JP5654132B2 - Communication plug with improved crosstalk - Google Patents

Description

  The present disclosure relates generally to communication plugs with improved crosstalk, and more particularly to communication plugs with balanced crosstalk.

  The current ANSI / TIA-568-C. The two local wiring standards specify requirements for component and channel operations from category 5e (CAT5E) to category 6A (CAT6A) and include requirements for RJ45 type plugs as commonly used in communication networks. Such plugs are typically connected to each of the four twisted pair communication cables, such as patch panels, wall jacks, Ethernet switches, routers, servers, physical layer management systems, power Can be coupled to the RJ45 jack in various network devices such as over Ethernet devices, security devices (including cameras and sensors), and door access devices. RJ45 plugs can also be coupled to RJ45 jacks in workstation peripherals such as telephones, fax machines, computers, printers, copiers, and other equipment. A plug is a component in a corresponding channel that allows the channel to connect a user's computer to the router, and provides a connection to, for example, the Internet or other local area network (LAN) equipment.

  The internal wiring environment includes a LAN and office / work area with computer workstations connected to the Internet via patch panels, wall jacks, Ethernet switches, routers, servers, and / or physical layer management systems Commercial buildings with Various wires / cords such as patch cords, zone cords, trunk wires, and horizontal wires are used throughout the building to connect the devices together. Cabinets, racks, cable management, overhead routing systems, and other such equipment can be used to organize equipment and wiring into manageable systems.

  As complexity, data rate and frequency of operation increase for such communication networks, the potential for undesirable interactions between different channel components such as plugs, jacks and cables increases. Like any communication system, these communication networks have minimal signal-to-noise requirements to reliably transmit and receive information transmitted over the channel. The channel in such a system includes four twisted pair (four transmission line) transmission media operating in full-duplex communication mode. In the case of 10 gigabit Ethernet (registered trademark) (CAT6A), for example, each twisted pair (line) is operating at 2.5 gigabits per second in order to give the corresponding channel a total 10 gigabit capacity. One form of noise in such a channel is crosstalk, which is a failure in a line (or cable pair) signal caused by a signal in an adjacent line (cable pair).

  Crosstalk can be characterized as occurring at the near end (NEXT) and far end (FEXT) of the transmission line between the differential conductive path pairs in the channel (referred to as internal NEXT and internal FEXT), or , Can be coupled to differential conduction path pairs in adjacent channels (referred to as heterogeneous NEXT and heterogeneous FEXT). Due to the differential signal typically used in such communication systems, as long as the same noise signal (common mode noise) is applied to each conductive path in the conductive path pair, then the voltage between the conductive paths The difference remains the same and such common mode crosstalk has no effect on the differential signal for a given twisted pair.

  As data transmission rates are steadily increasing, due to capacitive and inductive coupling between closely spaced parallel conductors in plugs and / or jacks, at least in part, distributed electrical power of various line components Crosstalk due to dynamic parameters is an increasingly problematic issue. If the capacitive and inductive coupling between the four pairs of channels is not equal, an imbalance exists and the result of such an imbalance is a phenomenon called mode conversion. In mode conversion, common mode noise can be converted into a differential signal, and the differential signal can be converted into a common mode signal. In the presence of line imbalance in the victim channel, what could have been a relatively harmless common mode signal from a nearby channel is converted to a differential signal in the victim channel, thereby reducing the signal-to-noise ratio of the victim channel. Reduce disadvantageously. 1A and 1B show a typical communication plug with a plug body illustrated translucent to illustrate internal wires and contacts. FIG. 1A is an upper right perspective view, and FIG. 1B is an upper plan view. The plug 100 includes an RJ45 plug body 102 and a strain relief boot 114. Four differential wire pairs 108 (108a, 108b, 108c, and 108d) are disposed within the plug body.

