Electrical connector having shielding at the interface with the circuit board

A contact module includes a dielectric body holding signal contacts and a shield coupled to the dielectric body having grounding portions providing electrical shielding for the signal contacts. Each grounding portion includes a base edge generally coplanar with the base edges of the signal contacts and a compliant pin extending below the base edge. Each grounding portion includes a surface tab extending below the base edge to at least partially fill a space between the base edge of the grounding portion and a mounting surface of the circuit board such that the surface tab provides electrical shielding for the compliant pins of the signal contacts in the space between the base edge of the signal contact and the mounting surface of the circuit board.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter herein relates generally to electrical connectors.

Some electrical systems utilize electrical connectors, such as header assemblies and receptacle assemblies, to interconnect two circuit boards, such as a motherboard and daughtercard. The electrical connectors include contacts having pins extending from a mounting end of the electrical connectors. The pins are through-hole mounted to the circuit board by loading the pins into plated vias in the circuit board. A pin spacer is typically provided that holds and positions the pins for press-fitting to the circuit board. The electrical connectors include electrical shielding extending along the signal contacts of the electrical connectors. However, conventional electrical connectors have a gap or space in the electrical shielding at the interface with the circuit board. For example, the shielding typically ends a distance above the top of the circuit board such that the shield does not interfere with or prevent full mounting of the electrical connector to the circuit board. The shielding may end at the bottom of the contact modules with a space being defined by the thickness of the pin spacer between the bottom of the shield and the top of the circuit board. The pins are largely unshielded in the space between the bottom of the contact modules and the top of the circuit board.

A need remains for a contact module having improved shielding, such as between the contact modules and the top of the circuit board.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a contact module is provided including a dielectric body having a mounting edge extending between first and second sides and signal contacts held by the dielectric body. The signal contacts have mounting portions extending from the mounting edge for termination to a circuit board. Each mounting portion has a base edge and a compliant pin extending below the base edge. The compliant pin is configured to be received in plated vias of the circuit board. A shield is provided at the first side of the dielectric body. The shield has grounding portions at the mounting edge of the dielectric body. Each grounding portion provides electrical shielding for the corresponding signal contacts. Each grounding portion includes a base edge and a compliant pin extending below the base edge. The base edge of the grounding portion is generally coplanar with the base edges of the mounting portions of the corresponding signal contacts. The compliant pin is configured to be received in a corresponding plated via of the circuit board. Each grounding portion includes a surface tab extending below the base edge to at least partially fill a space between the base edge of the grounding portion and a mounting surface of the circuit board such that the surface tab provides electrical shielding for the compliant pins of the signal contacts in the space between the base edge of the signal contact and the mounting surface of the circuit board.

In another embodiment, a contact module is provided including a dielectric body having a mounting edge extending between first and second sides and signal contacts held by the dielectric body. The signal contacts have mounting portions extending from the mounting edge for termination to a circuit board. The mounting portions include compliant pins configured to be received in plated vias of the circuit board. A shield is provided at the first side of the dielectric body. The shield has grounding portions at the mounting edge of the dielectric body. Each grounding portion provides electrical shielding for the corresponding signal contacts. Each grounding portion includes a compliant pin configured to be received in a corresponding plated via of the circuit board. Each grounding portion includes a compliant surface tab configured to face a mounting surface of the circuit board. The compliant surface tab is configured to be deflected against the mounting surface of the circuit board when interfering with the mounting surface as the contact module is press-mounted to the circuit board.

