Patent Publication Number: US-8979558-B2

Title: Interposer assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/609,775, filed Mar. 12, 2012, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in its entirety herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     In typical electrical devices that receive small form factor pluggable (SFP) or small form factor pluggable plus (SFP+) modules, such as telecommunications switching or routing devices, a plurality of electrical connectors configured to receive respective ones of the SFP modules are mounted to one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs). The PCBs are typically supported by the chassis of the electrical device. While the individual SFP modules can be inserted or removed from the chassis with little effort, the printed circuit board supporting the electrical connectors is often not removable without considerable effort, which can include taking the electrical device offline, disassembling the chassis, and so on. Accordingly, replacing the PCBs in such a device can be costly and time consuming. SFP+ modules are described in SFF-8431 Specification, enclosed at Exhibit 1 of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/609,775, and SFP modules are described in INF-8074i Specification, enclosed at Exhibit 2 of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61,609,775, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in its entirety herein. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with one embodiment, a shielded interposer assembly includes an electrically conductive plate. The shielded interposer assembly further includes an electrically conductive EMI cage that defines a front end and a rear end, and a cage interior that extends between the front and rear ends. The cage is configured to be supported by the electrically conductive plate. The shielded interposer assembly further includes an interposer that defines first and second opposed mating interfaces. The interposer is configured to be supported by the electrically conductive plate such that each of the first and second mating interfaces is disposed in the cage interior. Each of the front and rear ends of the cage at least partially define front and rear mating paths that are configured to receive respective first and second electrical devices so as to mate the first and second electrical devices to the first and second mating ends, respectively, of the interposer. 
    
    
     
       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. 1A  is a perspective view of an interposer assembly that includes an electrically conductive plate, an interposer supported by the plate, an electrically conductive EMI cage supported by the plate and at least partially surrounding the interposer, showing a portion of the EMI cage removed to depict the interposer; and 
         FIG. 1B  is a sectional side elevation view of the interposer assembly illustrated in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a first electrical device mounted to a substrate, the first electrical device configured to be mated to the interposer so as to place the second electrical device in electrical communication with the interposer 
         FIG. 2B  is an enlarged perspective view of the first electrical device illustrated in  FIG. 2A , showing a mating end of the first electrical device that is configured to mate to the interposer; 
         FIG. 2C  is an enlarged perspective view of the first electrical device illustrated in  FIG. 2B , showing a mounting end of the first electrical device that is configured to mount to the substrate so as to place the first electrical device in electrical communication with the substrate; 
         FIG. 2D  is a perspective view of a second electrical device configured to be mated to the interposer so as to place the second electrical device in electrical communication with the interposer, and further in electrical communication with the first electrical device when the first electrical device is mated with the interposer 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of an electrical assembly including the interposer assembly illustrated in  FIG. 1A , the first electrical device illustrated in  FIG. 2A , and the second electrical device illustrated in  FIG. 2B ; 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the electrical assembly illustrated in  FIG. 3A  showing the first and second electrical devices electrically mated to the interposer; and 
         FIG. 3C  is a sectional side elevation view of the electrical assembly illustrated in  FIG. 3B . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A-B , a shielded interposer assembly  10  constructed in accordance with one embodiment can include a plate, for instance an electrically conductive plate  100 , an electrically conductive electromagnetic interference (EMI) cage  200  configured to be mounted to the electrically conductive plate  100 , and an interposer  300  is configured to be at least partially disposed in the EMI cage  200  and supported by the electrically conductive plate  100 . As described in more detail below, the interposer assembly  10  can be defined as part of an electrical assembly  20  that can include the interposer assembly  10  and respective first and second electrical devices  400  and  500  (see  FIG. 3A ) that are configured to be mated to the interposer  300  so as to be placed in electrical communication with the interposer  300 , and therefore in electrical communication with each other via the interposer  300 . 
     The EMI cage  200  includes a cage body  202  that can be made of any suitable material, for instance an electrically conductive material such as a metal. The cage body  202  can define a first or front end  202   a  and a second or rear end  202   b  that is spaced from the front end  202   a  along a first or longitudinal direction L. The cage body  202  can further define first and second sides  202   c  and  202   d  that are opposite each other and spaced from each other along a lateral direction A that extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. The cage body  202  can further define an inner or lower end  202   e , and an outer or upper end  202   f  that is opposite the lower end  202   e  and spaced from the lower end  202   e  along a transverse direction T that extends substantially perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction L and the lateral direction A. 
     It should be appreciated for the purposes of illustration that the interposer assembly  10  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 interposer assembly  10  can vary during use. Thus, as used herein, directional terms such as “down” and derivatives thereof can refer to a direction from the upper end  202   f  toward the lower end  202   e , directional terms such as “up” and derivatives thereof can refer to a direction from the lower end  202   e  toward the upper end  202   f , directional terms such as “forward” and derivatives thereof can refer to a direction from the rear end  202   b  toward the front end  202   a , and directional terms such as “rearward” and derivatives thereof can refer to a direction from the front end  202   a  toward the rear end  202   b.    
