Dual Orientation USB Connector Impedance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional USB electrical connectors exhibit impaired high-frequency characteristics due to impedance below 75 ohms, affecting signal quality and transmission efficiency, particularly with the transition from USB 2.0 to USB 3.0 specifications.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a metallic shell and insulated housing with specifically dimensioned terminals and grooves or through holes to adjust impedance, featuring distinct connecting and contact portions to ensure impedance within a desired range, and a grounding plate with recessed portions to enhance high-frequency performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional terminals with equal width connection areas and contact areas are used, then manufacturing is simple, but impedance is below 75 ohms causing poor high-frequency characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal structure is divided into different sections with different widths: the connection area has a first width while the contact area has a second width that is narrower than the first width. This local variation in dimensions allows different parts of the terminal to serve different functions - the wider connection area facilitates manufacturing and assembly, while the narrower contact area increases impedance to achieve proper high-frequency characteristics (75 ohms or higher).
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal is segmented into distinct functional areas: a connection area for mechanical and electrical connection to the circuit board, and a contact area for signal transmission. This segmentation allows each area to be optimized independently - the connection area can be wider for robust mounting while the contact area is narrowed to control impedance, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and impedance control.
2Speed
If USB 3.0 transmission specification is adopted for faster transmission speed, then data transmission performance is improved, but impedance control becomes more critical and difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal dimensions are specifically designed with the contact area width (second width) being narrower than the connection area width (first width). This parameter change in the contact area directly increases the impedance to 75 ohms or higher, which is critical for USB 3.0 high-frequency signal transmission. The narrowed contact area reduces signal loss and maintains signal integrity at higher transmission speeds.
3Manufacturing precision
If the contact area width is reduced to increase impedance, then high-frequency characteristics are improved, but the current carrying capacity and signal strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal is divided into a connection area and a contact area with different widths. The connection area maintains a larger first width to provide robust mechanical support and electrical connection to the circuit board, ensuring good power and signal input. The contact area has a narrower second width specifically for impedance control during signal transmission. This segmentation allows the terminal to simultaneously achieve proper impedance (75 ohms or higher) and maintain adequate signal strength through the optimized connection area.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical receptacle connector is disclosed. The electrical receptacle connector includes a plurality of upper-row receptacle terminals and lower-row receptacle terminals. The plurality of upper-row receptacle terminals and lower-row receptacle terminals have 180 degree symmetrical, dual or double orientation design which enable the electrical plug connector to be inserted into the electrical receptacle connector in either of two intuitive orientations. Each of the receptacle terminals includes a flat contact portion, a soldering portion and a connecting portion. The flat contact portion is extended from one end of the connecting portion, and the soldering portion is extended from the other end of the connecting portion. The width of the connecting portion is different from the width of the flat contact portion.