Pluggable module with EMI protection fins in the air flow path

Abstract

The pluggable module (106) includes a pluggable body (130) that has an upper housing (140) at the top and a lower housing (142) at the bottom (146), and the upper and lower housings define an internal chamber (144). The upper housing includes side walls (152, 156) that extend to the top and an upper wall (150) that extends between the side walls. The upper housing includes an air flow channel (164) and EMI shielding fins (170) that are in fluid communication with the air flow channel, with an EMI channel (172) between the EMI shielding fins. The upper wall along the air flow channel is at a first depth (190) from the top, and the upper wall along the EMI channel is at a second depth (192) that is deeper than the first depth.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The subject matter of the present disclosure generally relates to a pluggable module having a high cooling capacity. Background Art

[0002] At least some known communication systems include a receptacle assembly, such as an input / output (I / O) connector assembly, configured to receive a pluggable module and establish a communication connection between the pluggable module and an electrical communication connector of the receptacle assembly. As an example, a known receptacle assembly includes a cage member mounted to a circuit board and configured to receive a pluggable transceiver in an elongated cavity of the cage member. The pluggable module and the electrical connector have corresponding electrical contacts that engage with each other to establish the communication connection.

[0003] Electrical shielding of components of a communication system is typically provided using a receptacle housing or cage that provides shielding around a module cavity that receives the pluggable module. A gasket is provided in an opening to interface with the pluggable module. However, as the data speed through the communication system increases, the heat generated by the components also increases. Heat dissipation of the components becomes a problem. Some known communication systems provide an air flow channel along the pluggable module to provide cooling for the pluggable module, the communication connector, or other components of the system. However, the air flow channel defines a large opening, which is problematic for EMI suppression. In addition, the air flow channel increases the height of the pluggable module and / or reduces the space inside the pluggable module for components and wiring.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for a communication system having a pluggable module that has sufficient EMI suppression and efficient cooling. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to the present invention, there is provided a pluggable module including a pluggable body having a top and a bottom. The pluggable body extends between a cable end and a mating end. The mating end is receivable in a module cavity of a receptacle assembly to mate with a communication connector. The pluggable body has an upper housing at the top and a lower housing at the bottom. The upper housing and the lower housing define an internal chamber. The upper housing includes side walls extending to the top and an upper wall extending between the side walls. The upper housing includes an air flow channel between the side walls along an exterior of the upper wall to permit air flow between the cable end and the mating end. The upper housing includes a plurality of EMI shielding fins along the upper wall, with EMI channels therebetween. The EMI channels are in fluid communication with the air flow channel. The upper wall along the air flow channel is at a first depth from the top, and the upper wall along the EMI channels is at a second depth deeper than the first depth. The pluggable module includes a communication circuit board held in the internal chamber of the pluggable body and exposed at the mating end. The pluggable body is configured to be plugged into the receptacle assembly such that the communication circuit board is communicatively coupled to a communication connector of the receptacle assembly. A cable extends into the internal chamber of the pluggable body at the cable end. The cable is coupled to the communication circuit board in the internal chamber. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a communication system according to an embodiment.

[0007] Figure 2 is a front perspective view of a pluggable module according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0008] Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of a pluggable module according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0009] Figure 4 is a top view of a pluggable module according to an exemplary embodiment, showing the upper housing.

[0010] Figure 5 is a top perspective view of a portion of a pluggable body according to an exemplary embodiment, showing the upper housing.

[0011] Figure 6 is a bottom perspective view of a portion of a pluggable body according to an exemplary embodiment, showing the bottom of the upper housing.

[0012] Figure 7 is a side cross-sectional view of a pluggable module according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0013] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a pluggable module according to an exemplary embodiment through EMI shielding fins and an EMI channel.

[0014] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of a pluggable module according to an exemplary embodiment through an air flow channel.

