Split Ground Plane RJ45 Plug for Crosstalk Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing FCC type RJ45 plugs experience significant electrical signal interference and return loss due to parallel contacts, which are not effectively addressed by current technologies, particularly in reducing cross talk and return loss.

Innovation Solution

The use of a communication connector with a split ground plane architecture in the RJ45 plug, featuring a gap in the ground plane to electrically isolate sections, which enhances common mode isolation and improves differential pair transmission characteristics, thereby reducing cross talk and return loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a continuous ground plane is used in the RJ45 plug, then manufacturing is simpler and cost is lower, but cross talk and return loss increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveground plane manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcross talk and return loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ground plane is divided into multiple separate ground sections rather than using a continuous ground plane. Each ground section is positioned adjacent to specific signal pairs, creating electrical isolation between different signal paths. This segmentation reduces electromagnetic coupling between pairs, thereby decreasing cross talk and return loss while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard PCB fabrication processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If ground plane sections are separated to reduce cross talk, then cross talk decreases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecross talkVSAvoidground plane structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ground plane structure is optimized locally by positioning ground sections adjacent to specific signal pairs rather than using a uniform continuous structure. Each ground section is strategically placed to provide shielding and reference plane for nearby signal pairs, creating locally optimized electromagnetic field distribution that reduces cross talk without requiring complex overall reconfiguration of the connector architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 split ground plane design significantly reduces cross talk and return loss, exceeding current Category 8 standards for NEXT, FEXT, and return loss at 2,000 MHz, while maintaining cost-effectiveness by using thin layers of high-frequency dielectric materials like FR408.

Implementation Method 1

a split ground plane architecture in the RJ45 plug, featuring a gap in the ground plane to electrically isolate sections

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical isolation: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

using thin layers of high-frequency dielectric materials like FR408

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric property: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentEP3201997B1High frequency RJ45 plug with non-continuous planes for cross talk control
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 OPTICAL CABLE CORP
  • EP3201997B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3201997B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3201997B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A communication connector includes a housing and a plurality of electrical contacts received by the housing. A printed circuit board (PCB) is provided and includes at least first and second pairs of electrical conductive traces. The first pair of traces is connected to a first pair of contacts. The second pair of traces is connected to a second pair of contacts. The PCB further includes at least a first ground plane. The first ground plane has first and second sections. The first and second sections are electrically isolated from one another. At least a portion of the first and second sections being adjacent to at least a portion of the first and second pairs of traces, respectively, whereby signal transmission is enhanced. A layer of dielectric material which has a relatively low dielectric constant is located between the first and second traces and the first ground plane.