In another embodiment, an electrical connector is provided including a housing having a mating end and a back end opposite the mating end, contact modules arranged in a contact module stack received in and extending from the back end of the housing for termination to a circuit board, and a pin spacer arranged at a mounting end of the contact module stack between the mounting end and the circuit board. Each contact module includes a dielectric body having a mounting edge extending between first and second sides and signal contacts held by the dielectric body. The signal contacts have mounting portions extending from the mounting edge for termination to a circuit board. Each mounting portion has a base edge and a compliant pin extending below the base edge. The compliant pin is configured to be received in plated vias of the circuit board. A shield is provided at the first side of the dielectric body. The shield has grounding portions at the mounting edge of the dielectric body. Each grounding portion provides electrical shielding for the corresponding signal contacts. Each grounding portion includes a base edge and a compliant pin extending below the base edge. The base edge of the grounding portion is generally coplanar with the base edges of the mounting portions of the corresponding signal contacts. The compliant pin is configured to be received in a corresponding plated via of the circuit board. Each grounding portion includes a surface tab extending below the base edge. The pin spacer includes a top and a bottom with signal contact openings receiving the compliant pins of the signal contacts and ground contact openings receiving the compliant pins of the grounding portions. The pin spacer has ground contact pockets receiving corresponding surface tabs. The pin spacer has ledges surrounding the signal contact openings, the ground contact openings and the ground contact pockets. The base edge of each signal contact is supported by a corresponding ledge of the pin spacer. The base edge of each grounding portion is supported by a corresponding ledge of the pin spacer. The surface tabs extend below the ledge into the ground contact pocket to at least partially fill a space between the base edge of the grounding portion and a mounting surface of the circuit board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is a front perspective view of an electrical connector system100formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.FIG. 2is a rear perspective view of the electrical connector system100. The connector system100includes an electrical connector102configured to be mounted to a circuit board104(FIG. 1).FIG. 1shows the electrical connector102poised for mounting to the circuit board104.FIGS. 1 and 2illustrate the bottom of the electrical connector102to illustrate the mounting side of the electrical connector102. The electrical connector102is configured to be mated with a mating electrical connector, such as a header connector, which may also be mounted to a circuit board. For example, the mating electrical connector may be a STRADA Whisper backplane connector, commercially available from TE Connectivity. Various types of connector assemblies may be used in various embodiments, such as a right angle connector, a vertical connector or another type of connector.

The electrical connector102includes a housing120that holds a plurality of contact modules122. The contact modules122are held in a stacked configuration generally parallel to one another. The contact modules122may be loaded into the housing120side-by-side in the stacked configuration as a unit or group. Any number of contact modules122may be provided in the electrical connector102. The contact modules122each include a plurality of signal contacts124(shown in further detail inFIG. 3) that define signal paths through the electrical connector102.

The electrical connector102includes a front128defining a mating end and a bottom130defining a mounting end. Optionally, the mounting end may be oriented substantially perpendicular to the mating end. The mating and mounting ends may be at different locations other than the front128and bottom130in alternative embodiments. The signal contacts124are received in the housing120and held therein at the mating end128for electrical termination to the mating electrical connector. The signal contacts124are arranged in a matrix of rows and columns. The signal contacts124within each column are provided within a respective same contact module122. The signal contacts124within each row are provided in multiple, different contact modules122. Other orientations are possible in alternative embodiments. Any number of signal contacts124may be provided in the rows and columns. Optionally, the signal contacts124may be arranged in pairs carrying differential signals; however other signal arrangements are possible in alternative embodiments, such as single ended applications. The signal contacts124extend through the electrical connector102from the mating end to the mounting end for mounting to the circuit board104.

In an exemplary embodiment, each contact module122has a shield structure126for providing electrical shielding for the signal contacts124. For example, the shield structure126may provide shielding from electromagnetic interference (EMI) and/or radio frequency interference (RFI), and may provide shielding from other types of interference as well to better control electrical characteristics, such as impedance, cross-talk, and the like, of the signal contacts124. The contact modules122may provide shielding for each pair of signal contacts124along substantially the entire length of the signal contacts124between the mounting end and the mating end. In an exemplary embodiment, the shield structure126is configured to be electrically connected to the mating electrical connector and/or the circuit board104. The shield structure126may be electrically connected to the circuit board104by features, such as grounding pins and/or surface tabs.

The housing120includes a plurality of signal contact openings132and a plurality of ground contact openings134at the mating end128. The signal contacts124are received in corresponding signal contact openings132. Optionally, a single signal contact124is received in each signal contact opening132. The signal contact openings132may also receive corresponding mating signal contacts (for example, pins or blade contacts) of the mating electrical connector. The ground contact openings134receive mating ground contacts (for example, C-shaped ground shields) of the mating electrical connector therein. The ground contact openings134also receive portions of the shield structure126(for example, beams and/or fingers) of the contact modules122that mate with the mating ground contacts to electrically common the shield structure126with the mating electrical connector.