[0015] Figure 10 is a front perspective view of a pluggable module according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0016] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a pluggable module according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a communication system 100 according to an embodiment. The communication system 100 includes a circuit board 102, a socket assembly 104 mounted to the circuit board 102, and a pluggable module 106 configured to be received in the socket assembly 104. The circuit board 102 may be a daughter card or a motherboard and includes conductive traces (not shown) extending therethrough. Optionally, the pluggable module 106 may be communicatively coupled to the socket assembly 104 (e.g., a communication connector) to send and / or receive data signals with components of the communication system 100.

[0018] Communication system 100 can be part of or used with a telecommunications system or device. For example, communication system 100 can be part of or include a switch, router, server, hub, network interface card, or storage system. In the illustrated embodiment, the pluggable module 106 is configured to transmit data signals in the form of electrical signals. In other embodiments, the pluggable module 106 can be configured to transmit data signals in the form of optical signals. The circuit board 102 can be a daughter card or a motherboard and includes conductive traces (not shown) extending therethrough.

[0019] In the illustrated embodiment, the socket assembly 104 is shown as a single-port socket assembly configured to receive a single pluggable module 106; however, in other embodiments, the socket assembly 104 can be a multi-port socket assembly configured to receive pluggable modules 106 in multiple ports. For example, as an addition or alternative to grouped ports, the multiple ports of the socket assembly 104 can be arranged in groups side-by-side and / or stacked.

[0020] The pluggable module 106 is an input / output (I / O) module configured to be inserted into and removed from the socket assembly 104. For example, the pluggable module 106 can be a small form factor pluggable (SFP) transceiver or a quad small form factor pluggable (QSFP) transceiver, such as those meeting certain technical specifications for SFP or QSFP transceivers (such as Small-Form Factor (SFF)-8431). As an example, the pluggable module 106 can be used in place of a transceiver that is part of the SFP+ product family available from TE Connectivity.

[0021] The socket assembly 104 includes a cage member 108 mounted to the circuit board 102. The cage member 108 can be disposed, for example, at a frame board or panel 109 of a rack of the system or device through an opening in the panel 109. Thus, the cage member 108 is inside the device and the corresponding panel 109, and the (pluggable) module(s) 106 are loaded into the cage member 108 from the outside or exterior of the device and the corresponding panel 109. Optionally, the panel 109 can include multiple openings, each configured to receive a corresponding pluggable module 106. In various other embodiments, for example when using a multi-port socket assembly 104, the size of the openings in the panel 109 can be sized to receive multiple pluggable modules 106.

[0022] The cage member 108 includes a front end 110 and an opposite rear end 112. The front end 110 can be disposed at the panel 109 and extend through an opening in the panel 109. Relative or spatial terms such as "front", "rear", "top", "bottom" are used only to distinguish the referenced elements and do not necessarily require a specific position or orientation within the communication system 100 or in the surrounding environment of the communication system 100. For example, the front end 110 can be located within a larger telecommunications system or face the rear of a larger telecommunications system. In many applications, the front end 110 is visible to the user when the pluggable module 106 is inserted into the socket assembly 104. When the pluggable module 106 is inserted into the socket assembly 104, the pluggable module 106 is accessible and visible to the user.

[0023] The cage member 108 is configured to inhibit or block interference such as electromagnetic interference (EMI) and guide the pluggable module(s) 106 during mating operation. To this end, the cage member 108 includes a plurality of parts assembled together to surround the pluggable module 106. For example, the parts can be snapped together and / or welded together. When the cage member 108 is mounted to the circuit board 102, the cage member 108 is electrically coupled to the circuit board 102 and, in particular, to a ground plane (not shown) within the circuit board 102 to electrically ground the cage member 108. Thereby, the socket assembly 104 can reduce EMI that may adversely affect the electrical performance of the communication system 100. For example, for EMI suppression and / or shielding, the pluggable module 106 can be co-potential or grounded with the cage member 108. For example, the pluggable module 106 can directly engage a portion of the cage member 108, such as an EMI gasket leading to an opening in the cage member 108.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the cage member 108 includes a socket housing 114 defined by a plurality of outer shell panels or walls 116, which can be formed from one or more parts. The various walls 116 provide shielding for vulnerable areas of other components, such as by covering or shielding openings in the walls of other components. The socket housing 114 extends between the front end 110 and the rear end 112. The walls 116 are formed of a conductive material, such as a metal sheet and / or a polymer having conductive particles. In the illustrated embodiment, the parts are stamped from a metal sheet. In some embodiments, the cage member 108 is configured to facilitate the transfer of heat (or thermal energy) away from the socket assembly 104 and the pluggable module(s) 106 via an air flow through the cage member 108. Air can flow from the interior of the cage member 108 (e.g., behind the panel 109) to the external environment (e.g., in front of the panel 109) or from the exterior of the cage member 108 into the interior of the cage member 108. A fan or other air moving device can be used to increase the air flow through the cage member 108 and over the pluggable module(s) 106.

