Patent Description:
In the field of data transmission, transmission line components such as connectors, cables, receptacles and the like are usually surrounded by a shielding means to maintain the transmission performance. The shielding means mainly provide for protection against undesired external influences such as mechanical impacts and electromagnetic effects.

In <CIT>, a miniature coaxial connector is shown including a sheet metal shell that forms an outer contact, a center contact that extends along an axis of the connector, and an insulator that holds the center contact within the sheet metal shell. <CIT> discloses an electrical termination device including an electrically conductive shield element, an insulator disposed within the shield element, and one or more electrical contacts being supported within and electrically isolated from the shield element by the insulator.

In applications where high-frequency data transmission is required, the design of the shielding means itself can have an influence on the encompassed components, which deteriorates the signal quality and transmission performance, respectively. The shielding means tend to have design features that are indispensable due to their functionality, especially at transition points between transmission line components. These, however, can have such a deteriorating influence. Thus, a limiting factor exists in terms of design flexibility of the shielding means at transition points.

The object of the present invention is to offer a way of at least partially compensating for said deteriorating influence of the indispensable design features of the shielding means in order to allow for greater design freedom and to improve transition points between shielded transmission line components for high-frequency data transmission, in terms of signal integrity.

The problem is solved by a contact terminal according to independent claim <NUM>.

In general, impedance is the property of electrical conductors measuring their resistance against the flow of an alternating current. Impedance is influenced by several factors such as the material and dimensions of the electrical conductor itself, by the medium surrounding the conductor (dielectric material) and by other electrically conductive components in proximity of the electrical conductor, especially the relative distance between the respective surfaces.

If during the transmission of an electrical signal from a signal source to a signal receiver (load) via a transmission line, the impedance of the load and the impedance of the transmission line is not matched (impedance mismatch), signal reflection may occur. Signal reflection impairs signal integrity and is therefore an unwanted phenomenon. The cause of such an impedance mismatch and subsequent signal reflection may be a non-linear change and/or discontinuity in the components of the transmission line.

It is therefore preferable to match the impedance of a transmission line to the impedance of the load. In other words, it is preferable to adjust the impedance of the transmission line to a predefined desired value. Such a predefined, desired value may be the impedance of the load.

The above-mentioned solution is favorable, since it compensates for at least one cause of impedance mismatch and thus reduces signal reflection. More precisely, the impedance control features may jointly compensate for the influence of the discontinuity on the impedance of the at least one contact element. Therefore, the signal integrity of the transmitted signal is substantially improved.

The above solution may be further improved by adding one or more of the following optional features. Hereby, each of the following optional features is advantageous on its own, and may be combined independently with any other optional feature.

According to a first embodiment, all impedance control features may be in the vicinity of and/or locally limited to the area of influence of the discontinuity, thus concentrating and maximizing the effect of the impedance control feature.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the terminal shield may be a metal terminal shield. In particular, the metal terminal shield may be formed by bending a metal sheet circumferentially around the contact carrier, which represents a simple and reliable structure.

Additionally or alternatively, the terminal shield may be a metal terminal shield enclosing the contact carrier and the at least one contact element along its entire length. This provides a protection for the contact carrier and the at least one contact element against electromagnetic effects, further improving signal integrity.

The terminal shield and the contact carrier may engage in a form-fit connection and the discontinuity of the terminal shield may be part of the form-fit connection.

Additionally or alternatively, the terminal shield may comprise at least one forward end at which the terminal shield is open for receiving a mating connector along an insertion direction.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the discontinuity of the terminal shield may comprise or be a locking element formed in the outer circumference of the terminal shield, and the at least one impedance control feature may be aligned with said locking element. In particular, the locking element may be configured to interact with a suitable receptacle in order to fixate the terminal shield within the receptacle. This increases the applicability of the present invention due to the broader compatibility with the corresponding components deriving from the locking element.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the locking element may be a locking groove extending at least partly along the outer circumference of the terminal shield. In particular, the locking groove may extend radially inwards toward the contact carrier and provide a seat for a complementary locking element e.g. of a suitable receptacle. The locking groove represents an embodiment that can easily be manufactured by bending or pressing. Thus, manufacturing is facilitated.

