Patent Publication Number: US-10326242-B2

Title: RJ communication connectors

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of, and claims the benefits of priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/581,197, filed on Apr. 28, 2017, which claims the benefits of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/329,641, filed on Apr. 29, 2016, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to the field of telecommunication, and more specifically, to connectors, such as modified RJ45 plugs and/or jacks, which provide connectivity between communication cables and telecommunication equipment. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A large portion of today&#39;s telecommunication occurs over connectivity components which employ modular connectors such as, for example, RJ45 plugs and jacks. These modular connectors are commonly used in conjunction with twisted-pair cables which provide a reliable means for transmitting electronic data over small, medium, and large distances. 
     To maintain a level of interoperability, both the connectors and cables must adhere to well-known standards. For instance, the commonly referred-to RJ45 connector is standardized as the IEC 60603-7 8 position 8 contact (8P8C) modular connector with different categories of performance. With respect to cables, ANSI/TIA defines categories of unshielded twisted pair cable systems, with different levels of performance in signal bandwidth, attenuation, crosstalk, insertion loss, return loss, etc. Generally speaking, the increasing category numbers correspond to cable systems suitable for higher rates of data transmission. However, with the increased rates of transmission often comes the difficulty of meeting the performance specifications defined by the TIA specifications while staying within the physical constraints defined by the IEC standard. 
     One particular area of concern that becomes prominent in high speed communication systems is the ability to effectively cancel crosstalk. It is well known that per communication standards, plugs are typically tuned to produce some levels of crosstalk (usually referred to as “offending crosstalk”) and jacks are designed to produce an approximately equivalent amount of opposite crosstalk (usually referred to as “compensating crosstalk”). The net effect is that offending crosstalk is substantially cancelled when the plug and jack are mated together. With RJ45 connectors, crosstalk compensation can generally be simplified by shortening the effective distance between the crosstalk in the plug and the crosstalk compensation in the jack. Shortening of this distance simplifies the jack crosstalk compensation by reducing the phase delay between the crosstalk in the plug and the opposite polarity crosstalk compensation in the jack. If the physical distance between the plug crosstalk and jack crosstalk compensation converged to the same point in time and had equivalent magnitudes, theoretically there would be no residual crosstalk over all frequency ranges. Since phase delay is a function of frequency (increasing with frequency) and an RJ45 jack typically needs to be tuned for a range of frequencies (e.g., 1 to 500 MHz for CAT6A), reduction of the above-mentioned phase delay tends to translate into a jack that is able to operate at an increased bandwidth. Conversely, jacks operating at increased frequencies or within increased frequency ranges must reduce the phase delay in order to effectively reduce or cancel the plug crosstalk. However, achieving such reduction in distance can be difficult in view of the current standards. 
     For example, referring to  FIG. 1  which illustrates a cross-section view of an exemplary conventional RJ45 plug  20  mated with a conventional RJ45 jack  25 , IEC-60603-7:2010 defines the preferred electrical mating point between an RJ45 male and female connector. In particular, it specifies that:
         a plug contact  30  height (K 2 ) from the bottom surface of the plug  20  to the top of the mating interface is in the range of 6.15 mm to 5.89 mm (0.242″ to 0.232″);   a plug contact  30  radius (J 2 ) at a preferred electrical mating point is in the range of 0.64 mm to 0.38 mm (0.025″ to 0.015″),   a plug contact depth (C 2 ) from the front plug stop is in the range of 0.46 mm to 0.03 mm (0.018″ to 0.001″);   a distance between the contact point and plug comb clearance point  35  (the point at which PICs (plug interface contacts)  40  are not constrained within plug combs  45  of plug housing in the rearward direction) is in the range of 0.635 mm to 3.175 mm (0.025″ to 0.125″); and   a distance between the contact point and plug comb clearance point  52  (the point at which plug interface contacts (PICs)  40  are not constrained within plug combs  45  of plug housing in the forward direction) is in the range of 0.635 mm to 3.175 mm (0.025″ to 0.125″).
 
As a result of these and other limitations, the electrical mating point location between PICs (plug interface contacts)  40  of the jack  25  and plug contacts  30  of plug  20  is denoted, in  FIG. 1 , as  55 . This point  55  is approximately in the IEC-60603-7:2010 preferred electrical mating point location.
