AU777091B2 - Compensation device for an electrical connector - Google Patents

Description

Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

(ORIGINAL)

Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Bryce Lindsay Nicholls Address for Service: Invention Title: Krone (AuAtrlia) T-ehniqu. Pty. Limirted of 2 Hreford Strei-t, flrckel y Vatle, New Soth '.Valxe 2259, Timothy Kenneth Takala DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, 1 Little Collins Street, Melbourne 3000, Victoria, Australia "Compensation device for an electrical connector" Details of Associated Provisional Application No(s): PQ6099/00 8 March 2000 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: -1- P.ZPERUCWq64Y9.a cmplMedb-6fllfi -1A- COMPENSATION DEVICE FOR AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR This invention relates to a compensation device for an electrical connector and to an electrical connector fitted with such a device.

Electrical characteristics such as cross-talk performance of an electrical connector useful in telecommunications or data transfer networks can substantially affect the performance of the network. For example, it has become common to use connectors of the "RJ" type, 10 particular RJ45 type, in telecommunications or data communications systems, where wiring in the system is effected by use of twisted pair cables. Various performance categories have been prescribed by industry or official bodies. For example, the so-called "Category 5" standard which has been prevalent for some years provides that electrical connectors, such as jacks, used in wiring data networks should, under prescribed test 15 conditions, meet particular performance criteria. Among such criteria are that the jack, when connected to a specified mating plug in an electric circuit, should be such that the cross-talk between pairs of conductors in circuits including the jack and plug should not Sexceed prescribed levels. Various forms of jack have been devised to meet the Category performance criteria. Presently, however, a further "Category 6" is proposed which has more onerous performance requirements. Commonly, for example, to meet Category standards, it has been found sufficient to employ a simple compensation means such as crossing of conductors internally within the connector. It has appeared that, to meet Category 6 performance criteria, further compensating mechanisms may need to be employed. However, the small size of the RJ45 connectors makes it rather difficult to incorporate additionaL circuit components. Also, machinery for manufacture of components for electrical connectors of this kind, and for assembly of these, is often costly, and to the extent that any additional compensating components may be necessary, substantial cost might be involved in re-tooling existing machinery for making and assembling the components.

In one aspect of the invention there is provided, a compensation device for use with an P.%OPERRJCU2393857rmxmnx d-OSM&4 -2electrical connector having first and second sets of terminals interconnected by electrically conductive elements, the compensation device being electrically interconnectable with the conductive elements and having components for modifying the electrical performance of the connector; and electrical contacts for interconnection with the conductive elements, either directly at locations between the respective first and second sets of terminals, or to one or more of the terminals of said first and second sets of terminals.

In a particularly convenient form, the device is formed as an insulative structure which carries said components and said contacts, and which is removably attachable to the connector. The insulative structure may be mounted by the connector for movement between a first condition at which the conductors or other electrical components thereof engage with the connector conductive elements and a second condition at which they do not engage the connector conductive elements. For example, the insulative structure may be hinged to a body of the connector. Suitable latching devices may be provided for attaching the device and an insulative body of the connector.

The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful with RJ45 connectors. It is also particularly, but not exclusively, useful with a connector wherein the connector is of a kind :i in which the first set of terminals is provided as an array, such as a substantially two- 20 dimensional array, of contacts arranged substantially at one surface portion of the connector, the contacts of the device being in a corresponding array whereby they may be brought into contact with the terminals of said first set by a relative movement of the ooo* device towards said surface portion. In such a case, the relative movement of the device towards the connector may likewise effect latching of the compensation device and 25 connector together.

oo The invention is particularly useful where the terminals to which the device attaches are insulation displacement contacts, in which case the contacts of the device are made of a suitable form such that they can interconnect with those insulative displacement contacts.

In any event, the arrangement is preferably such as to permit wires or other conductors to P.OPERUCfl 4 pq6OJ99-OU wndc-l0613/01 -3be connected to the terminals of the connector prior to affixing the compensation device, and/or to permit attachment and removal of such conductors while the compensation device is in position.

The contacts of the device may be of bifurcated form for engaging the respective terminals of the connector between opposed arm portions thereof.

