CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application no. 61/471,477, filed April 4, 201 1 and U.S. provisional patent application no. 61/583,536, filed January 5, 2012, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Referring to Figs. 1-2B, electrical connectors can be constructed to be mounted to a substrate, for instance a printed circuit board (PCB), that is configured with an industry standard MicroTCA ^® Press Fit (MicroTCA ^® PF) footprint (as illustrated in Figs. 2A and 2B). For example, the electrical connector 100 and the PCB can be constructed in accordance with industry standard document MicroTCA.0, Rev. 1.0, 6 July 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The electrical connector 100 can be constructed as a card edge connector configured to receive Advanced Mezzanine Cards (AdvancedMCs), for instance as an AdvancedMC Backplane Connector in accordance with the MicroTCA ^® standard (see Figs. 12A-12B). Further in accordance with the MicroTCA ^® standard, a MicroTCA ^® Carrier Hub (MCH) can comprise at least two, for instance four, electrical connectors 100 supported by a respective substrate (see Figs. 13A-13B). However when the industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint is utilized with existing electrical connectors that are constructed to mount to the industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint, peak bandwidth or data transmission rates are typically restricted to about 8 Gigabits/sec or less.

SUMMARY

[0003] In accordance with one embodiment, a card edge electrical connector includes a connector housing. The card edge electrical connector further includes a plurality of electrical signal contacts supported by the connector housing. Each electrical signal contact includes a contact body that defines a mating end and a mounting end, wherein respective pairs of the plurality of electrical signal contacts define differential signal pairs. The card edge electrical connector further includes a plurality of ground plates supported by the connector housing. Each of the plurality of ground plates includes a first ground mating end that defines a first ground flow return path and a second ground mating end that defines a second ground flow return path. At least one ground plate of the plurality of ground plates defining respective first and second ground flow return paths that are substantially symmetrical with respect to one another. The mating ends of the plurality of electrical signal contacts and the first and second ground mating ends of the plurality of ground plates collectively define one hundred seventy mating ends that are spaced along two rows that extend along a row direction. The one hundred seventy mating ends defining a 0.75mm column pitch, and the connector housing supports each of the plurality of electrical signal contacts and the plurality of ground plates such that respective pairs of differential signal pairs are disposed between successive ground plates.

[0004] In accordance with another embodiment, an electrical connector includes a connector housing. The electrical connector further includes a first vertical electrical signal contact configured to be supported by the connector housing. The first vertical electrical signal contact includes a first contact body that defines a first mounting end and a first mating end that is opposite the first mounting end. The first mounting end carries a first mounting element configured to be placed in electrical connection with a printed circuit board, and the first vertical electrical signal contact defines first and second broadsides and first and second edges that extend between the first and second broadsides. The electrical connector further includes a second vertical electrical signal contact configured to be supported by the connector housing. The second vertical electrical signal contact includes a second contact body that defines a second mounting end and a second mating end that is opposite the second mounting end. The second mounting end carries a second mounting element configured to be placed in electrical connection with the printed circuit board, and the second vertical electrical signal contact defining first and second broadsides and first and second edges that extend between the first and second broadsides, wherein the first mating end and the second mating end are spaced from each other along a first direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first and second broadsides of the first and second vertical electrical signal contacts. Each of the first and second contact bodies is twisted such that the broadsides at the first mounting end is angularly offset with respect to the broadsides at the first mating end, the broadsides at the second mounting end is angularly offset with respect to the broadsides at the second mating end, and the first mounting element is aligned with the second mounting element along a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

[0005] In accordance with another embodiment, a printed circuit board includes a substrate body that defines opposed upper and lower surfaces. The substrate body supports a plurality of vias that define a footprint configured to receive mounting tails of only a single connector. The footprint includes a first pair of signal vias that extend into the upper surface of the substrate body. Each of the first pair of signal vias are arranged inline with respect to each other along a first column that extends substantially along a column direction. The footprint further includes a second pair of signal vias that extend into the upper surface of the substrate body. Each of the second pair of signal vias are arranged inline with respect to each other along a second column that extends substantially along the column direction. The footprint further includes at least a first ground via that extends into the upper surface of the substrate body. The first ground via is disposed in a third column that extends substantially along the column direction, wherein the third column includes no more than a pair of first ground vias. The footprint further includes at least a second ground via that extends into the upper surface of the substrate body. The second ground via is disposed in a fourth column that extends substantially along the column direction, wherein the fourth column includes no more than a pair of second ground vias. The first and second columns are disposed between the third and fourth columns.

[0006] In accordance with another embodiment, a method of fabricating an electrical connector includes the step of supporting a plurality electrical signal contacts in a connector housing. The signal contacts define signal mounting tails and mating ends, wherein respective pairs of the plurality of electrical signal contacts define differential signal pairs. The method further includes the step of supporting first and second ground plates in the connector housing. Each of the plurality of first and second ground plates includes ground mounting tails and ground mating ends. The two supporting steps include defining one hundred seventy matting ends that are spaced along two columns that each extend along a row direction collectively from the mating ends of the plurality of electrical signal contacts ground mating ends. The one hundred seventy mating ends define a 0.75mm column pitch. The method further includes the step of positioning the plurality of electrical signal contacts and the ground plates in the connector housing such that the signal and ground mounting tails define a footprint that differs from a footprint defined by vias of a printed circuit board that are arranged in accordance with

MicroTCA specification Rev. 1.0, such that the electrical signal contacts are configured to transfer data between the mounting tails and the mating ends at a minimum of approximately 12.5 Gigabits/second at an acceptable level of near-end crosstalk.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of example embodiments of the application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which there is shown in the drawings example embodiments for the purposes of illustration. It should be understood, however, that the application is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings: [0008] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical assembly including a printed circuit board and an electrical connector mounted to the printed circuit board so as to place respective pluralities of electrical signal contacts and ground plates supported by the electrical connector in electrical communication with the printed circuit board;

[0009] Fig. 2A is a top elevation view of the printed circuit board illustrated in Fig. 1, the printed circuit board including a plurality of vias that extend into the printed circuit board;

[0010] Fig. 2B is a top elevation view of a portion of the plurality of vias illustrated in Fig. 2A, the portion of the plurality of vias arranged in accordance with an industry standard MicroTCA ^® press fit footprint;

[0011] Fig. 3 A is a perspective view of two pairs of electrical signal contacts and a pair of ground plates constructed in accordance with an embodiment, the electrical signal contacts and the ground plates configured to be supported by the electrical connector illustrated in Fig. 1 ;

[0012] Fig. 3B is a side elevation view of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in Fig. 3A;

[0013] Fig. 3C is a bottom elevation view of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in Figs. 3A-3B;

[0014] Fig. 3D is a front elevation view illustrating an example asymmetric ground return flow path of the ground plates illustrated in Figs. 3A-3C;

[0015] Fig. 4A is a perspective view of a pair of leadframe assemblies, each leadframe assembly comprising a pair of the electrical signal contacts illustrated in Figs. 3A-3C, the pair of leadframe assemblies configured to be inserted into the electrical connector illustrated in Fig. 1;

[0016] Fig. 4B is a perspective view of the electrical connector illustrated in Fig. 1, a plurality of respective pairs of the leadframe assemblies illustrated in Fig. 4A, and a plurality of the ground plates illustrated in Figs. 3A-3D, the respective pluralities of pairs of leadframe assemblies and ground plates arranged adjacent one another so as to be inserted into the electrical connector;

[0017] Fig. 4C is a perspective view of the electrical connector, leadframe assemblies, and ground plates illustrated in Fig. 4A, with the leadframe assemblies and the ground plates inserted into the electrical connector;

[0018] Fig. 4D is a zoomed perspective view of a portion of the electrical connector illustrated in Fig. 4C;

[0019] Fig. 5A is a perspective view of the electrical signal contacts illustrated in Fig. 3 A and a pair of ground plates constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment, the electrical signal contacts and the ground plates configured to be supported by the electrical connector illustrated in Fig. 1 ;

[0020] Fig. 5B is a side elevation view of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in Fig. 5A;

[0021] Fig. 5C is a bottom elevation view of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in Figs. 5A-5B;

[0022] Fig. 5D is a front elevation view illustrating an example symmetric ground return flow path of the ground plates illustrated in Figs. 5A-5C;

[0023] Fig. 6A is a perspective view of an electrical connector supporting a plurality of respective pairs of the leadframe assemblies illustrate d in Fig. 3E and a plurality of the ground plates illustrated in Figs. 5A-5D;

[0024] Fig. 6B is a zoomed perspective view of a portion of the electrical connector illustrated in Fig. 6A;

[0025] Fig. 7A is a perspective view of the electrical signal contacts illustrated in Fig. 3 A and a pair of ground plates constructed in accordance with another alternative embodiment, the electrical signal contacts and the ground plates configured to be supported by the electrical connector illustrated in Fig. 1 ;

[0026] Fig. 7B is a side elevation view of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in Fig. 7A;

[0027] Fig. 7C is a bottom elevation view of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in Figs. 7A-7B;

[0028] Fig. 7D is a top elevation view of a plurality of printed circuit board vias arranged in accordance with an alternative embodiment of a press fit footprint, the plurality of vias arranged such that the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in Figs. 7A-7C can be inserted into the vias;

[0029] Fig. 8 A is a perspective view of the electrical signal contacts illustrated in Fig. 3 A and a pair of ground plates constructed in accordance with still another alternative embodiment, the electrical signal contacts and the ground plates configured to be supported by the electrical connector illustrated in Fig. 1 ;

[0030] Fig. 8B is a side elevation view of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in Fig. 8A;

[0031] Fig. 8C is a bottom elevation view of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in Figs. 8A-8C; [0032] Fig. 8D is a top elevation view of a plurality of printed circuit board vias arranged in accordance with another alternative embodiment of a press fit footprint, the plurality of vias arranged such that the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in Figs. 8A- 8C can be inserted into the vias;

[0033] Fig. 9A is a perspective view of the electrical signal contacts illustrated in Fig. 3 A and a pair of ground plates constructed in accordance with still another alternative embodiment, the electrical signal contacts and the ground plates configured to be supported by the electrical connector illustrated in Fig. 1 ;

[0034] Fig. 9B is a side elevation view of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in Fig. 9A;

[0035] Fig. 9C is a bottom elevation view of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in Figs. 9A-9B;

[0036] Fig. 9D is a top elevation view of a plurality of printed circuit board vias arranged in accordance with still another alternative embodiment of a press fit footprint, the plurality of vias arranged such that the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in Figs. 9A-9C can be inserted into the vias;

[0037] Fig. 10A is a perspective view of two pairs of electrical signal contacts constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment and a pair of the ground plates illustrated in Figs. 9A-9C;

[0038] Fig. 10B is a side elevation view of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in Fig. 10A;

[0039] Fig. IOC is a bottom elevation view of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in Figs. 10A-10B;

[0040] Fig. 10D is a perspective view of respective portions of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in Figs. lOA-lOC;

[0041] Fig. 10E is a perspective view of a pair of leadframe assemblies, each leadframe assembly comprising a pair of the electrical signal contacts illustrated in Figs. 10A-10D;

[0042] Fig. 1 OF is a bottom elevation view of the leadframe assemblies illustrated in Fig. 10E and the ground plates illustrated in Figs. 10A-10D supported by the electrical connector illustrated in Fig. 1;

[0043] Fig. 10G is a top elevation view of a plurality of printed circuit board vias arranged in accordance with still another alternative embodiment of a press fit footprint, the plurality of vias arranged such that the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in

Figs. 10A-10F can be inserted into the vias; [0044] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of respective portions of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in Figs. lOA-lOC, with the mounting ends of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates supporting solder balls;

[0045] Fig. 12A is a top elevation view of an electrical assembly including the electrical connector illustrated in Figs. 6A-6B, mounted to a printed circuit board, illustrating a crosstalk victim differential signal pair and five aggressor differential signal pairs;

[0046] Fig. 12B is a side elevation view of the electrical assembly illustrated in Fig.

12A.

[0047] Fig. 13 A is a top elevation view of a pair of electrical connectors constructed in accordance with the electrical connector illustrated in Figs. 6A-6B, illustrating a crosstalk victim differential signal pair and eight aggressor differential signal pairs; and

[0048] Fig. 13B is a side elevation view of the electrical assembly illustrated in Fig.

13 A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] The present disclosure describes electrical connectors, such as card edge connectors and card edge connector footprints, including MicroTCA ^® (μΤΟΑ ^® ) compatible connectors and footprints that can be utilized in accordance with industry standards

specifications such as the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group (PICMG ^® ) Open Modular Computing Specifications, for example MicroTCA.0, Rev. 1.0, 6 July 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0050] Referring initially to Figs. 1 to 4D, an example electrical assembly 10 constructed in accordance with existing MicroTCA ^® standards includes an electrical connector 100 and a substrate 200, such as a printed circuit board 202, that is configured to be placed in electrical communication with the electrical connector 100. The electrical connector 100 can include dielectric or electrically insulative connector housing 102 and a plurality of electrical contacts 105 that are supported by the connector housing 102. The connector housing 102 includes a housing body 103 that defines opposed first and second sides 103c and 103d that are spaced from each other along a first or lateral direction A, a first end 103 a that can define a front end, a second end 103b that can define a rear end and that is spaced from the first end 103a along a second or longitudinal direction L that extends substantially perpendicular to the lateral direction A, and opposed upper and lower ends 103e and 103f that are spaced from each other along a third or transverse direction T that extends substantially perpendicular to both the lateral direction A and the longitudinal direction L. [0051] The connector housing 102 can define a centerline CR3 that extends along the longitudinal direction L and separates the housing body 103 into first and second portions that are spaced along the lateral direction A. For instance, the centerline CR3 can bifurcate the housing body 103, such that the first and second portions are substantially symmetric about the centerline CR3. The connector housing 102 can be constructed of any suitable dielectric or insulative material as desired, for instance plastic. It should be appreciated for the purposes of illustration that the electrical connector 100 is oriented such that the longitudinal direction L and the lateral direction A are oriented horizontally, and the transverse direction T is oriented vertically, though it should be appreciated that the orientation of the electrical connector 100 can vary during use.

[0052] The connector housing 102 can define a mating interface 116 proximate to, such as substantially at, the upper end 103e that is configured to mate with a complementary electrical component, such as an edge card. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the housing body 103 defines a slot 101 that is elongate along the longitudinal direction L and that extends into the upper end 103e along the transverse direction T, the slot 101 configured to at least partially receive a complementary electrical component, such as an edge card, that is mated to the electrical connector 100. Thus, the connector housing 102 can be constructed as an edge card connector housing and thus the electrical connector 100 as a card edge electrical connector. The mating interface 116 can be defined in the slot 101. The connector housing 102 can further define a mounting interface 1 18 proximate to, such as substantially at, the lower end 103 f that is configured to mount onto a complementary electrical component, such as the printed circuit board 202, thereby placing the printed circuit board 202 and the complementary electrical component in electrical communication during operation. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the mating interface 1 16 is oriented substantially parallel to the mounting interface 1 18. Thus, the electrical connector 100 can be configured as a vertical electrical connector. However it should be appreciated that the electrical connector 100 can alternatively be configured as a right-angle electrical connector, whereby the mating interface 1 16 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the mounting interface 118.

[0053] The connector housing 102 can have at least one such as a plurality of retention members 138 defined by the housing body 103 and configured to retain the plurality of electrical contacts 105 in inserted positions in the connector housing 102. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the housing body 103 defines respective pluralities of retention slots 139 that are spaced along the longitudinal direction and extend into such as through the first and second sides 103 c and 103 d of the housing body 103, respectively. The housing body 103 can further define a void 141 configured to receive the plurality of electrical contacts 105. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second ends 103a and 103b, and the first and second sides 103c and 103d, define an outer circumference of the void 141, such that the void 141 extends upward into the lower end 103f of the housing body 103 along the transverse direction T.

[0054] The connector housing 102 can further include at least one guidance member 144 such as a pair of guidance members 144. Each guidance member 144 can be configured to interface with a complementary guidance member supported by the substrate 200, for instance the printed circuit board 202, so as to ensure proper alignment of the plurality of electrical contacts 105 with respect to the printed circuit board 202 during mounting of the electrical connector 100 to the printed circuit board 202. At least one such as both of the guidance members 144 can further be configured as retention members that act to retain the electrical connector 100 in a mounted position relative to the printed circuit board 202. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the housing body 103 includes a pair of substantially cylindrically shaped posts 146 that extend downward with respect to the connector housing 102 along the transverse direction T. The posts 146 are disposed on opposite ends of the housing body 103, proximate the first and second ends 103a and 103b, respectively. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment the posts 146 can be integral, such as monolithic, with the housing body 103, and thus extend out from the housing body 103. Alternatively, the posts 146 can be separate and can be attached to the housing body 103. It should be appreciated that the electrical connector 100 is not limited to the illustrated guidance members 144, and that the connector housing 102 can be alternatively constructed with any other suitable guidance members as desired.

