PATENT ABSTRACT
Electrical connectors that are mating compatible with the MicroTCA® standard and configured to be mounted to an underlying substrate are provided. Certain of the electrical connectors can be configured to be mounted to a substrate configured in accordance with the MicroTCA® press fit footprint. Additionally, electrical connectors that are mating compatible with the MicroTCA® standard and configured to be mounted to respective alternative footprints, and substrates configured in accordance with the respective alternative footprints are provided. The disclosed electrical connectors and corresponding substrate footprints can operate to transmit data at speed up to and in excess of 25 Gigabits per second.

PATENT DESCRIPTION
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/471,477, filed Apr. 4, 2011 and U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/583,536, filed Jan. 5, 2012, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-2B , electrical connectors can be constructed to be mounted to a substrate, for instance a printed circuit board (PCB), that is configured with an industry standard MicroTCA® Press Fit (MicroTCA® PF) footprint (as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ). For example, the electrical connector  100  and the PCB can be constructed in accordance with industry standard document MicroTCA.0, Rev. 1.0, 6 Jul. 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The electrical connector  100  can be constructed as a card edge connector configured to receive Advanced Mezzanine Cards (AdvancedMCs), for instance as an AdvancedMC Backplane Connector in accordance with the MicroTCA® standard (see  FIGS. 12A-12B ). Further in accordance with the MicroTCA® standard, a MicroTCA® Carrier Hub (MCH) can comprise at least two, for instance four, electrical connectors  100  supported by a respective substrate (see  FIGS. 13A-13B ). However when the industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint is utilized with existing electrical connectors that are constructed to mount to the industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint, peak bandwidth or data transmission rates are typically restricted to about 8 Gigabits/sec or less. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with one embodiment, a card edge electrical connector includes a connector housing. The card edge electrical connector further includes a plurality of electrical signal contacts supported by the connector housing. Each electrical signal contact includes a contact body that defines a mating end and a mounting end, wherein respective pairs of the plurality of electrical signal contacts define differential signal pairs. The card edge electrical connector further includes a plurality of ground plates supported by the connector housing. Each of the plurality of ground plates includes a first ground mating end that defines a first ground flow return path and a second ground mating end that defines a second ground flow return path. At least one ground plate of the plurality of ground plates defining respective first and second ground flow return paths that are substantially symmetrical with respect to one another. The mating ends of the plurality of electrical signal contacts and the first and second ground mating ends of the plurality of ground plates collectively define one hundred seventy mating ends that are spaced along two rows that extend along a row direction. The one hundred seventy mating ends defining a 0.75 mm column pitch, and the connector housing supports each of the plurality of electrical signal contacts and the plurality of ground plates such that respective pairs of differential signal pairs are disposed between successive ground plates. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an electrical connector includes a connector housing. The electrical connector further includes a first vertical electrical signal contact configured to be supported by the connector housing. The first vertical electrical signal contact includes a first contact body that defines a first mounting end and a first mating end that is opposite the first mounting end. The first mounting end carries a first mounting element configured to be placed in electrical connection with a printed circuit board, and the first vertical electrical signal contact defines first and second broadsides and first and second edges that extend between the first and second broadsides. The electrical connector further includes a second vertical electrical signal contact configured to be supported by the connector housing. The second vertical electrical signal contact includes a second contact body that defines a second mounting end and a second mating end that is opposite the second mounting end. The second mounting end carries a second mounting element configured to be placed in electrical connection with the printed circuit board, and the second vertical electrical signal contact defining first and second broadsides and first and second edges that extend between the first and second broadsides, wherein the first mating end and the second mating end are spaced from each other along a first direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first and second broadsides of the first and second vertical electrical signal contacts. Each of the first and second contact bodies is twisted such that the broadsides at the first mounting end is angularly offset with respect to the broadsides at the first mating end, the broadsides at the second mounting end is angularly offset with respect to the broadsides at the second mating end, and the first mounting element is aligned with the second mounting element along a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, a printed circuit board includes a substrate body that defines opposed upper and lower surfaces. The substrate body supports a plurality of vias that define a footprint configured to receive mounting tails of only a single connector. The footprint includes a first pair of signal vias that extend into the upper surface of the substrate body. Each of the first pair of signal vias are arranged inline with respect to each other along a first column that extends substantially along a column direction. The footprint further includes a second pair of signal vias that extend into the upper surface of the substrate body. Each of the second pair of signal vias are arranged inline with respect to each other along a second column that extends substantially along the column direction. The footprint further includes at least a first ground via that extends into the upper surface of the substrate body. The first ground via is disposed in a third column that extends substantially along the column direction, wherein the third column includes no more than a pair of first ground vias. The footprint further includes at least a second ground via that extends into the upper surface of the substrate body. The second ground via is disposed in a fourth column that extends substantially along the column direction, wherein the fourth column includes no more than a pair of second ground vias. The first and second columns are disposed between the third and fourth columns. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, a method of fabricating an electrical connector includes the step of supporting a plurality electrical signal contacts in a connector housing. The signal contacts define signal mounting tails and mating ends, wherein respective pairs of the plurality of electrical signal contacts define differential signal pairs. The method further includes the step of supporting first and second ground plates in the connector housing. Each of the plurality of first and second ground plates includes ground mounting tails and ground mating ends. The two supporting steps include defining one hundred seventy matting ends that are spaced along two columns that each extend along a row direction collectively from the mating ends of the plurality of electrical signal contacts ground mating ends. The one hundred seventy mating ends define a 0.75 mm column pitch. The method further includes the step of positioning the plurality of electrical signal contacts and the ground plates in the connector housing such that the signal and ground mounting tails define a footprint that differs from a footprint defined by vias of a printed circuit board that are arranged in accordance with MicroTCA specification Rev. 1.0, such that the electrical signal contacts are configured to transfer data between the mounting tails and the mating ends at a minimum of approximately 12.5 Gigabits/second at an acceptable level of near-end crosstalk. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of example embodiments of the application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which there is shown in the drawings example embodiments for the purposes of illustration. It should be understood, however, that the application is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an electrical assembly including a printed circuit board and an electrical connector mounted to the printed circuit board so as to place respective pluralities of electrical signal contacts and ground plates supported by the electrical connector in electrical communication with the printed circuit board; 
         FIG. 2A  is a top elevation view of the printed circuit board illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the printed circuit board including a plurality of vias that extend into the printed circuit board; 
         FIG. 2B  is a top elevation view of a portion of the plurality of vias illustrated in  FIG. 2A , the portion of the plurality of vias arranged in accordance with an industry standard MicroTCA® press fit footprint; 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of two pairs of electrical signal contacts and a pair of ground plates constructed in accordance with an embodiment, the electrical signal contacts and the ground plates configured to be supported by the electrical connector illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3B  is a side elevation view of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 3C  is a bottom elevation view of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3B ; 
         FIG. 3D  is a front elevation view illustrating an example asymmetric ground return flow path of the ground plates illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3C ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a pair of leadframe assemblies, each leadframe assembly comprising a pair of the electrical signal contacts illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3C , the pair of leadframe assemblies configured to be inserted into the electrical connector illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the electrical connector illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a plurality of respective pairs of the leadframe assemblies illustrated in  FIG. 4A , and a plurality of the ground plates illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3D , the respective pluralities of pairs of leadframe assemblies and ground plates arranged adjacent one another so as to be inserted into the electrical connector; 
         FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of the electrical connector, leadframe assemblies, and ground plates illustrated in  FIG. 4A , with the leadframe assemblies and the ground plates inserted into the electrical connector; 
         FIG. 4D  is a zoomed perspective view of a portion of the electrical connector illustrated in  FIG. 4C ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of the electrical signal contacts illustrated in  FIG. 3A  and a pair of ground plates constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment, the electrical signal contacts and the ground plates configured to be supported by the electrical connector illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5B  is a side elevation view of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 5C  is a bottom elevation view of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5B ; 
         FIG. 5D  is a front elevation view illustrating an example symmetric ground return flow path of the ground plates illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5C ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of an electrical connector supporting a plurality of respective pairs of the leadframe assemblies illustrate d in  FIG. 3E  and a plurality of the ground plates illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5D ; 
         FIG. 6B  is a zoomed perspective view of a portion of the electrical connector illustrated in  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of the electrical signal contacts illustrated in  FIG. 3A  and a pair of ground plates constructed in accordance with another alternative embodiment, the electrical signal contacts and the ground plates configured to be supported by the electrical connector illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7B  is a side elevation view of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 7C  is a bottom elevation view of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in  FIGS. 7A-7B ; 
         FIG. 7D  is a top elevation view of a plurality of printed circuit board vias arranged in accordance with an alternative embodiment of a press fit footprint, the plurality of vias arranged such that the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in  FIGS. 7A-7C  can be inserted into the vias; 
         FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of the electrical signal contacts illustrated in  FIG. 3A  and a pair of ground plates constructed in accordance with still another alternative embodiment, the electrical signal contacts and the ground plates configured to be supported by the electrical connector illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8B  is a side elevation view of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 8C  is a bottom elevation view of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in  FIGS. 8A-8C ; 
         FIG. 8D  is a top elevation view of a plurality of printed circuit board vias arranged in accordance with another alternative embodiment of a press fit footprint, the plurality of vias arranged such that the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in  FIGS. 8A-8C  can be inserted into the vias; 
         FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of the electrical signal contacts illustrated in  FIG. 3A  and a pair of ground plates constructed in accordance with still another alternative embodiment, the electrical signal contacts and the ground plates configured to be supported by the electrical connector illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9B  is a side elevation view of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in  FIG. 9A ; 
         FIG. 9C  is a bottom elevation view of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-9B ; 
         FIG. 9D  is a top elevation view of a plurality of printed circuit board vias arranged in accordance with still another alternative embodiment of a press fit footprint, the plurality of vias arranged such that the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-9C  can be inserted into the vias; 
         FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of two pairs of electrical signal contacts constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment and a pair of the ground plates illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-9C ; 
         FIG. 10B  is a side elevation view of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in  FIG. 10A ; 
         FIG. 10C  is a bottom elevation view of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in  FIGS. 10A-10B ; 
         FIG. 10D  is a perspective view of respective portions of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in  FIGS. 10A-10C ; 
         FIG. 10E  is a perspective view of a pair of leadframe assemblies, each leadframe assembly comprising a pair of the electrical signal contacts illustrated in  FIGS. 10A-10D ; 
         FIG. 10F  is a bottom elevation view of the leadframe assemblies illustrated in  FIG. 10E  and the ground plates illustrated in  FIGS. 10A-10D  supported by the electrical connector illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10G  is a top elevation view of a plurality of printed circuit board vias arranged in accordance with still another alternative embodiment of a press fit footprint, the plurality of vias arranged such that the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in  FIGS. 10A-10F  can be inserted into the vias; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of respective portions of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates illustrated in  FIGS. 10A-10C , with the mounting ends of the electrical signal contacts and ground plates supporting solder balls; 
         FIG. 12A  is a top elevation view of an electrical assembly including the electrical connector illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-6B , mounted to a printed circuit board, illustrating a crosstalk victim differential signal pair and five aggressor differential signal pairs; 
         FIG. 12B  is a side elevation view of the electrical assembly illustrated in  FIG. 12A . 
         FIG. 13A  is a top elevation view of a pair of electrical connectors constructed in accordance with the electrical connector illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-6B , illustrating a crosstalk victim differential signal pair and eight aggressor differential signal pairs; and 
         FIG. 13B  is a side elevation view of the electrical assembly illustrated in  FIG. 13A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure describes electrical connectors, such as card edge connectors and card edge connector footprints, including MicroTCA® (μTCA®) compatible connectors and footprints that can be utilized in accordance with industry standards specifications such as the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group (PICMG®) Open Modular Computing Specifications, for example MicroTCA.0, Rev. 1.0, 6 Jul. 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 to 4D , an example electrical assembly  10  constructed in accordance with existing MicroTCA® standards includes an electrical connector  100  and a substrate  200 , such as a printed circuit board  202 , that is configured to be placed in electrical communication with the electrical connector  100 . The electrical connector  100  can include dielectric or electrically insulative connector housing  102  and a plurality of electrical contacts  105  that are supported by the connector housing  102 . The connector housing  102  includes a housing body  103  that defines opposed first and second sides  103   c  and  103   d  that are spaced from each other along a first or lateral direction A, a first end  103   a  that can define a front end, a second end  103   b  that can define a rear end and that is spaced from the first end  103   a  along a second or longitudinal direction L that extends substantially perpendicular to the lateral direction A, and opposed upper and lower ends  103   e  and  103   f  that are spaced from each other along a third or transverse direction T that extends substantially perpendicular to both the lateral direction A and the longitudinal direction L. 
     The connector housing  102  can define a centerline CR 3  that extends along the longitudinal direction L and separates the housing body  103  into first and second portions that are spaced along the lateral direction A. For instance, the centerline CR 3  can bifurcate the housing body  103 , such that the first and second portions are substantially symmetric about the centerline CR 3 . The connector housing  102  can be constructed of any suitable dielectric or insulative material as desired, for instance plastic. It should be appreciated for the purposes of illustration that the electrical connector  100  is oriented such that the longitudinal direction L and the lateral direction A are oriented horizontally, and the transverse direction T is oriented vertically, though it should be appreciated that the orientation of the electrical connector  100  can vary during use. 
     The connector housing  102  can define a mating interface  116  proximate to, such as substantially at, the upper end  103   e  that is configured to mate with a complementary electrical component, such as an edge card. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the housing body  103  defines a slot  101  that is elongate along the longitudinal direction L and that extends into the upper end  103   e  along the transverse direction T, the slot  101  configured to at least partially receive a complementary electrical component, such as an edge card, that is mated to the electrical connector  100 . Thus, the connector housing  102  can be constructed as an edge card connector housing and thus the electrical connector  100  as a card edge electrical connector. The mating interface  116  can be defined in the slot  101 . The connector housing  102  can further define a mounting interface  118  proximate to, such as substantially at, the lower end  103   f  that is configured to mount onto a complementary electrical component, such as the printed circuit board  202 , thereby placing the printed circuit board  202  and the complementary electrical component in electrical communication during operation. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the mating interface  116  is oriented substantially parallel to the mounting interface  118 . Thus, the electrical connector  100  can be configured as a vertical electrical connector. However it should be appreciated that the electrical connector  100  can alternatively be configured as a right-angle electrical connector, whereby the mating interface  116  is oriented substantially perpendicular to the mounting interface  118 . 
     The connector housing  102  can have at least one such as a plurality of retention members  138  defined by the housing body  103  and configured to retain the plurality of electrical contacts  105  in inserted positions in the connector housing  102 . For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the housing body  103  defines respective pluralities of retention slots  139  that are spaced along the longitudinal direction and extend into such as through the first and second sides  103   c  and  103   d  of the housing body  103 , respectively. The housing body  103  can further define a void  141  configured to receive the plurality of electrical contacts  105 . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second ends  103   a  and  103   b , and the first and second sides  103   c  and  103   d , define an outer circumference of the void  141 , such that the void  141  extends upward into the lower end  103   f  of the housing body  103  along the transverse direction T. 
     The connector housing  102  can further include at least one guidance member  144  such as a pair of guidance members  144 . Each guidance member  144  can be configured to interface with a complementary guidance member supported by the substrate  200 , for instance the printed circuit board  202 , so as to ensure proper alignment of the plurality of electrical contacts  105  with respect to the printed circuit board  202  during mounting of the electrical connector  100  to the printed circuit board  202 . At least one such as both of the guidance members  144  can further be configured as retention members that act to retain the electrical connector  100  in a mounted position relative to the printed circuit board  202 . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the housing body  103  includes a pair of substantially cylindrically shaped posts  146  that extend downward with respect to the connector housing  102  along the transverse direction T. The posts  146  are disposed on opposite ends of the housing body  103 , proximate the first and second ends  103   a  and  103   b , respectively. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment the posts  146  can be integral, such as monolithic, with the housing body  103 , and thus extend out from the housing body  103 . Alternatively, the posts  146  can be separate and can be attached to the housing body  103 . It should be appreciated that the electrical connector  100  is not limited to the illustrated guidance members  144 , and that the connector housing  102  can be alternatively constructed with any other suitable guidance members as desired. 
     Referring now to FIGS.  1  and  2 A- 2 B, the substrate  200 , such as the printed circuit board  202 , can include a substrate body  204  that defines a first end  204   a  that can define a front end, a second end  204   b  that can define a rear end that is spaced from the first end  204   a  along the longitudinal direction L. The substrate body  204  can further define a first side  204   c  and a second side  204   d  that is spaced from the first side  204   c  along the lateral direction A. The substrate body  204  can further define an upper surface  204   e  and a lower surface  204   f  that is spaced from the upper surface  204   e  along the transverse direction T. The printed circuit board  202  can further include at least one such as a plurality of electrically conductive elements  205  that can be supported by the printed circuit board  202 , for instance by the substrate body  204 . The electrically conductive elements  205  can be electrically connected to electrically conductive traces that are routed through the substrate body  204  or along one or more surfaces of the substrate body  204 , such as along one or both of the upper and lower surfaces  204   e  and  204   f  thereof, in any combination as desired. 
