Patent ID: 8280318

Claim:
A core modem assembly for a communication circuit, said core modem assembly comprising: a radio frequency module comprising a first substrate and one or more radio frequency components mounted to a bottom surface of the first substrate; a baseband module comprising a second substrate and one or more baseband components mounted to a top surface of the second substrate; and a socket connector for mounting the radio frequency module and the baseband module to a main circuit, said socket connector comprising a frame including a first mounting surface for mounting the radio frequency module and a second mounting surface higher than the first mounting surface with respect to the main circuit for mounting the baseband module above the radio frequency module to provide a predetermined vertical separation between the radio frequency module and the baseband module, each of the first and second mounting surfaces being on a same side of the socket connector away from the main circuit, a first set of contacts disposed on the first mounting surface for making electrical connections with the radio frequency module, and a second set of contacts on the second mounting surface for making electrical connections with the baseband module; each of the first and second substrates extending outward horizontally beyond the frame in an overlapping arrangement.