[0055] Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2A-2B, the substrate 200, such as the printed circuit board 202, can include a substrate body 204 that defines a first end 204a that can define a front end, a second end 204b that can define a rear end that is spaced from the first end 204a along the longitudinal direction L. The substrate body 204 can further define a first side 204c and a second side 204d that is spaced from the first side 204c along the lateral direction A. The substrate body 204 can further define an upper surface 204e and a lower surface 204f that is spaced from the upper surface 204e along the transverse direction T. The printed circuit board

202 can further include at least one such as a plurality of electrically conductive elements 205 that can be supported by the printed circuit board 202, for instance by the substrate body 204.

The electrically conductive elements 205 can be electrically connected to electrically conductive traces that are routed through the substrate body 204 or along one or more surfaces of the substrate body 204, such as along one or both of the upper and lower surfaces 204e and 204f thereof, in any combination as desired.

[0056] In accordance with illustrated embodiment, the printed circuit board 202 includes a plurality of electrically conductive elements 205 in the form of a plurality of vias 206 that can be configured as plated through holes that extend into such as through the substrate body 204 along the transverse direction T, for instance into the upper surface 204e. Each of the plurality of vias 206 can be configured to receive a complementary portion of a respective one of the plurality of electrical contacts 105, thereby placing the plurality of electrical contacts 105 in electrical communication with the printed circuit board 202. The plurality of vias 206 can include at least one or both of electrical (for instance electrically conductive) signal vias 208 or electrical (for instance electrically conductive) ground vias 210, in any combination as desired.

[0057] The plurality of vias 206 can be disposed along the substrate body 204 in accordance with any suitable arrangement, such that the plurality of vias 206 define a footprint configured to receive a corresponding arrangement of the plurality of electrical contacts 105 of the electrical connector 100. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of vias 206 can include respective pluralities of electrical signal vias 208 and electrical ground vias 210 arranged in accordance with the industry standard MicroTCA ^® press fit footprint.

[0058] In accordance with the industry standard MicroTCA ^® press fit footprint, the vias

206 are arranged along the substrate body 204 in rows of vias 206 that extend along a row direction R that can be, for instance, the longitudinal direction L and in columns of vias 206 that extend along a column direction C that can be, for instance, the lateral direction A. Thus, it should be appreciated that each of the columns are spaced from each other along the row direction R at the mating and mounting interfaces 216 and 218. It should be further appreciated that the electrical connector 100 can define a column pitch measured as a distance between adjacent columns along the row direction R, for instance from the center of the respective mating or mounting ends of the electrical contacts 105 of a first column to a center of the respective mating or mounting ends of the electrical contacts 105 of a second column that is adjacent the first column along the row direction R. Each column can include a single electrical ground via

210 and four electrical signal vias 208. The electrical ground via 210 and each of the electrical signal vias 208 can be substantially equally spaced from each other along the column direction.

The electrical signal vias 208 in each column can be grouped into pairs 212 of electrical signal vias 208, including a first pair 212a and a second pair 212b. The first pair 212a of electrical signal vias 208 can include an upper or first electrical signal via 208a and a lower or second electrical signal via 208b. Similarly, the second pair 212b of electrical signal vias 208 can include an upper or first electrical signal via 208c and a lower or second electrical signal via 208d. The electrical ground via 210 can be disposed between the first and second pairs 212a and 212b of electrical signal vias 208, that is between the second electrical signal via 208b of the first pair 212a and the first electrical signal via 208c of the second pair 212b.

[0059] The first electrical signal via 208a of the first pair 212a, the electrical ground via 210, and the first electrical signal via 208c of the second pair 212b are disposed along a first centerline CRl that extends substantially parallel to the lateral direction A. The second electrical signal via 208b of the first pair 212a and the second electrical signal via 208d of the second pair 212b are disposed along a second centerline CR2 that extends substantially parallel to the first centerline CRl and is offset from the first centerline CRl along the lateral direction A. This column arrangement can be repeated along the substrate body 204, with the columns C spaced apart from one another along the row direction. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the substrate body 204 can have twenty seven columns C of vias 206 arranged in accordance with the industry standard MicroTCA ^® press fit footprint. It should be appreciated that the printed circuit board 202 is not limited to the illustrated electrically conductive elements 205, and that the printed circuit board 202 can be alternatively constructed with any other suitable electrically conductive elements as desired. For instance, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the printed circuit board 202, at least one such as a plurality of electrical contact pads can be substituted for respective ones such as each of the vias 206.

[0060] The printed circuit board 202 can further include at least one guidance member

214 such as a pair of guidance members 214. Each guidance member 214 can be configured to interface with a complementary guidance member 144 supported by the connector housing 102, so as to ensure proper alignment of the plurality of electrical contacts 105 and corresponding ones of plurality of vias 206 during mounting of the electrical connector 100 to the printed circuit board 202. At least one such as both of the guidance members 214 can further be configured as retention members that act to retain the electrical connector 100 in a mounted position relative to the printed circuit board 202. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the printed circuit board 202 includes a pair of guidance members 214 in the form of a pair of apertures 216 that extend into, such as through, the substrate body 204 along the transverse direction T, the apertures configured to receive respective ones of the posts 146 supported by the connector housing 102. The apertures 216 can be configured to receive the posts 146 in press-fit engagement, such that the posts 146 and apertures 216 act as retention members to retain the electrical connector in a mounted position with respect to the printed circuit board 202. The apertures 216 can be offset along the lateral direction A relative to each other, so as to ensure that the electrical connector 100 must be properly oriented relative to the printed circuit board 202 before the electrical connector can be mounted to the printed circuit board 202.

[0061] Referring now to Figs. 3A-3D, the plurality of electrical contacts 105 can include at least one or both of at least one electrical signal contact 104 or at least one electrical ground contact that can be defined by an electrically conductive ground plate 106. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector 100 includes respective pluralities of electrical signal contacts 104 and ground plates 106, the respective pluralities of electrical signal contacts 104 and ground plates 106 configured to be supported by the connector housing 102. The connector housing 102 can be configured to support the respective pluralities of electrical signal contacts 104 and ground plates 106. The electrical signal contacts 104 and the ground plates 106 of the respective pluralities can be constructed of any suitable electrically conductive material as desired, for instance metal. Each electrical signal contact 104 includes a contact body 107 that defines a mounting end 108 that can define a first region of the contact body 107, a mating end 1 12 that can define a second region of the contact body 107, the mating end 112 opposite the mounting end 108 and spaced from the mounting end 108 along transverse direction T, and an intermediate region 109 that extends between the mounting end 108 and mating end 1 12, for instance along the transverse direction T, such that the mating end 108 and the mounting end 1 12 are spaced from each other along the third direction. The mating end 112 of each electrical signal contact 104 can be substantially aligned with the respective mounting end 108 along the third direction, such that the electrical signal contact is a vertical electrical signal contact. Each of the plurality of electrical signal contacts 104 can be supported by the connector housing 102, such that the mounting end 108 is disposed proximate the mounting interface 118 and the mating end 112 is disposed proximate the mating interface 116.

[0062] The contact body 107 of each electrical signal contact 104 can define respective first and second ones of opposed broadsides 126 that are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal direction and respective first and second ones of opposed edges 128 that are spaced apart from one another along the lateral direction A. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, each of the first and second ones of the broadsides 126 has a first length along the lateral direction A from the first one of the edges 128 to the second one of the edges 128, and each of the first and second ones of the edges 128 has a second length that extends along the longitudinal direction L from a first one of the broadsides 126 to a second one of the broadsides 126, wherein the first length is greater than the second length. [0063] The plurality of electrical signal contacts 104 can include at least one pair 113 such as a plurality of pairs 1 13 of electrical signal contacts 104. For example, the connector housing 102 can be configured to support at least one pair 113 such as a first pair 113a and a second pair 113b of electrical signal contacts 104. At least one or both of the first and second pairs 1 13a and 113b of electrical signal contacts 104 can include a first electrical signal contact 104 and a second electrical signal contact 104 that are disposed on opposed sides of the centerline CR3 of the connector housing 102. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the connector housing 102 can support a first row Rl of electrical signal contacts 104 that are disposed on a first side of the centerline CR3, and a second row R2 of electrical signal contacts 104 that disposed on an opposed second side of the centerline CR3, such that the first and second rows Rl and R2 of electrical signal contacts 104 are spaced from each other along the column direction C. The first row Rl of electrical signal contacts 104 is supported by the connector housing 102 such that the first row Rl is disposed closer to the second side 103d than the first side 103c of the housing body 103, and the second row R2 of electrical signal contacts 104 is supported by the connector housing 102 such that the second row R2 is disposed closer to the first side 103c than the second side 103d of the housing body 103.

[0064] At least a portion of the first electrical signal contacts of the first and second pairs 1 13a and 113b, for instance mating ends 1 12 of the first electrical signal contacts of the first and second pairs 1 13a and 113b, can be spaced from each other along the longitudinal direction L, and thus spaced from each other along a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first and second broadsides 126 of each of the first electrical signal contacts of the first and second pairs 113a and 1 13b . Similarly, at least a portion of the second electrical signal contacts of the first and second pairs, for instance the mating ends 1 12 of the second electrical signal contacts of the first and second pairs 1 13a and 113b, can be spaced from each other along the longitudinal direction L, and thus spaced from each other along a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first and second broadsides 126 of each of the second electrical signal contacts of the first and second pairs 113a and 1 13b. Furthermore, at least a portion up to all of the first and second electrical signal contacts of each of the first and second pairs 1 13a and 1 13b, including the mounting ends 108 and the mating ends 1 12, can be spaced from each other along the lateral direction A.

[0065] For instance, the first pair 113a of electrical signal contacts 104 includes a first electrical signal contact 104a and a second electrical signal contact 104b. Similarly, the second pair 1 13b of electrical signal contacts 104 includes a first electrical signal contact 104c (which can define a third electrical signal contact) and a second electrical signal contact 104d (which can define a fourth electrical signal contact). In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first electrical signal contacts 104a and 104c are disposed on a first side of the centerline CR3 of the connector housing 102, and the second electrical signal contacts 104b and 104d are disposed on a second side of the centerline CR3 that is opposite the first side. Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the mating ends 1 12 of the first and second electrical signal contacts 104a and 104c are spaced from each other along the longitudinal direction L in accordance with the illustrated embodiment. Furthermore, both the mounting end 108 and the mating end 1 12 of the first electrical signal contact 104a of the first pair 1 13a are spaced from the corresponding mounting end 108 and mating end 1 12 of the second electrical signal contacts 104b of the first pair 113a along the lateral direction A. Similarly, both the mounting end 108 and the mating end 1 12 of the first electrical signal contact 104c of the second pair 1 13b are spaced from the corresponding mounting end 108 and mating end 1 12 of the second electrical signal contact 104d of the second pair 113b along the lateral direction A.

[0066] Each pair 113 of electrical signal contacts 104 can include a first electrical signal contact 104 that is disposed in the first row Rl of electrical signal contacts 104 and a second electrical signal contact 104 that is disposed in the second row R2 of electrical signal contacts 104. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first electrical signal contacts 104a and 104c of the first and second pairs 1 13a and 1 13b, respectively, are disposed in the second row R2 of electrical signal contacts 104, and the second electrical signal contacts 104b and 104d of the first and second pairs 1 13a and 1 13b, respectively, are disposed in the first row Rl of electrical signal contacts 104.

[0067] In accordance with illustrated embodiment, the ground plates 106 can define first and second ground plates 106a and 106b that are successive along the longitudinal direction

L, such that no other ground plate 106 is disposed between the first and second ground plates

106a and 106b along the longitudinal direction L. The plurality of electrical contacts 105 are supported by connector housing 102 such that the first and second pairs 1 13a and 113b of electrical signal contacts 104 are disposed between the first and second ground plates 106a and

106b, respectively, along the longitudinal direction L. For example, at least a portion up to all of the electrical signal contacts 104 of the first and second pairs 1 13a and 1 13b of electrical signal contacts 104 can be disposed between the first and second ground plates 106a and 106b, respectively, when the first and second pairs 113a and 113b and the first and second successive ground plates 106a and 106b are supported by the connector housing 102. In this regard, the first pair 113a of electrical signal contacts 104 is disposed adjacent the first ground plate 106a (and thus closer to the first ground plate 106a than the second ground plate 106b, for instance along the longitudinal direction L) and the second pair 1 13b of electrical signal contacts 104 is disposed adjacent the second ground plate 106b (and thus closer to the second ground plate 106b than the first ground plate 106a, for instance along the longitudinal direction L). It should be appreciated that the first and second pairs 113a and 113b and the first and second ground plates 106a and 106b can define a pattern of a ground (for instance defined by one of the first and second ground plates 106a and 106b), a first pair 1 13a, and a second pair 113b along the longitudinal direction L, such that the pattern can be repeated along the longitudinal direction in the connector housing 102. Accordingly, the connector housing 102 can support each of the plurality of electrical signal contacts 104 and the plurality of ground plates 106 such that only two pairs 113 of electrical signal contacts 104 are disposed between successive ground plates 106 of the plurality of ground plates 106.

[0068] The electrical signal contacts 104 of each pair 113 can be aligned along the lateral direction A when supported by the connector housing 102, such that the electrical signal contacts 104 face each other along the lateral direction A. For example, the broadsides of the first and second electrical signal contacts of each pair 113 can be substantially coplanar with respect to one another in a plane defined by the longitudinal direction L and the lateral direction A. For instance, the broadsides of the first and second electrical signal contacts 104a and 104b of the first pair 113a can be substantially coplanar with respect to one another in a plane defined by the longitudinal direction L and the lateral direction A, and the broadsides of the first and second electrical signal contacts 104c and 104d of the second pair 113b can be substantially coplanar with respect to one another in a plane defined by the longitudinal direction L and the lateral direction A

[0069] The electrical signal contacts 104 can be constructed such that the respective mating ends 112 of the electrical signal contacts on each side of the longitudinal centerline CR3 are substantially aligned with one another along the longitudinal direction L. Furthermore, respective pairs 113 electrical signal contacts 104 disposed adjacent one another between respective first and second ground plates 106 can be constructed such that the respective mounting ends 108 are jogged toward each other along the longitudinal direction L and jogged away from each other along the lateral direction A. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the mounting end 108 of a first electrical signal contact 104a of the first pair 113a is jogged forward along the longitudinal direction L toward the first end 103a of the housing body 103 and inward along the lateral direction A toward the longitudinal centerline

CR3, and the mounting end 108 of a first electrical signal contact 104c of the second pair 1 13b is jogged rearward along the longitudinal direction L toward the second end 103b of the housing body 103 and outward along the lateral direction A away from the longitudinal centerline CR3. The mounting end 108 of a second electrical signal contact 104b of the first pair 1 13a is jogged forward along the longitudinal direction L toward the first end 103a of the housing body 103 and outward along the lateral direction A away from the longitudinal centerline CR3, and the mounting end 108 of a second electrical signal contact 104d of the second pair 113b is jogged rearward along the longitudinal direction L toward the second end 103b of the housing body 103 and inward along the lateral direction A toward the longitudinal centerline CR3. Furthermore, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first electrical signal contact 104a of the first pair 113a is constructed substantially identically to the second electrical signal contact 104d of the second pair 113b and the second electrical signal contact 104b of the first pair 1 13a is constructed substantially identically to the first electrical signal contact 104c of the second pair 1 13b.

[0070] The contact bodies 107 electrical signal contacts 104 can be constructed as resilient contact beams that extend between the mounting ends 108 and the mating ends 112. At least a portion of the contact body 107 of each electrical signal contact 104, for instance proximate the mating end 1 12, can be curved inward along the lateral direction A so as to define a contact region 115, the contact region 1 15 configured to engage with at least one electrical contact of a complementary electrical component, for example an edge card, that is mated to the electrical connector 100. The respective contact regions 1 15 of each pair 113 of electrical signal contacts 104 can be curved inward along the lateral direction A toward each other so as to define a narrowed portion between the opposed resilient contact beams of the pair 1 13 at the respective contact regions 1 15. Furthermore, the contact region 1 15 of each electrical signal contact 104 is defined substantially at the mating interface 1 16. Thus, the electrical connector 100 can be configured as a receptacle connector configured to receive a complementary electrical component at the mating interface 1 16 so as to mate the electrical connector 100 to the complementary electrical component. It should be appreciated, however, that the electrical connector 100 can alternatively be configured as a plug connector that is configured to be received by the complementary electrical component at the mating interface 1 16 so as to mate the electrical connector 100 to the complementary electrical component. It should be appreciated that the electrical connector 100 is not limited to the illustrated contact body geometry, and that the electrical signal contacts 104 can be alternatively constructed using any other suitable contact body geometry as desired.

[0071] The mounting end 108 of at least one such as each of the electrical signal contacts 104 can include a mounting element such as a tail 11 1 that extends out from the mounting end 108, for example downward along the transverse direction T. The tail 11 1 can be integral, such as monolithic, with the contact body 107. In this regard, it can be said that the tail 1 1 1 extends out from the mounting end 108. Alternatively, the tail 1 1 1 can be separate and can be attached to the mounting end 108. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the tail 11 1 can be constructed as a press-fit tail, for instance an eye of the needle tail configured to be inserted into a corresponding electrical signal via 208 such that a press fit engagement is created between the tail 1 11 and the respective electrical signal via 208 upon insertion. It should be appreciated that the electrical signal contacts 104 of the electrical connector 100 are not limited to the illustrated tails 11 1, and that the mounting ends 108 of the electrical signal contacts 104 can be constructed with any other mounting element geometry as desired.