     In accordance with illustrated embodiment, the printed circuit board  202  includes a plurality of electrically conductive elements  205  in the form of a plurality of vias  206  that can be configured as plated through holes that extend into such as through the substrate body  204  along the transverse direction T, for instance into the upper surface  204   e . Each of the plurality of vias  206  can be configured to receive a complementary portion of a respective one of the plurality of electrical contacts  105 , thereby placing the plurality of electrical contacts  105  in electrical communication with the printed circuit board  202 . The plurality of vias  206  can include at least one or both of electrical (for instance electrically conductive) signal vias  208  or electrical (for instance electrically conductive) ground vias  210 , in any combination as desired. 
     The plurality of vias  206  can be disposed along the substrate body  204  in accordance with any suitable arrangement, such that the plurality of vias  206  define a footprint configured to receive a corresponding arrangement of the plurality of electrical contacts  105  of the electrical connector  100 . For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of vias  206  can include respective pluralities of electrical signal vias  208  and electrical ground vias  210  arranged in accordance with the industry standard MicroTCA® press fit footprint. 
     In accordance with the industry standard MicroTCA® press fit footprint, the vias  206  are arranged along the substrate body  204  in rows of vias  206  that extend along a row direction R that can be, for instance, the longitudinal direction L and in columns of vias  206  that extend along a column direction C that can be, for instance, the lateral direction A. Thus, it should be appreciated that each of the columns are spaced from each other along the row direction R at the mating and mounting interfaces  216  and  218 . It should be further appreciated that the electrical connector  100  can define a column pitch measured as a distance between adjacent columns along the row direction R, for instance from the center of the respective mating or mounting ends of the electrical contacts  105  of a first column to a center of the respective mating or mounting ends of the electrical contacts  105  of a second column that is adjacent the first column along the row direction R. Each column can include a single electrical ground via  210  and four electrical signal vias  208 . The electrical ground via  210  and each of the electrical signal vias  208  can be substantially equally spaced from each other along the column direction. The electrical signal vias  208  in each column can be grouped into pairs  212  of electrical signal vias  208 , including a first pair  212   a  and a second pair  212   b . The first pair  212   a  of electrical signal vias  208  can include an upper or first electrical signal via  208   a  and a lower or second electrical signal via  208   b . Similarly, the second pair  212   b  of electrical signal vias  208  can include an upper or first electrical signal via  208   c  and a lower or second electrical signal via  208   d . The electrical ground via  210  can be disposed between the first and second pairs  212   a  and  212   b  of electrical signal vias  208 , that is between the second electrical signal via  208   b  of the first pair  212   a  and the first electrical signal via  208   c  of the second pair  212   b.    
     The first electrical signal via  208   a  of the first pair  212   a , the electrical ground via  210 , and the first electrical signal via  208   c  of the second pair  212   b  are disposed along a first centerline CR 1  that extends substantially parallel to the lateral direction A. The second electrical signal via  208   b  of the first pair  212   a  and the second electrical signal via  208   d  of the second pair  212   b  are disposed along a second centerline CR 2  that extends substantially parallel to the first centerline CR 1  and is offset from the first centerline CR 1  along the lateral direction A. This column arrangement can be repeated along the substrate body  204 , with the columns C spaced apart from one another along the row direction. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the substrate body  204  can have twenty seven columns C of vias  206  arranged in accordance with the industry standard MicroTCA® press fit footprint. It should be appreciated that the printed circuit board  202  is not limited to the illustrated electrically conductive elements  205 , and that the printed circuit board  202  can be alternatively constructed with any other suitable electrically conductive elements as desired. For instance, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the printed circuit board  202 , at least one such as a plurality of electrical contact pads can be substituted for respective ones such as each of the vias  206 . 
     The printed circuit board  202  can further include at least one guidance member  214  such as a pair of guidance members  214 . Each guidance member  214  can be configured to interface with a complementary guidance member  144  supported by the connector housing  102 , so as to ensure proper alignment of the plurality of electrical contacts  105  and corresponding ones of plurality of vias  206  during mounting of the electrical connector  100  to the printed circuit board  202 . At least one such as both of the guidance members  214  can further be configured as retention members that act to retain the electrical connector  100  in a mounted position relative to the printed circuit board  202 . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the printed circuit board  202  includes a pair of guidance members  214  in the form of a pair of apertures  216  that extend into, such as through, the substrate body  204  along the transverse direction T, the apertures configured to receive respective ones of the posts  146  supported by the connector housing  102 . The apertures  216  can be configured to receive the posts  146  in press-fit engagement, such that the posts  146  and apertures  216  act as retention members to retain the electrical connector in a mounted position with respect to the printed circuit board  202 . The apertures  216  can be offset along the lateral direction A relative to each other, so as to ensure that the electrical connector  100  must be properly oriented relative to the printed circuit board  202  before the electrical connector can be mounted to the printed circuit board  202 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A-3D , the plurality of electrical contacts  105  can include at least one or both of at least one electrical signal contact  104  or at least one electrical ground contact that can be defined by an electrically conductive ground plate  106 . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector  100  includes respective pluralities of electrical signal contacts  104  and ground plates  106 , the respective pluralities of electrical signal contacts  104  and ground plates  106  configured to be supported by the connector housing  102 . The connector housing  102  can be configured to support the respective pluralities of electrical signal contacts  104  and ground plates  106 . The electrical signal contacts  104  and the ground plates  106  of the respective pluralities can be constructed of any suitable electrically conductive material as desired, for instance metal. Each electrical signal contact  104  includes a contact body  107  that defines a mounting end  108  that can define a first region of the contact body  107 , a mating end  112  that can define a second region of the contact body  107 , the mating end  112  opposite the mounting end  108  and spaced from the mounting end  108  along transverse direction T, and an intermediate region  109  that extends between the mounting end  108  and mating end  112 , for instance along the transverse direction T, such that the mating end  108  and the mounting end  112  are spaced from each other along the third direction. The mating end  112  of each electrical signal contact  104  can be substantially aligned with the respective mounting end  108  along the third direction, such that the electrical signal contact is a vertical electrical signal contact. Each of the plurality of electrical signal contacts  104  can be supported by the connector housing  102 , such that the mounting end  108  is disposed proximate the mounting interface  118  and the mating end  112  is disposed proximate the mating interface  116 . 
     The contact body  107  of each electrical signal contact  104  can define respective first and second ones of opposed broadsides  126  that are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal direction and respective first and second ones of opposed edges  128  that are spaced apart from one another along the lateral direction A. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, each of the first and second ones of the broadsides  126  has a first length along the lateral direction A from the first one of the edges  128  to the second one of the edges  128 , and each of the first and second ones of the edges  128  has a second length that extends along the longitudinal direction L from a first one of the broadsides  126  to a second one of the broadsides  126 , wherein the first length is greater than the second length. 
     The plurality of electrical signal contacts  104  can include at least one pair  113  such as a plurality of pairs  113  of electrical signal contacts  104 . For example, the connector housing  102  can be configured to support at least one pair  113  such as a first pair  113   a  and a second pair  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104 . At least one or both of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  can include a first electrical signal contact  104  and a second electrical signal contact  104  that are disposed on opposed sides of the centerline CR 3  of the connector housing  102 . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the connector housing  102  can support a first row R 1  of electrical signal contacts  104  that are disposed on a first side of the centerline CR 3 , and a second row R 2  of electrical signal contacts  104  that disposed on an opposed second side of the centerline CR 3 , such that the first and second rows R 1  and R 2  of electrical signal contacts  104  are spaced from each other along the column direction C. The first row R 1  of electrical signal contacts  104  is supported by the connector housing  102  such that the first row R 1  is disposed closer to the second side  103   d  than the first side  103   c  of the housing body  103 , and the second row R 2  of electrical signal contacts  104  is supported by the connector housing  102  such that the second row R 2  is disposed closer to the first side  103   c  than the second side  103   d  of the housing body  103 . 
     At least a portion of the first electrical signal contacts of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b , for instance mating ends  112  of the first electrical signal contacts of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b , can be spaced from each other along the longitudinal direction L, and thus spaced from each other along a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first and second broadsides  126  of each of the first electrical signal contacts of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b . Similarly, at least a portion of the second electrical signal contacts of the first and second pairs, for instance the mating ends  112  of the second electrical signal contacts of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b , can be spaced from each other along the longitudinal direction L, and thus spaced from each other along a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first and second broadsides  126  of each of the second electrical signal contacts of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b . Furthermore, at least a portion up to all of the first and second electrical signal contacts of each of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b , including the mounting ends  108  and the mating ends  112 , can be spaced from each other along the lateral direction A. 
     For instance, the first pair  113   a  of electrical signal contacts  104  includes a first electrical signal contact  104   a  and a second electrical signal contact  104   b . Similarly, the second pair  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  includes a first electrical signal contact  104   c  (which can define a third electrical signal contact) and a second electrical signal contact  104   d  (which can define a fourth electrical signal contact). In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first electrical signal contacts  104   a  and  104   c  are disposed on a first side of the centerline CR 3  of the connector housing  102 , and the second electrical signal contacts  104   b  and  104   d  are disposed on a second side of the centerline CR 3  that is opposite the first side. Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the mating ends  112  of the first and second electrical signal contacts  104   a  and  104   c  are spaced from each other along the longitudinal direction L in accordance with the illustrated embodiment. Furthermore, both the mounting end  108  and the mating end  112  of the first electrical signal contact  104   a  of the first pair  113   a  are spaced from the corresponding mounting end  108  and mating end  112  of the second electrical signal contacts  104   b  of the first pair  113   a  along the lateral direction A. Similarly, both the mounting end  108  and the mating end  112  of the first electrical signal contact  104   c  of the second pair  113   b  are spaced from the corresponding mounting end  108  and mating end  112  of the second electrical signal contact  104   d  of the second pair  113   b  along the lateral direction A. 
     Each pair  113  of electrical signal contacts  104  can include a first electrical signal contact  104  that is disposed in the first row R 1  of electrical signal contacts  104  and a second electrical signal contact  104  that is disposed in the second row R 2  of electrical signal contacts  104 . For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first electrical signal contacts  104   a  and  104   c  of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b , respectively, are disposed in the second row R 2  of electrical signal contacts  104 , and the second electrical signal contacts  104   b  and  104   d  of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b , respectively, are disposed in the first row R 1  of electrical signal contacts  104 . 
     In accordance with illustrated embodiment, the ground plates  106  can define first and second ground plates  106   a  and  106   b  that are successive along the longitudinal direction L, such that no other ground plate  106  is disposed between the first and second ground plates  106   a  and  106   b  along the longitudinal direction L. The plurality of electrical contacts  105  are supported by connector housing  102  such that the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  are disposed between the first and second ground plates  106   a  and  106   b , respectively, along the longitudinal direction L. For example, at least a portion up to all of the electrical signal contacts  104  of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  can be disposed between the first and second ground plates  106   a  and  106   b , respectively, when the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  and the first and second successive ground plates  106   a  and  106   b  are supported by the connector housing  102 . In this regard, the first pair  113   a  of electrical signal contacts  104  is disposed adjacent the first ground plate  106   a  (and thus closer to the first ground plate  106   a  than the second ground plate  106   b , for instance along the longitudinal direction L) and the second pair  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  is disposed adjacent the second ground plate  106   b  (and thus closer to the second ground plate  106   b  than the first ground plate  106   a , for instance along the longitudinal direction L). It should be appreciated that the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  and the first and second ground plates  106   a  and  106   b  can define a pattern of a ground (for instance defined by one of the first and second ground plates  106   a  and  106   b ), a first pair  113   a , and a second pair  113   b  along the longitudinal direction L, such that the pattern can be repeated along the longitudinal direction in the connector housing  102 . Accordingly, the connector housing  102  can support each of the plurality of electrical signal contacts  104  and the plurality of ground plates  106  such that only two pairs  113  of electrical signal contacts  104  are disposed between successive ground plates  106  of the plurality of ground plates  106 . 
     The electrical signal contacts  104  of each pair  113  can be aligned along the lateral direction A when supported by the connector housing  102 , such that the electrical signal contacts  104  face each other along the lateral direction A. For example, the broadsides of the first and second electrical signal contacts of each pair  113  can be substantially coplanar with respect to one another in a plane defined by the longitudinal direction L and the lateral direction A. For instance, the broadsides of the first and second electrical signal contacts  104   a  and  104   b  of the first pair  113   a  can be substantially coplanar with respect to one another in a plane defined by the longitudinal direction L and the lateral direction A, and the broadsides of the first and second electrical signal contacts  104   c  and  104   d  of the second pair  113   b  can be substantially coplanar with respect to one another in a plane defined by the longitudinal direction L and the lateral direction A 
     The electrical signal contacts  104  can be constructed such that the respective mating ends  112  of the electrical signal contacts on each side of the longitudinal centerline CR 3  are substantially aligned with one another along the longitudinal direction L. Furthermore, respective pairs  113  electrical signal contacts  104  disposed adjacent one another between respective first and second ground plates  106  can be constructed such that the respective mounting ends  108  are jogged toward each other along the longitudinal direction L and jogged away from each other along the lateral direction A. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the mounting end  108  of a first electrical signal contact  104   a  of the first pair  113   a  is jogged forward along the longitudinal direction L toward the first end  103   a  of the housing body  103  and inward along the lateral direction A toward the longitudinal centerline CR 3 , and the mounting end  108  of a first electrical signal contact  104   c  of the second pair  113   b  is jogged rearward along the longitudinal direction L toward the second end  103   b  of the housing body  103  and outward along the lateral direction A away from the longitudinal centerline CR 3 . The mounting end  108  of a second electrical signal contact  104   b  of the first pair  113   a  is jogged forward along the longitudinal direction L toward the first end  103   a  of the housing body  103  and outward along the lateral direction A away from the longitudinal centerline CR 3 , and the mounting end  108  of a second electrical signal contact  104   d  of the second pair  113   b  is jogged rearward along the longitudinal direction L toward the second end  103   b  of the housing body  103  and inward along the lateral direction A toward the longitudinal centerline CR 3 . Furthermore, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first electrical signal contact  104   a  of the first pair  113   a  is constructed substantially identically to the second electrical signal contact  104   d  of the second pair  113   b  and the second electrical signal contact  104   b  of the first pair  113   a  is constructed substantially identically to the first electrical signal contact  104   c  of the second pair  113   b.    
     The contact bodies  107  electrical signal contacts  104  can be constructed as resilient contact beams that extend between the mounting ends  108  and the mating ends  112 . At least a portion of the contact body  107  of each electrical signal contact  104 , for instance proximate the mating end  112 , can be curved inward along the lateral direction A so as to define a contact region  115 , the contact region  115  configured to engage with at least one electrical contact of a complementary electrical component, for example an edge card, that is mated to the electrical connector  100 . The respective contact regions  115  of each pair  113  of electrical signal contacts  104  can be curved inward along the lateral direction A toward each other so as to define a narrowed portion between the opposed resilient contact beams of the pair  113  at the respective contact regions  115 . Furthermore, the contact region  115  of each electrical signal contact  104  is defined substantially at the mating interface  116 . Thus, the electrical connector  100  can be configured as a receptacle connector configured to receive a complementary electrical component at the mating interface  116  so as to mate the electrical connector  100  to the complementary electrical component. It should be appreciated, however, that the electrical connector  100  can alternatively be configured as a plug connector that is configured to be received by the complementary electrical component at the mating interface  116  so as to mate the electrical connector  100  to the complementary electrical component. It should be appreciated that the electrical connector  100  is not limited to the illustrated contact body geometry, and that the electrical signal contacts  104  can be alternatively constructed using any other suitable contact body geometry as desired. 
     The mounting end  108  of at least one such as each of the electrical signal contacts  104  can include a mounting element such as a tail  111  that extends out from the mounting end  108 , for example downward along the transverse direction T. The tail  111  can be integral, such as monolithic, with the contact body  107 . In this regard, it can be said that the tail  111  extends out from the mounting end  108 . Alternatively, the tail  111  can be separate and can be attached to the mounting end  108 . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the tail  111  can be constructed as a press-fit tail, for instance an eye of the needle tail configured to be inserted into a corresponding electrical signal via  208  such that a press fit engagement is created between the tail  111  and the respective electrical signal via  208  upon insertion. It should be appreciated that the electrical signal contacts  104  of the electrical connector  100  are not limited to the illustrated tails  111 , and that the mounting ends  108  of the electrical signal contacts  104  can be constructed with any other mounting element geometry as desired. 
     The plurality of electrical signal contacts  104  can be arranged in broadside-coupled differential signal pairs  117 . For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first electrical signal contact  104   a  of the first pair  113   a  of electrical signal contacts  104  and the first electrical signal contact  104   c  of the second pair  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  define a first differential signal pair  117   a , and the second electrical signal contact  104   b  of the first pair  113   a  of electrical signal contacts  104  and the second electrical signal contact  104   d  of the second pair  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  define a second differential signal pair  117   b.    