In yet another embodiment, the at least one impedance control feature may comprise or be an adjusted cross-section of the at least one contact element. In particular, the at least one contact element may extend longitudinally through the terminal shield along the insertion direction, and comprise an impedance control portion with an adjusted cross-section in the direct vicinity of the discontinuity of the terminal shield. The cross-sectional adjustment is an impedance control feature that allows simultaneous adjustment of at least two impedance-influencing factors, namely the cross-sectional area of the electrical conductor and the distance between the surfaces of the electrical conductor and neighboring conductors.

In applications where the impedance of the at least one contact element needs to be increased in order to arrive at the predefined, desired value, and to compensate for the influence of the discontinuity of the terminal shield, the impedance control feature may comprise or be a section with a reduced cross-section. This could be the case, for example, in areas where the discontinuity of the terminal shield results in a narrowed inner diameter in comparison to the rest of the terminal shield. In other words, the terminal shield may comprise a section with a reduced cross-section. In such a case, the at least one contact element also comprises a cross-section reduction. The cross-section reduction may be realized by a one-sidedly or two-sidedly decreased width of the at least one contact element. For a contact element formed by a flat material, the width may be the dimension perpendicular to the material thickness and perpendicular to the insertion direction. This will increase the impedance due to the reduced cross-sectional area, and due to the increased distance to the surface of the neighboring conductors. The reduction may be step-wise or gradual, e.g. by forming a U-shaped recess.

Preferably, the above-mentioned width reduction may be implemented along the entire length of the discontinuity. Analogously, the cross-sectional area may be increased in applications with the need for a lowering of the impedance in order to arrive at the predefined, desired value and compensate for the influence of the discontinuity of the terminal shield. This could be the case, for example, in areas where the discontinuity of the terminal shield results in a wider inner diameter in comparison to the rest of the terminal shield. In other words, the terminal shied may comprise a section with an increased cross-section. In such a case, the at least one contact element may comprise a section having an increased cross-section. The increase may result from a one-sidedly or two-sidedly increased width (for a contact element formed by a flat material, the width may be the dimension perpendicular to the material thickness and perpendicular to the insertion direction). This will decrease the impedance due to the increased cross-sectional area, and due to the decreased distance to the surface of the neighboring conductors.

The cross-section reduction may overlap with the section of the terminal shield having a reduced cross-section and/or the cross-section increase may overlap with the section of the terminal shield having an increased cross-section in a direction perpendicular to an insertion direction.

The at least one contact element may further comprise a contact portion on at least one end. In particular, the contact portion may be configured for engaging in electrical contact with a signal contact of a mating connector inserted into the terminal shield along the insertion direction. Preferably, the contact portion may be mechanically deflected by the signal contact during engagement to ensure sufficient electrical contact.

Additionally or alternatively, the at least one contact element may comprise a bonding portion on at least one other end, opposite the contact portion. The bonding portion may be configured for connecting it to an electrical conductor of a cable. Preferably, the bonding portion may be connected, e.g. welded or soldered, to the electrical conductor of the cable.

The contact portion and/or bonding portion allows the contact terminal to be used in combination with at least a mating connector and/or a cable, thus broadening the applicability of the contact terminal.

The above-mentioned width reduction or increase may be located between the contact portion and the bonding portion, i.e. in a mid-section of the at least one contact element.

In yet another embodiment, the at least one contact element may comprise a transition portion with a traverse cross-section larger than the traverse cross-section of the impedance control portion. In particular, the transition portion is positioned adjacent to the impedance control portion and connected with a bevel transition thereto. This embodiment is especially advantageous for applications where the contact element is mechanically deflected, as the transition portion eases the distribution of mechanical stress occurring within the at least one contact element.

