Inventors:
James L. McGrath - Bloomingdale IL
James P. Capadona - Chicago IL
Daniel B. McGowan - Naperville IL
Augusto P. Panella - Naperville IL
Assignee:
Molex Incorporated - Lisle IL
International Classification:
H01R 2370
Abstract:
A differential signal connector that is used for edge card application has a plurality of differential signal terminals and associated ground terminals arranged in âtripletsâ, i. e. , distinct sets of three conductive terminals, each such triplet including a pair of differential signal terminals and one associated ground terminal. The ground terminal is flanked by the two differential signal terminals and each triplet is spaced apart from an adjacent triplet by a spacing which is greater than any single spacing between adjacent terminals within a triplet. Circuit boards to which such a connector is mounted are also disclosed and they have a particular pattern of termination traces, commonly taking the form of plated vias extending through the circuit board. These vias are arranged in a triangular pattern and the ground reference plane of the circuit board is provided with voids, one void being associated and encompassing a pair of the differential signal vias of a single terminal triplet. This reduces the capacitance of the signal vias and thereby increases the impedance of the circuit board within the launch area to lessen impedance discontinuities in the connector-circuit board interface.