[0025] The socket housing 114 defines a module cavity 120 that extends between a front end 110 and a rear end 112. The module cavity 120 receives a pluggable module 106. The module cavity 120 extends longitudinally in a direction parallel to the mating axis of the pluggable module 106. For a multi-port socket assembly 104, a plurality of module cavities 120 or ports are defined for receiving a plurality of pluggable modules 106. In such an embodiment, the module cavities 120 may be vertically stacked and / or horizontally grouped. A separator may be provided between the module cavities 120 to provide shielding between the module cavities 120.

[0026] The socket assembly 104 includes a communication connector 122 (shown in dashed lines in Figure 1 ), which has a mating interface 124 for mating with the pluggable module 106. When configured to mate with a plurality of pluggable modules 106, such as when used in a stacked cage member, the communication connector 122 may have a plurality of mating interfaces. The communication connector 122 is disposed at the rear end of the module cavity 120. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication connector 122 is disposed at or near the rear end 112 of the cage member 108. The communication connector 122 includes electrical contacts (not shown) configured to mate with the pluggable module 106. The communication connector 122 is configured to be mounted to the circuit board 102. The communication connector 122 is configured to be received in the cage member 108 through the bottom 126 of the cage member 108. For example, the cage member 108 is configured to be mounted to the circuit board 102 through the communication connector 122 such that when the cage member 108 is mounted to the circuit board 102, the communication connector 122 passes through an opening in the bottom 126.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the socket assembly 104 includes an EMI gasket 128 at the front end 110 of the socket housing 114. The EMI gasket 128 abuts the panel 109, such as within an opening of the panel 109 that receives the socket assembly 104. The EMI gasket 128 may be one or more separate parts that may be attached to the socket housing 114, for example, by being clamped onto the socket housing 114, welded to the socket housing 114, or otherwise fixed to the socket housing 114. In various other embodiments, the EMI gasket 128 may be integral with the socket housing 114, such as being stamped out of or extending from the wall 116 of the socket housing 114. The EMI gasket 128 may extend into the module cavity 120 to engage the pluggable module 106.

[0028] Figure 2 is a front perspective view of a pluggable module 106 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 3is a rear perspective view of a pluggable module 106 according to an exemplary embodiment. The pluggable module 106 has a pluggable body 130, which may be defined by one or more housings. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the pluggable body 130 includes an upper housing 140 and a lower housing 142. The pluggable body 130 may be thermally conductive and / or may be electrically conductive to provide EMI shielding for the pluggable module 106. The pluggable body 130 includes a rear or mating end 132 and an opposite front or cable end 134. The mating end 132 is configured to be inserted into a module cavity 120 (shown in Figure 1 to mate with a communication connector 122 (shown in Figure 1 ). The cable end 134 has one or more cables 136 that extend to another component within the system. The cable end 134 is exposed in front of a panel 109 from the outside of the socket assembly 104.