Additionally or alternatively, the at least one contact element may comprise a retention portion with at least one retention tab protruding sideways. As will be described further below, the retention tab may prevent an unwanted dislocation of the at least one contact element and therefore facilitate the fixation of the at least one contact element by the contact carrier.

The at least one contact element may be a tab- or pin-like spring beam stamped from an electrically-conductive sheet material, e.g. a metal sheet.

According to another embodiment, the contact terminal may comprise a pair of contact elements spaced apart and electrically isolated from each other. Preferably, each of the pair of contact elements may be configured to transmit one signal of a differential pair of signals for high-frequency data transmission. This embodiment allows for data transmission that is less prone to electromagnetic noise, due to the transmission of a differential pair of signals.

Optionally, each of the pair of contact elements may possess at least one impedance control feature in order to jointly compensate for the influence of the discontinuity on the impedance of the pair of contact elements.

Each of the pair of contact elements may possess the same impedance control feature. More particularly, the pair of contact elements may be formed symmetrically and/or mirror-invertedly.

According to yet another embodiment, the contact carrier is made of an insulation material, preferably an insulation material with a relative permittivity higher than air, which at least partly encloses the at least one contact element. In particular, the insulation material encloses the at least one contact element at the impedance control portion and optionally at the surrounding of the impedance control portion. By enclosing the at least one contact element with an insulation material, the risk of an electric short is prevented. Thus, the functionality of the contact terminal is ensured.

In addition, the at least one impedance control feature may comprise or be an adjusted material thickness of the contact carrier. In particular, the material thickness of the contact carrier can be adjusted in the direct vicinity of the discontinuity of the terminal shield. The adjustment of material thickness is an impedance control feature that allows for an easy adjustment of yet another impedance-influencing factor, namely the relative permittivity of the dielectric material.

In applications where the impedance of the at least one contact element needs to be increased in order to arrive at the predefined, desired value and to compensate the influence of the discontinuity of the terminal shield, a thin material thickness is to be implemented. This could be the case in areas, for example, where the discontinuity of the terminal shield results in a narrowed inner diameter in comparison to the rest of the terminal shield. In such an area, the thin material thickness will result in air-filled space. Since air has a lower relative permittivity than the insulation material, the resulting lower mean relative permittivity will cause an increase of impedance.

Analogously, the material thickness is to be increased in applications with a need for a lower impedance in order to arrive at the predefined, desired value and compensate for the influence of the discontinuity of the terminal shield. More particularly, air-filled space needs to be occupied by the insulation material to achieve a higher mean relative permittivity.

In another embodiment, the at least one impedance control feature is at least one gap, which at least partially separates the at least one contact element from direct contact with the contact carrier. More particularly, the gap can be filled with air or any other dielectric material with a relative permittivity lower than the insulation material of the contact carrier. This embodiment provides use for applications where the impedance needs to be increased and functions according to the same principles as the adjustment of material thickness explained above.

In yet another embodiment, the at least one impedance control feature is a lateral recess on the contact carrier and/or the at least one contact element. The lateral recess is an impedance control feature which is manufactured easily and allows simultaneous adjustment of up to two impedance-influencing factors, namely the relative permittivity of the dielectric material or the cross-sectional area of the electrical conductor and the distance between the surfaces of the electrical conductor and neighboring conductors.

According to another embodiment, the contact carrier may comprise at least two pieces that are connected to each other to form the contact carrier. In particular, the contact carrier may comprise a top piece and a bottom piece, wherein the bottom piece comprises at least one retaining groove formed complementary to the at least one contact element for embedding the at least one contact element. Furthermore, at least a first segment of the at least one retaining groove has a width configured to form-fit with the at least one contact element. The form-fit prevents undesired dislocation of the at least one contact element in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction. At least a second segment of the at least one retaining groove has a width larger than the at least one contact element. In the second segment the above-mentioned air-filled space is created as an impedance control feature.

