阅读说明：本技术 具有接地母线的电连接器 (Electrical connector with ground bus ) 是由 R.R.亨利 B.A.查姆皮恩 M.J.菲利普斯 于 2021-05-17 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于电连接器的触头组件(202)包括触头定位器(230),其具有保持触头阵列(266)的触头支撑壁(236)。触头阵列包括信号触头(246)和与信号触头散布的接地触头(248)。信号触头包括配置为与配合电连接器配合的配合端(254)和配置为端接至主电路板(102)的安装端(258)。信号触头包括配合端和安装端之间的过渡部分(250)。接地触头包括配合端、安装端,以及配合端和安装端之间的过渡部分。触头组件包括横向地延伸跨越触头阵列的接地母线(300)。接地母线电连接至每个接地触头。接地母线与每个信号触头电隔离。(A contact assembly (202) for an electrical connector includes a contact locator (230) having a contact support wall (236) that holds an array of contacts (266). The contact array includes signal contacts (246) and ground contacts (248) interspersed with the signal contacts. The signal contact includes a mating end (254) configured to mate with a mating electrical connector and a mounting end (258) configured to terminate to the main circuit board (102). The signal contact includes a transition portion (250) between the mating end and the mounting end. The ground contact includes a mating end, a mounting end, and a transition portion between the mating end and the mounting end. The contact assembly includes a ground strap (300) extending laterally across the contact array. A ground busbar is electrically connected to each ground contact. The ground bus is electrically isolated from each of the signal contacts.)

1. A contact assembly (202) for an electrical connector, comprising:

a contact locator (230) having a contact support wall (236);

a contact array (266) including signal contacts (246) and ground contacts (248) interspersed with the signal contacts, the signal contacts and the ground contacts being supported by support walls (236) of the contact locator (230), the signal contacts including mating ends (254) configured to mate with a mating electrical connector and mounting ends (258) configured to be terminated to a main circuit board (102), the signal contacts including transition portions (250) between the mating ends and the mounting ends, the ground contacts including mating ends configured to mate with the mating electrical connector and mounting ends configured to be terminated to the main circuit board, the ground contacts including transition portions between the mating ends and the mounting ends; and

a ground strap (300) extending transversely across the contact array, the ground strap being electrically connected to each of the ground contacts, the ground strap being electrically isolated from each of the signal contacts.

2. The contact assembly (202) of claim 1, wherein the ground strap (300) is in physical contact with the signal contact (246) without being electrically connected to the signal contact.

3. The contact assembly (202) of claim 1, wherein the ground strap (300) is electrically connected to the transition portion (250) of each of the ground contacts (248).

4. The contact assembly (202) of claim 1, wherein the ground strap (300) is a cylindrical wire having a radius less than a width of the ground contact (248).

5. The contact assembly (202) of claim 1, wherein the ground strap (300) extends perpendicular to the transition portion (250).

6. The contact assembly (202) of claim 1, wherein the ground strap (300) includes a conductor (302) and an insulator (304) surrounding the conductor, the insulator electrically isolating the conductor from the signal contact (246).

7. The contact assembly (202) of claim 1, wherein the ground strap includes a conductor (302) and an insulator (304) surrounding the conductor, the insulator including a window (306) exposing the conductor, the window aligned with the ground contact (248) to electrically connect the conductor to the ground contact.

8. The contact assembly (202) of claim 1, wherein the ground strap (300) includes a conductor (302) and an insulator (304) surrounding the conductor, the conductor including an insulative segment (310) along a length of the ground strap and an attachment segment (312) interspersed with the insulative segment, the ground strap extending across the contact array (266) such that the insulative segment bridges the signal contact (246) and the attachment segment bridges the ground contact (248), the ground contact being electrically connected to the attachment segment.

9. The contact assembly (202) of claim 1, wherein the ground strap (300) is a coated high resistance wire.

10. The contact assembly (202) of claim 1, wherein the ground strap (300) is an enamel-coated wire, wherein the enamel coating of the enamel-coated wire is removed at selected areas to connect to the ground contact (248).

