Patent Publication Number: US-6655988-B1

Title: Multi-port modular jack assembly with LED indicators

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/439,592 filed Jan. 13, 2003, the complete disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a connection assembly providing multiple port connections. 
     Known connector assemblies exist having multiple receptacle connectors in a common housing, which provide a compact arrangement of such receptacle connectors. Such a connector assembly is useful to provide multiple connection ports. Accordingly, such a connector assembly is referred to as a multiple port connector assembly. In preferred arrays, the housing has jacks one above the other, forming a plurality of arrays in stacked arrangement, so-called “stacked jack” arrangements. The receptacle connectors, that is, modular jacks, each have electrical terminals arranged in a terminal array, and have plug receiving cavities. Specifically, the receptacle connectors are in the form of RJ-45 type modular jacks that establish mating connections with corresponding RJ-45 modular plugs. 
     For example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,612, a connector assembly has two rows of receptacle connectors, that is, modular jacks, arranged side-by-side in an upper row and side-by-side in a lower row in a common housing, which advantageously doubles the number of receptacle connectors without having to increase the length of the housing. The receptacle connectors have plug receiving sections with plug receiving cavities that are profiled to surround modular plugs that are to be inserted in the cavities. The modular plugs have resilient latches, which engage with latching sections on the modular jacks. The latches are capable of being grasped by hand, and being resiliently bent inwardly toward the plugs to release them from engagement with the latching sections on the modular jacks. 
     One application for such connector assemblies is in the field of telephony, wherein the modular jacks provide ports for connection with a telephone switching network of a telephone service provider, such as a regional telephone company or national telephone company. The corresponding RJ-45 modular plugs terminate opposite ends of telephone cords leading to wall-mounted telephone outlets inside a building. The telephone outlets connect to telephone lines outside of the building, which, in turn, connect to the telephone switching network of the telephone service provider. 
     Alternatively, such connection systems have found utility in office computer networks, where desktops are interconnected to office servers by way of sophisticated cabling. Such networks have a variety of data transmission mediums including coaxial cable, fiber optic cable and telephone cable. One such network topography is known as the Ethernet network, which is subject to various electrical standards, such as IEEE 802.3 and others. Such networks have the requirement to provide a high number of distributed connections, yet optimally requires little space in which to accommodate the connections. 
     Furthermore, such networks now operate at speeds of 1 gigabit and higher which requires significant conditioning to the signals. For instance, it is common to require shielding for controlling electromagnetic radiation per FCC standards, while at the same time controlling electromagnetic interference (EMI) within the assembly, between adjacent connections. It is therefore also a requirement to provide such components within the assembly as magnetic coils, inductors, chip capacitors, and the like, to condition the signals. While the technology exists for conditioning the signals, no connection devices exist which are capable of handling such speeds, while at the same time package the signal conditioning components required to maintain these speeds. 
     Another design is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,911 to Boutros et al., which discloses a modular jack assembly having multiple ports for connection to multiple modular jacks. While this assembly further discloses having packaged magnetic assemblies, or other components, this design, as in other attempts to signal condition connection devices, simply adds the components to known connection devices. Therefore, the volume within the assembly is inadequate to provide the proper signal conditioning devices for the high speeds now required. 
     Furthermore, in order to ensure that a proper connection has been made and therefore a link is created between the electrical communication devices, indicators are often incorporated into circuits on the printed circuit board. These indicators are typically light emitting diodes (LEDs) which are turned on when a circuit is completed between the mating connectors and the communication devices. Additionally LEDs can be mounted on the printed circuit board to indicate a number of other conditions including the passage of communication signals between the two communication devices, indication of power, or indication that an error in transmitting the signals has occurred. 
     In an effort to miniaturize printed circuit boards and save board real estate, LED indicators have been integrated into these connectors. An example of such a connector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,978,317 to Pocrass which teaches a connector for receiving a plug having a visual indicator positioned within the front wall of the electrical connector housing. Incorporation of the indicator into the electrical connector eliminates the need for a separate location on the printed circuit board for mounting of such an indicator. The LED indicator is inserted into a recess of the electrical connector such that its electrical leads pass through the recess and connect to the printed circuit board. The indicator is then cemented into the recess or attached using an appropriate adhesive. The LEDs may also be molded into the electrical connector during the molding process of the housing. However, this device of Pocrass is shown for only a single cavity housing, and it is not readily ascertainable how it might be reconfigured for a multi-port or a stacked jack configuration. 