     In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first differential signal pair  117   a  is defined in the second row R 2  of electrical signal contacts  104 , and the second differential signal pair  117   b  is defined in the first row R 1  of electrical signal contacts  104 . Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first row R 1  of electrical signal contacts  104  can define a first plurality of differential signal pairs  117  of the electrical connector  100 , and the second row R 1  of electrical signal contacts  104  can define a second plurality of differential signal pairs  117  of the electrical connector  100  that is spaced from the first plurality of differential signal pairs  117  along the column direction C. 
     Respective pairs of differential signal pairs  117  that are disposed opposite one another in the first and second rows R 1  and R 2 , respectively, for instance the first and second differential signal pairs  117   a  and  117   b , and are disposed between successive ground plates  106 , for instance the first and second ground plates  106   a  and  106   b , can be spaced along the longitudinal direction L from successive pairs of differential signal pairs  117  that are disposed opposite one another in the first and second rows R 1  and R 2  and are disposed between respective successive ground plates  106 , such that no other differential signal pairs  117  are disposed between successive pairs of differential signal pairs  117  that are disposed opposite one another in the first and second rows R 1  and R 2  along the longitudinal direction L. In this regard, the connector housing  102  can support each of the plurality of electrical signal contacts  104  and the plurality of ground plates  106  such that only two differential signal pairs  117  are disposed between successive ground plates  106 . For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, only the first and second pairs  117   a  and  117   b  of differential signal pairs  117  are disposed between the first and second ground plates  106   a  and  106   b . It should be appreciated that the electrical connector  100  is not limited to the illustrated broadside-coupled differential signal pairs, and that the plurality of electrical signal contacts  104  can alternatively be configured as desired, for example as edge-coupled differential signal pairs. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 3A-3D , each ground plate  106  of the plurality of ground plates  106  includes a plate body  120  that defines opposed upper and lower ends  120   a  and  120   b  that are spaced apart from one another along the transverse direction T, opposed first and second sides  120   c  and  120   d  that are spaced apart from one another along the lateral direction A, and opposed first and second outer plate body surfaces  120   e  and  120   f  that are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal direction L so as to define a plate body thickness PT. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second outer plate body surfaces  120   e  and  120   f  can extend along respective first and second planes defined by the longitudinal direction L and the lateral direction A, so as to define the plate body thickness PT. The plate body thickness PT can be referred to as a material thickness pertaining to a respective thickness of the material of which the plate body  120  is constructed. The plate body  120  can define any suitable shape as desired, for example a substantially rectangular shape such that the plate body  120  is elongate between the first and second sides  120   c  and  120   d.    
     Each ground plate  106 , can further include at least one mounting end  110  and at least one mating end  114  such as a pair of mating ends  114  that can define ground mating ends, the at least one mounting end  110  opposite the at least one mating end  114  and spaced from the at least one mating end  114  along the transverse direction T. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, each ground plate  106  can include at least one mounting end  110  that is disposed proximate the lower end  120   b , and a pair of mating ends  114  that extend out from the plate body  120 , for example upward with respect to the upper end  120   a . Each of the plurality of ground plates  106  can be supported by the connector housing  102 , such that the at least one mounting end  110  is disposed proximate the mounting interface  118  and the at least one mating end  114  is disposed proximate the mating interface  116 . 
     The pair of mating ends  114  of each ground plate  106  can include a first mating end  114   a  and a second mating end  114   b . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second mating ends  114   a  and  114   b  can be constructed as resilient contact beams that extend out from the plate body  120 , upward along the transverse direction T, and are spaced from one another along the lateral direction A. In this regard, the first and second mating ends  114   a  and  114   b  can be referred to as free mating ends that are cantilevered with respect to the plate body  120 . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second mating ends  114   a  and  114   b  can be integral, such as monolithic, with the plate body  120 . Alternatively, the first and second mating ends  114   a  and  114   b  can be separate and can be attached to the plate body  120 . 
     Each ground plate  106  can be constructed such that the first and second mating ends  114   a  and  114   b  are disposed on the first and second sides of the longitudinal centerline CR 3 , respectively, and are substantially aligned with the corresponding mating ends  112  of the plurality of electrical signal contacts  104  along the longitudinal direction L. The first and second mating ends  114   a  and  114   b  can be constructed substantially similarly to the corresponding regions of the contact bodies  107  of the plurality of electrical signal contacts  104 . For example, each of the first and second mating ends  114   a  and  114   b  of the ground plates  106  can define respective pairs of opposed broadsides  125  and opposed edges  127  that are substantially identical to the respective first and second opposed broadsides  126  and first and second opposed edges  128  of each of the plurality of electrical signal contacts  104 . 
     Furthermore, at least a portion of each of the first and second mating ends  114   a  and  114   b  can be curved inward along the lateral direction A so as to define respective contact regions  119 , the contact regions  119  configured to engage with at least one electrical contact of a complementary electrical component, for example an edge card, that is mated to the electrical connector  100 . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the respective contact regions  119  of each of the first and second mating ends  114   a  and  114   b  define a narrowed portion between the opposed resilient contact beams of the first and second mating ends  114   a  and  114   b  at the respective contact regions  119 . Furthermore, the respective contact regions  119  of the first and second mating ends  114   a  and  114   b  are defined substantially at the mating interface  116 . 
     It should be further appreciated that the electrical connector  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-4D  can define a plurality of mating ends  95  that include collectively the mating ends  112  of the electrical signal contacts  104  and the mating ends  114  of the ground plates  106 . The electrical connector  100  is constructed as a card edge electrical connector  100  that defines one hundred seventy mating ends  95 , such that the mating ends  95  define a column pitch of approximately 0.75 mm. Thus, the mating ends  95  can be said to be constructed in accordance with the existing MicroTCA® standard, such that the electrical connector  100  is mating compatible with complementary electrical components constructed in accordance with the MicroTCA® standard. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the mating ends  95  of the electrical contacts  105  collectively define eighty-five columns and two rows that extend along the row direction R and can be, for instance, the first and second rows R 1  and R 2 . Additionally, because the ground plates  106  can be mounted onto a printed circuit board  202  configured in accordance with the industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint, the illustrated electrical connector  100  can be said to be footprint compatible with the MicroTCA® standard. 
     In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the respective contact regions  119  of the first and second mating ends  114   a  and  114   b  of each ground plate  106  are located a first distance from the upper end  103   e  of the connector housing  102  that is substantially equal to a second distance that the respective contact regions  115  of the plurality of electrical signal contacts  104  are located from the upper end  103   e , such that when a complementary electrical component is mated to an assembled electrical connector  100 , complementary electrical contacts of the complementary electrical component engage substantially simultaneously with the respective contact regions  119  and  115 . It should be appreciated that at least one such as each of the plurality of electrical signal contacts  104  or at least one such as each of the plurality of ground plates  106  can be alternatively constructed with the first distance not substantially equal to the second distance, such that as the complementary electrical component is mated to the electrical connector  100  the electrical contacts of the complementary electrical component engage the respective contact regions  119  before the respective contact regions  115 , engage the respective contact regions  115  before the respective contact regions  119 , or engage the respective contact regions  119  and  115  in any order as desired. It should be appreciated that the ground plate  106  is not limited to the illustrated mating ends  114 , and that the ground plate  106  can alternatively be constructed with any other suitable mating end geometry as desired. 
     At least one ground plate  106  such as each of the plurality of ground plates  106  can further include a tab  122  that extends out from the plate body  120 . The tab  122  can have a tab body  123  that defines a proximal end  123   a  that is disposed at a respective location along the first outer plate body surface  120   e , a distal end  123   b  that is spaced from the proximal end  123   a  along the longitudinal direction L, opposed first and second side surfaces  123   c  and  123   d  that are spaced from one another along the lateral direction A and can define opposed first and second outer tab surfaces that are spaced so as to define a tab thickness, and opposed upper and lower surfaces  123   e  and  123   f  that are spaced from one another along the transverse direction T. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second outer tab surfaces can extend along respective third and fourth planes defined by the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction T. Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the tab thickness is substantially equal to the plate body thickness PT, the tab thickness is defined along the lateral direction A and the plate body thickness PT is defined along the longitudinal direction L. Thus, the tab thickness can be defined along a direction that is angularly offset with respect to a direction in which the plate body thickness PT is defined, and can be defined along a direction that is substantially perpendicular with respect to a direction in which the plate body thickness PT is defined. The proximal end  123   a  of the tab body  123  can be disposed at any desired location along the first outer plate body surface  120   e . In this regard, the tab  122  can extend out from the plate body  120  at any location along the first outer plate body surface  120   e . For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the tab  122  extends out from the plate body  120  at a location that is substantially equidistant between the first and second sides  120   c  and  120   d  along the first direction, and extends out from the plate body  120  substantially at the lower end  120   b.    
     The tab body  123  is oriented such that the first and second side surfaces  123   c  and  123   d  are substantially parallel to one another and substantially coplanar with a plane defined by the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction T, and such that the upper and lower surfaces  123   e  and  123   f  are substantially parallel to one another and substantially coplanar with a plane defined by the longitudinal direction L and the lateral direction A. Thus, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second side surfaces  123   c  and  123   d  are substantially perpendicular with respect to the first and second outer plate body surfaces  120   e  and  120   f  of the plate body  120  and are substantially perpendicular with respect to the upper surface  204   e  of the printed circuit board  202  when the electrical connector  100  is mounted to the printed circuit board  202 . Furthermore, the upper and lower surfaces  123   e  and  123   f  are substantially perpendicular with respect to the first and second outer plate body surfaces  120   e  and  120   f  of the plate body  120  and are substantially parallel with respect to the upper surface  204   e  of the printed circuit board  202  when the electrical connector  100  is mounted to the printed circuit board  202 . It should be appreciated that the tab body  123  can be alternatively oriented as desired. 
     In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the upper and lower surfaces  123   e  and  123   f  of the tab body  123  are spaced along the third direction and define a tab height TH of the tab  122 , and the first and second side surfaces  123   c  and  123   d  are spaced along the first direction and define a tab width TW of the tab  122 . Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the tab width TW is substantially equal to the plate thickness PT of the plate body  120 , and the tab height TH is greater than the tab width TW, and thus greater than the tab thickness. 
     The first and second side surfaces  123   c  and  123   d  can define respective first and second ones of opposed broadsides  129   a  of the tab  122  and the upper and lower surfaces  123   e  and  123   f  can define respective first and second ones of opposed edges  129   b  of the tab  122 . Thus, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second ones of the broadsides  129   a  of the tab  122  are substantially perpendicular with respect to the upper surface  204   e  of the printed circuit board  202  when the electrical connector  100  is mounted to the printed circuit board  202 , and the first and second ones of the edges  129   b  of the tab  122  are substantially parallel with respect to the upper surface  204   e  of the printed circuit board  202  when the electrical connector  100  is mounted to the printed circuit board  202 . Furthermore, each of the first and second ones of the broadsides  129   a  has a first length along the transverse direction T from the first one of the edges  129   b  to the second one of the edges  129   b , and each edge  129   b  has a second length that extends along the lateral direction A from a first one of the broadsides  129   a  to a second one of the broadsides  129   a , wherein the first length is greater than the second length. 
     In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the tab  122  can be integral, such as monolithic, with the plate body  120 . Alternatively, the tab  122  can be separate and can be attached to the plate body  120 . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the tab  122  can be defined by removing sections of material from the plate body  120 , for example by making at least one cut  124  such as a plurality of cuts  124  in the plate body  120 . The cuts  124  can comprise a first cut  124   a  that extends upward into the lower end  120   b  of the plate body  120  along the transverse direction T to a location between the upper and lower ends  120   a  and  120   b , for example along a distance from the lower end  120   b  equal to the tab height TH. The first cut  124   a  can be made at a location between the first and second sides  120   c  and  120   d  so as to define the distal end  123   b  of the tab body  123 . The cuts  124  can further comprise a second cut  124   b  that extends along the lateral direction A from an upper end of the first cut  124   a  to a desired location of the proximal end  123   a  of the tab body  123 . The second cut  124   b  can define the upper surface  123   e  of the tab body  123 . After the first and second cuts  124   a  and  124   b  have been made, the tab  122  can be bent out from the plate body  120  around a bend axis that extends along the transverse direction T and can be defined proximate the proximal end  123   a  of the tab body  123 . The first and second cuts  124   a  and  124   b  can be located such that the tab  122  is located substantially equidistantly between the first and second sides  120   c  and  120   d  when the tab  122  is bent out from the plate body  120 . It should be appreciated that the ground plate  106  is not limited to the illustrated tab geometry, and that the tab  122  can be alternatively constructed as desired. 
     The plate body  120  of at least one ground plate  106  such as each of the plurality of ground plates  106  can further include at least one retention member  138  supported by the plate body  120  and configured to interface with a complementary retention member of the connector housing  102  so as to retain the ground plate  106  in an inserted position in the connector housing  102 . For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the plate body  120  includes a pair of retention members  138  constructed as generally triangular shaped wings  140  that extend out along the lateral direction A from the first and second sides  120   c  and  120   d  of the plate body  120 , respectively. The wings  140  can be configured to be received in the retention slots  139  of the connector housing  102 . 
     The at least one mounting end  110  of each ground plate  106  can be disposed proximate the lower end  120   b . For example, the at least one mounting end  110  can extend from the tab  122 , and thus can be said to extend out from the plate body  120 , such as downward with respect to the plate body  120 . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the at least one mounting end  110  extends downward from the lower surface  123   f  of the tab body  123  along the transverse direction T. Thus, the at least one mounting end  110  extends out from the lower end  120   b  of the plate body  120  and downward from the lower end  120   b  of the plate body  120 . The at least one mounting end  110  can include a mounting element that can be configured as a press-fit mounting element such as a press-fit tail  111  that is downwardly elongate along the transverse direction T. The tail  111  can be integral, such as monolithic, with the tab body  123 . In this regard, it can be said that the tail  111  extends out from the at least one mounting end  110 . Alternatively, the tail  111  can be separate and can be attached to the at least one mounting end  110 . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the tail  111  can be constructed as a press-fit tail, for instance an eye of the needle tail configured to be inserted into a corresponding ground via  210  such that a press fit engagement is created between the tail  111  and the respective ground via  210  upon insertion. It should be appreciated that the ground plate  106  is not limited to the illustrated tails  111 , and that the at least one mounting end  110  of the ground plate  106  can be constructed with any other mounting element geometry as desired. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A-3C , when a respective one of the plurality of ground plates  106  and corresponding first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  are supported by the connector housing  102 , at least a portion of the tab  122 , such as the distal end  123   b  of the tab body  123 , can be disposed between the mounting ends  108  of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104 , respectively, such that the mounting ends  108  of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  and the mounting end  110  disposed on the tab  122  of the ground plate  106  are substantially aligned along the first direction and thus extend substantially parallel to the first and second outer plate body surfaces  120   e  and  120   f . The electrical signal contacts  104  of each of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  are spaced apart along the first direction, and the respective mounting ends  108  of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  and the mounting end  110  of the ground plate  106  are spaced along the second direction when the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  and the ground plate  106  are supported by the connector housing  102 . Furthermore, the first direction extends substantially parallel to the first and second outer plate body surfaces  120   e  and  120   f  when the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  and the ground plate  106  are supported by the connector housing  102 . Furthermore, the second direction extends substantially parallel to the first and second outer tab surfaces when the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  and the ground plate  106  are supported by the connector housing  102 . 
     For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, when the first ground plate  106   a  and the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  are supported by the connector housing  102 , the mounting end  110  that extends from the tab  122  is disposed between the respective mounting ends  108  of the first and second electrical signal contacts  104   a  and  104   b  of the first pair  113   a  and between the respective mounting ends  108  of the first and second electrical signal contacts  104   c  and  104   d  of the second pair  113   b . Furthermore, the tail  111  of the mounting end  110  disposed on the tab  122  is oriented substantially perpendicular with respect to the tails  111  that extend from the respective mounting ends  108  of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104 . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, when a respective one of the plurality of ground plates  106  and corresponding first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  are supported by the connector housing  102 , the tails  111  that extend from the respective mounting ends  108  of the electrical signal contacts  104  and the tail  111  of the mounting end  110  are aligned with respect to each other along the first direction. 