11. The contact assembly (202) of claim 1, wherein the ground strap (300) is soldered or welded to each of the ground contacts (248).

12. The contact assembly (202) of claim 11, wherein the insulator (304) of the ground strap (300) is removed during the soldering or welding process to expose the conductor (302) of the ground strap for electrical connection with the ground contact (248).

13. The contact assembly (202) of claim 1, wherein the transition portion (205) of the signal contact (246) is coplanar with the transition portion of the ground contact, the ground strap spanning the transition portion of the signal contact and the transition portion of the ground contact (248).

14. The contact assembly (202) of claim 1, further comprising a second ground strap (300) extending transversely across the contact array (266), parallel to the ground strap (300) and spaced apart from the ground strap.

15. The contact assembly (202) of claim 14, further comprising a third ground strap (300) extending transversely across the contact array (266) and parallel to the second ground strap, the second ground strap being centered between the ground strap (300) and the third ground strap.

Technical Field

The subject matter herein relates generally to electrical connectors for communication systems.

Background

Some communication systems utilize communication connectors (e.g., card edge connectors) to interconnect various components of the system for data communication. Some known communication systems use pluggable modules, such as I/O modules or circuit cards, which are electrically connected to card edge connectors. The pluggable module has a module circuit card with a card edge that mates with the card edge connector during a mating operation. Each card edge connector typically has an upstream contact and a downstream contact for mating with a corresponding circuit board. There is a need for greater contact density and/or data throughput for electrical connectors and circuit boards of communication systems. However, as contact density and data throughput increase, electrical performance is negatively impacted. For example, signal lines suffer from crosstalk.

Known electrical connectors include ground shield structures to provide electrical shielding for the signal wires. For example, a ground shield may be connected to the ground contact to provide electrical shielding. Such ground shields are typically soldered or welded to the ground contacts. The ground shield is a stamped and formed piece that increases the manufacturing and assembly costs of the electrical connector.

There remains a need for a reliable electrical connector.

Disclosure of Invention

According to the present invention, a contact assembly for an electrical connector is provided. The contact assembly includes a contact locator having a contact support wall. The contact assembly includes a contact array including signal contacts and ground contacts interspersed with the signal contacts. The signal contacts and ground contacts are held by support walls of the contact locator. The signal contact includes a mating end configured to mate with a mating electrical connector and a mounting end configured to be terminated to a main circuit board. The signal contact includes a transition portion between a mating end and a mounting end. The ground contact includes a mating end configured to mate with a mating electrical connector and a mounting end configured to be terminated to a main circuit board. The ground contact includes a transition portion between a mating end and a mounting end. The contact assembly includes a ground strap extending laterally across the contact array. A ground busbar is electrically connected to each ground contact. The ground bus is electrically isolated from each of the signal contacts.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a communication system formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of a pluggable module in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a front perspective view of a card edge connector according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a front perspective view of a portion of a contact assembly showing an upper contact array according to an exemplary embodiment.

Figure 6 is a rear perspective view of a portion of a contact assembly according to an exemplary embodiment.

Figure 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of a contact assembly according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a contact assembly showing a ground strap extending across a signal contact, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a contact assembly showing a ground strap extending across a ground contact, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a rear perspective view of a portion of a contact assembly 202 according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a rear perspective view of a portion of an electrical connector according to an exemplary embodiment.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a communication system 100 formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The communication system includes a main circuit board 102 and a jack connector assembly 104 mounted to the main circuit board 102. The mating electrical connector 106 is configured to electrically connect to the receptacle connector assembly 104. The mating electrical connector 106 is configured to be electrically connected to the main circuit board 102 through the receptacle connector assembly 104. In various embodiments, the mating electrical connector 106 may be a pluggable module, such as a transceiver module or an I/O module, and may be referred to hereinafter as a pluggable module 106. The pluggable module 106 is shown in FIG. 2; however, other types of electrical connectors may be used in alternative embodiments.