     The cage body  202  can define a rectangular shape as illustrated, or can define any suitable alternatively shape as desired. The cage body  202  can include a pair of first and second side walls  203   a  and  203   b , respectively, that are disposed at the first and second sides  202   c  and  202   d  of the cage body  202 , respectively. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, each of the first and second side walls  203   a  and  203   b  can extend along a plane defined by the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction T. Each of the first and second walls  203   a  and  203   b  can extend between the front and rear ends  202   a  and  202   b , for instance from the front end  202   a  to the rear end  202   b . Each of the first and second walls  203   a  and  203   b  can further extend between the lower and upper ends  202   e  and  202   f , respectively, for instance from the lower end  202   e  to the upper end  202   f . The cage body  202  can further include an upper wall  203   c , disposed at the upper end  202   f  of the cage body  202 . The upper wall  203   c  can extend between the front and rear ends  202   a  and  202   b , respectively, for instance from the front end  202   a  to the rear end  202   b . The upper wall  203   c  can further extend between the first and second side walls  203   a  and  203   b , respectively, for instance from the first side wall  203   a  to the second side wall  203   b.    
     The cage body  202  can include a EMI shielding wall  205  that, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1B , can extend from the cage body  202  to the electrically conductive plate  100 . For instance, the EMI shielding wall  205  can be disposed such that the interposer is disposed between the EMI shielding wall  205  and the second electrical device  500  when the second electrical device  500  is mated to the interposer  300 . Thus, the EMI shielding wall  205  can be disposed forward of the mounting ends  316   b  of the interposer  300  (see  FIG. 3C ), and thus between the mounting ends  316   b  of the interposer, and the front end of a substrate, such as a printed circuit board  306 , of the type described below, that is configured to mate with the first electrical device  400 . The EMI shielding wall  205  can extend from the upper wall  203   c  to the electrically conductive plate  100 , and can be disposed such that the first electrical device  400  is disposed between the EMI shielding wall  205  and the interposer  300  when the electrical assembly  20  is in its assembled configuration. The Emi shielding wall  205  is configured to absorb EMI radiation, thereby substantially preventing the EMI radiation that can be produced during operation of the electrical assembly  20  from leaking out the front end  202   a  of the cage body  202 . 
     The printed circuit board  306  can extend through an opening  207  that extends through the EMI shielding wall  205 . The EMI shielding wall  205  can be grounded to the printed circuit board  306  at one or more locations, for instance continuously at the interface between the EMI shielding wall  205  and the printed circuit board  306 . For instance, the EMI shielding wall  205  can be conductive and in direct contact with the printed circuit board  306 , or a gasket can ground the EMI shielding wall  205  to the printed circuit board  306 . The first and second side walls  203   a  and  203   b  and the upper wall  203   c  can extend from the second end  202   b  to the EMI shielding wall  205 , and can terminate at the EMI shielding wall  205 , such that the EMI shielding wall  205  defines the front end  202   a  of the cage body  202 . Alternatively, the first and second side walls  203   a  and  203   b  and the upper wall  203   c  can extend forward of the EMI shielding wall  205  so as to terminate at a location forward with respect to the EMI shielding wall  205  along the longitudinal direction L. For instance, the first and second side walls  203   a  and  203   b  and the upper wall  203   c  can terminate at a location such that the first electrical device  400  is disposed between the interposer  300  and the termination of the first and second side walls  203   a  and  203   b  and the upper wall  203   c  when the first electrical device is mated with the interposer  300 . 
     The cage body  202 , and thus the EMI cage  200 , can define a cage interior  204  that can be a void that can be at least partially defined by the first and second side walls  203   a ,  203   b  and the upper wall  203   c  of the cage body  202 , and the EMI shielding wall  205  of the cage body  202 . Thus, the cage interior  204  in one embodiment can extend between the rear end  202   b  and the front end  202   a , and thus the EMI shielding wall  205  when the EMI shielding wall  205  defines the front end  202   a . For instance, the cage interior  204  can extend from the front end  202   a  (and thus the EMI shielding wall  205 ) to the rear end  202   b . When the EMI shielding wall  205  is disposed between the front end  202   a  and the rear end  202   b , the cage interior  204  can extend between the rear end  202   b  and the front end  202   a , such that the EMI shielding wall  205  is disposed in the cage interior  204 . The cage interior  204  can further extend between the first and second sides  202   c  and  202   d , for instance from the first side  202   c  to the second side  202   d . In this regard, it should be appreciated that the cage interior can extend between the first and second side walls  203   a  and  203   b , for instance from the first side wall  203   a  to the second side wall  203   b . The cage interior can further extend between the upper wall  203   c  and the lower end  202   e . Thus, it can be said that the void that is defined by the cage interior  204  is at least partially enclosed by the first and second side walls  203   a  and  203   b  and the upper wall  203   c . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the cage body  202 , and thus the EMI cage  200 , is at least partially open at both the front and rear ends  202   a  and  202   b , such that complementary electrical devices can be inserted into or removed from the cage interior  204  substantially along a mating direction M that can be, for instance, the longitudinal direction L. The cage body  202 , and thus the EMI cage  200 , can further be at least partially open at the lower end  202   e , for instance between the first and second side walls  203   a  and  203   b , for example between the shielding wall  205  and the front end  202   a . Accordingly, the electrically conductive plate  100  can at least partially or fully close the lower end  202   e  when the EMI cage  200  is mounted to the electrically conductive plate, as will now be described. 