The housing120is manufactured from a dielectric material, such as a plastic material, and provides isolation between the signal contact openings132and the ground contact openings134. The housing120isolates the signal contacts124from the shield structure126. The housing120isolates each set (for example, differential pair) of signal contacts124from other sets of signal contacts124.

The electrical connector102includes a pin spacer136provided at the bottom130of the electrical connector102. The pin spacer136is used to hold the relative positions of the signal pins and ground pins for mounting to the circuit board104. The pin spacer136includes pin openings138(shown inFIG. 9) being spaced apart in an array corresponding to a particular pinout of plated vias (not shown) in the circuit board104to which the electrical connector102is mounted. The pin spacer136is captured between the bottoms of the contact modules122and the circuit board104when the electrical connector102is mounted to the circuit board104. In an exemplary embodiment, the pin spacer136receives portions of the shield structure126to provide electrical shielding for the signal pins in the space between the bottoms of the contact modules122and a mounting surface106of the circuit board104. As such, the shielding structure126provides electrical shielding within the pin spacer136and possible entirely through the pin spacer136to the mounting surface106of the circuit board104.

FIG. 3is a bottom perspective view of one of the contact modules122in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.FIG. 4is an enlarged view of one of the contact modules122identified by the area4-4shown inFIG. 3. The contact module122includes a frame assembly150having a leadframe defining the signal contacts124and a dielectric body152holding the signal contacts124. The contact module122includes a conductive holder154holding the frame assembly150. The conductive holder154defines at least a portion of the shield structure126. The conductive holder154generally surrounds the dielectric body152and the signal contacts124along substantially the entire length of the signal contacts124between the mounting end at the bottom130and the mating end at the front128to provide electrical shielding.

The conductive holder154has a front156configured to be loaded into the housing120(shown inFIG. 1), a rear157opposite the front156, a bottom158which optionally may be adjacent to the circuit board104(shown inFIG. 1), and a top159generally opposite the bottom158. The bottom158of the conductive holder154defines a bottom of the contact module122at the bottom130of the electrical connector102. The conductive holder154also defines right and left sides160,162of the contact module122, as viewed from the front.

The conductive holder154is fabricated from a conductive material which provides electrical shielding for the contact module122. For example, the conductive holder154may be die-cast, or alternatively stamped and formed, from a metal material. In other alternative embodiments, the holder154may be fabricated from a plastic material that has been metalized or coated with a metallic layer. In other embodiments, rather than a conductive holder, the holder154may be non-conductive. In other embodiments, the contact module122may be provided without the conductive holder154altogether.

The signal contacts124have mating portions164extending forward from the front156of the conductive holder154. The mating portions164are configured to be electrically terminated to corresponding mating signal contacts (not shown) when the electrical connector102is mated to the mating electrical connector (not shown). In an exemplary embodiment, the signal contacts124have mounting portions165at opposite ends from the mating portions164that extend downward below the bottom158of the conductive holder154. In an exemplary embodiment, the signal contacts124in each contact module122are arranged as contact pairs168configured to transmit differential signals through the contact module122.

In an exemplary embodiment, the mounting portions165include compliant pins166, which may be referred to as signal pins166, such as to differentiate from ground pins. In the illustrated embodiment, the compliant pins166are eye-of-the-needle pins. The signal pins166electrically connect the contact module122to the circuit board104(shown inFIG. 1). The signal pins166are configured to be terminated to the circuit board104. For example, the signal pins166may be received in corresponding plated vias or through-holes of the circuit board104. The signal pins166have enlarged areas167that are configured to engage corresponding plated vias of the circuit board104by an interference fit to mechanically and electrically couple the signal pins166to the circuit board104. In an exemplary embodiment, the mating portions164extend generally perpendicular with respect to the signal pins166(for example, horizontally and vertically, respectively)

