of the cable when welded to the signal conductors 238, 240. The base member 222 and/or the lossy member 228 described herein may also prevent dust, moisture and other substances, gaseous fluxes or other contaminants from entering the interior of the housing 202.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the first type signal conductors 238 and the second type signal conductors 240 may also be arranged in groups 280', as shown in fig. 5. The set 280 'may include one or more pairs of first type signal conductors 238 as the set 280, wherein each pair may be configured to transmit a pair of differential signals, and the set 280' may include first type signal conductors 238 for transmitting sideband signals, such as the right-most two first types of signal conductors in fig. 5. The first type of signal conductors 238 for transmitting sideband signals can be designed and configured in the same manner as the first type of signal conductors 238 for transmitting differential signals.

Unlike the signal conductors 238, 240 in the set 280, the first type of signal conductor 238 in the set 280' when configured as a signal conductor for transmitting differential signals, the intermediate portion 260 of the signal conductor 238 may be previously split into a first section and a second section in its length direction, e.g., the split location may be approximately at the area of the intermediate portion 260 of the signal conductor 238, and then the two free ends of the split first and second sections of the signal conductor 238 are connected by an AC capacitor 400, e.g., via a pad 410. Thus, when the cable 500 (as shown in fig. 6A and 6B) is connected to the mounting ends 256 of the signal conductors 238 and 240 of the set 280', since the AC capacitor 400 is already built in the connector 200, the differential signal can be transmitted to the downstream electronic components connected to the cable 500 without additionally providing an AC capacitor in the PCB, which increases the signal transmission speed, ensures the occurrence of adverse phenomena of resonance or current crosstalk, reduces the amount of AC capacitor in the PCB, and can further reduce the size of the PCB or leave space for accommodating more other electronic components on the PCB.

As shown in fig. 5, in another set 280', in addition to the first type of signal conductors 238 for transmitting differential signals, a first type of signal conductors 238 for transmitting sideband signals (e.g., the right-most second first type of signal conductors 238) are provided. An RC microcircuit block 420 may be provided between the first type of signal conductor 238 and the first type of signal conductor 240 (e.g., adjacent first type of signal conductor 240 in the illustrated embodiment) for transmitting sideband signals to connect the two to each other approximately at the area where the intermediate portion 260 is located. For example, the micro RC circuit block 420 may include a resistor 421 and an AC capacitor 422 in series with each other.

In one or more rows of signal conductors 238, 240 of connector 200, a different number of sets 280 and/or 280' may be provided as desired. Meanwhile, each group 280' may be provided with only the first type of signal conductor 238 and the second type of signal conductor 240 for transmitting differential signals configuring the embedded AC capacitor 400, or may be provided with only the first type of signal conductor 238 and the second type of signal conductor 240 for transmitting sideband signals configuring the embedded RC microcircuit 420, or may be provided with both the first type of signal conductor 238 and the second type of signal conductor 238 configuring the embedded AC capacitor 400 for transmitting differential signals, and the first type of signal conductor 238 and the second type of signal conductor 240 configuring the embedded RC microcircuit 420.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 5, AC capacitor 400 and RC microcircuit 420 are located on first surface 265 of intermediate portion 260 of signal conductors 238, 240, respectively. In an alternative embodiment, the AC capacitor 400 and the RC microcircuit 420 may also be located on the second face 267 of the intermediate portion 260 of the signal conductors 238, 240. In another alternative embodiment, the AC capacitor 400 and the RC microcircuit 420 may also be located on opposite surfaces of the intermediate portion 260 of the signal conductors 238, 240, respectively.

In fig. 2D, two rows of signal conductors 238, 240 are shown held by two subassembly housings 302, with one row of signal conductors 238, 240 of one subassembly 302 being provided with a set 280', and the other row of signal conductors 238, 240 of the other subassembly being devoid of the set 280. The subassembly housing 302 shown in fig. 3A and 3B corresponds to subassembly housing 302 having signal conductors 238, 240 containing a set 280'.

As shown in fig. 3A and 3B, the subassembly housing 302 includes a plurality of package regions 600 distributed in the longitudinal direction. The signal conductors 238, 240 located in each package region 600 may be considered to form a respective group 280'. An insulating potting material is provided in each potting region 600 to ensure that the outer surface of the subassembly housing 302 is flush with or slightly below the outer surface of the potting region 600 so as not to interfere with the mating installation of the subassembly 300 or its housing 302 with the signal conductors 238, 240 in the housing 202. Because the AC capacitor 400 and the RC microcircuit 420 have been embedded on the respective signal conductors 238, 240 and packaged with the subassembly housing 302, the positional relationship between the subassembly housing 302 or its components of the set 280 including only the signal conductors 238, 240 with respect to the other components of the connector 200 described with reference to fig. 4B-4E still applies to the positional relationship between the components of the subassembly housing 302 including the set 280' of signal conductors 238, 240 with respect to the other components of the connector 200.

As follows, an example of a method of manufacturing the set 280' of signal conductors 238, 240 according to the present disclosure will be schematically explained with reference to fig. 7A to 7F.

In fig. 7A, the signal conductors 238, 240 are first formed by stamping a sheet of metal, the signal conductors 238, 240 being arranged as desired in a group 280' and connected at opposite ends by strips 710, 720 of the same sheet of metal but in weakened connection with the signal conductors 238, 240. These strips 712, 720 may, for example, serve to temporarily secure the signal conductors 238, 240 and may be easily separated by a slight bend after the manufacture of the subassembly 300 is completed. As shown, the subassembly housing 302 is partially overmolded at the generally intermediate portions 260 of the signal conductors 238, 240 using a suitable mold while leaving slots 601 corresponding to each of the package regions 600.

