Pluggable module with active device

Abstract

A circuit board assembly for a pluggable module includes an upper interface printed circuit board and a lower interface printed circuit board including first and second data channels, respectively. The interface printed circuit board includes a mating pad at a corresponding mating edge thereof that forms part of the data channel and is configured to be inserted into a corresponding card edge connector. The circuit board assembly includes a main printed circuit board including an active device electrically connected to the first and second data channels, the active device recovering signals transmitted along the data channels. The circuit board assembly includes an upper flex circuit and a lower flex circuit connected between the interface printed circuit board and the main printed circuit board.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This article generally deals with electrical connector assemblies. Background Technology

[0002] Some communication systems utilize communication connectors, such as electrical connector assemblies, to interconnect various components of the system used for data communication. Some known communication systems use pluggable modules, such as I / O modules or circuit cards, that are electrically connected to the electrical connector assemblies. Pluggable modules have module circuit cards with card edges that mate with the electrical connector assemblies during mating operation. Communication systems require connectors and circuit boards with higher contact density and / or data throughput. Some known pluggable modules include dual-propeller cards to increase the number of signal paths provided through the pluggable module. Some systems utilize active devices, such as re-drivers or re-timers at component interfaces, to extend cable range and achieve smaller cable diameters. However, incorporating active devices in dual-propeller cards is problematic. Removing the heat generated by the active devices is difficult. Positioning active components within dual-propeller card pluggable modules is also challenging.

[0003] There is still a need for an improved pluggable module for communication systems that have an active means for recovering signals transmitted along the data channel. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In one embodiment, a circuit board assembly for a pluggable module is provided, the circuit board assembly including an upper interface printed circuit board (PCB) including a first data channel. The upper interface PCB includes an upper mating edge and an upper mating pad adjacent to the upper mating edge, the upper mating pad forming a portion of the first data channel. The upper mating edge is configured to insert into a first card edge connector such that the upper mating pad mates with a first contact of the first card edge connector. The circuit board assembly includes a lower interface PCB including a second data channel. The lower interface PCB includes a lower mating edge and a lower mating pad adjacent to the lower mating edge, the lower mating pad forming a portion of the second data channel. The lower mating edge is configured to insert into a second card edge connector such that the lower mating pad mates with a second contact of the second card edge connector. The circuit board assembly includes a main PCB including an active device configured to be electrically connected to the first and second data channels. The active device includes a repeater device for recovering signals transmitted along the first and / or second data channels. The circuit board assembly includes an upper flexible circuit connected between the upper interface PCB and the main PCB to electrically connect the first data channel to the active device. The circuit board assembly includes a lower flexible circuit connected between the lower interface printed circuit board and the main printed circuit board to electrically connect the second data channel to the active device.

[0005] In another embodiment, a pluggable module is provided, comprising a housing having a cavity. The housing has a mating end. The housing has an opening at the mating end. The pluggable module includes a circuit board assembly housed within the cavity of the housing. The circuit board assembly includes an upper interface printed circuit board, a lower interface printed circuit board, a main printed circuit board, an upper flexible circuit connecting the upper interface printed circuit board and the main printed circuit board, and a lower flexible circuit connecting the lower interface printed circuit board and the main printed circuit board. The upper interface printed circuit board includes a first data channel. The upper flexible circuit electrically connects the first data channel to an active device. The upper interface printed circuit board includes an upper mating edge and an upper mating pad adjacent to the upper mating edge, the upper mating pad forming a portion of the first data channel. The upper mating edge is disposed at the mating end of the housing for insertion into a first card edge connector to mate the upper mating pad with a first contact of the first card edge connector. The lower interface printed circuit board includes a second data channel. The lower flexible circuit electrically connects the second data channel to an active device. The lower interface printed circuit board includes a lower mating edge and a lower mating pad adjacent to the lower mating edge, the lower mating pad forming a portion of the second data channel. A lower mating edge appears at the mating end of the housing for insertion into the second card edge connector to mate the lower mating pad with the second contact of the second card edge connector. The main printed circuit board includes active devices electrically connected to the first and second data channels. The active devices include repeater devices for recovering signals transmitted along the first and second data channels.

[0006] In another embodiment, a pluggable module is provided, comprising a housing having a cavity. The housing has a mating end and a cable end. The housing has an opening at the mating end. The pluggable module includes a cable assembly extending from the cable end. The cable assembly cable has a conductor. The pluggable module includes a circuit board assembly housed within the cavity of the housing and terminating the conductor of the cable to the cable assembly. The circuit board assembly includes an upper interface printed circuit board, a lower interface printed circuit board, a main printed circuit board, an upper flexible circuit connecting the upper interface printed circuit board and the main printed circuit board, and a lower flexible circuit connecting the lower interface printed circuit board and the main printed circuit board. The upper interface printed circuit board includes a first data channel. The upper flexible circuit electrically connects the first data channel to an active device. The upper interface printed circuit board includes an upper mating edge and an upper mating pad adjacent to the upper mating edge, the upper mating pad forming a portion of the first data channel. The upper mating edge appears at the mating end of the housing for insertion into a first card edge connector to mate the upper mating pad with a first contact of the first card edge connector. The lower interface printed circuit board includes a second data channel. The lower flexible circuit electrically connects the second data channel to an active device. The lower interface printed circuit board includes a lower mating edge and a lower mating pad adjacent to the lower mating edge, the lower mating pad forming a portion of the second data channel. The lower mating edge appears at the mating end of the housing for insertion into a second card edge connector to mate the lower mating pad with a second contact of the second card edge connector. The main printed circuit board includes an active device configured to be electrically connected to the first and second data channels and configured to be electrically connected to the conductors of a cable in a cable assembly. The active device includes a repeater device for recovering signals transmitted along the first and second data channels. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a front perspective view of a communication system formed according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 This is a front perspective view of an electrical connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0009] Figure 3 This is a front perspective view of a pluggable module according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0010] Figure 4 This is a front perspective view of a circuit board assembly according to an exemplary embodiment, showing a cable assembly terminated to the circuit board assembly.

[0011] Figure 5 This is a rear perspective view of a circuit board assembly according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0012] Figure 6This is a side view of a circuit board assembly according to an exemplary embodiment, showing a cable assembly terminated to the circuit board assembly.