  During typical installation, the pair 108 is not twisted and aligned with the plug body 102 so that the pair 108 contacts the insulated through-contact (IPC) 109 at the protrusion of the plug. Crimped. The IPC provides a connection point when the plug 100 is inserted into the RJ45 jack. This design is ANSI / TIA-568-C. Although following two local wiring standards, this design results in unbalanced capacitive and inductive coupling between adjacent conductors in the IPC region and along the untwisted parallel portion of the wire in the plug body 102. For interoperability and backward compatibility, ANSI / TIA-568-C. 2 that the plug has internal crosstalk within the non-embedding range, and that contacts 1 through 8 are such that contact 1 is adjacent to contact 2, contact 2 is adjacent to contact 3, etc. Requests to be arranged in order. This arrangement of contacts results in an essentially unequal amount of coupling between each pair of conductors. Capacitive and inductive coupling between adjacent lines is highly dependent on proximity, i.e., the closer the damaged line is to the attacking line, the stronger the coupling, and as a result, the larger the signal combined at the damaged line. Become. Capacitive and inductive coupling between conductor 3 of pair 3-6 and conductor 2 of pair 1-2 allows closer proximity between conductor 2 of pair 1-2 and conductor 3 of pair 3-6 Is much stronger than the capacitive and inductive coupling between conductor 3 of pair 3-6 and conductor 1 of pair 1-2. This imbalance causes mode conversion that results in a portion of the differential signal propagating through the plug on pair 1-2 that is converted to a common mode signal on pair 1-2. Due to the reciprocity of mode conversion, a portion of any common mode signal propagating through the plug on pair 1-2 will be converted to a differential signal on pair 1-2. Adverse effects from imbalance and associated mode conversions in RJ45 plug 100 can include heterogeneous crosstalk parameters (eg, power sum heterogeneous near-end crosstalk (PSANEXT) and power sum heterogeneous attenuation to crosstalk ratio, far end (PSAACRF)). And can be found in many of the measurements obtained on a Category 6A channel, such as balance parameters (e.g., lateral conversion loss (TCL) and lateral conversion transmission loss (TCTL)). Manufacturing discrepancies in the manual untwisting process described above can also cause performance variability.

  The imbalance in plug 100 and the corresponding mode conversion may also cause degradation of electromagnetic interference / electromagnetic compatibility (EMI / EMC) performance for the Category 6A channel. The common mode signal generated from the differential signal passing through the unbalanced plug 100 is radiated to the surrounding environment. Larger mode conversion corresponds to greater radiant energy. Conversely, when a channel is exposed to electromagnetic interference from an external source such as a walkie-talkie, mobile phone, a common mode signal is induced on the channel. When the common mode signal passes through the unbalanced plug 100, a part of the signal is converted to a differential signal, which contributes to the total noise in the channel. Larger mode conversion results in proportionally larger differential noise.

  Another drawback of the typical RJ45 plug 100 is “related to the super pair phenomenon. The industry standard is that the plug contacts are divided into contacts 3 and 6 around the contacts 4 and 5. In the plug 100, the wire pair 3-6 (reference numeral 108b) is also divided around the wire pair 4-5 (reference numeral 108c). 2 (reference numeral 108a) results in a conductor 3 that couples stronger than conductor 6, and pair 7-8 (reference numeral 108d) results in a conductor 6 that couples stronger than conductor 3. Signal on conductor 3 Is in the opposite polarity of the signal on conductor 6, so Pair 1-2 will be in the opposite polarity of Pair 7-8, depending on the connection hardware and wiring design, Pair 1-2 and Pair 7-8, to function as a differential "super-pair", may be propagated through the cross-talk from the pair 3-6 via the channel. A “super pair” signal may degrade PSANEXT and PSAACRF performance of a Category 6A channel.

  What is needed in the art is a communication plug with balanced coupling between pairs that results in balanced crosstalk between the four pairs, which communication plugs have reduced electromagnetic emissions And improved PSANEXT, PSAACRF, TCL, and / or TCTL performance as well as enhanced EMI / EMC performance caused by greater tolerance of electromagnetic field levels from interference sources.

  In one form, the present invention includes a communication plug that electrically connects the communication cable and the communication jack. The plug includes a plug main body, a circuit board, a cable contact, and a jack contact. The plug body has a cavity for accommodating a communication cable that enters the plug body along an axis. The circuit board is located within the cavity and has the plurality of traces arranged to provide coupling between at least two of the plurality of traces. The circuit board has at least one surface that is angled with respect to the axis.

  The angled surface of the circuit board may be mounted, for example, by mounting the circuit board at an angle in the cavity of the plug body. Alternatively, the circuit board may be disposed on a molded body having a surface that is angled with respect to the axis. For example, the circuit board may be a flexible printed circuit board wound around the molded body.

  A common mode choke may be included on the circuit board for each wire pair. This can help to attenuate common mode signals that may be propagating on the wire pair without significantly attenuating the differential signals.

  In another form of the invention, a communication plug for electrically contacting a communication cable and a communication jack with a plurality of cable conductor pairs, the plug body having a cavity for receiving the communication cable; A communication plug comprising a plurality of contact pairs at least partially within the plug body. The plurality of contact pairs are in electrical contact with a corresponding cable conductor pair, and at least one contact of the contact pair is approximately equidistant from both of the other contacts of the contact pair.

  The invention, in another form thereof, is a communication plug having a plug body and a plurality of contact pairs at least partially within the plug body, wherein the contact pair is an individual one of the contact pairs. And a communication plug including an inherent asymmetric coupling between the other contact and another individual contact of the contact pair. The second asymmetric coupling element is connected between one individual contact of the contact pair and another other contact of the contact pair. The second asymmetric coupling element, when combined with an inherent asymmetric coupling, is between one individual contact of the contact pair and another individual contact of the contact pair. Provides balanced and symmetrical coupling.

