Patent Publication Number: US-7914324-B2

Title: Cassette for use within a connectivity management system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to copending U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/394,816 , filed Feb. 27, 2009, the subject matter of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/394,816 relates to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/394,912, filed Feb. 27, 2009, relates to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/394,987, filed Feb. 27, 2009, and relates to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/395,144, filed Feb. 27, 2009. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter herein relates generally to connector assemblies adaptable for use with connectivity management systems, and more particularly, to sensor arrangements and configurations for connector assemblies adaptable for use with a connectivity management system. 
     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, that is; modular jacks, each have electrical terminals arranged in a terminal array, and have plug receiving cavities. 
     In order to better operate large electrical networks, connectivity management systems have been developed to monitor connections between components within the network. The connector assemblies or other network components include a sensor arranged along a mating face of the connector assembly. The sensor is positioned to interface with a sensor probe of the plug when the plug is mated with the receptacle jack. Connectivity data is transmitted by the probe to the sensor, and the sensor transmits the connectivity data to an analyzer. The analyzer is able to determine which modular plug is connected to which modular jack and/or where each patch cord or cable is routed within the network system. 
     Known connectivity management systems are not without disadvantages. For instance, the sensors are typically, interconnected with the analyzer or other components of the connectivity management system by a wire harness. Wire harnesses are difficult and time consuming to assemble, and are not well suited for automation when manufacturing the connector assemblies. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, a cassette is provided that includes a housing having a plurality of plug cavities configure to receive plugs therein, and a contact subassembly received in the housing. The contact subassembly has a circuit board and a plurality of contacts coupled to the circuit board, with the contacts being arranged in contact sets that are received in corresponding plug cavities to mate with different corresponding plugs. The cassette also includes a connectivity sensor coupled to the housing. The connectivity sensor is electrically connected to the circuit board of the contact subassembly, and the connectivity sensor has a plurality of sensor pads configured to interface with sensor probes of the plugs when the plugs are loaded into the plug cavities. 
     Optionally, the connectivity sensor may have a connectivity connector electrically coupled to at least some of the sensor pads, where the connectivity connector is electrically coupled to the circuit board of the contact subassembly. The connectivity sensor may have a circuit board with the sensor pads arranged on a first side of the circuit board and a connectivity connector coupled to a second side of the circuit board and being electrically connected to at least some of the sensor pads. Optionally, the contact subassembly may include a connectivity connector where the connectivity sensor is electrically connected to the connectivity connector of the contact subassembly. The circuit board of the connectivity sensor may be arranged generally parallel to the circuit board of the contact subassembly. 
     In another embodiment, a cassette is provided that includes a shell defining, a plurality of plug cavities for receiving plugs therein and a contact subassembly received within the shell. The contact subassembly has a circuit board, a plurality of contacts extending from a first side of the circuit board and an electrical connector extending from an opposite side of the circuit board. The contacts are configured to mate with corresponding plugs, and the electrical connector is electrically connected to corresponding contacts. A connectivity sensor is coupled to the shell and is electrically connected to the circuit board of the contact subassembly. The connectivity sensor has a plurality of sensor pads configured to interface with sensor probes of the plugs when the plugs are loaded into the plug cavities. An interface connector is received within the shell and mated with the electrical connector. The interface connector has a rear connectivity connector accessible at the rear of the shell that is configured to mate with a connectivity cable. The rear connectivity connector is electrically connected to the connectivity sensor via the electrical connector. 
     In further embodiment, a cassette is provided including a connectivity sensor having a circuit board and a plurality of sensor pads electrically connected to the circuit board. The sensor pads are configured to interface with sensor probes of plugs mated with the cassette. The cassette also includes an interface connector having a circuit board and a rear connectivity connector mounted to the circuit board. The rear connectivity connector is arranged generally opposite to the connectivity sensor and is configured to mate with a connectivity cabled. A contact subassembly is arranged between the connectivity sensor and the interface connector. The contact subassembly has a circuit board with the connectivity sensor being coupled to a first side of the circuit board and the interface connector being coupled to a second side of the circuit board that is-opposite to the first side. The rear connectivity connector is electrically connected to the connectivity sensor via the circuit board of the contact subassembly. 