In fig. 7B, such a notch 601 of the formed subassembly housing 302 is shown. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the notch 601 is formed through the subassembly housing 302 in the thickness direction, with opposing surfaces of the first type of signal conductors 238 for transmitting differential signals and/or the first type of signal conductors 238 for transmitting sideband signals being within the notch 601.

To separate the first type of signal conductors 238 for transmitting differential signals into first and second sections, respectively, a hard block may be disposed on one surface of the corresponding signal conductor 238 within the notch 601 and then die cut from the opposite other surface of the signal conductor 238 to form the cutout 602 as shown in fig. 7C. For example, the gap distance of the notch 602 may be about 0.25 millimeters, measured in the longitudinal direction of the signal conductor 238. In embodiments according to the present disclosure, the gap distance of the cutout 602 may depend on the size of the AC capacitor (e.g., the distance between the poles of the AC capacitor). The hard mass is removed after the cut 602 is made.

In an alternative embodiment, the first type of signal conductors 238 for transmitting differential signals may be previously die cut with similar cuts 602 prior to overmolding the subassembly housing 302. In this case, the respective die-cut signal conductors 238 in the rows of signal conductors 238, 240 will be temporarily held stationary by the strips 710, 720. In this case, the notch 601 need not be formed through the subassembly housing 302 in the thickness direction, but need only be able to expose the plane of the signal conductors 238, 240 for subsequent soldering of the AC capacitor or RC microcircuit block 420.

As shown in fig. 7D, pads 410 are routed at the two free ends of the first and second sections, respectively, of the first type of signal conductor 238 for transmitting differential signals and pads 410 are routed between the first type of signal conductor 238 and the adjacent second type of signal conductor 240 for transmitting sideband signals.

Next, as shown in fig. 7E, AC capacitors 400 are respectively laid out at pads 410 of the first type of signal conductors 238 for transmitting differential signals and RC microcircuit blocks 420 with resistances 421 and AC capacitors 422 connected in series are laid out at the first type of signal conductors 238 and adjacent second type of signal conductors 240 for transmitting sideband signals, and the AC capacitors 400 and the RC microcircuit blocks 420 are soldered by a reflow soldering process.

Finally, as shown in fig. 7E, the sides (e.g., both sides) of the cutout 602 are filled, cured and encapsulated with an insulating encapsulation material, such as UV glue, such that the outer surface of the encapsulation area 600 is flush or slightly below the surrounding surface of the subassembly housing 302. In this way, the signal conductors 238, 240 in the set 280' may be directly connected to the cable 500 by laser welding, saving routing space and simplifying routing difficulty of the respective PCBs while ensuring that resonance or current cross-talk effects in the circuit are avoided.

Using INTEL PASSIVE Component Checker software, signal integrity simulation tests were performed on the connector 200 as shown, and on the prior art connector of the same specification, resulting in frequency-attenuation curves for differential insertion loss, differential return loss-cable side, and differential return loss-card side as shown in fig. 8A-8C, with curve 1 representing the frequency-attenuation curve for a cable-direct connector according to the prior art, curve 2 representing the frequency-attenuation curve for a subassembly of a cable-direct connector for transmitting differential signals embedded with AC capacitors according to the present disclosure, curve 3 representing the frequency-attenuation curve for a subassembly of a cable-direct connector for transmitting differential signals without embedded AC capacitors according to the present operating conditions, and curve 4 representing the frequency-attenuation curve recommended according to the PCIe standard. It can be seen by comparison that the frequency-attenuation characteristics of the AC capacitor embedded subassembly of the cable direct-connect connector of the present disclosure are better than the prior art cable direct-connect connector or subassemblies without embedded AC capacitors, particularly in the higher frequency range (e.g., frequency range exceeding 16 GHz), more closely approaching the frequency-attenuation characteristics recommended according to the PCIe standard.

Fig. 9 schematically shows a flowchart of an example of an assembly method of the connector 200. First, in step S10, the housing 202 of the connector 200 is provided. In step S20, the power supply conductors 236 (first type power supply conductors 236A and second type power supply conductors 236B) are assembled into the first portion 204 of the housing 202. In step S30, two rows of retention signal conductors 238, 240, which may contain one or more sets 280, 280', are assembled into the second portion 206 of the housing 202, respectively. In step S40, the lossy member 228, the base member 222, respectively, are assembled into the housing 202. Finally, in step S50, the plate lock 226 is inserted into the housing 202 and fixed in place, thereby achieving the overall assembly of the connector 200.

In some embodiments, the housing component, such as housing 202, and bottom member 228 may be dielectric members molded from a dielectric material, such as plastic or nylon. Examples of suitable materials include, but are not limited to, liquid Crystal Polymers (LCP), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), high temperature nylon or polyphenylene oxide (PPO), or polypropylene (PP). Other suitable materials may also be employed, as aspects of the present disclosure are not limited in this regard.

In some embodiments, the conductive elements such as the power conductors 236 and the signal conductors 238, 240 may be made of metal or any other material that is electrically conductive and provides suitable mechanical properties to the conductive elements in the electrical connector. Phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, and other copper alloys are non-limiting examples of materials that may be used. The conductive elements may be formed from these materials in any suitable manner, including by stamping and/or forming.

