Patent ID: 8221162

Claim:
An electrical connector comprising: a header connector including: a header body formed to include a plurality of first openings and a plurality of second openings; a plurality of signal pins configured for insertion into the plurality of first openings; and a plurality of shield blades configured for insertion into the plurality of second openings; and a socket connector configured to mate with the header connector and including: a socket housing; and a plurality of connector modules configured for insertion into the socket housing, each connector module including an insulating material encasing a plurality of conductive paths, each conductive path being coupled to a signal contact; wherein the plurality of signal pins and the plurality of conductive paths and signal contacts are configured to form a plurality of transmission lines and the plurality of shield blades are configured to be electrically grounded, wherein the plurality of shield blades provide interrupted shielding of the plurality of transmission lines such that shielding of the plurality of transmission lines is interrupted when the header connector and the socket connector are in a mated configuration, and wherein the plurality of shield blades extend into the socket connector when the header connector and the socket connector are in a mated configuration.