In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle connector assembly 104 includes a receptacle cage 110 and an electrical connector 112 (shown in phantom) adjacent the receptacle cage 110. The mating electrical connector 106 is configured to mate with an electrical connector 112. In various embodiments, the electrical connector 112 may be a card edge connector and may be referred to hereinafter as a card edge connector 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the card edge connector 112 is received in the receptacle cage 110. In other various embodiments, the card edge connector 112 may be located behind the receptacle cage 110. In various embodiments, the receptacle cage 110 is enclosed and provides electrical shielding for the card edge connector 112. The pluggable modules 106 are loaded into the receptacle cage 110 and are at least partially surrounded by the receptacle cage 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle cage 110 is a shielded, stamped and formed cage member that includes a plurality of shielding walls 114, the shielding walls 114 defining one or more module passages for receiving corresponding pluggable modules 106. The shield walls 114 of the receptacle cage 110 provide electrical shielding around the card edge connector 112 and the pluggable module 106, such as around a mating interface between the card edge connector 112 and the pluggable module 106. In other embodiments, the receptacle cage 110 may be open between frame members to provide cooling airflow for the pluggable modules 106, wherein the frame members of the receptacle cage 110 define guide tracks for guiding loading of the pluggable modules 106 into the receptacle cage 110.

In other various embodiments, the receptacle connector assembly 104 may not be provided with the receptacle cage 110, but only include the electrical connector 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the card edge connector 112 is oriented to mate horizontally (e.g., parallel to the main circuit board 102). In other various embodiments, the card edge connector 112 is oriented to mate vertically (e.g., perpendicular to the main circuit board 102).

In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle cage 110 is a single-port receptacle cage configured to receive a single pluggable module 106. In other various embodiments, the receptacle cage 110 may be a ganged cage member having multiple ports grouped together in a single row and/or a stacked cage member having multiple ports stacked as upper and lower ports. The receptacle cage 110 includes a module passage 116, the module passage 116 having a module port 118 that leads to the module passage 116. The module passageway 116 receives the pluggable module 106 through the module port 118. In the exemplary embodiment, receptacle cage 110 extends between a front end 120 and a rear end 122. The module port 118 is disposed at the front end 120. Any number of module channels 116 may be provided in various embodiments arranged in a single column or multiple columns (e.g., 2X2, 3X2, 4X2, 4X3, 4X1, 2X1, etc.). Alternatively, a plurality of card edge connectors 112 may be disposed within the receptacle cage 110, such as when multiple rows and/or columns of module channels 116 are provided.

In the exemplary embodiment, the walls 114 of the receptacle cage 110 include a top wall 130, a bottom wall 132, and first and second side walls 134, 136 that extend from the top wall 130. The bottom wall 132 may rest on the main circuit board 102. In other various embodiments, the receptacle cage 110 may be provided without the bottom wall 132. Optionally, the walls 114 of the receptacle cage 110 may include a rear wall 138 at the rear end 122. The wall 114 defines a cavity 140. For example, the cavity 140 may be defined by the top wall 130, the bottom wall 132, the side walls 134, 136, and the rear wall 138. The cavity 140 includes the module passageway 116. In various embodiments, the cavity 140 receives the card edge connector 112, such as at the rear end 122. Other walls 114 may separate or divide the cavity 140 into additional module channels 116, such as in embodiments using ganged and/or stacked receptacle cages. For example, the walls 114 may include one or more vertical partition walls between the ganged module passages 116. In various embodiments, wall 114 may include a divider panel between stacked upper and lower module channels 116. The divider panel may include upper and lower panels that form a space between the upper and lower module channels 116, for example, for air flow, for heat sinking, for routing light pipes, or for other purposes.

In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle cage 110 may include one or more gaskets 142 at the front end 120 for providing electrical shielding for the module channels 116. For example, a gasket 142 may be provided at the port 118 to electrically connect with the pluggable module 106 received in the module passageway 116. Alternatively, the pluggable module 106 may include a washer that engages the receptacle cage 110 rather than the receptacle cage 110 having a washer that engages the pluggable module 106. In an exemplary embodiment, a gasket 142 may be disposed around the exterior of the receptacle cage 110 for interfacing with the faceplate 144, such as when the front end 120 of the receptacle cage 110 extends through a cutout in the faceplate. The gasket 142 may include spring fingers or other deflectable features configured to spring bias against the panel to form an electrical connection with the panel.