     The objects of the inventions are therefore to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art. 
     The objects have been accomplished by providing an electrical connector assembly having a plurality of rows of jacks for mating with a plurality of electrical plugs. The connector comprises an insulating housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, an intermediate wall forming an upper and lower row, and a plurality of modular openings formed in the upper and lower row. A transverse slot extends between the top and bottom wall, intermediate adjacent side by side modular openings. A plurality of contact modules are positioned within the modular openings forming a plurality of electrical connector interfaces. An LED module is positioned within the transverse slot, and the LED module has a housing insulatively encapsulating a plurality of electrical leads, the leads having connecting portions adjacent the top wall and contact portions adjacent the bottom wall. A plurality of LEDs are positioned adjacent to the top wall, and are electrically interconnected to the electrical leads in the LED module, for monitoring the upper row of modular openings. 
     The bottom wall further includes a plurality of LEDs for monitoring the lower row of modular openings. The LED module contacts are printed circuit board contacts and extend beyond the bottom wall. The LEDs mounted at the bottom wall include printed circuit board contacts extending beyond the bottom wall. The plurality of LED printed circuit board contacts are adapted to receive signals from the module contacts for monitoring the operability of the connector interfaces. 
     The insulating housing includes a front mating face and a rear face, and the modular openings are defined by side walls, extending from a position adjacent the front mating face rearwardly, partially towards the rear face. The transverse slots are aligned with the side walls, and flank the modular openings adjacent the rear face. The contact modules are partially defined by terminal lead frames defining modular jacks, the lead frames defining forward contacts adjacent the mating face and rearwardly extending printed circuit board contacts adjacent the rear face. The contact modules further comprise magnetic coils attached to rearwardly extending printed circuit board contacts. The contact modules further include shielding at least partially surrounding each of the modules. The assembly further comprises an insulative housing cover, positioned around the shielding, the insulative housing covers, and the LED modules, being cooperatively profiled for polarized fit. 
     An electrical connector assembly having a plurality of rows of jacks for mating with a plurality of electrical plugs, the connector comprising an insulating housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, a front mating face and a rear face. An intermediate wall forms an upper and lower row, and a plurality of modular openings are formed in the upper and lower row. Modular openings are defined by side walls, extending from a position adjacent the front mating face rearwardly, partially towards the rear face. A plurality of contact modules are positioned within the modular openings and form a plurality of electrical connector interfaces. At least one LED module is positioned in alignment with the side walls, where the LED module has a housing insulatively encapsulating a plurality of electrical leads, the leads having connecting portions adjacent the top wall and contact portions adjacent the bottom wall. A plurality of LEDs are positioned adjacent to the top wall, and are electrically interconnected to the electrical leads in the LED module, for monitoring the upper row of modular openings. 
     The bottom wall includes a plurality of LEDs for monitoring the lower row of modular openings. The LED module contacts are printed circuit board contacts and extend beyond the bottom wall. The LEDs mounted at the bottom wall include printed circuit board contacts extending beyond the bottom wall. The plurality of LED printed circuit board contacts are adapted to receive signals from the module contacts for monitoring the operability of the connector interfaces. 