     The EMI cage  200  can be configured to be supported by, for instance mounted to, the electrically conductive plate  100 . For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the EMI cage  200  can include at least one mounting member such as a plurality of mounting members that are configured to attach to the electrically conductive plate  100  so as to mount the EMI cage to the electrically conductive plate  100 . For instance, the mounting members can be configured as press-fit tails  206  that extend down from the cage body  202  substantially along the transverse direction T. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the press-fit tails  206  can extend from the first and second side walls  203   a  and  203   b , for instance at the lower end  202   e . The press-fit tails  206  can be configured to be inserted into respective apertures  104  of the electrically conductive plate  100  so as to mount the EMI cage to the electrically conductive plate  100 . For instance, the press-fit tails  206  can be press-fit into the apertures such that the EMI cage  200  is retained in a mounted position with respect to the electrically conductive plate  100 . 
     With continuing reference to  FIGS. 1A-B , the electrically conductive plate  100  can define any suitable shape as desired. For instance, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the electrically conductive plate  100  includes a plate body  102  that can be constructed of any suitable material, for instance an electrically conductive material such as a metal. The plate body  102  can define a substantially sheet-like shape, such as that of a metal sheet, that extends along a plane defined by the longitudinal direction L and the lateral direction A. The plate body  102  constructed in accordance with one embodiment can define a first or upper surface  102   a  and second or lower surface  102   b  that is opposite the upper surface  102   a  and spaced from the upper surface  102   a  along the transverse direction T. 
     The upper surface  102   a  can be configured to support the EMI cage  200 . For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the plate body  102  can define at least one mounting member such as a plurality of mounting members that are configured to engage the mounting members of the EMI cage  200  so as to support the EMI cage  200  relative to the electrically conductive plate  100  in the mounted position. For instance, the mounting members of the electrically conductive plate  100  can be configured as a plurality of apertures  104  that extend down into the upper surface  102   a  along the transverse direction T. The apertures  104  can further extend through the lower surface  102   b , or can terminate between the upper surface  102   a  and the lower surface  102   b . Each of the apertures  104  can be configured to receive a respective one of the press-fit tails  206  in press-fit engagement so as to retain the EMI cage  200  in the mounted position with respect to the electrically conductive plate  100 . It should be appreciated that the interposer assembly  10  is not limited to the illustrated press-fit tails  206  and apertures  104 , and that one or both of the electrically conductive plate  100  or the EMI cage  200  can be alternatively constructed such that the electrically conductive plate  100  supports the EMI cage  200  as desired. 
     The electrically conductive plate  100  can further be configured to support the interposer  300  and the EMI cage  200 , such that the EMI cage  200  and the interposer  300  are both supported by the electrically conductive plate, such as the upper surface  102   a , as described in more detail below. The electrically conductive plate  100  can be configured to be mounted to a chassis of an electrical device, such as a telecommunications switching device. For example, the electrically conductive plate  100  can be configured to be mounted to a mounting bracket that is supported by the electrical device. It should be appreciated that the electrically conductive plate  100  can comprise a lower wall of the cage body  202 . For example, the electrically conductive plate  100  can be monolithic with the cage body  202 , such that the electrically conductive plate  100  supports the cage body  202  and is monolithic with the cage body  202 . Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the electrically conductive plate  100  can be defined by the chassis within which the interposer assembly  10  is installed. 
     When the EMI cage  200  is supported by the electrically conductive plate  100 , the upper wall  203   c  can be spaced from the upper surface  102   a  of the plate body  102  such that the cage interior  204  extends along the transverse direction T between the electrically conductive plate  100  and the upper wall  203   c , for instance from the electrically conductive plate  100  to the upper wall  203   c . Accordingly, the upper wall  203   c  cooperates with the electrically conductive plate  100  so as to define the cage interior  204  of the cage body  202 . 