The contacts of the device may also, for example, be formed as leaf spring arrangements, such as to bear upon the IDC contacts to better accommodate mis-alignment.

o° S.

The connector may be a connector, such as an RJ45 connector, having eight said conductive elements, portions of which lie side-by-side substantially in a single plane and at least one pair of which cross each other for providing cross-talk compensation.

Preferably, the elements within each outermost pair of said conductive elements are crossed and an innermost pair of the conductive elements are crossed, the device being constructed whereby to form first, second, third and fourth said capacitances which are, when the device is fitted to the connector, applied across the first set of terminals, the first capacitance then being applied across one of the outermost conductive elements and a conductive element adjacent to the other outermost conductive element, the second 20 capacitance across the other of the outermost conductive elements and the conductive element adjacent said one outermost conductive element, the third capacitance across the conductive element second away from the one outermost conductive element and that conductive element third away from the other outermost conductive element, and the fourth capacitance across the conductive element second away from the other outermost conductive element and that conductive element third away from the one outermost conductive element. This structure provides for crosstalk compensation in the connector when electrical signals are applied thereto according to a standard input arrangement.

The invention also provides an electrical connector fitted with a compensation device as above described. In particular, the invention further provides an electrical connector having first and second sets of terminals interconnected by electrically conductive P %OPERUUC2393957rponsc dmoc080,4 -4elements and a compensation device electrically interconnected with the conductive elements and having components for modifying the electrical performance of the connector, wherein the compensation device is in the form of a cup having electrical contacts which interconnects with the conductive elements.

The invention is further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating an RJ45 jack, and a compensation device constructed in accordance with the invention, in assembled condition; Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating an RJ45 jack, and an alternative compensation device constructed in accordance with the invention, in assembled condition.

Figure 3 is an underside view of a part of the RJ45 jack of Figure 1 or Figure 2, showing internal contacts thereof; Figure 4 is a plan view of one contact of the RJ45 jack; 20 Figure 5 is a perspective view of the contact of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating electrical connections in use made to contacts of the of Figures 1 and 2; 2 u 25 Figure 7 is an underside perspective view of the compensation device of Figure 1; •ego o*oo Figure 8 is an upper side perspective view of the compensation device of Figure 1; oo Figure 9 is an upper side perspective view of an inner part of the compensation device of Figure 1; Figure 10 is an underside perspective view of the compensation device of Figure 2; and P,%OPERUCftq6O" 00 cqmp6tc do6A"3AJ1I Figure 11 is an upper side perspective view of the compensation device of Figure 2; and Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating connections which in use occur between the connector and compensation device of Figure 1.

Particular forms of the invention are applicable to common forms of RJ45 connector.

United States patent specifications 5,299,956, 5,186,647, and 5,580,270 for example describe RJ45 jacks which may be employed, and the disclosures of these are hereby 10 incorporated to form part of the disclosures of this specification. By way of illustration of one RJ45 to which the invention is applicable, the drawings show one such connector 8.

Connector 8 is an RJ45 jack and has an insulative body 10 which houses eight electrically conductive elements 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 (Figure The elements each have at 15 respective first ends bifurcated insulation displacement contacts 28, these being designed so that insulated wire conductors may be pressed into slots presented by the contacts so that the insulation of the conductors is cut by edges of the contacts defining the respective slots, while making electrical contact between the conductors and those edges. Contacts 28 are mounted at a top face of a terminal portion 114 of the connector body.

At second, opposite, ends the elements 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 are formed as spring contacts 30, these extending into a socket 48 of the body 10 so that parts thereof are disposed for making electrical connection to contact elements of a plug (not shown) when the plug is inserted into the socket.

The contacts 28 define a first set 160 of terminals (Figure 12) of the connector 8 and the contacts 30 a second set 162 of terminals (Figure 3) of the connector 8.