     Transverse slots are aligned with the side walls, and flank the modular openings adjacent the rear face. The contact modules are partially defined by terminal lead frames defining modular jacks, the lead frames defining forward contacts adjacent the mating face and rearwardly extending printed circuit board contacts adjacent the rear face. The contact modules further comprise magnetic coils attached to rearwardly extending printed circuit board contacts. The contact modules further include shielding at least partially surrounding each of the modules, and an insulative housing cover, positioned around the shielding, the insulative housing covers, and the LED modules, being cooperatively profiled for polarized fit. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the multiple port jack assembly from the front side thereof; 
     FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 from the rear side thereof; 
     FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the components of the multiple port assembly of FIG. 1, less the outer shielding; 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 show rear perspective views of the housing of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 shows a front perspective view of the housing of FIGS. 4 or  5 ; 
     FIG. 7 shows an enlarged perspective view of the LED module; 
     FIG. 8 shows a front perspective view of the double modular jack module; 
     FIG. 9 shows a rear perspective view of the module of FIG. 8; 
     FIGS. 10 and 11 show exploded views of the module of FIGS. 8 and 9; 
     FIG. 12 shows an enlarged view of the module jack components shown in FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 13 shows a partially assembled perspective view of the module less the magnetic components and outer housing; 
     FIGS. 14 and 15 show perspective views similar to that of FIG. 13, including the side-loaded printed circuit cards having the magnetic components thereon; 
     FIG. 16 shows a rear perspective view showing the housing loaded with the LED modules, and partially loaded with jack assembly modules; 
     FIG. 17 shows a lower perspective view of the housing with the lower terminal plate in place; and 
     FIG. 18 shows an alternate embodiment of the shielding configuration. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With respect first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a multiple “stacked jack” electrical connector assembly is depicted at  2 . This assembly generally comprises an inner housing at  4  comprised of an insulative material, where the housing  4  is substantially surrounded by a metallic shield at  6 . As shown best in FIG. 1, the stacked jack assembly provides a plurality of ports at  8 , which are configured for receiving modular plugs, which are well known in the art. 
     With respect now to FIG. 3, the assembly  2  is shown exploded, less the outer shielded housing  6 . The assembly includes the housing  4 , a plurality of jack modules  10 , a plurality of LEDs  12 , and a plurality of LED modules  14 . Finally, the assembly includes a lower printed circuit board at  16 . With the general componentry of the assembly  2  herein described, the individual components will now be further described in relation to the drawings. 
     With respect again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer shield  6  is comprised of an upper wall  20 , side walls  21  and  22  (FIG.  2 ), rear wall  23 , and a front face portion  24 . The front face  24  includes a plurality of openings  25  corresponding with the location and number of ports for each of the multiple openings  8 . As is also shown in FIG. 1, shield  6  includes commoning springs  26  extending from top wall  20 , commoning springs  27  and  28  (FIG. 2) extending from respective side walls  21  and  22 , and commoning springs  29  extending from side edges of openings  25 . As shown best in FIG. 2, shield assembly  6  further includes a plurality of grounding tines  30  extending downwardly therefrom, as will be described in greater detail herein. It should also be noted that rear wall  23  includes a plurality of tab slots  32 , which will also be further described herein. 
     With respect now to FIGS. 4-6, the inner housing  4  will be described in greater detail. As shown in FIG. 4, housing  4  includes a front face at  34 , rear wall  36 , top wall  38 , and lower wall  40  (FIG.  6 ). As shown best in FIG. 6, the plurality of ports  8  are partially defined by, and extend through, front face  34 . 
     With respect now to FIG. 5, the rear of housing  4  is shown in greater detail, where a plurality of openings  50  are shown where, for each location of opening  50 , two ports  8  are defined at the front face  34 . As shown in FIG. 5, each opening  50  is defined by side walls  52 , where each of the side walls includes a channel  54 , where the channel necks down progressively, as will be described in further detail. At the end of each of the channels  54 , openings  56  are provided, which project through front face  34 , and which are also depicted in FIG.  6 . Two such openings  56  are provided for each of the openings  50 . Openings further include comb-like contact aligning mechanisms  58 , where one comb-like aligning mechanism is provided for each modular jack port  8 , that is, two per opening  50 . 
     As also shown in FIG. 5, housing  4  includes a plurality of wall extensions, such as  60 , extending rearwardly from the rear face  36 , whereby the wall extensions define apertures  62  intermediate the extensions, and for each aperture  62 , an aligning land  64  is provided having an aligning aperture at  66 . The lower side of housing  4  also includes a plurality of lands  68 , each land having an aligning opening at  70 . The lower portion of housing  4  further includes a plurality of centrally located aligning apertures  72 , as will be described further herein.; 
     With respect now to FIGS. 4 and 6, housing  4  is also provided with a plurality of LED-receiving channels, as will be described herein. With respect first to FIG. 4, top wall  38  of housing  4  is provided with two channels  80  for each top port  8 . For example, as shown in FIG. 4, LED channels  80 A and  80 B are provided for a first port  8 , where each of the channels  80 A and  80 B includes an LED-receiving section  82  and lands  84  providing lead-receiving channels at  86 . It should be appreciated that each port  8  would include two such LED-receiving sections and it should also be appreciated that the lead-receiving channels at  86  are generally aligned with the openings  62  defined between top wall extension portions  60 . 