In some embodiments, a lossy member, such as lossy member 228, may be made of a material that will interact with the material to dissipate a sufficient portion of electromagnetic energy that significantly affects connector performance. The important effects are caused by attenuation in the frequency range of interest to the connector. In some configurations, the lossy material may suppress resonance within the ground structure of the connector, and the frequency range of interest may include the natural frequency of the resonant structure without the lossy material in place. In other configurations, the frequency range of interest may be all or part of the operating frequency range of the connector.

To test whether a material is lossy, the material may be tested in a frequency range that can be less than or different from the frequency range that is of interest to the connector in which the material is used. For example, the test frequency may range from 10GHz to 25GHz or from 1GHz to 5GHz. Alternatively, the lossy material may be identified from measurements made at a single frequency, such as 10GHz or 15 GHz.

The losses may be caused by interactions of the electric field component of the electromagnetic energy with the material, in which case the material may be referred to as electrically lossy. Alternatively or additionally, the loss may be caused by an interaction of a magnetic field component of electromagnetic energy with a material, in which case the material may be referred to as magnetically lossy.

The electrically lossy material can be formed from lossy dielectric material and/or poorly conductive material. The electrically lossy material can be formed from materials conventionally considered dielectric materials, such as those having an electrical loss tangent (electric loss tangent) greater than about 0.01, greater than 0.05, or between 0.01 and 0.2 over the frequency range of interest. The "electrical loss tangent" is the ratio of the imaginary part to the real part of the complex dielectric constant of a material.

Electrically lossy materials can also be formed from materials that are generally considered conductors, but are relatively poor conductors in the frequency range of interest. These materials may be conductive in the frequency range of interest, but with some loss, such that the material is less conductive than the conductors of the electrical connector, but better than the insulator used in the connector. Such materials may comprise conductive particles or regions that are sufficiently dispersed such that they do not provide high conductivity, or that are otherwise prepared to have such properties: this property results in a relatively weak bulk conductivity compared to good conductors such as pure copper in the frequency range of interest. For example, die cast metal or poorly conductive metal alloys may provide adequate loss in certain configurations.

Electrically lossy materials of this type typically have a bulk conductivity of about 1 Siemens/meter (siemens/meter) to about 100,000 Siemens/meter, or about 1 Siemens/meter to about 30,000 Siemens/meter, or 1 Siemens/meter to about 10,000 Siemens/meter. In some embodiments, materials having bulk conductivities between about 1 siemens/meter and about 500 siemens/meter may be used. As a specific example, a material having a conductivity between about 50 siemens/meter and 300 siemens/meter may be used. However, it should be appreciated that the conductivity of the material may be selected empirically or through electrical simulation using known simulation tools to determine the conductivity that provides the appropriate Signal Integrity (SI) characteristics in the connector. For example, the SI characteristic measured or simulated may be low crosstalk combined with low signal path attenuation or insertion loss, or low insertion loss bias as a function of frequency.

It should also be appreciated that the lossy member need not have uniform properties throughout its volume. For example, the lossy member may have, for example, an insulating skin or a conductive core. A component may be identified as lossy if its properties are, on average, sufficient to attenuate electromagnetic energy in the region of interaction with the electromagnetic energy.

In some embodiments, the lossy material is formed by adding a filler comprising particles to the binder. In such embodiments, the lossy member may be formed by molding or otherwise shaping the binder with filler into a desired form. The lossy material may be molded over and/or through openings in the conductors, which may be ground conductors or shields of the connector. Molding the lossy material over or through the openings in the conductor may ensure intimate contact between the lossy material and the conductor, which may reduce the likelihood that the conductor will support resonance at frequencies of interest. Such intimate contact may, but need not, result in ohmic contact between the lossy material and the conductor.

Alternatively or additionally, the lossy material may be molded over or injected into the insulating material, for example in a two shot molding operation, or vice versa. The lossy material may be positioned against or sufficiently close to the ground conductor to provide significant coupling with the ground conductor. Close contact does not require electrical coupling between the lossy material and the conductor, as sufficient electrical coupling, such as capacitive coupling, between the lossy member and the conductor can produce the desired result. For example, in some cases, a coupling of 100pF between the lossy member and the ground conductor may have a significant effect on suppressing resonance in the ground conductor. In other examples employing frequencies in the range of about 10GHz or greater, the reduction in electromagnetic energy in the conductor may be provided by a sufficient capacitive coupling between the lossy material and the conductor having a mutual capacitance of at least about 0.005pF, such as a mutual capacitance in the range of about 0.01pF to about 100pF, about 0.01pF to about 10pF, or about 0.01pF to about 1 pF. To determine whether the lossy material is coupled to the conductor, the coupling may be measured at a test frequency such as 15GHz or in a test range such as 10GHz to 25 GHz.

To form the electrically lossy material, the filler can be conductive particles. Examples of conductive particles that may be used as fillers to form electrically lossy materials include carbon or graphite formed as fibers, flakes, nanoparticles, or other types of particles. Various forms of fibers may be used, either in woven or nonwoven form, coated or uncoated. Nonwoven carbon fibers are one suitable material. Metals in the form of powders, flakes, fibers or other particles may also be used to provide suitable electrical loss characteristics. Alternatively, combinations of fillers may be used. For example, metal plated carbon particles may be used. Silver and nickel are suitable metal coatings for the fibers. The coated particles may be used alone or in combination with other fillers such as carbon flakes.