Optionally, the receptacle connector assembly 104 may include one or more heat sinks (not shown) for dissipating heat from the pluggable module 106. For example, a heat sink may be coupled to the top wall 130 for engaging the pluggable module 106 received in the module passageway 116. The heat sink may extend through an opening in the top wall 130 to directly engage the pluggable module 106. Other types of heat sinks may be provided in alternative embodiments.

In an exemplary embodiment, the card edge connector 112 is received in the cavity 140, e.g., proximate the rear wall 138. However, in alternative embodiments, the card edge connector 112 may be located behind the rear wall 138 outside of the receptacle cage 110 and extend into the cavity 140 to interface with the pluggable module(s) 106. In an exemplary embodiment, a single card edge connector 112 is provided. In an alternative embodiment, the communication system 100 may include a plurality of card edge connectors 112 (e.g., for stacked and/or grouped receptacle cages) for mating with corresponding pluggable modules 106.

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the pluggable module 106 according to an exemplary embodiment. The pluggable module 106 has a pluggable body 170, which may be defined by one or more housings. The pluggable body 170 may be thermally conductive and/or may be electrically conductive to provide EMI shielding for the pluggable module 106. The pluggable body 170 includes a mating end 172 and an opposing front end 174. The mating end 172 is configured to be inserted into a corresponding module channel 116 (as shown in fig. 1). The front end 174 may be a cable end having a cable extending therefrom to another component within the system.

The pluggable module 106 includes a module circuit card 176 that is configured to communicatively couple to the card edge connector 112 (as shown in figure 1). The module circuit card 176 is accessible at the mating end 172. The module circuit card 176 has a lip 178 extending between a first or upper surface and a second or lower surface at the mating end of the module circuit card 176. The modular circuit card 176 includes card contacts 179, such as pads or circuits, at a card edge 178 that are configured to mate with the card edge connector 112. In an exemplary embodiment, the card contacts 179 are disposed on the upper and lower surfaces. The module circuit card 176 may include components, circuitry, etc. for operating and/or using the pluggable module 106. For example, the module circuit card 176 may have conductors, traces, pads, electronics, sensors, controllers, switches, inputs, outputs, etc. associated with the module circuit card 176, which may be mounted to the module circuit card 176 to form various circuits.

The pluggable module 106 includes an outer perimeter that defines an exterior of the pluggable body 170. For example, the outer perimeter may be defined by a top 180, a bottom 182, a first side 184, and a second side 186. In alternative embodiments, the pluggable body 170 may have other shapes. In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable body 170 provides heat transfer for the module circuit card 176, such as for example, for the electronic components on the module circuit card 176. For example, the module circuit card 176 is in thermal communication with the pluggable body 170, and the pluggable body 170 transfers heat from the module circuit card 176. Optionally, the pluggable body 170 may include a plurality of heat transfer fins 188 along at least a portion of the outer perimeter (e.g., the top 180) of the pluggable module 106 for dissipating heat from the pluggable body 170.

In other various embodiments, the pluggable module 106 may be a circuit card instead of an I/O module. For example, the pluggable module 106 may include a module circuit card 176 without the pluggable body 170 surrounding the module circuit card 176.

Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of the communication system 100, according to an example embodiment. The receptacle connector assembly 104 is shown as an electrical connector 112, such as a card edge connector, mounted to the main circuit board 102 (without a receptacle cage). In various embodiments, the card edge connector 112 may be mounted horizontally or vertically. In various embodiments, the card edge connector 112 may be mounted to the circuit board 102 to receive the pluggable module 106 in a direction perpendicular to the circuit board 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle connector assembly 104 is a through-connector having a mating end and a mounting end of the housing that are parallel to each other rather than perpendicular to each other such that the contacts pass directly through the housing rather than right angle contacts. In an alternative embodiment, the card edge connector 112 may be a right angle card edge connector mounted to the circuit board 102 to receive the pluggable module 106 in a direction parallel to the circuit board 102.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pluggable module 106 includes the module circuit card 176 without an external pluggable body that retains the module circuit card 176 (shown in figure 2). The module circuit card 176 has a card edge 178 between a first or upper surface and a second or lower surface at the mating end of the module circuit card 176. The modular circuit card 176 includes card contacts 179 at a card edge 178, such as at an upper surface and a lower surface, that are configured to mate with contacts of the card edge connector 112.

Fig. 4 is a front perspective view of the card edge connector 112 according to an exemplary embodiment. The card edge connector 112 includes a housing 200 and a contact assembly 202 received in a cavity 204 of the housing 200. The housing 200 extends between a front 206 and a rear 208. The housing 200 extends between a top 210 and a bottom 212. The housing 200 extends between opposite sides 218. In various embodiments, the housing 200 may be generally box-shaped. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom portion 212 defines a mounting end configured to be mounted to the main circuit board 102 (shown in fig. 1), and the front portion 206 defines a configuration end configured to mate with the pluggable module 106 (shown in fig. 1). In alternative embodiments, other orientations are possible (e.g., at the mating end of the top 210).

The housing 200 includes a top wall 220 at the top 210 and a bottom wall 222 at the bottom 212. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 200 includes a shroud 214 at the front 206 that is configured to mate with the pluggable module 106. The shroud 214 is configured to be received in the pluggable module 106. The housing 200 includes a housing card slot 216 at the front 206. For example, the housing card slot 216 may be located in the shroud 214 and open at the front of the shroud 214. The housing card slot 216 receives the card edge 178 (shown in fig. 2) of the modular circuit card 176 (shown in fig. 2).

In an exemplary embodiment, the contact assembly 202 is a double-sided contact assembly. The contact assembly 202 includes an upper contact 240 arranged in an upper contact array 242 and a lower contact 260 arranged in a lower contact array 242. The upper contact 240 and the lower contact 260 are on opposite sides of the card slot 216. The upper contacts 240 are arranged in an upper row and the lower contacts 260 are arranged in a lower row. The upper contacts 240 may be arranged in a plurality of rows and/or the lower contacts 260 may be arranged in a plurality of rows. The card edge connector 112 has high density and significant data throughput.

Fig. 5 is a front perspective view of a portion of the contact assembly 202, showing the upper contact array 242. In the exemplary embodiment, the contact assembly 202 includes one or more ground straps 300 that extend laterally across the upper contact array 242. The ground strap 300 is configured to electrically connect to each ground contact of the upper contact array 242 to electrically connect the ground contacts. The ground strap 300 is configured to be electrically isolated from the signal contacts of the upper contact array 242.

In an exemplary embodiment, the upper contact array 242 is formed from a lead frame, e.g., stamped and formed. The contact array 242 includes a contact holder 244 that holds the upper contacts 240. The contact holder 244 may hold all of the upper contacts 240 relative to one another, e.g., to maintain the spacing between the upper contacts 240. Optionally, a plurality of contact holders 244 may be provided, for example, near the front and rear of the upper contact array 242. The contact holder 244 is made of a dielectric material, such as plastic. For example, the contact holder 244 may be overmolded onto the upper contact 240.

Each upper contact 240 includes a transition portion 250 that extends between a mating beam 252 at a mating end 254 of the upper contact 240 and a contact tail 256 at a terminating or mounting end 258 of the upper contact 240. The mating end 254 is configured to mate to a mating electrical connector 106 (shown in fig. 1), such as to a module circuit card 176 (shown in fig. 2) of the pluggable module 106. For example, the mating beams 252 may be deflectable mating beams having separable mating interfaces. The mounting terminals 258 are configured to be electrically connected to the main circuit board 102 (as in fig. 1). For example, the contact tails 256 may be solder tails configured to be soldered to the main circuit board 102. In an alternative embodiment, the contact tails 256 may be press-fit tails. In an exemplary embodiment, the contact holder 244 connects and supports the mating beams 252 of the upper contact 240. For example, the mating beams 252 extend forward of the contact holder 244. The transition portion 250 extends rearward of the contact holder 244. Optionally, portions of the mating beams 252 and/or the front of the transition portion 250 may be enclosed in the front contact holder 244.

