Patent Application
20060061977
The present invention relates to backplanes used in electronic devices, such as for components of optical communications systems, and more particularly to backplanes having different types of input and output connectors. The invention provides a cost effective way of changing the layout of input/output connectors depending on individualized customer needs.
In certain types of communications and/or computer systems it is common to employ modular, electrical components which are adapted to be carried by a rack or other retaining structure. On the front side of the rack or retaining structure, the components are accessible by technicians for replacement, removal, and/or repair.
The backside of the structure is typically where a variety of input and output connectors are provided for connecting the electrical components in a variety of ways. The location of the input and output connectors is often called the “backplane.” The word “backplane” is often used to describe similar or analogous structure for a variety of electronic devices. Several types of backplane structures have been created to handle specific needs for a specific electronics component.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,496,376 to Plunkett et al. describes a modular backplane in which a set of modules from which custom passive backplanes can be assembled are coupled in co-planar fashion and are mounted on a rigid base plate which holds them together. On one edge of a CPU module is a connector that communicates with an ISA bus. The connector chains together one or more ISA modules, each of which expands the ISA bus to three more ISA connectors.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,463 to Doyle describes an adjustable backplane assembly for providing a fiber-optics backplane interface to a plurality of router cards functioning as a data router. The assembly includes a first portion having a first array of connectors for interfacing with a compatible array of second connectors engaging specific ones of the router cards. The connectors are constructed so that a moveable attachment is provided with respect to the first and second portions so that they may be positionally adjusted during mounting.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,270 to Wenger et al. describes a modular backplane in which a flexible backplane assembly is provided. Removable backplane modules are mounted in a platform in a manner such that the backplane modules may be removed and replaced to accommodate different types of circuit modules. Connectors at the rear of each backplane module for mating with circuit module connectors may be electrically connected to input/output boards at the front of the module to permit wiring of the backplane modules from the front of the platform.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,027 to Mills et al. describes a modular compact PCI backplane for a computer, in which two or more modular backplane segments each comprise front loading slots for the insertion of peripheral boards. The modular backplane segments include slots on the back side for the insertion of rear mounting boards. Each modular backplane segment includes a PCI compliant bus. The buses of the modular backplanes are bridged by a bridging module that attaches to the back side of the backplane segments being bridged.
Other U.S. patents that show various backplane structures associated with communications and/or computer devices include the following: U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,312 to Chapman, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,421,259 to Brooks, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,971,563 to Wells; U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,324 to Brune, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,462,532 to Smith; U.S. Pat. No. 5,227,957 to Deters; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,344,975 to Gayle.
While each of the above-noted U.S. patents describes a particularly advantageous backplane structure, a continuing need exists for a structure that facilitates greater efficiency and cost effectiveness for individual customers. In particular, backplanes in use presently for SONET optical communications systems typically have connectors provided on the backplane for different types of connections, regardless of whether a customer needs both types of connectors. Thus, every customer receives a backplane with multiple types of connectors, regardless of their needs. This takes up, potentially, large amounts of backplane real estate and adds to the cost, as the connectors typically represent a large percent of the cost of a backplane structure. Thus, customers typically pay for connectors that they may never use.
The present invention provides for a basic backplane, having one type of connector, which can be augmented subsequently according to individual customer needs through the use of plug-in connectors of a different type.
In one aspect of the invention, a backplane is provided with the most compact connector, such as a DS1 connector. As the customer decides to use other services requiring other connectors, such as DS3, Ethernet, optical, and/or GigE connectors, the invention provides that extension modules of the desired connector type can be procured by the customer and plugged into the pre-existing connectors to convert them to the desired type.
As a result of using extension modules, the basic backplane can be provided with one type of connector and the customer can add additional types only as the need arises. This will save space and cost to the customer.
In another aspect of the invention, a system includes means for adding functionality to an existing system to support a customer's growth. Thus, although the invention includes adding functionality through adapting connectors from one type to another, it also includes adding functionality that did not need a connector. Therefore, the converter also includes adding functionality to an existing system, with or without the use of connectors.
Many of the advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent in view of the following detailed description and drawings.
Referring to
According to one embodiment of the invention, the entire backplane would be populated with DS1 connectors 14 (although for ease of illustration, only three such connectors are shown in
Once the customer is provided with a backplane with one type of connector, such as the DS1 connectors shown in
Each connector module 16 includes a printed circuit board 18 having first and second opposite surfaces, two “type one” mating connectors 20 (only one being visible from the view of
While two “type one” connectors work for this embodiment, on other embodiments, the first or inner surface of the printed circuit board 18 would have a plurality of “type one” connectors.
The second or outer surface of the printed circuit board 18 is populated with a plurality of “type two” connectors 22, which in the illustrated embodiment are DS3 connectors. In particular, DS3 type connectors 22 are arranged in two rows of eight connectors 22, and are of the form that connect cable to the printed circuit board 18.
Depending on individual customer needs, one or more connector modules 16 could be coupled to the backplane to convert one or more type one connectors to type two connectors. In
Virtually any combination and type of connectors can be used according to the present invention. For example, while the illustrated embodiment focuses on DS 1 and DS3 connections, other connector types such as Ethernet (RJ45) could also be provided, either on the initial backplane 10, or on the connector modules 16.
According to the methodology of the present invention, a customer is provided with a backplane 10 having a first type of connector, such as the DS1 connectors illustrated in
One aspect of the invention includes providing one type of connector on a backplane and converting at least one of the connectors to a type two connector in order to facilitate a different need within the individual user's system. Another aspect would be to convert a backplane having at least two types of connectors into a backplane having at least three types of connectors. The theme of all embodiments is to add a new type of connector to a backplane having a different type or types.
The invention includes providing a basic backplane structure with at least one first type of connector, and providing at least one connector module, adapted to connect to the backplane in a manner to convert the first type of connector to a second type. Thus, the invention provides an assembly that includes a backplane and at least one connector module which converts one connector type to a different connector type.
It does not matter which connector type is provided on the backplane initially. For example, the backplane can be provided with DS1 connector types, and the conversion can be to DS3 or any number of other types. Moreover, the conversion can be made from one type to multiple types. Preferably, however, the backplane is populated initially in a simple and cost effective way, preferably with one type of connector, and more preferably still, the initial connector is a DS1 connector.
From the foregoing it is believed that those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize that while the invention has been described in association with a preferred embodiment thereof, numerous modifications, changes and substitution of equivalents may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention which is intended to be unlimited by the foregoing descriptions of a preferred embodiment except as may appear from the following claims.
