Smart data link connector interface

Abstract

A connector module includes a diagnostic plug interface configured to be accessible through a housing. The connector module also includes at least one high speed data plug interface configured to be accessible through the housing. The connector module also includes a printed circuit board (PCB) within the housing, the PCB including at least one electrical conductor electrically coupling the high speed data plug interface to the at least one port of the diagnostic plug interface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates generally to electrical systems and, more particularly, to improvements in electrical systems used in vehicle applications. Background Art

[0002] Modern vehicles, such as automobiles, include an increasing number of features that rely on advanced communication technologies that require high-speed data transmission. High-speed data cables, such as Ethernet cables, twisted pair cables, or coaxial cables, are used in automotive applications to transmit data at high speeds, such as to implement vehicle communications and / or computing functions. Some vehicles also employ diagnostic systems that can access error codes that convey status information for vehicle systems to enable vehicle repair and maintenance. In some examples, such diagnostic systems can include a data link connector (DLC) multi-pin connection port.

[0003] For some applications, it may be necessary to connect a high-speed data cable (such as an Ethernet cable) and a vehicle diagnostic conductor together so that the vehicle diagnostic information can be transmitted to other vehicle systems or systems outside the vehicle at a high transmission rate. According to conventional technology, a high-speed data cable such as an Ethernet cable can be electrically connected to a plug connector of a vehicle diagnostic system through a manual process. For example, the drain wires of the Ethernet cable can be connected to a ground conductor by splicing, welding, etc., and the ground conductor connects the drain wire to the chassis ground of the vehicle and / or the ground port of the vehicle diagnostic plug. The signal line of the Ethernet cable can be connected to the vehicle diagnostic plug through a terminal that terminates the signal line. The plug and / or the end of the Ethernet cable can be wrapped in a protective cover, such as a shrink film, to protect the connection.

[0004] Known techniques for connecting conductors for communication and diagnostic systems may be difficult and / or costly to implement for automotive parts suppliers and their vehicle manufacturing customers. Such connections may also be susceptible to accidental disconnection, which may be particularly undesirable in many vehicle applications. In some examples, such connections may not withstand the 110N pull force recommended for production vehicles.

[0005] Improved automotive connectivity solutions are needed to combine high-speed data transmission capabilities with traditional automotive electrical systems. Summary of the invention

[0006] In some aspects, the connector module includes a diagnostic plug interface configured to be accessible or accessible through the housing. The connector module also includes at least one high-speed data plug interface configured to be accessible or accessible through the housing. The connector module also includes a printed circuit board (PCB) within the housing. The PCB includes at least one electrical conductor that electrically couples the high-speed data plug interface to at least one port of the diagnostic plug interface.

[0007] In some aspects, a method includes coupling a high-speed data cable to at least one high-speed data plug interface accessible through a housing containing a printed circuit board (PCB). The method also includes coupling a mating diagnostic connector to the diagnostic plug interface accessible through the housing. The method also includes communicating between the mating diagnostic connector and the high-speed data cable through the PCB, the PCB including electrical conductors electrically coupling the high-speed data plug interface to at least one port of the diagnostic plug interface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an integrated connector module according to some embodiments.

[0009] Figure 2A A perspective view of a second side of a connector module is shown in accordance with some embodiments.

[0010] Figure 2B A perspective view of a first side of a connector module is shown in accordance with some embodiments.

[0011] Figure 2C A perspective view of a second side of a connector module is shown with a cover of the housing installed, according to some embodiments.

[0012] Figure 3A A perspective view of a second side of a connector module is shown in accordance with some embodiments.

[0013] Figure 3B A perspective view of a first side of a connector module is shown in accordance with some embodiments.

[0014] Figure 3C A perspective view of a second side of a connector module is shown with a cover of the housing installed, according to some embodiments.

[0015] Figure 4 A printed circuit board (PCB) of an integrated connector module is depicted according to some embodiments.

[0016] Figure 5A is a diagram illustrating the interconnections between various components of an integrated connector module according to some embodiments.

[0017] Figure 5B A multi-layer PCB of an integrated connector module is depicted according to some embodiments.