The elements 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 are arranged so that, viewed transversely to the directions of extent thereof, major parts thereof are disposed in a linear array. In Figure 3, these major parts comprise substantially all of each element, excepting only upstanding P.OPE UCRfq6O994IW COpI. dOCte WA)3JI -6parts which define the contacts 28. Also, in Figure 3, the major parts extend more or less substantially in a common plane. It is possible to arrange the socket of a connector like that illustrated so that the portions of those major parts that define the contacts 30 extend directly into a socket like that illustrated in Figure 1, and for clarity of understanding the nature of the elements 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 the elements are illustrated as being configured for this purpose. However, depending on the orientation of the socket 48 with respect to the plane containing portions 40 of the elements 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 adjacent to the contacts 28, the elements 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 may be bent, approximately about the line A-A in Figure 3 through an angle of about 90 degrees so as to 10 correctly position them in the socket. In the latter case, then, contacts 30 are contained in a plane correspondingly arranged at about 90 degrees to the plane containing the portions This arrangement is adopted in the illustrated connector 8.

One exemplary contact element 16 is illustrated in more detail in Figures 4 and The elements 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 are, in usual use of the connector 8, connected to carry signals in four circuit paths 32, 34, 36, 38 as illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 6.

By this, the signal path 32 includes the two innermost elements 18, 20, the circuit path 34 the two outermost elements 12, 14 at one side of these, the circuit path 36 the two 20 outermost elements 24, 26 at the other side thereof, and the circuit path 38 the elements 16 and 22 between, respectively, elements 14 and 18 and elements 20, 24. This arrangement is adopted according to convention in the communications industry, but is known to be troublesome. The resultant splitting of the circuit path 38 so that it is has signal carrying components (constituted by the portions 40 at least of the elements 16 and 22) which are relatively widely spaced from each other but respectively relatively close to signal carrying components of the other three signal paths (particularly as constituted by at least portions of elements 14, 18, 20, and 24) causes, at least at relatively high signal frequencies, significant crosstalk between the circuit paths.

It is known that crosstalk arising in signals carried by circuit paths which include significant adjacent spaced and parallel conductors may be reduced by crossing the P.%OPERUnJC,6o99. mmpet dc.O-6MM, -7conductors at a suitable point, such as midway therealong, or otherwise arranging these so as to present first and second pairs of sections of the circuit paths, the first pair being before and the second pair being after the crossover, the sections comprising each pair being sections of the respective circuit paths which are in adjacent spaced generally parallel disposition, but the sections being arranged whereby the relative phase of signals in use arising as between the sections of the first pair is opposite to that in use arising in the sections of the second pair. As applied to conductors such as the elements 12, 14, 16, 18, 22, 24, 26, in a connector such as that illustrated, this expedient will generally give rise to generation of anti-phase cross-talk signal components in the circuit paths and which tend 10 to cancel, so reducing the level of crosstalk. This effect may be mainly due to capacitive coupling between the circuit paths, although inductive coupling may also be relevant or even predominant in some cases.

In the illustrated connector 8, the above mechanism for crosstalk reduction is employed, by crossing the portions 40 of the inner elements 18, 20, at a crossing 60 about midway along the lengths thereof, and by crossing the portions 40 of the elements 12, 14 and of the elements 24,26, towards ends of the portions 40 of elements 14, 24 and at crossings 62, 64 positioned at locations along the lengths of the portions 40 of respective elements 12, 26 transversely aligned with the crossing of the elements 18, 20. This results in provision of 20 several sets of first and second pairs of circuit path sections as above described. By way of example, Figure 6 has marked therein one pair of circuit sections 34a, 38a being sections of circuit paths 34, 38 and another, associated, pair of second circuit sections 34b, 38b of circuit paths 34, 38. Sections 34a, 38a; 34b, 38b constitute respective first and second pairs of circuit sections as above described. Sections 34a, 34b are formed as parts of elements 14, 12, respectively and sections 38a, 38b as parts of element 16.

In order to provide for further electrical compensation for the connector 8, a demountable compensation device 116 is provided. Referring now particularly to Figures 7 to 9, device 116 is in the form of an insulative structure 118 which defines a cap which can be positioned over the upper part of a terminal portion 114 of the connector body to cover this. Structure 118 is of two-part form, having an outer part 121 and an inner part 123.

