Direct attach electrical connector

An electrical connector comprising:

• a connector housing including a first connector housing portion and a second connector housing portion;
• a plurality of contacts disposed in the first connector housing portion;
• a plurality of cables, each of the plurality of cables including at least one conductor;
• wherein
• the at least one center conductor of each of the plurality of cables is directly connected to a respective one of the plurality of contacts.

A method of manufacturing an electrical connector comprising the steps of:

• providing a connector frame;
• providing a plurality of contacts in the connector frame, each of the plurality of contacts having substantially the same shape and including a portion arranged to contact a ground plane;
• providing a plurality of cables, each of the plurality of cables including at least one center conductor and a conductive sheath layer;
• providing a ground plane in the connector frame;
• selectively connecting the at least one center conductor of a portion of the plurality of cables directly to respective ones of the plurality of contacts;
• and
• selectively connecting the conductive sheath layer of another portion of the plurality of cables directly to the ground plane;
• wherein
• in the step of selectively connecting the at least one center conductor of the portion of the plurality of cables directly to the respective ones of the plurality of contacts, the respective ones of the plurality of contacts are cut so as to remove the portion of the contact arranged to contact the ground plane.