[0018] Figure 6 is a flow chart depicting one example of a method of operating an integrated connector module according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Figure 1is a block diagram illustrating an integrated connector module 100 according to some embodiments. Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the connector module 100 includes a diagnostic plug interface 112 and one or more high-speed data plug interfaces 114 that are accessible through the housing 103 . Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 1 , the diagnostic plug interface 112 and the one or more high-speed data plug interfaces 114 are shown as being structurally supported by a portion of the housing 103. In some examples, the housing 103 also includes Figure 1 The cover is not shown.

[0020] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the connector module 100 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 107 within a housing 103. Figure 1 As shown in the example of , the PCB 107 includes at least one electrical conductor 140 that electrically couples the high-speed data plug interface 114 to the at least one port 122 of the diagnostic plug interface 112 .

[0021] In some examples, at least one high-speed data plug interface 114 includes an Ethernet port, such as a twisted pair Ethernet port. In some examples, by coupling a matching diagnostic connector (not shown) to the diagnostic plug interface 112, the connector module 100 is able to access a twisted pair Ethernet cable coupled to the at least one high-speed data plug interface 114 through the at least one port 122. In some examples, the diagnostic connector interface 112 is a Type II On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-II) connector interface.

[0022] In some examples, the diagnostic plug interface 112 and / or the at least one high-speed data plug interface 114 are configured to be accessible through the housing 103, for example, located on one or more surfaces of the housing 103, such as one or more sides, top surfaces (i.e., through a cover, Figure 1 ) or the bottom surface of the housing 103.

[0023] In some examples, the diagnostic plug interface 112 and / or the at least one high-speed data plug interface 114 are accessible through one or more sides of the housing 103. Figure 1 As shown in , the high-speed data plug interface 114 is accessible through the first side 101 of the housing 103. Figure 1 As shown in , the diagnostic plug interface 112 is accessible through the second side 102 of the housing 103. Figure 1 As shown in the example of , the first side 101 of the housing 103 can be opposite to the second side 102 of the housing 103. In some examples, such as Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the connector module 100 includes at least one pin 116 that extends vertically from the diagnostic plug interface 112 to the PCB 107 (eg, contacts the conductor 140 ).

[0024] In some examples, although Figure 1 Although not specifically shown in the drawings, the connector module 100 includes a solder connection between the high-speed data plug interface 114 and the PCB 107. In some examples, the PCB 107 is a multi-layer PCB, and the electrical conductor 140 includes at least one trace formed in a layer of the multi-layer PCB. In other examples, the electrical conductor is formed on a surface of the PCB or embedded in a surface of the PCB.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown in , the connector module 100 also includes one or more fixing features 111. The one or more fixing features 111 are configured to fix the connector module 100 in a position, such as attached to a vehicle surface, and to connect the ground connection portion of the connector module (e.g., a ground connection portion connected to one or more high-speed data plug interfaces 114 and / or diagnostic plug interfaces 112) to a ground reference such as a chassis ground of the vehicle. In some examples, the fixing feature is a threaded hole that is configured to accommodate a screw, bolt, or other similar fixing mechanism to fix the connector module 100 in place and establish a connection to a ground reference such as a chassis ground. In other examples, the fixing feature 111 may include a snap feature that engages with a corresponding snap feature connected to the vehicle surface to fix the connector module 100 in place and establish a connection to a ground reference such as a chassis ground.

[0026] The connector module 100 may provide significant advantages over prior art techniques for coupling a high-speed data cable (e.g., an Ethernet cable) to a high-speed data plug interface 114. For example, the connector module 100 may be significantly easier and / or more cost-effective to implement in a vehicle than conventional solutions. In some examples, the connector module 100 may be relatively simple and cost-effective to manufacture than conventional solutions. In some examples, the connector module 100 may be less susceptible to expected disconnection than conventional solutions.

[0027] Figures 2A-2C A perspective view of an integrated connector module 200 is shown in accordance with some embodiments. Figure 2B A perspective view of a first side 201 of a connector module 200 is shown in accordance with some embodiments. Figure 2A A perspective view of the second side 202 of the connector module 200 is shown in accordance with some embodiments. Figure 2C A perspective view of the second side 202 of the connector module 200 is shown with the cover 210 of the housing 203 installed, according to some embodiments. Figures 2A-2C The integrated connector module 200 shown in FIG. 1 generally corresponds to Figure 1The connector module 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a housing 203 and a diagnostic plug interface 212 and at least one high-speed data plug interface 214A, 214B accessible through the housing 203. The connector module 200 also includes a PCB 207 that carries at least one electrical conductor ( Figures 2A-2C ), the electrical conductors couple at least one high-speed data plug interface 214A, 214B to at least one port 222 of the diagnostic plug interface 212.