In an exemplary embodiment, each contact module122includes first and second ground shields176,178, which define at least a portion of the shield structure126. The ground shields176,178may be positioned along the interior sides of the conductive holder154, such as between the conductive holder154and the dielectric body152. For example, the first ground shield176may be positioned along the right side160of the conductive holder154(when viewed from the front), and as such, may be hereinafter referred to as the right ground shield176. When attached to the conductive holder154, the right ground shield176electrically connects to the conductive holder154. The second ground shield178may be positioned along the left side162of the conductive holder154, and may be hereinafter referred to as the left ground shield178. When attached to the conductive holder154, the left ground shield178electrically connects to the conductive holder154. The ground shields176,178are configured to provide electrical shielding for the signal contacts124. The ground shields176,178electrically connect the contact module122to the mating electrical connector, such as to ground shields thereof, thereby electrically commoning the connection between the electrical connector102and the mating electrical connector. Optionally, a single ground shield may be used rather than two ground shields. The ground shields176,178may be similar and include similar features and components. As such, the description below may include description of either ground shield, which may be relevant to the other ground shield and like components may be identified with like reference numerals.

FIG. 5is a perspective view of the ground shield178.FIG. 6is an enlarged view of a portion of the ground shield178identified by the line6-6shown inFIG. 5. The ground shield178includes a main body180that is generally planar and configured to extend alongside of the dielectric body152and the conductive holder154(both shown inFIG. 3). In an exemplary embodiment, the ground shield178is stamped and formed from a stock piece of metal material.

The main body180may include a plurality of strips182separated by gaps, which may be interconnected by tie bars between the strips182. Alternatively, the main body180may be a solid sheet without the gaps and strips182. In other various embodiments, the main body180may include tabs bent inward configured to be received in and extend at least partially through the dielectric body152(shown inFIG. 3). The ground shield178includes grounding beams184at a front186of the main body180. The ground shield176includes grounding portions188at a bottom190of the main body180. The grounding portions188provide electrical shielding for the signal contacts124(shown inFIG. 3). The grounding portions188are configured to be terminated to the circuit board104(shown inFIG. 1).

In an exemplary embodiment, each grounding portion188includes a surface tab192configured to face the circuit board104and which may engage and be electrically connected to the mounting face of the circuit board104. Each grounding portion188includes a compliant pin194, which may be referred to as a ground pin194, such as to differentiate from the signal pins166(shown inFIG. 3). In the illustrated embodiment, the compliant pins194are eye-of-the-needle pins. The compliant pins194extend from lateral tabs195, which are bent approximately perpendicular to the main body180. The lateral tabs195allow the compliant pins194to be offset from the plane of the main body180, such as to position the compliant pins194in line with the signal contacts124, as described in further detail below. The lateral tab195and corresponding compliant pin194are provided at one end of the surface tab192. The compliant pin194electrically connects the ground shield178to the circuit board104. The compliant pin194is configured to be terminated to the circuit board104. For example, the compliant pin194may be received in a corresponding plated via or through-hole of the circuit board104. The compliant pin194has an enlarged area197having a greater width than other portions of the compliant pin194that is configured to engage the corresponding plated via of the circuit board104by an interference fit to mechanically and electrically couple the compliant pin194to the circuit board104.

The surface tab192is an extension from the main body180extending downward therefrom for providing additional shielding below the bottom190of the main body180. The surface tab192provides shielding in the space between the main body180and the circuit board104for shielding portions of the signal contacts124otherwise unshielded without the provision of the surface tab192. For example, the grounding portion188includes a base edge196defining the bottom190of the main body180. The surface tab192extends below the base edge196and thus provides shielding below the base edge196of the main body180.

In an exemplary embodiment, the surface tab192is a compliant surface tab192configured to be deflected, such as against the mounting surface106of the circuit board104. For example, when the contact module122is press mounted to the circuit board104with the electrical connector102, the surface tab192may interfere with the mounting surface106and be pressed upward by the circuit board104. The grounding portion188includes a gap198above the surface tab192. The surface tab192is deflectable into the gap198. The surface tab192, in the illustrated embodiment, is supported at a first fixed end200and a second fixed end202. The surface tab192is a curved or arched beam between the ends200,202below the gap198. However, in alternative embodiments, the surface tab192may be supported at only one of the ends200or202, with the other end200or202being a free end, such as an embodiment being separated at the dashed line204(FIG. 6). In other alternative embodiments, the surface tab192may be formed by two opposed tab segments supported at the ends200,202, respectively, and facing each other at the center of the surface tab192, such as an embodiment being separated at the dashed line206(FIG. 6).