    
    
     
       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  illustrates a connectivity management system for use with the cable interconnect system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded view of a cassette for use with the connectivity management system shown in  FIG. 12 , illustrating a connectivity sensor for the cassette. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a modular plug being mated with the cassette shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a rear perspective view of the cassette shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded view of a portion of the cassette shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 17  is an assembled view of the portion of the cassette shown in  FIG. 16 . 
     
    
    
     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 structured. 
       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 latch engagement surfaces  52  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  maybe 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  that 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 filling 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/of 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 embodiment, 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 be at 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  arid 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 interlace 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  are presented within the plug cavities  42  for mating with plug contacts of the modular plugs  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 B, 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 board  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 that 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  illustrates a connectivity management system  400  for use with the cable interconnect system  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . The connectivity management system  400  includes an analyzer  402  for analyzing the connectivity of the components within the cable interconnect system  10 . The cable interconnect system  10  includes panels  412  and a plurality of cassettes  420  mounted to the panels  412 . The panels  412  and cassettes  420  may define patch panels, switches or other network components. Plugs  414  may be connected to any of the receptacles  416  of the cassettes  420 . The plugs  414  are provided at ends of cables  418 , such as patch cords. In an exemplary embodiment, the plugs  414  include network sensor probes  422  (shown in  FIG. 14 ) used to indicate connectivity, as described in further detail below. The cables  418  may be routed between various ones of the panels  412  or other network components. The plugs  414  with the sensor probes  422  come from other equipment in the cable interconnect system  10 . 
     The cassettes  420  include connectivity sensors  424  at the mating interface thereof for interfacing with the sensor probes  422  when the plugs  414  are received in the receptacles  416 . The connectivity sensors  424  are used to indicate connectivity, such as by sensing the sensor probes  422  and sending signals relating to the presence of the sensor probes  422  to the analyzer  402 , such as via connectivity cables  426  that interconnect the cassettes  420  and the analyzer  402 . 
     Connectivity cables  426  are cables that form part of the connectivity management, system  400  and generally interconnect the cassettes  420  with the analyzer  402 . Connectivity cables  426  extend from the rear of the cassettes  420  as opposed to the communication cables  418  which extend from the front of the cassettes  420 . The cables  418  are part of the cable interconnect system  10  and are used to transmit data between components of the cable interconnect system  10 , as opposed to the connectivity management system  400 . 
     The analyzer  402  determines the connectivity of the cables within the cable interconnect system  10  (e.g. which plug  414  is connected to which receptacle  416  and/or where each patch cord or cable  418  is routed within the cable interconnect system  10 ). In an exemplary embodiment, the analyzer  402  is an analyzing device, such as the AMPTRAC Analyzer commercially available from Tyco Electronics Corporation. Optionally, the analyzer  402  may be mounted to a rack or other support structure of the cable interconnect system  10 . Alternatively, the analyzer  402  may be positioned remote from the rack and the network panels  412 . Data relating to the connectivity or interconnection of the patch cords of cables  418  is transmitted to the analyzer  402  by the connectivity cables  426 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the analyzer  402  is interconnected with a computing device  428  by an Ethernet connection or another connection, such as a direct connection by a cable connector. The connectivity data is gathered by connectivity sensors  424  that sense when the plugs  414  are mated with the receptacles  416 . The connectivity data gathered by the analyzer  402  may be transmitted to the computing device  428  and then viewed, stored and/or manipulated by the computing device  428 . Alternatively, the analyzer  402  may store and/or manipulate the connectivity data. Optionally, the analyzer  402  and the computing device  428  may be one device. Optionally, multiple analyzers  402  maybe connected to the computing device  428 . 
       FIG. 13  is an exploded view of the cassette  420  for use with the connectivity management system  400  (shown in  FIG. 12 ), illustrating the connectivity sensor  424  for the cassette  420 . The cassette  420  is similar to the cassette  20  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), however the cassette  420  includes the connectivity sensor  424  and other components that form part of the connectivity management system  400 . The cassette  420  includes a shell  430  having a housing  432  and a cover  434 . The shell  430  includes a front  436  and a rear  438 . The cassette  420  includes a plurality of plug cavities  440  and a contact subassembly  442  positioned within the shell  430 . The contact subassembly  442  provides contacts  444  within the plug cavities  440 . 