[0028] like Figure 2B As shown in FIG. 1 , the module 200 includes a first side 201 having high-speed data plug interfaces 214A, 214B configured to couple with one or more high-speed data cables and / or other conductors (such as Ethernet cables, coaxial cables, or other types of high-speed data cables). Figure 2B In the example of FIG. 1 , the module 200 includes two independent high-speed data plug interfaces 214A, 214B on the first side 201 of the module 200, which are Ethernet interfaces configured to be connected to corresponding Ethernet cables, which may be automotive Ethernet cables. An example of such an automotive Ethernet cable is the high-speed modular twisted pair data cable sold by Aptiv and Rosenberger. Cables, connectors, and / or connection systems. In some examples, an automotive Ethernet cable may differ from a conventional non-automotive Ethernet cable in that it uses a single balanced pair of wires to transmit data. In some examples, the high-speed data plug interface 214A, 214B may be coupled to an Ethernet or other high-speed data cable that supports a data transfer rate greater than 10 Mbps. In some examples, the high-speed data plug interface 214A, 214B may be coupled to an Ethernet cable or other high-speed data cable that transmits data at frequencies up to 20 GHz and data transfer rates up to 56 Gbits / second.

[0029] exist Figure 2B In the example of the first side 201 of the module 200, the first side 201 also includes a general purpose (GP) plug interface 213 configured to be connected to a GP connector. In some examples, the general purpose (GP) plug interface 213 at the side 201 can be connected to a conductor configured to carry relatively low-speed signals or data (such as signals or data associated with a conventional vehicle diagnostic system). Figures 2A-2C In other examples not shown in FIG. 1 , module 200 may not include Figures 2A-2C The GP plug interface 213 shown in the figure may include other types of plug interfaces, including one or more other high-speed data plug interfaces, such as one or more additional Ethernet plug interfaces, one or more coaxial plug interfaces, one or more Fakra plug interfaces, etc.

[0030] like Figure 2A As shown in FIG. 2 , the module 200 includes a diagnostic plug interface 212 located at the second side 202 of the module 200. The diagnostic plug interface 212 can be coupled to a diagnostic system of a vehicle. For example, in some embodiments, the diagnostic plug interface 212 can be an on-board diagnostic plug connector, such as an OBD-II connector, which is part of the vehicle diagnostic system.

[0031] like Figure 2A and 2B As shown in FIG. 2 , the module 200 further includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 207. One or more high-speed data plug interfaces 214A, 214B are mounted on the surface of the PCB 207 at the first side 201 of the module 200, and the diagnostic plug interface 212 is mounted on the PCB 207 at the second side 202 of the module 200. The pins 216 of the diagnostic plug interface 212 are connected to one or more conductors (e.g., traces, through holes or other conductive structures (not shown)) in the PCB 207, which are electrically connected to the high-speed data plug interfaces 214A, 214B through the PCB 207, for example, by solder or other electrical connection methods. The pins of the GP interface 213 are also connected to one or more conductors (e.g., traces, through holes or other conductive structures (not shown)) formed on and / or in the PCB 207. The pins representing the signal, power or ground conductors of the one or more plug interfaces 212, 213, 214A, 214B can be connected to each other through the PCB 207.

[0032] In some examples, such as Figure 2C As shown in FIG, the module 200 also includes a cover 210 that surrounds and protects the PCB 207. Figures 2A-2C200 as part of a vehicle assembly. For example, the fixing feature may include a threaded hole configured to accommodate a screw, bolt, pin, etc. to fix the module 200 in a desired position as part of a vehicle assembly. In some examples, the grounding and / or drain conductors associated with one or more plug interfaces 212, 213, 214A, 214B may be electrically coupled to the feature via the PCB 207, and when fixed in place by screws or bolts, the grounding and / or drain conductors associated with one or more plug interfaces 212, 213, 214A, 214B may be coupled to a vehicle chassis or other ground reference. In other examples, the grounding and / or drain conductors of one or more plug interfaces 212, 214A, 214B may be electrically coupled to each other and / or to a ground port of the GP plug interface 213 via the PCB 207. In other examples not shown, mechanisms other than threaded holes may be used to secure connector module 200 to a location in a vehicle and / or establish a connection to a chassis ground or another ground reference, such as a clip on the housing (not shown) that engages with a corresponding clip secured to a surface of the vehicle.