     With respect now to FIG. 6, lower wall  40  also includes LED-receiving channels at  90 , with each LED-receiving channel including lead-receiving channels at  92 . Finally, with respect still to FIG. 6, it should be appreciated that each of the ports  8  in the housing are defined by openings  100  through front wall  34 , where each opening  100  is provided with a latching structure, such as T-shaped latching structure  102  for receipt of a modular plug latch as is well known in the art. 
     With respect now to FIG. 7, LED modules  14  will be described in greater detail, where each LED module  14  includes module housing  110  and terminals  112 . LED module housing  110  includes an upper lead receiving section  114  comprised of lead receiving channels at  116  in alignment with each of the terminals  112 . The leading edge  118  of the module housing  110  includes aligning posts  120 , where the linear distance between the posts  120  is chosen to match the linear distance between respective pairs of apertures  66 ,  70  (FIG.  5 ). Terminals  112  include termination section  122  and lead sections  124 . Termination sections  122  simulate an insulation displacement contact (IDC) portion to receive the LED leads. 
     With respect now to FIGS. 8-10, the jack modules  10  will now be described in greater detail. As shown best in FIG. 8, the jack module  10  includes an outer insulative housing shown at  130  holding a jack subassembly  132 . As shown in FIG. 10, jack subassembly  132  is generally comprised of an upper jack portion  134 , an intermediate shield at  136 , and a lower jack portion at  138 . As also shown in FIG. 10, jack module  10  further includes a lower housing portion  140 , component boards  142 ,  144 , and shield members  146 ,  148 . 
     With respect now to FIG. 12, the jack subassembly  132  will be described in greater detail. Upper jack portion  134  is comprised of an insulative housing portion  150  and a lead frame  152 . Housing  150  is comprised of a central housing portion  154 , which over-molds a portion of the lead frame  152 , such that free end portions  156  of the lead frame extend from a front end thereof, and are reversely bent to define the modular jack contacts. At the side edges of the central housing portion  154  are alignment ribs  158  having alignment posts  160  extending outwardly therefrom, where one alignment rib  158  includes apertures  162 , and the other alignment rib  158  includes posts  164  (see FIG.  10 ). 
     With respect still to FIG. 12, lead frame  152  extends from a rear portion of housing  154  to project upwardly to define terminal sections  165  and are again bent rearwardly to define terminal sections  166 . Terminal sections  166  are over-molded in rear housing portion  168  and exit at a side edge to define printed circuit board tine sections  170 . Rear housing portion  168  further includes a component-receiving channel at  176 , aligning posts  178  and channels  180 , as will be further described herein. 
     With respect still to FIG. 12, center ground plane  136  is substantially Z-shaped and is over-molded to form plastic web portion  190  and upstanding web portion  192 , yet is exposed at rear portion  194 . Portion  194  includes an integrally stamped tab portion  196 , which is stamped from the plane of the material of  194  and then twisted about its side edges to form an upstanding tab as shown. 
     As shown in FIG. 12, the lower jack housing  138  is generally comprised of housing portion  200  and lead frame  202 . Housing portion  200  includes central housing portion  204 , which integrally encapsulates a portion of lead frame  202  therein. Lead frame  202  extends from a front end of housing portion  204 , where they are reversely bent downwardly to define terminals  206  profiled as modular jack contacts. Housing portion  204  further includes two aligning ribs  208  positioned on each side thereof, where each aligning rib  208  includes a post  210  at the front end thereof, and where one rib  208  includes apertures  212  and the opposite rib  208  includes aligning posts  214 . 
     Lead frame  202  extends from a rear edge of housing portion  204  and is bent vertically so as to define terminal sections  215  and are again bent to a horizontal position to define terminal sections  216 . Lead frame sections  216  are over-molded by housing portion  218  and have sections  220  extending therefrom defining printed circuit board receiving tines. 