PAOPERUJC

4 p6O9-0 wpLctdoc-O6M01 -8- Outer part 121 has a generally rectangular planar roof portion 125 with a peripheral depending rim portion 127. Inner part 123 is also of generally rectangular planar form and is accommodated neatly within the outer part 121 so as to be surrounded by rim portion 127. At an underside of structure 118, on inner part 123, there is provided an array of contacts 120 which are positioned and sized such as to enable these to make electrical connection with individual ones of the insulation displacement contacts 28 of the connector 8, when the device 116 is positioned on the terminal portion 114.

Device 116 has electrical conductors and, possibly, compensating circuitry such as 10 capacitors or the like, which assist in providing compensation for the connector 8. In this instance, the contacts 120 are arranged in two parallel and spaced rows 129, 131 on the exposed outer surface 140 of the inner part 123 of the structure 118, and conductive tracks 133, 135, 137, 139, 141, 143, 145, 147 are provided on the part 123, and electrically connected to the contacts. Of these, conductive tracks 133, 135, 137, 139 are on surface 140 of inner part 123, and conductive tracks 141, 143, 145, 147 are on the opposite, inner, surface 142 of part 123 (Figure 9).

The contacts 28 of the connector 8 are arranged in two rows substantially in a common plane, and in positions corresponding to the positions of the contacts 120 of device 116, 20 such that, by movement of the device 116 to engage the terminal portion 114 of the connector body 10, the contacts 28 can be brought into interlocking engagement with respective ones of the contacts 120. The contacts 120 are bifurcated. These contacts 120 and the bifurcated contacts 28 interfit and resiliently engage to releasably lock with each other.

When the contacts 28, 120 are engaged as last described, the contacts 28, and thus the contact elements 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, are connected to ones of the contacts 120 and associated conductive tracks 133, 135, 137, 139, 141, 143, 145, 147 in the manner illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 12. Here, the pairs of interlocked contacts 28, 120 in the rows 129, 131 are illustrated as if viewed in the direction in Figure 1. The pairs in row 129 are designated RHI, RI-12, RH3 and RH4, and the pairs in row 131 are PAOpERUCM\pq6OfW =WLe doc*U3A) -9designated LH1, LH2, LH3 and LH4. Pairs RH1, RH2, RH3 and RH4 are opposite to and spaced from respective ones of the pairs LH1, LH2, LH3 and LH4.

The major parts of conductive tracks 133,135 are linear and extend from respective pairs LH2, RHI some way across the part 123 at 45 degrees to the directions of extent of the parallel rows 129, 131, and in adjacent spaced arrangement. The major parts of conductive tracks 139,137 are linear and parallel to the major parts of tracks 133, 135, and extend from respective pairs LH4, RH3 some way across the part 123 at 45 degrees to the directions of extent of the parallel rows 129, 131, and in adjacent spaced arrangement.

The major parts of tracks 141, 143, 145 and 147 extend at an opposite angle to the angle of major parts of the tracks 133, 135, 137, 139, so that the pair of tracks 133, 135 crosses the pair of tracks 141, 143 at an angle of about 90 degrees and the pair of tracks 137, 139 crosses the pair of tracks 145, 147 at an angle of about 90 degrees.

The major parts of conductive tracks 141, 143 are linear and extend from respective pairs LH1, RH2 some way across the part 123 at 45 degrees to the directions of extent of the parallel rows 129, 131, and in adjacent spaced arrangement. The major parts of conductive tracks 145,147 are linear and parallel to the major parts of tracks 141, 143 and extend from 20 respective pairs LH3, RH4 some way across the part 123 at 45 degrees to the directions of extent of the parallel rows 129, 131, and in adjacent spaced arrangement.

Figure 12 shows the association of individual ones of the elements 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 with individual ones of the contact pairs RHI, RH2, RH3, RH4, LHI, LH2, LH3 and LH4 which results. Because of the close spacing between the conductive tracks in each pair of tracks 133, 135; 137, 139; 141, 143; and 145, 147, each pair exhibits significant capacitance, with the result that these present respective capacitances 150, 152, 154 and 156 across the contacts 28 of the connector 8, as shown in Figure 6. These are effective to provide further crosstalk compensation to the connector 8. In particular, capacitance 150 is provided between elements 12 and 24, capacitance 152 across elements 20 and 22, PA0PERvJCN4pq6099-00 conpid docO6iONOl capacitance 154 across elements 14 and 26, and capacitance 156 across contact elements 16 and 18.

