Patent Publication Number: US-7909643-B2

Title: Cassette for a cable interconnect system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application related to copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/394,912 titled “CASSETTE HAVING INTERCHANGEABLE REAR MATING CONNECTORS”, and filed Feb. 27, 2009, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/394,987 titled “SHIELDED CASSETTE FOR A CABLE INTERCONNECT SYSTEM”, and filed Feb. 27, 2009, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/395,049 titled “CASSETTE FOR USE WITHIN A CONNECTIVITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM”, and filed Feb. 27, 2009, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/395,144 titled “CASSETTE WITH LOCKING FEATURE”, and filed Feb. 27, 2009, the subject matter of each of which is herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter herein relates generally to cable interconnect systems, and more particularly, to cassettes that have an array of jacks for interlacing with modular plugs. 
     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. The receptacle connectors may be in the form of RJ-45 type modular jacks that establish mating connections with corresponding RJ-45 modular plugs. The receptacle connectors, each have electrical terminals arranged in a terminal array, and have plug receiving cavities. 
     One application for such multi-port connector assemblies is in the field of electronic networks, where desktops or other equipment are interconnected to servers or other network components by way of sophisticated cabling. Such networks may have a variety of data transmission mediums including coaxial cable, fiber optic cable and copper cable. One such network is an 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 connections, yet optimally requires little space in which to accommodate the connections. Another application for such connector assemblies is in the field of telephony, wherein the connector ports allow for connection with a telephone switching network of a telephone service provider, such as a regional telephone company or national telephone company. 
     One type of connector assembly is known as a stacked jack connector assembly, where the housing has receptacles one above the other, forming a plurality of arrays in stacked arrangement, so-called “stocked jack” arrangements. One example of a stacked jack type of connector assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,655,988, assigned to Tyco Electronics Corporation, which discloses an insulative housing having two rows of receptacles that provide an interface port for modular plugs. The receptacles are 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 receptacles without having to increase the length of the housing. Contact modules having contacts for both upper receptacles and lower receptacles are loaded into the insulative housing. The insulative housing and each of the contact modules are simultaneously mounted to a circuit board, and an outer shield surrounds the unit. The stacked jack connector assembly may then be mounted to a corresponding network component, such as a panel. Stacked jacks have the advantage of coupling a plurality of receptacles within a network at the same time. However, stacked jacks are typically complex to manufacture, as the stacked jacks require many special features within the insulated housing. Additionally, due to the required geometry, the receptacles within the upper row have contacts that are longer than the contacts of the receptacles in the lower row, which changes electrical characteristics of the receptacles. For example, since the receptacles in the upper row, are farther away from the circuit board than the receptacles in the lower row, the contact of the upper receptacles have a longer contact length between a mating interface of the contacts and the circuit board, which may cause signal degradation. 
     Another type of connector assembly includes a plurality of individual modular jacks that are mounted within a housing to forth an interface connector. Each modular jack includes a jack housing defining a plug cavity and a plurality of contacts within the plug cavity. The modular jack is terminated to a cable and separately coupled to the housing. The interface connector, including a number of the modular jacks, is mounted to a corresponding network component, such as a panel. While interface connectors have the advantage of coupling a plurality of modular jacks within a network component at the same time, the interface connectors have the problem of having reduced density. The density problem arises from each modular jack having a separate jack housing, which, may be bulky, and which have a latch, typically on top of the modular jack, that latches to a latching surface on the connector assembly housing. Furthermore, additional space is required to accommodate pivoting the modular jack during loading and unloading each jack into the connector assembly housing. Interface connectors also suffer from problems associated with cable density and cable management. As such, interface connectors are not typically arranged in a stacked configuration. 
     At least one of the problems with known connector assemblies is that today&#39;s networks require higher numbers of connections in limited spaces to accommodate increasingly complex networks. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, a cassette is provided mat includes a housing having a front and a rear. The housing has a plurality of plug cavities open at the front for receiving plugs therein, and the housing has a rear chamber open to the plug cavities. The cassette also includes a contact subassembly having a circuit board and a plurality of contacts arranged in contact sets coupled to the circuit board. Each contact set is configured to mate with a corresponding plug, where the contact subassembly is loaded into the rear chamber such that the contact sets are received in different corresponding plug cavities. The circuit board is oriented generally parallel to the front of the housing when the contact subassembly is loaded into the rear chamber. 