     The illustrated arrangement of electrical contacts  105 , including the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  and the ground plate  106  can be mounted to the industry standard MicroTCA® press fit footprint. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, when the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  and the ground plate  106  are supported by the connector housing  102 , the tails  111  that extend out from the respective mounting ends  108  of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  can be inserted into corresponding ones of the first and second pairs  212   a  and  212   b  of electrical signal vias  208  of a first column of vias  206 , and the tail  111  of the mounting end  110  of the ground plate  106  can be inserted into the electrical ground via  210  of the first column of vias  206 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 3A-3D , each ground plate  106  can define asymmetrical first and second ground return flow paths SP 1  and SP 2 . For instance, the first mating end  114   a  can define the first ground flow return path SP 1  from the first mating end  114   a  to the mounting end  110 , and the second mating end  114   b  can define the second ground flow return path SP 2  from the second mating end  314   b  to the mounting end  110 . The first and second ground flow return paths SP 1  and SP 2  can define respect paths to ground for corresponding electrical signal contacts  104  disposed proximate the first and second mating ends  114   a  and  114   b , respectively. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, electrical signal contacts  104  disposed proximate the first mating end  114   a , such as the first electrical signal contacts  104   a  and  104   c  of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b , respectively, that define the first differential signal pair  117   a , will follow the first ground return flow path SP 1  to the mounting end  110 , and electrical signal contacts  104  disposed proximate the second mating end  114   b , such as the second electrical signal contacts  104   b  and  104   d  of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b , respectively, that define the second differential signal pair  117   b , will follow the second ground return flow path SP 2  to the mounting end  110 . The first ground flow return path SP 1  is shorter the second ground flow return path SP 2 , at least in part due to the geometry of the tab  122 . Because the second ground flow return path SP 2  adjacent to or near the second differential signal pair  117   b  is longer than the first ground flow return path SP 1  adjacent to or near the first differential signal pair  117   a , the first and second ground flow return paths SP 1  and SP 2  are asymmetrical, and the second differential signal pair  117   b  will exhibit higher inductance levels than the first differential signal pair  117   a , thereby impacting performance of the electrical connector  100  constructed utilizing a plurality of the ground plates  106 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4A-4C , the illustrated electrical connector  100  can include at least one, such as a plurality of leadframe assemblies  130  configured to be supported by the connector housing  102 . Each leadframe assembly  130  can include a dielectric or electrically insulative leadframe housing  132  and at least one such as a plurality of electrical contacts  105  that can be configured as electrical signal contacts  104  that are supported by the leadframe housing  132 . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, each leadframe assembly  130  includes a pair of electrical signal contacts  104  that are spaced apart from one another along the column direction C. The leadframe assemblies  130  can be configured as insert molded leadframe assemblies (IMLAs) whereby the respective leadframe housings  132  are overmolded onto respective ones of the plurality of electrical signal contacts  104 . For instance, the leadframe housing  132  of each leadframe assembly  130  can be overmolded onto the corresponding electrical signal contacts  104  such that the leadframe housing  132  is overmolded onto, and thus encloses, at least a portion of the contact body  107 , for instance the intermediate region  109 , of each of the respective electrical signal contacts  104  supported by the leadframe housing  132 . Alternatively, the respective ones of the electrical signal contacts  104  can be stitched into the leadframe housings  132  or otherwise supported by the respective leadframe housings  132 . 
     A plurality up to all of the leadframe assemblies  130  can include at least one pair  131  such as a plurality of pairs  131  of first and second leadframe assemblies  130   a  and  130   b , respectively. The first and second leadframe assemblies  130   a  and  130   b  of each pair  131  can be constructed substantially identically. The first leadframe assembly  130   a  and the second leadframe assembly  130   b  of each pair  131  can be disposed adjacent each other, for instance along the row direction R, when supported by the connector housing  102 , so as to define the first and second differential signal pairs  117   a  and  117   b . For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first leadframe assembly  130   a  can have a first leadframe housing  132   a  that is overmolded onto the first pair  113   a  of electrical signal contacts  104  and the second leadframe assembly  130   b  can have a second leadframe housing  132   b  that is overmolded onto the second pair  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104 . Accordingly, the first electrical signal contact  104   a  of the first leadframe assembly  130   a  and the first electrical signal contact  104   c  of the second leadframe assembly  130   b  can define the first differential signal pair  117   a , and the second electrical signal contact  104   b  of the first leadframe assembly  130   a  and the second electrical signal contact  104   d  of the second leadframe assembly  130   b  can define the second differential signal pair  117   b.    
     The first and second leadframe assemblies  130   a  and  130   b  of each pair  131  can be configured to interface with one another when disposed adjacent to one another in the connector housing  102 . For example, the leadframe housing  132  of each of the first and second leadframe assemblies  130   a  and  130   b , respectively, of each pair  131  can include at least one interface member  135  that is configured to receive a complementary at least one interface member  135  supported by the leadframe housing  132  of the other of the first and second leadframe assemblies  130   a  and  130   b , respectively, of the pair  131 . Thus, the first leadframe housing  132   a  of the first leadframe assembly  130   a  can be at least partially received by the second leadframe housing  132   b  of the second leadframe assembly  130   b , and the second leadframe housing  132   b  of the second leadframe assembly  130   b  can be at least partially received by the first leadframe housing  132   a  of the first leadframe assembly  130   a . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the leadframe housing  132  of each leadframe assembly  130  includes respective pairs of interface members  135  configured as a pair of projecting portions  134  and a pair pocket portions  136 , respectively. The projecting portions  134  of each pair can be constructed the same or differently, and the pocket portions  134  of each pair can be constructed the same or differently. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first leadframe housing  132   a  of the first leadframe assembly  130   a  can include a pair of first projection portions  134   a  and a pair of first pocket portions  136   a , and the second leadframe housing  132   b  of the second leadframe assembly  130   b  can include a pair of second projection portions (not shown) and a pair of second pocket portions (not shown). The pair of first projection portions  134   a  of the first leadframe housing  132   a  can be configured to be received in respective ones of the pair of second pocket portions of the second leadframe housing  132   b  and the pair of second projection portions of the second leadframe housing  132   b  can be configured to be received in the pair of first pocket portions  136   a  of the first leadframe housing  132   a.    
     In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, when the first and second leadframe assemblies  130   a  and  130   b  of each pair  131  are supported by the connector housing  102 , the first leadframe assembly  130   a  of each respective pair  131  can be oriented in a first orientation and the second leadframe assembly  130   b  of the corresponding pair  131  can be oriented in a second orientation relative to the first leadframe assembly  130   a  that is rotated 180 degrees about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction and substantially parallel to the transverse direction T. When the first and second leadframe assemblies  130   a  and  130   b  are oriented in the first and second orientations, respectively, and supported by the connector housing  102 , the pair of first projection portions  134   a  of the first leadframe housing  132   a  can be at least partially received in respective ones of the pair of second pocket portions of the second leadframe housing  132   b  and the pair of second projection portions of the second leadframe housing  132   b  can be at least partially received in the pair of first pocket portions  136   a  of the first leadframe housing  132   a.    
     Any suitable dielectric material, such as air or plastic, may be used to isolate the respective electrical signal contacts  104  of the first leadframe assembly  130   a  of a pair  131  from the respective electrical signal contacts  104  of the second leadframe assembly  130   b  of the pair  131 . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second leadframe assemblies  130   a  and  130   b  of each pair  131  abut each other when supported by the connector housing  102 . However it should be appreciated that at least one or both of the first and second leadframe assemblies  130   a  and  130   b  or the connector housing  102  can be alternatively constructed such that the first and second leadframe assemblies  130   a  and  130   b  are spaced from each other when supported by the connector housing  102 . 
     At least one such as both of the first and second leadframe assemblies  130   a  and  130   b  of each pair  131  can further include at least one retention member  138  supported by the respective first and second leadframe housings  132   a  and  132   b  and configured to interface with a complementary retention member of the connector housing  102  so as to retain the ground plate  106  in an inserted position in the connector housing  102 . For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, both the first and second leadframe housings  132   a  and  132   b  of each pair each include a pair of retention members  138  constructed as generally triangular shaped wings  142  that extend out along the lateral direction A from the first and second leadframe housings  132   a  and  132   b . The wings  142  can be constructed substantially identically to the wings  140  of the plurality of ground plates  106  and thus can be configured to be received in the retention slots  139  of the connector housing  102 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4B-4C , each pair  131  of leadframe assemblies  130  of the plurality of leadframe assemblies  130  can be supported by the connector housing  102  between respective ground plates  106 . In this regard, the connector housing  102  supports successive first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  and ground plates  106  when the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  and ground plates  106  are supported by the connector housing  102 . The respective pluralities of leadframe assemblies  130  and ground plates  106  can be arranged such that a ground plate  106  is disposed between successive adjacent pairs  131  of first and second leadframe assemblies  130   a  and  130   b , such that the plurality of electrical contacts  105  of the electrical connector  100  define a repeating ground-signal-signal (G-S-S) arrangement of ground plates  106  and electrical signal contacts  104  along the row direction R. The ground plates  106  can be disposed between adjacent pairs  131  of leadframe assemblies  130  along the row direction R such that the ground plates  106  can reduce crosstalk between adjacent differential signal pairs  117  of the adjacent pairs  131  of leadframe assemblies  130  that are aligned along the row direction R. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5A-5D , a ground plate  306  that can be mounted onto a printed circuit board  202  configured in accordance with the industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint is illustrated. In the interest of succinctness, elements of the ground plate  306  that are constructed substantially identically to corresponding elements of the industry standard MicroTCA® ground plate  106  are labeled with reference numbers that are incremented by 200. For example, the mating ends  314  of the ground plate  306  can be constructed substantially identically to the mating ends  114  of the ground plate  106 , such that the mating ends  314  are disposed into respective positions that are substantially identical to the mating ends  114  of the ground plate  106  when the ground plate  306  is supported by the connector housing  102 . In this regard, the ground plate  306  can be said to be mating compatible with complementary electrical components configured to be mated to the industry standard industry standard MicroTCA® electrical connector  100 . The illustrated electrical signal contacts  104  can be constructed substantially identically to the industry standard MicroTCA® electrical signal contacts  104  described above and illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3E , and thus the reference numerals associated therewith are repeated in  FIGS. 5A-5D . 
     In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector  100  can be constructed utilizing at least one such as a plurality of the ground plates  306 . In this regard, at least one such as a plurality of ground plates  306  can be substituted for respective ones of the plurality of ground plates  106 , and the plurality of ground plates  306  can be supported by the connector housing  102  adjacent to corresponding pairs  113  of electrical signal contacts  104 . The electrical connector  100  can be constructed using respective pluralities of electrical signal contacts  104  and ground plates  306 , supported by the connector housing  102 . For example, the electrical connector  100  can be constructed using a repeating sequence of a ground plate  306 , followed by corresponding first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  configured as respective differential signal pairs  117 , followed by another ground plate  306 , and so on. Accordingly, the connector housing  102  can support each of the plurality of electrical signal contacts  104  and the plurality of ground plates  306  such that only two differential signal pairs  117  are disposed between successive ground plates  306 . 
     Using this repeating sequence, the electrical connector  100  can be constructed as a card edge electrical connector  100  that defines one hundred seventy mating ends  95  that can be collectively defined by the mating ends  112  of the electrical signal contacts  104  and the mating ends  114  of the ground plates  306 , the mating ends  95  defining a column pitch of approximately 0.75 mm. Thus, the mating ends  95  can be said to be constructed in accordance with the existing MicroTCA® standard, such that the electrical connector  100  is mating compatible with complementary electrical components constructed in accordance with the MicroTCA® standard. Thus, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the mating ends of the electrical contacts  105  collectively define eighty-five columns and two rows. Additionally, because the ground plates  306  can be mounted onto a printed circuit board  202  configured in accordance with the industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint, the illustrated electrical connector  100  can be said to be footprint compatible with the MicroTCA® standard. 
     In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the ground plate  306  includes a tab  348  that is constructed differently than the tab  122  of the ground plate  106 . The tab  348  extends out from the plate body  320 . The tab  348  can have a tab body  349  that defines a proximal end  349   a  that is disposed at a respective location along the first outer plate body surface  320   e , a distal end  349   b  that is spaced from the proximal end  349   a  along the longitudinal direction L, opposed first and second side surfaces  349   c  and  349   d  that are spaced from one another along the lateral direction A, and opposed upper and lower surfaces  349   e  and  349   f  that are spaced from one another along the transverse direction T and can define opposed first and second outer tab surfaces that are spaced so as to define a tab thickness. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second outer tab surfaces can extend along respective third and fourth planes defined by the longitudinal direction L and the lateral direction A. Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the tab thickness is substantially equal to the plate body thickness PT, the tab thickness is defined along the transverse direction A and the plate body thickness PT is defined along the longitudinal direction L. Thus, the tab thickness can be defined along a direction that is angularly offset with respect to a direction in which the plate body thickness PT is defined, and can be defined along a direction that is substantially perpendicular with respect to a direction in which the plate body thickness PT is defined. The proximal end  349   a  can be disposed at any desired location along the first outer plate body surface  320   e . In this regard, the tab  348  can extend out from the plate body  320  at any location along the first outer plate body surface  320   e . For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the tab  348  extends out from the plate body  320  at a location that is substantially equidistant between the first and second sides  320   c  and  320   d , and extends out from the plate body  320  at a location that is between the upper and lower ends  320   a  and  320   b.    
     The tab body  349  is oriented such that the first and second side surfaces  349   c  and  349   d  are substantially parallel to one another and substantially coplanar with a plane defined by the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction T, and such that the upper and lower surfaces  349   e  and  349   f  are substantially parallel to one another and substantially coplanar with a plane defined by the longitudinal direction L and the lateral direction A. Thus, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second side surfaces  349   c  and  349   d  are substantially perpendicular with respect to the first and second outer plate body surfaces  320   e  and  320   f  of the plate body  320  and are substantially perpendicular with respect to the upper surface  204   e  of the printed circuit board  202  when the electrical connector  100  is mounted to the printed circuit board  202 . Furthermore, the upper and lower surfaces  349   e  and  349   f  are substantially perpendicular with respect to the first and second outer plate body surfaces  320   e  and  320   f  of the plate body  320  and are substantially parallel with respect to the upper surface  204   e  of the printed circuit board  202  when the electrical connector  100  is mounted to the printed circuit board  202 . It should be appreciated that the tab body  349  can be alternatively oriented as desired. 
     In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the upper and lower surfaces  349   e  and  349   f  of the tab body  349  are spaced along the third direction and define a tab height TH of the tab  348 , and the first and second side surfaces  349   c  and  349   d  are spaced along the first direction and define a tab width TW of the tab  348 . Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the tab height TH is substantially equal to the plate thickness PT of the plate body  320 , and the tab width TW is greater than the tab height TH, and thus greater than the tab thickness. 
     The upper and lower surfaces  349   e  and  349   f  can define respective first and second ones of opposed broadsides  350  of the tab  348  and the first and second side surfaces  349   c  and  349   d  can define respective first and second ones of opposed edges  352  of the tab  348 . Thus, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second edges  352  of the tab  348  are substantially perpendicular with respect to the upper surface  204   e  of the printed circuit board  202  when the electrical connector  100  is mounted to the printed circuit board  202 , and the first and second broadsides  350  of the tab  348  are substantially parallel with respect to the upper surface  204   e  of the printed circuit board  202  when the electrical connector  100  is mounted to the printed circuit board  202 . Furthermore, each of the first and second ones of the broadsides  350  has a first length along the lateral direction A from the first one of the edges  352  to the second one of the edges  352 , and each of the first and second ones of the edges  352  has a second length that extends along the transverse direction T from a first one of the broadsides  350  to a second one of the broadsides  350 , wherein the first length is greater than the second length. 
     The tab  348  can be integral, such as monolithic, with the plate body  320 . Alternatively, the tab  348  can be separate and can be attached to the plate body  320 . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the tab  348  can be defined by removing sections of material from the plate body  320 , for example by making at least one cut  324  such as a plurality of cuts  324  in the plate body  320 . The cuts  324  can comprise first and second cuts  324   a  and  324   b  that extend upward into the lower end  320   b  of the plate body  320  along the transverse direction T to respective locations between the upper and lower ends  320   a  and  320   b , the first and second cuts  324   a  and  324   b  spaced from one another along the lateral direction a distance substantially equal to the tab width TW. The first cut  324   a  can be made at a location between the first and second sides  320   c  and  320   d  so as to define the first side  349   c  of the tab body  349 . The second cut  324   b  can be made at a location between the first cut  324   a  and the second side  320   d  so as to define the second side  349   d  of the tab body  349 . After the first and second cuts  324   a  and  324   b  have been made, the tab  348  can be bent out from the plate body  320  around a bend axis that extends along the lateral direction A and can be defined proximate the proximal end  349   a  of the tab body  349 , such that the lower end  320   b  of the plate body  320  defines a void  320   g  that extends upward into the plate body  320  along the transverse direction T. The first and second cuts  324   a  and  324   b  can be located such that the tab  348  is located substantially equidistantly between the first and second sides  320   c  and  320   d  when the tab  348  is bent out from the plate body  320 . It should be appreciated that the ground plate  306  is not limited to the illustrated tab geometry, and that the tab  348  can be alternatively constructed as desired. 