Returning toFIG. 4, the ground shields176,178are shown in the conductive holder154along first and second sides210,212of the dielectric body152. The grounding portions188of the ground shields176,178provide shielding for the pairs of signal contacts124. For example, one grounding portion188of the ground shield176cooperates with a corresponding grounding portion188of the ground shield178to provide shielding on all four sides of the corresponding pair of signal contacts124. For example, the surface tabs192provide shielding along opposite sides of the pair of signal contacts124while the compliant pins194provide shielding along opposite ends of the pair of signal contacts124. In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral tabs195and the compliant pins194of the ground shield176are provided forward of the corresponding pair of compliant pins166while the lateral tabs195and the compliant pins194of the ground shield178are provided rearward of the corresponding pair of compliant pins166.

The dielectric body152has a mounting edge214, which may be recessed relative to the bottom158of the conductive holder154(for example, elevated above the bottom158), flush with the bottom158, or extend below the bottom158. The grounding portions188, including the compliant pins194and the surface tabs192, extend below the mounting edge214, such as for mounting to the circuit board104. The mounting portions165, including the compliant pins166, extend below the mounting edge214for mounting to the circuit board104(shown inFIG. 1). In an exemplary embodiment, each signal contact124includes a base edge216exposed below the mounting edge214or flush with the mounting edge214. Optionally, the base edges216of the signal contacts124are generally coplanar with the base edges196of the grounding portions188of the ground shields176,178.

FIG. 7is a perspective view of a portion of the contact module122showing the mounting end thereof.FIG. 7shows the ground shields176,178coupled to the dielectric body152with the contact holder154(shown inFIG. 3) removed to show the ground shield176.FIG. 7shows a portion of the frame assembly150(FIG. 3) including the dielectric body152and the signal contacts124, which may be part of a leadframe. For example, the signal contacts124may be stamped and formed from a leadframe. The dielectric body152may be an overmolded frame surrounding portions of the leadframe and the signal contacts124. Manufacturing processes other than overmolding a leadframe may be utilized to form the frame assembly150, such as loading signal contacts124into a formed dielectric body.

The ground shields176,178may be coupled to posts extending from the dielectric body152or to other securing features to position and secure the ground shields176,178to the dielectric body152. The strips182extend along corresponding portions of the dielectric body152to cover and provide shielding for the pair of signal contacts124passing through such portions of the dielectric body152. The dielectric body152includes slots220at the mounting edge214that receive corresponding lateral tabs195of the ground shields176,178. The slots220allow positioning of the lateral tabs195and the compliant pins194in the dielectric body152such that the compliant pins194of the ground shields176,178are aligned with the compliant pins166of the signal contacts124along a compliant pin axis222.

In an exemplary embodiment, the compliant pin194associated with the first ground shield176is arranged at a forward end224of the corresponding pair of signal contacts124while the compliant pin194associated with the second ground shield178is arranged at a rearward end226of the corresponding pair of signal contacts124. Both complaint pins166of the signal contacts124are positioned between the complaint pins194of the first and second ground shields176,178. As such, the compliant pins194provide electrical shielding forward and rearward of the compliant pins166. The surface tab192associated with the first ground shield176is arranged at a first side of the corresponding pair of signal contacts124while the surface tab192associated with the second ground shield178is arranged at an opposite second side of the corresponding pair of signal contacts124. Both surface tabs192span across both signal contacts124of the corresponding pair of signal contacts124. For example, the fixed ends200,202are located outside of (for example, forward of or rearward of) the compliant pins166. Both complaint pins166are positioned between the surface tabs192of the first and second ground shields176,178. As such, the surface tabs192provide electrical shielding along opposite sides of the compliant pins166.