     Optionally, the circuit board may be positioned behind each of the contact sets generally between the contact sets and the rear of the housing. The contacts may extend into plug cavities generally along a plug axis extending in a direction in which the plug is loaded into the plug cavities. The circuit board may be oriented generally perpendicular to the plug axis. The circuit hoard may have a first side and a second side and the contacts may extend from the first side. The contact subassembly may have at least one electrical connector mounted to the second side of the circuit board that is electrically connected to the contacts of one or more of the contact sets. The contact subassembly may include a plurality of contact supports extending from the circuit board in close proximity to respective contact sets, where each contact support is configured to support the contacts of the corresponding contact set. The contact supports may be received in different plug cavities when the contact subassembly is loaded into the rear chamber. Optionally, each contact support may cooperate with walls of the housing defining the corresponding plug cavity to farm a box-like cavity around the contacts, where the contact support defines one side of the box-like cavity. The cassette may also include a rear mating connector generally opposite the front where the rear mating connector is electrically connected to the contacts. The rear mating connector may communicate with contacts of more than one contact set. Optionally, the housing, may have a tongue extending between first and second rows of plug cavities, where the tongue is positioned between contacts of different contact sets. The housing may have a plurality of walls positioned between adjacent plug cavities, where the walls are configured to engage the plugs when the plugs are loaded into the plug cavities. 
     In another embodiment, a cassette is provided that includes a housing having a front and a rear. The housing has a plurality of plug cavities arranged in a stacked configuration in a first row and a second row. The plug cavities are open at the front for receiving plugs therein, and the housing has a rear chamber open to the plug cavities. The cassette also includes a contact subassembly having a circuit board and a plurality of contacts arranged in contact sets coupled to the circuit board. Each contact set is configured to mate with a corresponding plug, and the contact subassembly is loaded into the rear chamber such that the contact sets are received in different corresponding plug cavities. The contacts of the contact sets received in the first row of plug cavities have substantially similar contact lengths as the contacts of the contact sets received in the second row of plug cavities. 
     In a further embodiment, a cable interconnect system is provided that includes a panel having a module opening, and a cassette received in the module opening. The cassette has a housing having a front and a rear. The housing has a plurality of plug cavities that are open at the front for receiving plugs therein. The housing has a rear chamber that is open to the plug cavities. The cassette also includes a contact subassembly having a circuit board and a plurality of contacts arranged in contact sets coupled to the circuit board. Each contact set is configured to mate with a corresponding plug. The contact subassembly is loaded into the rear chamber such that the contact sets are received in different corresponding plug cavities. The circuit board is oriented generally parallel to the front of the housing when the contact subassembly is loaded into the rear chamber. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a portion of a cable interconnect system incorporating a plurality of cassettes mounted to the panel with a modular plug connected thereto. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the panel and the cassettes illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of an alternative panel for the cable interconnect system with cassettes mounted thereto. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of a cassette shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a rear exploded view of the cassette shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a contact subassembly of the cassette shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of a housing of the cassette shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of the housing shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of the cassette shown in  FIG. 4  during assembly. 
         FIG. 10  is a side perspective, partial cutaway view of the cassette shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the cassette shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded front perspective view of the cassette shown in  FIG. 4  illustrating an exemplary embodiment of labels used with the cassette. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a portion of a cable interconnect system  10  illustrating a panel  12  and a plurality of cassettes  20  mounted to the panel  12  and a modular plug  14  connected thereto. The cassette  20  comprises an array of receptacles  16  for accepting or receiving the modular plug  14 . 