     With respect yet to FIG. 12, a grounding clip  230  is shown for interconnection to a passive component  232 , such as a decoupling capacitor. Clip  230  includes a U-shaped member  234  having a grounding tab  236  extending upwardly therefrom, and grounding tines  238  extending from opposite sides thereof. 
     With respect again to FIGS. 10 and 11, component boards  142  and  144  will be described in greater detail. Each of the boards includes a printed circuit board  250  and a plurality of components  252 . In this version of the invention, three magnetic coils are positioned on the board for each terminal. That is, those components labeled with numeral  1  are for terminal  1 , those labeled with numeral  2  are for terminal  2 , etc. Also in this version of the invention, the three coils for each terminal are serially connected and connected to a respective throughhole  254  at one end and to throughhole  256  at the other end. 
     Also with respect to FIGS. 10 and 11, lower housing portion  140  includes a housing portion  260  encapsulating a plurality of contacts  262  and  264 . Contacts  262  include printed circuit board portions  266  extending from a side edge of housing  260  and printed circuit board portions  268  extending downwardly from housing portion  260 . Likewise, terminals  264  include printed circuit board portions  270  extending outwardly from housing portion  260 , and printed circuit board portions  272  extending downwardly from housing portion  260 . Alignment pegs  274  are positioned at front edge of housing portion  260 , as will be described herein. 
     With respect still to FIGS. 10 and 11, shield members  146  and  148  will be described herein. Shield member  146  is L-shaped including a lower plate portion  290  and a transverse section at  292 . Lower section  290  includes grounding tabs  294  extending rearwardly therefrom and through slots at  296 . Lower section  290  further includes an upstanding tab at  293  (FIG. 11) having a slot opening at  295  (FIG. 13) Meanwhile, shield portion  292  includes a through slot at  298 . Shield member  148  includes tabs  300  and  301  extending from a rear edge, tabs  302  extending from a lower edge, and tab  304  extending from a front edge thereof (FIG.  13 ). 
     With respect now to FIGS. 9 and 10, insulative housing  130  will be described in greater detail. Housing  130  includes side walls  312 , tear wall  314  and top wall  316 . Top wall  316  is raised relative to a wall portion  318  for clearance purposes, as will be more fully understood herein. Finally, housing  130  includes apertures  320  and  322  through the rear wall  304  for receipt of tabs  294  and  300 . 
     With the components described as above, the assembly will now be described. With reference first to FIG. 12, the upper and lower contact portions  134  and  138  are positioned adjacent to the intermediate cross-talk shield member  136 . It should be appreciated that the corresponding posts and apertures  164 ,  212  and  214 ,  162  are positioned together, thereby aligning the two housing portions  154  and  204  together, and trapping the shield therebetween. This also aligns corresponding front post members  160  an d  210  together, to form one oval post. When in this position, printed circuit board portions  170  extend from one side edge of housing  168 , whereas printed circuit board portions  220  extend from the opposite side of housing portion  218 . The grounding clip  230  is now positioned relative to housing portion  168 , with U-shaped clip section  234  being positioned on the inside of posts  178 , with the printed circuit board portions  238  being positioned in respective channels  180 . This positions tab portions  196  and  236  spanning across the component receiving channel  176 , such that component  232  can be positioned between the two tab portions  196  and  236 . The component is soldered in place to form a permanent electrical connection. 
     Intermediate shield  148  is now assembled together with shield  146 , such that tab  306  is positioned in slot  299  and tab  304  is positioned in slot  295 , as best shown in FIG.  13 . This also positions tabs  302  through slots  296 , where they can be bent back adjacent to an underside of plate portion  290 , as best shown in FIG.  10 . The assembled terminal subassembly  132  can now be positioned relative to intermediate shield  148  by positioning slot  197  over tab  301  (FIG. 13) and by placing alignment ribs  219  over the top edge of shield  148  (FIG.  10 ). With the terminal subassembly  132  and shields as assembled in FIG. 13, the printed circuit boards  142  and  144  carrying the magnetic components can now be positioned such that the respective apertures  254 ,  256  a re overlapping their respective contacts  170 ,  266  and  220 ,  270  (FIGS.  11  and  12 ). This positions the assembly into the configuration shown best in FIGS. 14 and 15. It should be noted that grounding tines  238  are extending through a respective throughhole  257 , where it is grounded through a trace on the board. Housing  130  can now be slidably received over the entire assembly of the terminal subassembly  132  and shields, such that tabs  300  protrude apertures  320  and tabs  294  protrude apertures  322 , as best shown in FIG.  9 . 
