Direct-Attach Connector for High-Speed Signal Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high-speed cable assemblies are costly and large due to the need for multiple connectors and high-speed cables, which degrade signal quality and increase insertion loss, while attempts to reduce size and cost often compromise performance.
Innovation Solution
A high-speed cable assembly with a low-profile, perpendicular connection to a substrate using a contact ribbon with signal and ground contacts, reducing the number of connectors and transitions, and employing a twinaxial cable with a shield connected to a ground plane for improved signal integrity and reduced size and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional high-speed cable assemblies use multiple connectors and high-speed cables, then signal transmission can be achieved, but the assembly becomes costly and large with degraded signal quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cable connection and substrate connection into a single integrated connector unit. The connector assembly includes a first connector portion that connects to the substrate and a second connector portion that connects to the cable, eliminating the need for separate connectors at each interface. This reduces the total number of connectors from four (two for substrate connections and two for cable connections) to a single integrated unit, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining signal quality through minimized transition points.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate connectors from the signal path. By using a direct-attach connector that interfaces directly with the substrate without requiring additional mating connectors, the design removes redundant connection points that contribute to cost and complexity. The connector assembly directly interfaces with substrate contact pads, eliminating the need for separate connector assemblies on both ends of the cable.
2Volume of moving object
If smaller connectors and cables are used to reduce assembly size, then the overall size decreases, but cost increases and performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly adopts a low-profile design that connects perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the substrate surface. This dimensional change from a planar layout to a vertical/low-profile configuration significantly reduces the footprint area occupied by the connector and cable assembly on the substrate, achieving compact size without compromising performance. The perpendicular connection orientation allows for smaller overall dimensions while maintaining adequate signal transmission capabilities.
3Reliability
If exotic materials and RF/Microwave connectors are used, then performance improves, but cost and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design optimizes geometric parameters and structural configuration rather than relying on expensive exotic materials. The low-profile perpendicular connection geometry, contact pad layout, and shielding structure are engineered to achieve RF/Microwave performance characteristics through shape and arrangement rather than material selection. This approach maintains high performance while using cost-effective standard materials and manufacturing processes.
4Ease of manufacture
If low-cost conductors, dielectrics, and connectors are used, then cost decreases, but performance decreases and size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly employs a composite structure combining multiple materials with complementary properties. The housing may use molded plastics for structural support, while contact elements use conductive materials optimized for electrical performance. Shielding components combine conductive materials with dielectric layers for both electrical performance and mechanical stability. This composite approach achieves high performance with cost-effective materials by leveraging the strengths of different material types in specific functional zones.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable assembly includes a contact ribbon made of a single stamping and including pairs of first and second signal contacts and includes a cable including pairs of first and second center conductors connected to corresponding pairs of first and second signal contacts. The contact ribbon includes a ground plane, a first row of ground contacts extending from the ground plane in a row along a first side of the ground plane such that a first line extending through the first row of ground contacts does not intersect with any signal contacts, and a second row of ground contacts extending from the ground plane in a row along a second side of the ground plane such that a second line extending through the second row of ground contacts does not intersect with any signal contacts.