The compensation device 216 shown in Figures 2, 10 and 11 is similar to the device 116 shown in Figures 1, 7, 8 and 9, and like parts are designated by like reference numerals.

The device 216 has a structure 218 comprising an inner part 123 as in device 116, mounted within an outer part 221 which is similar to part 121, in that it has a roof portion 225 and depending peripheral rim 227 of similar form to roof portion 125 and rim portion 127.

However, outer part 221 has, at opposed sides two latching portions 251 which extend in parallel spaced disposition and which are resiliently engageable with the body 10 of connector 8, for releasably latching the device 216 to the connector. In particular, lugs 255 are provided on the inner surfaces of the latching portions 251, and which are releasably engageable, in a snap-fit arrangement, with lugs (not shown) on the outer surface of the body Of course, different arrangements of compensatory components may be needed in cases where the contacts of the connector are differently configured, such as where, in an or otherwise, they are not crossed as described.

20 Generally the invention is applicable to provide circuitry such that capacitances and/or inductances are introduced for the purpose of compensation. This compensation may be, practically speaking, the sole compensation provided by the combination of the connector and of the device 116 or 216, but may act in conjunction with other compensatory means such as the crossing of conductors within the connector. The compensation may for the purpose of providing reduction in cross-talk in electrical circuits which in use of the connector include the connector conductive elements, but may also be useful for adjusting other properties such as impedance of the connector 10. While it is convenient to form reactive elements by tracks such as tracks 133, 135, 137, 139, 141, 143, 145, 147, (such as on a double sided circuit board) they may be otherwise formed.

The principles of the invention may be applied to connectors other than RJ45 connectors.

P.,OPERUCMq6D mp-00 i doc-06" 3m -11- While the described devices 116, 216 are designed for demountable attachment to the connector 8 they may, for example, be otherwise formed such as hinged to the connector.

The arrangement of RJ-type connectors having insulation displacement contacts such as the insulation displacement contacts 28, is typically such that these are arranged in rows such as the described rows 129, 131. In that case, the body 10 may define a trough between the rows, and electrical leads for connection to the insulation displacement contracts 28 may be accommodated in this, the device 116, 216 covering the connections 10 to these contacts.

The contacts 28 may be replaced by other forms of contact, and the contacts 120 correspondingly formed to mate with them. The contacts 120 may be leaf spring contacts, for example.

The invention has been described by way of example only and it will be appreciated that many modifications and variations may be made thereto, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.

20 Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Claims (14)

12- THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. A compensation device for use with an electrical connector having first and second sets of terminals interconnected by electrically conductive elements, the compensation device being electrically interconnectable with the conductive elements and having components for modifying the electrical performance of the connector; and electrical contacts for interconnection with the conductive elements, either directly at locations between the respective first and second sets of terminals, or to one or more of the terminals of said first and second sets of terminals. 2. A compensation device as claimed in claim 1, formed as an insulative structure which carries said components and said contacts, and which is removably attachable to the connector. 3. A compensation device as claimed claim 2, having means for attaching the device S•to an insulative body of the connector. 4. A compensation device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the oooo connector is of a kind in which the first set of terminals is provided as an array of contacts arranged substantially at one surface portion of the connector, the contacts of the device being in a corresponding array whereby they may be brought into contact with the terminals of said first set by a relative movement of the device towards said surface portion. o .00 25 5. A compensation device as claimed in claim 4, having latching portions arranged whereby the relative movement of the device towards the connector effects latching of the compensation device and connector together. 6. A compensation device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first set of terminals of the connector device comprises insulation displacement contacts and the PAOPERWCU393857rs spn d.oc510304