[0013] Figure 7 This is an exploded view of a pluggable module according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0014] Figure 8 This is a front perspective view of a circuit board assembly according to an exemplary embodiment, showing a cable assembly as an optical fiber cable assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0015] Figure 1 This is a front perspective view of a communication system 100 formed according to an exemplary embodiment. The communication system 100 includes a device 102 and a receptacle connector assembly 104 mounted to the device 102. The communication system 100 includes mating components, such as a pluggable module 200, configured to mate with the receptacle connector assembly 104. For example, the pluggable module 200 can be plugged into a receptacle or cavity of the receptacle connector assembly 104.

[0016] In various embodiments, device 102 may be a circuit board. In other various embodiments, device 102 may be a housing, chassis, panel, or other type of device, such as one disposed at the front of a connector assembly. For example, device 102 may be a vertical wall (not shown), such as a panel or chassis having an opening or cutout for receiving a portion of a receptacle connector assembly 104. The receptacle connector assembly 104 may be coupled to device 102 using mounting lugs or brackets. The device may be horizontal, vertical, or oriented in another orientation.

[0017] The pluggable module 200 is configured to be electrically connected to the receptacle connector assembly 104. The pluggable module 200 can be an I / O module or a transceiver module. The pluggable module 200 can be electrically connected to the device 102. The pluggable module 200 can be connected via a cable connector to other components within the communication system 100, such as integrated circuit components, chips, microprocessors, memory modules, or another component of the communication system. Other components can be mounted to the device 102, such as those located away from the receptacle connector assembly 104.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle connector assembly 104 includes a receptacle frame 110 and an electrical connector assembly 112 (shown in dashed lines) adjacent to the receptacle frame 110. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector assembly 112 is received within the receptacle frame 110. In various other embodiments, the electrical connector assembly 112 may be located at the rear of the receptacle frame 110. In various embodiments, the electrical connector assembly 112 is a card edge connector and may be referred to hereinafter as card edge connector 112. The card edge connector 112 may include one or more card slots for receiving insert cards or other card edges of pluggable modules. In an exemplary embodiment, the card edge connector 112 may be a dual-slot card edge connector having a pair of card slots configured to receive corresponding card edges. In various other embodiments, multiple card edge connectors 112 may be provided, for example, stacked to form stacked card slots. In various embodiments, the card edge connector 112 is disposed at the end of the cable 190. The electrical connector assembly 112 may be electrically connected to the device 102. The electrical connector assembly 112 may be connected to other components via a cable connector.

[0019] In various embodiments, the receptacle frame 110 is enclosed and provides electrical shielding for the electrical connector assembly 112. A pluggable module 200 is loaded into and at least partially surrounded by the receptacle frame 110. The receptacle frame 110 includes a plurality of walls 114 defining one or more module channels 116 for receiving corresponding pluggable modules 200. The walls 114 may be walls defined by solid sheets, perforated walls allowing airflow, walls with cutouts (e.g., for a heatsink or through which a heatsink passes), or walls defined by rails or beams with relatively large openings (e.g., for airflow).

[0020] In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle frame 110 is a single-port frame with a single module channel 116. In an alternative embodiment, the receptacle frame 110 constitutes a multi-port frame with multiple module channels 116. The module channels 116 may be arranged in a single row or may be stacked in multiple rows. In various embodiments, the receptacle frame 110 may include four module channels 116 arranged in a single row (e.g., 1x4). However, in alternative embodiments, the receptacle frame 110 may include multiple rows (e.g., 2x2, 3x2, 4x2, 4x3, etc.). In various embodiments, any number of module channels 116 may be provided. Optionally, multiple electrical connector assemblies 112 may be arranged within the receptacle frame 110 for mating with corresponding pluggable modules 200.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the wall 114 of the socket holder 110 includes a top wall 130, a bottom wall 132, and a side wall 134 extending between the top wall 130 and the bottom wall 132. The bottom wall 132 can rest on the device 102. In various other embodiments, the socket holder 110 may be provided without the bottom wall 132. Optionally, the module channel 116 may open at both the front and rear. However, the wall 114 of the socket holder 110 may include a rear wall and / or a front wall.

[0022] Wall 114 defines cavity 140, which defines one or more of module channels 116. For example, cavity 140 may be defined by top wall 130, bottom wall 132, and side wall 134. In an exemplary embodiment, other walls 114 may separate or divide cavity 140 into various module channels 116. For example, wall 114 may include partition walls between module channels 116.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle bracket 110 may include one or more washers 142 at the front and / or rear for providing electrical shielding for ports leading to the module channel 116. For example, the washers 142 may be configured to electrically connect to openings in the pluggable module 200 and / or device 102 where the receptacle bracket 110 is mounted. The washers 142 may be configured to electrically connect to a panel or bezel.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle connector assembly 104 may include one or more heat sinks (not shown) for dissipating heat from the pluggable module 200. For example, a heat sink may be coupled to a top wall 130 for engaging the pluggable module 200 received in a module channel 116. The heat sink may extend through an opening in the top wall 130 to directly engage the pluggable module 200. Other types of heat sinks may be provided in alternative embodiments.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, each electrical connector assembly 112 is received in a cavity 140, such as at the rear. The electrical connector assembly 112 is removable from the receptacle frame 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable module 200 is front-loaded to mate with the electrical connector assembly 112. A shielding wall 114 of the receptacle frame 110 provides electrical shielding around the electrical connector assembly 112 and the pluggable module 200, such as around the mating interface between the electrical connector assembly 112 and the pluggable module 200.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a front perspective view of an electrical connector assembly 112 according to an exemplary embodiment. The electrical connector assembly 112 includes one or more cable assemblies 150 and a housing 152 that retains the cable assemblies 150. Each cable assembly 150 includes one or more contact assemblies 170 and a cable 190 terminated to the corresponding contact assembly 170.

[0027] Housing 152 includes a cavity 154 for receiving cable assembly 150. Housing 152 extends between a front portion 156 and a rear portion 158. Cavity 154 opens at rear portion 158 to receive cable assembly 150. Housing 152 extends between a top portion 160 and a bottom portion 162. Housing 152 extends between opposite sides 168. In various embodiments, housing 152 may be generally box-shaped. In the illustrated embodiment, bottom portion 162 may define a mounting end configured for mounting to device 102. Figure 1 (as shown in the diagram) and / or socket bracket 110. Side 168 may define a mounting end configured to be mounted to socket bracket 110 and / or device 102. Front 156 is defined to be configured to connect to pluggable module 200 (such as...). Figure 1 (As shown) The mating ends. Other orientations are possible in alternative embodiments.