The transition portion 250 transitions between a mating end 254 and a mounting end 258. In the exemplary embodiment, the mating end 254 and the mounting end 258 are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other. For example, the contact assembly 202 is a right angle contact assembly. The transition portion 250 includes one or more bends to transition between the mating end 254 and the mounting end 258. The transition portion 250 may be bent along the various portions to transition between the mating end 254 and the mounting end 258.

Each upper contact 240 may be a signal contact and the other upper contacts 240 may be ground contacts, for example interspersed between signal contacts or between pairs of signal contacts. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper contacts 240 are flexible and configured to elastically deform and flex during assembly and during mating with the modular circuit card 176. The mating beams 252 may be cantilevered spring beams that extend forward from the front contact holders 244 and are configured to flex when mated with the modular circuit card 176. The contact tails 256 may be bent when mounted to the main circuit board 102.

Fig. 6 is a rear perspective view of a portion of a contact assembly 202 according to an embodiment. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of the contact assembly 202 according to an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 6 illustrates an upper contact array 242 and a corresponding contact holder 244 coupled to the contact locator 230 of the contact assembly 202. The contact holder 244 is coupled to the contact locator 230 to position the upper contact 240 relative to the contact locator 230. The contact locator 230 may also hold a lower contact array 266 (not shown). The contact locator 230 is configured to be loaded into the cavity 204 of the housing 200 (shown in fig. 4) to locate the upper contact 240 (and the lower contact 260) in the housing 200. The contact locator 230 is used to locate the upper contact 240 and the lower contact 260 relative to each other.

The contact locator 230 includes a base 232 that supports an upper contact 240 and a locating feature 234 that extends from the base 232 to locate the contact locator 230 in the housing 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the locating feature 234 may be a protrusion or tail configured to be loaded into a slot or recess in the housing 200. Other types of locating features 234 may be used in alternative embodiments, such as posts, pins, slots, channels, and the like. In addition to the upper contact 240, the base 232 may hold the lower contact 260. For example, the base 232 may retain the upper contact 240 on an upper surface of the base 232 and may retain the lower contact 260 on a lower surface of the base 232. In the exemplary embodiment, contact locator 230 includes a contact support wall 236 that is configured to support a contact, such as upper contact 240 (or lower contact 260). In the illustrated embodiment, contact support walls 236 extend from base 232. The contact support walls 236 form contact channels 238 that receive corresponding contacts 240, 260. The contacts 240, 260 may be retained in the contact channels 238 by the contact support walls 236, such as by an interference fit.

In the exemplary embodiment, the upper contacts 240 include signal contacts 246 and ground contacts 248. The signal contacts 246 may include high speed signal contacts and/or low speed signal contacts. The high speed signal contacts may be arranged in pairs and the low speed signal contacts may be single ended contacts. The ground contacts 248 are interspersed between the signal contacts 246, such as between pairs of signal contacts 246. In the exemplary embodiment, the ground contacts 248 are identical in shape to the signal contacts 246.

The ground strap 300 extends laterally across the upper contact array 242. Alternatively, a plurality of ground straps 300 may be provided. The ground strap 300 is electrically connected to each ground contact 248 across which the ground strap 300 extends. Optionally, the ground strap 300 may be electrically connected to each ground contact 248 in the upper contact array 242, such as when the ground strap 300 extends across the entire upper contact array 242. In the exemplary embodiment, the ground strap extends perpendicular to transition portion 250, e.g., side-by-side across contact assembly 202. The ground strap 300 is electrically connected to the transition portion 250 of each ground contact 248. The ground strap 300 is configured to physically contact the signal contacts 246 without being electrically connected to the signal contacts 246. In the exemplary embodiment, the transition portions 250 of the signal contacts 246 are coplanar with the transition portions 250 of the ground contacts 248, and the ground strap 300 spans the transition portions 250 of the signal contacts 246 and the transition portions 250 of the ground contacts 248.