       

     The distances outlined above define a theoretical minimum distance a signal must travel to escape the boundaries of an RJ45 plug assembly  20 . This is important as this distance adds a time delay which results in the aforementioned phase shift between the crosstalk in the RJ45 plug assembly  20  and the compensation in the RJ45 network jack  25 , thereby limiting the effectiveness of the jack compensation. 
     Thus, there continues to be a need for improved plug and jack designs which help reduce the distance between the plug and the jack crosstalk while still maintaining compatibility with defined standards. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, at least some embodiments of the present invention are directed towards devices, systems, and methods which employ communication connectors designed to reduce the distance between the plug and the jack crosstalk while still maintaining compatibility with defined standards. 
     In an embodiment, the present invention is a communication system that includes a modified RJ45 plug and a modified RJ45 jack. The modified RJ45 plug has two potential contact points that may serve as an electrical interface between the jack&#39;s plug interface contacts (PICs) and the plug&#39;s contacts. The first contact point is in the IEC-60603-7 preferred electrical mating point location, and allows for backwards connectivity and interoperability with other RJ45 female connectors (jacks). The second contact point is designed to be activated when the modified RJ45 plug is mated with the modified RJ45 jack. The modified RJ45 jack has two distinct surfaces on the PICs such that one surface meets the IEC-60603-7 preferred electrical mating point location and allows for backwards connectivity and interoperability with conventional RJ45 male connectors (plugs). The second contact surface is designed to be activated when the modified RJ45 jack is mated with the modified RJ45 plug. 
     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better-understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and any claims that may follow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-section view of a mated assembly of a conventional RJ45 network jack and a conventional RJ45 network plug. 
         FIG. 2  is a communication system according an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a modified RJ45 network jack mated with a modified RJ45 network plug according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 4-6  are isometric views of the modified RJ45 jack and the modified RJ45 plug of  FIG. 3  in an unmated state. 
         FIGS. 7-9  are isometric exploded views of a modified RJ45 plug according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 10-11  are isometric views of an embodiment of plug contacts and a plug printed circuit board (PCB) used in a modified RJ45 plug. 
         FIG. 12  is a side profile view of the plug contacts and the plug PCB of  FIGS. 10-11 . 
         FIGS. 13-15  are isometric exploded views of a modified RJ45 jack according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 16-17  are isometric views of an embodiment of a sled assembly and insulation displacement contacts (IDCs) used in the modified RJ45 jack. 
         FIG. 18  is a side profile view of the sled assembly and IDCs of  FIGS. 16-17 . 
         FIGS. 19-21  are isometric exploded views of a sled assembly of  FIGS. 16-17 . 
         FIGS. 22-23  are isometric exploded views of an embodiment of a wire cap assembly used in the modified RJ45 jack. 
         FIG. 24  is a front view of the wire cap assembly of  FIGS. 22-23 . 
         FIG. 25  is a rear view of an embodiment of a rear sled used in the modified RJ45 jack. 
         FIGS. 26-27  are isometric views of how the wire cap assembly of  FIGS. 22-23  is joined with the rear of the modified RJ45 jack. 
         FIG. 28  is a cross-section view taken along section line  28 - 28  of  FIG. 3  across the center of the mated assembly of modified RJ45 network jack and modified RJ45 plug. 
         FIG. 29  is an isometric view of a modified RJ45 network jack mated with a conventional RJ45 network plug according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 30  is a cross-section view taken along section line  30 - 30  of  FIG. 29  across the center of the mated assembly of modified RJ45 network jack and conventional RJ45 plug. 
         FIG. 31  is an isometric view of a conventional RJ45 network jack mated with a modified RJ45 network plug according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 32  is a cross-section view taken along section line  32 - 32  of  FIG. 31  across the center of the mated assembly of conventional RJ45 network jack and modified RJ45 plug. 
         FIG. 33  is an isometric view of a modified RJ45 network jack mated with a modified RJ45 network plug according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 34-36  are isometric exploded views of a modified RJ45 jack according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 37-38  are isometric views of an embodiment of a sled assembly used in the modified RJ45 jack. 
         FIG. 39  is an isometric exploded view of the sled assembly of  FIGS. 37-38 . 
         FIG. 40  is a cross-section view taken along section line  40 - 40  of  FIG. 33  across the center of the mated assembly of modified RJ45 network jack and modified RJ45 plug. 
