Connectors with ground cage receptacle for datacenter

A datacenter, comprising:

• a midplane or a backplane comprising a plurality of signal surface contact pads for differential signals, comprising a plurality of ground surface contact pads, channels, or lines, and comprising a plurality of receiving cage receptacles individually associated with the plurality of ground surface contact pads, channels, or lines;
• and
• one or more daughter boards coupled to the midplane or backplane through a lead frame connector, the lead frame connector comprising:
• a plurality of connectors arranged in an array;
• and
• a plurality of ground cage receptacles within the plurality of connectors, the plurality of ground cage receptacles around a plurality of barrel sections comprising pins and springs, wherein individual ones of the plurality of ground cage receptacles are around individual pairs of the plurality of barrel sections, wherein the plurality of ground cage receptacle couples to the plurality of receiving cage receptacles to provide ground references for data signals through the pins and the springs, wherein the pins are to extend from or retract into respective ones of the plurality of barrel sections based at least in part on a respective stop feature associated with respective ones of the plurality of receiving cage receptacles, and wherein the respective stop features are to hold the plurality of ground cage receptacles at a predetermined position with respect to the plurality of receiving cage receptacles and to allow the pins to contact the signal surface contact pads for transmission of the data signals between the one or more daughter boards and the midplane or the backplane.

A method for a connector for signaling, the method comprising;

• forming a lead section according to a layout for the connector;
• forming a barrel section which is associated with the lead section;
• associating a pin and a spring within the barrel section;
• forming a ground cage receptacle which is around at least the barrel section of the connector, the ground cage receptacle to couple to a receiving cage receptacle and to provide a ground reference;
• allowing the pin to extend from or retract into the barrel section based in part on an interface with the spring and with a stop feature associated with the receiving cage receptacle, the stop feature to hold the ground cage receptacle at a predetermined position with respect to the receiving cage receptacle;
• and
• allowing the connector to be used for the signaling between at least two circuit boards or components of the circuit boards, wherein the pin is to contact a surface contact pad on at least one of the circuit boards to pass signals between the circuit boards and through the connector.