Grounding Bar for Electrical Connector Resonance Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical connectors designed for high data rates face limitations due to cross-talk resonances, especially in small form factor applications, where existing methods like separating differential transmission and reception pairs with ground contacts are insufficient in preventing resonances at specific frequencies.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a grounding bar that electrically connects multiple grounding pins and spans signal pins, shifting resonance frequencies to higher frequencies and improving performance by reducing inductance and potential build-up, while maintaining a small form factor and allowing for differential signalling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If ground contacts are used to separate differential transmission and reception pairs, then cross-talk is reduced, but resonances still occur at specific frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
A grounding bar is introduced as an intermediary element to connect multiple grounding pins. This grounding bar acts as a mediator that provides additional grounding paths and reduces the inductance of the grounding system, thereby suppressing resonances that occur when only ground contacts are used to separate differential pairs.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple grounding pins are electrically connected and merged into a single grounding system through the grounding bar. This combining of multiple grounding points creates a more effective grounding network that reduces potential build-up and suppresses resonances across different frequency ranges.
2Volume of moving object
If small pitch between neighbouring conductors is used, then form factor is reduced, but resonances severely limit data rate increase
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding system parameters are changed by introducing a grounding bar that connects multiple grounding pins. This changes the electrical characteristics of the grounding system, reducing inductance and shifting resonance frequencies to higher ranges, thereby enabling higher data rates in compact connectors with small pitch.
3Reliability
If grounding bar is added to connect multiple grounding pins, then resonance frequencies are shifted higher and electrical performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding bar serves multiple functions simultaneously: it connects multiple grounding pins to create a unified grounding system, reduces inductance, suppresses resonances, and provides structural support. This multi-functionality justifies the added element by delivering multiple benefits from a single component.
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 cross-talk and insertion loss, enabling higher data rates up to 25 Gbps or more in compact connectors by shifting resonances to higher frequencies, thus enhancing overall electrical performance.
Implementation Method 1
the potential build-up due to the inductance of the pins is reduced
Implementation Method 2
The grounding bar makes the LC circuit smaller, hence shifting the resonance frequencies to higher frequencies
Implementation Method 3
grounding bar electrically connects said first grounding pin and said second grounding pin
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector has a first row of contact pins. The first row of contact pins comprises a first grounding pin, a second grounding pin and a first signal pin arranged between the first grounding pin and the second grounding pin. A grounding bar electrically connects the first grounding pin and the second grounding pin.