Electrical connector incorporating passive circuit elements

An electrical connector comprising:

• an insulative housing having a first opening and a second opening formed therein;
• a first signal conductor disposed below the insulative housing that includes a first segment and a second segment that are spatially separated to form a first gap therebetween, the first gap and portions of the first segment and second segment being exposed at the first opening;
• a first passive circuit element electrically connected to the exposed portions of the first and second segments through the first opening to bridge the first gap;
• a second signal conductor adjacent to the first signal conductor, the second signal conductor being disposed below the insulative housing and including a third segment and a fourth segment that are spatially separated to form a second gap therebetween, the second gap and portions of the third and forth segments being exposed at the second opening;
• and
• a second passive circuit element electrically connected to the exposed portions of the third and fourth segments of the second signal conductors through the second opening to bridge the second gap,
• wherein the first and the second signal conductors form a differential pair adapted to be coupled to a printed circuit board.