     Similarly to the ground plate  106 , the ground plate  306  can include at least one mounting end  310  that can extend from the tab  348 , and thus can be said to extend out from the plate body  320 . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the at least one mounting end  310  can define a first mounting end extends downward from the lower surface  349   f  of the tab body  349  along the transverse direction T, and is located substantially at the distal end  349   b  of the tab body  349 , such that the at least one mounting end  310  is substantially aligned with the void  320   g  along the longitudinal direction L and spaced from the first outer plate body surface  320   e  of the plate body  320  a distance D along the longitudinal direction L. The at least one mounting end  310  can include a mounting element that can be configured as a press-fit mounting element such as a press-fit tail  311  that is downwardly elongate along the transverse direction T. The tail  311  can be integral, such as monolithic, with the tab body  349 . In this regard, it can be said that the tail  311  extends out from the at least one mounting end  310 . Alternatively, the tail  311  can be separate and can be attached to the at least one mounting end  310 . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the tail  311  can be constructed as a press-fit tail, for instance an eye of the needle tail configured to be inserted into a corresponding ground via  210  such that a press fit engagement is created between the tail  311  and the respective ground via  210  upon insertion. It should be appreciated that the ground plate  306  is not limited to the illustrated tails  311 , and that the at least one mounting end  310  of the ground plate  306  can be constructed with any other mounting element geometry as desired. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5A-5C , when a respective one of the plurality of ground plates  306  and corresponding first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  are supported by the connector housing  102 , at least a portion of the tab  348 , such as the distal end  349   b  of the tab body  349 , can be disposed between the mounting ends  108  of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104 , respectively, such that the mounting ends  108  of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  and the mounting end  310  disposed on the tab  348  of the ground plate  306  are substantially aligned along the first direction. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, when the first ground plate  306   a  and the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  are supported by the connector housing  102 , the mounting end  310  disposed on the tab  348  is disposed between the respective mounting ends  108  of the first and second electrical signal contacts  104   a  and  104   b  of the first pair  113   a  and between the respective mounting ends  108  of the first and second electrical signal contacts  104   c  and  104   d  of the second pair  113   b . Furthermore, the tail  311  of the mounting end  310  that extends from the tab  348  is oriented substantially parallel with respect to the tails  111  that extend from the respective mounting ends  108  of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
     The illustrated arrangement of electrical contacts  105 , including the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  and the ground plate  306  can be mounted to the industry standard MicroTCA® press fit footprint. Therefore, it can be said that the illustrated electrical connector  100  is footprint compatible with the MicroTCA® standard. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, when the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  and the ground plate  306  are supported by the connector housing  102 , the tails  111  that extend out from the respective mounting ends  108  of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  can be inserted into corresponding ones of the first and second pairs  212   a  and  212   b  of electrical signal vias  208  of a first column of vias  206 , and the tail  311  of the mounting end  310  of the ground plate  306  can be inserted into the electrical ground via  210  of the first column of vias  206 . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the mounting ends  108  of the plurality of the electrical signal contacts  104  define respective ones of a first plurality of press-fit tails  111 , and the mounting end  311  of the tabs  348  of each of the ground plates  306  defines a respective one of a second plurality of press-fit tails  311 , such that each of the first and second pluralities of press-fit tails are positioned to be inserted into complementary vias  206  of a printed circuit  202  board that are arranged in accordance with the MicroTCA® standard, such as the MicroTCA® specification Rev. 1.0, and are thus footprint compatible with the industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 5A-5D , each ground plate  306  can define symmetrical first and second ground return flow paths SP 3  and SP 4 . For instance, a first mating end  314   a  can define a first ground mating end that defines the first ground flow return path SP 3  from the first mating end  314   a  to the mounting end  310 , and a second mating end  314   b  can define a second ground mating end that defines the second ground flow return path SP 4  from the second mating end  314   b  to the mounting end  310 . The first and second ground flow return paths SP 3  and SP 4  can define respect paths to ground for corresponding electrical signal contacts  104  disposed proximate the first and second mating ends  314   a  and  314   b , respectively. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, electrical signal contacts  104  disposed proximate the first mating end  314   a , such as the first electrical signal contacts  104   a  and  104   c  of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b , respectively, that define the first differential signal pair  117   a , will follow the first ground return flow path SP 3  to the mounting end  310 , and electrical signal contacts  104  disposed proximate the second mating end  314   b , such as the second electrical signal contacts  104   b  and  104   d  of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b , respectively, that define the second differential signal pair  117   b , will follow the second ground return flow path SP 4  to the mounting end  310 . 
     The first and second ground flow return paths SP 3  and SP 4  can be symmetrical with respect to each other due to one or both of substantially equal physical length of the first and second ground flow return paths SP 3  and SP 4  or substantially equal electrical length of the first and second ground flow return paths SP 3  and SP 4 . For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, first and second the ground flow return paths SP 3  and SP 4  are substantially equal in physical length, at least in part due to the symmetry of the plate body  320 , including the first and second mating ends  314   a  and  314   b , with respect to the tail  311 . Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second ground flow return paths SP 3  and SP 4  are substantially equal in electrical length. For example, a first electrical signal that propagates from a first location in the first mating end  314   a  of the ground plate  306  to the tail  311  will reach the tail  311  in substantially the same amount of time required for a second electrical signal to propagate from a second location in the second mating end  314   b  of the ground plate  306  to the tail  311 , wherein the first location with respect to the first mating end  314   a  substantially corresponds with the second location with respect to the second mating end  314   b . It should be appreciated that it is possible to alternatively construct the ground plate  306  such that the first and second ground flow return paths SP 3  and SP 4  are substantially equal in electrical length but not substantially equal in physical length. Because the first and second differential signal pairs  117   a  and  117   b  are adjacent to or near substantially equal length first and second ground flow return paths SP 3  and SP 4 , respectively, the inductance levels exhibited by the first and second differential signal pairs  117   a  and  117   b  can be substantially the same, resulting in an overall performance increase over an electrical connector  100  constructed utilizing a plurality of ground plates  106 . 
     Referring generally now to  FIGS. 7A-9D , the ground plate of the electrical connector  100  can be differently constructed in accordance with additional alternative embodiments, so as to improve the path to ground characteristics associated with the plurality of electrical signal contacts  104  supported by the connector housing  102 . To improve the ground path characteristics of the electrical connector  100 , the ground plates can be differently constructed to introduce additional symmetries to the respective ground flow return paths defined by the ground plates of the electrical connector  100 . In order to maintain compatibility between printed circuit board  202  and the electrical connectors  100  utilizing the alternatively constructed ground plates, the plurality of vias  206  can be disposed along the printed circuit board  202  in accordance with corresponding alternative arrangements, so as to define respective alternative footprints that differ from the industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint, as described in more detail below. It should be further appreciated that electrical connectors  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 7A-9D  define mating ends  95  that are constructed in accordance with the existing MicroTCA® standard, such that the respective electrical connectors  100  are mating compatible with complementary electrical components constructed in accordance with the MicroTCA® standard as described above with respect to  FIGS. 5A-C . Thus, in accordance with the illustrated embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 7A-9D , the mating ends  95  of the electrical contacts  105  collectively define eighty-five columns and two rows. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7A-7D , a ground plate  406  constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment is illustrated. In the interest of succinctness, elements of the ground plate  406  that are constructed substantially identically to corresponding elements of the ground plate  306  are labeled with reference numbers that are incremented by 100. The illustrated electrical signal contacts  104  can be constructed substantially identically to the electrical signal contacts  104  described above and illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3E , and thus the reference numerals associated therewith are repeated in  FIGS. 7A-7D . The electrical connector  100  can be constructed utilizing at least one such as a plurality of the ground plates  406 . In this regard, a plurality of ground plates  406  can be substituted for the plurality of ground plates  106 , and the plurality of ground plates  406  can be supported by the connector housing  102  adjacent to corresponding pairs  113  of electrical signal contacts  104 . 
     In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the ground plate  406  includes a tab  448  that is constructed substantially identically to the tab  348  of the ground plate  306 . The ground plate  406  can further include a plurality of mounting ends  410 , for instance first, second, and third mounting ends  410   a ,  410   b , and  410   c . The first and second mounting ends  410   a  and  410   b  can be disposed substantially at the lower end  420   b  of the plate body  420 , proximate the first and second sides  420   c  and  420   d , respectively, such that the first mounting end  410   a  extends from the plate body  420  at a location closer to the first side  420   c  than the second side  420   d , and the second mounting end  410   b  extends from the plate body  420  at a location closer to the second side  420   d  than the first side  420   c . The first and second mounting ends  410   a  and  410   b  can extend out from the lower end  420   b  of the plate body  420 , for instance downward from the lower end  420   b  along the transverse direction T. The third mounting end  410   c  can extend from the tab  448 , substantially at the distal end  449   b , and can extend out from the distal end  449   b , for instance downward from the distal end  449   b  along the transverse direction T. 
     The first, second, and third mounting ends  410   a ,  410   b , and  410   c  can include a first, second, and third tail  411   a ,  411   b , and  411   c , respectively. The first, second, and third tail  411   a ,  411   b , and  411   c  extend out from the first, second, and third mounting ends  410   a ,  410   b , and  410   c , respectively, for example downward along the transverse direction T. The first, and second tails  411   a  and  411   b  can be integral, such as monolithic, with the first and second mounting ends  410   a  and  410   b , respectively, and thus monolithic with the plate body  420 . The third tail  411   c  can be can be integral, such as monolithic, with the third mounting end  410   c , and thus monolithic with the tab body  349  and the plate body  420 . In this regard, it can be said that the first, second, and third tails  411   a ,  411   b , and  411   c  extend out from the first, second, and third mounting ends  410   a ,  410   b , and  410   c , respectively. Alternatively, the first, second, and third tails  411   a ,  411   b , and  411   c  can be separate and can be attached to the first, second, and third mounting ends  410   a ,  410   b , and  410   c , respectively. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first, second, and third tails  411   a ,  411   b , and  411   c  can be constructed as press-fit tails, for instance eye of the needle tails configured to be inserted into corresponding electrical ground vias  210  such that press fit engagement is created between each of the first, second, and third tails  411   a ,  411   b , and  411   c  and respective ones of the electrical ground vias  210  upon insertion. It should be appreciated that the ground plate  406  is not limited to the illustrated tails  411 , and that the first, second, and third mounting ends  410   a ,  410   b , and  410   c  can be constructed with any other mounting element geometry as desired. 
     Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, when respective pluralities of the electrical signal contacts  104  and the ground plates  406  are supported by the connector housing  102 , the tails  111  that extend from the plurality of electrical signal contacts  104  can define a first plurality of press-fit tails of the electrical connector  100 . Additionally, the third tails  411   c  that extend from the tab  448  of each ground plate  406  can define a second plurality of press-fit tails of the electrical connector  100 . Moreover, the first and second tails  411   a  and  411   b  of each ground plate  406  can define a third plurality of press-fit tails of the electrical connector  100 . It should be appreciated that the first and second pluralities of press-fit tails are configured to be inserted into complementary vias  206  of a printed circuit board  202  that are arranged in accordance with the MicroTCA®, such as the MicroTCA® specification Rev. 1.0, and are thus footprint compatible with the industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint. It should further be appreciated that the third plurality of press-fit tails are positioned so as to not be insertable into complementary vias  206  of the printed circuit board  202  that are arranged in accordance with MicroTCA specification Rev. 1.0. Furthermore, select ones of the third plurality of press-fit tails includes first and second press-fit tails that are disposed on opposite sides of each of select ones of the first and second pluralities of press-fit tails, such that the mating ends  112  and  314  of the respective electrical signal contacts  104  and ground plates  306  that defines the select ones of the first, second, and third pluralities of the press-fit tails are aligned along the column direction C. 
     When a respective one of the plurality of ground plates  406  and corresponding first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  are supported by the connector housing  102 , at least a portion of the tab  448 , such as the distal end  449   b  of the tab body  449  and thus the third mounting end  410   c , can be disposed between the mounting ends  108  of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104 , respectively, such that the mounting ends  108  of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  and the third mounting end  410   c  disposed on the tab  448  of the ground plate  406  are substantially aligned along the first direction. 
     Additionally, when a respective pair of successive first and second ground plates  406   a  and  406   b  and corresponding first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  are supported by the connector housing  102 , respective ones of the mounting ends  108  of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  can be disposed between respective ones of the first and second mounting ends  410   a  and  410   b  of the first and second ground plates  406   a  and  406   b . For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first electrical signal contact  104   a  of the first pair  113   a  of electrical signal contacts  104  and the first electrical signal contact  104   c  of the second pair  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  are disposed proximate to, such as between the first mounting end  410   a  of the first ground plate  406   a  and the first mounting end  410   a  of the second ground plate  406   b , and the second electrical signal contact  104   b  of the first pair  113   a  of electrical signal contacts  104  and the second electrical signal contact  104   d  of the second pair  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  are disposed proximate to, such as between the second mounting end  410   b  of the first ground plate  406   a  and the second mounting end  410   b  of the second ground plate  406   b.    
     The electrical connector  100  can further include third and fourth pairs  113  of electrical signal contacts  104  supported by the connector housing  102 . For example, when the third and fourth pairs  113  of electrical signal contacts are supported by the connector housing  102  adjacent to the second ground plate  406   b  and on the opposite side of the second ground plate  406   b  from the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104 , that the third mounting end  410   c  of the second ground plate  406   b  of the pair of ground plates  406  can be disposed between the respective mounting ends  108  of the third and fourth pairs  113  of electrical signal contacts, respectively. 
     The industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint can be modified to operate with the illustrated configuration of electrical signal contacts  104  and ground plates  406 . For example, the plurality of vias  206  can be disposed along the printed circuit board so as to define a first alternative footprint FP 1 . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second pairs  212   a  and  212   b  of electrical signal vias  208  and the central electrical ground via  210  of the industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint are retained. In this regard, the alternative footprint FP 1  is backwards compatible with existing industry standard MicroTCA® PF electrical connectors. In order to make the alternative footprint FP 1  compatible with the illustrated configuration of electrical signal contacts  104  and ground plates  406 , columns of additional electrical ground vias  210  can be disposed between each column of the industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, each column of additional electrical ground vias  210  comprises a pair of electrical ground vias  210  disposed along a centerline CR 4  that is spaced substantially equidistantly along the longitudinal direction L between respective adjacent centerlines CR 1  of the industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint. A first electrical ground via  210   a  of each column is disposed proximate the first and second electrical signal vias  208   a  and  208   b  of the first pair  212   a , and a second electrical ground via  210   b  can be spaced from the first electrical ground via  210   a  along the lateral direction A and disposed proximate the second electrical signal vias  208   c  and  208   d  of the second pair  212   b.    
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8A-8D , a ground plate  506  constructed in accordance with another alternative embodiment is illustrated. In the interest of succinctness, elements of the ground plate  506  that are constructed substantially identically to corresponding elements of the ground plate  306  are labeled with reference numbers that are incremented by 200. The illustrated electrical signal contacts  104  can be constructed substantially identically to the electrical signal contacts  104  described above and illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3E , and thus the reference numerals associated therewith are repeated in  FIGS. 8A-8D . The electrical connector  100  can be constructed utilizing at least one such as a plurality of the ground plates  506 . In this regard, a plurality of ground plates  506  can be substituted for the plurality of ground plates  106 , and the plurality of ground plates  506  can be supported by the connector housing  102  adjacent to corresponding pairs  113  of electrical signal contacts  104 . 
     In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the ground plate  506  is constructed without a tab, such that the lower end is substantially straight along the lateral direction A. The ground plate  506  can include a first mounting ends  510   a . The first mounting end  510   a  can be disposed substantially at the lower end  520   b  of the plate body  520 , and can be located substantially equidistantly between the first and second sides  520   c  and  520   d , respectively. The first mounting ends  510   a  can extend out from the lower end  520   b  of the plate body  520 , for instance downward from the lower end  520   b  along the transverse direction T. The first mounting end  510   a  can extend from the plate body  520  so as to be substantially inline with the plate body  520 , such that the at least one mounting end  510   a  is spaced from the first outer plate body surface  520   e  of the plate body  520  a distance that is shorter than the distance D along the longitudinal direction L, and thus is positioned so as to not be insertable into any of the complementary vias of a printed circuit board that are arranged in accordance with MicroTCA specification Rev. 1.0. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the distance D that the first mounting end  510   a  is spaced from the first outer plate body surface  520   e  of the plate body  520  can be zero, such that the first mounting end  510   a  is substantially coplanar with the plate body  520 . Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first mounting end  510   a  extends downwardly from the lower end  520   b  of the plate body  520  substantially along the transverse direction T. 
     The first mounting end  510   a  can include a mounting element that can be configured as a press-fit mounting element such as a press-fit tail  511  that is downwardly elongate along the transverse direction T. The tail  511  can be integral, such as monolithic, with the first mounting end  510   a , and thus monolithic with the plate body  520 . In this regard, it can be said that the tail  511  extends out from the first mounting end  510   a . Alternatively, the tail  511  can be separate and can be attached to the first mounting end  510   a . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment the tail  511  can be constructed as a press-fit tail, for instance an eye of the needle tail configured to be inserted into a corresponding ground via  210  such that a press fit engagement is created between the tail  511  and a respective one of the electrical ground vias  210  upon insertion. It should be appreciated that the ground plate  506  is not limited to the illustrated tail  511 , and that the first mounting end  510   a  can be constructed with any other mounting element geometry as desired. 
     Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, when respective pluralities of the electrical signal contacts  104  and the ground plates  506  are supported by the connector housing  102 , the tails  111  that extend from the plurality of electrical signal contacts  104  can define a first plurality of press-fit tails of the electrical connector  100 . Additionally, the tails  511  that extend from the ground plates  506  can define a second plurality of press-fit tails of the electrical connector  100 . It should be appreciated that the first plurality of press-fit tails is configured to be inserted into complementary vias  206  of a printed circuit board  202  that are arranged in accordance with the MicroTCA®, such as the MicroTCA® specification Rev. 1.0, and are thus footprint compatible with the industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint. It should further be appreciated that the second plurality of press-fit tails are positioned so as to not be insertable into complementary vias  206  of the printed circuit board  202  that are arranged in accordance with MicroTCA specification Rev. 1.0. Furthermore, select ones of the second plurality of press-fit tails includes first and second press-fit tails that are disposed on opposite sides of each of select ones of the first and second pluralities of press-fit tails, such that the mating ends  112  and  514  of the respective electrical signal contacts  104  and ground plates  506  that defines the select ones of the first and second pluralities of the press-fit tails are aligned along the column direction C. 
     When a respective pair of successive first and second ground plates  506   a  and  506   b  and corresponding first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  are supported by the connector housing  102 , the respective first mounting ends  510   a  of the first and second ground plates  506   a  and  506   b  are disposed between the respective mounting ends  108  of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104 , respectively. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first electrical signal contact  104   a  of the first pair  113   a  of electrical signal contacts  104  and the first electrical signal contact  104   c  of the second pair  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  are disposed on a first side of the centerline CR 3  and the second electrical signal contact  104   b  of the first pair  113   a  of electrical signal contacts  104  and the second electrical signal contact  104   d  of the second pair  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  are disposed on a second side of the centerline CR 3  that is opposite and spaced along the lateral direction A from the first side of the centerline CR 3 . 
     The industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint can be modified to operate with the illustrated configuration of electrical signal contacts  104  and ground plates  506 . For example, the plurality of vias  206  can be disposed along the printed circuit board  202  so as to define a second alternative footprint FP 2 . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second pairs  212   a  and  212   b  of electrical signal vias  208  of the industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint are retained. In order to make the alternative footprint FP 2  compatible with the illustrated configuration of electrical signal contacts  104  and ground plates  506 , additional electrical ground vias  210  can be disposed between the columns of electrical signal vias  208  of the industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the alternative footprint FP 2  defines a plurality of centerlines CR 4 , each centerline CR 4  spaced substantially equidistantly along the row direction R between successive centerlines CR 1  of the industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint. At least one electrical ground via  210  is disposed along each of the plurality of centerlines CR 4 , such that each of the at least one electrical ground vias  210  is disposed between successive columns of electrical signal vias  208 . Additionally, the central electrical ground via  210  of the industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint can be omitted if backwards compatibility is not desired. 
     It should be appreciated that the printed circuit board  202  can alternatively be constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP 2 . For example, the printed circuit  202  constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP 2  and configured to receive mounting tails of only a single connector can include a first pair of electrical signal vias  208 , such as electrical signal vias  208   a  and  208   c , respectively, that are arranged inline with respect to each other along a first column that extends along the column direction C and can be coincident with the centerline CR 1 . The printed circuit  202  constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP 2  can further include a second pair of electrical signal vias  208 , such as electrical signal vias  208   b  and  208   d  that are arranged inline with respect to each other along a second column that extends along the column direction C and can be coincident with the centerline CR 2 . The first and second columns are spaced apart from each other along the row direction. The printed circuit  202  constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP 2  can further include at least a first electrical ground via  210   a , such as no more than a pair of first electrical ground vias  210 , disposed in a third column that extends substantially along the column direction C and can be coincident with a first one of the centerlines CR 4 . The printed circuit  202  constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP 2  can further include at least a second electrical ground via  210   b , such as no more than a pair of second electrical ground vias  210 , disposed in a fourth column that extends substantially along the column direction C and can be coincident with a second one of the centerlines CR 4 . Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second ground vias  210   a  and  210   b  are each disposed between each of the first pair of signal vias along the column direction C, and are further disposed between each of the second pair of signal vias along the column direction C, and the first and second columns are disposed between the third and fourth columns. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9A-9D , a ground plate  606  constructed in accordance with still another alternative embodiment is illustrated. In the interest of succinctness, elements of the ground plate  606  that are constructed substantially identically to corresponding elements of the ground plate  506  are labeled with reference numbers that are incremented by 100. The illustrated electrical signal contacts  104  can be constructed substantially identically to the electrical signal contacts  104  described above and illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3E , and thus the reference numerals associated therewith are repeated in  FIGS. 8A-8D . The electrical connector  100  can be constructed utilizing at least one such as a plurality of the ground plates  606 . In this regard, a plurality of ground plates  606  can be substituted for the plurality of ground plates  106 , and the plurality of ground plates  606  can be supported by the connector housing  102  adjacent to corresponding pairs  113  of electrical signal contacts  104 . 
     In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the ground plate  606  can include a plurality of mounting ends  610 , for instance first and second mounting ends  610   a  and  610   b . The first and second mounting ends  610   a  and  610   b  can be disposed substantially at the lower end  620   b  of the plate body  620 , proximate the first and second sides  620   c  and  620   d , respectively, such that the first mounting end  610   a  extends from the plate body  620  at a location closer to the first side  620   c  than the second side  620   d , and the second mounting end  610   b  extends from the plate body  620  at a location closer to the second side  620   d  than the first side  620   c . The first and second mounting ends  610   a  and  610   b  can extend out from the lower end  620   b  of the plate body  620 , for instance downward from the lower end  620   b  along the transverse direction T. The first and second mounting ends  610   a  and  610   b  can extend from the plate body  620  so as to be substantially inline with the plate body  620 , as described above with respect to the first mounting end  510   a  of the ground plate  506 . For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the distance D that the first and second mounting ends  610   a  and  610   b  are spaced from the first outer plate body surface  620   e  of the plate body  620  can be zero, such that the first and second mounting ends  610   a  and  610   b  are substantially coplanar with the plate body  620 . Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second mounting ends  610   a  and  610   b  extend downwardly from the lower end  620   b  of the plate body  620  substantially along the transverse direction T. 
     The first and second mounting ends  610   a  and  610   b  can include first and second tails  611   a  and  611   b , respectively. The first and second tails  611   a  and  611   b  can extend out from the first and second mounting ends  610   a  and  610   b , respectively, for example downward along the transverse direction T. The first and second tails  611   a  and  611   b  can be integral, such as monolithic, with the first and second mounting ends  610   a  and  610   b , respectively, and thus monolithic with the plate body  620 . In this regard, it can be said that the first and second tails  611   a  and  611   b  extend out from the first and second mounting ends  610   a  and  610   b , respectively. Alternatively, the first and second tails  611   a  and  611   b  can be separate and can be attached to the first and second mounting ends  610   a  and  610   b , respectively. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second tails  611   a  and  611   b  can be constructed as press-fit tails, for instance eye of the needle tails configured to be inserted into corresponding electrical ground vias  210  such that press fit engagement is created between each of the first and second tails  611   a  and  611   b  and respective ones of the electrical ground vias  210  upon insertion. It should be appreciated that the ground plate  606  is not limited to the illustrated tails  611 , and that the first and second mounting ends  610   a  and  610   b  can be constructed with any other mounting element geometry as desired. 
     Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, when respective pluralities of the electrical signal contacts  104  and the ground plates  606  are supported by the connector housing  102 , the tails  111  that extend from the plurality of electrical signal contacts  104  can define a first plurality of press-fit tails of the electrical connector  100 . Additionally, the first and second tails  611   a  and  611   b  that extend from the ground plates  606  can define a second plurality of press-fit tails of the electrical connector  100 . It should be appreciated that the first plurality of press-fit tails is configured to be inserted into complementary vias  206  of a printed circuit board  202  that are arranged in accordance with the MicroTCA®, such as the MicroTCA® specification Rev. 1.0, and are thus footprint compatible with the industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint. It should further be appreciated that the second plurality of press-fit tails are positioned so as to not be insertable into complementary vias  206  of the printed circuit board  202  that are arranged in accordance with MicroTCA specification Rev. 1.0. Furthermore, select ones of the second plurality of press-fit tails includes first and second pairs of press-fit tails that are disposed on opposite sides of each of select ones of the first plurality of press-fit tails, such that the mating ends of the respective electrical signal contacts and ground plates that defines the select ones of the first and second pluralities of the press-fit tails are aligned along the column direction C. 
     When a respective pair of successive first and second ground plates  606   a  and  606   b  and corresponding first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  are supported by the connector housing  102 , respective ones of the mounting ends  108  of the first and second pairs  113   a  and  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  can be disposed between respective ones of the first and second mounting ends  610   a  and  610   b  of the first and second ground plates  606   a  and  606   b . For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first electrical signal contact  104   a  of the first pair  113   a  of electrical signal contacts  104  and the first electrical signal contact  104   c  of the second pair  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  are disposed proximate to, such as between the first mounting end  610   a  of the first ground plate  606   a  and the first mounting end  610   a  of the second ground plate  606   b , and the second electrical signal contact  104   b  of the first pair  113   a  of electrical signal contacts  104  and the second electrical signal contact  104   d  of the second pair  113   b  of electrical signal contacts  104  are disposed proximate to, such as between the second mounting end  610   b  of the first ground plate  606   a  and the second mounting end  610   b  of the second ground plate  606   b.    
     The industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint can be modified to operate with the illustrated configuration of electrical signal contacts  104  and ground plates  606 . For example, the plurality of vias  206  can be disposed along the printed circuit board so as to define a third alternative footprint FP 3 . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second pairs  212   a  and  212   b  of electrical signal vias  208  of the industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint are retained. 
     In order to make the alternative footprint FP 3  compatible with the illustrated configuration of electrical signal contacts  104  and ground plates  606 , additional electrical ground vias  210  can be disposed between the columns of electrical signal vias  208  of the industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the alternative footprint FP 3  defines a plurality of centerlines CR 4 , each centerline CR 4  spaced substantially equidistantly along the row direction R between successive centerlines CR 1  of the industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint. At least one electrical ground via  210  such as a pair of electrical ground vias  210  is disposed along each of the plurality of centerlines CR 4 , such that each of the at least one electrical ground vias  210  is disposed between successive columns of electrical signal vias  208 . Additionally, the central electrical ground via  210  of the industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint can be omitted if backwards compatibility is not desired. 
     It should be appreciated that the printed circuit board  202  can alternatively be constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP 3 . For example, the printed circuit  202  constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP 3  and configured to receive mounting tails of only a single connector can include a first pair of electrical signal vias  208 , such as electrical signal vias  208   a  and  208   c , respectively, that are arranged inline with respect to each other along a first column that extends along the column direction C and can be coincident with the centerline CR 1 . The printed circuit  202  constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP 3  can further include a second pair of electrical signal vias  208 , such as electrical signal vias  208   b  and  208   d  that are arranged inline with respect to each other along a second column that extends along the column direction C and can be coincident with the centerline CR 2 . The first and second columns are spaced apart from each other along the row direction. The printed circuit  202  constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP 3  can further include a first pair of electrical ground vias  210   a  and  210   b , that are each inline with each other along a third column that extends substantially along the column direction C and can be coincident with the a first one of the centerlines CR 4 . The printed circuit  202  constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP 3  can further include a second pair of electrical ground vias  210   c  and  210   d , that are each inline with each other along a fourth column that extends substantially along the column direction C and can be coincident with the a second one of the centerlines CR 4 . Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first pair of electrical ground vias is disposed between each of the first pair of electrical signal vias  208  along the column direction C, and the second pair of ground vias are further disposed between the second pair of electrical signal vias  208  along the column direction C, and the first and second columns are disposed between the third and fourth columns. 
     Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, each electrical ground via  210  of the first and second pairs of electrical ground vias  210  is disposed substantially equidistantly between one of the first pair of electrical signal vias  208  and one of the second pair of electrical signal vias  208  along the column direction C. For instance, a first electrical ground via  210   a  of the first pair of electrical ground vias  210  is disposed substantially equidistantly between a first electrical signal via  208   a  of the first pair of electrical signal vias  208  and a first electrical signal via  208   b  of the second pair of electrical signal vias  208 . Similarly, a first electrical ground via  210   c  of the second pair of electrical ground vias  210  is disposed substantially equidistantly between the first electrical signal via  208   a  of the first pair of electrical signal vias  208  and the first electrical signal via  208   b  of the second pair of electrical signal vias  208 . Additionally, a second electrical ground via  210   b  of the first pair of electrical ground vias  210  is disposed substantially equidistantly between a second electrical signal via  208   c  of the first pair of electrical signal vias  208  and a second electrical signal via  208   d  of the second pair of electrical signal vias  208 . Similarly, a second electrical ground via  210   d  of the second pair of electrical ground vias  210  is disposed substantially equidistantly between the second electrical signal via  208   c  of the first pair of electrical signal vias  208  and the second electrical signal via  208   d  of the second pair of electrical signal vias  208 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10A-10G , a plurality of electrical signal contacts  704  constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment is illustrated. In the interest of succinctness, elements of the electrical signal contacts  704  that are constructed substantially identically to corresponding elements of the electrical signal contacts  104  are labeled with reference numbers that are incremented by 600. It should be appreciated that at least one such as a plurality of the electrical signal contacts  704  can be supported by the connector housing  102  of the electrical connector  100  along with at least one such as a plurality of any of the ground plates described herein, for instance any of the ground plates  106 ,  306 ,  406 ,  506 , or  606 , as desired. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the electrical signal contacts  704  are depicted in a configuration of electrical contacts  105  utilizing a pair of the ground plates  606 , including a first ground plate  606   a  and a second ground plate  606   b.    
     In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, at least one such as each electrical signal contact  704  of the plurality can be twisted about a respective twist axis that extends through at least a portion of the contact body  707 . For example, the twist axis can extend substantially along the third direction, and can extend through at least a portion of the intermediate region  709  of the contact body  707 . Accordingly, the contact body  707  of each of the plurality of electrical signal contacts  704  can define at least one twisted region  754  that is twisted about the respective twist axis. The twisted region  754  can be located along the contact body  707 . For example, the twisted region  754  can be located between the mating end  712  and the mounting end  708 . In accordance with one embodiment, the twisted region  754  can be located closer to the mounting end  708  than the mating end  712 , such as closer to the mounting end  708  than to a midpoint of the contact body  707  that is disposed equidistantly between the mating end  712  and the mounting end  708  along the transverse direction T. In this regard, it can be said that the twisted region  754  of each contact body  707  is located nearer the respective mounting end  708  than the respective mating end  712 . It should be appreciated that the electrical signal contacts  704  are not limited to the illustrated twisted region  754 , and that the electrical signal contacts  704  can be alternatively constructed with any other twist geometry as desired. 
     The contact body  707  of each of the electrical signal contacts  704  can be twisted about a respective twist axis such that the first and second ones of the broadsides  726  at the mating end  712  of each of the electrical signal contacts  704  are angularly offset with respect to the first and second ones of the broadsides  726  at the mounting end  708  of the electrical signal contact  704 . For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second ones of the broadsides  726  are oriented along the first direction at the mating end  712 , and the first and second ones of the broadsides  726  at the mounting end  708  can define a portion of the mounting end  708 , such as a first portion  708   a  that is offset from the first and second ones of the broadsides  726  at the mating end  712  along the second direction. Furthermore, the first and second ones of the broadsides  726  at the mounting end  708  can define a second portion  708   b  of the mounting end  708  that is substantially aligned with the first and second ones of the broadsides  726  at the mating end  712  along the third direction. 
     Additionally, the first and second broadsides  726  of each electrical signal contact  704  can define a first region at the respective mounting end  708  and a second region at the respective mating end  712 , such that the first region is angularly offset with respect to the second region. Furthermore, the first and second edges  728  of the each electrical signal contact  704  can define a first region at the respective mounting end  708  and a second region at the respective mating end  712 , such that the first region is angularly offset with respect to the second region. In this regard, it can thus be said that the mounting end  708  of each electrical signal contact  704  is out of plane with respect the corresponding mating end  712 . It can further be said that the mating end  712  of each electrical signal contact  704  is oriented along the first direction, and that the mounting end  708  of each electrical signal contact  704  can be oriented along a second direction that is angularly offset relative to the first direction. 
     Furthermore, the first region of the broadside  726  of at least one or more, up to all, of the electrical signal contacts  704  can extend substantially parallel with the first region of the broadsides  726  of at least one or more, up to all, of the others of the electrical signal contacts  704 . Similarly, the first region of the edges  728  of at least one or more, up to all, of the electrical signal contacts  704  can extend substantially parallel with the first region of the edges  728  of at least one or more, up to all, of the others of the electrical signal contacts  704 . 