[0033] Figures 3A-3C A perspective view of an integrated connector module 300 is shown, according to some embodiments. Figure 3B A perspective view of a first side 301 of a connector module 300 is shown in accordance with some embodiments. Figure 3A A perspective view of a second side 302 of a connector module 300 is shown in accordance with some embodiments. Figure 2C A perspective view of the second side 302 of the connector module 300 is shown with the cover 310 of the housing 303 installed, according to some embodiments. Figures 3A-3C The integrated connector module 300 shown in FIG. Figure 1 and Figures 2A-2C The connector modules 100, 200 shown in FIG. 1 are substantially similar and include a housing 303 and a diagnostic plug interface 312 and at least one high-speed data plug interface 314 accessible through the housing 303. In an alternative embodiment, the connector module 300 also includes a GP plug interface 313. The connector module 300 also includes a PCB 307 that carries at least one electrical conductor ( Figures 3A-3C ), the electrical conductor couples at least one high-speed data plug interface 314 to at least one port 322 of the diagnostic plug interface 312 .

[0034] like Figure 3BAs shown in FIG. 1 , like module 200 , module 300 includes a first side 301 having a high-speed data plug interface 314 configured to couple with one or more high-speed data cables and / or other conductors (e.g., Ethernet cables, coaxial cables, or other types of high-speed data cables). In some aspects, module 300 and Figures 2A-2C The example of is different in that the module 300 includes a dual high-speed data plug interface 314 on the first side 301 of the module 300, which supports a pair of Ethernet cable connectors configured to be coupled to corresponding Ethernet cables, which may be automotive Ethernet cables as described above.

[0035] In some respects, Figures 2A-2C Unlike the module 200 shown in FIG. 3 , the module 300 also includes a fixing feature 311 that can be used as a fixing mechanism to fix the module 300 in place as part of a vehicle assembly. For example, the fixing feature can include a threaded hole configured to receive a screw, bolt, pin, etc. to fix the module 300 in a desired position as part of a vehicle assembly, such as Figures 3A-3C As shown in the example of . In some examples, the ground and / or drain conductors associated with one or more plug interfaces 312, 313, 314 can be electrically coupled to feature 311 via PCB 307, and when secured in place by screws or bolts, the ground and / or drain conductors associated with one or more plug interfaces 312, 313, 314 can be coupled to the vehicle chassis or other ground reference. In other examples, the ground and / or drain conductors of one or more plug interfaces 312, 314 can be electrically coupled to each other and / or to the ground port of the GP plug interface 313 via PCB 307. In other examples not shown, other mechanisms can be used to secure the connector module 300 and / or connector module 200 in a position in the vehicle and / or establish a connection to the chassis ground or another ground reference, such as a clip on the housing (not shown) that interfaces with a corresponding clip secured to a surface of the vehicle.

[0036] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a diagram depicting a printed circuit board PCB 407 of an integrated connector module 400 according to some embodiments. PCB 407 may correspond to Figure 2A and 2B PCB 207 depicted in Figure 3A and 3B PCB 307 and / or Figure 1107 depicted in FIG. Similar to these examples, PCB 407 includes conductors 440A, 440B configured to electrically couple one or more high-speed data plug interfaces 414A, 414B to at least one port 422A, 422B of the diagnostic plug interface 412. Figure 4 In the example of , PCB 407 includes a pair of conductors 440A, each conductor connecting a corresponding complementary pair of differential signals from the first high-speed data plug interface 414A (ie, the first Ethernet port) to the port 422A of the diagnostic plug interface 412. Figure 4 In the example of FIG. 4 , PCB 407 further includes a pair of conductors 440B, each of which couples a corresponding complementary pair of differential signals from a second high-speed data plug interface 414B (ie, a second Ethernet port) to a port 422B of the diagnostic plug interface 412. Figure 4 As shown in , PCB 407 also includes a conductor 450 that connects the port of the diagnostic plug interface 412 to the GP interface 413. Figure 4 In the example of FIG. 4 , a surface of PCB 407 (ie, Figure 4 4. In other examples not shown, the respective conductors 440A, 440B, 450 may instead be formed as part of one or more inner layers of a multi-layer PCB.