     The front and rear ends  202   a  and  202   b  of the cage body  202  can at least partially define first and second mating paths, such as opposite front and rear mating paths  208  and  210 , respectively, that are configured to receive the respective first electrical device  400  and the second electrical device  500 , and to guide the respective first and second electrical devices  400  and  500  so as to mate the first and second electrical devices to different, for instance opposite, ends of the interposer  300  (see also  FIG. 3A ). For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first and second side walls  203   a  and  203   b  and the upper wall  203   c  partially define the front and rear mating paths  208  and  210 . The electrically conductive plate  100  can further define the front and rear mating paths  208  and  210 , respectively. For example, the electrically conductive plate  100  can define a first portion of the upper surface  102   a  at the front end  202   a , such that at least a portion of the first electrical device  400  is slidable or otherwise movable along a first or front mating path  208  in a respective mating direction through the front end  202   a  at a location above the first portion of the upper surface  102   a , for instance along the first portion of the upper surface  102   a , under the upper wall  203   c  (e.g., between the upper wall  203   c  and the electrically conductive plate  100 ), and between the first and second side walls  203   a  and  203   b  at the front end  202   a . The electrically conductive plate  100  can define a second portion of the upper surface  102   a  at the rear end  202   b , such that at least a portion of the second electrical device  500  is slidable or otherwise movable along a second or rear mating path  210  in a respective mating direction M through the rear end  202   b  at a location above the second portion of the upper surface  102   a , for instance along the second portion of the upper surface  102   a , under the upper wall  203   c  (e.g., between the upper wall  203   c  and the electrically conductive plate  100 ), and between the first and second side walls  203   a  and  203   b  at the front end  202   a.    
     Thus, the interposer  300  can be configured to mate with each of the first and second electrical devices  400  and  500 , respectively, so as to place the first and second electrical devices  400  and  500  in electrical communication with the interposer  300 , and further to place the first and second electrical devices  400  and  500  in electrical communication with each other via the interposer  300 . For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the interposer  300  defines a first mating interface  302  that is configured to mate with the first complementary electrical device  400 , and an opposed second mating interface  304  that is spaced from the first mating interface  302  along the longitudinal direction L and is configured to mate with the second complementary electrical device  500 . 
     The interposer  300  can be configured to be supported by the electrically conductive plate  100  such that the interposer  300  is at least partially disposed in the interior  204  of the EMI cage  200 . For instance, each of the first and second mating interfaces  302  and  304  can be disposed in the cage interior  204 , and thus between the front end  202   a  and the rear end  202   b  when both the EMI cage  200  and the interposer  300  are mounted to or otherwise supported by the electrically conductive plate  100 . In this regard, it can be said that the cage body  202  can be constructed to at least partially surround the interposer  300 , and that the cage interior  204  is sized to contain at least a portion up to all of the interposer  300 , including the first and second mating interfaces  302  and  304 . The interposer  300  can be disposed in the cage interior  204  at any desired location between the front and rear ends  202   a  and  202   b , for example in accordance with particular types of the first and second electrical devices  400  and  500  that are mated to the interposer  300 . 
     The first and second mating interfaces  302  and  304  can be configured to mate with any respective types of a respective first electrical device  400 , such as a first electrical connector  404 , and a second electrical device  500 , such as a second electrical connector that can be configured as an optical transceiver module  502 . It should be appreciated, of course, that the first mating interface  302  could alternatively be configured to mate with the second electrical device  500 , such as the second electrical connector that can be configured as the optical transceiver module  502 , and the second mating interface  304  could alternatively be configured to mate with the first electrical device  400 , such as the first electrical connector  404 . Thus, the interposer  300  places the first and second electrical devices  400  and  500  in electrical communication with each other when the interposer  300  is mated to the first and second electrical devices  400  and  500 . It should be further appreciated that an electrical assembly  20  (see  FIGS. 3A-C ) can include the interposer assembly  10  and at least one or both of the first and second electrical devices  400  and  500 . 
     In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first mating interface  302  can define a plug that can be configured as a substrate, such as a printed circuit board  306 , configured to plug into a mating interface, such as a receptacle, of the complementary first electrical device  400  so as to place the interposer  300  in electrical communication with the first electrical device. The printed circuit board  306  can define a dielectric or electrically insulative substrate body  307  that defines a front end  307   a  and an opposed rear end  307   b  that is spaced from the front end  307   a  along the longitudinal direction L, opposed first and second sides  307   c  and  307   d  that are spaced from each other along the lateral direction A, an opposed upper and lower surfaces  307   e  and  307   f  that are spaced from each other along the transverse direction T. The printed circuit board  306  can include at least one such as a plurality of electrical conductors  319  in the form of electrically conductive traces that are supported by the substrate body  307 , and respective contact pads  308  that are electrically and physically connected to the traces. For example, the illustrated printed circuit board  306  includes a mating end configured as a mating tab  310  that extends from the front end  307   a  of the substrate body  307 . The mating tab  310  can be sized to be received in a receptacle  410  of the first electrical connector  404  (see  FIG. 2A ). 