     With continuing reference to  FIGS. 10A-10G , a plurality of leadframe assemblies  756  constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment are illustrated. The leadframe assemblies  756  can be supported by the connector housing  102 , as described above with reference to the leadframe assemblies  130 . Each leadframe assembly  756  can include a dielectric or electrically insulative leadframe housing  758  and at least one such as a plurality of electrical contacts  105  that can be configured as electrical signal contacts  704  that are supported by the leadframe housing  758 . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, each leadframe assembly  756  includes a pair of electrical signal contacts  704  that are spaced apart from one another along the column direction C. The leadframe assemblies  756  can be configured as insert molded leadframe assemblies (IMLAs) whereby the respective leadframe housings  758  are overmolded onto respective ones of the plurality of electrical signal contacts  704 . For instance, the leadframe housing  758  of each leadframe assembly  756  can be overmolded onto the corresponding electrical signal contacts  704  such that the leadframe housing  758  is overmolded onto, and thus encloses, at least a portion of the contact body  707 , for instance the twisted regions  754 , of each of the respective electrical signal contacts  704  supported by the leadframe housing  758 . Alternatively, the respective ones of the electrical signal contacts  704  can be stitched into the leadframe housings  758  or otherwise supported by the respective leadframe housings  758 . 
     A plurality up to all of the leadframe assemblies  756  can include at least one pair  757  such as a plurality of pairs  757  of first and second leadframe assemblies  756   a  and  756   b , respectively. The first and second leadframe assemblies  756   a  and  756   b  of each pair  757  can be constructed substantially identically. The first leadframe assembly  756   a  and the second leadframe assembly  756   b  of each pair  757  can be disposed adjacent each other, for instance along the row direction R, when supported by the connector housing  102 , so as to define the first and second differential signal pairs  717   a  and  717   b . For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first leadframe assembly  756   a  can have a first leadframe housing  758   a  that is overmolded onto the first pair  713   a  of electrical signal contacts  704  and the second leadframe assembly  756   b  can have a second leadframe housing  758   b  that is overmolded onto the second pair  713   b  of electrical signal contacts  704 . Accordingly, the first electrical signal contact  704   a  of the first leadframe assembly  756   a  and the first signal electrical contact  704   c  of the second leadframe assembly  756   b  can define the first differential signal pair  717   a , and the second electrical signal contact  704   b  of the first leadframe assembly  756   a  and the second electrical signal contact  704   d  of the second leadframe assembly  756   b  can define the second differential signal pair  717   b.    
     The first and second leadframe assemblies  756   a  and  756   b  of each pair  757  can be configured to interface with one another when disposed adjacent to one another in the connector housing  102 . For example, the leadframe housing  758  of each of the first and second leadframe assemblies  756   a  and  756   b , respectively, of each pair  757  can include at least one interface member  735  that is configured to receive a complementary at least one interface member  735  supported by the leadframe housing  758  of the other of the first and second leadframe assemblies  756   a  and  756   b , respectively, of the pair  757 . Thus, the first leadframe housing  758   a  of the first leadframe assembly  756   a  can be at least partially received by the second leadframe housing  758   b  of the second leadframe assembly  756   b , and the second leadframe housing  758   b  of the second leadframe assembly  756   b  can be at least partially received by the first leadframe housing  758   a  of the first leadframe assembly  756   a . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the leadframe housing  758  of each leadframe assembly  756  includes respective pairs of interface members  735  configured as a pair of projecting portions  760  and a pair of pocket portions  762 , respectively. The projecting portions  760  of each pair can be constructed the same or differently, and the pocket portions  762  of each pair can be constructed the same or differently. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first leadframe housing  758   a  of the first leadframe assembly  756   a  can include a pair of first projection portions  760   a  and a pair of first pocket portions  762   a , and the second leadframe housing  758   b  of the second leadframe assembly  756   b  can include a pair of second projection portions  760   b  and a pair of second pocket portions  762   b . The pair of first projection portions  760   a  of the first leadframe housing  758   a  can be configured to be received in respective ones of the pair of second pocket portions  762   b  of the second leadframe housing  758   b  and the pair of second projection portions  760   b  of the second leadframe housing  758   b  can be configured to be received in the pair of first pocket portions  762   a  of the first leadframe housing  758   a.    
     In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, when the first and second leadframe assemblies  756   a  and  756   b  of each pair  757  are supported by the connector housing  102 , the first leadframe assembly  756   a  of each respective pair  757  can be oriented in a first orientation and the second leadframe assembly  756   b  of the corresponding pair  757  can be oriented in a second orientation relative to the first leadframe assembly  756   a  that is rotated 180 degrees about an axis that extends substantially perpendicular to the first direction and substantially parallel to the transverse direction T. When the first and second leadframe assemblies  756   a  and  756   b  are oriented in the first and second orientations, respectively, and supported by the connector housing  102 , the pair of first projection portions  760   a  of the first leadframe housing  758   a  can be at least partially received in respective ones of the pair of second pocket portions  762   b  of the second leadframe housing  758   b  and the pair of second projection portions  760   b  of the second leadframe housing  758   b  can be at least partially received in the pair of first pocket portions  762   a  of the first leadframe housing  758   a.    
     The projecting portions  760  of the illustrated leadframe housings  758  can at least partially enclose the mounting ends  708  of the respective electrical signal contacts  704  of the leadframe assemblies  756 . Any suitable dielectric material, such as air or plastic, may be used to isolate the respective electrical signal contacts  704  of the first leadframe assembly  756   a  of a pair  757  from the respective electrical signal contacts  704  of the second leadframe assembly  756   b  of the pair  757 . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second leadframe assemblies  756   a  and  756   b  of each pair  757  are spaced from each other when supported by the connector housing  102 . However it should be appreciated that at least one or both of the first and second leadframe assemblies  756   a  and  756   b  or the connector housing  102  can be alternatively constructed such that the first and second leadframe assemblies  756   a  and  756   b  abut one another when supported by the connector housing  102 . 
     In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, each pair  757  of leadframe assemblies  756  of the plurality of leadframe assemblies  756  can be supported by the connector housing  102  between respective ground plates, for instance ground plates  606 . In this regard, the connector housing  102  supports successive first and second pairs  713   a  and  713   b  of electrical signal contacts  704  and ground plates  606  when the first and second pairs  713   a  and  713   b  of electrical signal contacts  704  and ground plates  606  are supported by the connector housing  102 . The respective pluralities of leadframe assemblies  756  and ground plates  606  can be arranged such that a ground plate  606  is disposed between successive adjacent pairs  757  of first and second leadframe assemblies  756   a  and  756   b , such that the plurality of electrical contacts  105  of the electrical connector  100  define a repeating ground-signal-signal (G-S-S) arrangement of ground plates  606  and electrical signal contacts  704  along the row direction R. The ground plates  606  can be disposed between adjacent pairs  757  of leadframe assemblies  756  along the row direction R such that the ground plates  606  can reduce crosstalk between adjacent differential signal pairs  717  of the adjacent pairs  757  of leadframe assemblies  756  that are aligned along the row direction R. 
     Furthermore, when respective pairs of leadframe assemblies  756 , for instance first and second leadframe assemblies  756   a  and  756   b , respectively, are supported by the connector housing  102  in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the mounting ends  708  of each electrical signal contacts  704  of the respective first and second leadframe assemblies  756   a  and  756   b  are aligned along a column that extends along the column direction C, which can be substantially parallel to the lateral direction A. Accordingly, a plane defined by the lateral direction A and the transverse direction T can extend through the mounting end  708  of each electrical signal contact  704  of each of the first and second leadframe assemblies  756   a  and  756   b  of a given pair  757 . Thus also, a straight line that extends along the lateral direction A extends through the mounting end  708  of each electrical signal contact  704  of each of the first and second leadframe assemblies  756   a  and  756   b  of a given pair  757 . The plane and the straight line can extend substantially parallel to one or both of the first and second ground plates  606   a  and  606   b.    
     Additionally, the mounting ends  708  of each electrical signal contact  704  of each of the first and second leadframe assemblies  756   a  and  756   b  of a given pair  757  can be evenly spaced from one or both of the adjacent first and second ground plates  606   a  and  606   b . For instance, the mounting ends  708  of each electrical signal contact  704  of each of the first and second leadframe assemblies  756   a  and  756   b  of a given pair  757  can support a tail  711 , and the tails  711  can be evenly spaced from one or both of the adjacent first and second ground plates  606 . The straight line and the plane can extend through the tail  711  of each electrical signal contact  704  of each of the first and second leadframe assemblies  756   a  and  756   b  of a given pair  757 . The plane and the straight line can extend through the same respective portion of the tail  711  of each of the electrical signal contacts  704 , such that the tails  711  of the electrical signal contacts  704  are substantially inline along the lateral direction A, for example along centerline CR 1  (see  FIG. 10G ). For instance, the straight line and the plane can extend through the eye of the needle opening of the tail  711  of each of the electrical signal contacts  704 . 
     Accordingly, the tails  711  of each electrical signal contact  704  of each of the first and second leadframe assemblies  756   a  and  756   b  of a given pair  757  can be said to be inline relative to each other along the column direction C, for example along a column. In this regard, it can be said that the respective tails  711  of the first and second pairs  713   a  and  713   b  of electrical signal contacts  704  are aligned with respect to each other along the first direction. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the first and second mounting ends  610   a  and  610   b  of each of the ground plates  606  are aligned along respective columns that extend along the column direction C. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the mounting ends  708  of the electrical signal contacts  704  of the first and second leadframe assemblies  756   a  and  756   b  are aligned along a first column C 1 , the first and second mounting ends  610   a  and  610   b  of the first ground plate  606   a  that is disposed adjacent the first leadframe assembly  756   a  are aligned along a second column C 2  that is disposed adjacent to the first column C 1  and substantially parallel to the first column C 1 , and the first and second mounting ends  610   a  and  610   b  of the second ground plate  606   b  that is disposed adjacent the second leadframe assembly  756   b  are aligned along a third column C 3  that is disposed adjacent and substantially parallel to the first column C 1 . Thus, the first column C 1  is disposed between the second and third columns C 2  and C 3 . It should be appreciated that the electrical connector  100  is not limited to the illustrated columns C 1 , C 2 , C 3 , and that the electrical connector  100  can define more or fewer columns of electrical contacts  105 , for instance in accordance with the number of ground plates  606  and the number of pairs of leadframe assemblies  756  supported by the connector housing  102 . 
     The ground plates  606  and the pairs  757  of leadframe assemblies  756  can be spaced apart from one another in the connector housing  102  along the longitudinal direction L in accordance with a pre-determined column pitch. For instance, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector  100  is constructed with a column pitch of between approximately 0.6 mm to approximately 1.4 mm, including approximately 0.75 mm, such that the mounting ends  708  of the electrical signal contacts  704  of a first one of the pairs  757  of leadframe assemblies  756  are spaced from the mounting ends  610  of a first ground plate  606   a  approximately 0.75 mm along the row direction R, and spaced from the mounting ends  610  of a second ground plate  606   b  approximately 0.75 mm along the row direction R, such that the first column C 1  is spaced from each of the second and third columns C 2  and C 3  approximately 0.75 mm along the row direction R. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the electrical connector  100  can be alternatively constructed with a column pitch of approximately 1 mm. 
     The industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint can be modified to operate with the illustrated configuration of electrical signal contacts  704  and ground plates  606 . For example, the plurality of vias  206  can be disposed along the printed circuit board so as to define a fourth alternative footprint FP 4 . It should be appreciated that in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the contact bodies  707  of the electrical signal contacts  704  are twisted such that the mounting ends  708  of the respective electrical signal contacts  704  of the first and second leadframe assemblies  756   a  and  756   b  of each pair  757  are substantially aligned with respect to each other along the lateral direction A, and thus can be said to be inline with respect to each other along the first direction. 
     In order to make the alternative footprint FP 4  compatible with the illustrated configuration of electrical signal contacts  704  and ground plates  606 , the respective electrical signal vias  208  of the first and second pairs  212   a  and  212   b  of the industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint can be repositioned and aligned with respect to each other along the centerline CR 1 . For example, in accordance with the industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint, the electrical signal vias  208   a  and  208   c  can be said to be inline with each other in a first column that is coincident with the centerline CR 1  and the electrical signal vias  208   b  and  208   d  can be said to be inline with each other in a second column that is coincident with the centerline CR 2 . In accordance with the alternative footprint FP 4 , the electrical signal vias  208   b  and  208   d  can be repositioned such that the first and second columns are coincident with each other; so that the electrical signal vias  208   a - 208   d  of each column are inline with each other in the column direction C along respective centerlines CR 1 . In this regard, it can be said that each centerline CR 1  passes through the geometric center of each of the respective electrical signal vias  208  of the first and second pairs  212   a  and  212   b  of electrical signal vias  208  of each column, and thus that the first and second pairs  212   a  and  212   b  or electrical signal vias  208  are centrally disposed along respective centerlines CR 1 . This arrangement increases available routing channel width, for instance the channel width available for routing electrical traces, within a printed circuit board  202  constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP 4 , as compared to a printed circuit board  202  constructed in accordance with the industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint, wherein the vias  206  are not inline with respect to one another along the column direction C. 
     In order to further make the alternative footprint FP 4  compatible with the illustrated configuration of electrical signal contacts  704  and ground plates  606 , additional electrical ground vias  210  can be disposed between the columns of electrical signal vias  208  of the industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the alternative footprint FP 4  defines a plurality of centerlines CR 4 , each centerline CR 4  spaced substantially equidistantly along the row direction R between successive centerlines CR 1  of the industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint. At least one electrical ground via  210  such as a pair of electrical ground vias  210  is disposed along each of the plurality of centerlines CR 4 , such that each of the at least one electrical ground vias  210  is disposed between successive columns of electrical signal vias  208 . 
     It should be appreciated that the printed circuit board  202  can alternatively be constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP 4 . For example, the printed circuit  202  constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP 4  and configured to receive mounting tails of only a single connector can include a first pair of electrical signal vias  208 , such as electrical signal vias  208   a  and  208   c , and a second pair of electrical signal vias  208 , such as electrical signal vias  208   b  and  208   d , wherein the electrical signal vias  208  of the first and second pairs are arranged inline with respect to each other along respective first and second columns that extend along the column direction C and can be coincident with each and coincident with the centerline CR 1 . The printed circuit  202  constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP 4  can further include a first pair of electrical ground vias  210   a  and  210   b , that are each inline with each other along a third column that extends substantially along the column direction C and can be coincident with the a first one of the centerlines CR 4 . The printed circuit  202  constructed in accordance with the alternative footprint FP 3  can further include a second pair of electrical ground vias  210   c  and  210   d , that are each inline with each other along a fourth column that extends substantially along the column direction C and can be coincident with the a second one of the centerlines CR 4 . It should be appreciated that the first and second columns are disposed substantially equidistantly between the third and fourth columns. 
     Further in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, each electrical ground via  210  of the first and second pairs of electrical ground vias  210  is disposed substantially equidistantly between one of the first pair of electrical signal vias  208  and one of the second pair of electrical signal vias  208  along the column direction C. For instance, a first electrical ground via  210   a  of the first pair of electrical ground vias  210  is disposed substantially equidistantly between a first electrical signal via  208   a  of the first pair of electrical signal vias  208  and a first electrical signal via  208   b  of the second pair of electrical signal vias  208 . Similarly, a first electrical ground via  210   c  of the second pair of electrical ground vias  210  is disposed substantially equidistantly between the first electrical signal via  208   a  of the first pair of electrical signal vias  208  and the first electrical signal via  208   b  of the second pair of electrical signal vias  208 . Additionally, a second electrical ground via  210   b  of the first pair of electrical ground vias  210  is disposed substantially equidistantly between a second electrical signal via  208   c  of the first pair of electrical signal vias  208  and a second electrical signal via  208   d  of the second pair of electrical signal vias  208 . Similarly, a second electrical ground via  210   d  of the second pair of electrical ground vias  210  is disposed substantially equidistantly between the second electrical signal via  208   c  of the first pair of electrical signal vias  208  and the second electrical signal via  208   d  of the second pair of electrical signal vias  208 . 
