High-Speed Connector Ground Terminals Crosstalk Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-speed transmission connectors face issues with impedance mismatching and crosstalk between signal transmission paths, particularly in high-frequency communication systems, due to the lack of adequate shielding between adjacent modules.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates blade-type contact units with ground contact terminals and plates arranged on both sides of transmission contact terminals, featuring protruding shielding pieces to prevent crosstalk between signal paths within and between contact units, ensuring effective impedance matching and reduced signal reflection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If signal conductors are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals without adequate shielding, then the connector structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but crosstalk between adjacent signal transmission paths occurs and impedance matching deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidsignal integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Ground contact terminals are introduced as intermediary elements positioned between adjacent signal transmission paths. These ground terminals act as mediators that electrically shield the signal paths from each other, preventing crosstalk while maintaining a relatively simple connector structure. The ground terminals are connected to ground potential, creating an electromagnetic barrier that isolates adjacent signal conductors without requiring complex shielding mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector is divided into discrete contact units, each handling a specific signal path. Within each contact unit, ground contact terminals are segmented and positioned at specific locations between signal conductors. This segmentation allows for targeted shielding where needed while maintaining simplicity in other areas, and enables modular manufacturing of contact units that can be assembled into the complete connector.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If ground contact terminals are positioned between pairs of transmission contact terminals, then crosstalk between adjacent signal paths is reduced, but the connector structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrosstalk preventionVSAvoidconnector structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ground contact terminals serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide electromagnetic shielding between adjacent signal paths, establish reference potential planes for impedance control, and contribute to the mechanical structure of the contact unit. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate shielding components, thereby limiting the increase in structural complexity while achieving effective crosstalk prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The grounding function and shielding function are merged into a single component - the ground contact terminal. Rather than using separate shielding structures and ground connections, the design combines these functions into integrated ground contact terminals that are positioned between signal conductors and connected to ground potential, simplifying the overall structure compared to using separate shielding mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If shielding members are added to prevent crosstalk between adjacent modules, then signal integrity improves, but manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrosstalk preventionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Ground contact terminals serve as intermediary shielding elements positioned between adjacent contact units. Rather than using large complex shielding structures, the ground terminals act as distributed intermediary shields that provide adequate protection against crosstalk between modules. These terminals are integrated into the contact unit structure, allowing for simpler manufacturing compared to adding separate shielding components between modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding function is achieved by utilizing the vertical dimension - ground contact terminals extend from the contact surface toward the signal conductors, creating three-dimensional electromagnetic shielding. This vertical arrangement provides effective shielding between adjacent modules without requiring large horizontal shielding structures, thereby simplifying manufacturing and assembly while maintaining signal integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS7850488B2High-speed transmission connector with ground terminals between pair of transmission terminals on a common flat surface and a plurality of ground plates on another common flat surface

Publication Date: 2010.12.14 YAMAICHI ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention is to provide each of pairs of transmission contact terminals in contact units are arranged between each of two adjacent ground contact terminals. A pair of shielding pieces of each of contact plate is formed to separate fixed terminal portions of the pair of transmission contact terminals of one of the contact unit from those of the adjacent one of the contact unit.