         FIG. 41  is a vector diagram for lumped approximation of the signals generated by a mated plug/jack combination of  FIG. 33  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 42  is a vector diagram for lumped approximation of the signals generated by a mated plug/jack combination of  FIG. 33  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 43  is a vector diagram for lumped approximation of the signals generated by a mated plug/jack combination of  FIG. 33  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 44  is a vector diagram for lumped approximation of the signals generated by a mated plug/jack combination in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 45  is an isometric view of a modified RJ45 network jack mated with a conventional RJ45 network plug according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 46  is a cross-section view taken along section line  46 - 46  of  FIG. 45  across the center of the mated assembly of modified RJ45 network jack and conventional RJ45 plug. 
         FIG. 47  is a vector diagram for lumped approximation of the signals generated by a mated plug/jack combination of  FIG. 45  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 2 , which shows a communication system  100 , which includes a patch panel  105  with modified RJ45 jacks  110  and corresponding modified RJ45 plugs  115 . Respective cables  120  are terminated to plugs  115 , and respective cables  125  are terminated to jacks  110 . Once a plug  115  mates with a jack  110  data can flow in both directions through these connectors. Although the communication system  100  is illustrated in  FIG. 2  as having a patch panel, alternative embodiments can include other active or passive equipment. Examples of passive equipment can be, but are not limited to, modular patch panels, punch-down patch panels, coupler patch panels, wall jacks, etc. Examples of active equipment can be, but are not limited to, Ethernet switches, routers, servers, physical layer management systems, and power-over-Ethernet equipment as can be found in data centers and or telecommunications rooms; security devices (cameras and other sensors, etc.) and door access equipment; and telephones, computers, fax machines, printers, and other peripherals as can be found in workstation areas. Communication system  100  can further include cabinets, racks, cable management and overhead routing systems, and other such equipment. 
     With the patch panel  105  removed,  FIG. 3  illustrates the modified jack  110  and the modified RJ45 plug  115  in a mated configuration, and  FIGS. 4-6  illustrate the jack  110  and the RJ45 plug  115  in an unmated configuration with  FIG. 5  being rotated 180° about the central axis of cable  125  relative to  FIG. 4 , and  FIG. 6  illustrating a rear isometric view relative to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     To separate the mated plug/jack combination further,  FIGS. 7-12  illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the modified RJ45 plug  115  with  FIGS. 7-9  illustrating isometric exploded view of the plug  115  with cable  120 ,  FIGS. 10-11  illustrating the plug&#39;s PCB and plug contacts, and  FIG. 12  illustrating a side profile view of the plug contacts. Plug  115  includes plug nose  130 , conductive right shell  135 , conductive left shell  140 , PCB assembly  145  (which includes first contacts  150 , second contacts  155 , plug PCB  160 , cable over molding  165 , and pair manager  170 ) and bend radius control boot  175 . 
     First contacts  150  and second contacts  155  are each designed to provide multiple mating surfaces in order to mate with different configurations of an RJ45 plug. In particular, the first mating surfaces  180  and  185  of respective first contacts  150  and second contacts  155  are located such that they fall within the range of the defined preferred electrical mating point for an WC-60603-7:2010 male connector, as provided in the BACKGROUND of this specification. When plug  115  is mated with a conventional RJ45 jack, first mating surfaces  180  and  185  come into contact with the jack&#39;s respective PICs and establish a current path between the plug PCB  160  and the jack. However, when mated with the modified RJ45 network jack  110 , first mating surfaces  180  and  185  do not make direct mechanical contact with jack&#39;s PICs and remain positioned off the main current path. Instead, when mated with the modified RJ45 network jack  110 , second mating surfaces  190  and  195  on respective first contacts  150  and second contacts  155  come into contact with the jack&#39;s PICs, establishing an alternate, shorter current path between the PICs and the plug PCB  160 . 
     The aforementioned functionality can be achieved by providing specially designed plug contacts  150 ,  155  as shown in  FIGS. 10-12 . In particular, each contact includes post  200  that is secured within the plug PCB  160  and serves to connect the contact with circuitry on the plug PCB  160 , a contact split  205  positioned at one end of the post  200 , a first contact section  210  connected to contact split  205  and extending adjacent to surface  215  of the plug PCB  160 , and a second contact section  220  connected to contact split  205  and extending away from surface  215 . To separate the plug contact mating surfaces, first mating surfaces  180 ,  185  are positioned at an end of first contact section  210  and second mating surfaces  190 ,  195  are positioned at an end of second contact section  220 , with both first and second mating surfaces  180 - 195  being positioned at respective contact section ends that are distal to contact split  205 . In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, first mating surfaces  180 ,  185  are at least 0.083 inches away from second mating surfaces  190 ,  195 , respectively. Additionally, first mating surfaces  180 ,  185  can be at least 0.08 inches away from contact split  205  and second mating surfaces  190 ,  195  can be at least 0.023 inches away from contact split  205 , with contact split  205  being non-collinear with respect to a line drawn between a first and second mating surface of a respective plug contact. 