[0029] The pluggable body 130 includes a communication circuit board 138 held within the pluggable body 130, such as within an internal chamber 144 defined by the upper housing 140 and the lower housing 140. The communication circuit board 138 is configured to be communicatively coupled to the communication connector 122 (shown in Figure 1 ). The communication circuit board 138 may be accessible or exposed at the mating end 132. The cables 136 are terminated to the communication circuit board 138, for example, directly or through connectors on the communication circuit board 138. The cables 136 may include copper wires that transmit electrical signals or may include fiber optic cables that transmit optical signals. The communication circuit board 138 has communication components (not shown) connected thereto to transmit signals between the cables 136 and the mating end of the communication circuit board 138. For example, the communication circuit board 138 may have conductors, traces, pads, electronics, optical modules, sensors, controllers, switches, inputs, outputs, etc. associated with the communication circuit board 138, which may be mounted to the communication circuit board 138 to form a circuit and control the operation of the pluggable module 106.

[0030] The pluggable module 106 includes an outer perimeter that defines the exterior of the pluggable body 130. The exterior extends between the mating end 132 and the cable end 134 of the pluggable module 106. The exterior is defined by one or more surfaces of the pluggable body 130. For example, the exterior may be defined by a top 145, a bottom 146, and opposite first and second sides 147 and 148 of the pluggable body 130.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable body 130 provides heat transfer for the communication circuit board 138, such as for electronic components on the communication circuit board 138. For example, the communication circuit board 138 is in thermal communication with the pluggable body 130, and the pluggable body 130 transfers heat away from the communication circuit board 138.

[0032] The upper housing 140 and the lower housing 142 are joined together to form the pluggable body 130. The upper housing 140 has an upper wall 150 and upper sidewalls 152 at the top 145, and the lower housing 142 has a lower wall 154 and lower sidewalls 156 at the bottom 146. The lower wall 154, the upper wall 150, the lower sidewalls 156, and the upper sidewalls 152 form an internal chamber 144. The upper sidewalls 152 and the lower sidewalls 156 are joined together to form the pluggable body 130. For example, the sidewalls 152, 156 may meet at a seam 158 around the outside. The sidewalls 152, 156 may have similar heights such that the seam 158 is generally centered between the top 145 and the bottom 146. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper housing 140 and the lower housing 142 are die-cast components made of a metallic material using a tool or mold for casting parts; however, in alternative embodiments, the housings 140, 142 may be manufactured by other processes such as molding, milling, machining, extrusion, stamping, forming, etc.

[0033] Figure 4 is a top view of the pluggable module 106 according to an exemplary embodiment, showing the upper housing 140. Figure 5 is a top perspective view of a portion of the pluggable body 130 according to an exemplary embodiment, showing the upper housing 140. Figure 6 is a bottom perspective view of a portion of the pluggable body 130 according to an exemplary embodiment, showing the bottom of the upper housing 140. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper housing 140 is a single-piece structure. For example, as described above, the upper housing 140 may be a die-cast structure where parts, walls, and features are integral with each other to form a single one-piece body. Thus, the parts, walls, and features do not include a thermal interface between them, but rather the entire one-piece structure of the upper housing 140 can be used to dissipate heat from the communication component and does not require assembly.

[0034] The upper housing 140 has lips 160, 162 at the sidewalls 152 on a first side 147 and a second side 148. The lips 160, 162 are planar and parallel to each other. As in the illustrated embodiment, the lips 160, 162 may extend any length between the cable end 134 and the mating end 132, such as substantially the entire length. The lips 160, 162 may have angled ends that define an entry surface to guide the pluggable module 106 into the module cavity 120. The lips 160, 162 extend to the outer edges 166, 168 of the sidewalls 152, respectively. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer edges 166, 168 are coplanar and parallel along the length of the pluggable body 130.

[0035] The upper housing 140 includes an air flow channel 164 at the top of the side wall 152 between the lips 160, 162 along the outside of the upper wall 150. The air flow channel 164 allows air flow between the cable end 134 and the mating end 132. The air flow can be used to cool components within the upper housing 140, the pluggable body 130, such as communication components of the communication circuit board 138, and / or to cool other components, such as the communication connector 122 or other components within the system 100. Air can flow through the air flow channel 164 from front to back or from back to front. In an exemplary embodiment, the air flow channel 164 spans the entire width of the upper housing 140 between the lips 160, 162.

