Connector Modules With Gaps To Prevent Crosstalk
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors with differential signal transmission contacts arranged in vertical rows experience skew and impedance mismatch issues, leading to crosstalk when trying to arrange them in horizontal rows, which weakens the connection and increases noise.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring connector modules with first and second contacts held on opposing surfaces of a plate-shaped holding member, positioned to be coincident in height, and housed with a gap between modules to prevent crosstalk, using partition walls to maintain weak connections between adjacent modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If differential signal transmission contacts are arranged in vertical rows, then connection strength is maintained, but skew and impedance mismatch occur leading to crosstalk
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into multiple independent connector modules, each containing a subset of differential signal transmission contacts. By segmenting the overall connector structure, the patent enables horizontal arrangement of contacts within each module while maintaining electrical isolation between modules, thus preventing crosstalk between adjacent differential pairs.
Solution Approach 2:
Ground contacts are introduced as intermediary elements between adjacent connector modules. These ground contacts act as shielding barriers that electrically isolate the differential signal pairs in horizontal arrangement, preventing electromagnetic coupling and crosstalk between adjacent modules while maintaining signal integrity.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If differential signal transmission contacts are arranged in horizontal rows, then crosstalk is reduced, but connection strength weakens and noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the connector into modular units with horizontal contact arrangement, the patent achieves reduced crosstalk while maintaining connection strength through the modular structure. Each module independently maintains strong connections between its own contacts while being isolated from adjacent modules.
Solution Approach 2:
Ground contacts serve as intermediary shielding elements between horizontally arranged differential pairs and between adjacent connector modules, preventing noise coupling and maintaining signal quality despite the horizontal arrangement that reduces connection strength.
3Area of stationary object
If connector modules are arranged without gaps, then space utilization is maximized, but crosstalk increases between adjacent modules
Solution Approach 1:
Ground contacts are positioned between adjacent connector modules to act as electromagnetic shielding barriers. These intermediary ground elements prevent crosstalk between modules even when modules are closely spaced, enabling compact arrangements without sacrificing signal isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different spatial relationships to different regions: within each connector module, contacts are closely spaced for strong connections, while between modules, ground contacts create localized shielding zones that prevent crosstalk despite close module spacing, achieving both compactness and isolation.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector which is capable of preventing crosstalk from occurring when a plurality of pairs of differential signal transmission contacts are arranged in a horizontal row. A housing holds a plurality of connector modules with a gap between adjacent ones thereof. Each connector module is comprised of a plate-shaped holding member, a plurality of first signal contacts held on one surface of the holding member, and a plurality of second signal contacts held on the other surface of the holding member. Positions of the respective first signal contacts of the plurality of connector modules, and positions of associated ones of the second signal contacts of the connector modules are made approximately coincident with each other in the direction of the height of the housing, respectively.