[0072] The plurality of electrical signal contacts 104 can be arranged in broadside- coupled differential signal pairs 1 17. For example, in accordance with the illustrated

embodiment, the first electrical signal contact 104a of the first pair 1 13a of electrical signal contacts 104 and the first electrical signal contact 104c of the second pair 113b of electrical signal contacts 104 define a first differential signal pair 1 17a, and the second electrical signal contact 104b of the first pair 113a of electrical signal contacts 104 and the second electrical signal contact 104d of the second pair 1 13b of electrical signal contacts 104 define a second differential signal pair 117b.

[0073] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first differential signal pair 1 17a is defined in the second row R2 of electrical signal contacts 104, and the second differential signal pair 1 17b is defined in the first row Rl of electrical signal contacts 104. Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first row Rl of electrical signal contacts 104 can define a first plurality of differential signal pairs 1 17 of the electrical connector 100, and the second row Rl of electrical signal contacts 104 can define a second plurality of differential signal pairs 1 17 of the electrical connector 100 that is spaced from the first plurality of differential signal pairs 117 along the column direction C.

[0074] Respective pairs of differential signal pairs 117 that are disposed opposite one another in the first and second rows Rl and R2, respectively, for instance the first and second differential signal pairs 1 17a and 1 17b, and are disposed between successive ground plates 106, for instance the first and second ground plates 106a and 106b, can be spaced along the longitudinal direction L from successive pairs of differential signal pairs 1 17 that are disposed opposite one another in the first and second rows Rl and R2 and are disposed between respective successive ground plates 106, such that no other differential signal pairs 117 are disposed between successive pairs of differential signal pairs 1 17 that are disposed opposite one another in the first and second rows Rl and R2 along the longitudinal direction L. In this regard, the connector housing 102 can support each of the plurality of electrical signal contacts 104 and the plurality of ground plates 106 such that only two differential signal pairs 117 are disposed between successive ground plates 106. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, only the first and second pairs 117a and 117b of differential signal pairs 1 17 are disposed between the first and second ground plates 106a and 106b. It should be appreciated that the electrical connector 100 is not limited to the illustrated broadside-coupled differential signal pairs, and that the plurality of electrical signal contacts 104 can alternatively be configured as desired, for example as edge-coupled differential signal pairs.

[0075] With continued reference to Figs. 3A-3D, each ground plate 106 of the plurality of ground plates 106 includes a plate body 120 that defines opposed upper and lower ends 120a and 120b that are spaced apart from one another along the transverse direction T, opposed first and second sides 120c and 120d that are spaced apart from one another along the lateral direction A, and opposed first and second outer plate body surfaces 120e and 120f that are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal direction L so as to define a plate body thickness PT. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second outer plate body surfaces 120e and 120f can extend along respective first and second planes defined by the longitudinal direction L and the lateral direction A, so as to define the plate body thickness PT. The plate body thickness PT can be referred to as a material thickness pertaining to a respective thickness of the material of which the plate body 120 is constructed. The plate body 120 can define any suitable shape as desired, for example a substantially rectangular shape such that the plate body 120 is elongate between the first and second sides 120c and 120d.

[0076] Each ground plate 106, can further include at least one mounting end 1 10 and at least one mating end 114 such as a pair of mating ends 1 14 that can define ground mating ends, the at least one mounting end 110 opposite the at least one mating end 1 14 and spaced from the at least one mating end 114 along the transverse direction T. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, each ground plate 106 can include at least one mounting end 110 that is disposed proximate the lower end 120b, and a pair of mating ends 1 14 that extend out from the plate body 120, for example upward with respect to the upper end 120a. Each of the plurality of ground plates 106 can be supported by the connector housing 102, such that the at least one mounting end 1 10 is disposed proximate the mounting interface 118 and the at least one mating end 1 14 is disposed proximate the mating interface 1 16.

[0077] The pair of mating ends 114 of each ground plate 106 can include a first mating end 1 14a and a second mating end 114b. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second mating ends 1 14a and 1 14b can be constructed as resilient contact beams that extend out from the plate body 120, upward along the transverse direction T, and are spaced from one another along the lateral direction A. In this regard, the first and second mating ends 1 14a and 1 14b can be referred to as free mating ends that are cantilevered with respect to the plate body 120. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second mating ends 114a and 1 14b can be integral, such as monolithic, with the plate body 120. Alternatively, the first and second mating ends 114a and 114b can be separate and can be attached to the plate body 120.

[0078] Each ground plate 106 can be constructed such that the first and second mating ends 1 14a and 1 14b are disposed on the first and second sides of the longitudinal centerline CR3, respectively, and are substantially aligned with the corresponding mating ends 1 12 of the plurality of electrical signal contacts 104 along the longitudinal direction L. The first and second mating ends 114a and 1 14b can be constructed substantially similarly to the corresponding regions of the contact bodies 107 of the plurality of electrical signal contacts 104. For example, each of the first and second mating ends 1 14a and 1 14b of the ground plates 106 can define respective pairs of opposed broadsides 125 and opposed edges 127 that are substantially identical to the respective first and second opposed broadsides 126 and first and second opposed edges 128 of each of the plurality of electrical signal contacts 104.

[0079] Furthermore, at least a portion of each of the first and second mating ends 1 14a and 1 14b can be curved inward along the lateral direction A so as to define respective contact regions 1 19, the contact regions 119 configured to engage with at least one electrical contact of a complementary electrical component, for example an edge card, that is mated to the electrical connector 100. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the respective contact regions 1 19 of each of the first and second mating ends 1 14a and 114b define a narrowed portion between the opposed resilient contact beams of the first and second mating ends 1 14a and 1 14b at the respective contact regions 1 19. Furthermore, the respective contact regions 119 of the first and second mating ends 114a and 114b are defined substantially at the mating interface 116.

[0080] It should be further appreciated that the electrical connector 100 illustrated in

Figs. 3A-4D can define a plurality of mating ends 95 that include collectively the mating ends

1 12 of the electrical signal contacts 104 and the mating ends 114 of the ground plates 106. The electrical connector 100 is constructed as a card edge electrical connector 100 that defines one hundred seventy mating ends 95, such that the mating ends 95 define a column pitch of approximately 0.75mm. Thus, the mating ends 95 can be said to be constructed in accordance with the existing MicroTCA ^® standard, such that the electrical connector 100 is mating compatible with complementary electrical components constructed in accordance with the MicroTCA standard. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the mating ends 95 of the electrical contacts 105 collectively define eighty-five columns and two rows that extend along the row direction R and can be, for instance, the first and second rows Rl and R2. Additionally, because the ground plates 106 can be mounted onto a printed circuit board 202 configured in accordance with the industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint, the illustrated electrical connector 100 can be said to be footprint compatible with the MicroTCA ^® standard.

[0081] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the respective contact regions 1 19 of the first and second mating ends 1 14a and 1 14b of each ground plate 106 are located a first distance from the upper end 103e of the connector housing 102 that is substantially equal to a second distance that the respective contact regions 115 of the plurality of electrical signal contacts 104 are located from the upper end 103e, such that when a complementary electrical component is mated to an assembled electrical connector 100, complementary electrical contacts of the complementary electrical component engage substantially simultaneously with the respective contact regions 1 19 and 1 15. It should be appreciated that at least one such as each of the plurality of electrical signal contacts 104 or at least one such as each of the plurality of ground plates 106 can be alternatively constructed with the first distance not substantially equal to the second distance, such that as the complementary electrical component is mated to the electrical connector 100 the electrical contacts of the complementary electrical component engage the respective contact regions 1 19 before the respective contact regions 1 15, engage the respective contact regions 1 15 before the respective contact regions 119, or engage the respective contact regions 119 and 1 15 in any order as desired. It should be appreciated that the ground plate 106 is not limited to the illustrated mating ends 1 14, and that the ground plate 106 can alternatively be constructed with any other suitable mating end geometry as desired.

[0082] At least one ground plate 106 such as each of the plurality of ground plates 106 can further include a tab 122 that extends out from the plate body 120. The tab 122 can have a tab body 123 that defines a proximal end 123a that is disposed at a respective location along the first outer plate body surface 120e, a distal end 123b that is spaced from the proximal end 123a along the longitudinal direction L, opposed first and second side surfaces 123c and 123d that are spaced from one another along the lateral direction A and can define opposed first and second outer tab surfaces that are spaced so as to define a tab thickness, and opposed upper and lower surfaces 123e and 123f that are spaced from one another along the transverse direction T. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second outer tab surfaces can extend along respective third and fourth planes defined by the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction T. Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the tab thickness is substantially equal to the plate body thickness PT, the tab thickness is defined along the lateral direction A and the plate body thickness PT is defined along the longitudinal direction L. Thus, the tab thickness can be defined along a direction that is angularly offset with respect to a direction in which the plate body thickness PT is defined, and can be defined along a direction that is substantially perpendicular with respect to a direction in which the plate body thickness PT is defined. The proximal end 123a of the tab body 123 can be disposed at any desired location along the first outer plate body surface 120e. In this regard, the tab 122 can extend out from the plate body 120 at any location along the first outer plate body surface 120e. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the tab 122 extends out from the plate body 120 at a location that is substantially equidistant between the first and second sides 120c and 120d along the first direction, and extends out from the plate body 120 substantially at the lower end 120b.

[0083] The tab body 123 is oriented such that the first and second side surfaces 123c and 123 d are substantially parallel to one another and substantially coplanar with a plane defined by the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction T, and such that the upper and lower surfaces 123e and 123f are substantially parallel to one another and substantially coplanar with a plane defined by the longitudinal direction L and the lateral direction A. Thus, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second side surfaces 123c and 123d are substantially perpendicular with respect to the first and second outer plate body surfaces 120e and 120f of the plate body 120 and are substantially perpendicular with respect to the upper surface 204e of the printed circuit board 202 when the electrical connector 100 is mounted to the printed circuit board 202. Furthermore, the upper and lower surfaces 123e and 123f are substantially perpendicular with respect to the first and second outer plate body surfaces 120e and 120f of the plate body 120 and are substantially parallel with respect to the upper surface 204e of the printed circuit board 202 when the electrical connector 100 is mounted to the printed circuit board 202. It should be appreciated that the tab body 123 can be alternatively oriented as desired.

[0084] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the upper and lower surfaces 123e and 123f of the tab body 123 are spaced along the third direction and define a tab height TH of the tab 122, and the first and second side surfaces 123c and 123d are spaced along the first direction and define a tab width TW of the tab 122. Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the tab width TW is substantially equal to the plate thickness PT of the plate body 120, and the tab height TH is greater than the tab width TW, and thus greater than the tab thickness. [0085] The first and second side surfaces 123c and 123d can define respective first and second ones of opposed broadsides 129a of the tab 122 and the upper and lower surfaces 123e and 123f can define respective first and second ones of opposed edges 129b of the tab 122.

Thus, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second ones of the broadsides 129a of the tab 122 are substantially perpendicular with respect to the upper surface 204e of the printed circuit board 202 when the electrical connector 100 is mounted to the printed circuit board 202, and the first and second ones of the edges 129b of the tab 122 are substantially parallel with respect to the upper surface 204e of the printed circuit board 202 when the electrical connector 100 is mounted to the printed circuit board 202. Furthermore, each of the first and second ones of the broadsides 129a has a first length along the transverse direction T from the first one of the edges 129b to the second one of the edges 129b, and each edge 129b has a second length that extends along the lateral direction A from a first one of the broadsides 129a to a second one of the broadsides 129a, wherein the first length is greater than the second length.

[0086] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the tab 122 can be integral, such as monolithic, with the plate body 120. Alternatively, the tab 122 can be separate and can be attached to the plate body 120. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the tab 122 can be defined by removing sections of material from the plate body 120, for example by making at least one cut 124 such as a plurality of cuts 124 in the plate body 120. The cuts 124 can comprise a first cut 124a that extends upward into the lower end 120b of the plate body 120 along the transverse direction T to a location between the upper and lower ends 120a and 120b, for example along a distance from the lower end 120b equal to the tab height TH. The first cut 124a can be made at a location between the first and second sides 120c and 120d so as to define the distal end 123b of the tab body 123. The cuts 124 can further comprise a second cut 124b that extends along the lateral direction A from an upper end of the first cut 124a to a desired location of the proximal end 123a of the tab body 123. The second cut 124b can define the upper surface 123e of the tab body 123. After the first and second cuts 124a and 124b have been made, the tab 122 can be bent out from the plate body 120 around a bend axis that extends along the transverse direction T and can be defined proximate the proximal end 123a of the tab body 123. The first and second cuts 124a and 124b can be located such that the tab 122 is located substantially equidistantly between the first and second sides 120c and 120d when the tab 122 is bent out from the plate body 120. It should be appreciated that the ground plate 106 is not limited to the illustrated tab geometry, and that the tab 122 can be alternatively constructed as desired. [0087] The plate body 120 of at least one ground plate 106 such as each of the plurality of ground plates 106 can further include at least one retention member 138 supported by the plate body 120 and configured to interface with a complementary retention member of the connector housing 102 so as to retain the ground plate 106 in an inserted position in the connector housing 102. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the plate body 120 includes a pair of retention members 138 constructed as generally triangular shaped wings 140 that extend out along the lateral direction A from the first and second sides 120c and 120d of the plate body 120, respectively. The wings 140 can be configured to be received in the retention slots 139 of the connector housing 102.

[0088] The at least one mounting end 1 10 of each ground plate 106 can be disposed proximate the lower end 120b. For example, the at least one mounting end 1 10 can extend from the tab 122, and thus can be said to extend out from the plate body 120, such as downward with respect to the plate body 120. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the at least one mounting end 1 10 extends downward from the lower surface 123f of the tab body 123 along the transverse direction T. Thus, the at least one mounting end 110 extends out from the lower end 120b of the plate body 120 and downward from the lower end 120b of the plate body 120. The at least one mounting end 1 10 can include a mounting element that can be configured as a press- fit mounting element such as a press-fit tail 1 11 that is downwardly elongate along the transverse direction T. The tail 111 can be integral, such as monolithic, with the tab body 123. In this regard, it can be said that the tail 1 11 extends out from the at least one mounting end 1 10.

Alternatively, the tail 1 1 1 can be separate and can be attached to the at least one mounting end 1 10. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the tail 11 1 can be constructed as a press-fit tail, for instance an eye of the needle tail configured to be inserted into a corresponding ground via 210 such that a press fit engagement is created between the tail 1 11 and the respective ground via 210 upon insertion. It should be appreciated that the ground plate 106 is not limited to the illustrated tails 11 1, and that the at least one mounting end 110 of the ground plate 106 can be constructed with any other mounting element geometry as desired.

[0089] Referring now to Figs. 3A-3C, when a respective one of the plurality of ground plates 106 and corresponding first and second pairs 1 13a and 1 13b of electrical signal contacts

104 are supported by the connector housing 102, at least a portion of the tab 122, such as the distal end 123b of the tab body 123, can be disposed between the mounting ends 108 of the first and second pairs 1 13a and 1 13b of electrical signal contacts 104, respectively, such that the mounting ends 108 of the first and second pairs 113a and 113b of electrical signal contacts 104 and the mounting end 1 10 disposed on the tab 122 of the ground plate 106 are substantially aligned along the first direction and thus extend substantially parallel to the first and second outer plate body surfaces 120e and 120f. The electrical signal contacts 104 of each of the first and second pairs 1 13a and 1 13b of electrical signal contacts 104 are spaced apart along the first direction, and the respective mounting ends 108 of the first and second pairs 1 13a and 1 13b of electrical signal contacts 104 and the mounting end 110 of the ground plate 106 are spaced along the second direction when the first and second pairs 113a and 113b of electrical signal contacts 104 and the ground plate 106 are supported by the connector housing 102. Furthermore, the first direction extends substantially parallel to the first and second outer plate body surfaces 120e and 120f when the first and second pairs 1 13a and 1 13b of electrical signal contacts 104 and the ground plate 106 are supported by the connector housing 102. Furthermore, the second direction extends substantially parallel to the first and second outer tab surfaces when the first and second pairs 1 13a and 113b of electrical signal contacts 104 and the ground plate 106 are supported by the connector housing 102.

[0090] For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, when the first ground plate 106a and the first and second pairs 1 13a and 113b of electrical signal contacts 104 are supported by the connector housing 102, the mounting end 110 that extends from the tab 122 is disposed between the respective mounting ends 108 of the first and second electrical signal contacts 104a and 104b of the first pair 113a and between the respective mounting ends 108 of the first and second electrical signal contacts 104c and 104d of the second pair 1 13b.