This way, the at least one contact element may be received within the at least one retaining groove, and sandwiched between the bottom piece and the top piece, which is connected to the bottom piece. This embodiment allows the contact carrier to be pre-assembled through an automated pick and place assembly process. Thus, this embodiment contributes to the facilitation of the manufacturing process.

The two pieces of the contact carrier may be connected through laser welding. This allows the two pieces to be designed in very small dimensions, since no additional mechanical connection means are necessary. Therefore, a miniaturization of the contact terminal is possible, which reduces the space for storage and affords for transport of the contact terminal. Additional or alternative attachment means of the two pieces may include ultrasonic welding, latching and/or gluing.

Optionally, the first segment of the at least one retaining groove may have a width configured for form-fitting with the transition portion of the at least one contact element, and the second segment of the at least one retaining groove may have a width larger than the impedance control portion of the contact element. In particular, the combination of the width of the impedance control portion of the at least one contact element and the width of the second segment of the at least one retaining groove of the bottom piece may be configured in such a way that the impedance of the at least one contact element amounts to the predefined, desired value. The two-piece embodiment of the contact carrier is especially advantageous for this configuration, since the respective widths can be set independently from each other before assembly.

At least one of the two pieces of the contact carrier may further comprise a socket or slot for interconnecting with a tab or knob of an adjacent component. This allows the contact terminal to be mechanically fastened with at least one other component, e.g. a protective cover for the bonding portion, thus broadening the applicability of the contact terminal.

In yet another embodiment, at least one of the at least two pieces may comprise at least one support point to abut onto the at least one retention tab of the at least one contact element. Preferably, one piece, e.g. the top piece, may comprise at least one step-like protrusion projecting perpendicularly to the insertion direction. The protrusion may further project toward the bottom piece and the bottom piece may comprise at least one step-like protrusion projecting perpendicularly to the insertion direction toward the top piece. Furthermore, the step-like protrusions may be configured pairwise for jointly accommodating the at least one retention tab of the at least one contact element, and thus provide the at least three support points. Each of the three support points may prevent an unwanted dislocation of the at least one contact element into one spatial direction, thus contributing to the fixation of the at least one contact element by the contact carrier.

Additionally or alternatively, the contact carrier may comprise a shoulder portion that protrudes laterally from the contact carrier and abuts against the locking element of the terminal shield. In particular, the top piece may comprise a shoulder portion protruding perpendicularly to the insertion direction on at least one side of the top piece, and/or the bottom piece may comprise a shoulder portion protruding perpendicularly to the insertion direction on at least one side of the bottom piece. The shoulder portion of the top piece and/or the shoulder portion of the bottom piece internally abut against the backside of the locking element of the terminal shield. This embodiment provides a measure for securing the position of the contact carrier within the terminal shield, thus preventing an unwanted dislocation of the contact carrier.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that instead of a two-piece embodiment, the contact carrier may also be formed as a single piece around the at least one contact element, e.g. by an additive manufacturing process. In this case, the contact carrier may comprise at least one cavity for at least partly enclosing the transition portion and the impedance control portion of the at least one contact element. Preferably, the inner surface of the at least one cavity may abut against the transition portion, and thus prevent lateral movement of the at least one contact element through abutment, and longitudinal movement through friction. Further, the inner surface of the at least one cavity may be spaced apart from the impedance control portion and thus create the above-mentioned air-filled space as an impedance control feature.

According to another favorable embodiment, the contact terminal may be part of a cable assembly for high-frequency data transmission, further comprising a shielded cable, wherein the shielded cable comprises at least one electrical conductor and the at least one electrical conductor is connected with the at least one contact element of the contact terminal within the terminal shield. Preferably, the connection is a bonding connection, a welding connection, a soldering connection and/or a crimping connection.

This embodiment allows the data transmission to take place over a longer distance and thus increases the functionality of the present invention.