The surface tabs192do not require plated vias in the circuit board104, and thus there is more room in the circuit board104for routing traces between rows of signal vias. As such, the number of layers of the circuit board104may be reduced as compared to electrical connectors that have ground shields with ground pins located between rows of signal contacts. Because the compliant pins194are in line with the signal contacts124and not along the sides of the signal contacts124(for example, not in a parallel row), there is additional space in the circuit board104for routing the signal traces, such as along both sides of the signal vias as opposed to just one side of the signal vias. The surface tabs192are provided to provide shielding along the sides of the signal contacts124without needing ground vias in the circuit board104. The surface tabs192provide a similar level of signal integrity performance and shielding as electrical connectors having ground shields with compliant ground pins along the sides of the signal contacts, but without the need for offset ground vias in the circuit board104.

FIG. 8is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the electrical connector102mounted to the circuit board104.FIG. 9is a bottom view of a portion of the electrical connector102showing the pin spacer136.FIG. 8shows the pin spacer136at the mounting end of the electrical connector102, between the mounting surface106of the circuit board104and the mounting edge214of the dielectric body152. The grounding portions188of the ground shield178extend from the mounting edge214and are received in the pin spacer136(FIG. 8). The compliant pins194of the ground shields176,178pass through the pin spacer136for termination to the circuit board104. Similarly, the compliant pins166of the signal contacts124pass through the pin spacer136for termination to the circuit board104.

The pin spacer136includes a plate300having a top302and a bottom304. The pin spacer136includes a plurality of ground contact pockets306(FIG. 8) receiving corresponding grounding portions188of the ground shields176,178. The pin openings138(FIG. 9) receiving the compliant pins194are open to the ground contact pockets306. Similarly, the pin spacer136includes a plurality of signal contact pockets (not shown) receiving the mounting portions165of the signal contacts124with the pin openings138receiving the compliant pins166open to such signal contact pockets. The ground contact pockets306have ledges308(FIG. 8) recessed below the top302. The base edges196of the grounding portions188rest on the ledges308. For example, the pin spacer136is pressed onto the bottom130of the electrical connector102until the pin spacer136bottoms out against the base edges196(and the base edges216of the signal contacts124shown inFIG. 7).

In an exemplary embodiment, the surface tabs192of the grounding portions188extend below the base edges196and below the ledges308. For example, the ground contact pockets306may have channels310extending toward the bottom304that receive the surface tabs192. The channels310are provided in a space312(FIG. 8) between the ledges308and the mounting surface106of the circuit board104. For example, the space312is defined in the bottom half of the pin spacer136. The channels310may be open at the bottom304, which may allow the surface tabs192to extend entirely through the pin spacer136. In the illustrated embodiment, the surface tabs192are curved and protrude downward into the channels310from the fixed ends200,202such that bottom edges314of the surface tabs192are substantially flush with the bottom304of the pin spacer136. As such, the bottom edges314may engage or almost engage the mounting surface106of the circuit board104.

By extending the surface tabs192below the base edges196, the surface tabs192provide electrical shielding in the space312. As such, the surface tabs192provide electrical shielding between pairs of the signal contacts124in the space312, an area otherwise devoid of shielding material. For example, compared to a grounding portion extending straight across the ledges308(for example, without the surface tab192), the grounding portion188with the surface tab192provides improved shielding, such as along the mounting surface106of the circuit board104. While the compliant pins194also extend through the space312, the compliant pins194only provide shielding between pairs of the signal contacts124within the same row. The surface tabs192provide shielding between the pairs of the signal contacts124in different rows. The surface tabs192do not have pins that need to be received in plated vias in the circuit board104, and thus there is more room in the circuit board104for routing traces between rows of signal vias. The surface tabs192provide signal integrity performance and shielding along the sides of the signal contacts124without the need for offset ground vias in the circuit board. Optionally, two surface tabs192are provided between the rows of signal contacts124(for example, one from each contact module).

