Backplane Connector Broadside Coupling Crosstalk Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed data transfer in backplane connectors requires reduced crosstalk and skew, but existing solutions with shielding increase size and cost, and there is a need for a robust and economical connector that can handle multiple engagement cycles.
Innovation Solution
A backplane connector design featuring conductive terminals with flat contact blades and compliant tails, arranged in rows with air gaps between them, and supported by a structure that allows broadside coupling, eliminating the need for individual shields and using an insulative cover member to secure terminal assemblies with bifurcated contact arms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual shields are used to reduce crosstalk and ensure high-speed data transfer, then signal integrity is improved, but the connector size and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shielding function into the common insulative body that supports multiple terminal assemblies. Instead of separate shields for each terminal, a single insulative body provides the shielding structure for all terminals simultaneously, reducing overall connector size while maintaining signal integrity through integrated electromagnetic interference protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The common insulative body serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for terminal assemblies, acts as a shield against electromagnetic interference, and provides structural integrity for the connector. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate shielding components while maintaining signal integrity at high data transfer speeds.
2Reliability
If individual shields are used to protect high-speed signals, then crosstalk is reduced, but manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding function is merged with the common insulative body structure. The insulative body is manufactured as a single piece that inherently provides electromagnetic shielding for all terminal assemblies, eliminating the need for separate shield manufacturing and assembly processes, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and complexity while maintaining crosstalk reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The common insulative body is designed to provide its own shielding capability through its inherent material properties and structural configuration. The insulative material itself serves as the shielding mechanism, eliminating the need for additional shielding components and reducing manufacturing steps while maintaining effective crosstalk reduction.
3Ease of manufacture
If shields are eliminated to reduce size and cost, then manufacturing economy is improved, but connector robustness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The common insulative body is designed to simultaneously provide mechanical support, electromagnetic shielding, and structural robustness. By integrating multiple functions into a single component, the connector achieves robustness equivalent to shielded designs while eliminating separate shielding parts, reducing manufacturing cost and improving manufacturing economy.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector uses composite construction combining conductive terminals with a robust insulative body material that provides both mechanical strength and electromagnetic shielding properties. This composite approach maintains connector robustness and signal integrity while eliminating the need for separate metal shields, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
4Productivity
If terminal density is increased for high-speed data transfer, then data throughput is improved, but crosstalk between adjacent terminals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulative body is designed with localized features between adjacent terminal assemblies that provide electromagnetic isolation. The insulative material creates local shielding zones around each terminal or pair of terminals, maintaining low crosstalk even at high terminal densities required for 12 Gb/s and future data transfer speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The common insulative body acts as an intermediary structure between adjacent terminal assemblies, providing electromagnetic isolation through its material properties and geometric configuration. This intermediary shielding structure enables high terminal density while maintaining low crosstalk by mediating the electromagnetic fields between closely spaced terminals.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design achieves high terminal density and low crosstalk while maintaining robustness and reducing manufacturing costs, enabling efficient high-speed data transfer without the need for separate shields, and is suitable for next-generation backplane applications.
Implementation Method 1
the rows comprise either signal or ground terminals and which are held in a support structure that permits the connector to be used in a stacking mating application
Data Source
AI summary
A high speed connector includes a plurality of terminal assemblies in which two columns of conductive terminals are supported in an insulative support body, the body including an internal cavity disposed between the two columns of conductive terminals. The terminals are arranged in horizontal pairs, and the internal cavity defines an air channel between each horizontal pair of terminals arranged in the two columns of terminals. The terminals are further aligned with each other in each row so that horizontal faces of the terminals in the two rows face each other to thereby promote broadside coupling between horizontal pairs of terminals.