Furthermore, the tail 1 11 of the mounting end 110 disposed on the tab 122 is oriented substantially perpendicular with respect to the tails 1 11 that extend from the respective mounting ends 108 of the first and second pairs 113a and 1 13b of electrical signal contacts 104. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, when a respective one of the plurality of ground plates 106 and corresponding first and second pairs 1 13a and 1 13b of electrical signal contacts 104 are supported by the connector housing 102, the tails 1 11 that extend from the respective mounting ends 108 of the electrical signal contacts 104 and the tail 11 1 of the mounting end 1 10 are aligned with respect to each other along the first direction.

[0091] The illustrated arrangement of electrical contacts 105, including the first and second pairs 113a and 113b of electrical signal contacts 104 and the ground plate 106 can be mounted to the industry standard MicroTCA ^® press fit footprint. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, when the first and second pairs 1 13a and 113b of electrical signal contacts 104 and the ground plate 106 are supported by the connector housing 102, the tails 1 11 that extend out from the respective mounting ends 108 of the first and second pairs

1 13a and 1 13b of electrical signal contacts 104 can be inserted into corresponding ones of the first and second pairs 212a and 212b of electrical signal vias 208 of a first column of vias 206, and the tail 1 11 of the mounting end 110 of the ground plate 106 can be inserted into the electrical ground via 210 of the first column of vias 206.

[0092] Referring again to Figs. 3A-3D, each ground plate 106 can define asymmetrical first and second ground return flow paths SP1 and SP2. For instance, the first mating end 114a can define the first ground flow return path SP1 from the first mating end 114a to the mounting end 1 10, and the second mating end 1 14b can define the second ground flow return path SP2 from the second mating end 314b to the mounting end 1 10. The first and second ground flow return paths SP1 and SP2 can define respect paths to ground for corresponding electrical signal contacts 104 disposed proximate the first and second mating ends 1 14a and 114b, respectively. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, electrical signal contacts 104 disposed proximate the first mating end 1 14a, such as the first electrical signal contacts 104a and 104c of the first and second pairs 1 13a and 1 13b, respectively, that define the first differential signal pair 1 17a, will follow the first ground return flow path SP1 to the mounting end 1 10, and electrical signal contacts 104 disposed proximate the second mating end 114b, such as the second electrical signal contacts 104b and 104d of the first and second pairs 113a and 113b, respectively, that define the second differential signal pair 1 17b, will follow the second ground return flow path SP2 to the mounting end 1 10. The first ground flow return path SP 1 is shorter the second ground flow return path SP2, at least in part due to the geometry of the tab 122.

Because the second ground flow return path SP2 adjacent to or near the second differential signal pair 117b is longer than the first ground flow return path SP1 adjacent to or near the first differential signal pair 1 17a, the first and second ground flow return paths SP 1 and SP2 are asymmetrical, and the second differential signal pair 1 17b will exhibit higher inductance levels than the first differential signal pair 1 17a, thereby impacting performance of the electrical connector 100 constructed utilizing a plurality of the ground plates 106.

[0093] Referring now to Figs. 4A-4C, the illustrated electrical connector 100 can include at least one, such as a plurality of leadframe assemblies 130 configured to be supported by the connector housing 102. Each leadframe assembly 130 can include a dielectric or electrically insulative leadframe housing 132 and at least one such as a plurality of electrical contacts 105 that can be configured as electrical signal contacts 104 that are supported by the leadframe housing 132. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, each leadframe assembly 130 includes a pair of electrical signal contacts 104 that are spaced apart from one another along the column direction C. The leadframe assemblies 130 can be configured as insert molded leadframe assemblies (IMLAs) whereby the respective leadframe housings 132 are overmolded onto respective ones of the plurality of electrical signal contacts 104. For instance, the leadframe housing 132 of each leadframe assembly 130 can be overmolded onto the corresponding electrical signal contacts 104 such that the leadframe housing 132 is overmolded onto, and thus encloses, at least a portion of the contact body 107, for instance the intermediate region 109, of each of the respective electrical signal contacts 104 supported by the leadframe housing 132. Alternatively, the respective ones of the electrical signal contacts 104 can be stitched into the leadframe housings 132 or otherwise supported by the respective leadframe housings 132.

[0094] A plurality up to all of the leadframe assemblies 130 can include at least one pair 131 such as a plurality of pairs 131 of first and second leadframe assemblies 130a and 130b, respectively. The first and second leadframe assemblies 130a and 130b of each pair 131 can be constructed substantially identically. The first leadframe assembly 130a and the second leadframe assembly 130b of each pair 131 can be disposed adjacent each other, for instance along the row direction R, when supported by the connector housing 102, so as to define the first and second differential signal pairs 117a and 117b. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first leadframe assembly 130a can have a first leadframe housing 132a that is overmolded onto the first pair 113a of electrical signal contacts 104 and the second leadframe assembly 130b can have a second leadframe housing 132b that is overmolded onto the second pair 1 13b of electrical signal contacts 104. Accordingly, the first electrical signal contact 104a of the first leadframe assembly 130a and the first electrical signal contact 104c of the second leadframe assembly 130b can define the first differential signal pair 117a, and the second electrical signal contact 104b of the first leadframe assembly 130a and the second electrical signal contact 104d of the second leadframe assembly 130b can define the second differential signal pair 1 17b.

[0095] The first and second leadframe assemblies 130a and 130b of each pair 131 can be configured to interface with one another when disposed adjacent to one another in the connector housing 102. For example, the leadframe housing 132 of each of the first and second leadframe assemblies 130a and 130b, respectively, of each pair 131 can include at least one interface member 135 that is configured to receive a complementary at least one interface member 135 supported by the leadframe housing 132 of the other of the first and second leadframe assemblies 130a and 130b, respectively, of the pair 131. Thus, the first leadframe housing 132a of the first leadframe assembly 130a can be at least partially received by the second leadframe housing 132b of the second leadframe assembly 130b, and the second leadframe housing 132b of the second leadframe assembly 130b can be at least partially received by the first leadframe housing 132a of the first leadframe assembly 130a. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the leadframe housing 132 of each leadframe assembly 130 includes respective pairs of interface members 135 configured as a pair of projecting portions 134 and a pair pocket portions 136, respectively. The projecting portions 134 of each pair can be constructed the same or differently, and the pocket portions 134 of each pair can be constructed the same or differently. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first leadframe housing 132a of the first leadframe assembly 130a can include a pair of first projection portions 134a and a pair of first pocket portions 136a, and the second leadframe housing 132b of the second leadframe assembly 130b can include a pair of second projection portions (not shown) and a pair of second pocket portions (not shown). The pair of first projection portions 134a of the first leadframe housing 132a can be configured to be received in respective ones of the pair of second pocket portions of the second leadframe housing 132b and the pair of second projection portions of the second leadframe housing 132b can be configured to be received in the pair of first pocket portions 136a of the first leadframe housing 132a.

[0096] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, when the first and second leadframe assemblies 130a and 130b of each pair 131 are supported by the connector housing 102, the first leadframe assembly 130a of each respective pair 131 can be oriented in a first orientation and the second leadframe assembly 130b of the corresponding pair 131 can be oriented in a second orientation relative to the first leadframe assembly 130a that is rotated 180 degrees about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction and substantially parallel to the transverse direction T. When the first and second leadframe assemblies 130a and 130b are oriented in the first and second orientations, respectively, and supported by the connector housing 102, the pair of first projection portions 134a of the first leadframe housing 132a can be at least partially received in respective ones of the pair of second pocket portions of the second leadframe housing 132b and the pair of second projection portions of the second leadframe housing 132b can be at least partially received in the pair of first pocket portions 136a of the first leadframe housing 132a.

[0097] Any suitable dielectric material, such as air or plastic, may be used to isolate the respective electrical signal contacts 104 of the first leadframe assembly 130a of a pair 131 from the respective electrical signal contacts 104 of the second leadframe assembly 130b of the pair

131. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second leadframe assemblies

130a and 130b of each pair 131 abut each other when supported by the connector housing 102.

However it should be appreciated that at least one or both of the first and second leadframe assemblies 130a and 130b or the connector housing 102 can be alternatively constructed such that the first and second leadframe assemblies 130a and 130b are spaced from each other when supported by the connector housing 102.

[0098] At least one such as both of the first and second leadframe assemblies 130a and 130b of each pair 131 can further include at least one retention member 138 supported by the respective first and second leadframe housings 132a and 132b and configured to interface with a complementary retention member of the connector housing 102 so as to retain the ground plate 106 in an inserted position in the connector housing 102. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, both the first and second leadframe housings 132a and 132b of each pair each include a pair of retention members 138 constructed as generally triangular shaped wings 142 that extend out along the lateral direction A from the first and second leadframe housings 132a and 132b. The wings 142 can be constructed substantially identically to the wings 140 of the plurality of ground plates 106 and thus can be configured to be received in the retention slots 139 of the connector housing 102.

[0099] Referring now to Figs. 4B-4C, each pair 131 of leadframe assemblies 130 of the plurality of leadframe assemblies 130 can be supported by the connector housing 102 between respective ground plates 106. In this regard, the connector housing 102 supports successive first and second pairs 1 13a and 1 13b of electrical signal contacts 104 and ground plates 106 when the first and second pairs 113a and 1 13b of electrical signal contacts 104 and ground plates 106 are supported by the connector housing 102. The respective pluralities of leadframe assemblies 130 and ground plates 106 can be arranged such that a ground plate 106 is disposed between successive adjacent pairs 131 of first and second leadframe assemblies 130a and 130b, such that the plurality of electrical contacts 105 of the electrical connector 100 define a repeating ground- signal-signal (G-S-S) arrangement of ground plates 106 and electrical signal contacts 104 along the row direction R. The ground plates 106 can be disposed between adjacent pairs 131 of leadframe assemblies 130 along the row direction R such that the ground plates 106 can reduce crosstalk between adjacent differential signal pairs 1 17 of the adjacent pairs 131 of leadframe assemblies 130 that are aligned along the row direction R.

[0100] Referring now to Figs. 5A-5D, a ground plate 306 that can be mounted onto a printed circuit board 202 configured in accordance with the industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint is illustrated. In the interest of succinctness, elements of the ground plate 306 that are constructed substantially identically to corresponding elements of the industry standard

MicroTCA ^® ground plate 106 are labeled with reference numbers that are incremented by 200.

For example, the mating ends 314 of the ground plate 306 can be constructed substantially identically to the mating ends 1 14 of the ground plate 106, such that the mating ends 314 are disposed into respective positions that are substantially identical to the mating ends 1 14 of the ground plate 106 when the ground plate 306 is supported by the connector housing 102. In this regard, the ground plate 306 can be said to be mating compatible with complementary electrical components configured to be mated to the industry standard industry standard MicroTCA ^® electrical connector 100. The illustrated electrical signal contacts 104 can be constructed substantially identically to the industry standard MicroTCA ^® electrical signal contacts 104 described above and illustrated in Figs. 3A-3E, and thus the reference numerals associated therewith are repeated in Figs. 5A-5D.

[0101] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector 100 can be constructed utilizing at least one such as a plurality of the ground plates 306. In this regard, at least one such as a plurality of ground plates 306 can be substituted for respective ones of the plurality of ground plates 106, and the plurality of ground plates 306 can be supported by the connector housing 102 adjacent to corresponding pairs 1 13 of electrical signal contacts 104. The electrical connector 100 can be constructed using respective pluralities of electrical signal contacts 104 and ground plates 306, supported by the connector housing 102. For example, the electrical connector 100 can be constructed using a repeating sequence of a ground plate 306, followed by corresponding first and second pairs 113a and 113b of electrical signal contacts 104 configured as respective differential signal pairs 1 17, followed by another ground plate 306, and so on. Accordingly, the connector housing 102 can support each of the plurality of electrical signal contacts 104 and the plurality of ground plates 306 such that only two differential signal pairs 1 17 are disposed between successive ground plates 306.

[0102] Using this repeating sequence, the electrical connector 100 can be constructed as a card edge electrical connector 100 that defines one hundred seventy mating ends 95 that can be collectively defined by the mating ends 112 of the electrical signal contacts 104 and the mating ends 1 14 of the ground plates 306, the mating ends 95 defining a column pitch of approximately 0.75mm. Thus, the mating ends 95 can be said to be constructed in accordance with the existing MicroTCA ^® standard, such that the electrical connector 100 is mating compatible with complementary electrical components constructed in accordance with the MicroTCA ^® standard. Thus, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the mating ends of the electrical contacts 105 collectively define eighty-five columns and two rows. Additionally, because the ground plates 306 can be mounted onto a printed circuit board 202 configured in accordance with the industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint, the illustrated electrical connector 100 can be said to be footprint compatible with the MicroTCA ^® standard. [0103] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the ground plate 306 includes a tab 348 that is constructed differently than the tab 122 of the ground plate 106. The tab 348 extends out from the plate body 320. The tab 348 can have a tab body 349 that defines a proximal end 349a that is disposed at a respective location along the first outer plate body surface 320e, a distal end 349b that is spaced from the proximal end 349a along the longitudinal direction L, opposed first and second side surfaces 349c and 349d that are spaced from one another along the lateral direction A, and opposed upper and lower surfaces 349e and 349f that are spaced from one another along the transverse direction T and can define opposed first and second outer tab surfaces that are spaced so as to define a tab thickness. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second outer tab surfaces can extend along respective third and fourth planes defined by the longitudinal direction L and the lateral direction A. Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the tab thickness is substantially equal to the plate body thickness PT, the tab thickness is defined along the transverse direction A and the plate body thickness PT is defined along the longitudinal direction L. Thus, the tab thickness can be defined along a direction that is angularly offset with respect to a direction in which the plate body thickness PT is defined, and can be defined along a direction that is substantially perpendicular with respect to a direction in which the plate body thickness PT is defined. The proximal end 349a can be disposed at any desired location along the first outer plate body surface 320e. In this regard, the tab 348 can extend out from the plate body 320 at any location along the first outer plate body surface 320e. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the tab 348 extends out from the plate body 320 at a location that is substantially equidistant between the first and second sides 320c and 320d, and extends out from the plate body 320 at a location that is between the upper and lower ends 320a and 320b.

[0104] The tab body 349 is oriented such that the first and second side surfaces 349c and 349d are substantially parallel to one another and substantially coplanar with a plane defined by the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction T, and such that the upper and lower surfaces 349e and 349f are substantially parallel to one another and substantially coplanar with a plane defined by the longitudinal direction L and the lateral direction A. Thus, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second side surfaces 349c and 349d are substantially perpendicular with respect to the first and second outer plate body surfaces 320e and 320f of the plate body 320 and are substantially perpendicular with respect to the upper surface 204e of the printed circuit board 202 when the electrical connector 100 is mounted to the printed circuit board 202. Furthermore, the upper and lower surfaces 349e and 349f are substantially perpendicular with respect to the first and second outer plate body surfaces 320e and 320f of the plate body 320 and are substantially parallel with respect to the upper surface 204e of the printed circuit board 202 when the electrical connector 100 is mounted to the printed circuit board 202. It should be appreciated that the tab body 349 can be alternatively oriented as desired.

[0105] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the upper and lower surfaces 349e and 349f of the tab body 349 are spaced along the third direction and define a tab height TH of the tab 348, and the first and second side surfaces 349c and 349d are spaced along the first direction and define a tab width TW of the tab 348. Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the tab height TH is substantially equal to the plate thickness PT of the plate body 320, and the tab width TW is greater than the tab height TH, and thus greater than the tab thickness.

[0106] The upper and lower surfaces 349e and 349f can define respective first and second ones of opposed broadsides 350 of the tab 348 and the first and second side surfaces 349c and 349d can define respective first and second ones of opposed edges 352 of the tab 348. Thus, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second edges 352 of the tab 348 are substantially perpendicular with respect to the upper surface 204e of the printed circuit board 202 when the electrical connector 100 is mounted to the printed circuit board 202, and the first and second broadsides 350 of the tab 348 are substantially parallel with respect to the upper surface 204e of the printed circuit board 202 when the electrical connector 100 is mounted to the printed circuit board 202. Furthermore, each of the first and second ones of the broadsides 350 has a first length along the lateral direction A from the first one of the edges 352 to the second one of the edges 352, and each of the first and second ones of the edges 352 has a second length that extends along the transverse direction T from a first one of the broadsides 350 to a second one of the broadsides 350, wherein the first length is greater than the second length.

[0107] The tab 348 can be integral, such as monolithic, with the plate body 320.

Alternatively, the tab 348 can be separate and can be attached to the plate body 320. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the tab 348 can be defined by removing sections of material from the plate body 320, for example by making at least one cut 324 such as a plurality of cuts 324 in the plate body 320. The cuts 324 can comprise first and second cuts 324a and

324b that extend upward into the lower end 320b of the plate body 320 along the transverse direction T to respective locations between the upper and lower ends 320a and 320b, the first and second cuts 324a and 324b spaced from one another along the lateral direction a distance substantially equal to the tab width TW. The first cut 324a can be made at a location between the first and second sides 320c and 320d so as to define the first side 349c of the tab body 349. The second cut 324b can be made at a location between the first cut 324a and the second side 320d so as to define the second side 349d of the tab body 349. After the first and second cuts 324a and 324b have been made, the tab 348 can be bent out from the plate body 320 around a bend axis that extends along the lateral direction A and can be defined proximate the proximal end 349a of the tab body 349, such that the lower end 320b of the plate body 320 defines a void 320g that extends upward into the plate body 320 along the transverse direction T. The first and second cuts 324a and 324b can be located such that the tab 348 is located substantially equidistantly between the first and second sides 320c and 320d when the tab 348 is bent out from the plate body 320. It should be appreciated that the ground plate 306 is not limited to the illustrated tab geometry, and that the tab 348 can be alternatively constructed as desired.