[0028] The housing 152 includes a top wall at a top 160 and a bottom wall at a bottom 162. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 152 includes a shield 164 at a front 156, the shield 164 being configured to mate with a pluggable module 200. The shield 164 is a nose cone configured to insert into a mating end of the pluggable module 200. The shield 164 includes one or more housing slots 166 that open at the front. In the illustrated embodiment, the shield 164 includes a pair of slots 166, such as an upper slot and a lower slot. However, in alternative embodiments, the shield 164 may include more or fewer slots 166, such as a single slot 166. In various other embodiments, the housing 152 may include multiple shields 164 that can be inserted into different pluggable modules (e.g., an upper module and a lower module). In an exemplary embodiment, a contact assembly 170 is loaded in the cavity 154 and received in the shield 164 for mating with the pluggable module 200.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, each cable assembly 150 includes a pair of contact assemblies 170, such as an upper contact assembly 170a and a lower contact assembly 170b. The upper contact assembly 170a includes an upper contact 172, and the lower contact assembly 170b includes a lower contact 174, the lower contacts 174 being arranged in a row facing each other across a gap 176 configured to receive mating components (e.g., the card edge of a corresponding circuit card of the pluggable module 200). The upper contact assembly 170a and the lower contact assembly 170b may be similar or identical contact assemblies (e.g., similarly or identically manufactured and / or assembled). The upper contact assembly 170a and the lower contact assembly 170b may be inverted relative to each other to form an upper mating interface for mating to an upper surface of a circuit card and a lower mating interface for mating to a lower surface of a circuit card.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, the electrical connector assembly 112 includes a first card edge connector 180 and a second card edge connector 182. The first card edge connector 180 is defined by an upper card slot 166 and an upper contact assembly 170a of the housing 152. The first card edge connector 180 forms a first interface for mating with a first or upper circuit card. The second card edge connector 182 is defined by a lower card slot 166 and a lower contact assembly 170b of the housing 152. The second card edge connector 182 forms a second interface for mating with a second or lower circuit card.

[0031] Cable 190 terminates at a corresponding contact of contact assembly 170. Cable 190 may be arranged in multiple rows. In an exemplary embodiment, cable 190 is a biaxial cable, each cable having a pair of signal conductors arranged in the core of cable 190. Cable 190 may be a shielded cable having cable shielding surrounding the pair of signal conductors. Cable 190 may include a drain conductor. In alternative embodiments, other types of cables may be used, such as coaxial cables, flat flexible cables, flexible circuits, twisted-pair cables, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, cable 190 is defined as a high-speed signal cable configured to transmit high-speed data signals, such as 10Gbps, 25Gbps, 40Gbps, 64Gbps, 100Gbps, or higher.

[0032] Figure 3 This is a front perspective view of a pluggable module 200 according to an exemplary embodiment. The pluggable module 200 includes a housing 210 that holds a circuit board assembly 250. A cable assembly 260 is electrically connected to the circuit board assembly 250. The circuit board assembly 250 is configured to connect to an electrical connector assembly 112 (such as...). Figure 2 (As shown) In an exemplary embodiment, the circuit board assembly 250 is a dual-paddle card assembly having a pair of stacked circuit cards or paddle cards configured to mate with the electrical connector assembly 112. In an exemplary embodiment, the circuit board assembly 250 includes an active module 290 that provides active signaling for a signal or data channel via the pluggable module 200. The active module 290 recovers or enhances signals transmitted along the data channel to improve signal conditioning or signal integrity along the data channel, thereby improving communication through the communication system 100.

[0033] The housing 210 extends between a mating end 212 and a cable end 214. The mating end 212 is configured to mate with an electrical connector assembly 112. The cable assembly 260 extends from the cable end 214. In the illustrated embodiment, the cable end 214 is opposite to the mating end 212. For example, the mating end 212 may be located at the front of the housing 210, and the cable end 214 may be located at the rear of the housing 210. In alternative embodiments, other orientations are possible. For example, the pluggable module 200 may be a right-angle module having a cable end 214 perpendicular to the mating end 212.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, housing 210 is a multi-piece housing. For example, housing 210 includes an upper housing member 216 and a lower housing member 218. Housing 210 includes a cavity 220 located between the upper housing member 216 and the lower housing member 218. Housing 210 includes a top wall 222 and a bottom wall 224. Housing 210 includes side walls 226, 228 located between the top wall 222 and the bottom wall 224. The upper housing member 216 and the lower housing member 218 may meet at a seam along the side walls 226, 228. In an exemplary embodiment, housing 210 includes a main portion 230 and a nose 232 extending forward from the main portion 230. The nose 232 can be inserted into a module channel 116 of the socket holder 110 (e.g., Figure 1 (As shown).

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable module 200 includes a latch 240 coupled to the housing 210. The latch 240 secures the pluggable module 200 to the receptacle holder 110. The latch 240 includes one or more latch fingers 242 configured to be latchably coupled to the receptacle holder 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the latch 240 includes a release element 244 for releasing the latch 240 from the receptacle holder 110 to remove the pluggable module 200 from the receptacle holder 110. For example, the release element 244 may include a pull tab or other type of release mechanism.

[0036] Figure 4 This is a front perspective view of a circuit board assembly 250 according to an exemplary embodiment, showing a cable assembly 260 terminated to the circuit board assembly 250. Figure 5 This is a rear perspective view of the circuit board assembly 250 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 6 This is a side view of a circuit board assembly 250 according to an exemplary embodiment, showing a cable assembly 260 terminated to the circuit board assembly 250. Figure 4-6 An exemplary embodiment of an active module 290 for active signal processing of signals transmitted through the pluggable module 200 is shown. In the exemplary embodiment, the active module 290 includes a main printed circuit board 500 and an active device 550 coupled to the main printed circuit board 500. The active device 550 provides active signaling for a signal or data channel through the pluggable module 200. The active device 550 recovers or enhances signals transmitted along the data channel to improve signal conditioning or signal integrity along the data channel, thereby improving communication through the communication system 100.