     The cable interconnect system  10  is utilized to interconnect various equipment, components and/or devices to one another.  FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a first device  60  connected to the cassette  20  via a cable  62 . The modular plug  14  is attached to the end of the cable  62 .  FIG. 1  also illustrates a second device  64  connected to the cassette  20  via a cable  66 . The cassette  20  interconnects the first and second devices  60 ,  64 . In an exemplary embodiment, the first device  60  may be a computer located remote from the cassette  20 . The second device  64  may be a network switch. The second device  64  may be located in the vicinity of the cassette  20 , such as in the same equipment room, or alternatively, may be located remote from the cassette  20 . The cable interconnect system  10  may include a support structure  68 , a portion of which is illustrated in  FIG. 1 , for supporting the panel  12  and the cassettes  20 . For example, the support structure  68  may be an equipment rack of a network system. The panel  12  may be a patch panel that is mounted to the equipment rack. In alternative embodiments, rather than a patch panel, the panel  12  may be another type of network component used with a network system that supports cassettes  20  and/or other connector assemblies, such as interface modules, stacked jacks, or other individual modular jacks. For example, the panel  12  may be a wall or other structural element of a component. It is noted that the cable interconnect system  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is merely illustrative of an exemplary system/component for interconnecting communication cables using modular jacks and modular plugs or other types of connectors. Optionally, the second device  64  may be mounted to the support structure  68 . 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the panel  12  and the cassettes  20 . The cassettes  20  are mounted within openings  22  of the panel  12 . The openings  20  are defined by a perimeter wall  24 . In an exemplary embodiment, the panel  12  includes a plurality of openings  22  for receiving a plurality of cassettes  20 . The panel  12  includes a planar front surface  25 , and the cassettes  20  are mounted against the front surface  25 . The panel  12  includes mounting tabs  26  on the sides thereof for mounting to the support structure  68  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). For example, the mounting tabs  26  may be provided at the sides of the panel  12  for mounting to a standard equipment rack or other cabinet system. Optionally, the panel  12  and mounting tabs  26  fit into 1 U height requirements. 
     The cassette  20  includes a shell  28  defining an outer perimeter of the cassette  20 , in an exemplary embodiment, the shell  28  is a two piece design having a housing  30  and a cover  32  that may be coupled to the housing  30 . The housing  30  and the cover  32  may have similar dimensions (e.g. height and width) to nest with one another to define a smooth outer surface. The housing  30  and the cover  32  may also have similar lengths, such that the housing  30  and the cover  32  mate approximately in the middle of the shell  28 . Alternatively, the housing  30  may define substantially all of the shell  28  and the cover  32  may be substantially flat and be coupled to an end of the housing  30 . Other alternative embodiments may not include the cover  32 . 
     The housing  30  includes a front  34  and a rear  36 . The cover  32  includes a front  38  and a rear  40 . The front  34  of the housing  30  defines a front of the cassette  20  and the rear  40  of the cover  32  defines a rear of the cassette  20 . In an exemplary embodiment, the cover  32  is coupled to the housing  30  such that the rear  36  of the housing  30  abuts against the front  38  of the cover  32 . 
     The housing  30  includes a plurality of plug cavities  42  open at the front  34  of the housing  30  for receiving the modular plugs  14  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). The plug cavities  42  define a portion of the receptacles  16 , in an exemplary embodiment, the plug cavities  42  are arranged in a stacked configuration in a first row  44  and a second row  46  of plug cavities  42 . A plurality of plug cavities  42  are arranged in each of the first and second rows  44 ,  46 . In the illustrated embodiment, six plug cavities  42  are arranged in each of the first and second rows  44 ,  46 , thus providing a total of twelve plug cavities  42  in each cassette  20 . Four cassettes  20  are provided that are mounted to the panel  12 , thus providing a total of forty-eight plug cavities  42 . Such an arrangement provides forty-eight plug cavities  42  that receive forty-eight modular plugs  14  within the panel  12  that fits within 1 U height requirement. It is realized that the cassettes  20  may have more or less than twelve plug cavities  42  arranged in more or less than two rows of plug cavities  42 . It is also realized that more or less than four cassettes  20  may be provided for mounting to the panel  12 . 
     The cassette  20  includes latch members  48  on one or more sides of the cassette  20  for securing the cassette  20  to the panel  12 . The latch members  48  may be held close to the sides of the cassette  20  to maintain a smaller form factor. Alternative mounting means may be utilized in alternative embodiments. The latch members  48  may be separately provided from the housing  30  and/or the cover  32 . Alternatively, the latch members  48  may be integrally formed with the housing  30  and/or the cover  32 . 