Preferably, the filler will be present in a volume percentage sufficient to allow formation of a conductive path from particle to particle. For example, when metal fibers are used, the fibers may be present at about 3% to 30% by volume. The amount of filler can affect the conductive properties of the material and the volume percent of filler can be low in this range to provide adequate loss.

The binder or matrix may be any material that will solidify to position the filler, cure to position the filler, or can be otherwise used to position the filler. In some embodiments, the bonding agent may be a thermoplastic material conventionally used in the manufacture of electrical connectors to facilitate molding the electrically lossy material into a desired shape and into a desired location as part of the manufacture of the electrical connector. Examples of such materials include Liquid Crystal Polymers (LCP) and nylon. However, many alternative forms of binder materials may be used. Curable materials such as epoxy resins may be used as the binder. Alternatively, a material such as a thermosetting resin or an adhesive may be used.

While the binder materials described above may be used to form electrically lossy materials by forming a binder around the conductive particulate filler, other binders or other ways of forming lossy materials may be used. In some examples, the conductive particles may be impregnated into the formed matrix material or may be coated onto the formed matrix material, such as by applying a conductive coating to a plastic or metal part. As used herein, the term "binder" includes materials that encapsulate, impregnate, or otherwise act as a substrate to hold a filler.

For example, the magnetically lossy material may be formed from materials conventionally considered ferromagnetic materials, such as those having a magnetic loss tangent (magnetic loss tangent) greater than about 0.05 over the frequency range of interest. The "magnetic loss tangent" is the ratio of the imaginary part to the real part of the complex dielectric constant of a material. Materials with higher loss tangent values may also be used.

In some embodiments, the magnetically lossy material may be formed from a binder or matrix material filled with particles that provide magnetically lossy properties to the layer. The magnetically lossy particles can be in any convenient form, such as flakes or fibers. Ferrite is a common magnetically lossy material. Materials such as magnesium ferrite, nickel ferrite, lithium ferrite, yttrium garnet, or aluminum garnet may be used. In the frequency range of interest, ferrites generally have a magnetic loss tangent of greater than 0.1. Presently preferred ferrite materials have a loss tangent between about 0.1 and 1.0 in the frequency range of 1GHz to 3GHz, and more preferably have a magnetic loss tangent above 0.5 in this frequency range.

The actual magnetically lossy material or mixtures containing magnetically lossy material may also exhibit dielectric or conductive loss effects of useful magnitude over portions of the frequency range of interest. Similar to the manner in which the electrically lossy material can be formed as described above, suitable materials can be formed by adding a filler to the binder that produces magnetic losses.

The material may be both a lossy dielectric or a lossy conductor and a magnetically lossy material. Such materials may be formed, for example, by using partially conductive magnetically lossy fillers or by using a combination of magnetically lossy fillers and electrically lossy fillers.

The lossy portion can also be formed in a variety of ways. In some examples, the binder material and filler may be molded into a desired shape and then secured to the shape. In other examples, the binder material may be formed into a sheet or other shape from which lossy members having a desired shape may be cut. In some embodiments, the lossy portion may be formed by interleaving layers of lossy and conductive materials, such as metal foil. The layers may be firmly attached to each other, such as by using epoxy or other adhesive, or may be held together in any other suitable manner. The layers may have a desired shape before they can be secured to each other, or may be stamped or otherwise formed after they are held together. As a further alternative, the lossy portion may be formed by plating a plastic or other insulating material with a lossy coating, such as a diffusion metal coating.

While specific details of a particular configuration of the conductive elements and housing are described above, it should be understood that such details are provided for illustrative purposes only, as the concepts disclosed herein can be otherwise implemented. In this regard, the various connector designs described herein may be used in any suitable combination, as aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the particular combinations shown in the drawings.

Having thus described a number of embodiments, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

For example, the techniques described herein may be implemented in a card edge connector or a connector configured only for high-speed signals.

As another example, the high speed signal conductors and the low speed signal conductors may be configured identically, with the signal conductors of the same row having the same shape. The high speed signal conductors and the low speed signal conductors may differ depending on the ground structure and the insulating portion surrounding them. Alternatively, some or all of the high speed signal conductors may be configured differently than the low speed signal conductors, even in the same row. For example, the edge-to-edge spacing of the high speed signal conductors may be closer.

The connector is shown with mating and mounting positions compatible with the PCIe standard. The techniques as described herein may be used to increase the speed of operation of connectors designed according to other standards.

As another example, an exemplary connector is shown in which an entire row of signal conductors is formed as a subassembly. Other examples may have multiple subassemblies in each row.

Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the utility model. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.

Furthermore, while the techniques for improving the speed of operation of a connector are shown and described with reference to having a card edge connector, even when limited by the dimensions specified in industry standards, it is to be understood that aspects of the present disclosure are not limited in this regard as any of the inventive concepts, alone or in combination with one or more other inventive concepts, may be used with other types of electrical connectors, such as receptacle connectors, backplane connectors, right angle connectors, stacked connectors, mezzanine connectors, I/O connectors, chip sockets, and the like.

In some embodiments, the mounting end is shown as a press fit "eye of the needle" that is designed to be inserted into a printed circuit board. Other configurations such as surface mount contacts, spring contacts, solderable pins, etc. may be used.

All definitions defined and used should be understood to supersede dictionary definitions of defined terms, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or general meanings.

Values and ranges may be described in the specification and claims as approximate or exact values or ranges. For example, in some instances, the terms "about," "approximately," and "substantially" may be used to refer to a value. Such references are intended to include both the recited values and the addition and subtraction of reasonable variations from the values.

