Patent ID: 8579636
Filing Date: 2013-11-12
Classification: H01R,H05K

Abstract:
1. A midplane connector system comprising: a midplane assembly comprising a midplane circuit board having a first side and a second side, the midplane assembly comprising a first header assembly mounted to and extending from the first side of the midplane circuit board and a second header assembly mounted to and extending from the second side of the midplane circuit board, the midplane assembly having a plurality of signal paths each comprising a signal contact of the first header assembly, a conductive via through the midplane circuit board and a signal contact of the second header assembly, each of the signal paths including the signal contacts of the first and second header assemblies being received in the same via; a first connector assembly having a first circuit board and a first receptacle assembly coupled to the first circuit board, the first receptacle assembly being coupled to the first header assembly, the first receptacle assembly having contact modules having receptacle signal contacts arranged in pairs, the receptacle signal contacts of the first connector assembly having mating portions, the mating portions of pairs of receptacle signal contacts of the first connector assembly being aligned along a first pair plane oriented parallel to the first circuit board, the receptacle signal contacts of the first connector assembly being coupled to corresponding signal contacts of the first header assembly; and a second connector assembly having a second circuit board and a second receptacle assembly coupled to the second circuit board, the second receptacle assembly being coupled to the second header assembly, the second receptacle assembly having contact modules having receptacle signal contacts arranged in pairs, the receptacle signal contacts of the second connector assembly having mating portions, the mating portions of pairs of receptacle signal contacts of the second connector assembly being aligned along a second pair plane oriented perpendicular to the second circuit board, the receptacle signal contacts of the second connector assembly being coupled to corresponding signal contacts of the second header assembly, the mating portions of receptacle signal contacts of the second connector assembly surrounding corresponding signal contacts of the second header assembly on at least two sides thereof.