     During assembly, the cassettes  20  are loaded into the openings  22  of the panel  12  from the front of the panel  12 , such as in the loading direction illustrated in  FIG. 2  by an arrow A. The outer perimeter of the cassette  20  may be substantially similar to the size and shape of the perimeter walls  24  defining the openings  22  such that the cassette  20  fits snugly within the openings  22 . The latch members  48  are used to secure the cassettes  20  to the panel  12 . In an exemplary embodiment, the cassettes  20  include a front flange  50  at the front  34  of the housing  30 . The front flanges  50  have a rear engagement surface  52  that engages the front surface  25  of the panel  12  and the cassette  20  is loaded into the openings  22 . The latch members  48  include a panel engagement surface  54  that is forward facing such that, when the cassette  20  is loaded into the opening  22 , the panel engagement surface  54  engages a rear  56  of the panel  12 . The panel  12  is captured between the rear engagement surface  52  of the front flanges  50  and the panel engagement surface  54  of the latch members  48 . 
       FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of an alternative panel  58  for the cable interconnect system  10  with cassettes  20  mounted thereto. The panel  58  has a V-configuration such that the cassettes  20  are angled in different directions. Other panel configurations are possible in alternative embodiments. The cassettes  20  may be mounted to the panel  58  in a similar manner as the cassettes  20  are mounted to the panel  12  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). The panel  58  may fit within 1 U height requirements. 
       FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of one of the cassettes  20  illustrating a plurality of rear mating connectors  70 . The rear mating connectors  70  are configured to mate with cable assemblies having a mating cable connector where the cable assemblies are routed to another device or component of the cable interconnect system  10  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). For example, the cable connectors may be provided at ends of cables that are routed behind the panel  12  to a network switch or other network component. Optionally, a portion of the rear mating connectors  70  may extend through an opening  72  in the rear  40  of the cover  32 . In the illustrated embodiment, the rear mating connectors  70  are represented by board mounted MRJ-21 connectors, however, it is realized that other types of connectors may be used rather than MRJ-21 type of connectors. For example, in alternative embodiments, the rear mating connectors  70  may be another type of copper-based modular connectors, fiber optic connectors or other types of connectors, such as eSATA connectors, HDMI connectors, USB connectors, FireWire connectors, and the like. 
     As will be described in further detail below, the rear mating connectors  70  are high density connectors, that is, each rear mating connector  70  is electrically connected to more than one of the receptacles  16  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) to allow communication between multiple modular plugs  14  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and the cable connector that mates with the rear mating connector  70 . The rear mating connectors  70  are electrically connected to more than one receptacles  16  to reduce the number of cable assemblies that interface with the rear of the cassette  20 . It is realized that more or less than two rear mating connectors  70  may be provided in alternative embodiments. 
       FIG. 5  is a rear exploded view of the cassette  20  illustrating the cover  32  removed from the housing  30 . The cassette  20  includes a contact subassembly  100  loaded into the housing  30 . In an exemplary embodiment, the housing  30  includes a rear chamber  102  at the rear  36  thereof. The contact subassembly  100  is at least partially received in the rear chamber  102 . The contact subassembly  100  includes a circuit board  104  and one or more electrical connectors  106  mounted to the circuit board  104 . In an exemplary embodiment, the electrical connector  106  is a card edge connector. The electrical connector  106  includes at least one opening  108  and one or more contacts  110  within the opening  108 . In the illustrated embodiment, the opening  108  is an elongated slot and a plurality of contacts  110  are arranged within the slot. The contacts  110  may be provided on one or both sides of the slot. The contacts  110  may be electrically connected to the circuit board  104 . 