[0036] The upper housing 140 includes a plurality of EMI shielding fins 170 along at least a portion of the upper wall 150. The EMI shielding fins 170 are disposed between the side walls 152 and optionally extend longitudinally and parallel to the side walls 152. In the illustrated embodiment, the EMI shielding fins 170 are longitudinally extending parallel plates; however, in alternative embodiments, the EMI shielding fins 170 can have other shapes, such as cylindrical or other shaped columns. The EMI shielding fins 170 extend to the distal edge 174. In an exemplary embodiment, the distal edge 174 is coplanar with the outer edges 166, 168 of the side walls 152. In various embodiments, the upper housing 140 can include a cover above the EMI shielding fins 170, such as at the distal edge 174. The cover can provide additional EMI shielding. The cover can provide a flat surface for gasket engagement.

[0037] The EMI shielding fins 170 define an EMI channel 172. The EMI channel 172 is narrow enough to confine EMI radiation to a target frequency along the upper housing 140. The EMI shielding fins 170 and the EMI channel 172 have sufficient length to confine EMI radiation along the upper housing 140. In an exemplary embodiment, the EMI channel 172 is in fluid communication with the air flow channel 164. The EMI shielding fins 170 can act as heat transfer fins to transfer heat out of the interior of the pluggable body 130 and thus from the communication circuit board 138 and associated components. The EMI channel 172 allows air flow or other cooling flow along the surfaces of the upper wall 150 and the EMI shielding fins 170 to dissipate heat therefrom.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, the upper wall 150 is stepped between the cable end 134 and the mating end 132 along the length of the pluggable body 130. The upper wall 150 includes a first step 180 along the airflow channel 164 and a second step 182 along the EMI channel 172. The first step 180 is elevated relative to the second step 182 and is closer to the top 145 of the pluggable body 130. The second step 182 is stepped downward and is further away from the top 145 than the first step 180. Thus, the EMI channel 172 is deeper than the airflow channel 164. For example, the upper wall 150 along the airflow channel 164 is at a first depth from the top 145, and the upper wall 150 along the EMI channel 172 is at a second depth from the top 145 that is deeper than the first depth. From the interior of the upper housing 140, the interior chamber 144 is wider (e.g., taller) along the first step 180 and the airflow channel 164, and the interior chamber 144 is narrower (e.g., shorter) along the second step 182 and the EMI channel 172. By having a multi-level upper wall 150 where the first step 180 is elevated relative to the second step 182, a greater volume of space is provided in the interior chamber 144 along the first step 180, e.g., for routing wires within the interior chamber 144 or for positioning other components of the communication circuit board 138 within the interior chamber 144 below the first step 180.

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the upper wall 150 includes a ramp transition 184 between the first step 180 and the second step 182. In an alternative embodiment, the transition may be defined by a vertical wall instead of an angled ramp transition 184. In an exemplary embodiment, the EMI shielding fin 170 has an angled transition 186 along the ramp transition 184. The EMI shielding fin 170 is angled downward from the distal end of the EMI shielding fin 170 toward the upper wall 150 at the first step 180. In various embodiments, the ramp transition 184 may include an opening (not shown) to allow airflow to pass through the ramp transition 184 between the exterior and interior of the pluggable body 130.

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the upper housing 140 controls the airflow along the upper wall 150 by providing an equal airflow per unit length through each of the airflow channel 164 and the EMI channel 172. For example, the airflow channel 164 has a first channel cross-sectional area and the EMI channel 172 has a second channel cross-sectional area equal to the first channel cross-sectional area. Since the EMI shielding fins 170 occupy a portion of the volume between the sidewalls 152, the EMI channel 172 is deeper than the airflow channel 164. However, the total volume of air per unit length passing through the EMI channel 172 is equal to the total volume of air per unit length passing through the airflow channel 164. The EMI shielding fins 170 include an angled transition 186 along a ramp transition 184 between the first step 180 and the second step 182 such that the transition region has an airflow per unit length equal to that of the airflow channel 164 and the EMI channel 172. For example, as the depth of the upper wall 150 decreases along the ramp transition 184, the height of the EMI shielding fins 170 decreases. In various embodiments, the EMI shielding fins 170 may additionally or alternatively be provided on the interior of the pluggable body 130. For example, the EMI shielding fins 170 may be provided on the interior of the upper housing 140, such as along a raised portion.