[0037] Cable assembly 260 includes a plurality of cables 262 communicatively coupled to circuit board assembly 250. In various embodiments, cables 262 are cables configured to be electrically coupled to circuit board assembly 250. Cables 262 may be arranged in multiple rows, such as vertically stacked. For example, cables 262 may be coupled to different surfaces of different circuit boards of circuit board assembly 250. In an exemplary embodiment, cables 262 are biaxial cables, each cable having a pair of signal conductors disposed in the core of cable 262. Cables 262 may be shielded cables having cable shielding around the pair of signal conductors. Cables 262 may include drain conductors. In alternative embodiments, other types of cables may be used, such as coaxial cables, flat flexible cables, flexible circuits, twisted-pair cables, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, cables 262 define high-speed signal cables configured to transmit high-speed data signals, such as 10Gbps, 25Gbps, 40Gbps, 64Gbps, 100Gbps, or higher. In an alternative embodiment, cable 262 is an optical fiber cable, rather than a cable, configured to optically couple to an optical device mounted to circuit board assembly 250.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, the circuit board assembly 250 includes an upper interface printed circuit board 300, a lower interface printed circuit board 400, a main printed circuit board 500, an upper flexible circuit 600 connected between the upper interface printed circuit board 300 and the main printed circuit board 500, and a lower flexible circuit 700 connected between the lower interface printed circuit board 400 and the main printed circuit board 500. The upper interface printed circuit board 300 and the lower interface printed circuit board 400 are configured to connect to the electrical connector assembly 112 (e.g., ...). Figure 2 (As shown) The circuit board assembly 250 includes a first data channel 252 along the upper interface printed circuit board 300 and the upper flexible circuit 600, and a second data channel 254 along the lower interface printed circuit board 400 and the lower flexible circuit 700. The first and second data channels 252, 254 are combined by the active module 290 for active signal processing by the active device 550. For example, the first data channel 252 and the second data channel 254 are combined on the main printed circuit board 500 for transmission to / from the active device 550. By combining the first data channel 252 and the second data channel 254 on the main printed circuit board 500, the pluggable module 200 can be configured with a single active device 550 instead of a pair of active devices, which can reduce the cost and / or complexity of the circuit board assembly 250. A single active device 550 simplifies heat transfer or heat dissipation, which improves the overall operation or functionality of the pluggable module 200.

[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, the circuit board assembly 250 includes an upper cable printed circuit board 800, a lower cable printed circuit board 900, an upper flexible circuit 1000 connected between the upper cable printed circuit board 800 and the main printed circuit board 500, and a lower flexible circuit 1100 connected between the lower cable printed circuit board 900 and the main printed circuit board 500. The circuit board assembly 250 includes a third data channel 256 along the upper cable printed circuit board 800 and the upper flexible circuit 1000, and a fourth data channel 258 along the lower cable printed circuit board 900 and the lower flexible circuit 1100. The third and fourth data channels 256 and 258 are combined at the active module 290 for active signal processing by the active device 550, but are separated to route to corresponding cables 262 of the cable assembly 260. Cables 262 are coupled to the upper cable printed circuit board 800 and the lower cable printed circuit board 900. In an alternative embodiment, cable 262 can be coupled to main printed circuit board 500, thus eliminating cable printed circuit boards 800, 900 and flexible circuits 1000, 1100.

[0040] The upper interface printed circuit board 300 includes a rigid substrate 310 extending between a front portion 312 and a rear portion 314. The rigid substrate 310 includes an inner surface 316 and an outer surface 318. The inner surface 316 faces the lower interface printed circuit board 400. The upper interface printed circuit board 300 includes an upper mating edge 320 at the front portion 312. The upper mating edge 320 is configured to insert into a first card edge connector 180 (e.g., ...). Figure 2 (As shown). The upper interface printed circuit board 300 includes an upper mating pad 322 near the upper mating edge 320. The upper mating pad 322 is defined by circuitry or traces of the upper interface printed circuit board 300. The upper mating pad 322 forms a portion of the first data channel 252. The upper mating pad 322 is configured to be electrically connected to a corresponding circuitry or conductor of the upper flexible circuitry 600. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper mating pad 322 is disposed on the inner surface 316 and the outer surface 318 to increase the connection density at the upper mating edge 320 for mating with the first card edge connector 180. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper mating pad 322 includes both signal contacts and ground contacts. For example, the signal contacts may be arranged in pairs, and the ground contacts may be located between the signal contact pairs. The ground contacts may be electrically connected to the ground plane of the upper interface printed circuit board 300.

[0041] The lower interface printed circuit board 400 includes a rigid substrate 410 extending between a front portion 412 and a rear portion 414. The rigid substrate 410 includes an inner surface 416 and an outer surface 418. The inner surface 416 faces the upper interface printed circuit board 300. The lower interface printed circuit board 400 includes a lower mating edge 420 at the front portion 412. The lower mating edge 420 is configured to insert into a second card edge connector 182 (e.g., ...). Figure 2As shown in the diagram, the lower interface printed circuit board 400 includes a lower mating pad 422 near the lower mating edge 420. The lower mating pad 422 is defined by circuitry or traces of the lower interface printed circuit board 400. The lower mating pad 422 forms a portion of the second data channel 254. The lower mating pad 422 is configured to be electrically connected to a corresponding circuitry or conductor of the lower flexible circuitry 700. In an exemplary embodiment, the lower mating pad 422 is disposed on the inner surface 416 and the outer surface 418 to increase the connection density at the lower mating edge 420 for mating with the second card edge connector 182. In an exemplary embodiment, the lower mating pad 422 includes both signal contacts and ground contacts. For example, the signal contacts may be arranged in pairs, and the ground contacts may be located between the signal contact pairs. The ground contacts may be electrically connected to the ground plane of the lower interface printed circuit board 400.

[0042] The main printed circuit board 500 includes a rigid substrate 510 extending between a front portion 512 and a rear portion 514. The rigid substrate 510 includes an upper surface 516 and a lower surface 518. In the illustrated embodiment, an active device 550 is mounted to the upper surface 516. The active device 550 is mounted to a mounting region 552. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting region 552 is generally centered between the front portion 512 and the rear portion 514. In alternative embodiments, other locations are also possible. In various embodiments, the active device 550 may be soldered to a pad or trace at the upper surface 516. In alternative embodiments, the active device 550 may be press-fitted into a plated through-hole of the main printed circuit board 500. Other components may be mounted to the main printed circuit board 500, such as capacitors, transistors, resistors, memory components, microcontrollers, EEPROM devices, etc. In various embodiments, the pluggable module 200 may be configured for optical data communication and includes an electro-optical converter (not shown) and one or more optical transceivers (not shown) configured to be operatively coupled to an optical fiber cable.