  In another form thereof, the invention comprises a communication system including a communication cable and / or a communication device. The communication plug is connected to a communication cable and / or a communication device. The communication plug includes a plug body and a plurality of contact pairs at least partially within the plug body, wherein the contact pair is one individual contact of the contact pair and another of the contact pair. It has an inherent asymmetric coupling with other individual contacts. The second asymmetric coupling element is connected between one individual contact of the contact pair and another other contact of the contact pair. The second asymmetric coupling element, when combined with an inherent asymmetric coupling, is between one individual contact of the contact pair and another individual contact of the contact pair. Provides balanced and symmetrical coupling.

  The invention, in another form thereof, includes a communication plug with a plug body having a cavity, a circuit board having a plurality of traces located in the cavity and defining a plurality of conductor pairs, and one of the pairs. A common mode choke connected between two of the defining traces.

  The invention, in another form thereof, reduces the inherent asymmetric crosstalk in the plug, and adds another asymmetric crosstalk in the plug to produce a symmetric crosstalk in the plug; Including a method for designing a communication plug.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication plug for electrically contacting a communication cable and a communication jack, the plug body having a cavity for receiving a communication cable that enters the plug body along an axis. Including a communication plug. The circuit board is located in the cavity and has a plurality of traces. Contacts are included to make electrical contact between the traces on the circuit board and the jack, each contact having a surface area parallel to the axis, the surface area being less than a predetermined value.

  These and other features and advantages, as well as the manner in which they are obtained, will become more apparent and the disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following description used in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

1 is a perspective view of an exemplary communication plug with a plug body illustrated translucent to illustrate internal wires and contacts. FIG. 1B is another perspective view of the exemplary communication plug of FIG. 1A with the plug body illustrated translucent to illustrate internal wires and contacts. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a communication plug according to the present invention with a plug body illustrated translucent to illustrate internal components. FIG. FIG. 2B is another perspective view of the communication plug of FIG. 2A with the plug body illustrated translucent to illustrate the internal components. 3 is a side view of an assembly of wires engaged with a circuit board in accordance with the configuration of FIGS. 2A and 2B. FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 3A. FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a partially balanced IDC layout of one embodiment of a circuit board according to the present invention. 1 is a schematic diagram of a balanced IDC layout of one embodiment of a circuit board according to the present invention. FIG. 2B is a side view of the communication plug of FIGS. 2A and 2B with the plug body illustrated translucent to illustrate internal components. FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of the circuit board of the plug of FIGS. 2A and 2B, showing how the plug contacts are inserted, according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a first contact type and a second contact type used as shown in FIG. 6 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another communication plug with a plug body illustrated translucent to illustrate internal components, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8B is a perspective view of another side of the communication plug of FIG. 8A with the plug body illustrated translucent to illustrate internal components. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an assembly comprising a circuit board, a body, and an IDC for use in the communication plug of FIGS. 8A and 8B. FIG. 9B is a close-up perspective cutaway view of the assembly of FIG. 9A, illustrating structural details. FIG. 5 is a partial side view of an assembly comprising a circuit board, a body, an IDC, wires, and a wire guide interface with a jack contactor assembly. FIG. 10B is an additional side view showing the assembly of FIG. 10A inside the plug body. FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 9A showing the IDC installation. FIG. 11B is a perspective view of an assembly similar to the assembly shown in FIG. 11A, showing the mounting of the IDC in another configuration. FIG. 11B is a bottom perspective view of an assembly similar to the assembly shown in FIG. 11B, illustrating contact pads. 1 is a perspective view of a communication plug having a common mode choke with a plug body illustrated translucent to illustrate internal components. FIG. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an assembly of wires engaged with the circuit board of FIG. 13. It is a cross-sectional side view of a part of a plug having a choke. It is a perspective view of a part of a plug having a choke. 2B is a two-layer PCB layout of a PCB used in the plug of FIGS. 2A and 2B. 3 is another two layer PCB layout of a PCB used in the plug of FIGS. 2A and 2B. FIG. 18 is a PCB layout of all four layers from FIGS. 16 and 17. FIG. Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The examples set forth herein are intended to exemplify one preferred embodiment of the invention in one form, and such examples are to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way. Is not to be done.

  Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 2A-7 relate to the first embodiment, while FIGS. 8A-15B relate to the second embodiment. The illustrated embodiments are described by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention in any way. For example, one or more combinations or sub-combinations of the two illustrated embodiments may be within the scope of the claimed invention and are intended to be included within the scope of protection. The claims appended hereto define the intended scope of the invention.