     The cassette  20  includes an interface connector assembly  120  that includes the rear mating connectors  70 . The interface connector assembly  120  is configured to be mated with the electrical connector  106 . In an exemplary embodiment, the interface connector assembly  120  includes a circuit board  122 . The rear mating connectors  70  are mounted to a side surface  124  of the circuit board  122 . In an exemplary embodiment, the circuit board  122  includes a plurality of edge contacts  126  along an edge  128  of the circuit board  122 . The edge contacts  126  may be mated with the contacts  110  of the contact subassembly  100  by plugging the edge  128  of the circuit board  122  into the opening  108  of the electrical connector  106 . The edge contacts  126  are electrically connected to the rear mating connectors  70  via the circuit board  122 . For example, traces may be provided on or in the circuit board  122  that interconnect the edge contacts  126  with the rear mating connectors  70 . The edge contacts  126  may be provided on one or more sides of the circuit board  122 . The edge contacts  126  may be contact pads formed on the circuit board  122 . Alternatively, the edge contacts  126  may extend from at least one of the surfaces and/or the edge  128  of the circuit board  122 . In alternative embodiment, rather than using edge contacts  126 , the interface connector assembly  120  may include an electrical connector at, or proximate to, the edge  128  for mating with the electrical connector  106  of the contact subassembly  100 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates, the contact subassembly  100  of the cassette  20  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). The circuit board  104  of the contact subassembly  100  includes a front side  140  and a rear side  142 . The electrical connector  106  is mounted to the rear side  142 . A plurality of contacts  144  extend from the front side  140  of the circuit board  104 . The contacts  144  are electrically connected to the circuit board  104  and are electrically connected to the electrical connector  106  via the circuit board  104 . 
     The contacts  144  are arranged in contact sets  146  with each contact set  146  defining a portion of a different receptacle  16  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). For example, in the illustrated embodiment, eight contacts  144  are configured as a contact array defining each of the contact sets  146 . The contacts  144  may constitute a contact array that is configured to mate with plug contacts of an RJ-45 modular plug. The contacts  144  may have a different configuration for mating with a different type of plug in alternative embodiments. More or less than eight contacts  144  may be provided in alternative embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, six contact sets  146  are arranged in each of two rows in a stacked configuration, thus providing a total of twelve contact sets  146  for the contact subassembly  100 . Optionally, the contact sets  146  may be substantially aligned with one another within each of the rows and may be aligned above or below another contact set  146 . For example, an upper contact set  146  may be positioned relatively closer to a top  148  of the circuit board  104  as compared to a lower contact set  146  which may be positioned relatively closer to a bottom  150  of the circuit board  104 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the contact subassembly  100  includes a plurality of contact supports  152  extending from the front side  140  of the circuit board  104 . The contact supports  152  are positioned in close proximity to respective contact sets  146 . Optionally, each contact support  152  supports the contacts  144  of a different contact set  146 . In the illustrated embodiment, two rows of contact supports  152  are provided. A gap  154  separates the contact supports  152 . Optionally, the gap  154  may be substantially centered between the top  148  and the bottom  150  of the circuit board  104 . 
     During assembly, the contact subassembly  100  is loaded into the housing  30  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) such that the contact sets  146  and the contact supports  152  are loaded into corresponding plug cavities  42  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). In an exemplary embodiment, a portion of the housing  30  extends between adjacent contact supports  152  within a row, and a portion of the housing  30  extends into the gap  154  between the contact supports  152 . 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  are front and rear perspective views, respectively, of the housing  30  of the cassette  20  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). The housing  30  includes a plurality of interior walls  160  mat extend between adjacent plug cavities  42 . The walls  160  may extend at least partially between the front  34  and the rear  36  of the housing  30 . The walls  160  have a front surface  162  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) and a rear surface  164  (shown in  FIG. 8 ). Optionally, the front surface  162  may be positioned at, or proximate to, the front  34  of the housing  30 . The rear surface  164  may be positioned remote with respect to, and/or recessed from, the rear  36  of the housing  30 . The housing  30  includes a tongue  166  represented by one of the walls  160  extending between the first and second rows  44 ,  46  of plug cavities  42 . Optionally, the interior walls  160  may be formed integral with the housing  30 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the housing  30  includes a rear chamber  102  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) at the rear  36  of the housing  30 . The rear chamber  102  is open to each of the plug cavities  42 . Optionally, the rear chamber  102  extends from the rear  36  of the housing  30  to the rear surfaces  164  of the walls  160 . The rear chamber  102  is open at the rear  36  of the housing  30 . In the illustrated embodiment, the rear chamber  102  is generally box-shaped, however the rear chamber  102  may have any other shape depending on the particular application and/or the size and shape of the components filing the rear chamber  102 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the plug cavities  42  are separated from adjacent plug cavities  42  by shield elements  172 . The shield, elements  172  may be defined by the interior walls  160  and/or exterior walls  174  of the housing  30 . For example, the housing  30  may be fabricated from a metal material with the interior walls  160  and/or the exterior walls  174  also fabricated, from the metal material. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing  30  is diecast using a metal or metal alloy, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. With the entire housing  30  being metal, the housing  30 , including the portion of the housing  30  between the plug cavities  42  (e.g. the interior walls  160 ) and the portion of the housing  30  covering the plug cavities  42  (e.g. the exterior walls  174 ), operates to provide shielding around the plug cavities  42 . In such an embodiment the housing  30  itself defines the shield elements(s)  172 . The plug cavities  42  may be completely enclosed (e.g. circumferentially surrounded) by the shield elements  172 . 