[0043] The main printed circuit board 500 includes multiple circuits or conductors to electrically connect the active device 550 to other portions of the circuit board assembly 250. For example, the main printed circuit board 500 includes a first conductor 522 located between the upper flexible circuit 600 and the active device 550, and a second conductor 524 located between the lower flexible circuit 700 and the active device 550. In an exemplary embodiment, the main printed circuit board 500 includes a third conductor 526 between the upper flexible circuit 1000 and the active device 550, and a fourth conductor 528 between the lower flexible circuit 1100 and the active device 550. Conductors 522, 524, 526, and 528 can be routed on one or more layers of the main printed circuit board 500 using traces, plated vias, or other circuitry of the main printed circuit board 500.

[0044] The upper flexible circuit 600 includes a flexible substrate 610 extending between a front and a rear portion. The flexible substrate 610 includes conductors 620 configured to electrically connect to conductors or circuits of the upper interface printed circuit board 300 and the main printed circuit board 500. For example, conductor 620 is electrically connected to a first conductor 522 of the main printed circuit board 500. Conductors 620 and the first conductor 522 form a portion of a first data channel 252. Conductor 620 may include both signal conductors and ground conductors. Signal conductors may be arranged in pairs.

[0045] The lower flexible circuit 700 includes a flexible substrate 710 extending between a front and a rear portion. The flexible substrate 710 includes conductors 720 configured to electrically connect to conductors or circuits of the lower interface printed circuit board 400 and the main printed circuit board 500. For example, conductor 720 is electrically connected to a second conductor 524 of the main printed circuit board 500. Conductors 720 and 524 form a portion of a second data channel 254. Conductor 720 may include both signal conductors and ground conductors. Signal conductors may be arranged in pairs.

[0046] The upper cable printed circuit board 800 includes a rigid substrate 810 extending between a front portion 812 and a rear portion 814. The rigid substrate 810 includes an inner surface 816 and an outer surface 818. The inner surface 816 faces the lower cable printed circuit board 900. The upper cable printed circuit board 800 includes an upper termination region 820 at the rear portion 814. A cable 190 is configured to terminate at the upper termination region 820 to the upper cable printed circuit board 800. For example, the conductor of the cable 190 may be soldered to an upper cable pad 822 at the upper termination region 820. The upper cable pad 822 is defined by circuitry or traces of the upper cable printed circuit board 800. The upper cable pad 822 forms a portion of a third data channel 256. The upper cable pad 822 is configured to be electrically connected to a corresponding circuitry or conductor of the upper flexible circuit 1000. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper cable pad 822 is disposed on the inner surface 816 and the outer surface 818 to increase the connection density with the cable 190 at the upper termination region 820. Alternatively or additionally, the upper cable pad 822 may be arranged in multiple rows to increase the number of cables 190 configured to terminate at the upper cable printed circuit board 800. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper cable pad 822 includes both signal contacts and ground contacts. For example, the signal contacts may be arranged in pairs, and the ground contacts may be located between the signal contact pairs. The drain wire of the cable 190 may terminate at the ground contact. The ground contact may be electrically connected to the ground plane of the upper cable printed circuit board 800.

[0047] The lower cable printed circuit board 900 includes a rigid substrate 910 extending between a front portion 912 and a rear portion 914. The rigid substrate 910 includes an inner surface 916 and an outer surface 918. The inner surface 916 faces the upper cable printed circuit board 800. The lower cable printed circuit board 900 includes a lower termination region 920 at the rear portion 914. A cable 190 is configured to terminate at the lower termination region 920 to the lower cable printed circuit board 900. For example, the conductor of the cable 190 may be soldered to a lower cable pad 922 at the lower termination region 920. The lower cable pad 922 is defined by circuitry or traces of the lower cable printed circuit board 900. The lower cable pad 922 forms a portion of a fourth data channel 258. The lower cable pad 922 is configured to be electrically connected to a corresponding circuitry or conductor of the lower flexible circuit 1100. In an exemplary embodiment, the lower cable pad 922 is disposed on the inner surface 916 and the outer surface 918 to increase the connection density with the cable 190 at the lower termination region 920. Alternatively or additionally, the lower cable pad 922 may be arranged in multiple rows to increase the number of cables 190 configured to terminate to the lower cable printed circuit board 900. In an exemplary embodiment, the lower cable pad 922 includes both signal contacts and ground contacts. For example, the signal contacts may be arranged in pairs, and the ground contacts may be located between the signal contact pairs. The drain wire of the cable 190 may terminate to the ground contact. The ground contact may be electrically connected to the ground plane of the lower cable printed circuit board 900.

[0048] The upper flexible circuit 1000 includes a flexible substrate 1010 extending between a front and a rear portion. The flexible substrate 1010 includes conductors 1020 configured to be electrically connected to conductors or circuits of the upper cable printed circuit board 800 and the main printed circuit board 500. For example, conductor 1020 is electrically connected to a third conductor 526 of the main printed circuit board 500. Conductors 1020 and the third conductor 526 form a portion of a third data channel 256. Conductor 1020 may include both signal conductors and ground conductors. Signal conductors may be arranged in pairs.

[0049] The lower flexible circuit 1100 includes a flexible substrate 1110 extending between a front and a rear portion. The flexible substrate 1110 includes conductors 1120 configured to be electrically connected to conductors or circuits of the lower cable printed circuit board 900 and the main printed circuit board 500. For example, conductor 1120 is electrically connected to a fourth conductor 528 of the main printed circuit board 500. Conductors 1120 and the fourth conductor 528 form a portion of a fourth data channel 258. Conductor 1120 may include both signal conductors and ground conductors. Signal conductors may be arranged in pairs.

[0050] In an exemplary embodiment, the active module 290 includes a main printed circuit board 500 and an active device 550 for actively processing signals transmitted along a data channel. The active device 550 is used to satisfy data budget constraints along the data channel. In an exemplary embodiment, the active device 550 includes one or more repeater devices 560 to recover signals transmitted along the data channel of the circuit board assembly 250. Each repeater device 560 includes an integrated circuit. The repeater device 560 operates as a channel extension device to extend the transmission line length along the data channel. For example, when the channel length of the data channel between the respective end-line assemblies is longer than the allowed channel length according to a protocol specification, the repeater device 560 recovers the signal by processing the signal along the data channel through the active module 290, such that the distance between the end-line assemblies is shorter than the allowed channel length. The repeater device 560 allows for reliable, error-free communication for the communication system 100.