[0108] Similarly to the ground plate 106, the ground plate 306 can include at least one mounting end 310 that can extend from the tab 348, and thus can be said to extend out from the plate body 320. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the at least one mounting end

310 can define a first mounting end extends downward from the lower surface 349f of the tab body 349 along the transverse direction T, and is located substantially at the distal end 349b of the tab body 349, such that the at least one mounting end 310 is substantially aligned with the void 320g along the longitudinal direction L and spaced from the first outer plate body surface 320e of the plate body 320 a distance D along the longitudinal direction L. The at least one mounting end 310 can include a mounting element that can be configured as a press-fit mounting element such as a press-fit tail 311 that is downwardly elongate along the transverse direction T. The tail 311 can be integral, such as monolithic, with the tab body 349. In this regard, it can be said that the tail 31 1 extends out from the at least one mounting end 310. Alternatively, the tail

311 can be separate and can be attached to the at least one mounting end 310. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the tail 311 can be constructed as a press-fit tail, for instance an eye of the needle tail configured to be inserted into a corresponding ground via 210 such that a press fit engagement is created between the tail 311 and the respective ground via 210 upon insertion. It should be appreciated that the ground plate 306 is not limited to the illustrated tails 31 1, and that the at least one mounting end 310 of the ground plate 306 can be constructed with any other mounting element geometry as desired.

[0109] Referring now to Figs. 5A-5C, when a respective one of the plurality of ground plates 306 and corresponding first and second pairs 1 13a and 1 13b of electrical signal contacts

104 are supported by the connector housing 102, at least a portion of the tab 348, such as the distal end 349b of the tab body 349, can be disposed between the mounting ends 108 of the first and second pairs 1 13a and 1 13b of electrical signal contacts 104, respectively, such that the mounting ends 108 of the first and second pairs 113a and 113b of electrical signal contacts 104 and the mounting end 310 disposed on the tab 348 of the ground plate 306 are substantially aligned along the first direction. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, when the first ground plate 306a and the first and second pairs 113a and 113b of electrical signal contacts 104 are supported by the connector housing 102, the mounting end 310 disposed on the tab 348 is disposed between the respective mounting ends 108 of the first and second electrical signal contacts 104a and 104b of the first pair 113a and between the respective mounting ends 108 of the first and second electrical signal contacts 104c and 104d of the second pair 1 13b. Furthermore, the tail 31 1 of the mounting end 310 that extends from the tab 348 is oriented substantially parallel with respect to the tails 1 11 that extend from the respective mounting ends 108 of the first and second pairs 1 13a and 113b of electrical signal contacts 104 (see Fig. 6).

[0110] The illustrated arrangement of electrical contacts 105, including the first and second pairs 113a and 113b of electrical signal contacts 104 and the ground plate 306 can be mounted to the industry standard MicroTCA ^® press fit footprint. Therefore, it can be said that the illustrated electrical connector 100 is footprint compatible with the MicroTCA ^® standard. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, when the first and second pairs 1 13a and 1 13b of electrical signal contacts 104 and the ground plate 306 are supported by the connector housing 102, the tails 1 11 that extend out from the respective mounting ends 108 of the first and second pairs 113a and 1 13b of electrical signal contacts 104 can be inserted into corresponding ones of the first and second pairs 212a and 212b of electrical signal vias 208 of a first column of vias 206, and the tail 311 of the mounting end 310 of the ground plate 306 can be inserted into the electrical ground via 210 of the first column of vias 206. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the mounting ends 108 of the plurality of the electrical signal contacts 104 define respective ones of a first plurality of press-fit tails 1 1 1, and the mounting end 311 of the tabs 348 of each of the ground plates 306 defines a respective one of a second plurality of press-fit tails 311, such that each of the first and second pluralities of press-fit tails are positioned to be inserted into complementary vias 206 of a printed circuit 202 board that are arranged in accordance with the MicroTCA ^® standard, such as the MicroTCA ^® specification Rev. 1.0, and are thus footprint compatible with the industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint.

[0111] Referring again to Figs. 5A-5D, each ground plate 306 can define symmetrical first and second ground return flow paths SP3 and SP4. For instance, a first mating end 314a can define a first ground mating end that defines the first ground flow return path SP3 from the first mating end 314a to the mounting end 310, and a second mating end 314b can define a second ground mating end that defines the second ground flow return path SP4 from the second mating end 314b to the mounting end 310. The first and second ground flow return paths SP3 and SP4 can define respect paths to ground for corresponding electrical signal contacts 104 disposed proximate the first and second mating ends 314a and 314b, respectively. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, electrical signal contacts 104 disposed proximate the first mating end 314a, such as the first electrical signal contacts 104a and 104c of the first and second pairs 1 13a and 1 13b, respectively, that define the first differential signal pair 117a, will follow the first ground return flow path SP3 to the mounting end 310, and electrical signal contacts 104 disposed proximate the second mating end 314b, such as the second electrical signal contacts 104b and 104d of the first and second pairs 113a and 113b, respectively, that define the second differential signal pair 1 17b, will follow the second ground return flow path SP4 to the mounting end 310.

[0112] The first and second ground flow return paths SP3 and SP4 can be symmetrical with respect to each other due to one or both of substantially equal physical length of the first and second ground flow return paths SP3 and SP4 or substantially equal electrical length of the first and second ground flow return paths SP3 and SP4. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, first and second the ground flow return paths SP3 and SP4 are substantially equal in physical length, at least in part due to the symmetry of the plate body 320, including the first and second mating ends 314a and 314b, with respect to the tail 311. Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second ground flow return paths SP3 and SP4 are substantially equal in electrical length. For example, a first electrical signal that propagates from a first location in the first mating end 314a of the ground plate 306 to the tail 31 1 will reach the tail 311 in substantially the same amount of time required for a second electrical signal to propagate from a second location in the second mating end 314b of the ground plate 306 to the tail 31 1, wherein the first location with respect to the first mating end 314a substantially corresponds with the second location with respect to the second mating end 314b. It should be appreciated that it is possible to alternatively construct the ground plate 306 such that the first and second ground flow return paths SP3 and SP4 are substantially equal in electrical length but not substantially equal in physical length. Because the first and second differential signal pairs 1 17a and 1 17b are adjacent to or near substantially equal length first and second ground flow return paths SP3 and SP4, respectively, the inductance levels exhibited by the first and second differential signal pairs 1 17a and 1 17b can be substantially the same, resulting in an overall performance increase over an electrical connector 100 constructed utilizing a plurality of ground plates 106. [0113] Referring generally now to Figs. 7A-9D, the ground plate of the electrical connector 100 can be differently constructed in accordance with additional alternative embodiments, so as to improve the path to ground characteristics associated with the plurality of electrical signal contacts 104 supported by the connector housing 102. To improve the ground path characteristics of the electrical connector 100, the ground plates can be differently constructed to introduce additional symmetries to the respective ground flow return paths defined by the ground plates of the electrical connector 100. In order to maintain compatibility between printed circuit board 202 and the electrical connectors 100 utilizing the alternatively constructed ground plates, the plurality of vias 206 can be disposed along the printed circuit board 202 in accordance with corresponding alternative arrangements, so as to define respective alternative footprints that differ from the industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint, as described in more detail below. It should be further appreciated that electrical connectors 100 illustrated in Figs. 7A-9D define mating ends 95 that are constructed in accordance with the existing MicroTCA ^® standard, such that the respective electrical connectors 100 are mating compatible with complementary electrical components constructed in accordance with the MicroTCA ^® standard as described above with respect to Figs. 5A-C. Thus, in accordance with the illustrated embodiments illustrated in Figs. 7A-9D, the mating ends 95 of the electrical contacts 105 collectively define eighty-five columns and two rows.

[0114] Referring now to Figs. 7A-7D, a ground plate 406 constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment is illustrated. In the interest of succinctness, elements of the ground plate 406 that are constructed substantially identically to corresponding elements of the ground plate 306 are labeled with reference numbers that are incremented by 100. The illustrated electrical signal contacts 104 can be constructed substantially identically to the electrical signal contacts 104 described above and illustrated in Figs. 3A-3E, and thus the reference numerals associated therewith are repeated in Figs. 7A-7D. The electrical connector 100 can be constructed utilizing at least one such as a plurality of the ground plates 406. In this regard, a plurality of ground plates 406 can be substituted for the plurality of ground plates 106, and the plurality of ground plates 406 can be supported by the connector housing 102 adjacent to corresponding pairs 1 13 of electrical signal contacts 104.

[0115] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the ground plate 406 includes a tab 448 that is constructed substantially identically to the tab 348 of the ground plate 306. The ground plate 406 can further include a plurality of mounting ends 410, for instance first, second, and third mounting ends 410a, 410b, and 410c. The first and second mounting ends 410a and

410b can be disposed substantially at the lower end 420b of the plate body 420, proximate the first and second sides 420c and 420d, respectively, such that the first mounting end 410a extends from the plate body 420 at a location closer to the first side 420c than the second side 420d, and the second mounting end 410b extends from the plate body 420 at a location closer to the second side 420d than the first side 420c. The first and second mounting ends 410a and 410b can extend out from the lower end 420b of the plate body 420, for instance downward from the lower end 420b along the transverse direction T. The third mounting end 410c can extend from the tab 448, substantially at the distal end 449b, and can extend out from the distal end 449b, for instance downward from the distal end 449b along the transverse direction T.

[0116] The first, second, and third mounting ends 410a, 410b, and 410c can include a first, second, and third tail 41 la, 41 lb, and 41 1c, respectively. The first, second, and third tail 41 la, 41 lb, and 41 1c extend out from the first, second, and third mounting ends 410a, 410b, and 410c, respectively, for example downward along the transverse direction T. The first, and second tails 41 1a and 41 lb can be integral, such as monolithic, with the first and second mounting ends 410a and 410b, respectively, and thus monolithic with the plate body 420. The third tail 41 lc can be can be integral, such as monolithic, with the third mounting end 410c, and thus monolithic with the tab body 349 and the plate body 420. In this regard, it can be said that the first, second, and third tails 41 1a, 41 lb, and 41 lc extend out from the first, second, and third mounting ends 410a, 410b, and 410c, respectively. Alternatively, the first, second, and third tails 41 la, 41 lb, and 41 lc can be separate and can be attached to the first, second, and third mounting ends 410a, 410b, and 410c, respectively. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first, second, and third tails 41 la, 41 lb, and 411c can be constructed as press-fit tails, for instance eye of the needle tails configured to be inserted into corresponding electrical ground vias 210 such that press fit engagement is created between each of the first, second, and third tails 41 1a, 411b, and 41 1c and respective ones of the electrical ground vias 210 upon insertion. It should be appreciated that the ground plate 406 is not limited to the illustrated tails 41 1, and that the first, second, and third mounting ends 410a, 410b, and 410c can be constructed with any other mounting element geometry as desired.

[0117] Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, when respective pluralities of the electrical signal contacts 104 and the ground plates 406 are supported by the connector housing 102, the tails 11 1 that extend from the plurality of electrical signal contacts

104 can define a first plurality of press-fit tails of the electrical connector 100. Additionally, the third tails 41 1c that extend from the tab 448 of each ground plate 406 can define a second plurality of press-fit tails of the electrical connector 100. Moreover, the first and second tails

411a and 41 lb of each ground plate 406 can define a third plurality of press-fit tails of the electrical connector 100. It should be appreciated that the first and second pluralities of press-fit tails are configured to be inserted into complementary vias 206 of a printed circuit board 202 that are arranged in accordance with the MicroTCA ^® , such as the MicroTCA ^® specification Rev. 1.0, and are thus footprint compatible with the industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint. It should further be appreciated that the third plurality of press-fit tails are positioned so as to not be insertable into complementary vias 206 of the printed circuit board 202 that are arranged in accordance with MicroTCA specification Rev. 1.0. Furthermore, select ones of the third plurality of press-fit tails includes first and second press-fit tails that are disposed on opposite sides of each of select ones of the first and second pluralities of press-fit tails, such that the mating ends 112 and 314 of the respective electrical signal contacts 104 and ground plates 306 that defines the select ones of the first, second, and third pluralities of the press-fit tails are aligned along the column direction C.

[0118] When a respective one of the plurality of ground plates 406 and corresponding first and second pairs 113a and 1 13b of electrical signal contacts 104 are supported by the connector housing 102, at least a portion of the tab 448, such as the distal end 449b of the tab body 449 and thus the third mounting end 410c, can be disposed between the mounting ends 108 of the first and second pairs 1 13a and 1 13b of electrical signal contacts 104, respectively, such that the mounting ends 108 of the first and second pairs 113a and 113b of electrical signal contacts 104 and the third mounting end 410c disposed on the tab 448 of the ground plate 406 are substantially aligned along the first direction.

[0119] Additionally, when a respective pair of successive first and second ground plates

406a and 406b and corresponding first and second pairs 1 13a and 113b of electrical signal contacts 104 are supported by the connector housing 102, respective ones of the mounting ends

108 of the first and second pairs 1 13a and 113b of electrical signal contacts 104 can be disposed between respective ones of the first and second mounting ends 410a and 410b of the first and second ground plates 406a and 406b. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first electrical signal contact 104a of the first pair 1 13a of electrical signal contacts 104 and the first electrical signal contact 104c of the second pair 113b of electrical signal contacts 104 are disposed proximate to, such as between the first mounting end 410a of the first ground plate 406a and the first mounting end 410a of the second ground plate 406b, and the second electrical signal contact 104b of the first pair 1 13a of electrical signal contacts 104 and the second electrical signal contact 104d of the second pair 113b of electrical signal contacts

104 are disposed proximate to, such as between the second mounting end 410b of the first ground plate 406a and the second mounting end 410b of the second ground plate 406b. [0120] The electrical connector 100 can further include third and fourth pairs 113 of electrical signal contacts 104 supported by the connector housing 102. For example, when the third and fourth pairs 113 of electrical signal contacts are supported by the connector housing 102 adjacent to the second ground plate 406b and on the opposite side of the second ground plate 406b from the first and second pairs 113a and 1 13b of electrical signal contacts 104, that the third mounting end 410c of the second ground plate 406b of the pair of ground plates 406 can be disposed between the respective mounting ends 108 of the third and fourth pairs 1 13 of electrical signal contacts, respectively.

[0121] The industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint can be modified to operate with the illustrated configuration of electrical signal contacts 104 and ground plates 406. For example, the plurality of vias 206 can be disposed along the printed circuit board so as to define a first alternative footprint FP 1. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second pairs 212a and 212b of electrical signal vias 208 and the central electrical ground via 210 of the industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint are retained. In this regard, the alternative footprint FP 1 is backwards compatible with existing industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF electrical connectors. In order to make the alternative footprint FP 1 compatible with the illustrated configuration of electrical signal contacts 104 and ground plates 406, columns of additional electrical ground vias 210 can be disposed between each column of the industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, each column of additional electrical ground vias 210 comprises a pair of electrical ground vias 210 disposed along a centerline CR4 that is spaced substantially equidistantly along the longitudinal direction L between respective adjacent centerlines CRl of the industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint. A first electrical ground via 210a of each column is disposed proximate the first and second electrical signal vias 208a and 208b of the first pair 212a, and a second electrical ground via 210b can be spaced from the first electrical ground via 210a along the lateral direction A and disposed proximate the second electrical signal vias 208c and 208d of the second pair 212b.

[0122] Referring now to Figs. 8A-8D, a ground plate 506 constructed in accordance with another alternative embodiment is illustrated. In the interest of succinctness, elements of the ground plate 506 that are constructed substantially identically to corresponding elements of the ground plate 306 are labeled with reference numbers that are incremented by 200. The illustrated electrical signal contacts 104 can be constructed substantially identically to the electrical signal contacts 104 described above and illustrated in Figs. 3A-3E, and thus the reference numerals associated therewith are repeated in Figs. 8A-8D. The electrical connector

100 can be constructed utilizing at least one such as a plurality of the ground plates 506. In this regard, a plurality of ground plates 506 can be substituted for the plurality of ground plates 106, and the plurality of ground plates 506 can be supported by the connector housing 102 adjacent to corresponding pairs 1 13 of electrical signal contacts 104.

