Patent ID: 6203333
Filing Date: 2001-03-20
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
An interface converter module for interconnecting data signals between a first transmission medium and a second transmission medium, the interface converter module comprising:a conductive housing having a first end and a second end;a first electrical connector at the first end of the conductive housing configured to mate to a corresponding host connector associated with said first transmission medium;a flexible cable having a metallic shield, the flexible cable extending from the second end of the conductive housing, the flexible cable having a module end and a media end, the metallic shield being electrically connected to the conductive housing at the module end;a media connector attached to the media end of the flexible cable so as to allow the flexible cable to be connected to the second transmission medium, and wherein the media connector has a physical shape which is different than a physical shape of the first electrical connector;a printed circuit board mounted within said conductive housing and having mounted thereon electronic circuitry, the electronic circuitry includes means for converting data signals from said first transmission medium to said second transmission medium and from said second transmission medium to said first transmission medium;first and second apertures formed in the first end of the conductive housing located on each side of the first electrical connector; andfirst and second guide tabs integrally formed with and extending from a first end of the printed circuit board, the first guide tab being arranged to protrude through the first aperture, the second guide tab being arranged to protrude through the second aperture, each of the first and second guide tabs having a conductive material adhered to at least one side thereof and electrically connected to a circuit ground plane formed on the printed circuit board, and whereinthe electronic circuitry includes a transmit portion and a receive portion, and wherein the metallic shield of the flexible cable is attached to the conductive housing so as to electromagnetically seal the second end of the conductive housing.