[0051] In various embodiments, repeater device 560 may be a retimer device. In various embodiments, the retimer device may be a retimer device with sixteen channels. The retimer device is configured to retransmit a fresh copy of the original signal. The retimer device may be a protocol-aware mixed-signal analog / digital device and has the capability to fully recover data, extract the embedded clock, and retransmit a new copy of the data using a clean clock. The retimer device may include a continuous-time linear equalizer (CTLE) and a wideband gain stage. The retimer device may include clock and data recovery (CDR) circuitry, a decision feedback equalizer (DFE), and a transmit (Tx) finite impulse response (FIR) driver. The retimer device may include a finite state machine (FSM) and / or a microcontroller to manage the automatic adaptation of the CTLE, wideband gain, DFE, and FIR driver, and to implement a link training and state machine (LTSSM). The retimer device may actively participate in the protocol. The retimer device can fully recover the data stream and retransmit the data signal on a clean clock, enabling the channel to be extended to twice the original specification. Re-timer devices compensate for DFE (Difference Effort Error) reflections in the channel response caused by impedance discontinuities in board vias, connectors, and socket-to-board interfaces along data transmission lines. Re-timer devices can examine the received signal and adjust CTLE (Critical Time Error) and DFE to minimize the bit error rate (BER). The transmitter of a re-timer device can be adjusted for de-emphasis and pre-triggered equalization according to equalization protocols to minimize BER. Re-timer devices can include tools for evaluating electrical performance (internal eye monitor, pattern generator, pattern checker) and protocol performance (link state history monitor, timeout adjustment). Re-timer devices can compensate for and reset any inter-channel skew, effectively doubling the specification budget.

[0052] In various embodiments, repeater device 560 may be a re-driver device. The re-driver device is configured to amplify the signal transmitted downstream of the re-driver device. The re-driver device may be an analog extension device designed to enhance the high-frequency portion of the signal, such as to compensate for frequency-dependent attenuation along the data channel. The re-driver device may include a continuous-time linear equalizer (CTLE), a wideband gain stage, and a linear driver. The re-driver device may include a receive (RX)-side equalizer (EQ) to compensate for frequency-dependent attenuation due to PCB traces or cable conductors along the transmission line. The CTLE may be used to open up the closed eyes of distorted waveforms. The transmit (TX) side of the re-driver device may include a pre-emphasis function (transmit equalizer) to pre-shape the transmitted waveform.

[0053] In an exemplary embodiment, the main printed circuit board 500 is connected to the upper interface printed circuit board 300 and the lower interface printed circuit board 400 via an upper flexible circuit 600 and a lower flexible circuit 700 to allow the main printed circuit board 500 to move relative to the upper interface printed circuit board 300 and the lower interface printed circuit board 400. In various embodiments, the main printed circuit board 500 is connected to the upper cable printed circuit board 800 and the lower cable printed circuit board 900 via an upper flexible circuit 1000 and a lower flexible circuit 1100 to allow the main printed circuit board 500 to move relative to the upper cable printed circuit board 800 and the lower cable printed circuit board 900. The rigid substrate 310 of the upper interface printed circuit board 300 is arranged along a first plane. The rigid substrate 410 of the lower interface printed circuit board 400 is arranged along a second plane. The second plane is oriented generally parallel to the first plane and spaced apart from the first plane (e.g., vertically stacked below the first plane). The rigid substrate 510 of the main printed circuit board 500 is arranged along a third plane, which is parallel to the first and second planes and spaced apart from the first and second planes (e.g., located at a vertical height between the first and second planes). The rigid substrate 810 of the upper cable printed circuit board 800 is arranged along a fourth plane. The rigid substrate 910 of the lower cable printed circuit board 900 is arranged along a fifth plane. The fifth plane is oriented generally parallel to the fourth plane and spaced apart from the fourth plane (e.g., vertically stacked below the fourth plane). The fourth plane may be generally coplanar with the first plane. The fifth plane may be generally coplanar with the second plane. A third plane is parallel to and spaced apart from the fourth and fifth planes (e.g., located at a vertical height between them).

[0054] In various embodiments, the circuit board assembly 250 can be manufactured using a rigid-flexible manufacturing process, wherein portions of the flexible circuitry are processed to form rigid portions. For example, the flexible and rigid circuitry can be manufactured as a single integral structure having both rigid and flexible portions. The flexible circuitry can be laminated between the rigid portions to form rigid substrates for the rigid circuit boards 300, 400, 500, 800, and 900. In an exemplary embodiment, the rigid substrates 310, 410, 810, and 910 for the upper interface printed circuit board 300, the lower interface printed circuit board 400, the upper cable printed circuit board 800, and the lower cable printed circuit board 900 are single-thickness boards. However, the circuitry of such boards is combined at a main printed circuit board 500, which can be a double-thickness board.

[0055] Figure 7 This is an exploded view of a pluggable module 200 according to an exemplary embodiment. The pluggable module 200 includes a housing 210, a latch 240, a circuit board assembly 250, and a cable assembly 260. In an exemplary embodiment, the circuit board assembly 250 is a dual-paddle card assembly having a pair of stacked interface circuit boards 300, 400 configured to connect with an electrical connector assembly 112 (in...). Figure 2 (As shown in the diagram) Both are electrically connected to the active module 290 via corresponding flexible circuits 600 and 700. A pair of stacked cable circuit boards 800 and 900 are electrically connected to the active module 290 via corresponding flexible circuits 1000 and 1100.

[0056] Housing 210 includes an upper housing member 216 and a lower housing member 218, which are joined together to form a cavity 220. A circuit board assembly 250 and a cable assembly 260 are housed within the cavity 220 between the upper housing member 216 and the lower housing member 218. In an exemplary embodiment, flexible circuits 1000 and 1100 allow variable positioning of cable circuit boards 800 and 900 within the cavity 220 to facilitate termination and connection to cable 262. Flexible circuits 1000 and 1100 also allow variable positioning of the main printed circuit board 500 relative to the cable circuit boards 800 and 900 within the cavity 220.