     With each contact set  146  (shown, in  FIG. 6 ) arranged within a different plug cavity  42 , the shield elements  172  provide shielding between adjacent contact sets  146 . The shield elements  172  thus provide isolation between the adjacent contact sets  146  to enhance the electrical performance of the contact sets  146  received in each plug cavity  42 . Having shield elements  172  between adjacent plug cavities  42  provides better shield effectiveness for the cable interconnect system  10  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), which may enhance electrical performance in systems that utilize components that do not provide shielding between adjacent plug cavities  42 . For example, having shield elements  172  between adjacent plug cavities  42  within a given row  44 ,  46  enhances electrical performance of the contact sets  146 . Additionally, having shield elements  172  between the rows  44 ,  46  of plug cavities  42  may enhance the electrical performance of the contact sets  146 . The shield elements  172  may reduce alien crosstalk between adjacent contact sets  146  in a particular cassette and/or reduce alien crosstalk with contact sets  146  of different cassettes  20  or other electrical components in the vicinity of the cassette  20 . The shield elements may also enhance electrical performance of the cassette  20  in other ways, such as by providing EMI shielding or by affecting coupling attenuation, and the like. 
     In an alternative embodiment, rather than the housing  30  being fabricated from a metal material, the housing  30  may be fabricated, at least in part, from a dielectric material. Optionally, the housing  30  may be selectively metallized, with the metallized portions defining the shield elements  172 . For example, at least a portion of the housing  30  between the plug cavities  42  may be metallized to define the shield elements  172  between the plug cavities  42 . Portions of the interior walls  160  and/or the exterior walls  174  may be metallized. The metallized surfaces define the shield elements  172 . As such, the shield elements  172  are provided on the interior walls  160  and/or the exterior walls  174 . Alternatively, the shield elements  172  may be provided on the interior walls  160  and/or the exterior walls  174  in a different manner, such as by plating or by coupling separate shield elements  172  to the interior walls  160  and/or the exterior walls  174 . The shield elements  172  may be arranged along the surfaces defining the plug cavities  42  such that at least some of the shield elements  172  engage the modular plugs  14  when the modular plugs  14  are loaded into the plug cavities  42 . In other alternative embodiments, the walls  160  and/or  174  may be formed, at least in part, by metal filler materials provided within or on the walls  160  and/or  174  or metal fibers provided within or on the walls  160  and/or  174 . 
     In another alternative embodiment, rather than, or in addition to, providing the shield elements  172  on the walls of the housing  30 , the shield elements  172  may be provided within the walls of the housing  30 . For example, the interior walls  160  and/or the exterior walls  174  may include openings  176  that are open at the rear  36  and/or the front  34  such that the shield elements  172  may be loaded into the openings  176 . The shield elements  172  may be separate metal components, such as plates, that are loaded into the openings  176 . The openings  176 , and thus the shield elements  172 , are positioned between the plug cavities  42  to provide shielding between adjacent contact sets  146 . 
       FIG. 9  is a rear perspective, partially assembled, view of the cassette  20 . During assembly, the contact subassembly  100  is loaded into the rear chamber  102  of the housing  30  through the rear  36 . Optionally, the circuit board  104  may substantially fill the rear chamber  102 . The contact subassembly  100  is loaded into the rear chamber  102  such that the electrical connector  106  faces the rear  36  of the housing  30 . The electrical connector  106  may beat least partially received in the rear chamber  102  and at least a portion of the electrical connector  106  may extend from the rear chamber  102  beyond the rear  36 . 