     The connectivity sensor  424  is coupled to the housing  432  of the shell  430 . In an exemplary embodiment, the connectivity sensor  424  is coupled to the front  436  generally between rows of the plug cavities  440 . The connectivity sensor  424  includes, a circuit board  450  having a plurality of sensor pads  452  arranged on a front side  454  of the circuit board  450 . The connectivity sensor  424  is mounted to the housing  432  such that a rear side  456  of the circuit board  450  generally faces and/or engages the front  436  of the shell  430 . The connectivity sensor  424  is mounted to the housing  432  such that the sensor pads  452  are aligned with corresponding plug cavities  440 . For example, some of the sensor pads  452  may be arranged below one row the plug cavities  440 , and some of the sensor pads  452  may be arranged above another row of the plug cavities  440 . Optionally, an equal number of sensor pads  452  and plug cavities  440  are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing  432  includes an opening  458  at the front  436 . Optionally, a portion of the connectivity sensor  424  may extend through the opening into the internal cavity defined by the shell  430 . 
       FIG. 14  illustrates one of the plugs  414  being mated with the cassette  420 .  FIG. 14  also illustrates the connectivity sensor  424  coupled to the housing  432 . The sensor pads  452  are aligned with corresponding ones of the plug cavities  440 . In an exemplary embodiment, the plug  414  is configured for use with the connectivity management system  400 . The modular plug  414  includes the sensor probe  422  that interfaces with the sensor pad  452  when the modular plug  414  is loaded into the receptacle  416 . Optionally, the sensor probe  422  may be a Pogo-pin type of probe, however other types of probes may be used in alternative embodiments. The sensor probe  422  represents an additional contact that is connected to an additional wire (referred to as a 9 th  wire in some particular applications) in addition to the plug contacts  460  that mate with the contacts  444  of the contact subassembly  442 . The sensor probe  422  transmits data relating to connectivity of the modular plug  414 . When the sensor probe  422  engages the sensor pad  452 , the data transmitted by the sensor probe  422  may be sensed by the sensor pad  452 . 
       FIG. 15  is a rear perspective view of the cassette  420 . The cassette  420  includes one or more rear mating connectors  462  and one or more rear connectivity connectors  464 . The rear mating connectors  462  are configured for mating with back end cable; connectors. The rear connectivity connectors  464  are configured to made with the connectivity cables  426  (shown in  FIG. 12 ) that are connected to the analyzer  402  (shown in  FIG. 12 ). The rear connectivity connectors  464  form part of the connectivity management system  400  and are used to transmit data relating to the connectivity of the receptacles  416  (shown in  FIG. 12 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the rear mating connectors  462  are represented by RJ-21 connectors, however other types of connectors may be used in alternative embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, the rear connectivity connectors  464  are represented by RJ-11 connectors, however other types of connectors may be used in alternative embodiments. 
       FIG. 16  is an exploded view of a portion of the cassette  420  with the shell  430  (shown in  FIG. 13 ) and a portion of contact subassembly  442  removed for clarity. The contact subassembly  442  includes a circuit board  470  having a front side  472  and a rear side  474 . An electrical connector  476  is board mounted to the rear side  474  of the circuit board  470 . The electrical connector  476  may be similar to the electrical connector  106  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector  476  represents a card edge connector, however other types of connectors may be utilized in alternative embodiments. In an exemplary embodiment, the contact subassembly  442  includes the contacts  444  (shown in  FIG. 13 ) and a plurality of contact supports, both of which are not shown for clarity. The contact supports may be similar to the contact supports  152  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). 