     The embodiments illustrated and described herein, for example the embodiments of the electrical connector  100 , when utilized with the corresponding printed circuit board  202  footprints, for instance the industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint or the alternative footprints FP 1 , FP 2 , FP 3 , or FP 4 , can exhibit enhanced electrical performance with respect to the industry standard MicroTCA® PF footprint and the existing industry standard MicroTCA® PF electrical connectors utilized therewith. For instance, electrical simulation has demonstrated that the herein described embodiments of electrical connectors  100  and printed circuit board  202  footprints, for instance electrical connectors  100  constructed using the electrical contacts  105  illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-9D  and in  FIGS. 10A-10F  and printed circuit boards  202  constructed in accordance with the alternative footprints FP 3  and FP 4 , respectively, can operate to transfer data, for example between the respective mating and mounting ends of each electrical contact, in the range between and including approximately 8 Gigabits/sec (including approximately 9 Gigabits/sec) and approximately 30 Gigabits/sec, such as at a minimum of approximately 12.5 Gigabits/sec (with a range of about 20 through 60 picosecond rise times, such as about 25 picosecond rise times), at a minimum of approximately 20.0 Gigabits/sec (with a range of about 20 through 60 picosecond rise times, such as about 25 picosecond rise times), and at a minimum of approximately 25 Gigabits/sec (with a range of about 20 through 60 picosecond rise times, such as about 25 picosecond rise times), including any 0.25 Gigabits/sec increments between approximately therebetween, with worst-case, multi-active crosstalk on a victim pair of between 1%-6%, including all sub ranges and all integers, for instance 1%-2%, 2%-3%, 3%-4%, 4%-5%, and 5%-6%, including 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, and 6% within acceptable crosstalk levels of the MicroTCA® standard, for instance somewhere below about four percent (4%), such as below about three percent (3%), approximately. Furthermore, the herein described embodiments of electrical connectors  100  and printed circuit board  202  footprints can operate in the range between and including approximately 1 and 15 GHz, including any 0.25 GHz increments between 1 and 15 GHz. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 12A-12B , in accordance with the MicroTCA® standard, the accepted level of crosstalk, such as near end crosstalk, can be dependent upon the particular type of MicroTCA® electrical assembly. For instance, an electrical assembly  20  constructed as an AdvancedMC Backplane Connector in accordance with the MicroTCA® standard can include a printed circuit board  202  and an electrical connector  100  mounted to the printed circuit board  202 . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the electrical assembly  20  further includes a complementary electrical component in the form of an edge card configured as an AdvancedMC module  900  that is mated to the mating interface  116  of the electrical connector  100  so as to place the AdvancedMC module  900  in electrical communication with the electrical connector  100 , and thus with the printed circuit board  202 . It should be appreciated that the electrical connector  100  of the electrical assembly  20  can be constructed in accordance with any of the herein described embodiments of the electrical connectors  100  and can be configured as an AdvancedMC Backplane Connector configured to operate in accordance with the acceptable levels of crosstalk specified in accordance with the MicroTCA® standard. Similarly, the printed circuit board  202  of the electrical assembly  20  can be configured with any of the herein described printed circuit board footprints, such that the electrical connector  100  of the electrical assembly  20  can be mounted onto the printed circuit board  202  of the electrical assembly  20 . 
     The crosstalk of the electrical connector  100  of the illustrated electrical assembly  20  should be measured under environment impedance of approximately 100 Ohms differential and at twenty to eighty percent (20%-80%) twenty five picosecond maximum input rise time. The crosstalk amplitude should be measured in a multi aggressor condition. For example the connector housing  102  can support a plurality of ground plates  306  that are spaced from each other along the row direction R, a first row R 1  of electrical signal contacts  104  arranged in respective differential signal pairs  117  that are spaced from each other along the row direction R, with each differential signal pair  117  disposed between successive ones of the ground plates  306 , and a second row R 2  of electrical signal contacts  104  arranged in respective differential signal pairs  117  that are spaced from each other along the row direction R, with each differential signal pair  117  disposed between successive ones of the ground plates  306 . The first and second rows R 1  and R 2  of electrical signal contacts  104  are spaced from each other along the column direction C, with corresponding differential signal pairs  117  in the first and second rows R 1  and R 2  that are disposed between respective successive ones of the ground plates  306  substantially aligned with respect to each other along the column direction C. 
     In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector  100  comprises a first ground plate  306   a  supported by the connector housing  102  substantially at the second end  103   b  of the housing body  103  and respective pairs  113  of electrical signal contacts configured as first and second differential signal pairs  117   a  and  117   b  are disposed between the first ground plate  306   a  and a second ground plate  306   b  that is successive with respect to the first ground plate  306   a . The first differential signal pair  117   a  is disposed in the second row R 2  of electrical signal contacts  104 , and the second differential signal pair  117   b  is disposed in the first row R 1  of electrical signal contacts  104 . The illustrated electrical connector  100  further comprises third and fourth differential signal pairs  117   c  and  117   d  that are disposed between the second ground plate  306   b  and a third ground plate  306   c  that is successive with respect to the second ground plate  306   b . The third differential signal pair  117   c  is disposed in the second row R 2  of electrical signal contacts  104  and is successive with respect to the first differential signal pair  117   a , and the fourth differential signal pair  117   d  is disposed in the first row R 1  of electrical signal contacts  104  and is successive with respect to the second differential signal pair  117   b . The illustrated electrical connector  100  further comprises fifth and sixth differential signal pairs  117   e  and  117   f  that are disposed between the third ground plate  306   c  and a fourth ground plate  306   d  that is successive with respect to the third ground plate  306   c . The fifth differential signal pair  117   e  is disposed in the second row R 2  of electrical signal contacts  104  and is successive with respect to the third differential signal pair  117   c , and the sixth differential signal pair  117   f  is disposed in the first row R 1  of electrical signal contacts  104  and is successive with respect to the fourth differential signal pair  117   d.    
     In order to measure the crosstalk amplitude of the electrical assembly  20  in a multi aggressor condition, and therefore in accordance with the MicroTCA® standard, the crosstalk induced by five differential signal pairs designated as multi-aggressor differential signal pairs at a single differential signal pair designated as a victim differential signal pair should be measured. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the third differential signal pair  117   c  is designated as the victim differential signal pair, and the first, second, fourth, fifth, and sixth differential signal pairs  117   a ,  117   b ,  117   d ,  117   e , and  117   f , respectively, are designated as the five multi-aggressor differential signal pairs that induce crosstalk at the victim differential signal pair. In accordance with the MicroTCA® standard, the differential crosstalk amplitude induced by the five multi-aggressor differential signal pairs at the victim differential signal pair should be less than three percent (3%). It should be appreciated that the crosstalk amplitude at the victim, or third, differential signal pair  117   c  should be less than 3% for an electrical connector  100  including electrical contacts having any type of mounting elements, for example press-fit mounting elements such as eye of the needle tails, surface mounting elements such as solder balls, or any other suitable mounting elements. The differential attenuation profile, or insertion loss, of the electrical assembly  20  should be greater than −1 dB at 6.5 GHz, greater than −2 dB at 12 GHz and greater than −4 dB at 14.5 GHz. It should be appreciated that the differential attenuation profile should be substantially equal to the above for an electrical connector  100  including electrical contacts having any type of mounting elements, for example press-fit mounting elements such as eye of the needle tails, surface mounting elements such as solder balls, or any other suitable mounting elements. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 13A-13B , in accordance with the MicroTCA® standard, the accepted level of crosstalk, such as near end crosstalk, is different for an electrical assembly  30  constructed as a MicroTCA® Carrier Hub (MCH) than for the electrical assembly  20 . The electrical assembly  30  can include a printed circuit board  202  and first and second electrical connectors  100  and  100 ′ mounted to the printed circuit board  202  and spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction A. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second electrical connectors  100  and  100 ′ are constructed substantially identically and are mounted to the printed circuit board  202  such that the connector housings  102  and  102 ′ of the first and second electrical connectors  100  and  100 ′ are substantially parallel with respect to each other and with respect to the longitudinal direction L, and such that the first and second ends  103   a  and  103   b  of the housing body  103  of the connector housing  102  of the first electrical connector  100  are substantially aligned with the first and second ends  103   a ′ and  103   b ′, respectively, of the housing body  103 ′ of the connector housing  102 ′ of the second electrical connector  100 ′ along the lateral direction A. 
     In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the electrical assembly  30  further includes a pair of complementary electrical components in the form of first and second edge cards configured as first and second AdvancedMC modules  900  and  900 ′ that are mated to the first and second electrical connectors  100  and  100 ′, respectively, so as to place the first and second AdvancedMC modules  900  and  900 ′ in electrical communication with the respective first and second electrical connectors  100  and  100 ′, and thus with the printed circuit board  202 . The electrical assembly  30  further includes complementary electrical connectors  1000  and  1000 ′ mounted to the first and second AdvancedMC modules  900  and  900 ′, respectively. The complementary electrical connectors  1000  and  1000 ′ are configured to be mated to each other so as to place the first and second AdvancedMC modules  900  and  900 ′ in electrical communication with each other. 
     The first and second electrical connectors  100  and  100 ′ can be constructed substantially the same or differently, for example in accordance with any of the herein described embodiments of the electrical connector  100 . Similarly the respective footprints on the printed circuit board  202  that correspond to the first and second electrical connectors  100  and  100 ′ can be arranged substantially the same or differently. For example, it should be appreciated that one or both of the first and second electrical connectors  100  and  100 ′ of the electrical assembly  30  can be constructed in accordance with any of the herein described embodiments of the electrical connectors  100 , and can be configured as a MicroTCA® Carrier Hub (MCH) configured to operate in accordance with the acceptable levels of crosstalk specified in accordance with the MicroTCA® standard. Similarly, the printed circuit board  202  of the electrical assembly  30  can be configured with one or more of any of the herein described printed circuit board footprints, such that the first and second electrical connectors  100  and  100 ′ of the electrical assembly  30  can be mounted onto the printed circuit board  202  of the electrical assembly  30 . It should be further be appreciated that a MicroTCA® Carrier Hub (MCH) is not limited to two electrical connectors, and that a MicroTCA® Carrier Hub (MCH) can be alternatively constructed including more than two, such as four, electrical connectors. 
     The crosstalk of the first electrical connector  100  of the illustrated electrical assembly  30  should be measured under environment impedance of approximately 100 Ohms differential and at twenty to eighty percent (20%-80%) twenty five picosecond maximum input rise time. The crosstalk amplitude should be measured in a multi aggressor condition. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector  100  of the electrical assembly  30  is constructed substantially identically to the electrical connector  100  of the electrical assembly  20 . Furthermore, the electrical connector  100 ′ is constructed substantially identically to the electrical connector  100 , and includes first, second, third, and fourth ground plates  306   a ′,  306   b ′,  306   c ′, and  306   d ′, and first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth differential signal pairs  117   a ′,  117   b ′,  117   c ′,  117   d ′,  117   e ′, and  117   f , disposed in the connector housing  102 ′ along respective first and second rows R 1 ′ and R 2 ′ of electrical signal contacts  104 ′. 
     In order to measure the crosstalk amplitude of the electrical assembly  30  in a multi aggressor condition, and therefore in accordance with the MicroTCA® standard, the crosstalk induced by eight differential signal pairs designated as multi-aggressor differential signal pairs at a single differential signal pair designated as a victim differential signal pair should be measured. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the fourth differential signal pair  117   d  of the first electrical connector  100  is designated as the victim differential signal pair, and the first, second, third, fifth, and sixth differential signal pairs  117   a ,  117   b ,  117   c ,  117   e , and  117   f  of the first electrical connector  100 , and the first, third, and fifth differential signal pairs  117   a ′,  117   c ′, and  117   e ′ of the second electrical connector  100 ′, respectively, are designated as the eight multi-aggressor differential signal pairs that induce crosstalk at the victim differential signal pair. In accordance with the MicroTCA® standard, the differential crosstalk amplitude induced by the eight multi-aggressor differential signal pairs at the victim differential signal pair should be less than four percent (4%). It should be appreciated that the crosstalk amplitude at the victim, or fourth, differential signal pair  117   d  should be less than 4% for first and second electrical connectors  100  and  100 ′ including electrical contacts having any type of mounting elements, for example press-fit mounting elements such as eye of the needle tails, surface mounting elements such as solder balls, or any other suitable mounting elements. The differential attenuation profile, or insertion loss, of the electrical assembly  30  should be greater than −1 dB at 6.5 GHz, greater than −2 dB at 12 GHz and greater than −4 dB at 14.5 GHz. It should be appreciated that the differential attenuation profile should be substantially equal to the above for first and second electrical connectors  100  and  100 ′ including electrical contacts having any type of mounting elements, for example press-fit mounting elements such as eye of the needle tails, surface mounting elements such as solder balls, or any other suitable mounting elements. 
     A method of fabricating an electrical connector  100  in accordance with the herein described embodiments can include supporting a plurality electrical signal contacts  704  in the connector housing  102 , wherein respective pairs  113  of the plurality of electrical signal contacts  704  define differential signal pairs  717 . The method can further include supporting first and second ground plates  606   a  and  606   b , respectively, in the connector housing  102 , such that the electrical connector includes one hundred seventy mating ends  95  that are spaced along two columns that each extend along the row direction R collectively from the mating ends  712  of the plurality of electrical signal contacts  704  and the ground mating ends  614  of the first and second ground plates  606   a  and  606   b , the one hundred seventy mating ends  95  defining a 0.75 mm column pitch. The method further includes positioning the plurality of electrical signal contacts  704  and the ground plates  606  in the connector housing  102  such that the signal mounting tails  711  and the ground mounting tails  611   a  and  611   b  define a footprint that differs from a footprint defined by vias  206  of a printed circuit board  202  that are arranged in accordance with MicroTCA specification Rev. 1.0, such that the electrical signal contacts  704  are configured to transfer data between the mounting tails and the mating ends at a minimum of approximately 12.5 Gigabits/second at an acceptable level of near-end crosstalk. The acceptable level of near-end cross talk can be, for instance, less than approximately four percent (4%), for instance less than approximately three percent (3%). The method can further include configuring the electrical signal contacts  704  to transfer data at higher speeds, such as a minimum of approximately 20 Gigabits/second at the acceptable level of near-end crosstalk, and a minimum of approximately 25 Gigabits/second at the acceptable level of near-end crosstalk. 
     An electrical connector, for instance an electrical connector constructed in accordance with the above-described method, can include a connector housing and a plurality electrical signal contacts supported in the connector housing. The electrical signal contacts can define signal mounting tails and mating ends. Respective pairs of the plurality of electrical signal contacts define differential signal pairs. The electrical connector further includes first and second ground plates supported in the connector housing. Each of the plurality of first and second ground plates including ground mounting tails and ground mating ends. The electrical signal contacts and the first and second ground plates can collectively define one hundred seventy mating ends that are spaced along two columns that each extend along a row direction collectively from the mating ends of the plurality of electrical signal contacts to the ground mating ends. The one hundred seventy mating ends can define a 0.75 mm column pitch. The electrical signal contacts and the ground plates can be positioned in the connector housing such that the signal and ground mounting tails define a footprint that differs from a footprint defined by vias of a printed circuit board that are arranged in accordance with MicroTCA specification Rev. 1.0, such that the electrical signal contacts are configured to transfer data between the mounting tails and the mating ends at a minimum of approximately 12.5 Gigabits/second at an acceptable level of near-end crosstalk. 
     The acceptable level of near-end cross talk can be less than three percent on one victim differential signal pair with five aggressor differential signal pairs at a 20-80 percent 25 picosecond maximum rise time. The acceptable level of near-end cross talk can be less than four percent on one victim differential signal pair with eight aggressor differential signal pairs at a 20-80 percent 25 picosecond maximum rise time. The electrical signal contacts can be configured to transfer data between the mounting tails and the mating ends a minimum of approximately 20 Gigabits/second at the level of near-end crosstalk. The electrical signal contacts can be configured to transfer data between the mounting tails and the mating ends a minimum of approximately 25 Gigabits/second at the level of near-end crosstalk. 
     The embodiments described in connection with the illustrated embodiments have been presented by way of illustration, and the present application is therefore not intended to be limited to the disclosed embodiments. For example, one or both of the electrical connectors  100  or the printed circuit board  202  footprints described herein may also be applicable to other types of card edge, back panel, or other connectors. Additionally, it should be appreciated that the various embodiments of the electrical contacts  105  herein illustrated and described are not limited to press-fit tail mounting elements, and that the electrical contacts  105  of any of the herein described embodiments can be alternatively constructed with any other suitable mounting elements as desired. For example, the mounting elements can alternatively be configured as surface mount mounting elements, including fusible elements such as solder balls  800  (see  FIG. 11 ) that are configured to be solder reflowed to complementary electrical contact pads on the printed circuit board  202 . Thus, it should be appreciated that the electrical connector  100  constructed in accordance with any of the embodiments described herein can include mounting elements that can be configured as press fit elements such as mounting tails, fusible elements such as solder balls  800  that can define a ball grid array (BGA) of solder balls  800 , or any other suitable constructed mounting elements. 
     Furthermore, the structure and features of each the embodiments described above can be applied to the other embodiments described herein, unless otherwise indicated. In one example, the contact bodies  107  of the electrical signal contacts  104  of one or more of any of the other illustrated embodiments of the electrical connector  100 , such as the embodiments illustrated in  FIG. 3A-3D ,  5 A- 5 D,  7 A- 7 C,  8 A- 8 C, or  9 A- 9 C can be twisted as described with respect to  FIGS. 10A-10G  such that the mounting ends  108  of the electrical signal contacts  104  are angularly offset relative to the respective mating ends  112  of the electrical signal contacts  104 . It should further be appreciated that if the contact bodies  107  of the electrical signal contacts  104  of one or more of any of the other illustrated embodiments of the electrical connector  100  are twisted in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, corresponding alternative footprints to those illustrated in  FIG. 7D ,  8 D, or  9 D can be defined in which the electrical signal vias  208  are substantially aligned along the longitudinal direction L with respect to each other along the column direction C. 
     Accordingly, those skilled in the art will realize that the application is intended to encompass all modifications and alternative arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the application, for instance as set forth by the appended claims.