Optionally, the cable assembly may have along its entire length a substantially consistent impedance amounting to a predefined, desired value according to the frequency of the data transmission. In particular, the impedance may vary within a range of +/- <NUM>% from the predefined, desired value. A deviation within this range is regarded as being of the predefined, desired value.

This way, signal integrity may be ensured for the entire cable assembly. Thus, overall transmission performance is improved.

In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the drawings. The shown and described embodiments serve explanatory purposes only. The combination of features shown in the embodiments may be changed according to the foregoing description. For example, a feature which is not shown in an embodiment but described above may be added, if the technical effect associated with this feature is beneficial for a particular application. Vice versa, a feature shown as part of an embodiment may be omitted as described above, if the technical effect associated with this feature is not needed in a particular application.

In the drawings, elements that correspond to each other with respect to function and/or structure have been provided with the same reference numeral.

First, the structure of a contact terminal <NUM> according to the present invention is explained with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in <FIG>. <FIG> is used for explaining the structure of a cable assembly <NUM> according to the present invention.

<FIG> shows an exploded view of the contact terminal <NUM> according to one possible embodiment of the present disclosure, the contact terminal comprising a terminal shield <NUM>, a contact carrier <NUM> and a pair of contact elements <NUM> for conducting electrical signals of a high-frequency data transmission. As can be seen from <FIG> the contact carrier <NUM> retains the pair of contact elements <NUM> in a fixed position within the terminal shield <NUM>. More particularly, the terminal shield <NUM> may enclose the contact carrier <NUM> and the pair of contact elements <NUM> along their entire length.

In the shown embodiments, the terminal shield <NUM> is a bent metal sheet <NUM>, preferably comprising at least four shield walls <NUM> arranged in a circumferential direction C around a lead through-opening <NUM> extending along an insertion direction I. At at least one forward end <NUM>, the terminal shield <NUM> may comprise an opening <NUM> at which the terminal shield <NUM> may receive a mating connector <NUM> inserted along the insertion direction I, as shown in <FIG>. Alternatively, the terminal shield <NUM> may be a metal shield made of a woven material.

The terminal shield <NUM> may further have a discontinuity <NUM> in its design that affects the impedance of the pair of contact elements <NUM>. In order to compensate for the effect of this discontinuity <NUM>, multiple impedance control features <NUM> may be implemented on the contact carrier <NUM> and/or the pair of contact elements <NUM>. Preferably, the contact carrier <NUM> and each of the pair of contact elements <NUM> may possess at least one impedance control feature <NUM>, and all impedance control features <NUM> may be aligned with the discontinuity <NUM> of the terminal shield <NUM> or at least be positioned in immediate proximity thereto. This is shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, and will be described in detail further below.

As shown in the embodiments of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the discontinuity <NUM> may be a locking element <NUM>, preferably a locking groove <NUM> formed integrally by the terminal shield, extending along the outer circumference <NUM> of the terminal shield <NUM> and radially inwards toward the contact carrier <NUM>. In particular, the terminal shield <NUM> may have a reduced outer traverse cross-section and a reduced inner traverse cross-section at the locking groove <NUM>. The difference in the traverse cross-section between the locking groove <NUM> and the rest of the terminal shield <NUM> is covered by the terminal shield <NUM>. The locking groove <NUM> may provide a seat for a complementary locking element (not shown), e.g. of a suitable receptacle (not shown).

The pair of contact elements <NUM> may be a pair of electrically conductive spring beams <NUM>, which flatly extend in the insertion direction I. The pair of spring beams <NUM> may be formed mirror-invertedly to each other and positioned spaced apart from each other. Each of the spring beams <NUM> may comprise a contact portion <NUM> on one end, a bonding portion <NUM> on the opposite end and an impedance control portion <NUM> in between the contact portion <NUM> and the bonding portion <NUM>. Each spring beam <NUM> may further comprise a transition portion <NUM> between the contact portion <NUM> and the impedance control portion <NUM> and a retention portion <NUM> between the impedance control portion <NUM> and the bonding portion <NUM>.

