High-speed, easy-maintenance connector and interconnection system thereof

Abstract

High-speed, easily maintained connectors and interconnection systems. An interconnection system includes a cable connector and a board connector that can mate with eachother. The cable connector includes a housing and a flexible flat cable with a mating portion in the housing. The housing includes a conductive layer on an insulating body. The flexible flat cable includes a shielding layer electrically connected to the housing conductive layer. The board connector includes a main housing holding terminals, a cage outside the main housing, and an outer housing outside the cage. The cage can be electrically connected to the cable shielding layer through the housing conductive layer. An elastic conductive member can be disposed around the cable connector housing to facilitate interconnection between the cage and the housing conductive layer. Such echniques can enable high-speed, easy maintenance connectors and interconnection systems for harsh environments such as one presented by an automobile.

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