2A and 2B are isometric views of the communication plug 200 with the plug body 202 shown translucent to illustrate the internal components. The plug 200 is connected through a strain relief boot 214 to a cable 204 with an outer insulation coating 206 that surrounds a wire pair 208 that terminates through a wire guide 210 in the plug body 202 at a circuit board 212. Wire pair 208, wire guide 210, and circuit board 212 are illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 3A-7.

  One function of the circuit board 212 is TIA-568-B. To provide a means to introduce coupling into the data path in order to provide an appropriate amount of crosstalk, as required by the 2-10 standard. The circuit board 212 is preferably a printed circuit board (PCB) that includes embedded capacitors and / or inductors arranged in a manner to achieve the desired balance and crosstalk performance. The exact values and arrangement of these capacitors and / or inductors will depend on the electrical characteristics of the particular plug 200 and the intended use of the plug.

  3A and 3B show an assembly 300 of wires engaged with a circuit board in accordance with the configuration of FIGS. 2A and 2B. 3A is a front view, while FIG. 3B is an isometric view. The assembly 300 illustrates how the plug 200 looks when the plug body 202 and strain relief boot 214 are removed.

  The assembly 300 includes an outer insulation coating 206, a wire pair 208, and a circuit board 212. The circuit board 212 includes contacts 304 for making electrical contact with plug interface contacts (PICs) in corresponding jacks (not shown). The circuit board 212 also includes insulation displacement contacts (IDCs) 302a-b for electrically connecting traces (not shown) on the circuit board 212 and the differential wire pair 208. As shown in FIG. The IDCs 302a-b are preferably press fit into the circuit board 212 on both the top (302a) and bottom (302b) sides.

  4A and 4B are plan views of two alternative conceptual configurations (412a-b) for the IDC of the circuit board 212. FIG. Both configurations place IDCs in a staggered orientation at substantially equal distances between adjacent contacts to achieve a balanced coupling between adjacent pairs. In the first embodiment (FIG. 4A), the IDC press-fitting holes 416a in the circuit board 412a are arranged in an oblique direction with respect to the length of the circuit board 416a. As such, the IDC press-in hole for a particular wire pair closest to any other hole for a different wire pair is both for that different wire pair so that a more balanced bond is provided between adjacent IDC pairs. Are arranged so as to be equidistant in the holes. Accordingly, in the circuit board 412a, the distance D1 is equal to the distance D2, the distance D3 is equal to the distance D4, and the distance D5 is equal to the distance D6. Similarly, in the second embodiment (FIG. 4B), in order to provide a similar type of balanced coupling, press-fit hole 416b so that distance D1 is equal to distance D2 and distance D3 is equal to distance D4. Are arranged diagonally in the form of a square.

  Like IDC press-fit holes 416a-b, contact press-fit holes 414 are also positioned in a staggered configuration to minimize crosstalk and corresponding imbalance between adjacent contacts. Further details regarding the contacts and their construction will be provided with respect to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a front view of a communication plug 200 with a plug body 202 illustrated translucent to illustrate the internal components. The plug 200 includes a plug body 202, a circuit board 212, IDCs 302 a-b, and a wire guide 210, and is connected to a cable 204 including a wire pair 208 surrounded by an external insulating coating 206. Wire guide 210 positions wire pair 208 for proper engagement with IDCs 302a-b.

  A feature of the present disclosure is the angled configuration of the circuit board 212 within the plug body 202. As seen from the side (FIG. 5), the circuit board 212 is angled at an angle 502 relative to the incoming cable 204. Angle 502 may also be defined relative to other objects within plug 200, such as, for example, a horizontal plane formed by the upper and / or lower surface of plug body 202. According to a preferred embodiment, the angle 502 can be in the range of greater than 0 degrees to 20 degrees, in the range of 1 degree to 10 degrees, in the range of 3 degrees to 7 degrees, or about 5 degrees. Can be degrees. Other angles are possible as well and will depend on the available space in the plug body 202. In general, angle 502 is greater than 0 degrees, but less than the angle whose tangent is y / x, where y and x are the internal height and length of the generally rectangular internal cross section of plug body 202. Represents each. The upper limit of angle 502 includes not only the thickness of circuit board 212, the radius of the insulated wires in wire pair 208, and the shape of contacts 304 and IDCs 302a-b (see FIGS. 3A-3B), according to a preferred embodiment. Instead, it is determined by several factors other than the internal shape of the plug body 202.

  Disposing the circuit board 212 diagonally creates more space in the plug body 202, particularly in the IDC end of the plug body, so that the IDCs 302a-b do not interfere with the plug body 202 and the plug It can be mounted on both the top and bottom of the circuit board 212 without having to increase the size of the body 202. Angle 502 also allows (in the preferred embodiment) eight metal contacts to be less than needed for circuit board 212 if it was otherwise horizontal. This further minimizes the inherent coupling between adjacent contacts and the associated imbalance resulting therefrom.