The contact portion <NUM> may have a curved tip <NUM> with a contact area <NUM> configured for engaging in electrical contact with a signal contact <NUM> of the mating connector <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. During said engagement, the curved tip <NUM> of the contact portion <NUM> may be mechanically deflected by the signal contact <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction I.

The transition portion <NUM> may be positioned adjacent to the contact portion <NUM> and comprise a first bevel transition, which in the insertion direction I gradually widens the width of the transition portion <NUM> up to a maximum width of the transition portion <NUM>. A second bevel transition gradually narrows the width of the transition portion <NUM> in the insertion direction I towards the impedance control portion <NUM>.

The impedance control portion <NUM> may be positioned adjacent to the transition portion <NUM> and extend along with the locking groove <NUM> of the terminal shield <NUM>. In the shown embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>, the impedance control portion <NUM> may have a width smaller than the maximum width of the transition portion <NUM>. This adjustment of the width of the impedance control portion <NUM> represents one of the impedance control features <NUM>.

Since the discontinuity <NUM> of the terminal shield <NUM> of the shown embodiment results in a narrowed, inner diameter of the terminal shield <NUM>, the cross-sectional area of the spring beam <NUM> needs to be reduced at the impedance control portion <NUM> in order to adjust the impedance of the spring beam <NUM> (the principles of the impedance control features have already been established in the above description of the present invention and will be omitted in this part).

The retention portion <NUM> may be positioned adjacent to the impedance control portion <NUM> and comprise a retention tab <NUM> protruding sideways in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction I. The retention tab <NUM> may be a plate-shaped part formed integrally by the material of the corresponding spring beam <NUM>.

The bonding portion <NUM> may be positioned adjacent to the retention portion <NUM> and comprise a bonding tab <NUM> protruding in the insertion direction I as a continuation of the spring beam <NUM>. The bonding tab <NUM> may be a plate-shaped part formed integrally by the material of the corresponding spring beam <NUM>. Preferably, the bonding tab <NUM> has a width equal to the impedance control portion <NUM> and is configured for bonding with an electrical conductor <NUM> of a cable <NUM>, as is shown in <FIG>.

The contact carrier <NUM> is made of an insulation material, which at least partially encloses the pair of contact elements <NUM>. Preferably, both contact elements <NUM> of the pair of contact elements <NUM> are enclosed by the same contact carrier <NUM>. In particular, the contact carrier <NUM> encloses the pair of contact elements <NUM> at the impedance control portion <NUM> and at the surrounding of the impedance control portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the contact carrier <NUM> may comprise at least two pieces <NUM> that are connected to each other to form the contact carrier <NUM>. Preferably, one of the two pieces <NUM> is opaque and contains no color pigment. The other of the two pieces <NUM> contains color pigment, preferably black and/or dark color pigment, so that the two pieces <NUM> may be connected through laser welding.

The contact carrier <NUM> may comprise a top piece <NUM> and a bottom piece <NUM>, wherein the bottom piece <NUM> may comprise a pair of retaining grooves <NUM>. The pair of retaining grooves <NUM> extend parallel to each other in the insertion direction I. In particular, the pair of retaining grooves <NUM> is separated by an inner wall <NUM>. Furthermore, at least a first segment <NUM> of each retaining groove <NUM> has a width configured to form-fit with the transition portion of one of the pair of contact elements <NUM>. Thus, the pair of contact elements <NUM> may be received within the pair of retaining grooves <NUM> and sandwiched between the bottom piece <NUM> and the top piece <NUM>, which is connected to the bottom piece <NUM>.

In the shown embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>, at least a second segment <NUM> of each retaining groove <NUM> has a width larger than the impedance control portion of one of the pair of contact elements <NUM>. This creates multiple air-filled gaps <NUM> between the inner surfaces <NUM> of the pair of retaining grooves <NUM> and the lateral surfaces <NUM> of each of the pair of contact elements <NUM>. These air-filled gaps <NUM> represent further impedance control features <NUM>.