[0123] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the ground plate 506 is constructed without a tab, such that the lower end is substantially straight along the lateral direction A. The ground plate 506 can include a first mounting ends 510a. The first mounting end 510a can be disposed substantially at the lower end 520b of the plate body 520, and can be located substantially equidistantly between the first and second sides 520c and 520d, respectively. The first mounting ends 510a can extend out from the lower end 520b of the plate body 520, for instance downward from the lower end 520b along the transverse direction T. The first mounting end 510a can extend from the plate body 520 so as to be substantially inline with the plate body 520, such that the at least one mounting end 510a is spaced from the first outer plate body surface 520e of the plate body 520 a distance that is shorter than the distance D along the longitudinal direction L, and thus is positioned so as to not be insertable into any of the complementary vias of a printed circuit board that are arranged in accordance with MicroTCA specification Rev. 1.0. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the distance D that the first mounting end 510a is spaced from the first outer plate body surface 520e of the plate body 520 can be zero, such that the first mounting end 510a is substantially coplanar with the plate body 520. Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first mounting end 510a extends downwardly from the lower end 520b of the plate body 520 substantially along the transverse direction T.

[0124] The first mounting end 510a can include a mounting element that can be configured as a press-fit mounting element such as a press-fit tail 51 1 that is downwardly elongate along the transverse direction T. The tail 511 can be integral, such as monolithic, with the first mounting end 510a, and thus monolithic with the plate body 520. In this regard, it can be said that the tail 51 1 extends out from the first mounting end 510a. Alternatively, the tail 51 1 can be separate and can be attached to the first mounting end 510a. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment the tail 511 can be constructed as a press-fit tail, for instance an eye of the needle tail configured to be inserted into a corresponding ground via 210 such that a press fit engagement is created between the tail 511 and a respective one of the electrical ground vias 210 upon insertion. It should be appreciated that the ground plate 506 is not limited to the illustrated tail 511, and that the first mounting end 510a can be constructed with any other mounting element geometry as desired. [0125] Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, when respective pluralities of the electrical signal contacts 104 and the ground plates 506 are supported by the connector housing 102, the tails 11 1 that extend from the plurality of electrical signal contacts 104 can define a first plurality of press-fit tails of the electrical connector 100. Additionally, the tails 511 that extend from the ground plates 506 can define a second plurality of press-fit tails of the electrical connector 100. It should be appreciated that the first plurality of press-fit tails is configured to be inserted into complementary vias 206 of a printed circuit board 202 that are arranged in accordance with the MicroTCA ^® , such as the MicroTCA ^® specification Rev. 1.0, and are thus footprint compatible with the industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint. It should further be appreciated that the second plurality of press-fit tails are positioned so as to not be insertable into complementary vias 206 of the printed circuit board 202 that are arranged in accordance with MicroTCA specification Rev. 1.0. Furthermore, select ones of the second plurality of press-fit tails includes first and second press-fit tails that are disposed on opposite sides of each of select ones of the first and second pluralities of press-fit tails, such that the mating ends 112 and 514 of the respective electrical signal contacts 104 and ground plates 506 that defines the select ones of the first and second pluralities of the press-fit tails are aligned along the column direction C.

[0126] When a respective pair of successive first and second ground plates 506a and 506b and corresponding first and second pairs 1 13a and 1 13b of electrical signal contacts 104 are supported by the connector housing 102, the respective first mounting ends 510a of the first and second ground plates 506a and 506b are disposed between the respective mounting ends 108 of the first and second pairs 1 13a and 1 13b of electrical signal contacts 104, respectively. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first electrical signal contact 104a of the first pair 1 13a of electrical signal contacts 104 and the first electrical signal contact 104c of the second pair 113b of electrical signal contacts 104 are disposed on a first side of the centerline CR3 and the second electrical signal contact 104b of the first pair 113a of electrical signal contacts 104 and the second electrical signal contact 104d of the second pair 113b of electrical signal contacts 104 are disposed on a second side of the centerline CR3 that is opposite and spaced along the lateral direction A from the first side of the centerline CR3.

[0127] The industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint can be modified to operate with the illustrated configuration of electrical signal contacts 104 and ground plates 506. For example, the plurality of vias 206 can be disposed along the printed circuit board 202 so as to define a second alternative footprint FP2. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second pairs 212a and 212b of electrical signal vias 208 of the industry standard MicroTCA PF footprint are retained. In order to make the alternative footprint FP2 compatible with the illustrated configuration of electrical signal contacts 104 and ground plates 506, additional electrical ground vias 210 can be disposed between the columns of electrical signal vias 208 of the industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the alternative footprint FP2 defines a plurality of centerlines CR4, each centerline CR4 spaced substantially equidistantly along the row direction R between successive centerlines CRl of the industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint. At least one electrical ground via 210 is disposed along each of the plurality of centerlines CR4, such that each of the at least one electrical ground vias 210 is disposed between successive columns of electrical signal vias

208. Additionally, the central electrical ground via 210 of the industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint can be omitted if backwards compatibility is not desired.

[0128] It should be appreciated that the printed circuit board 202 can alternatively be constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP2. For example, the printed circuit

202 constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP2 and configured to receive mounting tails of only a single connector can include a first pair of electrical signal vias 208, such as electrical signal vias 208a and 208c, respectively, that are arranged inline with respect to each other along a first column that extends along the column direction C and can be coincident with the centerline CRl . The printed circuit 202 constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP2 can further include a second pair of electrical signal vias 208, such as electrical signal vias 208b and 208d that are arranged inline with respect to each other along a second column that extends along the column direction C and can be coincident with the centerline CR2.

The first and second columns are spaced apart from each other along the row direction. The printed circuit 202 constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP2 can further include at least a first electrical ground via 210a, such as no more than a pair of first electrical ground vias 210, disposed in a third column that extends substantially along the column direction

C and can be coincident with a first one of the centerlines CR4. The printed circuit 202 constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP2 can further include at least a second electrical ground via 210b, such as no more than a pair of second electrical ground vias 210, disposed in a fourth column that extends substantially along the column direction C and can be coincident with a second one of the centerlines CR4. Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second ground vias 210a and 210b are each disposed between each of the first pair of signal vias along the column direction C, and are further disposed between each of the second pair of signal vias along the column direction C, and the first and second columns are disposed between the third and fourth columns. [0129] Referring now to Figs. 9A-9D, a ground plate 606 constructed in accordance with still another alternative embodiment is illustrated. In the interest of succinctness, elements of the ground plate 606 that are constructed substantially identically to corresponding elements of the ground plate 506 are labeled with reference numbers that are incremented by 100. The illustrated electrical signal contacts 104 can be constructed substantially identically to the electrical signal contacts 104 described above and illustrated in Figs. 3A-3E, and thus the reference numerals associated therewith are repeated in Figs. 8A-8D. The electrical connector 100 can be constructed utilizing at least one such as a plurality of the ground plates 606. In this regard, a plurality of ground plates 606 can be substituted for the plurality of ground plates 106, and the plurality of ground plates 606 can be supported by the connector housing 102 adjacent to corresponding pairs 1 13 of electrical signal contacts 104.

[0130] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the ground plate 606 can include a plurality of mounting ends 610, for instance first and second mounting ends 610a and 610b. The first and second mounting ends 610a and 610b can be disposed substantially at the lower end 620b of the plate body 620, proximate the first and second sides 620c and 620d, respectively, such that the first mounting end 610a extends from the plate body 620 at a location closer to the first side 620c than the second side 620d, and the second mounting end 610b extends from the plate body 620 at a location closer to the second side 620d than the first side 620c. The first and second mounting ends 610a and 610b can extend out from the lower end 620b of the plate body 620, for instance downward from the lower end 620b along the transverse direction T. The first and second mounting ends 610a and 610b can extend from the plate body 620 so as to be substantially inline with the plate body 620, as described above with respect to the first mounting end 510a of the ground plate 506. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the distance D that the first and second mounting ends 610a and 610b are spaced from the first outer plate body surface 620e of the plate body 620 can be zero, such that the first and second mounting ends 610a and 610b are substantially coplanar with the plate body 620. Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second mounting ends 610a and 610b extend downwardly from the lower end 620b of the plate body 620 substantially along the transverse direction T.

[0131] The first and second mounting ends 610a and 610b can include first and second tails 611a and 61 lb, respectively. The first and second tails 61 1a and 611b can extend out from the first and second mounting ends 610a and 610b, respectively, for example downward along the transverse direction T. The first and second tails 61 1a and 61 lb can be integral, such as monolithic, with the first and second mounting ends 610a and 610b, respectively, and thus monolithic with the plate body 620. In this regard, it can be said that the first and second tails 611a and 61 lb extend out from the first and second mounting ends 610a and 610b, respectively. Alternatively, the first and second tails 61 1a and 61 lb can be separate and can be attached to the first and second mounting ends 610a and 610b, respectively. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second tails 61 1a and 61 lb can be constructed as press-fit tails, for instance eye of the needle tails configured to be inserted into corresponding electrical ground vias 210 such that press fit engagement is created between each of the first and second tails 61 1a and 61 lb and respective ones of the electrical ground vias 210 upon insertion. It should be appreciated that the ground plate 606 is not limited to the illustrated tails 611, and that the first and second mounting ends 610a and 610b can be constructed with any other mounting element geometry as desired.

[0132] Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, when respective pluralities of the electrical signal contacts 104 and the ground plates 606 are supported by the connector housing 102, the tails 11 1 that extend from the plurality of electrical signal contacts 104 can define a first plurality of press-fit tails of the electrical connector 100. Additionally, the first and second tails 611a and 611b that extend from the ground plates 606 can define a second plurality of press-fit tails of the electrical connector 100. It should be appreciated that the first plurality of press-fit tails is configured to be inserted into complementary vias 206 of a printed circuit board 202 that are arranged in accordance with the MicroTCA ^® , such as the MicroTCA ^® specification Rev. 1.0, and are thus footprint compatible with the industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint. It should further be appreciated that the second plurality of press-fit tails are positioned so as to not be insertable into complementary vias 206 of the printed circuit board 202 that are arranged in accordance with MicroTCA specification Rev. 1.0. Furthermore, select ones of the second plurality of press-fit tails includes first and second pairs of press-fit tails that are disposed on opposite sides of each of select ones of the first plurality of press-fit tails, such that the mating ends of the respective electrical signal contacts and ground plates that defines the select ones of the first and second pluralities of the press-fit tails are aligned along the column direction C.

[0133] When a respective pair of successive first and second ground plates 606a and

606b and corresponding first and second pairs 1 13a and 1 13b of electrical signal contacts 104 are supported by the connector housing 102, respective ones of the mounting ends 108 of the first and second pairs 1 13a and 1 13b of electrical signal contacts 104 can be disposed between respective ones of the first and second mounting ends 610a and 610b of the first and second ground plates 606a and 606b. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first electrical signal contact 104a of the first pair 1 13a of electrical signal contacts 104 and the first electrical signal contact 104c of the second pair 1 13b of electrical signal contacts 104 are disposed proximate to, such as between the first mounting end 610a of the first ground plate 606a and the first mounting end 610a of the second ground plate 606b, and the second electrical signal contact 104b of the first pair 1 13a of electrical signal contacts 104 and the second electrical signal contact 104d of the second pair 1 13b of electrical signal contacts 104 are disposed proximate to, such as between the second mounting end 610b of the first ground plate 606a and the second mounting end 610b of the second ground plate 606b.

[0134] The industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint can be modified to operate with the illustrated configuration of electrical signal contacts 104 and ground plates 606. For example, the plurality of vias 206 can be disposed along the printed circuit board so as to define a third alternative footprint FP3. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second pairs 212a and 212b of electrical signal vias 208 of the industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint are retained.

[0135] In order to make the alternative footprint FP3 compatible with the illustrated configuration of electrical signal contacts 104 and ground plates 606, additional electrical ground vias 210 can be disposed between the columns of electrical signal vias 208 of the industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the alternative footprint FP3 defines a plurality of centerlines CR4, each centerline CR4 spaced substantially equidistantly along the row direction R between successive centerlines CR1 of the industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint. At least one electrical ground via 210 such as a pair of electrical ground vias 210 is disposed along each of the plurality of centerlines CR4, such that each of the at least one electrical ground vias 210 is disposed between successive columns of electrical signal vias 208. Additionally, the central electrical ground via 210 of the industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint can be omitted if backwards compatibility is not desired.

[0136] It should be appreciated that the printed circuit board 202 can alternatively be constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP3. For example, the printed circuit

202 constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP3 and configured to receive mounting tails of only a single connector can include a first pair of electrical signal vias 208, such as electrical signal vias 208a and 208c, respectively, that are arranged inline with respect to each other along a first column that extends along the column direction C and can be coincident with the centerline CR1. The printed circuit 202 constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP3 can further include a second pair of electrical signal vias 208, such as electrical signal vias 208b and 208d that are arranged inline with respect to each other along a second column that extends along the column direction C and can be coincident with the centerline CR2. The first and second columns are spaced apart from each other along the row direction. The printed circuit 202 constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP3 can further include a first pair of electrical ground vias 210a and 210b, that are each inline with each other along a third column that extends substantially along the column direction C and can be coincident with the a first one of the centerlines CR4. The printed circuit 202 constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP3 can further include a second pair of electrical ground vias 210c and 210d, that are each inline with each other along a fourth column that extends substantially along the column direction C and can be coincident with the a second one of the centerlines CR4. Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first pair of electrical ground vias is disposed between each of the first pair of electrical signal vias 208 along the column direction C, and the second pair of ground vias are further disposed between the second pair of electrical signal vias 208 along the column direction C, and the first and second columns are disposed between the third and fourth columns.

[0137] Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, each electrical ground via 210 of the first and second pairs of electrical ground vias 210 is disposed substantially equidistantly between one of the first pair of electrical signal vias 208 and one of the second pair of electrical signal vias 208 along the column direction C. For instance, a first electrical ground via 210a of the first pair of electrical ground vias 210 is disposed substantially equidistantly between a first electrical signal via 208a of the first pair of electrical signal vias 208 and a first electrical signal via 208b of the second pair of electrical signal vias 208. Similarly, a first electrical ground via 210c of the second pair of electrical ground vias 210 is disposed substantially equidistantly between the first electrical signal via 208a of the first pair of electrical signal vias 208 and the first electrical signal via 208b of the second pair of electrical signal vias 208. Additionally, a second electrical ground via 210b of the first pair of electrical ground vias 210 is disposed substantially equidistantly between a second electrical signal via 208c of the first pair of electrical signal vias 208 and a second electrical signal via 208d of the second pair of electrical signal vias 208. Similarly, a second electrical ground via 210d of the second pair of electrical ground vias 210 is disposed substantially equidistantly between the second electrical signal via 208c of the first pair of electrical signal vias 208 and the second electrical signal via 208d of the second pair of electrical signal vias 208.

[0138] Referring now to Figs. 10A-10G, a plurality of electrical signal contacts 704 constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment is illustrated. In the interest of succinctness, elements of the electrical signal contacts 704 that are constructed substantially identically to corresponding elements of the electrical signal contacts 104 are labeled with reference numbers that are incremented by 600. It should be appreciated that at least one such as a plurality of the electrical signal contacts 704 can be supported by the connector housing 102 of the electrical connector 100 along with at least one such as a plurality of any of the ground plates described herein, for instance any of the ground plates 106, 306, 406, 506, or 606, as desired. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the electrical signal contacts 704 are depicted in a configuration of electrical contacts 105 utilizing a pair of the ground plates 606, including a first ground plate 606a and a second ground plate 606b.

[0139] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, at least one such as each electrical signal contact 704 of the plurality can be twisted about a respective twist axis that extends through at least a portion of the contact body 707. For example, the twist axis can extend substantially along the third direction, and can extend through at least a portion of the intermediate region 709 of the contact body 707. Accordingly, the contact body 707 of each of the plurality of electrical signal contacts 704 can define at least one twisted region 754 that is twisted about the respective twist axis. The twisted region 754 can be located along the contact body 707. For example, the twisted region 754 can be located between the mating end 712 and the mounting end 708. In accordance with one embodiment, the twisted region 754 can be located closer to the mounting end 708 than the mating end 712, such as closer to the mounting end 708 than to a midpoint of the contact body 707 that is disposed equidistantly between the mating end 712 and the mounting end 708 along the transverse direction T. In this regard, it can be said that the twisted region 754 of each contact body 707 is located nearer the respective mounting end 708 than the respective mating end 712. It should be appreciated that the electrical signal contacts 704 are not limited to the illustrated twisted region 754, and that the electrical signal contacts 704 can be alternatively constructed with any other twist geometry as desired.

[0140] The contact body 707 of each of the electrical signal contacts 704 can be twisted about a respective twist axis such that the first and second ones of the broadsides 726 at the mating end 712 of each of the electrical signal contacts 704 are angularly offset with respect to the first and second ones of the broadsides 726 at the mounting end 708 of the electrical signal contact 704. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second ones of the broadsides 726 are oriented along the first direction at the mating end 712, and the first and second ones of the broadsides 726 at the mounting end 708 can define a portion of the mounting end 708, such as a first portion 708a that is offset from the first and second ones of the broadsides 726 at the mating end 712 along the second direction. Furthermore, the first and second ones of the broadsides 726 at the mounting end 708 can define a second portion 708b of the mounting end 708 that is substantially aligned with the first and second ones of the broadsides 726 at the mating end 712 along the third direction.