     With respect now to FIG. 16, the LED modules  14  can now be positioned in place within housing  4 . Each LED module  14  (FIG. 7) is positioned such that posts  120  are aligned with corresponding apertures  66  and  70  (FIG.  5 ), which positions the upper housing portion  114  within apertures  62 , that is, intermediate adjacent housing extensions  60 . It should also be appreciated that a right ( 14 A) and left ( 14 B) LED module are required for the end of the housing, as these LED modules only carry a singular LED. With the LED modules in place, the individual LEDs  12  can be positioned in their corresponding channels  80 . The LED leads are positioned around posts  84  (FIG. 4) and into channels  116  (FIG.  7 ), and are electrically interconnected to terminal sections  122 . This electrically interconnects the LED leads with the leads  124  (FIG.  7 ), which extend downwardly therefrom. The lower row of LEDs  13  may now be positioned in their respective channels  90  (FIG. 6) with the leads extending in their respective channels  92 . 
     The plurality of modules  10  may now be positioned within the housing member  4  into the position shown in FIG.  16 . It should also be appreciated from viewing FIG. 16 that the plurality of LED modules  14 ,  14 A,  14 B form side wall continuations for the alignment of not only the LEDs, but also the modules  10 . The modules  10  are positioned within the housing as shown in FIG. 16, such that the corresponding posts  160 ,  210  extend through the corresponding openings  56  (FIG.  17 ), whereupon the posts can be heat-staked or otherwise receive a fastener to retain the subassemblies therein. It should also be understood that corresponding ribs  158 ,  208  (FIG. 12) are received in channels  54  (FIG. 5) to align the subassemblies within the openings  50 . This also positions terminal  156 ,  206  (FIG. 12) with the comb-like alignment members  58  (FIG. 5) to hold them in side-by-side non-contacting relation. 
     When all of the terminal modules  10  are loaded within their respective positions, printed circuit board  16  can be positioned over the plurality of terminals, that is, printed circuit board terminals  268  and  272  (FIGS.  10  and  11 ), which are the corresponding printed circuit board terminals for modular jack terminals  156 ,  206  and upper LED contacts  340  and lower LED contacts  342 . With the multi-port connector assembled as shown in FIG. 17, the outer shield  6  may now be positioned in an overlapping relation to housing  4 , such that tabs  300  (FIG. 14) extend through apertures  32  and tabs  294  (FIG. 14) extend beneath back wall section  23 , as best shown in FIG.  2 . 
     An alternate embodiment of the shielding configuration is shown in FIG. 18, where an alternate connector  400  is shown having a shield  406 . The connector  400  is identical to that described above, with the exception to the following change. The rear wall  423  includes apertures  434  for receiving tabs  494  therethrough. The tabs are defined so as to contact the shield wall at the location of the slots  434  for grounding purposes. The tabs  300  (FIG. 2) are not included, as the two shields are commoned through their connection, as shown in FIG.  13 . 
     As such, the design disclosed herein provides multiple advantages. Firstly, as the LED modules are positioned intermediate upper and lower rows of cavities for the multi-port or stacked jack connector, the LEDs are easily configurable for both the top and bottom rows of the stacked jack assembly, such that the condition of the connectors can be monitored for multiple levels of ports. 
     Also, as the terminal subassembly is configured in a laminated configuration with the upper terminal assembly  134  and lower terminal assembly  138  being positioned between the center shield  136 , and with the subassembly being configured in a somewhat Z-shaped configuration, this allows for the area between the lower housing portion  218  and housing portion  140  to be used for signal conditioning. That is, this allows for the area between housing portions  218  and  140  to receive the magnetic components on boards  142 ,  144 . 
     Finally, given the shielding configuration, a center shield  148  can be positioned between signal conditioning components, a lower shield  146  can shield the lower side of the housings and signal conditioning components and a shield portion  194  can be positioned intermediate the two modular jack portions of terminals, all of which are decoupled and commoned to the outer shield member  6 .