  Placing IDCs 302a-b on the top and bottom sides of circuit board 212 minimizes crosstalk between differential pairs by separating adjacent wire pairs on the opposite side of circuit board 212. Another advantage for the exemplary design shown in FIGS. 1A-1B is that wire pair 3-6 no longer needs to be split around wire pair 4-5. The required split of pairs 3-6 can instead be achieved in a more controlled manner using traces on circuit board 212. This can result in a much smaller “superpair” signal being generated at plug 200, avoiding the main source of crosstalk complexity in the wire termination / IDC 302a-b region.

  FIG. 6 is an isometric view of circuit board 412b showing contacts 304a-b being inserted, according to one embodiment. The circuit board 412b can function as the circuit board 212 shown in FIGS. 2A to 2B, 3A to 3B, and FIG. 5, for example. The IDC hole pattern 416b matches that shown in FIG. 4B.

  The circuit board 412b includes eight staggered holes 414 for receiving eight metal contacts 304a-b. These contacts 304a-b can be press-fitted into the circuit board 412b or soldered, for example. The staggered configuration minimizes crosstalk and corresponding imbalance between adjacent contacts 304a-b.

  To ensure a compliant contactor position to mate with any industry standard RJ45 jack, two different shapes / sizes are provided on the staggered contacts 304a-b as shown in FIG. The shorter contacts 304a are used for holes 414 that are closer to the edge of the jack end of the circuit board 416b, while the longer contacts 304b are used for holes 414 that are further away from that edge. As illustrated, pair 3-6 is shown with longer contacts 304b, while the other pair is shown with shorter contacts 304a. The location and radius of contacts 304a-b are designed to comply with industry standard IEC 60603-7 which specifies a contact radius of 0.020 inches.

  8A and 8B are isometric views of an alternative communication plug 1200 with a plug body 1202 illustrated translucent to illustrate the internal components. Plug 1200 includes a plug body 1202 connected through a strain relief boot 1214 to a cable 1204 with an outer insulation coating 1206 positioned over a plurality of wire pairs 1208.

  Wire guide 1210 positions the wires of wire pair 1208 so that the wires may be in electrical contact with circuit board 1212 on body 1210 (via an IDC not shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B). . Body 1210 is preferably a molded plastic body with circuit board 1212 positioned thereon. The circuit board 1212 is preferably a flexible printed circuit board attached to the main body 1210. Although other implementations may be possible, the examples illustrated in FIGS. 8A-12 are described with respect to a flexible printed circuit board attached to a molded plastic body.

  The circuit board 1212 is made of TIA-568-B. Designed to introduce coupling into the data path (see FIG. 12, from wire pair 1208 to contact 1600) to provide an appropriate amount of crosstalk as required by the 2-10 standard. The circuit board 1212 may include electrical features such as embedded capacitors and inductors arranged to achieve the desired balance and crosstalk performance. The exact values and arrangement of electrical features will depend on the desired application and the electrical and / or mechanical constraints associated with that application.

  9A and 9B are perspective views of an assembly comprising a flexible circuit board 1212, a body 1216, and an IDC 1302 for use in the alternative communication plug of FIGS. 8A and 8B. The IDC 1302 is preferably press fit into a suitably sized hole or pocket 1306 at the rear end of the body 1216. Each differential pair from cable 1204 contacts circuit board 1212 through one of IDCs 1302.

  The circuit board 1212 (in the illustrated example, a flexible printed circuit board) preferably includes tin-plated contact pads that are bent over the rear end of the body 1216 as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. . The holes may be disposed in the circuit board 1212 so as to correspond to the holes or pockets 1306 in the body 1216. Then, when the IDC 1302 is pressed into the hole or pocket 1306, an inherent force creates an airtight connection between the IDC 1302 and the circuit board 1212 and a corresponding electrical connection. This configuration is also useful for securing the circuit board 1212 to the body 1216.

  As shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 10A, in the illustrated example, the IDC 1302 is located at both ends of the circuit board 1212 toward the top and bottom edges 1308 of the body 1216. This allows the individual wires in wire pair 1208a-b (not shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B) to be relatively separated when contacting circuit board 1212 through IDC 1302. This separation of adjacent wires reduces crosstalk between differential pairs 1208a-b.

  Also illustrated in FIGS. 10A and / or 10B are a plug body 1202, a cable 1204, a wire guide 1210, and a jack contact assembly 1050 from a typical RJ45 communication jack. Wire guide 1210 is used to position the wires in wire pair 1208a-b for proper and repeatable engagement with IDC 1302. For example, the wire guide 1210 can include a plurality of slots and / or retaining members configured to support individual wires at a location corresponding to the position of the IDC 1302.