[0037] Figure 5A 5 is a diagram illustrating interconnections between various components of an integrated connector module according to some embodiments. In the non-limiting example of FIG. 5 , the column labeled “DLC” corresponds to the pins of the diagnostic plug interface described herein, the column labeled “HMTD” corresponds to the high-speed data plug interface described herein, and the column OCS corresponds to the universal plug interface described herein. The column labeled “Description” includes the signal type corresponding to each interconnection of the integrated connector module.

[0038] like Figure 5A As shown in , pin (1) of the diagnostic plug interface 112 is connected to pin (12) of the GP plug interface 213, 313 and carries the CAN FD (+) signal, and pin (2) of the diagnostic plug interface 112 is connected to pin (11) of the GP plug interface 213, 313 and carries the complementary CAN FD (-). Figure 5A As shown in FIG, pin (3) of the diagnostic plug interface 112 is connected to pin (2-1) of the high-speed data plug interface 114 and carries complementary high-speed data signals TX RX (+). Figure 5AAs shown in , pin (4) of the diagnostic plug interface 112 is connected to the chassis ground reference (i.e., through the fixed features 111, 211, 311 described herein), the chassis ground reference is also connected to pin (4) of the GP plug interface 214, 314, and pin (5) of the diagnostic plug interface 112 is connected to the signal ground reference, the shielding layer of the high-speed data plug interface 114, and pin (10) of the GP plug interface 213, 313.

[0039] like Figure 5A As shown in , pins (6) and (7) of the diagnostic plug interface 112 are connected to pins (9) and (8) of the GP plug interfaces 213 and 313, respectively, and carry CAN 6FD (+) and CAN serial (+) signals, respectively. Pin (8) of the diagnostic plug interface 112 is connected to pin (7) of the GP plug interfaces 213 and 313 and carries the Ethernet activation signal. Figure 5A As shown in , pins (9), (10), (11), (12), and (13) of the diagnostic plug interface 112 are connected to pins (3-1), (3-2), (2-2), (1-2), and (1-1), each of which carries a respective complementary 1000BASE high-speed data (e.g., Ethernet) signal. Figure 5A As shown in , pin (14) of the diagnostic plug interface 112 is connected to pin (3) of the GP plug interface 213, 313 and carries the CAN 6FD(-) signal, pin (15) of the diagnostic plug interface 112 is connected to pin (2) of the GP plug interface 213, 313 and carries the CAN serial FD(-) signal, and pin (16) of the diagnostic plug interface 112 is connected to pin (1) of the GP plug interface 213, 313 and carries the positive power supply signal V+(12V).

[0040] Figure 5B An integrated connector module 500 including a multi-layer PCB 507 is depicted in accordance with some embodiments. Figure 5B The PCB 507 depicted in FIG. 507 may correspond to any of the PCB 107, PCB 207, PCB 307, PCB 407 depicted and described herein. Figure 5B In a non-limiting example, PCB 507 includes four layers, each layer carrying one or more conductors, or a portion of one or more conductors, connecting the high-speed data plug interface ( Figure 5B (not shown) is electrically coupled to at least one port of the diagnostic plug interface 512. Figure 5B As shown in the example of FIG. 5 , layer 507D of PCB 507 includes conductors 540A, 540B that connect the high-speed data plug interface ( Figure 5B (not shown) is electrically coupled to at least one port of the diagnostic plug interface 512. Figure 5BAs shown in FIG. , PCB layer 507A includes conductors 550 that couple the diagnostic plug interface 512 to the GP plug interface.

[0041] Figure 6 is a flow chart depicting one example of a method of operating an integrated connector module 100, 200 according to some embodiments. Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 5 , at 601, the method includes coupling a high-speed data cable to at least one high-speed data plug interface 114 accessible through a housing 103 housing a printed circuit board (PCB) 107. As shown in FIG. 5 , at 602, the method also includes coupling a mating diagnostic connector to a diagnostic plug interface 112 accessible through the housing 103. As shown in FIG. 5 , at 603, the method also includes communicating between the mating diagnostic connector and the high-speed data cable through the PCB, the PCB including an electrical conductor 140 that electrically couples the high-speed data plug interface 114 to at least one port of the diagnostic plug interface 112.