     The mating tab  310  can support a first plurality  308   a  of the contact pads  308 . For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the mating tab  310  defines opposed upper and lower tab surfaces  310   a  and  310   b , and respective ones of the first plurality of contact pads  308   a  are affixed to respective ones of the upper and lower tab surfaces  310   a  and  310   b . The printed circuit board can further include a second plurality  308   b  of contact pads  308  disposed proximate to the rear end  307   b  of the substrate body  307 . Respective ones of the second plurality  308   b  of contact pads  308  can be spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction A and disposed on respective portions of the upper and lower surfaces  307   e  and  307   f  of the substrate body  307 , respectively. Respective ones of the plurality of traces can be in electrical communication with respective ones of the first plurality  308   a  of contact pads  308  and respective ones of the second plurality  308   b  of contact pads  308 , such that the electrical traces place the first mating interface  302  in electrical communication with the second mating interface  304 . 
     The second mating interface  304  can define a receptacle that can be configured to receive a plug of the complementary second electrical device  500  so as to place the interposer  300  in electrical communication with the second electrical device  500 . For instance, the second mating interface  304  of the interposer  300  can define a dielectric or electrically insulative interposer housing  314  and a plurality of electrical conductors  316  that are supported by the interposer housing  314 . Each of the electrical conductors  316  can define a mating end  316   a  and an opposed mounting end  316   b . The interposer housing  314  can define a receptacle  318  that houses at least a portion of the mating ends  316   a  and is configured to receive electrical conductors of the second electrical device  500 . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the mating ends  316   a  terminate within the interposer housing  314 , though they could alternatively extend out from the interposer housing  314  as desired. 
     The mating ends  316   a  of the electrical conductors  316  can be arranged in one or more rows  315  that are elongate along the lateral direction A. The electrical conductors  316  can define a gap  317  disposed a first or upper one of the rows  315   a  and a second or lower one of the rows  315   b  that is spaced from the upper row  315   a  along the transverse direction T. The gap  317  can be configured as a receptacle that is configured to receive electrical conductors  505  of the second electrical device  500 . Thus, the mating ends  316   a  proximate to the second mating interface  304  can be configured as an edge card receptacle. The electrical conductors  316  whose mating ends  316   a  are disposed on the first or an upper one  315   a  of the rows  315  defines its mounting ends  316   b  spaced along the transverse direction T from the mounting ends  316   b  of the electrical conductors  316  whose mating ends  316   a  are disposed on the second or lower one  315   b  of the rows  315 . 
     The gap  317  is sized to receive electrical conductors  505  of the second electrical device (see  FIG. 2D ) along the longitudinal direction L. The interposer housing  314  can be configured to support the plurality of the electrical conductors  316  such that the respective mating ends  316   a  of the plurality of the electrical conductors  316  are disposed proximate the second mating interface  304  of the interposer housing  314 , such as in the interposer housing  314 . The respective mounting ends  316   b  of the plurality of the electrical conductors  316  can be configured to straddle-mount onto the substrate body  307 , for instance the rear end  307   b  of the substrate body  307 , such that the mounting ends  316   b  of a first plurality of the electrical conductors  316  whose mating ends  316   a  are disposed on the upper row  315   a  are in contact with respective ones of the second plurality  308   b  of contact pads  308  on a first or upper surface  307   e  of the substrate body  307 , and the mounting ends  316   b  of a second plurality of the electrical conductors  316  whose mating ends  316   a  are disposed on the lower row  315   b  are in contact with respective ones of the second plurality  308   b  of contact pads  308  on the second or lower surface  307   f  of the substrate body  307  that is opposite the upper surface  307   e  (see  FIG. 3C ). Accordingly, the electrical conductors  316  of the second mating interface  304  are placed in electrical communication with the electrical conductors of the printed circuit board  306 . 
     It should be appreciated that the electrical conductors  316  of the second mating interface  304  can be placed in electrical communication with the printed circuit board  306  in any suitable alternative manner as desired. For instance, the interposer housing  314  can receive the printed circuit board  306  so as to place the electrical conductors  316  in electrical communication with the printed circuit board  306 . Alternatively still, the electrical conductors  316  can be electrically connected to a flex cable, or can define a flex cable, that is electrically connected to the printed circuit board  306 . In this regard, it should be appreciated that the interposer  300  can include an electrical connector  312 , which can be configured as a straddle mount connector, that includes the interposer housing  314  and the electrical conductors  316  that are supported by the interposer housing  314 , and the interposer  300  can further include the printed circuit board  306  that is electrically connected to the electrical conductors  316  of the electrical connector  312  in any manner as desired. 
