True Z axis pluggable high speed surface mount small form factor transceivers

A high speed low profile surface mount connector and guide rail system which allows small form factor (SFF) transceivers to be easily mounted onto and removed from the motherboard without tools is presented. The purpose of this interconnection system is to allow systems using SFF transceivers to be easily field configured and to provide for field upgradeability and replaceability. A novel dual beam connector contact system is designed which optimizes the competing goals of satisfying the required normal force and tolerances required for low cost/high volume manufacturing and minimizing the length of the contact system in order to minimize the inductance to obtain the matched impedance required for this interconnection system. The mechanical design and tolerances of the contact system are analyzed and the reliability and durability of the contact system are presented and discussed. The electrical parameters of the connector are calculated and the high speed performance of the interconnect is simulated at 5 GHz (10 Gbs NRZ). The guide rail system is surface mountable. The latching mechanism provides an audible feedback to indicate the transceiver is latched and an eject mechanism to indicate that the transceiver has been released. The grounding and EMI shielding features are also described