High-Speed Connector Contact Geometry for Shorter Signal Return Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Crosstalk interference between signal wires in electrical connectors due to close spatial distances leads to inductive and capacitive coupling, causing data transmission errors and losses during high-speed data transmission.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector design features a terminal module with a ground terminal and signal terminal arranged side by side, where the outer diameter of the ground terminal's contacting part is greater than that of the signal terminal, shortening the distance between them and enhancing energy binding between the terminals to mitigate magnetic field interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the spatial distance between signal terminals is reduced to increase transmission density, then the productivity of data transmission is improved, but crosstalk interference increases due to inductive and capacitive coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the magnetic field generated by the ground terminal to counteract the crosstalk interference. By positioning the ground terminal adjacent to the signal terminal and configuring its winding direction, the magnetic field from the ground terminal opposes the magnetic field from the signal terminal, thereby converting the potentially harmful magnetic coupling into a beneficial cancellation effect that reduces crosstalk while maintaining close spacing for high transmission density
2Reliability
If the outer diameter of the ground terminal contacting part is increased to shorten the return path, then the reliability of signal transmission is improved by reducing crosstalk, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the ground terminal's contacting part have a larger outer diameter specifically at the region adjacent to the signal terminal. This localized enlargement shortens the return path length only where needed for crosstalk reduction, rather than uniformly increasing the size of the entire ground terminal, thus improving signal reliability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by creating an unequal diameter relationship between the ground terminal contacting part and the signal terminal contacting part. The ground terminal has a larger outer diameter than the signal terminal, which optimizes the magnetic field distribution and return path geometry to reduce crosstalk, while the asymmetric design allows for more efficient space utilization compared to symmetric configurations
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
This design effectively reduces crosstalk among signal terminals by shortening the return path and minimizing magnetic field interference, thereby improving signal transmission reliability and reducing data transmission errors.
Implementation Method 1
inductive and capacitive coupling among signal wires and interferences thereby. The source of crosstalking is the interference between magnetic fields generated by electric current
Implementation Method 2
Capacitive coupling causes coupling current, while inductive coupling causes coupling voltage. Crosstalking is a type of interference energy value caused by the coupling of one signal to another signal
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector comprising a terminal module, which comprises a ground terminal and a signal terminal disposed side by side with the ground terminal. The ground terminal comprises a first contacting part. The signal terminal comprises a second contacting part. An outer diameter of the first contacting part is greater than an outer diameter of the second contacting part. The contacting end of the ground terminal is wider than the contacting end of the signal terminal. By increasing the width of the contacting end of the ground terminal, the distance between the contacting end of the signal terminal and the contacting end of the adjacent ground terminal can be shortened. In this way, the return path for the signal terminal can be shorter, and more energy can be bound between the signal terminal and the ground terminal to avoid excessive interference from the surrounding magnetic field.