Connector Shielding Cavity Structure for High-Speed Signal Crosstalk

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high-speed connectors suffer from severe crosstalk between signals due to structural limitations in grounding shielding, affecting data transmission rate and quality, particularly at high data rates like 56 Gbps.

Innovation Solution

The connector design includes a plurality of shielding boards around signal terminals, each connected to peer shielding boards via contact units, forming sufficient signal return paths and a shielding structure to optimize crosstalk performance. Contact units can be rigid or elastic, with specific dimensions to minimize path length and enhance electrical connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional grounding shielding structure is used, then connector structure is simple, but severe crosstalk between signals occurs affecting data transmission rate and quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrosstalk between signalsVSAvoidshielding board structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding board is divided into multiple independent shielding units, each corresponding to a signal terminal. Each shielding unit includes first and second shielding boards with contact units that can be independently adjusted, allowing precise control of shielding performance for each signal pair without increasing overall structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The contact units are designed with elastic properties, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position and contact pressure. This dynamic capability enables the shielding structure to adapt to manufacturing tolerances and assembly variations while maintaining effective electrical connection and shielding performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If shielding boards are added around signal terminals, then crosstalk performance is improved, but connector structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission qualityVSAvoidshielding board structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first and second shielding boards are integrated into a unified shielding unit structure that combines shielding, grounding, and positioning functions. The contact units serve dual purposes by providing both electrical connection and mechanical positioning, reducing the number of separate components needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding boards serve multiple functions: providing electromagnetic shielding, establishing electrical ground connections through contact units, and offering mechanical support and positioning for signal terminals. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If contact units are made elastic to ensure reliable electrical connection, then connection reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection between shielding boardsVSAvoidcontact unit dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The contact units are designed with optimized elastic parameters including specific thickness (0.05-0.15mm), width (0.2-0.5mm), and length (1-3mm) ranges. These parameter specifications provide sufficient elastic compliance to accommodate manufacturing variations while maintaining reliable electrical connection, reducing the stringency of precision requirements

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

The solution effectively reduces crosstalk resonance, increasing the frequency at which crosstalk occurs from 20 GHz to about 25 GHz, supporting data transmission rates up to 56 Gbps and beyond with improved signal quality.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of shielding boards (21), which are sequentially connected to form a shielding cavity (22), in which the first signal terminal (10) is located

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Implementation Method 2

a contact unit protruding from the first surface (211) may be disposed on the shielding board (21). The shielding board (21) may specifically implement the electrical connection to the peer shielding board by using the contact unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4145646B1Connector, connector assembly, and electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4145646B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4145646B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP4145646B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A connector, a connector assembly, and an electronic device are provided to improve crosstalk phenomenon between signals and optimize signal transmission performance. The connector includes a plurality of first terminal modules (200) arranged in an array manner, where the first terminal module (200) includes a shielding unit (20) and a first signal terminal (10), and the shielding unit (20) includes a plurality of shielding boards (21) that are sequentially connected to form a shielding cavity (22). A first surface (211) of the shielding board (21) back to the shielding cavity (22) is used to cooperate with a peer shielding board (51) of a paired connector, and a contact unit (30) protruding from the first surface (211) is further disposed on the shielding board (21). The contact unit (30) is configured to electrically connect to the peer shielding board (51) of the paired connector, and the first signal terminal (10) is located in the shielding cavity (22).