     It should further be appreciated that the interposer  300  can define first and plugs or receptacles at the first and second mating interfaces  302  and  304 , respectively. For instance, the interposer can define plugs at each of first and second mating interfaces, or can define receptacles at each of the first and second mating interfaces  302  and  304 , or can define a plug at one of the first and second mating interfaces  302  and  304 , and a receptacle at the other of the first and second mating interfaces  302 . While the plug has been described above in accordance with the printed circuit board  306 , it is recognized that suitable alternative plugs can also be constructed from individual electrical conductors that are supported by a dielectric housing. Furthermore, while the receptacle has been described in accordance with the electrical connector  312 , it should be appreciated that suitable alternative receptacles can be constructed as desired, such that the first and second mating interfaces  302  and  304  are in electrical communication with each other, and are configured to be placed in electrical communication with complementary first and second electrical devices, whose mating ends can be configured as plugs or receptacles so as to mate with the first and second mating ends  302  and  304 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A-C , the first electrical device  400  can be a first electrical connector  404 , which can be configured as a small form factor pluggable (SFP) or small form factor pluggable plus (SFP+) electrical connector, or any suitable electrical connector configured to mate with the interposer  300  so as to be placed in electrical communication with any suitable embodiment of the second electrical device  500 . The electrical connector  402  can include a dielectric or electrically insulative connector housing  406  and a plurality of electrical conductors  408  that are supported by the connector housing  406 . The electrical conductors  408  can be configured as receptacle contacts that are configured to receive complementary electrical conductors of a complementary device, such as the interposer  300 , so as to mate the first electrical connector  402  to the interposer  300 . The connector housing  406  defines a mating interface  406   a  that can be configured as a receptacle  410  that extends into the connector housing  406  along the longitudinal direction L. 
     The connector housing  406  can be configured to support the plurality of electrical conductors  408  such that respective mating ends  408   a  of the electrical conductors  408  are disposed proximate the receptacle  410 , such as in the receptacle  410 . The first mating interface  302  of the interposer  300 , which can be constructed as the printed circuit board  306  as described above, is configured to plug into the receptacle  410  of the first electrical connector  404  such that the first plurality of contact pads  308   a  contact the mating ends  408   a  of the electrical conductors  408  so as to place the printed circuit board  306 , and thus the electrical conductors  316  at the second mating interface  304 , in electrical communication with each other. 
     The connector housing  406  further defines a mounting interface  406   b , and each of the electrical conductors  408  can define respective mounting ends  408   b  that are disposed proximate to the mounting interface  406   b  and are configured to be mounted to a substrate such as a printed circuit board  412  that is configured to support the first electrical connector  404 . In this regard, an electrical assembly  402  can include the first electrical connector  404  and the printed circuit board  412  to which the first electrical connector  404  is configured to be mounted, or to which the first electrical connector  404  is mounted. The mating interface  406   a  can be oriented substantially perpendicular to the mounting interface  406   b , such that the first electrical connector  404  is referred to as a right-angle electrical connector. Alternatively, the first electrical connector  404  can be configured as a vertical electrical connector whereby the mating interface  406   a  is oriented substantially parallel to the mounting interface  406   b . The mating ends  408   a  of the electrical conductors  408  can be arranged in one or more rows  409  that are elongate along the lateral direction A. The electrical conductors  408  define a gap  411  disposed a first or upper one of the rows  409   a  and a second or lower one of the rows  409   b  that is spaced from the upper row  409   a  along the transverse direction T. The mating tab  310  is configured to be received by the gap such that the rows  409   a  and  409   b  of mating ends  408   a  straddle the mating tab  310  and are placed in electrical communication with the first plurality of contact pads  308   a.    