[0057] In an exemplary embodiment, the circuit board assembly 250 includes a circuit board spacer 270 for maintaining the relative position of the upper interface circuit board 300 and the lower interface circuit board 400, such as vertically positioning the interface circuit boards 300 and 400 at a predetermined interval for insertion of card edge connectors 180 and 182 (e.g., ...). Figure 2(As shown). The circuit board spacer 270 may include positioning features 272 for positioning the circuit board spacer 270 relative to the housing 210, and thus positioning the interface circuit boards 300, 400. For example, the circuit board spacer 270 may engage the top wall 222 and / or the bottom wall 224 of the housing 210.

[0058] In an exemplary embodiment, flexible circuits 600, 700 allow for variable positioning of the main printed circuit board 500 relative to interface circuit boards 300, 400 within cavity 220. In an exemplary embodiment, pluggable module 200 may include a heat transfer device 280. In an exemplary embodiment, active device 550 is configured to be thermally coupled to heat transfer device 280 to transfer heat from active device 550 to cool active device 550. Heat transfer device 280 may be defined by top wall 222. Alternatively, heat transfer device 280 may be a separate component, such as a heat sink, coupled to housing 210, such as top wall 222. In an exemplary embodiment, active device 550 is configured to physically engage heat transfer device 280. For example, the top surface of active device 550 may engage the inner surface of top wall 222. Optionally, a thermal interface material, such as hot grease, may be provided at the interface between active device 550 and heat transfer device 280. In an exemplary embodiment, the main printed circuit board 500 may be movable within the cavity 220 (e.g., movable as permitted by the flexible circuits 600, 700) to allow the active device 550 to be positioned relative to the heat transfer device 280. In various embodiments, a biasing element (not shown), such as a spring, may be positioned below the main printed circuit board 500 to upward bias the main printed circuit board 500 and the active device 550 to thermally engage with the heat transfer device 280.

[0059] A latch 240 is coupled to the top wall 222 of the housing 210. For example, the latch 240 is received in a latch recess 223 formed in the top wall 222. The latch 240 is used to secure the pluggable module 200 to the receptacle holder 110. The latch 240 includes latch fingers 242 and a release element 244 operably coupled to the latch fingers 242 to rotate or release the latch fingers 242. In an exemplary embodiment, the latch 240 includes a cover 246 for covering the release element 244 and / or the latch fingers 242. The cover 246 can be secured using a fastener 248. The fastener 248 can be used to secure the upper housing member 216 and the lower housing member 218.

[0060] Figure 8This is a front perspective view of a circuit board assembly 250 according to an exemplary embodiment, showing a cable assembly 260 as an optical fiber cable assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, the circuit board assembly 250 includes an electro-optical converter 282 and an optical transceiver 284, the optical transceiver 284 being configured to be operatively coupled to the optical fiber cable 264 of the cable assembly 260. The electro-optical converter 282 and the optical transceiver 284 are mounted to a main printed circuit board 500. An active device 550 processes signals transmitted to / from the electro-optical converter 282 and the optical transceiver 284. The electro-optical converter 282 and the optical transceiver 284 are movable together with the main printed circuit board 500. The electro-optical converter 282 and / or the optical transceiver 284 can be thermally coupled to a heat transfer device 280 (in... Figure 7 (as shown in the figure) to dissipate heat from the electro-optical converter 282 and / or the optical transceiver 284.

[0061] It should be understood that the above description is intended to be exemplary and not restrictive. For example, the above embodiments (and / or aspects thereof) can be used in combination with each other. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt particular situations or materials to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. The dimensions, material types, orientations, and quantities and positions of the various components described herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments and are by no means restrictive, and are merely exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the above description. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined by reference to the appended claims and the full scope of their equivalents. In the appended claims, the terms “comprising” and “wherein” are used as simple English equivalents of the corresponding terms “comprising” and “wherein”. Furthermore, in the appended claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc., are used only as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. In addition, the limitations of the following claims are not written in the form of means plus function and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.SC §112(f), unless and until such a claim limitation expressly uses the phrase “for means” followed by a functional statement without further structure.

Claims

1. A circuit board assembly for a pluggable module, comprising: An upper interface printed circuit board includes a first data channel. The upper interface printed circuit board includes an upper mating edge and an upper mating pad adjacent to the upper mating edge. The upper mating pad forms a portion of the first data channel. The upper mating edge is configured to be inserted into a first card edge connector to mate the upper mating pad with a first contact of the first card edge connector. A lower interface printed circuit board includes a second data channel. The lower interface printed circuit board includes a lower mating edge and a lower mating pad adjacent to the lower mating edge. The lower mating pad forms a portion of the second data channel. The lower mating edge is configured to be inserted into a second card edge connector so that the lower mating pad mates with a second contact of the second card edge connector. A main printed circuit board includes an active device configured to be electrically connected to the first data channel and the second data channel, the active device including a repeater device for recovering signals transmitted along the first data channel and the second data channel; An upper flexible circuit is connected between the upper interface printed circuit board and the main printed circuit board to electrically connect the first data channel to the active device; and A flexible circuit is connected between the lower interface printed circuit board and the main printed circuit board to electrically connect the second data channel to the active device.

2. The circuit board assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The upper interface printed circuit board and the lower interface printed circuit board form a dual propeller card interface for the pluggable module.

3. The circuit board assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The upper flexible circuit and the lower flexible circuit allow the main printed circuit board to move relative to the upper interface circuit board and the lower interface circuit board.

4. The circuit board assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The first data channel and the second data channel from the upper interface printed circuit board and the lower interface printed circuit board are combined on the main printed circuit board for processing by the active device.

5. The circuit board assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The upper interface printed circuit board includes a rigid substrate, the lower interface printed circuit board includes a rigid substrate, the main printed circuit board includes a rigid substrate, and the upper flexible circuit and the lower flexible circuit extend between the corresponding rigid substrates.

6. The circuit board assembly of claim 5, wherein the rigid substrate of the upper interface printed circuit board is arranged along a first plane, the rigid substrate of the lower interface printed circuit board is arranged along a second plane parallel to and spaced apart from the first plane, and the rigid substrate of the main printed circuit board is arranged along a third plane parallel to and spaced apart from the first plane and the second plane.