     In this configuration, the current path from the second mating surfaces  190 ,  195  to the plug PCB  160  can be shorter than the path from the first mating surfaces  180 ,  185 . This reduction in distance may result in more efficient crosstalk compensation. Furthermore, to potentially aid in manufacturing, installation, and performance of the contacts, first and second extensions  225  and  230  can extend from first and second mating surfaces  180 , 185  and  190 , 195 , respectively. Since it is desirable (and in some cases it may be required) that at least some of the mating surfaces  180 - 195  have a bend radius, such bend radius may be realized during manufacturing by bending extensions  225  and  230  relative to the first and second contact sections  210  and  220 , respectively, at predetermined angles (e.g., 90 degrees). While in one sense they may be viewed as a byproduct of manufacturing, these extensions may also be used to tune amount of capacitive coupling that occurs between adjacent plug contacts. Additionally, secondary posts  235  and  240  may be provided on respective plug contacts. Posts  235 ,  240  may be used to further secure respective plug contacts  150  and  155  within the PCB, and in some embodiments provide a current path between the plug contacts and any circuitry that may be present on the plug PCB  160 . 
     To assemble the plug  115 , first contacts  150  and second contacts  155  are electrically secured to plug PCB  160 , as shown, through a soldered connection of solder posts  200 ,  235 , and  240  into respective vias  245 ,  250 , and  255 . Note that other non-limiting means of connecting first contacts  150  and second contacts  155  to rigid PCB  160  (e.g., compliant/press fit pins) may be used. Additionally, conductors  260  of cable  120  are attached to PCB  160  through pads  265 . While conductors  260  are shown attached to PCB  160  through a soldered connection, other non-limiting means of connecting conductors to a PCB may be used. To encase the PCB  160 , plug latch arms  270  of plug nose  130  align with respective pockets  275  and  280  of conductive right shell  135  and conductive left shell  140 . Staking posts  285  of conductive right shell  135  align with staking pockets  290  of conductive left shell  140  and staking posts  295  of conductive left shell  140  align with staking pockets  300  of conductive right shell  135 . Staking posts  285  and  295  are staked in respective staking pockets  290  and  300  to secure both shells together. As the shells are joined together, grounding ribs  305  and  310  of respective conductive right shell  135  and conductive left shell  140  compress braid  315  and make an electrical ground connection between cable  120  and shielded RJ45 plug assembly  115 . To complete the assembly, bend radius control boot  175  is secured to the plug  115  by having boot latches  320  and  325  of respective conductive right shell  135  and conductive left shell  140  latch on to boot pockets  330 . 
     When assembled, plug  115  can be mated with a conventional RJ45 jack or with any number of specially modified RJ45 jacks that will engage the second mating surfaces  190 ,  195 . One example of a modified RJ45 jack  110  is shown in  FIGS. 13-27 . As shown in the exploded views of the jack  110  in  FIGS. 13-15 , the jack includes conductive shell  335 , jack housing  340 , sled assembly  345  (which includes PICs  350 , flexible PCB  355 , rigid PCB  360 , top sled holder  365 , and bottom sled holder  370 ), IDC support  380 , IDC assembly  385  (which includes IDCs  391 ,  392 ,  393 ,  394 ,  395 ,  396 ,  397 , and  398 ), rear sled  400 , wire cap assembly  405  (which includes wire cap conductor holder  410 , conductive wire cap back  415 , and conductive strain relief clip  420 ). Jack  110  can be terminated to cable  125  which includes conductors  425  and braid  430 . A more-detailed view of the sled assembly  345  together with the IDC assembly  385  is shown in  FIGS. 16-18 , with additional details regarding the sled assembly  385  being shown in  FIGS. 19-21  which show exploded views thereof. 