     The electrical conductors  408  whose mating ends  408   a  are elongate along a first or an upper one of the rows  409   a  defines its mounting ends  408   b  proximate to one of the front end or the rear end of the connector housing  406 , while the electrical conductors  408  whose mating ends  408   a  are elongate along a second or a lower one of the rows  409   b  defines its mounting ends  408   b  proximate to other of the front end or the rear end of the connector housing  406 . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the mounting ends  408   b  of the electrical conductors  408  of the upper row  409   a  are disposed proximate to the rear end of the connector housing, and the mounting ends  408   b  of the electrical conductors  408  of the lower row  409   b  are disposed proximate to the front end of the connector housing. The mating interface  406   a  can be disposed at, for instance defined by, the front end of the connector housing  406 , and the rear end is disposed opposite the front end. The first electrical connector  404  can be mounted to the printed circuit board  412  such that the respective mounting ends of the plurality of electrical conductors  408  are placed in electrical communication with electrical conductors, such as electrical traces, that are carried by the printed circuit board  412 . Accordingly, the printed circuit board  412  is placed in electrical communication with the electrical conductors  316  of the interposer  300  when the electrical assembly  402  is mated with the first mating interface  302  of the interposer  300 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-C , the first mating interface  302  of the interposer  300  is configured to be received in the gap  411  so as to mate the mating ends  408   a  of the electrical conductors  408  with the first plurality of contact pads  308   a  of the printed circuit board  306 . In particular, the first electrical connector  404  can be mated to the first mating interface  302  of the interposer  300  by inserting the electrical assembly  402  into the front end  202   a  of the cage body  202  along the front mating path  208  and sliding the electrical assembly  402  forward in the mating direction M, which can be defined by the longitudinal direction L, along the upper surface  102   a  of the plate body  102  until the mating tab  310  is received in the receptacle  410  of the first electrical connector  404 , and in the gap  411 , such that the respective mating ends  408   a  of the plurality of electrical conductors  408  are brought into contact with respective ones of the plurality of contact pads  308 . The printed circuit board  412  of the electrical assembly  402  can be supported by, for instance can rest on, the upper surface  102   a  of the plate body  102  of the electrically conductive plate  100 . It should be appreciated that the electrical conductors  408  can be referred to as receptacle contacts that receive the first mating interface  302  of the interposer  300 . The electrical assembly  402  can be unmated from the first mating interface  302  by causing the first electrical connector  404  to disengage from the first mating interface  302 , for example by pulling the electrical assembly  402  backward along a direction opposite the mating direction M and away from the first mating interface  302 , thereby removing the mating tab  310  from the gap  411 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2D , the second electrical device  500  can be configured as a second electrical connector, such as an SFP or SFP+ optical transceiver module  502 , or any suitable alternative device, such as a QSFP+, CXP, mini-SAS module including a mini-SAS connector and cables. The optical transceiver module  502  can include a dielectric or electrically insulative transceiver housing  503  that defines mating interface  503   a  and a mounting interface  503   b . The optical transceiver module  502  further includes a plurality of electrical conductors  505  that are supported by the transceiver housing  503 , for instance at the mating interface  503   a . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the optical transceiver module  502  can include a printed circuit board  504  that is supported by the transceiver housing  503 . The printed circuit board  504  can include a dielectric or electrically insulative substrate body  507  and at least one such as a plurality of electrical conductors in the form of electrically conductive traces that are supported by the substrate body  507 . The optical transceiver module  502  can further include at least one cable  506 , such as an optical cable, that is supported by the transceiver housing  503 , for instance at the mounting interface  503   b . The optical transceiver module  502  can thus be referred to as a standard SFP or SFP+ cable head. For instance, the cable  506  can extend through the transceiver housing  503  at the mounting interface  503   b , and can be electrically connected to the electrical conductors  505  in the transceiver housing  503 . 
     The printed circuit board  504  can define a mating end that is configured as a plug so as to be received in the receptacle defined by the gap  317  defined between the upper and lower rows  315   a - b  of electrical conductors  316  of the second mating interface  304  of the interposer  300  (see  FIG. 1A ). Accordingly, contact pads  511  (see  FIG. 3A ) of the printed circuit board  504  that are disposed on an upper surface of the substrate body  507 , and are in electrical communication with respective ones of the electrical traces carried by the substrate body  507 , can contact the mating ends  316   a  of the upper row  315   a  when the printed circuit board  504  is received by the gap  317 . Similarly, contact pads of the printed circuit board  504  that are disposed on an lower surface of the substrate body  507 , and are in electrical communication with respective ones of the electrical traces carried by the substrate body  507 , can contact the mating ends  316   a  of the lower row  315   b  when the printed circuit board  504  is received by the gap  317 . The mating interface  503   a  of the transceiver housing  503  can be configured to receive at least a portion of the interposer housing  314  as the gap receives the printed circuit board  504 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A-C , the second electrical device, such as the optical transceiver module  502 , can be mated to the interposer  300  at the second mating interface  304  by inserting the optical transceiver module  502  into the rear end  202   b  of the cage body  202  along the rear mating path  210  and sliding the optical transceiver module  502  rearward in the respective mating direction M along the upper surface  102   a  of the plate body  102  until the gap  317  defined by the mating ends  316   a  receives the mating end of the optical transceiver module  502 , which can be defined by the printed circuit board  504  as described above, such that the electrical conductors  505  are placed in contact, and thus electrical communication, with the mating ends  316   a  of the electrical conductors  316  of the interposer. The optical transceiver module  502  can be unmated from the second mating interface  304  by causing the mating end, for instance defined by the printed circuit board  504 , to disengage from the second mating interface  304 , for example by pulling the optical transceiver module  502  forward along the longitudinal direction L, away from the second mating interface  304 . In this regard, the second mating interface  304  can be configured as an edge card receptacle as described above. It should be appreciated, however, that the second mating interface  304  can be alternatively constructed as desired. For instance, the second mating interface  304  can be define a receptacle constructed in any manner as desired so as to receive, and thus electrically connect to, a complementary plug mating end  504  of the optical transceiver module  502 . The second mating interface  304  can be configured as the SFP or SFP+ electrical connector  312 , or any suitable device whose connection is made via a card edge connector, such as the electrical connector  312 , and a printed circuit board, such as the printed circuit board  306 , as described herein. 
