Shieldless High-Speed Electrical Connector With Differential Signal Pairs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical connectors face increased undesirable signal interference as signal density rises, particularly in the absence of metallic crosstalk shields, necessitating a solution that maintains high signal throughput with minimal substrate space and low crosstalk.
Innovation Solution
An orthogonal differential signal electrical connector with electrically isolated contacts that deflect transversely, paired with ground contacts, and arranged in dense configurations without metallic plates, achieving high signal density and low multi-active crosstalk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If signal density is increased to achieve more signal throughput, then productivity is improved, but object-affected harmful factors worsen due to increased crosstalk interference
Solution Approach 1:
The connector divides signals into differential pairs with adjacent contacts arranged in alternating polarity patterns. This segmentation of signal paths with controlled impedance routing reduces electromagnetic coupling between adjacent pairs, enabling high signal density while maintaining low crosstalk levels without requiring metallic shields
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements localized impedance control and specific geometric arrangements of contacts within differential pairs. By optimizing the local electrical characteristics and spatial relationships of adjacent contacts, the design achieves low crosstalk in high-density configurations without adding shielding structures that would increase substrate space requirements
2Object-affected harmful factors
If metallic crosstalk shields are added to reduce signal interference, then object-affected harmful factors are improved, but device complexity and substrate space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes metallic crosstalk shields from the connector design entirely. Instead, it relies on carefully engineered differential signal pairs with specific geometric arrangements and impedance characteristics that inherently reject crosstalk. This extraction of shielding elements simplifies the connector structure while maintaining signal integrity through alternative electromagnetic field management techniques
3Area of stationary object
If metallic crosstalk shields are removed to minimize substrate space, then area of stationary object is improved, but object-affected harmful factors worsen due to increased crosstalk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical and geometric parameters of the contact arrangements, specifically using differential signaling with controlled impedance and optimized spacing between adjacent contacts. These parameter changes enable the system to achieve low crosstalk performance without metallic shields, thereby minimizing substrate space while maintaining signal integrity at high data rates
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector may include a first connector with electrically-conductive contacts. The contacts may have blade-shaped mating ends, and may be arranged in a centerline. The electrical connector may include a second connector with electrically-conductive receptacle contacts, which may also be arranged in a centerline. The connectors may be mated such that the mating portion of a first contact in the second connector may physically contact of a corresponding blade-shaped mating end of a contact in the first connector.