Electrical Connector Assembly Cross-Talk Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical connector assemblies face challenges in reducing cross-talk between signal lines due to parasitic capacitance, which requires additional space-consuming screening elements, complicating assembly and increasing spatial requirements.

Innovation Solution

A contact arrangement where the first contact element of one pair is connected to the second contact element of another pair via an electrical arrangement, with the capacitance of this connection compensating for parasitic capacitance, allowing only signal shifts without altering the difference signal, thus enabling effective filtering of cross-talk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If screening elements such as screening plates are fitted between contact element pairs to prevent cross-talk, then cross-talk is reduced, but the assembly becomes more complex and spatial requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecross-talkVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful screening elements are extracted and replaced by utilizing the existing electrical arrangement that is already present for signal transmission. The capacitance of this existing arrangement is adapted to provide the screening function, eliminating the need for additional screening plates and simplifying the assembly process while maintaining cross-talk reduction effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If screening elements such as screening plates are fitted between contact element pairs to prevent cross-talk, then cross-talk is reduced, but spatial requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecross-talkVSAvoidspatial requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The screening function is merged with the existing electrical arrangement used for signal transmission. By adapting the capacitance of the existing electrical arrangement, it simultaneously performs both signal transmission and cross-talk screening functions, eliminating the need for separate screening elements and reducing spatial requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the capacitance of electrical arrangement is adapted to correspond to parasitic capacitance, then cross-talk is compensated, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecross-talkVSAvoidcapacitance adaptation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The capacitance parameter of the electrical arrangement is adapted by modifying physical dimensions such as the area of contact elements or the distance between them. This allows precise control of capacitance values through geometric parameters that can be accurately controlled during manufacturing, making the capacitance adaptation feasible with standard manufacturing tolerances

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution effectively prevents cross-talk by adapting capacitances between contact element pairs, allowing current connectors and sockets to be used without modifications, while reducing spatial requirements and simplifying assembly.

Implementation Method 1

the capacitance of the electrical arrangement corresponds to the capacitance between the second contact element of the first contact element pair and the first contact element of the second contact element pair

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

In order to screen the first contact element pair from the second contact element pair and thereby to prevent cross-talk

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectParasitic capacitance: Parasitic Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3347950B1Electrical connector assembly and a method for reducing cross-talk
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 TE CONNECTIVITY GERMANY GMBH
  • EP3347950B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3347950B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3347950B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is disclosed a contact arrangement (1) having a first contact element pair (10) for contacting a first pair (110) of signal lines (100) in a first connector (101) and having a second contact element pair (20) for contacting a second pair (120) of signal lines (100) in a second connector (102), wherein a second contact element (12) of the first contact element pair (10) and a first contact element (21) of the second contact element pair (20) are adjacent, wherein a first contact element (11) of the first contact element pair (10) is connected to the first contact element (21) of the second contact element pair (20) via an electrical arrangement (210) and the capacitance (Cy-1) of the electrical arrangement (210) corresponds to the capacitance (Cx-1) between the second contact element (12) of the first contact element pair (10) and the first contact element (21) of the second contact element pair (20). There is further disclosed a corresponding method. Cross-talk is minimised with such a solution.