  11A and 11B are perspective views of the assembly of FIG. 9A showing the IDC 1302 mounted in two alternative configurations. In FIG. 11A, the upper IDC 1302a and the lower IDC 1302b are mounted in respective linear rows aligned at each end of the circuit board 1212 on the main body 1216. In FIG. 11B, the upper IDC 1302c is mounted at one end of the circuit board 1212 at a position corresponding to the upper corner of the main body 1216 facing backward. The lower IDC 1302d is mounted at the other end of the circuit board 1212 at a position corresponding to the rear lower corner of the main body 1216.

  The design shown in FIGS. 8A-11B does not require that the wire pair 3-6 be split around the wire pair 4-5 as in the case of the exemplary plug shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The splitting can instead be performed on the circuit board 1212 in a more controlled manner, which can result in a smaller “superpair” signal generated at the plug. . This avoids the main cause of crosstalk complexity in the wire termination / IDC 1302 region.

  FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of an assembly similar to the assembly shown in FIG. 11B illustrating a contact pad 1600 for making electrical contact with an industry standard RJ45 jack. Contact 1600 is preferably eight metal contact pads located on circuit board 1212 at the end of body 1216 opposite IDC 1302. In the illustrated example, the IDC 1302 is located at both ends of the circuit board 1212, while the contact pads are located at or about the middle of the length of the circuit board 1212. Contact pad 1600 is preferably configured to exhibit an edge radius that conforms to industry standard IEC 60603-7 (0.020 inches).

  The contact pad 1600 exposes copper on the circuit board 1212 after the circuit board 1212 is wrapped around and attached to the body 1216 (in the case of a flexible circuit board), and the copper Can be produced by plating with nickel and gold. The shape of the body 1216 helps to ensure that the contacts will have compliant industry standard dimensions. Since the eight contact pads 1600 are preferably generated from traces on the circuit board 1212, the pads are essentially thin (in the height direction) and a relatively small amount of capacitance between the pair conductors and Inductive coupling results, and as a result introduces very little coupling between adjacent contact pads 1600. This can improve the balance performance for the plug.

  13-15B illustrate additional features that may be included in the above embodiments. A choke, such as a surface mount choke, may be included on the circuit board to help attenuate any common mode signal that may propagate on a particular wire pair in the plug. Preferably, one choke is included for each wire pair. By incorporating a common mode choke into the plug design, some Category 6A channels may be able to withstand fairly high levels of electromagnetic interference. The common mode choke will attenuate the common mode signal produced by the interference source, resulting in a lower noise level in the channel.

  13 and 14 illustrate the features of the choke as implemented in the embodiment of FIGS. FIG. 13 shows a plug (with plug body 202, wire guide 210, and strain relief boot 214 connected to cable 204) that interfaces with jack contact assembly 1050, while FIG. Some of the internal components of the plug (eg, circuit board 212) connected to cable 204 having 208 are shown. The circuit board 212 has two common mode chokes 1802a on the top side and two common mode chokes 1802b on the bottom side. Thus, there are a total of four chokes on each of the four wire pairs 208 to attenuate the common mode signal.

  FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate the features of a choke as implemented in the embodiment of FIGS. 8A-12, with the circuit board 1212 wrapped around a molded body 1216 between two sets of IDCs 1302a-b. It is a flexible printed circuit board. The common mode chokes 1802c to 1802d are attached to the bottom side of the circuit board 1212. When the circuit board 1212 is wrapped around the body 1216, the chokes 1802c-d will be positioned in the pockets 1218 in the body 1216. This allows the body 1216 to be increased in size while still maintaining the overall plug dimensions.

  FIG. 16 is a two-layer layout of the PCB used for the plugs of FIGS. 2A and 2B. FIG. 17 is another two-layer layout of the PCB used for the plugs of FIGS. 2A and 2B. FIG. 17 is a PCB layout of all four layers from FIGS. 16 and 17. FIGS. 16-18 show implementations for added crosstalk elements (C ′ ″ 15, C ′ ″ 16, C ′ ″ 83, and C ′ ″ 84), and common mode choke positions. The form is illustrated. A crosstalk element is a pad capacitor where one side of the capacitor is on one layer of the PCB and the other side of the capacitor is on another layer of the PCB. A common mode choke is designed for differential signal applications and is a single with each of two differential coils / conductors wrapped around a core with a coil in series with each PCB trace. Includes ferrite core. As the differential signal propagates through the choke, there are equal and opposite current flows through the differential conductor. This results in the cancellation of magnetic flux in the ferrite core resulting in a low impedance path for the differential signal. When a common mode signal propagates through a choke, the current flow through the conductor is equal and the same direction of propagation. This creates a cumulative magnetic flux in the ferrite core that results in the increased impedance seen by the common mode signal.