[0042] In some examples, at least one high-speed data plug interface 114 includes at least one Ethernet port. In some examples, coupling a mating diagnostic connector to diagnostic plug interface 112 enables access to a twisted pair Ethernet cable coupled to at least one high-speed data plug interface 114 through at least one port 122 .

[0043] In some examples, the method further includes coupling a high-speed data cable to at least one high-speed data plug interface 114 at the first side 101 of the housing 103, and coupling a matching diagnostic connector to the diagnostic plug interface 112, the diagnostic plug interface 112 including a second side 102 of the housing 103 opposite the first side 101 of the housing 103. In some examples, the method further includes coupling a corresponding general purpose (GP) connector to the GP plug interface 213 on the first side 201 having the at least one high-speed data plug interface 214A, 214B.

[0044] In some examples, the method also includes securing the connector module in place via at least one securing feature 111 on the housing 103. In some examples, coupling the securing feature 111 includes securing the connector module 100 in place using a threaded hole on the housing and electrically coupling the connector module 100 to a chassis ground and / or another ground reference. In some examples, coupling the securing feature 111 includes securing the connector module 100 in place using at least one clip and electrically coupling the connector module 100 to a chassis ground and / or another ground reference. In some examples, coupling a mating diagnostic connector to a diagnostic plug interface 112 includes coupling an on-board diagnostic II (OBD-II) connector interface.

[0045] Although the present invention has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and elements thereof may be replaced by equivalents without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, many modifications may be made without departing from the basic scope of the present invention to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the disclosed (one or more) specific embodiments, but will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A connector module, comprising: a diagnostic plug interface configured to be accessible through the housing; at least one high-speed data plug interface configured to be accessible through the housing; as well as A printed circuit board is within the housing, the printed circuit board including at least one electrical conductor that electrically couples the high-speed data plug interface to at least one port of the diagnostic plug interface.

2. The connector module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The at least one high-speed data plug interface includes an Ethernet port.

3. The connector module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The connector module is able to access a twisted pair Ethernet cable coupled to at least one high-speed data plug interface through the at least one port by coupling a mating diagnostic connector to the diagnostic plug interface.

4. The connector module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The diagnostic plug interface and the at least one high-speed data plug interface are present on one or more surfaces of the housing.

5. The connector module according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: a first side of the housing, the first side comprising at least one high-speed data plug interface; as well as The housing has a second side opposite to the first side, the second side including the diagnostic plug interface.

6. The connector module according to claim 5, characterized in that: Also includes: A universal plug interface is provided on the first side having the at least one high speed data plug interface.

7. The connector module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The at least one high-speed data plug interface includes a first Ethernet port configured to receive a first Ethernet connector and a second Ethernet port configured to receive a second Ethernet connector.

8. The connector module according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: At least one chassis ground connection is on the housing and is configured to secure the connector module in a position in a vehicle.

9. The connector module according to claim 8, characterized in that: The at least one chassis ground connection includes a pair of threaded holes configured to receive screws to secure the connector module in the position and electrically couple the chassis ground connection to a chassis of the vehicle.

10. The connector module according to claim 9, characterized in that: The at least one chassis ground connection includes a clip configured to secure the connector module in the position and electrically couple the chassis ground to a chassis of the vehicle.

11. The connector module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The diagnostic connector interface comprises a Type II On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-II) connector interface.

12. The connector module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrical conductor includes at least one pin extending vertically from the diagnostic plug interface to the printed circuit board.

13. The connector module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrical conductors include a solder connection between the high-speed data plug interface and the printed circuit board.

14. The connector module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The printed circuit board is a multi-layer printed circuit board, and the electrical conductor includes at least one trace formed in a layer of the multi-layer printed circuit board.

15. A method comprising: coupling a high-speed data cable to at least one high-speed data plug interface accessible through a housing housing the printed circuit board; coupling a mating diagnostic connector to a diagnostic plug interface accessible through the housing; as well as Communication between the mating diagnostic connector and the high-speed data cable occurs via the printed circuit board, which includes electrical conductors that electrically couple the high-speed data plug interface to at least one port of the diagnostic plug interface.

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