     During assembly, the interface connector assembly  120  is mated with the electrical connector  106 . Optionally, the interface connector assembly  120  may be mated with the electrical connector  106  after the contact subassembly  100  is loaded into the housing  30 . Alternatively, both the contact subassembly  100  and the interface connector assembly  120  may be loaded into the housing  30  as a unit. Optionally, some or all of the interface connector assembly  120  may be positioned rearward of the housing  30 . 
     The cover  32  is coupled to the housing  30  after the contact subassembly  100  and the interface connector assembly  120  are positioned with respect to the housing  30 . The cover  32  is coupled to the housing  30  such that the cover  32  surrounds the interface connector assembly  120  and/or the contact subassembly  100 . In an exemplary embodiment, when the cover  32  and the housing  30  are coupled together, the cover  32  and the housing  30  cooperate to define an inner chamber  170  (shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 ). The rear chamber  102  of the housing  30  defines part of the inner chamber  170 , with the hollow interior of the cover  32  defining another part of the inner chamber  170 . The interface connector assembly  120  and the contact subassembly  100  are received in the inner chamber  170  and protected from the external environment by the cover  32  and the housing  30 . Optionally, the cover  32  and the housing  30  may provide shielding for the components housed within the inner chamber  170 . The rear mating connectors  70  may extend through the cover  32  when the cover  32  is coupled to the housing  30 . As such, the rear mating connectors  70  may extend at least partially out of the inner chamber  170 . 
       FIG. 10  is a side perspective, partial cutaway view of the cassette  20  and  FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the cassette  20 .  FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate the contact subassembly  100  and the interface connector assembly  120  positioned within the inner chamber  170 , with the cover  32  coupled to the housing  30 . The contact subassembly  100  is loaded into the rear chamber  102  such that the front side  140  of the circuit board  104  generally faces and/or abuts against the rear surfaces  164  of the walls  160 . Optionally, the front side  140  may abut against a structure of the housing  30 , such as the rear surfaces  164  of the walls  160 , or alternatively, a rib or tab that extends from the housing  30  for locating the contact subassembly  100  within the housing  30 . When the contact subassembly  100  is loaded into the rear chamber  102 , the contacts  144  and the contact supports  152  are loaded into corresponding plug cavities  42 . 
     When assembled, the plug cavities  42  and the contact sets  146  cooperate to define the receptacles  16  for mating with, the modular plugs  14  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). The walls  160  of the housing  30  define the walls of the receptacles  16  and the modular plugs  14  engage the walls  160  when the modular plugs  14  are loaded into the plug cavities  42 . The contacts  144  ate presented within the plug cavities  42  for mating with plug contacts of the modular pings  14 . In an exemplary embodiment, when the contact subassembly  100  is loaded into the housing  30 , the contact supports  152  are exposed within the plug cavities  42  and define one side of the box-like cavities that define the plug cavities  42 . 
     Each of the contacts  144  extend, between a tip  180  and a base  182  generally along a contact plane  184  (shown in  FIG. 11 ). A portion of the contact  144  between the tip  180  and the base  182  defines a mating interface  185 . The contact plane  184  extends parallel to the modular plug loading direction, shown in  FIG. 11  by the arrow  8 , which extends generally along a plug axis  178 . Optionally, the tip  180  may be angled out of the contact plane  184  such that the tips  180  do not interfere with the modular plug  14  during loading of modular plug  14  into the plug cavity  42 . The tips  180  may be angled towards and/or engage the contact supports  152 . Optionally, the bases  182  may be angled out of the contact plane  184  such that the bases  182  may be terminated to the circuit board  104  at a predetermined location. The contacts  144 , including the tips  180  and the bases  182 , may be oriented with respect to one another to control electrical properties therebetween, such as crosstalk. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the tips  180  within the contact set  146  are generally aligned one another. The bases  182  of adjacent contacts  144  may extend either in the same direction or in a different direction as one another. For example, at least some of the bases  182  extend towards the top  148  of the circuit board  104 , whereas some of the bases  182  extend towards the bottom of  150  of the circuit board  104 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the circuit board  104  is generally perpendicular to the contact plane  184  and the plug axis  178 . The top  148  of the circuit board  104  is positioned near a top side  186  of the housing  30 , whereas the bottom  150  of the circuit board  104  is positioned near a bottom side  188  of the housing  30 . The circuit board  104  is positioned generally behind the contacts  144 , such as between the contacts  144  and the rear  36  of the housing  30 . The circuit board  104  substantially covers the rear of each of the plug cavities  42  when the connector subassembly  100  is loaded into the rear chamber  102 . In an exemplary embodiment, the circuit board  104  is positioned essentially equidistant from the mating interface  185  of each of the contacts  144 . As such, the contact length between the mating interface  185  and the circuit hoard  104  is substantially similar for each of the contacts  144 . Each of the contacts  144  may thus exhibit similar electrical characteristics. Optionally, the contact length may be selected such mat the distance between a mating interface  185  and the circuit board  104  is reasonably short. Additionally, the contact lengths of the contacts  144  in the upper row  44  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) of plug cavities  42  are substantially similar to the contact lengths of the contacts  144  in the lower row  46  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) of plug cavities  42 . 