  Assuming an arrangement of eight plug contacts and conductors in the prior art plug of FIGS. 1A and 1B, there is an inherent amount of imbalance in the coupling between the differential pairs. In the IPC contact region, the conductor 2IPC of the differential pair 1-2 is closer to the conductor 3IPC of the differential pair 3-6 than the conductor 1IPC of the differential pair 1-2. This is evident in FIG. 1B). This results in an asymmetric crosstalk relationship between pair 1-2 and pair 3-6 that causes mode conversion due to unequal capacitive loads on conductor 1 and conductor 2 of differential pair 1-2. As a result. Capacitive crosstalk between pair 1-2 and pair 3-6 is dominated by this coupling in the IPC contact area.

  By reducing the surface area of the plug contacts as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 compared to the plug contacts of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the capacitive coupling between the contacts is reduced, thereby reducing the pair 1 The inherent asymmetric crosstalk between -2 and pair 3-6 is reduced. Furthermore, the overall crosstalk between the pairs is also reduced due to the reduction in surface area. ANSI / TIA-568-C. In order to remain in compliance with the plug's differential crosstalk requirements in FIG. 2, additional crosstalk is added to the printed circuit board (PCB) in the form of embedded capacitors as shown in FIGS. . Capacitors introduced between conductor 1 of pair 1-2 and conductor 6 of pair 3-6 result in an asymmetric crosstalk relationship between pair 1-2 and pair 3-6 on the PCB. Bring. This asymmetry in the PCB is mirrored with respect to the asymmetry of the contact area. The mode conversion introduced by the imbalance in capacitive coupling in the contact area is offset by the mode conversion introduced by the imbalance in capacitive coupling on the PCB. The final capacitive crosstalk between pair 1-2 and pair 3-6 in the plug is then balanced, and all mode conversions are on conductor 1 and conductor 2 of pair 1-2. Minimized due to equivalent capacitive load.

Crosstalk in the prior art plugs of FIGS. 1A and 1B is a distributed electrical parameter of the plug contact and the cable wire connected to the contact, in particular the distributed inductance and capacitance of these components, And the correlation of parameters including the corresponding capacitive and inductive coupling associated with them. However, the dominant mode of coupling is primarily capacitive due to the plug contact, which is proportional to the area of the flat plate (contact) and the distance between the capacitor flat plates (contacts). It can be almost considered as a flat plate capacitor having an inversely proportional capacitance. Furthermore, the crosstalk between the pair conductors is substantially proportional to the capacitance between the pair conductors. Assuming CXY is crosstalk between conductors X and Y (generally proportional to the capacitance between the contacts), for pairs 1-2 and 3-6, between the conductors of pairs 1-2 and 3-6 Because of the relative distance of
ANSI / TIA-568-C. C23-C13 + C16-C26 within 2 non-embedded XTLK range (request 1)
And C23 >> C13 >> C26 >> C16 (Relation 1)
Get. Since none of C23, C13, C26, and C16 are equal, relation 1 (relation 1) exhibits asymmetric crosstalk and ANSI / TIA-568-C. Any plug that meets requirement 2 must meet requirement 1 (requirement 1). Also for the following considerations, and because the coupling between the contacts 2 and 3 is dominant due to the relatively closeness,
C23−C13 + C16−C26 = C′23 (Formula 1)
Assume that

  In contrast, the present invention reduces the crosstalk in the plug contact area due to the reduction of the contact area and also provides the isolated through-hole feature of the plug contact to a separate, new IDC element connected to the PCB. Crosstalk is reduced due to the separation and the IDC elements can be knitted in a partially balanced or balanced direction as described above. In the present invention, each of the novel plug contact crosstalk couplings C ″ 23, C ″ 13, C ″ 16, C ″ 26 is represented by their respective counterparts C23, C13, C16, C26 in the prior art plug. Smaller than individual. As a result, C ″ 23, C ″ 13, C ″ 16, and C ″ 26 are assigned to Equation 1 (Equation 1), and the left side of the equation is smaller than C′23, and requirement 1 is not satisfied again. That is, C "23-C" 13 + C "16-C" 26 is ANSI / TIA-568-C. It can be outside the 2 non-embedded XTLK range. C ″ 23, C ″ 13, C ″ 16, C ″ 26 still contain asymmetric crosstalk because they are not all equal. The reduction of the novel plug contact crosstalk C "23, C" 13, C "16, C" 26 provides at least one degree of design freedom that is advantageously used in the present invention.

