Resonance Controlled Ground Conductors in Electrical Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed data transmission in electrical connectors faces challenges with signal integrity due to resonating conditions between ground conductors, leading to increased electrical noise and crosstalk, which degrades performance and reduces throughput.
Innovation Solution
The use of a housing with interleaved ground wafers and signal wafers, where the ground wafers are composed of a lossy material and the signal wafers of a low loss dielectric material, effectively absorbing electrical energy and reducing standing waves, thereby minimizing noise and crosstalk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data transmission speed is increased and signal conductor density is increased, then productivity and quantity of substance are improved, but electrical noise and crosstalk increase due to resonating conditions between ground conductors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies lossy material to the ground holders to convert the harmful resonating electrical energy into heat, thereby dissipating the noise and crosstalk. The lossy material absorbs the electromagnetic energy that would otherwise resonate between ground conductors, transforming the harmful effect into a beneficial noise-reduction mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different parts of the connector: lossy material is specifically applied to ground holders where resonance occurs, while low loss dielectric material is used for signal holders to maintain signal integrity. This localized application of different material qualities addresses the specific problem of ground conductor resonance without compromising signal transmission
2Reliability
If ground conductors are added to reduce crosstalk, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and loss of energy increase due to resonating cavities
Solution Approach 1:
The lossy material converts the reflected and resonated electrical energy into heat, transforming the energy loss from a harmful resonance problem into a beneficial noise-dissipation mechanism. The energy that would otherwise create interference is converted into harmless thermal energy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter (loss tangent) of the ground holder material from low loss to lossy, fundamentally altering how electromagnetic energy interacts with the ground structure. This parameter change enables the ground conductors to dissipate rather than reflect electrical energy, reducing resonance while maintaining signal integrity
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 reduces unwanted electrical noise and crosstalk, maintaining signal integrity and enhancing the throughput of high-speed data transmission in electrical connectors.
Implementation Method 1
the second material is a lossy material and the first material is a low loss dielectric material that has a loss tangent that is lower than a loss tangent of the lossy material
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes a housing and a plurality of ground wafers and signal wafers. A front side is configured to mate with a mating connector. The ground wafers and signal wafers are stacked next to one another along a stack axis. The ground wafers are interleaved between adjacent pairs of the signal wafers. Each signal wafer includes at least one signal conductor held by a signal holder that is composed of a first material. Each ground wafer includes at least one ground conductor held by a ground holder that is composed of second material. The second material is a lossy material and the first material is a low loss dielectric material that has a loss tangent that is lower than a loss tangent of the lossy material. The signal conductors and the ground conductors are configured to engage and electrically connect to the mating connector.