In various embodiments, the contact assembly 202 includes two ground straps 300, such as a right side ground strap 300a and a left side ground strap 300b, that extend across the upper contact array 242. The right and left ground straps 300a, 300b are separate and discrete from each other with a space or gap therebetween that is aligned with the low speed signal contacts. The right side ground strap 300a spans the corresponding high speed signal contacts 246 and ground contacts 248 on the right side of the upper contact array 242, and the left side ground strap 300b spans the corresponding high speed signal contacts 246 and ground contacts 248 on the left side of the upper contact array 242. The right side ground strap 300a is electrically connected to the left side ground contact 248 of the upper contact array 242 and the left side ground strap 300b is electrically connected to the left side ground contact 248 of the upper contact array 242.

In an exemplary embodiment, the ground strap 300 is a cylindrical wire. The diameter of the ground strap 300 may be less than the width of the ground contact 248. The ground strap 300 includes a center conductor 302 (shown in phantom in fig. 6 and 7) and an outer insulator 304 surrounding the conductor 302. The insulator 304 electrically isolates the conductor 302 from the signal contact 246. In an exemplary embodiment, portions of the insulator 304 are removed to expose the conductors 302 for electrical connection with the ground contacts 248. For example, the insulator 304 may include windows 306 (shown in fig. 9) that expose the conductors 302, which correspond with the ground contacts 248 to allow the conductors to be electrically connected to the ground contacts 248. The covered portion of conductor 302 may be referred to as an insulated segment. The uncovered portion of the conductors 302 may be referred to as an exposed segment or an attached segment that is configured to electrically connect to the ground contact 248.

In an exemplary embodiment, the ground strap 300 is a high resistance wire, such as a coated high resistance wire. For example, the ground strap 300 may be an enamel-coated wire. The enamel coating forms an insulator 304. The coating may be removed at selected areas to form windows 306 to connect the conductors 302 to the ground contacts 248.

In an exemplary embodiment, the ground strap 300 is configured to be soldered or welded to each ground contact 248. The conductors 302 are soldered or welded to the ground contacts 248 to electrically connect the ground strap 300 to the ground contacts 248. Optionally, the insulator 304 is removed during a soldering or welding process to expose the conductor 302 for electrical connection with the ground contact 248. For example, heat during the welding or soldering process may melt the insulator 304 (e.g., coating) away.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the contact assembly 202, showing the ground strap 300 extending across the signal contacts 246. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the contact assembly 202, showing the ground strap 300 extending across the ground contacts 248. Fig. 8 shows an insulated segment 310 of conductor 302, which is surrounded by insulator 304. The insulator 304 electrically isolates the conductor 302 from the signal contact 246. Fig. 9 shows the attachment section 312 of the conductor 302 exposed by the window 306 to electrically connect to the ground contact 248. The attachment segment may be soldered or welded to the ground contact 248. The ground strap 300 includes a series of insulated sections 310 and attached sections 312 that are interspersed along the length of the ground strap 300. The insulative segment 310 and the attachment segment 312 are arranged such that the insulative segment 310 spans each signal contact 246 and the attachment segment 312 spans each ground contact 248.

Fig. 10 is a rear perspective view of a portion of a contact assembly 202 according to an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 10 shows a contact assembly 202 having a plurality of ground straps 300. The ground strap 300 extends laterally across the contact array 242. The ground straps 300 extend parallel to each other, side-by-side across the contact array 242. The ground straps 300 may be approximately equally spaced. The spacing between the ground straps 300 may be selected to control impedance.

Fig. 11 is a rear perspective view of a portion of an electrical connector 112 according to an example embodiment. Fig. 11 shows the contact assembly 202 loaded into the cavity 204 of the housing 200. The housing 200 includes guide slots 224 that receive the positioning features 234 of the contact locator 230.