     To assemble the RJ45 jack  110 , IDC assembly  385  is electrically secured to rigid PCB  360  through a soldered connection through vias  435 . Note that the soldered connection is merely exemplary and other non-limiting means of connecting IDC assembly  385  to rigid PCB  360  (e.g., compliant/press fit pins) may be used. Then IDC support  380  is positioned over IDC assembly  385  so that during termination of conductors  425  of cable  125 , IDCs  391 - 398  stay in position and are supported by the base. Then rigid PCB  360  is positioned onto top sled holder  365  and sits on PCB rails  440 . Thereafter, bottom sled holder  370  is attached to top sled holder  365  through the engagement of bottom holder snaps  445  and top holder pockets  450 . Posts  455  of bottom sled holder  365  align with both holder holes  460  and PCB holes  465 . At the same time, flexible PCB  355  is positioned into flex pocket  470  of top sled holder  365  with slots  475  providing clearance for plug combs. Mandrel  480  makes contact with flexible PCB  355  between flexible PCB slots  475  and acts as a pinch point for an electrical connection between PICs  350  and flexible PCB  355 . After the assembly of flexible PCB  355 , PICs  350  are electrically secured to rigid PCB  360 . As shown, PICs  350  are soldered through vias  485  by way of solder surface  490 . However other non-limiting means of connecting PICs  350  to rigid PCB  360  may be used such as compliant/press fit pins. Thereafter, sled assembly  345 , IDC assembly  385 , and IDC support  380  are placed into jack housing  340 , and PICs  355  are combed by housing back combs  495  and front combs  500  which align with plug combs. To trap the sled assembly  345 , IDC assembly  385 , and IDC support  380  in jack housing  340 , rear sled  400  is secured to jack housing  340  through rear sled snaps  505  which align with housing pockets  510 . 
     Once assembled, the jack  110  can be used to terminate a communication cable  125 . The components involved in this process are illustrated in detail in  FIGS. 22-27 . To start, referring particularly to  FIGS. 22 and 23 , cable  125  is strung through the wire cap back  415  and the wire cap holder  410 . Wire cap conductor holder  410  is secured to conductive wire cap back  415  through latches  515  and  520  which align with latch pockets  525  and  530 , respectively. Pair separator  535  of wire cap conductor holder  410  isolates conductor  425  pairs into quadrants during final assembly. Pair separator  535  may be removed to allow for more room for cable assembly, and in cable constructions such as S/FTP where each pair is individually foiled and pair separator  535  may not be electrically beneficial as the pairs are already electrically separated. Posts  540  of wire cap conductor holder  410  align with slots  545  of conductive wire cap back  415  for added assembly constraint and improved alignment of the two parts. In their default state, flexible arms  550  of conductive strain relief clip  420  engage with teeth  555  of conductive wire cap back  415 . To disengage, the flexible arms  550  are compressed inward towards each other. As the wire cap  400  is assembled,  FIG. 24  illustrates how conductors  425  are positioned in preparation for joining with the remainder of the jack  110 . On the rear sled  400 , as shown in  FIG. 25 , IDC slots  560  align with corresponding IDCs of IDC assembly  385 . To complete the assembly, as shown in  FIGS. 26 and 27 , wire cap assembly  405  is joined with and is secured to rear sled  400  through the engagement of flexible latch  565  with a corresponding latching feature. The mating of the wire cap assembly  405  and the rear sled  400  causes the IDCs to make contact with the conductors  425  of the cable  125  and thereby establish a communication through the jack  110 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 18 and 20 , PICs  350  of the modified jack  110  have three distinct surfaces including first mating surface  570 , transition surface  575 , and second mating surface  580 . Transition surface  575  is optional and can be removed in non-limiting ways such as adjoining the transition between first mating surface  570  and second mating surface  580 . In the currently described embodiment, first and second mating surfaces  570  and  580  are designed to be substantially non-collinear. It should be noted that mating surfaces can be either flat or curved. Thus, to determine collinearity in case of a flat mating surface, a surface line collinear with that flat surface is considered. On the other hand, in the event of a curved mating surface, a surface line that is tangential to the contact point is used. Accordingly, the mating surfaces can be said to be substantially non-collinear when the surface lines of each of the mating surfaces are substantially non-collinear, as is the case with the currently described embodiment. (Note that the same derivation of non-collinearity may also be applied to a modified RJ45 plug). 
