Midboard I/O Connector Cage for High-Frequency Signal Integrity

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical connectors face challenges in manufacturing and mechanical robustness when configured for mounting to a printed circuit board and terminating cables that route signals to a midboard without passing through the board, particularly for high-frequency signals, and they struggle to maintain signal integrity and frequency range.

Innovation Solution

A receptacle connector is inserted into a conductive cage, which positions the connector and plug relative to each other using tabs and retention members, reducing tolerance and stub lengths, and is configured to make cabled connections to a remote portion of the printed circuit board.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If existing electrical connectors are configured for mounting to a printed circuit board and terminating cables that route signals to a midboard, then the connector can establish electrical connections, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing complexityVSAvoidsignal integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the connector mounting structure and cable termination structure into a single integrated connector assembly. The housing simultaneously receives the cable assembly and mounts to the printed circuit board, eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets and termination components. This merging reduces the number of parts and assembly steps while maintaining signal integrity through precise positioning features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector housing performs multiple functions: it protects the cable assembly, provides mechanical mounting to the printed circuit board, positions the contact elements, and guides cable insertion. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized components for each function, reducing manufacturing complexity while ensuring reliable signal transmission through integrated design features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidsignal integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If connector tolerance is reduced to improve signal integrity at high frequencies, then signal integrity improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal integrityVSAvoidconnector tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The connector housing includes pre-formed positioning features such as ribs, slots, and engagement protrusions that are created during the housing manufacturing process. These features preliminarily establish the correct spatial relationships between contact elements and mounting surfaces, ensuring consistent tolerance without requiring additional precision adjustments during final assembly. This preliminary action reduces the burden on final assembly precision while maintaining signal integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The housing acts as an intermediary structure that absorbs and compensates for manufacturing tolerances. By incorporating flexible mounting features and positioning mechanisms within the housing, small variations in contact element placement are compensated, maintaining consistent electrical performance without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances on individual components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If stub lengths are reduced to improve frequency range, then frequency range increases, but connector structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency rangeVSAvoidconnector structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250329975A1I/O connector configured for cabled connection to the midboard

Publication Date: 2025.10.23 FCI USA LLC

AI summary

An I/O connector assembly configured for making a cabled connection to an interior portion of a printed circuit board for at least some signals passing through the I/O connector. The I/O connector assembly may be assembled by mounting a cage to a printed circuit board. A receptacle connector, including cables extending from a rear of the connector, may be inserted through an opening in the top or rear of the cage. The receptacle connector may be positioned in the cage by at least one retention member on the cage. A plug, mating to the receptacle connector, also may be positioned by a retention member on the cage. Positioning both the plug and receptacle relative to the cage reduces the tolerance stackup of the assembly and enables the connectors to be designed with shorter wipe length, which enables higher frequency operation.