[0041] Figure 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the pluggable module 106 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the pluggable module 106 according to an exemplary embodiment taken through the EMI shielding fins 170 and the EMI channel 172. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the pluggable module 106 according to an exemplary embodiment taken through the airflow channel 164.

[0042] As Figure 7 shown, the upper wall 150 is stepped and includes a first step 180 and a second step 182. The upper wall 150 is at a first depth 190 from the top 145 along the first step 180 and at a second depth 192 from the top 145 along the second step 182. The volume of air between the sidewalls 152 of the airflow channel 164 is equal to the aggregate volume of air between the sidewalls 152 in each EMI channel 172. For example, the first depth 190 and the second depth 192 may be selected based on the thickness of each EMI shielding fin 170 to provide an equal airflow through the airflow channel 164 and the EMI channel 172.

[0043] The upper wall 150 includes an inner surface 194 that faces and defines an internal chamber 144. The internal chamber 144 has a wide portion 195 that is aligned below the first step 180 and the airflow channel 164. The internal chamber 144 has a narrow portion 197 that is aligned below the second step 182 and the EMI channel 172. The wide portion 195 has a first height 196 between the lower wall 154 and the inner surface 194 of the upper wall 150. The narrow portion 197 has a second height 198 between the lower wall 154 and the inner surface 194 of the upper wall 150. The second height 198 is less than the first height 196. The first step 180 rises to provide additional space in the internal chamber 144 along the wide portion 195. The additional space can be used for routing wires (shown in dashed lines) of the cable 136 to the communication circuit board 138 and / or for positioning components of the communication circuit board 138 within the internal chamber 144. The narrow portion 197 provides additional space for the EMI channel 172 above the upper wall 150. The second step 182 is stepped downward to provide additional depth for the EMI channel 172 compared to the airflow channel 164.

[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, the airflow channel 164 is disposed behind the EMI shielding fins 170 and the EMI channel 172. The airflow channel 164 is disposed closer to the mating end 132 of the pluggable body 130. The EMI shielding fins 170 and the EMI channel 172 are disposed closer to the cable end 134, e.g., along the pluggable body 130 to dock with the EMI gasket 128 (as Figure 1 shown). The EMI shielding fins 170 can prevent EMI leakage at the front end of the front end 110 of the cage member 108 (both shown in Figure 1 ). In alternative embodiments, other positions are possible. In an exemplary embodiment, the airflow channel 164 extends a portion of the length of the pluggable body 130 and the EMI channel extends another portion of the length of the pluggable body 130. For example, the airflow channel 164 can have a first channel length and the EMI channel 172 can have a second channel length. Optionally, the second channel length of the EMI channel 172 can be shorter than the first channel length of the airflow channel 164. In alternative embodiments, the first channel length and the second channel length can be approximately equal. In other alternative embodiments, the second channel length can be longer than the first channel length.

[0045] Figure 10 is a front perspective view of the pluggable module 106 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 11Is a cross-sectional view of the pluggable module 106 according to an exemplary embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the EMI shielding fins 170 and the EMI channels 172 of the pluggable module 106 are approximately centered along the length of the pluggable body 130. The air flow channel 164 is disposed behind the EMI shielding fins 170 and the EMI channels 172. The second air flow channel 165 is disposed in front of the EMI shielding fins 170 and the EMI channels 172. The upper wall 150 is stepped downward at the EMI channels 172 and stepped upward at the air flow channel 164 and the second air flow channel 165.