[0141] Additionally, the first and second broadsides 726 of each electrical signal contact 704 can define a first region at the respective mounting end 708 and a second region at the respective mating end 712, such that the first region is angularly offset with respect to the second region. Furthermore, the first and second edges 728 of the each electrical signal contact 704 can define a first region at the respective mounting end 708 and a second region at the respective mating end 712, such that the first region is angularly offset with respect to the second region. In this regard, it can thus be said that the mounting end 708 of each electrical signal contact 704 is out of plane with respect the corresponding mating end 712. It can further be said that the mating end 712 of each electrical signal contact 704 is oriented along the first direction, and that the mounting end 708 of each electrical signal contact 704 can be oriented along a second direction that is angularly offset relative to the first direction.

[0142] Furthermore, the first region of the broadside 726 of at least one or more, up to all, of the electrical signal contacts 704 can extend substantially parallel with the first region of the broadsides 726 of at least one or more, up to all, of the others of the electrical signal contacts 704. Similarly, the first region of the edges 728 of at least one or more, up to all, of the electrical signal contacts 704 can extend substantially parallel with the first region of the edges 728 of at least one or more, up to all, of the others of the electrical signal contacts 704.

[0143] With continuing reference to Figs. 10A-10G, a plurality of leadframe assemblies

756 constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment are illustrated. The leadframe assemblies 756 can be supported by the connector housing 102, as described above with reference to the leadframe assemblies 130. Each leadframe assembly 756 can include a dielectric or electrically insulative leadframe housing 758 and at least one such as a plurality of electrical contacts 105 that can be configured as electrical signal contacts 704 that are supported by the leadframe housing 758. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, each leadframe assembly 756 includes a pair of electrical signal contacts 704 that are spaced apart from one another along the column direction C. The leadframe assemblies 756 can be configured as insert molded leadframe assemblies (IMLAs) whereby the respective leadframe housings 758 are overmolded onto respective ones of the plurality of electrical signal contacts 704. For instance, the leadframe housing 758 of each leadframe assembly 756 can be overmolded onto the corresponding electrical signal contacts 704 such that the leadframe housing 758 is overmolded onto, and thus encloses, at least a portion of the contact body 707, for instance the twisted regions 754, of each of the respective electrical signal contacts 704 supported by the leadframe housing 758. Alternatively, the respective ones of the electrical signal contacts 704 can be stitched into the leadframe housings 758 or otherwise supported by the respective leadframe housings 758.

[0144] A plurality up to all of the leadframe assemblies 756 can include at least one pair 757 such as a plurality of pairs 757 of first and second leadframe assemblies 756a and 756b, respectively. The first and second leadframe assemblies 756a and 756b of each pair 757 can be constructed substantially identically. The first leadframe assembly 756a and the second leadframe assembly 756b of each pair 757 can be disposed adjacent each other, for instance along the row direction R, when supported by the connector housing 102, so as to define the first and second differential signal pairs 717a and 717b. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first leadframe assembly 756a can have a first leadframe housing 758a that is overmolded onto the first pair 713a of electrical signal contacts 704 and the second leadframe assembly 756b can have a second leadframe housing 758b that is overmolded onto the second pair 713b of electrical signal contacts 704. Accordingly, the first electrical signal contact 704a of the first leadframe assembly 756a and the first signal electrical contact 704c of the second leadframe assembly 756b can define the first differential signal pair 717a, and the second electrical signal contact 704b of the first leadframe assembly 756a and the second electrical signal contact 704d of the second leadframe assembly 756b can define the second differential signal pair 717b.

[0145] The first and second leadframe assemblies 756a and 756b of each pair 757 can be configured to interface with one another when disposed adjacent to one another in the connector housing 102. For example, the leadframe housing 758 of each of the first and second leadframe assemblies 756a and 756b, respectively, of each pair 757 can include at least one interface member 735 that is configured to receive a complementary at least one interface member 735 supported by the leadframe housing 758 of the other of the first and second leadframe assemblies 756a and 756b, respectively, of the pair 757. Thus, the first leadframe housing 758a of the first leadframe assembly 756a can be at least partially received by the second leadframe housing 758b of the second leadframe assembly 756b, and the second leadframe housing 758b of the second leadframe assembly 756b can be at least partially received by the first leadframe housing 758a of the first leadframe assembly 756a. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the leadframe housing 758 of each leadframe assembly 756 includes respective pairs of interface members 735 configured as a pair of projecting portions 760 and a pair of pocket portions 762, respectively. The projecting portions 760 of each pair can be constructed the same or differently, and the pocket portions 762 of each pair can be constructed the same or differently. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first leadframe housing 758a of the first leadframe assembly 756a can include a pair of first projection portions 760a and a pair of first pocket portions 762a, and the second leadframe housing 758b of the second leadframe assembly 756b can include a pair of second projection portions 760b and a pair of second pocket portions 762b. The pair of first projection portions 760a of the first leadframe housing 758a can be configured to be received in respective ones of the pair of second pocket portions 762b of the second leadframe housing 758b and the pair of second projection portions 760b of the second leadframe housing 758b can be configured to be received in the pair of first pocket portions 762a of the first leadframe housing 758a.

[0146] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, when the first and second leadframe assemblies 756a and 756b of each pair 757 are supported by the connector housing 102, the first leadframe assembly 756a of each respective pair 757 can be oriented in a first orientation and the second leadframe assembly 756b of the corresponding pair 757 can be oriented in a second orientation relative to the first leadframe assembly 756a that is rotated 180 degrees about an axis that extends substantially perpendicular to the first direction and substantially parallel to the transverse direction T. When the first and second leadframe assemblies 756a and 756b are oriented in the first and second orientations, respectively, and supported by the connector housing 102, the pair of first projection portions 760a of the first leadframe housing 758a can be at least partially received in respective ones of the pair of second pocket portions 762b of the second leadframe housing 758b and the pair of second projection portions 760b of the second leadframe housing 758b can be at least partially received in the pair of first pocket portions 762a of the first leadframe housing 758a.

[0147] The projecting portions 760 of the illustrated leadframe housings 758 can at least partially enclose the mounting ends 708 of the respective electrical signal contacts 704 of the leadframe assemblies 756. Any suitable dielectric material, such as air or plastic, may be used to isolate the respective electrical signal contacts 704 of the first leadframe assembly 756a of a pair 757 from the respective electrical signal contacts 704 of the second leadframe assembly 756b of the pair 757. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second leadframe assemblies 756a and 756b of each pair 757 are spaced from each other when supported by the connector housing 102. However it should be appreciated that at least one or both of the first and second leadframe assemblies 756a and 756b or the connector housing 102 can be alternatively constructed such that the first and second leadframe assemblies 756a and 756b abut one another when supported by the connector housing 102. [0148] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, each pair 757 of leadframe assemblies 756 of the plurality of leadframe assemblies 756 can be supported by the connector housing 102 between respective ground plates, for instance ground plates 606. In this regard, the connector housing 102 supports successive first and second pairs 713a and 713b of electrical signal contacts 704 and ground plates 606 when the first and second pairs 713a and 713b of electrical signal contacts 704 and ground plates 606 are supported by the connector housing 102. The respective pluralities of leadframe assemblies 756 and ground plates 606 can be arranged such that a ground plate 606 is disposed between successive adjacent pairs 757 of first and second leadframe assemblies 756a and 756b, such that the plurality of electrical contacts 105 of the electrical connector 100 define a repeating ground-signal-signal (G-S-S) arrangement of ground plates 606 and electrical signal contacts 704 along the row direction R. The ground plates 606 can be disposed between adjacent pairs 757 of leadframe assemblies 756 along the row direction R such that the ground plates 606 can reduce crosstalk between adjacent differential signal pairs 717 of the adjacent pairs 757 of leadframe assemblies 756 that are aligned along the row direction R.

[0149] Furthermore, when respective pairs of leadframe assemblies 756, for instance first and second leadframe assemblies 756a and 756b, respectively, are supported by the connector housing 102 in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the mounting ends 708 of each electrical signal contacts 704 of the respective first and second leadframe assemblies 756a and 756b are aligned along a column that extends along the column direction C, which can be substantially parallel to the lateral direction A. Accordingly, a plane defined by the lateral direction A and the transverse direction T can extend through the mounting end 708 of each electrical signal contact 704 of each of the first and second leadframe assemblies 756a and 756b of a given pair 757. Thus also, a straight line that extends along the lateral direction A extends through the mounting end 708 of each electrical signal contact 704 of each of the first and second leadframe assemblies 756a and 756b of a given pair 757. The plane and the straight line can extend substantially parallel to one or both of the first and second ground plates 606a and 606b.

[0150] Additionally, the mounting ends 708 of each electrical signal contact 704 of each of the first and second leadframe assemblies 756a and 756b of a given pair 757 can be evenly spaced from one or both of the adjacent first and second ground plates 606a and 606b.

For instance, the mounting ends 708 of each electrical signal contact 704 of each of the first and second leadframe assemblies 756a and 756b of a given pair 757 can support a tail 71 1, and the tails 711 can be evenly spaced from one or both of the adjacent first and second ground plates 606. The straight line and the plane can extend through the tail 71 1 of each electrical signal contact 704 of each of the first and second leadframe assemblies 756a and 756b of a given pair 757. The plane and the straight line can extend through the same respective portion of the tail 711 of each of the electrical signal contacts 704, such that the tails 711 of the electrical signal contacts 704 are substantially inline along the lateral direction A, for example along centerline CRT (see Fig. 10G). For instance, the straight line and the plane can extend through the eye of the needle opening of the tail 711 of each of the electrical signal contacts 704.

[0151] Accordingly, the tails 71 1 of each electrical signal contact 704 of each of the first and second leadframe assemblies 756a and 756b of a given pair 757 can be said to be inline relative to each other along the column direction C, for example along a column. In this regard, it can be said that the respective tails 711 of the first and second pairs 713a and 713b of electrical signal contacts 704 are aligned with respect to each other along the first direction. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the first and second mounting ends 610a and 610b of each of the ground plates 606 are aligned along respective columns that extend along the column direction C. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the mounting ends 708 of the electrical signal contacts 704 of the first and second leadframe assemblies 756a and 756b are aligned along a first column CI, the first and second mounting ends 610a and 610b of the first ground plate 606a that is disposed adjacent the first leadframe assembly 756a are aligned along a second column C2 that is disposed adjacent to the first column CI and substantially parallel to the first column CI, and the first and second mounting ends 610a and 610b of the second ground plate 606b that is disposed adjacent the second leadframe assembly 756b are aligned along a third column C3 that is disposed adjacent and substantially parallel to the first column CI. Thus, the first column CI is disposed between the second and third columns C2 and C3. It should be appreciated that the electrical connector 100 is not limited to the illustrated columns CI, C2, C3, and that the electrical connector 100 can define more or fewer columns of electrical contacts 105, for instance in accordance with the number of ground plates 606 and the number of pairs of leadframe assemblies 756 supported by the connector housing 102.

[0152] The ground plates 606 and the pairs 757 of leadframe assemblies 756 can be spaced apart from one another in the connector housing 102 along the longitudinal direction L in accordance with a pre-determined column pitch. For instance, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector 100 is constructed with a column pitch of between approximately 0.6mm to approximately 1.4mm, including approximately 0.75mm, such that the mounting ends 708 of the electrical signal contacts 704 of a first one of the pairs 757 of leadframe assemblies 756 are spaced from the mounting ends 610 of a first ground plate 606a approximately 0.75mm along the row direction R, and spaced from the mounting ends 610 of a second ground plate 606b approximately 0.75mm along the row direction R, such that the first column CI is spaced from each of the second and third columns C2 and C3 approximately 0.75mm along the row direction R. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the electrical connector 100 can be alternatively constructed with a column pitch of approximately 1mm.

[0153] The industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint can be modified to operate with the illustrated configuration of electrical signal contacts 704 and ground plates 606. For example, the plurality of vias 206 can be disposed along the printed circuit board so as to define a fourth alternative footprint FP4. It should be appreciated that in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the contact bodies 707 of the electrical signal contacts 704 are twisted such that the mounting ends 708 of the respective electrical signal contacts 704 of the first and second leadframe assemblies 756a and 756b of each pair 757 are substantially aligned with respect to each other along the lateral direction A, and thus can be said to be inline with respect to each other along the first direction.

[0154] In order to make the alternative footprint FP4 compatible with the illustrated configuration of electrical signal contacts 704 and ground plates 606, the respective electrical signal vias 208 of the first and second pairs 212a and 212b of the industry standard MicroTCA ^®

PF footprint can be repositioned and aligned with respect to each other along the centerline CR1.

For example, in accordance with the industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint, the electrical signal vias 208a and 208c can be said to be inline with each other in a first column that is coincident with the centerline CR1 and the electrical signal vias 208b and 208d can be said to be inline with each other in a second column that is coincident with the centerline CR2. In accordance with the alternative footprint FP4, the electrical signal vias 208b and 208d can be repositioned such that the first and second columns are coincident with each other; so that the electrical signal vias 208a-208d of each column are inline with each other in the column direction C along respective centerlines CR1. In this regard, it can be said that each centerline

CR1 passes through the geometric center of each of the respective electrical signal vias 208 of the first and second pairs 212a and 212b of electrical signal vias 208 of each column, and thus that the first and second pairs 212a and 212b or electrical signal vias 208 are centrally disposed along respective centerlines CR1. This arrangement increases available routing channel width, for instance the channel width available for routing electrical traces, within a printed circuit board 202 constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP4, as compared to a printed circuit board 202 constructed in accordance with the industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint, wherein the vias 206 are not inline with respect to one another along the column direction C. [0155] In order to further make the alternative footprint FP4 compatible with the illustrated configuration of electrical signal contacts 704 and ground plates 606, additional electrical ground vias 210 can be disposed between the columns of electrical signal vias 208 of the industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the alternative footprint FP4 defines a plurality of centerlines CR4, each centerline CR4 spaced substantially equidistantly along the row direction R between successive centerlines CR1 of the industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint. At least one electrical ground via 210 such as a pair of electrical ground vias 210 is disposed along each of the plurality of centerlines CR4, such that each of the at least one electrical ground vias 210 is disposed between successive columns of electrical signal vias 208.

[0156] It should be appreciated that the printed circuit board 202 can alternatively be constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP4. For example, the printed circuit 202 constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP4 and configured to receive mounting tails of only a single connector can include a first pair of electrical signal vias 208, such as electrical signal vias 208a and 208c, and a second pair of electrical signal vias 208, such as electrical signal vias 208b and 208d, wherein the electrical signal vias 208 of the first and second pairs are arranged inline with respect to each other along respective first and second columns that extend along the column direction C and can be coincident with each and coincident with the centerline CR1. The printed circuit 202 constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP4 can further include a first pair of electrical ground vias 210a and 210b, that are each inline with each other along a third column that extends substantially along the column direction C and can be coincident with the a first one of the centerlines CR4. The printed circuit 202 constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP3 can further include a second pair of electrical ground vias 210c and 210d, that are each inline with each other along a fourth column that extends substantially along the column direction C and can be coincident with the a second one of the centerlines CR4. It should be appreciated that the first and second columns are disposed substantially equidistantly between the third and fourth columns.

[0157] Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, each electrical ground via 210 of the first and second pairs of electrical ground vias 210 is disposed substantially equidistantly between one of the first pair of electrical signal vias 208 and one of the second pair of electrical signal vias 208 along the column direction C. For instance, a first electrical ground via 210a of the first pair of electrical ground vias 210 is disposed substantially equidistantly between a first electrical signal via 208a of the first pair of electrical signal vias 208 and a first electrical signal via 208b of the second pair of electrical signal vias 208. Similarly, a first electrical ground via 210c of the second pair of electrical ground vias 210 is disposed substantially equidistantly between the first electrical signal via 208a of the first pair of electrical signal vias 208 and the first electrical signal via 208b of the second pair of electrical signal vias

208. Additionally, a second electrical ground via 210b of the first pair of electrical ground vias

210 is disposed substantially equidistantly between a second electrical signal via 208c of the first pair of electrical signal vias 208 and a second electrical signal via 208d of the second pair of electrical signal vias 208. Similarly, a second electrical ground via 210d of the second pair of electrical ground vias 210 is disposed substantially equidistantly between the second electrical signal via 208c of the first pair of electrical signal vias 208 and the second electrical signal via

208d of the second pair of electrical signal vias 208.

