RJ-45 Connector Back End Shielding for Crosstalk Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional RJ-45 connectors are susceptible to signal degradation due to crosstalk and return loss, particularly at the rear end where noise coupling occurs, as signal speed and bandwidth increase, necessitating improved high-speed performance.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a back end sub-assembly with non-common, floating shields in each contact zone that surround the contacts, isolated by dielectric barriers to minimize crosstalk and optimize return loss, while maintaining a standardized plug interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional RJ-45 connector design is used with standard plug interface, then compatibility and ease of operation are maintained, but signal integrity deteriorates due to crosstalk and return loss at high speeds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal integrityVSAvoidconnector structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is divided into distinct functional zones: a front end for mating with standard plugs and a back end with segmented contact zones. Each contact zone is further segmented by individual shields that separate signal pairs, creating isolated regions that prevent crosstalk while maintaining overall connector functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the connector are given different structural properties. The back end housing contains dielectric barriers and shields in specific contact zones where signal integrity is most critical, while the front end maintains conventional RJ-45 mating characteristics. This localized enhancement provides high-speed performance where needed without compromising compatibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If shielding is added at the rear end of the jack to separate signal pairs, then crosstalk between signal pairs is reduced, but noise coupling between shields increases signal degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrosstalk between signal pairsVSAvoidnoise coupling between shields

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shields are extracted from a common continuous structure and separated into individual discrete shields for each contact zone. By removing the electrical connectivity between shields that exists in conventional designs, the patent eliminates the path for noise coupling while retaining the crosstalk isolation benefit of each individual shield

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Dielectric barriers are introduced as intermediary elements between adjacent shields. These dielectric materials provide electrical isolation that prevents noise coupling between shields while allowing each shield to maintain its crosstalk isolation function. The dielectric barrier acts as a mediator that blocks harmful electrical interaction between shields

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If compensation components are added to tune electrical characteristics, then return loss and crosstalk are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding structure and the compensation function are merged into a single integrated back end housing assembly. The dielectric barriers and shields are built-in structural elements that simultaneously provide both mechanical support and electrical compensation, eliminating the need for separate adjustable compensation components and simplifying manufacturing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The back end housing structure itself provides the compensation function through its built-in dielectric barriers and shield configuration. The structure is designed to automatically provide the necessary electrical characteristics without requiring external adjustment or additional active components, making the system self-compensating

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 crosstalk and alien crosstalk, enhancing transmission performance and signal integrity by isolating signal pairs and preventing noise coupling between shields.

Implementation Method 1

Each shield is non-common with and does not electrically engage any other shield in the back end housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric isolation: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentUS7575482B1Electrical connector with enhanced back end design

Publication Date: 2009.08.18 BISON PATENT LICENSING LLC

AI summary

An electrical connector includes a back end sub-assembly including a back end housing extending along a longitudinal axis between a forward side and a rearward side. The back end housing defining a plurality of contact zones. At least one contact is held in each of the plurality of contact zones. A shield is provided within each of the plurality of contact zones with each shield at least partially surrounding at least one contact in the corresponding contact zone. Each shield is non-common with and does not electrically engage any other shield in the back end housing.