In the present invention, C "23-C" 13 + C "16-C" 26 + C '"16 is ANSI / TIA-568-C. Add an element C ′ ″ 16 in the PCB at asymmetric crosstalk so that it is in the 2 non-embedded XTLK range. Furthermore, the value of C ′ ″ 16 is
C ″ 23−C ″ 13 + C ″ 16−C ″ 26 = C ′ ″ 23 (effective plug contact crosstalk) = C ′ ″ 16 (formula 2)
Selected to be. When the new effective plug contact crosstalk C ′ ″ 23 is effective between the contact conductor (2-3), C ′ ″ 16 is the opposite contact conductor (1-6). C ′ ″ 16 is a mirrored crosstalk element as it is disposed between. C ″ ′16 is the second asymmetric coupling element in terms of other unique plug PCB coupling elements for this pair combination, which is the distributed electrical parameter of the PCB transmission line. Due to the above, it has a value much lower than C ′ ″ 16. When C ″ ′16 is combined with an inherently asymmetric coupling C ′ ″ 23, a balanced symmetric coupling is a combination of this pair because of the equality or near equality of Equation 2. Between the individual contacts. The present invention provides a balanced symmetrical between the individual contacts for this pair combination that results in minimizing mode conversion due to equivalent capacitive loads on each conductor of pair 1-2. There is a bond.

  The same technique is used for pair 1-2 and pair 4-5 (see component C ′ ″ 15), pair 3-6 and pair 7-8 (see component C ′ ″ 83), and pair 4- 5 and pair 7-8 (see component C ′ ″ 84) apply on PCB. In the case of pair combination 3-6, 4-5, the combination is a naturally balanced symmetrical combination for split pair 3-6 around pair 4-5, but this pair combination If the level of crosstalk for needs to be raised within the non-embedded range, coupling can be added between 3-4 and 5-6 in approximately equivalent amounts. Because of the separation between these pairs and the corresponding low level of crosstalk, the pair combinations 1-2, 7-8 are not important. The balanced features of the IDC provide at least one design degree of freedom that is advantageously used in the present invention in that the IDC layout as described above also reduces the inherent asymmetric coupling of the plug.

  While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Furthermore, this application is intended to cover departures from this disclosure as falling within the scope of well-known or customary practice in the art to which this invention belongs and that is within the scope of the appended claims.

108 208 (wire) pair 200 communication plug 202 plug body 204 cable 206 outer insulation coating 210 wire guide 212 circuit board 214 relaxation boot
300 Assembly 304 Contact

Claims (14)

A communication plug for making electrical contact between a communication cable and a communication jack,
The plug body having a cavity for receiving the communication cable entering the plug body along an axis;
A circuit board located in the cavity, having a plurality of traces and having at least one surface angled with respect to the axis;
A first contact for electrically contacting the trace on the circuit board and the communication cable, wherein a contact of a specific wire pair is equidistant from both of the contacts of a plurality of other wire pairs The first contacts are arranged in a staggered manner, and the first contacts,
A second contact for making electrical contact between the trace on the circuit board and the contact on the jack to which the plug forms an interface;
A communication plug.   The communication plug of claim 1, wherein the plurality of traces are arranged to provide a coupling between at least two of the plurality of traces.   The communication cable has eight wires arranged in four pairs, and the first contact is in four IDC pairs for making electrical contact with a corresponding one of the eight wires. Eight insulated displacement contacts (IDC) arranged, the second contact is eight contacts, and the circuit board has eight traces extending between the IDC and the eight contacts. The communication plug according to claim 1, comprising:   The communication plug according to claim 3, wherein the IDC is press-fitted into a hole of the circuit board.   The communication plug according to claim 4, wherein the first subset of the IDC is press-fitted into the top side of the circuit board, and the second subset of the IDC is press-fitted into the bottom side of the circuit board.   The communication plug of claim 3, wherein the holes are arranged in a staggered configuration to provide a balanced connection to adjacent IDC pairs.   The communication plug according to claim 1, wherein the second contact is press-fitted into a hole on the circuit board.   The communication plug of claim 7, wherein the subset of holes for the second contact is staggered.   The communication plug according to claim 8, wherein the first subset of the second contacts has a shape different from the shape of the second subset of the second contacts.   The communication plug of claim 1, wherein the at least one surface is angled with respect to the axis in a range of about 1 to 10 degrees.   The circuit board has a length, the cavity has a length, a width, and a height; each of the length, width, and height of the cavity is shorter than the length of the circuit board; The communication plug according to claim 1.   The communication of claim 1, wherein the circuit board includes a plurality of layers, the plurality of traces are arranged on the plurality of layers, and the circuit board includes at least two crossovers of the plurality of traces. plug.   The communication plug of claim 1, wherein the circuit board includes a common mode choke for each pair of traces on the circuit board. The communication plug according to claim 13 , wherein the common mode choke is a surface mount choke.

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