Thomas & Betts Corporation

Robert Brush

Robert M Scharf

Matthew J Fadule

The controlled impedance, low cross-talk, high density, EMI shielded electrical connector assembly comprises a receptacle connector and a plug connector for interconnecting circuits on mother and daughter printed circuit boards arranged orthogonally or in other configurations. Each of the receptacle and plug connectors comprises in preferable form, four rows of electrical contacts arranged in two outer and two inner rows. One set of inner rows and outer rows is each supported in an insulator of dielectric material which surrounds each contact and extends between an outer and inner row in each set. The contacts in the outer rows of each set are staggered with respect to the contacts in the inner rows. A conductive housing extends along the outer rows of contacts and further comprises a portion disposed adjacent the inner rows of contacts, the housing serving as a ground plane when connected to the boards. The ground plane is spaced from the contacts at a selected distance that when combined with the dielectric material of the insulators provides a selected characteristics impedance. Further, the conductive housing has a plurality of projections extending inwardly toward the outer rows of contacts and outwardly toward the inner rows of contacts, the projections extending partially between each of the adjacent contacts in the respective rows to provide a conductive barrier for cross-talk protection.

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Inman, SC, United States of America

Robert Brush