In the claims and in the foregoing description, all transitional phrases such as "comprising," "including," "carrying," "having," "containing," "involving," "containing," "consisting of … …," and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases "consisting of … …" and "consisting essentially of … …" should be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

The use of ordinal terms such as "first," "second," "third," and the like in the claims to modify a component element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one component element or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed prior to another component element, but are used merely as labels to distinguish one component element having a certain name from another component element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the component elements.

Although specific embodiments of the application have been described in detail herein, they are presented for purposes of illustration only and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the application. Furthermore, it should be clear to a person skilled in the art that the embodiments described in the present specification can be used in combination with each other. Various substitutions, alterations, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the application.

Claims

1. A subassembly for assembly in an electrical connector, comprising:

A subassembly housing; and

2. The subassembly of claim 1, wherein a distance separating the first section from the second section is primarily dependent on a size of an alternating current capacitor.

3. The subassembly of claim 2, wherein the subassembly housing includes an encapsulation area including a slot formed in the subassembly housing, the ac capacitor is located within the slot, and the insulating encapsulation material fills the slot.

4. A sub-assembly according to claim 3, wherein the slot is formed through the sub-assembly housing or not.

5. The subassembly of claim 4, wherein the ac capacitor is welded between the first section and the second section.

6. The subassembly of claim 5, wherein the conductor row further comprises at least one pair of second-type conductors, two of the at least one pair of second-type conductors being located on either side of a pair of first-type conductors in a longitudinal direction of the electrical connector, respectively, and configured to provide a signal reference or return path for the pair of first-type conductors.

7. The subassembly of claim 6, wherein the conductor row further comprises a third type of conductor for transmitting sideband signals, the third type of conductor being connected to an adjacent one of the second type of conductors via an RC microcircuit block embedded in the subassembly housing, the RC microcircuit block comprising a resistor and an ac capacitor in series with each other.

8. The subassembly of claim 7, wherein the subassembly housing includes an encapsulation region including a notch formed in the subassembly housing, the RC microcircuit block being located within the notch, and an insulating encapsulation material filling the notch.

9. The subassembly of claim 8, wherein the slot for receiving an RC microcircuit block is formed through the subassembly housing or not.

10. The subassembly of claim 9, wherein the RC microcircuit blocks are soldered between the respective second type of conductors and the third type of conductors.

11. The subassembly of claim 10, wherein the intermediate portion of each of the first, second, and third types of conductors includes first and second surfaces on opposite sides, the ac capacitor of the first type of conductor being located on only one of the first and second surfaces.

12. The subassembly of claim 10, wherein the intermediate portion of each of the first, second, and third types of conductors includes first and second surfaces on opposite sides, a pair of alternating current capacitors of a pair of the first type of conductors being located on the first and second surfaces, respectively; or one pair of alternating current capacitors in the two pairs of conductors of the first type is located on the first surface and the other pair of alternating current capacitors is located on the second surface; or the RC microcircuit blocks between the second type of conductor and the third type of conductor are located on the same or different surfaces than the ac capacitors of the first type of conductor.

13. The subassembly of claim 11, wherein for each of the first type of conductor, the second type of conductor, and the third type of conductor:

the mounting end includes third and fourth surfaces on opposite sides;

14. The subassembly of claim 13, wherein the mating end of each of the first, second, and third types of conductors includes a curved mating contact having a width measured in a longitudinal direction of the electrical connector, and the middle portion of the same conductor has a width measured in the longitudinal direction that is greater than the width of the mating contact.

15. The subassembly of claim 14, wherein the intermediate portion of each first or third type of conductor includes a surface that is sloped toward an adjacent second type of conductor, and the intermediate portion of each first or third type of conductor includes a portion that is curved toward the adjacent second type of conductor.

16. The subassembly of claim 15, wherein the mounting end of the conductor is configured to connect with a cable.

17. The subassembly of claim 16, wherein the first section is spaced from the second section by a distance of 0.25 millimeters.

18. A subassembly for assembly in an electrical connector, comprising:

A subassembly housing; and

19. The subassembly of claim 18, wherein the subassembly housing includes an encapsulation region including a notch formed therein, the RC microcircuit block being located within the notch, and an insulating encapsulation material filling the notch.

20. The subassembly of claim 19, wherein the slot for receiving an RC microcircuit block is formed through the subassembly housing or not.

21. The subassembly of claim 20, wherein the RC microcircuit blocks are soldered between the respective second type of conductors and the third type of conductors.

22. The subassembly of claim 21, wherein the intermediate portion of each of the first, second, and third types of conductors includes first and second surfaces on opposite sides, the RC microcircuit block being located on only one of the first and second surfaces.

23. The subassembly of claim 22, wherein for each of the first type of conductor, the second type of conductor, and the third type of conductor:

the mounting end includes third and fourth surfaces on opposite sides;

24. The subassembly of claim 23, wherein the mating end of each of the first, second, and third types of conductors includes a curved mating contact having a width measured in a longitudinal direction of the electrical connector, and the middle portion of the same conductor has a width measured in the longitudinal direction that is greater than the width of the mating contact.

25. The subassembly of claim 24, wherein the intermediate portion of each first or third type of conductor includes a surface that is sloped toward an adjacent second type of conductor, and the intermediate portion of each first or third type of conductor includes a portion that is curved toward the adjacent second type of conductor.

26. The subassembly of claim 25, wherein the mounting end of the conductor is configured to connect with a cable.

27. An electrical connector, comprising:

28. The electrical connector of claim 27, wherein the distance separating the first section from the second section is primarily dependent on the size of the ac capacitor.