[0158] The embodiments illustrated and described herein, for example the

embodiments of the electrical connector 100, when utilized with the corresponding printed circuit board 202 footprints, for instance the industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint or the alternative footprints FP1, FP2, FP3, or FP4, can exhibit enhanced electrical performance with respect to the industry standard MicroTCA ^® PF footprint and the existing industry standard

MicroTCA ^® PF electrical connectors utilized therewith. For instance, electrical simulation has demonstrated that the herein described embodiments of electrical connectors 100 and printed circuit board 202 footprints, for instance electrical connectors 100 constructed using the electrical contacts 105 illustrated in Figs. 9A-9D and in Figs. 10A-10F and printed circuit boards

202 constructed in accordance with the alternative footprints FP3 and FP4, respectively, can operate to transfer data, for example between the respective mating and mounting ends of each electrical contact, in the range between and including approximately 8 Gigabits/sec (including approximately 9 Gigabits/sec) and approximately 30 Gigabits/sec, such as at a minimum of approximately 12.5 Gigabits/sec (with a range of about 20 through 60 picosecond rise times, such as about 25 picosecond rise times), at a minimum of approximately 20.0 Gigabits/sec (with a range of about 20 through 60 picosecond rise times, such as about 25 picosecond rise times), and at a minimum of approximately 25 Gigabits/sec (with a range of about 20 through 60 picosecond rise times, such as about 25 picosecond rise times), including any 0.25 Gigabits/sec increments between approximately therebetween, with worst-case, multi-active crosstalk on a victim pair of between l%-6%, including all sub ranges and all integers, for instance l%-2%,

2%-3%, 3%-4%, 4%-5%, and 5%-6%, including 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, and 6% within acceptable crosstalk levels of the MicroTCA ^® standard, for instance somewhere below about four percent (4%), such as below about three percent (3%), approximately. Furthermore, the herein described embodiments of electrical connectors 100 and printed circuit board 202 footprints can operate in the range between and including approximately 1 and 15 GHz, including any 0.25 GHz increments between 1 and 15 GHz.

[0159] Referring now to Figs. 12A-12B, in accordance with the MicroTCA ^® standard, the accepted level of crosstalk, such as near end crosstalk, can be dependent upon the particular type of MicroTCA ^® electrical assembly. For instance, an electrical assembly 20 constructed as an AdvancedMC Backplane Connector in accordance with the MicroTCA ^® standard can include a printed circuit board 202 and an electrical connector 100 mounted to the printed circuit board 202. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the electrical assembly 20 further includes a complementary electrical component in the form of an edge card configured as an AdvancedMC module 900 that is mated to the mating interface 1 16 of the electrical connector 100 so as to place the AdvancedMC module 900 in electrical communication with the electrical connector 100, and thus with the printed circuit board 202. It should be appreciated that the electrical connector 100 of the electrical assembly 20 can be constructed in accordance with any of the herein described embodiments of the electrical connectors 100 and can be configured as an AdvancedMC Backplane Connector configured to operate in accordance with the acceptable levels of crosstalk specified in accordance with the MicroTCA ^® standard. Similarly, the printed circuit board 202 of the electrical assembly 20 can be configured with any of the herein described printed circuit board footprints, such that the electrical connector 100 of the electrical assembly 20 can be mounted onto the printed circuit board 202 of the electrical assembly 20.

[0160] The crosstalk of the electrical connector 100 of the illustrated electrical assembly 20 should be measured under environment impedance of approximately 100 Ohms differential and at twenty to eighty percent (20% - 80%) twenty five picosecond maximum input rise time. The crosstalk amplitude should be measured in a multi aggressor condition. For example the connector housing 102 can support a plurality of ground plates 306 that are spaced from each other along the row direction R, a first row Rl of electrical signal contacts 104 arranged in respective differential signal pairs 1 17 that are spaced from each other along the row direction R, with each differential signal pair 117 disposed between successive ones of the ground plates 306, and a second row R2 of electrical signal contacts 104 arranged in respective differential signal pairs 1 17 that are spaced from each other along the row direction R, with each differential signal pair 117 disposed between successive ones of the ground plates 306. The first and second rows Rl and R2 of electrical signal contacts 104 are spaced from each other along the column direction C, with corresponding differential signal pairs 1 17 in the first and second rows Rl and R2 that are disposed between respective successive ones of the ground plates 306 substantially aligned with respect to each other along the column direction C.

[0161] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector 100 comprises a first ground plate 306a supported by the connector housing 102 substantially at the second end 103b of the housing body 103 and respective pairs 1 13 of electrical signal contacts configured as first and second differential signal pairs 1 17a and 1 17b are disposed between the first ground plate 306a and a second ground plate 306b that is successive with respect to the first ground plate 306a. The first differential signal pair 117a is disposed in the second row R2 of electrical signal contacts 104, and the second differential signal pair 1 17b is disposed in the first row Rl of electrical signal contacts 104. The illustrated electrical connector 100 further comprises third and fourth differential signal pairs 117c and 117d that are disposed between the second ground plate 306b and a third ground plate 306c that is successive with respect to the second ground plate 306b. The third differential signal pair 1 17c is disposed in the second row R2 of electrical signal contacts 104 and is successive with respect to the first differential signal pair 1 17a, and the fourth differential signal pair 117d is disposed in the first row Rl of electrical signal contacts 104 and is successive with respect to the second differential signal pair 117b. The illustrated electrical connector 100 further comprises fifth and sixth differential signal pairs 1 17e and 1 17f that are disposed between the third ground plate 306c and a fourth ground plate 306d that is successive with respect to the third ground plate 306c. The fifth differential signal pair 117e is disposed in the second row R2 of electrical signal contacts 104 and is successive with respect to the third differential signal pair 1 17c, and the sixth differential signal pair 1 17f is disposed in the first row Rl of electrical signal contacts 104 and is successive with respect to the fourth differential signal pair 117d.

[0162] In order to measure the crosstalk amplitude of the electrical assembly 20 in a multi aggressor condition, and therefore in accordance with the MicroTCA ^® standard, the crosstalk induced by five differential signal pairs designated as multi-aggressor differential signal pairs at a single differential signal pair designated as a victim differential signal pair should be measured. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the third differential signal pair 1 17c is designated as the victim differential signal pair, and the first, second, fourth, fifth, and sixth differential signal pairs 117a, 117b, 1 17d, 117e, and 117f, respectively, are designated as the five multi-aggressor differential signal pairs that induce crosstalk at the victim differential signal pair. In accordance with the MicroTCA ^® standard, the differential crosstalk amplitude induced by the five multi-aggressor differential signal pairs at the victim differential signal pair should be less than three percent (3%). It should be appreciated that the crosstalk amplitude at the victim, or third, differential signal pair 1 17c should be less than 3% for an electrical connector 100 including electrical contacts having any type of mounting elements, for example press-fit mounting elements such as eye of the needle tails, surface mounting elements such as solder balls, or any other suitable mounting elements. The differential attenuation profile, or insertion loss, of the electrical assembly 20 should be greater than -1 dB at 6.5 GHz, greater than -2 dB at 12 GHz and greater than -4 dB at 14.5 GHz. It should be appreciated that the differential attenuation profile should be substantially equal to the above for an electrical connector 100 including electrical contacts having any type of mounting elements, for example press-fit mounting elements such as eye of the needle tails, surface mounting elements such as solder balls, or any other suitable mounting elements.

[0163] Referring now to Figs. 13A-13B, in accordance with the MicroTCA ^® standard, the accepted level of crosstalk, such as near end crosstalk, is different for an electrical assembly 30 constructed as a MicroTCA ^® Carrier Hub (MCH) than for the electrical assembly 20. The electrical assembly 30 can include a printed circuit board 202 and first and second electrical connectors 100 and 100' mounted to the printed circuit board 202 and spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction A. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second electrical connectors 100 and 100' are constructed substantially identically and are mounted to the printed circuit board 202 such that the connector housings 102 and 102' of the first and second electrical connectors 100 and 100' are substantially parallel with respect to each other and with respect to the longitudinal direction L, and such that the first and second ends 103 a and 103b of the housing body 103 of the connector housing 102 of the first electrical connector 100 are substantially aligned with the first and second ends 103a' and 103b', respectively, of the housing body 103' of the connector housing 102' of the second electrical connector 100' along the lateral direction A.

[0164] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the electrical assembly 30 further includes a pair of complementary electrical components in the form of first and second edge cards configured as first and second AdvancedMC modules 900 and 900' that are mated to the first and second electrical connectors 100 and 100', respectively, so as to place the first and second AdvancedMC modules 900 and 900' in electrical communication with the respective first and second electrical connectors 100 and 100', and thus with the printed circuit board 202. The electrical assembly 30 further includes complementary electrical connectors 1000 and 1000' mounted to the first and second AdvancedMC modules 900 and 900', respectively. The complementary electrical connectors 1000 and 1000' are configured to be mated to each other so as to place the first and second AdvancedMC modules 900 and 900' in electrical communication with each other.

[0165] The first and second electrical connectors 100 and 100' can be constructed substantially the same or differently, for example in accordance with any of the herein described embodiments of the electrical connector 100. Similarly the respective footprints on the printed circuit board 202 that correspond to the first and second electrical connectors 100 and 100' can be arranged substantially the same or differently. For example, it should be appreciated that one or both of the first and second electrical connectors 100 and 100' of the electrical assembly 30 can be constructed in accordance with any of the herein described embodiments of the electrical connectors 100, and can be configured as a MicroTCA ^® Carrier Hub (MCH) configured to operate in accordance with the acceptable levels of crosstalk specified in accordance with the MicroTCA ^® standard. Similarly, the printed circuit board 202 of the electrical assembly 30 can be configured with one or more of any of the herein described printed circuit board footprints, such that the first and second electrical connectors 100 and 100' of the electrical assembly 30 can be mounted onto the printed circuit board 202 of the electrical assembly 30. It should be further be appreciated that a MicroTCA ^® Carrier Hub (MCH) is not limited to two electrical connectors, and that a MicroTCA ^® Carrier Hub (MCH) can be alternatively constructed including more than two, such as four, electrical connectors.

[0166] The crosstalk of the first electrical connector 100 of the illustrated electrical assembly 30 should be measured under environment impedance of approximately 100 Ohms differential and at twenty to eighty percent (20% - 80%) twenty five picosecond maximum input rise time. The crosstalk amplitude should be measured in a multi aggressor condition. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector 100 of the electrical assembly 30 is constructed substantially identically to the electrical connector 100 of the electrical assembly 20. Furthermore, the electrical connector 100' is constructed substantially identically to the electrical connector 100, and includes first, second, third, and fourth ground plates 306a', 306b', 306c', and 306d', and first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth differential signal pairs 1 17a', 117b', 1 17c', 117d', 1 17e', and 117f , disposed in the connector housing 102' along respective first and second rows Rl ' and R2' of electrical signal contacts 104'.

[0167] In order to measure the crosstalk amplitude of the electrical assembly 30 in a multi aggressor condition, and therefore in accordance with the MicroTCA ^® standard, the crosstalk induced by eight differential signal pairs designated as multi-aggressor differential signal pairs at a single differential signal pair designated as a victim differential signal pair should be measured. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the fourth differential signal pair 1 17d of the first electrical connector 100 is designated as the victim differential signal pair, and the first, second, third, fifth, and sixth differential signal pairs 1 17a, 1 17b, 117c, 117e, and 1 17f of the first electrical connector 100, and the first, third, and fifth differential signal pairs 1 17a', 1 17c', and 117e' of the second electrical connector 100', respectively, are designated as the eight multi-aggressor differential signal pairs that induce crosstalk at the victim differential signal pair. In accordance with the MicroTCA ^® standard, the differential crosstalk amplitude induced by the eight multi-aggressor differential signal pairs at the victim differential signal pair should be less than four percent (4%). It should be appreciated that the crosstalk amplitude at the victim, or fourth, differential signal pair 1 17d should be less than 4% for first and second electrical connectors 100 and 100' including electrical contacts having any type of mounting elements, for example press-fit mounting elements such as eye of the needle tails, surface mounting elements such as solder balls, or any other suitable mounting elements. The differential attenuation profile, or insertion loss, of the electrical assembly 30 should be greater than -1 dB at 6.5 GHz, greater than -2 dB at 12 GHz and greater than -4 dB at 14.5 GHz. It should be appreciated that the differential attenuation profile should be substantially equal to the above for first and second electrical connectors 100 and 100' including electrical contacts having any type of mounting elements, for example press-fit mounting elements such as eye of the needle tails, surface mounting elements such as solder balls, or any other suitable mounting elements.

[0168] A method of fabricating an electrical connector 100 in accordance with the herein described embodiments can include supporting a plurality electrical signal contacts 704 in the connector housing 102, wherein respective pairs 113 of the plurality of electrical signal contacts 704 define differential signal pairs 717. The method can further include supporting first and second ground plates 606a and 606b, respectively, in the connector housing 102, such that the electrical connector includes one hundred seventy mating ends 95 that are spaced along two columns that each extend along the row direction R collectively from the mating ends 712 of the plurality of electrical signal contacts 704 and the ground mating ends 614 of the first and second ground plates 606a and 606b, the one hundred seventy mating ends 95 defining a 0.75mm column pitch. The method further includes positioning the plurality of electrical signal contacts

704 and the ground plates 606 in the connector housing 102 such that the signal mounting tails

71 1 and the ground mounting tails 61 1a and 61 lb define a footprint that differs from a footprint defined by vias 206 of a printed circuit board 202 that are arranged in accordance with

MicroTCA specification Rev. 1.0, such that the electrical signal contacts 704 are configured to transfer data between the mounting tails and the mating ends at a minimum of approximately 12.5 Gigabits/second at an acceptable level of near-end crosstalk. The acceptable level of near- end cross talk can be, for instance, less than approximately four percent (4%), for instance less than approximately three percent (3%). The method can further include configuring the electrical signal contacts 704 to transfer data at higher speeds, such as a minimum of

approximately 20 Gigabits/second at the acceptable level of near-end crosstalk, and a minimum of approximately 25 Gigabits/second at the acceptable level of near-end crosstalk.

[0169] An electrical connector, for instance an electrical connector constructed in accordance with the above-described method, can include a connector housing and a plurality electrical signal contacts supported in the connector housing. The electrical signal contacts can define signal mounting tails and mating ends. Respective pairs of the plurality of electrical signal contacts define differential signal pairs. The electrical connector further includes first and second ground plates supported in the connector housing. Each of the plurality of first and second ground plates including ground mounting tails and ground mating ends. The electrical signal contacts and the first and second ground plates can collectively define one hundred seventy mating ends that are spaced along two columns that each extend along a row direction collectively from the mating ends of the plurality of electrical signal contacts to the ground mating ends. The one hundred seventy mating ends can define a 0.75mm column pitch. The electrical signal contacts and the ground plates can be positioned in the connector housing such that the signal and ground mounting tails define a footprint that differs from a footprint defined by vias of a printed circuit board that are arranged in accordance with MicroTCA specification Rev. 1.0, such that the electrical signal contacts are configured to transfer data between the mounting tails and the mating ends at a minimum of approximately 12.5 Gigabits/second at an acceptable level of near-end crosstalk.

[0170] The acceptable level of near-end cross talk can be less than three percent on one victim differential signal pair with five aggressor differential signal pairs at a 20-80 percent 25 picosecond maximum rise time. The acceptable level of near-end cross talk can be less than four percent on one victim differential signal pair with eight aggressor differential signal pairs at a 20- 80 percent 25 picosecond maximum rise time. The electrical signal contacts can be configured to transfer data between the mounting tails and the mating ends a minimum of approximately 20 Gigabits/second at the level of near-end crosstalk. The electrical signal contacts can be configured to transfer data between the mounting tails and the mating ends a minimum of approximately 25 Gigabits/second at the level of near-end crosstalk.

[0171] The embodiments described in connection with the illustrated embodiments have been presented by way of illustration, and the present application is therefore not intended to be limited to the disclosed embodiments. For example, one or both of the electrical connectors 100 or the printed circuit board 202 footprints described herein may also be applicable to other types of card edge, back panel, or other connectors. Additionally, it should be appreciated that the various embodiments of the electrical contacts 105 herein illustrated and described are not limited to press-fit tail mounting elements, and that the electrical contacts 105 of any of the herein described embodiments can be alternatively constructed with any other suitable mounting elements as desired. For example, the mounting elements can alternatively be configured as surface mount mounting elements, including fusible elements such as solder balls 800 (see Fig. 1 1) that are configured to be solder reflowed to complementary electrical contact pads on the printed circuit board 202. Thus, it should be appreciated that the electrical connector 100 constructed in accordance with any of the embodiments described herein can include mounting elements that can be configured as press fit elements such as mounting tails, fusible elements such as solder balls 800 that can define a ball grid array (BGA) of solder balls 800, or any other suitable constructed mounting elements.

[0172] Furthermore, the structure and features of each the embodiments described above can be applied to the other embodiments described herein, unless otherwise indicated. In one example, the contact bodies 107 of the electrical signal contacts 104 of one or more of any of the other illustrated embodiments of the electrical connector 100, such as the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 3A-3D, 5A-5D, 7A-7C, 8A-8C, or 9A-9C can be twisted as described with respect to Figs. 10A-10G such that the mounting ends 108 of the electrical signal contacts 104 are angularly offset relative to the respective mating ends 112 of the electrical signal contacts 104. It should further be appreciated that if the contact bodies 107 of the electrical signal contacts 104 of one or more of any of the other illustrated embodiments of the electrical connector 100 are twisted in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, corresponding alternative footprints to those illustrated in Figs. 7D, 8D, or 9D can be defined in which the electrical signal vias 208 are substantially aligned along the longitudinal direction L with respect to each other along the column direction C.

[0173] Accordingly, those skilled in the art will realize that the application is intended to encompass all modifications and alternative arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the application, for instance as set forth by the appended claims.