High frequency electrical connector

An electrical connector assembly, comprising:

• a receptacle comprising inner and outer conductive shells, the inner shell supporting at least one socket contact therein, each of the inner and outer conductive shells having a front end for mating with a mating connector and a back end configured to electrically connect to a printed circuit board, a receptacle primary ground connection located on the inner conductive shell, and a receptacle secondary ground connection located on an inner surface of the outer conductive shell;
• and
• a plug comprising an outer conductive shell supporting at least one pin contact configured to mate with the at least one socket contact of the receptacle, the outer conductive shell of the plug having a front end for mating with the front end of the receptacle, and a back end configured to electrically connect to a coaxial cable, a plug primary ground connection located on an inner surface of the outer conductive shell of the plug, and a plug secondary ground connection located on an outer surface of the outer conductive shell of the plug,
• wherein when the receptacle and plug are mated, the receptacle and plug primary connections form a primary grounding path through the assembly and the receptacle and plug secondary ground connections form a secondary grounding path through the assembly separate from the primary grounding path.

A high frequency electrical connector, comprising

• a conductive shell supporting at least one signal contact therein and comprising a front end for mating with a mating connector and a back end opposite the front end for electrically connection to either a printed circuit board and a coaxial cable;
• means for primary grounding to establish a primary grounding path through the connector;
• and
• means for secondary grounding to establish a secondary grounding path through the connector that is separate from the primary grounding path.

A high frequency adapter, comprising

• an outer conductive shell with an inner dielectric insert supporting at least one signal contact therein and comprising a front end for mating with a mating connector and a back end opposite the front end configured to engage an adapter coupling for termination to either a printed circuit board or a coaxial cable,
• the at least one signal having an interface end for mating with a mating contact and an opposite end received in the adapter coupling for electrically connecting to either the printed circuit board or the coaxial cable;
• a primary ground connection located inside of the outer conductive shell;
• and
• a secondary ground connection separate from the primary ground connection located either inside or outside of the outer conductive shell,
• wherein the primary and secondary ground connections define separate grounding paths of the adapter.