13- contacts of the device are such that they can interconnect with the insulative displacement contacts. 7. A compensation device as claimed in any preceding claim, formed such as to cooperate with the connector to permit wires or other conductors to be connected to terminals of the connector prior to connecting the compensation device, and/or to permit attachment and removal of the conductors while the compensation device is in position. 8. A compensation device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the components comprise conductive tracks which define capacitances for effecting said modifying the electrical performance of the connector. 9. A compensation device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said tracks provide cross- talk compensation. 10. A compensation device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the connector has eight said .,0i conductive elements, portions of which lie side-by-side substantially in a single plane and *000 at least one pair of which cross each other for providing cross-talk compensation. 11. A compensation device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the elements within each outermost pair of said conductive elements are crossed and an innermost pair of the .P'a conductive elements are crossed, the device being constructed whereby to form first, 6 second, third and fourth said capacitances which are, when the device is fitted to the 0 connector, applied across the first set of terminals, the first capacitance then being applied 4 25 across one of the conductive elements and a conductive element adjacent to the other i, outermost conductive element, the second capacitance across the other of the outermost conductive elements and the conductive element adjacent said one outermost conductive element, the third capacitance across the conductive element second away from the one outermost conductive element and that conductive element third away from the other outermost conductive element, and the fourth capacitance across the conductive element pAOPERRJCU393857repann docO5M&D4 -14- second away from the other outermost conductive element and that conductive element third away from the one outermost conductive element. 12. A compensation device according to any preceding claim, formed as a cap fittable over the terminals of at least one of said sets thereof. 13. A compensation device according to any preceding claim, wherein said connector is an RJ45 connector.

14. An electrical connector fitted with a compensation device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13. An electrical connector having first and second sets of terminals interconnected by Selectrically conductive elements and a compensation device electrically interconnected with the conductive elements and having components for modifying the electrical performance of the connector, wherein the compensation device is in the form of a cap having electrical contacts which interconnects with the conductive elements.

16. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 15, wherein said electrical contacts interconnect with the conductive elements at locations between the respective first and second sets of terminals. :o

17. An electrical connector as claimed in claims 15 to 16, wherein said electrical oo contacts interconnect with terminals of at least one of said first and second set of terminals.

18. An electrical connector as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the compensation device is formed as an insulative structure which carries said components and contacts, which couple to said components and interconnect with the conductive elements, the insulative structure being removably attachable to the connector. P:OPERWqJC\2393857rtpspw dco405M~V0

19. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 18, wherein the compensation device has means attaching the device to an insulative body of the connector. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 18, in which the first set of terminals is provided as an array of contacts arranged substantially at one surface portion of the connector, the contacts of the device being in a corresponding array, being brought into contact with the terminals of said first set by a relative movement of the device towards said surface portion.

21. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 20, wherein the compensation device has latching portions latching the connector and compensation device together pursuant to the relative movement of the device towards the connector.

22. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 18, wherein the first set of terminals of the connector comprises insulation displacement contacts and the contacts of the device are such that they interconnect with the insulative displacement contacts.

23. An electrical connector as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 22, in which the compensation device is formed such as to cooperate with the connector to permit wires or 20 other conductors to be connected to the terminals of the connector prior to connecting the compensation device to permit attachment and removal of such conductors while the compensation device is in position.

24. An electrical connector as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 23, wherein the 25 components comprise conductive tracks which define capacitances for effecting said modifying the electrical performance of the connector. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 24, wherein said tracks provide cross- talk compensation. P \OPER\JIC2393857reic doc-05AJ04 -16-

26. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 25, wherein the connector has eight said conductive elements, portions of which lie side-by-side substantially in a single plane and the conductive elements of at least one pair crossing each other for providing cross- talk compensation.

27. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 26, wherein the elements within each outermost pair of said conductive elements are crossed and an innermost pair of the conductive elements are crossed, the device being constructed whereby to form first, second, third and fourth said capacitances which are applied across the first set of terminals, the first capacitance then being applied across one of the outermost conductive elements and a conductive element adjacent to the other outermost conductive element, the second capacitance across the other of the outermost conductive elements and the conductive element adjacent said one outermost conductive element, the third capacitance across the conductive element second away from the one outermost conductive element and that conductive element third away from the other outermost conductive element, and the fourth capacitance across the conductive element second away from the other outermost conductive element and that conductive element third away from the one outermost conductive element. 20 28. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 27, being an RJ45 connector.

29. A compensation device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 0 25 30. An electrical connector fitted with a compensation device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 5th day of August, 2004 Krone GmbH By its Patent Attorneys Davies Collison Cave