In an exemplary embodiment, the surface tabs192are compliant surface tabs. The compliant surface tabs192are deflectable. For example, the complaint surface tabs192may be deflected against the mounting surface106of the circuit board104when interfering with the mounting surface106as the electrical connector102is press-mounted to the circuit board104. The surface tabs192do not extend into the circuit board104and the circuit board104does not need plated vias that receive the surface tabs192. Rather, the surface tabs192face or abut against the mounting surface106of the circuit board104. The compliant surface tab192may interfere with the mounting surface106when the electrical connector102is over-pressed against the circuit board104. For example, the pin spacer136may compress during mounting to the circuit board104or the base edges196may dig into the pin spacer136causing the compliant surface tabs192to physically engage the mounting surface106, which would cause deflection of the surface tab192. In other various embodiments, the compliant surface tabs192may be designed to engage the circuit board104upon normal loading forces. For example, the compliant surface tabs192may be flush with the bottom304or may extend beyond the bottom304to ensure that the bottom edges314interfere with and engage the mounting surface106of the circuit board104, thus filling the entire height of the space312. The surface tabs192may be cantilevered beams configured to engage and deflect against the mounting surface106of the circuit board104.

FIG. 10is a bottom perspective view of a portion of one of the contact modules122in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The contact module122is shown with solid or non-deflectable surface tabs192, rather than the deflectable surface tabs shown inFIG. 6. The non-deflectable surface tabs192of the grounding portions188are provided on both ground shields176,178. The grounding portions188provide electrical shielding for the signal contacts124. The grounding portions188are configured to be terminated to the circuit board104(shown inFIG. 1). The non-deflectable surface tabs192face the circuit board104and may abut against the circuit board104when assembled.

FIG. 11is a perspective view of a portion of the ground shield178showing the non-deflectable surface tab192. In an exemplary embodiment, each grounding portion188includes one of the surface tabs192, which may engage and be electrically connected to the mounting face of the circuit board104. In an exemplary embodiment, each grounding portion188includes one of the compliant pins194, which may be eye-of-the-needle pins, extending from the lateral tabs195.

The surface tab192is an extension from the main body180extending downward therefrom for providing additional shielding below the bottom190of the main body180. The surface tab192provides shielding in the space between the main body180and the circuit board104for shielding portions of the signal contacts124otherwise unshielded without the provision of the surface tab192. For example, the surface tab192may extend below the base edge196and thus provides shielding below the base edge196of the main body180.

FIG. 12is a side view of a portion of the electrical connector102showing a portion of one of the contact modules122with the pin spacer136in a pre-staged position.FIG. 13is a side view of a portion of the electrical connector102showing a portion of one of the contact modules122with the pin spacer136in an assembled position. The dielectric body152includes the slots220that receive corresponding lateral tabs195of the ground shields176,178. The slots220allow positioning of the lateral tabs195and the compliant pins194in the dielectric body152such that the compliant pins194of the ground shields176,178are aligned with the compliant pins166of the signal contacts124along the compliant pin axis.

The surface tab192spans across both signal contacts124of the corresponding pair of signal contacts124. For example, the surface tab192is generally aligned with and/or extends beyond the forward signal contact124and is aligned with and/or extends beyond the rearward signal contact124. As such, the surface tabs192provide electrical shielding along the side of the compliant pins166.

The ground contact pockets306of the pin spacer136receive corresponding grounding portions188. The base edges196of the grounding portions188rest on the ledges308. For example, the pin spacer136is pressed onto the bottom130of the electrical connector102until the pin spacer136bottoms out against the base edges196. The surface tabs192of the grounding portions188extend below the base edges196and below the ledges308, such as in the channels310in the bottom half of the pin spacer136. The channels310may be open at the bottom304, which may allow the surface tabs192to extend entirely through the pin spacer136. In the illustrated embodiment, the surface tabs192are curved and protrude downward into the channels310such that the bottom edges314of the surface tabs192are substantially flush with the bottom304of the pin spacer136. As such, the bottom edges314may engage or almost engage the mounting surface106of the circuit board104.

By extending the surface tabs192below the base edges196, the surface tabs192provide electrical shielding in the space312. As such, the surface tabs192provide electrical shielding between pairs of the signal contacts124in the space312, an area otherwise devoid of shielding material. For example, compared to a grounding portion extending straight across the ledges308(for example, without the surface tab192), the grounding portion188with the surface tab192provides improved shielding, such as along the mounting surface106of the circuit board104. While the compliant pins194also extend through the space312, the compliant pins194only provide shielding between pairs of the signal contacts124within the same row. The surface tabs192provide shielding between the pairs of the signal contacts124in different rows.