[0046] Reference Figure 11 , the internal chamber 144 of the pluggable module 106 includes a narrow portion 197 that is approximately centered along the length of the pluggable body 130, and wide portions 195a, 195b in front of and behind the narrow portion 197. The front wide portion 195a provides an area of additional space within the internal chamber 144 for various wires to transition from the cable sheath of the cable 136 into the internal chamber 144. The rear wide portion 195b provides an area of additional space within the internal chamber 144 for terminating the various wire ends to the communication circuit board 138.

Claims

1. A pluggable module (106), comprising: A pluggable body (130) having a top (145) and a bottom (146), the pluggable body extending between a cable end (134) and a mating end (132), the mating end being receivable in a module cavity (120) of a socket assembly (104) to mate with a communication connector (122), the pluggable body having an upper housing (140) at the top and a lower housing (142) at the bottom, the upper housing and the lower housing defining an internal chamber (144), the upper housing including side walls (152, 156) extending to the top and an upper wall (150) extending between the side walls, the upper housing including an air flow channel (164) along the outside of the upper wall between the side walls to allow air flow between the cable end and the mating end, the upper housing including a plurality of EMI shielding fins (170) along the upper wall, with an EMI channel (172) between the EMI shielding fins, the EMI channel being in fluid communication with the air flow channel, wherein the upper wall along the air flow channel is at a first depth (190) from the top and wherein the upper wall along the EMI channel is at a second depth (192) deeper than the first depth; and A communication circuit board (138) held in the internal chamber of the pluggable body and exposed at the mating end, wherein the pluggable body is configured to be plugged into the socket assembly such that the communication circuit board is communicatively coupled to the communication connector of the socket assembly.

2. The pluggable module (106) according to claim 1, wherein, A cable (136) extends into the internal chamber (144) of the pluggable body (130) at the cable end (134), and the cable is coupled to the communication circuit board (138) in the internal chamber.

3. The pluggable module (106) according to claim 1, wherein, The pluggable body (130) has a length between the cable end (134) and the mating end (132), the air flow channel (164) has a first channel length, and the EMI channel (172) has a second channel length shorter than the first channel length.

4. The pluggable module (106) according to claim 1, wherein, The air flow channel (164) is a first air flow channel, and the upper housing (140) includes a second air flow channel (165) along the outside of the upper wall (150) between the side walls (152, 156) to allow air flow between the cable end (134) and the mating end (132), the EMI shielding fins (170) and the EMI channel (172) are located along the upper wall between the first air flow channel and the second air flow channel, and the second air flow channel is at a third depth from the top, the third depth being shallower than the second depth (192).

5. The pluggable module (106) according to claim 1, wherein, The upper wall (150) is stepped between the cable end (134) and the mating end (132) along the length of the pluggable body (130), including a first step (180) along the air flow channel (164) and a second step (182) along the EMI channel (172), and the first step is elevated relative to the second step.

6. The pluggable module (106) as claimed in claim 5, wherein, the upper wall (150) includes a ramp transition (184) between the first step (180) and the second step (182), and the EMI shielding fins (170) have an angled transition (186) along the ramp transition.

7. The pluggable module as claimed in claim 6, wherein, the ramp transition includes an opening to allow air flow to pass through the ramp transition between the outside and the inside of the pluggable body.

8. The pluggable module as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the air flow channel has an air flow substantially equal to that of the EMI channel per unit length.

9. The pluggable module (106) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the air flow channel (164) has a first channel cross-sectional area and the EMI channel (172) has a second channel cross-sectional area substantially equal to the first channel cross-sectional area.

10. The pluggable module (106) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the inner chamber (144) has a wide portion (195) below the air flow channel (164) and a narrow portion (197) below the EMI channel (172), the wide portion has a first height (196) between the upper wall (150) of the upper housing (140) and the lower wall (154) of the lower housing (142), and the narrow portion has a second height (198) shorter than the first height between the lower wall (154) and the upper wall (150).

11. The pluggable module (106) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the air flow channel (164) is open between the side walls (152, 156) along the outside of the upper wall (150).

12. The pluggable module (106) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, each side wall (152, 156) has an outer edge, and the outer edge is coplanar along the air flow channel (164) and the EMI channel (172).

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