Dual Ground Bar Connector With Bridge For High-Speed Signal Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-frequency electrical connectors, such as those disclosed in US Pat. No. US2009/0221165, fail to achieve optimal performance beyond 12 Gbps due to inadequate ground contact configurations, which limit their high-frequency capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector design includes an insulating housing with signal contacts arranged in differential pairs, separated by ground contacts, and utilizes two ground bars connected by bridges to form closed circuits, reducing voltage distribution and crosstalk, thereby enhancing high-frequency performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single ground bar is used to connect ground contacts, then the device complexity is reduced, but the high-frequency performance deteriorates due to voltage distribution and crosstalk
Solution Approach 1:
The single ground bar is segmented into a first ground bar and a second ground bar, which are electrically connected through bridges. This segmentation reduces voltage distribution along the ground path and minimizes crosstalk between adjacent differential signal pairs, thereby improving high-frequency performance while maintaining reasonable device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The ground connection structure is extended from a single-dimensional ground bar to a two-dimensional configuration with two ground bars connected by bridges. This dimensional change creates multiple ground paths, reducing impedance and improving signal integrity at high frequencies
2Object-generated harmful factors
If ground contacts are placed between differential signal pairs, then crosstalk is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional ground contacts and ground bar structure
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple ground contacts are merged into a continuous ground connection system through the first and second ground bars. The bridges electrically connect these ground bars, creating a unified ground structure that effectively shields differential signal pairs while managing the complexity through integrated design
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
This configuration significantly improves high-frequency performance by reducing crosstalk and voltage distribution, enabling the electrical connector to handle higher data rates effectively.
Implementation Method 1
A first ground bar connects each ground contact to form a first electrical connection. A second ground bar connects each ground contact to form a second electrical connection. The first ground bar is electrically connected to the second ground bar through at least a bridge.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes an insulating housing and a plurality of contacts. The contacts include a plurality of signal contacts arranged in differential signal pairs and a plurality of ground contacts. Differential signal pairs are separated by signal contacts. A first ground bar connects each ground contact to form a first electrical connection. A second ground bar connects each ground contact to form a second electrical connection. The first ground bar is electrically connected to the second ground bar through at least a bridge.