     The contact subassembly  442  includes a connectivity connector  478  extending from the front side  472  of the circuit board  470 . The connectivity connector  478  is electrically connected to the circuit board  470 . The connectivity connector  478  may be electrically connected to the electrical connector  476  via the circuit board  470 . Alternatively, the connectivity, connector  478  may be directly connected to the electrical connector  476 . The connectivity connector  478  may be board mounted to the circuit board  470 . For example, the connectivity connector  478  may include contacts, such as socket contacts, that are terminated to the circuit board  470 , such as by through-hole mounting or surface mounting to the circuit board  470 . Optionally, more than one connectivity connector  478  may be provided. 
     The connectivity sensor  424  includes a connectivity connector  480  extending from the rear  456  of the circuit board  450 . The connectivity connector  480  of the connectivity sensor  424  is configured to mate with the connectivity connector  478  of the contact subassembly  442 . For example, one of the connectivity connectors  478  or  480  may be a plug-type of connector while the other connectivity connector  478  or  480  may be a receptacle-type of connector. The connectivity connector  480  is electrically connected to the circuit board  450 . The connectivity connector  480  may be board mounted to circuit board  450 . For example, the connectivity connector  480  may include contacts, such as pin contacts, that are terminated to the circuit board  450 , such as by through-hole mounting or surface mounting to the circuit board  450 . The connectivity connector  480  is electrically connected to one or more of the sensor pads  452  via the circuit board  450 . In an exemplary embodiment, the connectivity connector  480  is electrically connected to each of the sensor pads  452  arranged on the circuit board  450 . Alternatively, the connectivity connector  480  may be electrically connected to less than all of the sensor pads  452 . In such an embodiment, more than one connectivity connector  480  may be provided. The sensor pads  452  are electrically connected to the contact subassembly  442  via the connectivity connectors  478 ,  480 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, only one connectivity connector may be provided between the circuit board  450  of the connectivity sensor  424  and the circuit board  470  of the contact subassembly  442 . For example, the connectivity connector may be board mounted to one of the circuit boards  450  or  470  and may be mated with the other circuit board  450  or  470  during assembly. In another alternative embodiment, no connectivity connectors are provided between the connectivity sensor  424  in the contact subassembly  442 . Other connection means or components may be provided to electrically connect the sensor pads  452  with the rear connectivity connector  464 , such as a wire harness, a wireless connection, a fiber-optic connector, or another type of connector. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the cassette  420  includes an interface connector  482 . The interface connector  482  may be similar to the interface connector assembly  120  (shown in  FIG. 5 ), with the addition of the rear connectivity connector  464 . The interface connector  482  is electrically connected to the electrical connector  476  of the contact subassembly  442 . 
     The interface connector  482  includes a circuit board  484  having a first side  486  and a second side  488 . The rear mating connectors  462  (shown in  FIG. 15 ) may be mounted to the first side  486  and the rear connectivity connector  464  may be mounted to the second side  488 . Optionally, the rear connectivity connector  464  may be board mounted to the circuit board  484 . In an exemplary embodiment, the circuit board  484  includes a plurality of edge contacts (not shown) at an edge thereof. The circuit board  484  is mated with the electrical connector  476  by plugging the edge of the circuit board  484  into the electoral connector  476 . Alternatively, a separate electrical connector may be board mounted to the circuit board  484  and mated with the electrical connector  476  of the contact subassembly  442 . 
       FIG. 17  is an assembled view of the portion of the cassette  420  (shown in  FIG. 16 ).  FIG. 17  illustrates the interface connector  482  coupled to the contact subassembly  442  and the connectivity sensor  424  coupled to the contact subassembly  442 . The interface connector  482  is electrically connected to the connectivity sensor  424  via the contact subassembly  442 . 
     An electrical circuit is created between the connectivity sensor  424  and the fear connectivity connector  464  by the connectivity connectors  478 ,  480 , the circuit board  470 , the electrical connector  476 , and the circuit board  484 . The electrical circuit thus includes board mounted electrical connectors and circuit boards. The electrical circuit is completed without the use of wire harnesses. Electrical connections made by board mounted electrical connectors are easier to manufacture and may be more reliable than wire, harnesses. It is realized that the electrical circuit between the connectivity sensor  424  and the rear connectivity connector  464  may be made without some of the components utilized in the illustrated embodiment. Alternatively, more or different components may be utilized as part of the electrical circuit. 
     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 of 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.