As can be seen in <FIG>, at least one of the two, preferably both, pieces <NUM> of the contact carrier <NUM> may comprise at least one support point <NUM> to abut onto the retention tab <NUM> of the spring beams <NUM>. Preferably, the top piece <NUM> may comprise at least one step-like protrusion <NUM> projecting perpendicularly to the insertion direction I toward the bottom piece <NUM>, and the bottom piece <NUM> may comprise at least one step-like protrusion <NUM> projecting perpendicularly to the insertion direction I toward the top piece <NUM>. In particular, the step-like protrusions <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured pairwise for jointly accommodating the at least one retention tab <NUM> of the at least one contact element, and thus provide at least three support points 78a, 78b, 78c.

In the embodiments shown in <FIG>, the spring beams <NUM> and/or the contact carrier <NUM> each may comprise lateral recesses <NUM>, which are aligned with the discontinuity <NUM>. These lateral recesses <NUM> represent impedance control features <NUM>, which can be implemented in addition or as an alternative to the above mentioned impedance control features <NUM>. The lateral recesses <NUM> are substantially trapezoidal cut-outs extending through the material of the spring beams <NUM> and/or contact carrier <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction I. The cut-outs in the contact carrier <NUM> may at least partially expose the impedance control portion <NUM> of the spring beams <NUM>. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the cut-outs may also have a cuboid or round shape.

Optionally, at least one of the two, preferably both, pieces <NUM> of the contact carrier <NUM> may comprise a slot <NUM> for interconnecting with a knob (not shown) of an adjacent component (not shown), e.g. a protective cover (not shown) for the bonding portion <NUM>. The slot <NUM> may be a substantially cuboid notch on a side of the contact carrier <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

As is shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the contact carrier <NUM> may comprise a shoulder portion <NUM> that protrudes laterally from the contact carrier <NUM> and abuts against the locking element <NUM> of the terminal shield <NUM>. The shoulder portion <NUM> may be a collar <NUM> extending along the outer circumference of the contact carrier <NUM>. In particular, the top piece <NUM> may comprise one segment of the collar <NUM> on three sides of the top piece <NUM> and the bottom piece <NUM> may comprise the rest of the collar <NUM> on three sides of the bottom piece <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a cable assembly <NUM> for high-frequency data transmission comprising a contact terminal <NUM> and a shielded cable <NUM> connected thereto, preferably through a crimping connection. For this, the terminal shield <NUM> of the contact terminal <NUM> comprises a crimping portion <NUM> on the opposite of the forward end <NUM>. The crimping portion <NUM> is formed as an integral part of the terminal shield <NUM> and extends coaxially with the shielded cable <NUM>. Furthermore, the crimping portion <NUM> is wrapped around the shielded cable <NUM> in the circumferential direction C.

Claim 1:
A contact terminal (<NUM>) comprising a terminal shield (<NUM>), a contact carrier (<NUM>), and at least one contact element (<NUM>) for conducting electrical signals of a high-frequency data transmission, wherein
the contact carrier (<NUM>) retains the at least one contact element (<NUM>) in a fixed position within the terminal shield (<NUM>);
the terminal shield (<NUM>) comprises a discontinuity (<NUM>) that affects the impedance of the at least one contact element (<NUM>); and
the contact carrier (<NUM>) and the at least one contact element (<NUM>) each possess at least one impedance control feature (<NUM>) that is configured to adjust the impedance of the at least one contact element (<NUM>) to a predefined desired value according to the frequency of the data transmission characterized in that all the impedance control features (<NUM>) are aligned with the discontinuity (<NUM>) and each of the impedance control features (<NUM>) is an element of the group comprising:
- a lateral recess (<NUM>) on the contact carrier (<NUM>),
- a lateral recess (<NUM>) on the at least one contact element (<NUM>), and
- at least one gap (<NUM>), which at least partially separates the at least one contact element (<NUM>) from direct contact with the contact carrier (<NUM>).