Connector With Isolated Grounds For Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors fail to effectively manage noise interference for high-frequency signals above 100 kHz and 100 MHz, particularly in compact designs where space is limited, and do not adequately differentiate impedance for signal and ground contacts.
Innovation Solution
A compact connector design featuring a conductive frame with insulative holders and strategically spaced contacts, where single ground-protected signal contacts are arranged for 50 ohms impedance and double ground-protected contacts are arranged for 100 ohms impedance, with a secondary ground contact isolated from the primary ground, to minimize noise interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single ground contact is used to protect signal contacts, then the connector structure is simple and compact, but noise protection is insufficient for high-frequency signals above 100 MHz
Solution Approach 1:
The ground protection function is segmented into two separate ground contacts (first ground contact and second ground contact) instead of using a single ground contact. This segmentation provides enhanced noise protection for high-frequency signals by creating multiple reference potential points, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and noise protection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground protection is extended from a single-point contact to a multi-point spatial arrangement. The first ground contact is positioned adjacent to the signal contact edge, while the second ground contact is positioned at the opposite end, creating a distributed ground system that enhances noise protection without significantly increasing overall connector complexity.
2Volume of moving object
If signal contacts are closely spaced to achieve compactness, then the connector size is reduced, but characteristic impedance control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Different spacing requirements are applied to different parts of the connector. Signal contacts have specific spacing from adjacent signal contacts to maintain 50 ohm impedance, while ground contacts are positioned at optimized distances (0.060 inch spacing) to achieve 100 ohm differential impedance. This local quality differentiation allows compact overall design while maintaining precise impedance control in critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The characteristic impedance is controlled by precisely adjusting geometric parameters such as contact spacing and positioning. The first ground contact is spaced 0.080 inch from signal contact edges to achieve 50 ohm single-ended impedance, while the second ground contact is spaced 0.060 inch to achieve 100 ohm differential impedance, demonstrating parameter optimization for impedance control.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If double ground protection is provided for all signal contacts, then noise protection is maximized, but the connector structure becomes unnecessarily complex for signals that only require single ground protection
Solution Approach 1:
The connector structure is designed with universal ground protection capability where both first and second ground contacts are available to all signal contacts. However, the system is flexible to provide single ground protection (using only the first ground contact) for lower frequency signals and double ground protection (using both ground contacts) for high-frequency signals above 100 MHz, achieving multi-functionality that adapts to different signal requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A compact electrical connector has first contacts (32) with a first characteristic impedance (50 ohms) and second contacts (34) with a second characteristic impedance (100 ohms), with each set of contacts having a separate electrical ground (G1, G2). The first contacts lie in passages of a first insulative holder (24), with the first contacts arranged in three rows (62, 64, 66) wherein the middle row is offset from the top and bottom rows to maintain a constant contact spacing. The second contacts (34) lie in two vertically elongated insulative holders (26, 28) that each lies at one end of the first holder, with each holder having a grounded second contact (56) and with each holder projecting into a recess (84) at the end of the frame that receives the first holder.