Bimodal Impedance Matching Terminators

A connector configured to be coupled to a differential pair of signal lines that have a differential-mode impedance and a common-mode impedance, the connector comprising:

• a bimodal impedance terminator configured to terminate both the differential-mode impedance and the common-mode impedance of the differential pair of signal lines while the connector is coupled to the differential pair of signal lines;
• a conductive shell that defines an interior cavity;
• a grounding structure that couples the conductive shell to a ground plane;
• a ground plate received within the interior cavity and electrically coupled to the ground plane through the conductive shell;
• and
• a dielectric substrate on the ground plate, wherein the bimodal impedance terminator comprises conductive traces on the dielectric substrate.

A data bus comprising:

• opposing first and second ends, wherein the data bus is configured to convey differential signals between at least two network stub nodes that are coupled to the differential data bus between the first and second ends;
• first and second differential signal lines configured to convey the differential signals, the first and second differential signal lines having a differential-mode impedance and a common-mode impedance;
• a grounded shield defining an interior cavity;
• a conductive catch bar within the interior cavity and coupled to the grounded shield;
• a dielectric substrate within the interior and mounted to the conductive catch bar;
• and
• an impedance terminating circuit on the dielectric substrate and coupled to the first and second differential signal lines at the first end of the data bus, wherein the impedance terminating circuit is configured to terminate both the differential-mode impedance and the common-mode impedance and comprises:
• a first resistor coupled between the first differential signal line and a circuit node;
• a second resistor coupled between the second differential signal line and the circuit node;
• a third resistor coupled between the circuit node and a reference potential;
• and
• a capacitor coupled between the circuit node and the reference potential in series with the third resistor.

An impedance terminator for a data bus having first and second differential signal lines, the impedance terminator comprising:

• a dielectric substrate having opposing first and second surfaces, a conductive trace at the first surface, and an opening extending from the first surface to the second surface;
• a first resistor on the dielectric substrate and coupled between the first differential signal line and a circuit node;
• a second resistor on the dielectric substrate and coupled between the second differential signal line and the circuit node;
• a capacitor on the dielectric substrate and coupled between the circuit node and a ground;
• a third resistor mounted to the first surface of the dielectric substrate and coupled between the circuit node and the ground;
• a ground plate on the second surface of the dielectric substrate;
• a conductive via that extends through the dielectric substrate and that couples the conductive trace to the ground plate;
• and
• a conductive pin that extends through the opening and that is electrically coupled to the conductive trace.