A reference conductor for improving signal integrity in electrical connectors

Claim 2

A reference conductor in the form of a conductive plate (10) for improving signal integrity in electrical connectors (36) having rows of signal conductors (78) and adapted to be mated to another connector (92), characterized by; a web (18) for being positioned between adjacent rows of signal conductors (78) and having a width and length sufficient to provide a shield between at least a plurality of said signal conductors (78) in said adjacent rows; and side portions (14), attached to respective sides of said web (18) and adapted for extending beyond the ends of the rows of signal conductors (78), said side portions (14) further being adapted for electrically engaging said web (18) to reference circuits on a substrate (76) which may be attached to the connector (36).

Claim 3

The reference conductor of claim 1 characterized in that said side portions (14) are bent at about ninety degrees relative to said web (18).

Claim 4

The reference conductor of claim 2 further characterized by including an outwardly extending post (26) on one side portion (14) for being inserted into a hole (86) in a substrate (76) and being electrically engaged to a reference circuit thereon.

Claim 5

The reference conductor of claim 3 further characterized by including electrically engaging means (22) on at least one side portion (14) for electrically engaging reference contacts on the mating connector (92).

Claim 6

An electrical connector system (104) characterized by; a first connector (36) having a front face (54), a rear face (56) and an array of slots (58) formed therein extending in respective surfaces orientated to pass between the front and rear faces (54,56); an array of first signal contacts (78) mounted in the first connector (36) and electrically accessible from the front face (54); an array of second contacts (10) mounted in the slots (58) of the first connector (36), each of said second contacts (10) comprising a respective plate (10) disposed between adjacent ones of the first contacts (78); a second connector (92); an array of third contacts (96) mounted in the second connector (92) and positioned to electrically interconnect with respective ones of the first contacts (78) when the connectors (36,92) are mated; and an array of fourth contacts (98) mounted in the second connector (92) and positioned to electrically interconnect with respective ones of the second contacts (10) when the connectors (36,92) are mated, said fourth contacts (98) comprise a pair of opposed beams (102) configured to grip the respective plate (10) therebetween.

Claim 7

An electrical connector system (104) characterized by; a first connector (36) having a front face (54), a rear face (56) and an array of slots (58) formed therein extending in respective surfaces orientated to pass between the front and rear faces (54,56); an array of first signal contacts (78) mounted in the first connector (36) and electrically accessible from the front face (54); an array of second contacts (10) mounted in the slots (58) of the first connector (36), each of said second contacts (10) comprising a respective plate (10) disposed between adjacent ones of the first contacts (78); a second connector (92); an array of third contacts (96) mounted in the second connector (92) and positioned to electrically interconnect with respective ones of the first contacts (78) when the connectors (36,92) are mated; and an array of fourth contacts (98) mounted in the second connector (92) and positioned to electrically interconnect with respective ones of the second contacts (10) when the connectors (36,92) are mated, said fourth contacts (98) comprise a pair of opposed beams (102) configured to grip the respective plate (10) therebetween.

Claim 8

The electrical connector system of claim 5 characterized in that each of the first contacts (78) comprises a receptacle (80) for receiving the respective third contact (96), and wherein each of the third contact (96) comprises a post (100).

Claim 9

The electrical connector system of claim 5 characterized in that each of the plates (10) is "c" shaped in cross section and defines a web section (18) and two opposed side portions (12,14), wherein the side portions (12,14) extend beyond the first connector (36).

Claim 10

An electrical connector system (132,92) characterized by: a first connector (132) comprised of a plurality of modules (105) secured together side to side, each module (105) having a line of cavities (52) located between respective ends of said module (105); an array of first signal contacts (78) mounted in said cavities (52) of each module (105); a plurality of second contacts (112), each mounted in a side (110) of each module (105), each second contact (112) comprising a plate (112) of conductive material which covers the side (110) of said module (105) and further extends beyond an edge thereof; a second connector (92); an array of third contacts (96) mounted in the second connector (92) and positioned to electrically interconnect with respective ones of the first contacts (78) when the connectors (132,92) are mated; and an array of fourth contacts (98) mounted in the second connector (92) and positioned to electrically interconnect with respective ones of the second contacts (112) when the connectors (132, 92) are mated.

Claim 11

An electrical connector system (132,92) characterized by: a first connector (132) comprised of a plurality of modules (105) secured together side to side, each module (105) having a line of cavities (52) located between respective ends of said module (105); an array of first signal contacts (78) mounted in said cavities (52) of each module (105); a plurality of second contacts (112), each mounted in a side (110) of each module (105), each second contact (112) comprising a plate (112) of conductive material which covers the side (110) of said module (105) and further extends beyond an edge thereof; a second connector (92); an array of third contacts (96) mounted in the second connector (92) and positioned to electrically interconnect with respective ones of the first contacts (78) when the connectors (132,92) are mated; and an array of fourth contacts (98) mounted in the second connector (92) and positioned to electrically interconnect with respective ones of the second contacts (112) when the connectors (132, 92) are mated.

Claim 12

A reference conductor for improving signal integrity in electrical connectors (36) having rows of signal conductors (78) by providing a low inductance signal return path, said reference conductor characterized by a conductive plate (10) having a web (18) for being positioned between adjacent rows of signal conductors (78) and a portion (14) attached to and extending along one side of said web (18) , said web (18) having a length and width sufficient to provide a substantial shield between the adjacent rows, said plate (10) further having first contact means (26) thereon for electrically engaging reference circuits on a substrate (76) which may be attached to the connector (36) and second contact means (22) for electrically engaging a conductive reference contact (98) in a mating electrical connector (92) and with said portion (14) carrying at least one of said first and second contact means (26,22) thereon.

Claim 13

A reference conductor for improving signal integrity in electrical connectors (36) having rows of signal conductors (78) by providing a low inductance signal return path, said reference conductor characterized by a conductive plate (10) having a web (18) for being positioned between adjacent rows of signal conductors (78) and a portion (14) attached to and extending along one side of said web (18) , said web (18) having a length and width sufficient to provide a substantial shield between the adjacent rows, said plate (10) further having first contact means (26) thereon for electrically engaging reference circuits on a substrate (76) which may be attached to the connector (36) and second contact means (22) for electrically engaging a conductive reference contact (98) in a mating electrical connector (92) and with said portion (14) carrying at least one of said first and second contact means (26,22) thereon.

Claim 14

The reference conductor of claim 9 characterized by said portion (14) being adapted for extending beyond the end of adjacent rows of signal conductors (78).

Claim 15

The reference conductor of claim 10 characterized by said portion (14) bent at about ninety degrees relative to the plane of said web (18).

Claim 16

The reference conductor of claim 11 further characterized in that said web (18) includes a second portion (12) on an opposing side.

Claim 17

The reference conductor of claim 12 further characterized in that both portions (12,14) have second contact means (22) thereon.