29. The electrical connector of claim 28, wherein the ac capacitor is welded between the first section and the second section.

30. The electrical connector of claim 29, wherein the plurality of second conductors further comprises at least one pair of second conductors of a second type, two second conductors of the at least one pair of second conductors of a second type being located on either side of a pair of second conductors of a first type in a longitudinal direction of the electrical connector, respectively, and configured to provide a signal reference or return path for the pair of second conductors of the first type.

31. The electrical connector of claim 30, wherein the plurality of second conductors further comprises a third type of second conductor for transmitting sideband signals, the third type of second conductor being connected to an adjacent one of the second type of second conductors via an RC microcircuit block comprising a resistor and an alternating current capacitor in series with each other.

32. The electrical connector of claim 31, wherein the RC microcircuit blocks are soldered between the respective second type of second conductors and third type of second conductors.

33. The electrical connector of claim 32, wherein the intermediate portion of each of the first type of second conductor, the second type of second conductor, and the third type of second conductor includes first and second surfaces on opposite sides, the ac capacitor of the first type of second conductor being located on only one of the first and second surfaces.

34. The electrical connector of claim 32, wherein the intermediate portion of each of the first type of second conductor, the second type of second conductor, and the third type of second conductor includes first and second surfaces on opposite sides, a pair of alternating current capacitors in a pair of the first type of second conductors being located on the first and second surfaces, respectively; or one pair of alternating current capacitors in the two pairs of second conductors of the first type is located on the first surface and the other pair of alternating current capacitors is located on the second surface; or the RC microcircuit block between the second conductor of the second type and the second conductor of the third type is located on the same or a different surface than the ac capacitor of the second conductor of the first type.

35. The electrical connector of claim 33, wherein for each of the first type of second conductor, the second type of second conductor, and the third type of second conductor:

the mounting end includes third and fourth surfaces on opposite sides;

36. The electrical connector of claim 35, wherein the intermediate portion of each first or third type of second conductor includes a surface that is inclined toward an adjacent second type of second conductor, and wherein the intermediate portion of each first or third type of second conductor includes a portion that is curved toward an adjacent second type of second conductor.

37. The electrical connector of claim 36, wherein the electrical connector comprises a subassembly comprising a subassembly housing, the plurality of second conductors being held in a row by the subassembly housing along a longitudinal direction of the electrical connector.

38. The electrical connector of claim 37, wherein an alternating current capacitor connecting the first section to the second section is embedded in the subassembly housing.

39. The electrical connector of claim 38, wherein the subassembly housing includes an encapsulation area including a slot formed in the subassembly housing, the ac capacitor is located within the slot, and the insulating encapsulation material fills the slot.

40. The electrical connector of claim 39, wherein the slot is formed through the subassembly housing or is formed without passing through the subassembly housing.

41. The electrical connector of claim 40, wherein an RC microcircuit block connecting second conductors of a third type and second type is embedded in the subassembly housing.

42. The electrical connector of claim 41, wherein the subassembly housing includes an encapsulation area including a notch formed in the subassembly housing, the RC microcircuit block being located within the notch, and an insulating encapsulation material filling the notch.

43. The electrical connector of claim 42, wherein the slot for receiving the RC microcircuit block is formed through the subassembly housing or not.

44. The electrical connector of claim 43, wherein the mating contact portions of the first plurality of conductors have a first width in a longitudinal direction of the electrical connector, the mating contact portions of the second plurality of conductors have a second width in the longitudinal direction, and the first width is greater than the second width.

45. The electrical connector of claim 44, wherein the intermediate portions of the plurality of first conductors have a third width in the longitudinal direction, and the third width is equal to the first width.

46. The electrical connector of claim 45, wherein intermediate portions of the plurality of second conductors have a fourth width in the longitudinal direction, and the fourth width is greater than the second width.

47. The electrical connector of claim 46, wherein,

The first portion of the housing includes a plurality of first channels each configured to hold one of the plurality of first conductors and a plurality of first partitions at least partially separating the plurality of first channels;

Each of the plurality of first partitions includes one or more slots;

The wider portion extends into the slots of the first plurality of partitions.

48. The electrical connector of claim 47, wherein the second portion of the housing comprises a plurality of second channels and a plurality of second dividers, each of the plurality of second channels configured to hold one of the plurality of second conductors, the plurality of second dividers at least partially separating the plurality of second channels; and

49. The electrical connector of claim 48, wherein:

The plurality of first conductors includes a plurality of first type first conductors and a plurality of second type first conductors;

50. The electrical connector of claim 49, wherein:

The mating ends of the plurality of first conductors are aligned along a first line parallel to the longitudinal direction;

51. The electrical connector of claim 50, wherein:

the mating end of each of the plurality of first conductors includes a header portion disposed on a shelf of the first portion of the housing.

52. The electrical connector of claim 50, wherein:

The mating end of each of the plurality of first conductors includes a header portion disposed on a shelf of the second portion of the housing; and

53. The electrical connector of claim 52, wherein the terminal portion of each of the plurality of first conductors is narrower than the corresponding mating contact.

54. The electrical connector of claim 53, wherein the intermediate portion of each of the plurality of second conductors of the second type includes a protrusion that protrudes toward the second slot.

55. The electrical connector of claim 54, wherein the first section is spaced apart from the second section by a distance of 0.25 millimeters.