     As a result, first mating surface  570  is positioned on PICs  350  such that it makes contacts with an IEC-60603-7:2010 male connector within the range of the defined preferred electrical mating point for an IEC-60603-7:2010 connector. Second mating surface  580 , when paired with a standard IEC-60603-7:2010 male connector, makes no direct contact with the plug contacts and acts as part of the transmission path towards rigid PCB  360 . Second mating surface  580  of PICs  350 , when mated with the modified RJ45 plug assembly  115 , makes an electrical contact with the plug&#39;s contacts closer to rigid PCB  360  than if contact were made at first mating surface  570 . When the mating point is on first mating surface  580 , the second mating surface  570  and transition surface  575  are off of the main electrical path. 
       FIG. 28  is a cross-section view taken along section line  28 - 28  of  FIG. 3  across the center of the mated assembly of modified RJ45 network jack  110  and modified RJ45 plug assembly  115  with respective cables  125  and  120 . Contact point  585  is the electrical interface between PICs  350  and first and second contacts  150  and  155  (with a second contact  155  being shown at the forefront of the sectioned view in  FIG. 28 ). Contact point  585  is positioned such that it is outside or at the edge of plug combs  118  (see  FIG. 9 ). Because contact point  585  is positioned outside or at the edge of plug combs  118 , the minimum distance from the crosstalk in the plug  115  to the crosstalk compensation in the jack  110  is notably reduced or substantially eliminated. This may assist in being able to better tune for near end crosstalk (NEXT) and/or far end crosstalk (FEXT) performance and allow the plug/jack combination to meet and/or exceed Cat 6, Cat 6A, and proposed Cat 8 standards. Another potential benefit of the mated configuration is that at the location of the second contacts surface the modified RJ45 plug does not have to comply with the crosstalk magnitude requirement of ANSI/TIA-568-C.2, and can be a much higher performing (lower crosstalk) RJ45 plug at the contact location. This may enable superior NEXT and FEXT cancellation ability. 
     While the modified jack  110  may exhibit high levels of performance which may satisfy future standards when mated with the modified RJ45 plug  115 , it is also backwards compatible with conventional RJ45 plugs  20 , as shown in  FIG. 29  which is a front isometric view of the modified RJ45 network jack  110  mated with a conventional RJ45 plug assembly  20  together with respective cables  125  and  22 . A cross-section view of this mated plug/jack combination taken along section line  30 - 30  of  FIG. 29  can be seen in  FIG. 30 . As shown therein, contact point  590  is the electrical interface between PICs  350  and plug contacts  30 . Contact point  590  is in the same relative position as contact point  55  ( FIG. 1 ) and is approximately in the IEC-60603-7:2010 preferred electrical mating point location. 
     As with the jack  110 , modified plug  115  is also designed to be backwards compatible with conventional RJ45 jacks.  FIG. 31  illustrates an exemplary front isometric view of the modified plug  115  mated with a conventional RJ45 jack  25  and  FIG. 32  a cross-section view taken along section line  32 - 32  of  FIG. 31 . As can be seen in  FIG. 31 , contact point  595  is the electrical interface between PICs  40  and first and second contacts  150  and  155  (with a first contact  150  being shown at the forefront and sectioned in  FIG. 32 ). Contact point  595  is in the same relative position as contact point  55  ( FIG. 1 ) and is approximately in the IEC-60603-7:2010 preferred electrical mating point location. 
     An alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 33  where an alternate embodiment of the modified RJ45 network jack  600  is shown to be mated with the modified network plug  115 . As further illustrated in the exploded views provided in  FIGS. 34-36 , jack  600  includes conductive shield  605 , jack housing  610 , sled assembly  615  (which includes PICs  620 , flexible PCB  622 , flexible support  625 , and sled holder  630 ), rigid PCB  635 , IDCs  640 , rear sled  645 , and wire cap assembly  650  (which includes wire cap conductor holder  655 , conductive wire cap back  660 , and conductive strain relief clip  665 . As with jack  110 , jack  600  can be terminated to cable  125 . A more-detailed view of the sled assembly  615  is shown in  FIGS. 37 and 38 , with an exploded view being shown in  FIG. 39 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 37-39 , each of the PICs  620  includes a first end  670  and a second end  675 . First end  670  is secured in rigid PCB  635  by way of vias  680  ( FIG. 34 ) and is further supported by support surfaces  682  such that each PIC is at least partially cantilevered. Near the first end  670  (in the region of the support surfaces  682 ), PICs  620  includes three crossovers  685 . The first crossover occurs between PICs  620   1  and  620   2 , the second crossover occurs between PICs  620   4  and  620   5 , and the third crossover occurs between PICs  620   7  and  620   8 . At the opposite end  675 , each PIC can interface with a flexible PCB  622  that is supported by the flexible support  625 . 
