Patent ID: 6966784

Claim:
An interconnect assembly for transmitting high-speed signals between circuit structures in a communication system, the assembly comprising: a first flexible flat cable having a first end connected to a first circuit structure and a second end extending from the first circuit structure, wherein the first flexible flat cable includes a first flexible conductor having a free end exposed on the second end of the first flexible flat cable, wherein the exposed free end defines a first longitudinal direction, and wherein the first flexible flat cable further includes a ground plane that is separated from the first flexible flat conductor by a first insulating layer; a second flexible flat cable having a first end connected to a second circuit structure and a second end extending from the second circuit structure, the second flexible flat cable including a second flexible conductor having a free end exposed on the second end of the second flexible flat cable, wherein the exposed free end of the second conductor defines a second longitudinal direction, and wherein the second flexible flat cable further includes a ground plane that is separated from the second flexible flat conductor by a second insulating layer; and a connector apparatus for detachably coupling the first flexible flat cable to the second flexible flat cable such that the exposed free end of the first conductor is electrically coupled to the exposed free end of the second conductor, such that the ground plane of the first flexible flat cable is electrically coupled to the ground plane of the second flexible flat cable, and such that the first longitudinal direction is aligned with the second longitudinal direction.