56. An electrical connector, comprising:

The plurality of second conductors is configured for mounting a cable,

57. The electrical connector of claim 56, wherein the distance separating the first section from the second section is primarily dependent on the size of the ac capacitor.

58. The electrical connector of claim 57, wherein the ac capacitor is welded between the first section and the second section.

59. The electrical connector of claim 58, wherein the plurality of second conductors further comprises at least one pair of second conductors of a second type, two of the pair of second conductors of a second type being located on either side of the pair of second conductors of a first type in a longitudinal direction of the electrical connector, respectively, and configured to provide a signal reference or return path for the pair of second conductors of a first type.

60. The electrical connector of claim 59, wherein the plurality of second conductors further comprises a third type of second conductor for transmitting sideband signals, the third type of second conductor being connected to an adjacent one of the second type of second conductors via an RC microcircuit block comprising a resistor and an alternating current capacitor in series with one another.

61. The electrical connector of claim 60, wherein the RC microcircuit blocks are soldered between the respective second type of second conductors and the third type of second conductors.

62. The electrical connector of claim 61, wherein the electrical connector comprises a subassembly comprising a subassembly housing, the plurality of second conductors being held in a row by the subassembly housing along a longitudinal direction of the electrical connector.

63. The electrical connector of claim 62, wherein an ac capacitor connecting the first section to the second section is embedded in the subassembly housing.

64. The electrical connector of claim 63, wherein the subassembly housing includes an encapsulation area including a slot formed in the subassembly housing, the ac capacitor being located within the slot, and an insulating encapsulation material filling the slot.

65. The electrical connector of claim 64, wherein the slot is formed through the subassembly housing or is formed without passing through the subassembly housing.

66. The electrical connector of claim 65, wherein an RC microcircuit block connecting second conductors of a third type and second type is embedded in the subassembly housing.

67. The electrical connector of claim 66, wherein the subassembly housing includes an encapsulation area including a notch formed in the subassembly housing, the RC microcircuit block being located within the notch, and an insulating encapsulation material filling the notch.

68. The electrical connector of claim 67, wherein the slot for receiving the RC microcircuit block is formed through the subassembly housing or not.

69. The electrical connector as recited in claim 68, wherein the subassembly housing comprises a plurality of projections disposed in mating openings of the second portion of the housing, a middle portion of each of the plurality of second type second conductors comprises a projection that projects toward the second slot, and the subassembly housing comprises a plurality of openings disposed corresponding to the projections of the plurality of second type second conductors.

70. The electrical connector of claim 69, wherein the bottom member comprises a body, a plurality of posts extending from the body toward the second portion of the housing, and a plurality of protrusions extending from the posts toward the mounting ends of the plurality of second conductors.

71. The electrical connector of claim 70, wherein:

a portion of the plurality of protrusions includes a plurality of recesses;

72. The electrical connector of claim 71, wherein the housing further comprises a lossy member configured to electrically couple with the plurality of second-type second conductors.

73. The electrical connector of claim 72, wherein the lossy member comprises a body, a plurality of first struts extending from the body toward the second portion of the housing, and a plurality of second struts extending from the body away from the second portion of the housing and disposed between adjacent struts of the base member.

74. The electrical connector of claim 73, wherein the plurality of second legs of the lossy member comprise a plurality of recesses, and the transition regions of the plurality of second conductors are disposed in corresponding ones of the plurality of recesses of the plurality of second legs of the lossy member.

75. The electrical connector as recited in claim 74, wherein the plurality of first legs of the lossy member comprises a plurality of protrusions that protrude toward the plurality of second-type second conductors.

76. The electrical connector as recited in claim 75, wherein, for each of the plurality of second type second conductors:

77. The electrical connector of claim 76, wherein the lossy member comprises a plurality of first openings, the base member comprises a plurality of second openings stacked in the mating direction below corresponding ones of the plurality of first openings of the lossy member, and the second portion of the housing comprises a plurality of protrusions, each of the plurality of protrusions extending through a first opening of the lossy member and a second opening of the base member.

78. The electrical connector of claim 77, wherein the first section is spaced from the second section by a distance of 0.25 millimeters.

79. An electrical connector, comprising:

80. The electrical connector of claim 79, wherein the intermediate portion of each of the first type of second conductor, the second type of second conductor, and the third type of second conductor comprises a first surface and a second surface on opposite sides, the RC microcircuit block being located on only one of the first surface and the second surface.

81. The electrical connector of claim 80, wherein for each of the first type of second conductor, the second type of second conductor, and the third type of second conductor:

the mounting end includes third and fourth surfaces on opposite sides;

82. The electrical connector of claim 81, wherein the mating end of each of the first type of second conductor, the second type of second conductor, and the third type of second conductor comprises a curved mating contact portion, the mating contact portion having a width measured in a longitudinal direction of the electrical connector, and the middle portion of the same second conductor having a width measured in the longitudinal direction that is greater than the width of the mating contact portion.

83. The electrical connector of claim 82, wherein the intermediate portion of each of the first or third type of second conductors includes a surface that is sloped toward an adjacent second type of conductor, and wherein the intermediate portion of each of the first or third type of second conductors includes a portion that is curved toward the adjacent second type of second conductor.

84. The electrical connector as recited in claim 83, wherein the electrical connector comprises a subassembly that includes a subassembly housing through which the plurality of second conductors are held in rows at intervals along a longitudinal direction of the electrical connector via the intermediate portion.

85. The electrical connector of claim 83, wherein an RC microcircuit block is embedded in the subassembly housing.

86. The electrical connector of claim 85, wherein the subassembly housing includes an encapsulation area including a notch formed in the subassembly housing, the RC microcircuit block being located within the notch, and an insulating encapsulation material filling the notch.

