High-density connector assembly with tracking ground structure

A connector assembly is suitable for connecting circuit boards together. The connector assembly includes a series of ground and signal terminal sets assembled in terminal assemblies held within a housing. The ground terminals sets include a set of flat contact blades that are aligned together in abutting contact to form a line of ground contacts blades and the signal terminals are arranged in sets on opposite sides of the ground terminal contact blades. The signal terminals have general L-shapes that are arranged in sets of two pairs of contacts to form a cruciform pattern with an associated ground contact blade in the midst of the pattern of four. The terminal assemblies are formed from housings that have interfitting projections on their exterior sides, and the ground terminal housing is plated with a conductive material. This effectively surrounds each signal terminal in its extent through the signal terminal housing.