     When the first electrical device  400  is mated with the interposer  300  at the first mating interface  302 , and the second electrical device  500  is mated with the interposer  300  at the second mating interface  304 , the electrical conductors  316  and  319  of the interposer  300  place the electrical conductors  408  of the first electrical device, and thus also the electrical traces of the printed circuit board  412 , in electrical communication with the electrical conductors  505  of the second electrical device  500 , and thus also the optical cable  506 . While the interposer  300  can include the electrical connector  312  mounted onto the printed circuit board  306  so as to define two sets of electrical conductors  316  and  319  that are placed in electrical communication, it should be appreciated that the interposer  300  can define one set of electrical conductors that extend from the first mating interface  302  to the second mating interface  304 . For instance, the interposer housing  314  can define the first mating interface  302 , such that the electrical conductors  316  extend from the first mating interface  302  to the second mating interface  304 . Thus, it can be said that the interposer  300  includes at least one electrical conductor, such as at least one plurality of electrical conductors, that extend between the first and second mating interfaces  302  and  304 , for instance from the first mating interface  302  to the second mating interface  304 . The at least one plurality of electrical conductors can include one plurality of electrical conductors, such as the electrical conductors  316 , alone or in combination with a second plurality of electrical conductors, such as the electrical conductors  319 . 
     In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, it can be said that the interposer  300  is an optical transceiver interposer that comprises the straddle mount electrical connector  312  comprising a straddle-mount end configured to mount onto the printed circuit board  306 , and a receptacle end that is configured to receive the electrical conductors  505  of the second electrical device  500 , and that the optical transceiver interposer  300  further comprises a substrate, such as the printed circuit board  306 , mounted to the straddle-mount end of the straddle-mount electrical connector  312 . Furthermore, the substrate, such as the printed circuit board  306 , can be sized and shaped to mate operationally with a standard SFP or SFP+ board mounted receptacle connector, such as the first electrical device  400 , and the receptacle end, defined by the second mating interface  304 , is sized and shaped to mate operationally with a standard SFP or SFP+ optical transceiver plug connector, such as the optical transceiver module  502 . Moreover, because the first and second mating interfaces  302  and  304  extend substantially parallel to each other along the longitudinal direction L and mate with the complementary first and second electrical devices  400  and  500 , respectively, along the longitudinal direction L, it can be said that the illustrated interposer  300  is a vertical interposer. However it should be appreciated that the interposer can alternatively be configured as a right-angle interposer, wherein the first and second mating interfaces  302  and  304  extend substantially perpendicular to each other, and receive the complementary first and second electrical devices  400  and  500 , respectively, along directions that are perpendicular to each other. 
     The electrically conductive plate  100  can be configured to support the interposer  300 . For example, the electrically conductive plate  100  can further include mounting hardware that is configured to retain the interposer  300  in a mounted position relative to the electrically conductive plate. The mounting hardware can be attached to the electrically conductive plate  100 . In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the mounting hardware of the electrically conductive plate  100  can include at least one such as a pair of standoffs  106  defining threaded interiors, and a corresponding at least one such as a pair of screws  108  that are configured to be driven into the standoffs  106 . The printed circuit board  306  can define at least one such as a pair of mounting holes  320  that extend through the substrate body  307  substantially along the transverse direction T. The mounting holes  320  can be aligned with respective ones of the standoffs  106  such that the printed lower surface  307   f  of the substrate body  307  can be abutted against the standoffs  106  and each of the screws  108  can be disposed in a respective one of the mounting holes  320  and driven into a respective one of the standoffs  106 . The screws  108  can be tightened within the respective standoffs  106  in order to secure the interposer  300  in a mounted position relative to the electrically conductive plate  100 . Each standoff  106  can be constructed to define a height along the transverse direction T such that the printed circuit board  306  is spaced above the electrically conductive plate  100  when the printed circuit board  306  is mounted to the electrically conductive plate  100 . 
     The foregoing description is provided for the purpose of explanation and is not to be construed as limiting the invention. While various embodiments have been described with reference to preferred embodiments or preferred methods, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Furthermore, although the embodiments have been described herein with reference to particular structure, methods, and embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein. For instance, it should be appreciated that structure and methods described in association with one embodiment are equally applicable to all other embodiments described herein unless otherwise indicated. Those skilled in the relevant art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may effect numerous modifications to the invention as described herein, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, for instance as set forth by the appended claims.