87. The electrical connector of claim 86, wherein the slot for receiving the RC microcircuit block is formed through the subassembly housing or not.

88. The electrical connector of claim 87, wherein the RC microcircuit blocks are soldered between the respective second type of conductors and the third type of conductors.

89. The electrical connector as recited in claim 88, wherein the mating contacts of the plurality of first conductors have a first width in a longitudinal direction of the electrical connector, the mating contacts of the plurality of second conductors have a second width in the longitudinal direction, and the first width is greater than the second width.

90. The electrical connector as recited in claim 89, wherein the intermediate portions of the plurality of first conductors have a third width in the longitudinal direction, and the third width is equal to the first width.

91. The electrical connector of claim 90, wherein intermediate portions of the plurality of second conductors have a fourth width in the longitudinal direction, and the fourth width is greater than the second width.

92. The electrical connector of claim 91, wherein,

Each of the plurality of first partitions includes one or more slots;

The wider portion extends into the slots of the first plurality of partitions.

93. The electrical connector as recited in claim 92, wherein the second portion of the housing comprises a plurality of second channels and a plurality of second dividers, each of the plurality of second channels configured to hold one of the plurality of second conductors, the plurality of second dividers at least partially separating the plurality of second channels; and

94. The electrical connector as recited in claim 93, wherein:

95. The electrical connector of claim 94, wherein:

96. The electrical connector as recited in claim 95, wherein:

97. The electrical connector as recited in claim 96, wherein:

98. The electrical connector as recited in claim 97, wherein the tip portion of each of the plurality of first conductors is narrower than the corresponding mating contact portion.

99. The electrical connector of claim 98, wherein the intermediate portion of each of the plurality of second conductors of the second type comprises a protrusion protruding toward the second slot.

100. An electrical connector, comprising:

The plurality of second conductors is configured for mounting a cable,

101. The electrical connector of claim 100, wherein the intermediate portion of each of the first type of second conductor, the second type of second conductor, and the third type of second conductor comprises a first surface and a second surface on opposite sides, the RC microcircuit block being located on only one of the first surface and the second surface.

102. The electrical connector of claim 101, wherein for each of the first type of second conductor, the second type of second conductor, and the third type of second conductor:

the mounting end includes third and fourth surfaces on opposite sides;

103. The electrical connector as recited in claim 102, wherein the mating end of each of the first type of second conductor, the second type of second conductor, and the third type of second conductor comprises a curved mating contact portion, the mating contact portion having a width measured in a longitudinal direction of the electrical connector, and the middle portion of the same second conductor having a width measured in the longitudinal direction that is greater than the width of the mating contact portion.

104. The electrical connector as recited in claim 103, wherein the intermediate portion of each of the first or third type of second conductors comprises a surface that is angled toward an adjacent second type of conductor, and wherein the intermediate portion of each of the first or third type of second conductors comprises a portion that is curved toward the adjacent second type of second conductor.

105. The electrical connector as recited in claim 104, wherein the electrical connector comprises a subassembly that includes a subassembly housing through which the plurality of second conductors are held in rows at intervals along a longitudinal direction of the electrical connector via the intermediate portion.

106. The electrical connector of claim 105, wherein an RC microcircuit block is embedded in the subassembly housing.

107. The electrical connector as recited in claim 106, wherein the subassembly housing comprises an encapsulation region that includes a slot formed in the subassembly housing, the RC microcircuit block being located within the slot, and an insulating encapsulation material filling the slot.

108. The electrical connector as recited in claim 107, wherein the slot for receiving the RC microcircuit block is formed through the subassembly housing or is formed without the subassembly housing.

109. The electrical connector of claim 108, wherein the RC microcircuit blocks are soldered between the respective second type of conductors and the third type of conductors.

110. The electrical connector as recited in claim 109, wherein the bottom member comprises a body, a plurality of posts extending from the body toward the second portion of the housing, and a plurality of protrusions extending from the posts toward the mounting ends of the plurality of second conductors.

111. The electrical connector as recited in claim 110, wherein:

a portion of the plurality of protrusions includes a plurality of recesses;

112. The electrical connector of claim 111, wherein the housing further comprises a lossy member configured to electrically couple with the plurality of second-type second conductors.

113. The electrical connector as recited in claim 112, wherein the lossy member comprises a body, a plurality of first posts extending from the body toward the second portion of the housing, and a plurality of second posts extending from the body away from the second portion of the housing and disposed between adjacent posts of the bottom member.

114. The electrical connector as recited in claim 113, wherein the plurality of second legs of the lossy member comprises a plurality of recesses, and the transition regions of the plurality of second conductors are disposed in corresponding ones of the plurality of recesses of the plurality of second legs of the lossy member.

115. The electrical connector of claim 114, wherein the plurality of first legs of the lossy member comprise a plurality of protrusions protruding toward the plurality of second-type second conductors.

116. The electrical connector as recited in claim 115, wherein, for each of the plurality of second type second conductors:

117. The electrical connector as recited in claim 115, wherein the lossy member comprises a plurality of first openings, the base member comprises a plurality of second openings that are stacked in the mating direction below corresponding ones of the plurality of first openings of the lossy member, and the second portion of the housing comprises a plurality of protrusions that each extend through the first openings of the lossy member and the second openings of the base member.

118. An electronic system, comprising:

a printed circuit board;

an electrical connector as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 117; and