     For at least some PICs  620 , the flexible PCB  622  includes contact pads/conductive traces  690  that come into contacts with the second end  675  of the respective PICs  620 . In addition, contact pads/conductive traces  690  can serve to interface with plug contacts of modified RJ45 plug  115 . While cutouts  695  provide clearance for the plug combs, contact pads/conductive traces  690  may converge near the top section  700  and/or near the bottom section  705  with circuitry that connects to the contact pads/conductive traces  690  being implemented in either one or both of these locations. This circuitry may be used for a wide variety of purposes including, for example, tuning for NEXT, FEXT, balance, return loss, etc. As such, crosstalk generating and/or compensating circuitry may be provided thereon. 
     Flexible PCB  622  is supported by flexible support  625  which has arms  710 . This allows for individual flexure of each arm  710  to account for different plug contact locations or crimp heights. To secure flexible PCB  622  and flexible support  625  within the sled holder  630 , said sled holder is provided with a slot  720 . Flexible PCB  622  and flexible support  625  can be secured in place by press-fitting the pair into slot  720 . Additional retention can be achieved by using an adhesive within slot  720 . Furthermore, sled holder  630  includes combs  725  which help align arms  710  of flexible support  625 . 
     In the assembly of the modified RJ45 network jack  600 , IDCs  640  are electrically secured to rigid PCB  635  through a soldered connection through vias  683  ( FIG. 34 ); however other non-limiting means of connecting IDCs  640  to rigid PCB  635  may be used. Thereafter, the sled assembly  615 , rigid PCB  635 , and IDCs  640  are all joined with the jack housing  610 , and the remainder of the jack  600  is assembled in a manner that is similar/same to that of jack  110 . 
       FIG. 40  is a cross-section view taken along section line  40 - 40  of  FIG. 33  across the center of the mated assembly of modified RJ45 network jack  600  and modified RJ45 plug assembly  115  with respective cables  125  and  120 . When mated with the plug  115 , there are two separate contact points  730  and  735  between each plug contact of the plug  115  and respective elements of the jack  600 . The first contact point  730  is positioned such that it falls within the spatial range of the defined preferred electrical mating point for an IEC-60603-7:2010 connector, and occurs between the first mating surface  180 / 185  of the plug contacts  150 / 155  and the PICs  620 . Since PICs  620  are electrically connected to cable  125  and plug contacts  150 / 155  are electrically connected to cable  120 , first contact point  730  provides a current path between plug  115  and jack  600  and effectively becomes the plug/jack mating interface. The second contact point  735  is physically removed from the first contact point  730  and is positioned such that it falls outside the spatial range of the defined preferred electrical mating point for an IEC-60603-7:2010 connector. As such, second contact point  735  occurs between second mating surfaces  190 / 195  of the plug contacts  150 / 155  and the contact pads/conductive traces  690  of the flexible PCB  622 . 
     Due to the physical layout of the plug contacts  150 / 155 , PICs  620 , and flexible PCB  622 , there is no direct contact between the flexible PCB  622  and any of the PICs  620  when plug  115  is mated with the jack  600 . This configuration, combined with the relatively short distance between crosstalk producing circuitry in the plug  115  and crosstalk cancelling circuitry on the flexible PCB  622 , may allow the first stage of crosstalk compensation to occur prior to the effective plug/jack mating interface (which occurs effectively at contact point  730 ).  FIG. 41  is a vector diagram for lumped approximation of the signals generated by a mated plug/jack combination of  FIG. 33  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. This vector representation has one stage of compensation  740  approximately at the same point in time as that of crosstalk in the plug  745 , prior to the plug/jack mating interface, with a second stage of compensation  750  after the plug/jack mating interface. The first stage of compensation  740  prior to the plug/jack mating interface is smaller in magnitude than the crosstalk of the plug  745  since that first element of compensation  740  is capacitive (this is because the compensation occurring on the flexible PCB  622  is off the current path). The second stage of compensation  750  is added to account for the inductive crosstalk portion of the compensation of the plug, and may be in PICs  620 , rigid PCB  635 , and/or IDCs  640 . With first stage of compensation  740  being approximately 180° out of phase with the crosstalk  745  in the plug, this cancellation would be optimized for NEXT cancellation. 