7. The circuit board assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The upper interface printed circuit board includes an inner surface and an outer surface, and the upper mating pad is disposed on the inner surface and the outer surface of the upper interface printed circuit board. The lower interface printed circuit board includes an inner surface and an outer surface, and the lower mating pad is disposed on the inner surface and the outer surface of the lower interface printed circuit board.

8. The circuit board assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: An upper cable printed circuit board includes an upper cable termination area and an upper cable pad at the upper cable termination area, the upper cable pad being configured to terminate to a conductor of a cable; A lower cable printed circuit board includes a lower cable termination area and a lower cable pad at the lower cable termination area, the lower cable pad being configured to terminate to a conductor of a cable; and Flexible circuitry between the main printed circuit board and the upper and lower cable printed circuit boards to electrically connect the upper and lower cable pads to the active device.

9. The circuit board assembly according to claim 8, wherein, The upper cable printed circuit board includes an inner surface and an outer surface, and the upper cable pad is disposed on the inner surface and the outer surface of the upper cable printed circuit board. The lower cable printed circuit board includes an inner surface and an outer surface, and the lower cable pad is disposed on the inner surface and the outer surface of the lower cable printed circuit board.

10. The circuit board assembly of claim 1, wherein the repeater device is one of a retimer device or a redriver device for processing the first data channel and the second data channel.

11. The circuit board assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The main printed circuit board includes an electro-optical converter and an optical transceiver, the optical transceiver being configured to be operatively coupled to an optical fiber cable.

12. A pluggable module, comprising: A housing having a cavity, the housing having a mating end, the housing having an opening at the mating end; and A circuit board assembly is received in the cavity of the housing, the circuit board assembly including an upper interface printed circuit board, a lower interface printed circuit board, a main printed circuit board, an upper flexible circuit connected between the upper interface printed circuit board and the main printed circuit board, and a lower flexible circuit connected between the lower interface printed circuit board and the main printed circuit board. The upper interface printed circuit board includes a first data channel, and the upper flexible circuit electrically connects the first data channel to the active device. The upper interface printed circuit board includes an upper mating edge and an upper mating pad near the upper mating edge. The upper mating pad forms a portion of the first data channel. The upper mating edge is present at the mating end of the housing and is used to insert into the first card edge connector to mate the upper mating pad with the first contact of the first card edge connector. The lower interface printed circuit board includes a second data channel, and the lower flexible circuit electrically connects the second data channel to the active device. The lower interface printed circuit board includes a lower mating edge and a lower mating pad near the lower mating edge. The lower mating pad forms a portion of the second data channel. The lower mating edge is present at the mating end of the housing and is used to insert into the second card edge connector to mate the lower mating pad with the second contact of the second card edge connector. The main printed circuit board includes an active device electrically connected to a first data channel and a second data channel, the active device including a repeater device for recovering signals transmitted along the first data channel and the second data channel.

13. The pluggable module according to claim 12, wherein, The upper flexible circuit and the lower flexible circuit allow the main printed circuit board to move relative to the housing within the cavity.

14. The pluggable module according to claim 12, wherein, The first data channel and the second data channel from the upper interface printed circuit board and the lower interface printed circuit board are combined on the main printed circuit board for processing by the active device.

15. The pluggable module according to claim 12, wherein, The upper interface printed circuit board includes a rigid substrate, the lower interface printed circuit board includes a rigid substrate, the main printed circuit board includes a rigid substrate, and the upper flexible circuit and the lower flexible circuit extend between the corresponding rigid substrates.

16. The pluggable module according to claim 12, further comprising: An upper cable printed circuit board includes an upper cable termination area and an upper cable pad at the upper cable termination area, the upper cable pad being configured to terminate to a conductor of a cable; A lower cable printed circuit board includes a lower cable termination area and a lower cable pad at the lower cable termination area, the lower cable pad being configured to terminate to a conductor of a cable; and Flexible circuitry between the main printed circuit board and the upper and lower cable printed circuit boards to electrically connect the upper and lower cable pads to the active device.

17. A pluggable module, comprising: A housing having a cavity, the housing having a mating end and a cable end, the housing having an opening at the mating end; A cable assembly extending from the cable end, the cable assembly cable having a conductor; and A circuit board assembly, which is housed in the cavity of the housing and terminates the conductor of a cable to the cable assembly, the circuit board assembly including an upper interface printed circuit board, a lower interface printed circuit board, a main printed circuit board, an upper flexible circuit connected between the upper interface printed circuit board and the main printed circuit board, and a lower flexible circuit connected between the lower interface printed circuit board and the main printed circuit board. The upper interface printed circuit board includes a first data channel, and the upper flexible circuit electrically connects the first data channel to the active device. The upper interface printed circuit board includes an upper mating edge and an upper mating pad near the upper mating edge. The upper mating pad forms a portion of the first data channel. The upper mating edge is present at the mating end of the housing and is used to insert into the first card edge connector to mate the upper mating pad with the first contact of the first card edge connector. The lower interface printed circuit board includes a second data channel, and the lower flexible circuit electrically connects the second data channel to the active device. The lower interface printed circuit board includes a lower mating edge and a lower mating pad near the lower mating edge. The lower mating pad forms a portion of the second data channel. The lower mating edge is present at the mating end of the housing and is used to insert into the second card edge connector to mate the lower mating pad with the second contact of the second card edge connector. The main printed circuit board includes an active device configured to be electrically connected to the first data channel and the second data channel, and configured to be electrically connected to the conductor of the cable of the cable assembly. The active device includes a repeater device for recovering signals transmitted along the first data channel and the second data channel.

18. The pluggable module according to claim 17, wherein, The upper flexible circuit and the lower flexible circuit allow the main printed circuit board to move relative to the housing within the cavity.

19. The pluggable module according to claim 17, wherein, The first data channel and the second data channel from the upper interface printed circuit board and the lower interface printed circuit board are combined on the main printed circuit board for processing by the active device.

20. The pluggable module according to claim 17, further comprising: An upper cable printed circuit board includes an upper cable termination area and an upper cable pad at the upper cable termination area, the upper cable pad terminating to the corresponding conductor of the cable; A lower cable printed circuit board includes a lower cable termination area and a lower cable pad at the lower cable termination area, the lower cable pad being configured to terminate to a corresponding conductor of the cable; and Flexible circuitry between the main printed circuit board and the upper and lower cable printed circuit boards to electrically connect the upper and lower cable pads to the active device.

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