     The electrical connector  106  is provided on the rear side  142  of the circuit board  104 . The electrical connector  106  is electrically connected to the contacts  144  of one or more of the contacts sets  146 . The interface connector assembly  120  is mated with the electrical connector  106 . For example, the circuit board  122  of the interface connector assembly  120  is loaded into the opening  108  of the electrical connector  106 . The rear mating connectors  70 , which are mounted to the circuit board  122 , are electrically connected to predetermined contacts  144  of the contacts sets  146  via the circuit board  122 , the electrical connector  106  and the circuit board  104 . Other configurations are possible to interconnect the rear mating connectors  70  with the contacts  44  of the receptacles  16 . 
       FIG. 12  is an exploded front perspective view of the cassette  20  illustrating label bands  190  and a label holder  192  for the cassette  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, the label bands  190  are labels that have preprinted port identifiers that identify each of the plug cavities  42 , such as with a number. The cassette  20  includes slots  194  that receives the label bands  190 . Optionally, the cassette  20  may include one or more slots above the upper or first row  44  of plug cavities  42  and one or more slots below the lower or second row  46  of plug cavities  42 . Portions of the label bands  190  are captured behind walls of the housing  30  to retain the label bands  190  within the slots  194 . 
     The label holder  192  is removably coupled to the housing  30 . Optionally, the label holder  192  may be positioned between the first and second rows  44 ,  46  of plug cavities  42 . The configuration of the cassette  20  allows for a space that can receive the label holder  192 . The label holder  192  may hold a label adjacent to the plug cavities  42 . Identifying indicia may be presented on the label identifying particular ones of the plug cavities  42 . Optionally, the label may be removed and discarded and replaced by different label with different indicia. The label holder  192  may then be replaced to hold a new label. Optionally, the label holder  192  may be clear such that, when the label is positioned behind the label holder  192 , the label may be seen. 
     The label bands  190  and label holder  192  allow for removable/replaceable labeling of the cassette  20 , in contrast to tradition silk screening of sheet metal parts which does not allow for relabeling. The pockets in the housing  30  accept the label bands  190  and the label holder easily and securely hold the label bands  190  and the label holder  192  therein. 
     A cassette  20  is thus provided that may be mounted to a panel  12  through an opening  22  in the panel  12 . The cassette  20  includes a plurality of receptacles  16  that are configured to receive modular plugs  14  therein. The cassette  20  includes a contact subassembly  100  and an interface connector assembly  120 . The contact subassembly  100  is loaded into a housing  30  and the contact subassembly  100  and interface connector assembly  120  are surrounded by the housing  30  and/or a cover  32 . The contact subassembly  100  includes contacts  144  that are arranged in contact sets  146  that are loaded into plug cavities  42  defined by the housing  30  when the contact subassembly  100  is loaded into a rear chamber  102  of the housing  30 . Walls  160  of the housing  30  define the plug cavities  42  such that the housing  30  defines more than one receptacles  16 . The contact subassembly  100  includes a circuit board  104  that provides an interface between the contacts  144  and an electrical connector  106  which is mated with the interface connector assembly  120 . The circuit board  104  is positioned generally behind each of the contacts  144  such that the contacts  144  of each of the contacts sets  146  generally have an equal contact length. Optionally, the circuit board  104  may be positioned generally equidistant from a mating interface  185  of each of the contacts  144  with the modular plugs  14 . 
     It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and positions of the various components described herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in, means—plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.