     While the vector representation depicted in  FIG. 41  is an ideal phase cancellation with first stage of compensation  740  being approximately 180° out of phase with crosstalk  745  in the plug, in practice this may be difficult to realize. Accordingly, the phase of the compensation produced in the jack may shift in either direction.  FIGS. 42 and 43  illustrate this occurrence. In  FIG. 42 , the first stage of compensation is shifted earlier in phase relative to the plug crosstalk  745  and in  FIG. 43 , the first stage of compensation  740  is shifted later (but still prior to the plug/jack mating interface) in phase relative to the plug crosstalk  745 . 
     The occurrence of the first stage of crosstalk compensation prior to the effective plug/jack mating point can be particularly important since conventional RJ45 jacks typically provide crosstalk compensation after their respective plug/jack mating interface, thereby imposing a minimum distance between crosstalk generation and crosstalk cancellation circuitry that is at least as long as (and typically longer than) the distance from the crosstalk generation to the plug/jack mating interface. By reducing the distance between the crosstalk generation and crosstalk cancellation circuitry below that of the distance from the crosstalk generation to the plug/jack mating interface, at least some embodiments of the present invention may overcome the problem faced by conventional RJ45 jacks, and help improve the NEXT and FEXT performance of the mated plug/jack assembly. Another potential benefit of the mated configuration is that at the location of the second contacts surface the modified RJ45 plug does not have to comply with the crosstalk magnitude requirement of ANSI/TIA-568-C.2, and can be a much higher performing (lower crosstalk) RJ45 plug at the contact location. This may enable superior NEXT and FEXT cancellation ability. 
     While  FIGS. 41-43  illustrate all of the offending crosstalk being produced within the plug, in an alternate embodiment, at least some of the offending crosstalk can be produced in the jack.  FIG. 44  illustrates a vector diagram for lumped approximation of the signals generated by a mated plug/jack combination in accordance with such an embodiment of the present invention. As shown therein, an offending crosstalk jack stage  752  has been included prior to the plug/jack mating interface. Although typically a jack is meant to compensate a plug, there may be some instances where the injection of offending crosstalk in the jack could be beneficial for purposes such as, for example, improvement of balance. This offending crosstalk jack stage  752  can be realized via appropriate circuitry on the flexible PCB  622  and, as with the embodiments of  FIGS. 42 and 43 , it may not always be exactly contemporaneous with the plug crosstalk  752  and/or jack crosstalk  740 . To compensate for the increased amount of offending crosstalk, the second stage of compensation  750  is depicted as being larger in magnitude. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 45 , the same jack  600  can also be mated with a conventional RJ45 plug  20 . A cross-section view taken along section line  46 - 46  of  FIG. 45  across the center of this mated plug/jack  20 / 600  combination is also provided in  FIG. 46 . As shown therein contact point  755  is the electrical interface between PICs  620  and plug contacts  30 . Contact point  755  is in the same relative position as contact point  55  ( FIG. 1 ) and is approximately in the IEC-60603-7:2010 preferred electrical mating point location. Unlike when RJ45 network jack  600  and RJ45 plug  115  are mated, when RJ45 jack  600  is mated with a conventional RJ45 plug  20 , there is no physical contact between any plug contacts  30  and flexible PCB  622 . Instead, PICs  620  make physical contact with flexible PCB  622  at contact point  760 . This, however, now occurs after the plug/jack mating interface which is effectively at the contact point  755 . 
       FIG. 47  is a vector diagram for lumped approximation of the signals generated by a mated plug/jack combination of  FIG. 45  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment utilizes the same circuitry as the embodiment represented by the vector diagram in  FIG. 41 , however the first stage  740  of compensation is shifted in phase and now occurs after the plug/jack mating interface at contact point  755 . The second stage of compensation  750  remains unchanged between the vector diagrams of  FIG. 41  and  FIG. 47 . 
     Note that while this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, these embodiments are non-limiting (regardless of whether they have been labeled as exemplary or not), and there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. Furthermore, while references are made to a non-conventional RJ45 design (e.g., “modified” as used throughout this specification), the “RJ45” designation should not be viewed as limiting. In other words, while the modified RJ45 plugs and/or modified RJ45 jack provided in accordance with the present invention may embody some aspects of what is provided by the standard for an RJ45 connector, no one aspect should be viewed being required by the invention unless expressly specified by any of the claims that may be appended hereto. Additionally, the described embodiments should not be interpreted as mutually exclusive, and should instead be understood as potentially combinable if such combinations are permissive. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present invention. It is therefore intended that claims that may follow be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.