Patent Application
20220124930
The present invention relates to cable routing within a computer chassis. More specifically, the present invention relates to systems and methods for determining cable routing between electronic components within a computer chassis.
The interior of a computer chassis includes many electrical and mechanical components, such as a motherboard, central processing unit, storage device, memory card, video card, sound card, network card, expansion card, fan module, power supply, and other components. Many of the components are electrically connected by cables routed within the computer chassis. The cables within the chassis are typically routed around other electrical and mechanical components.
A computer chassis has a finite interior space for housing all the electrical and mechanical components. Building a computer system within the limited space of a computer chassis is complicated by determining the cable routing between components. Accordingly, there is a need for increasing the efficiency in determining the routing of cables between components within a computer chassis.
According to one embodiment, an apparatus simulates cable routing for determining signal integrity between electronic components within a computer chassis. The apparatus includes a base plate simulating a computer chassis base. The base plate includes a top surface. A plurality of reconfigurable mounting fixtures each allow temporary mounting of a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) to a respective reconfigurable mounting fixture. The plurality of reconfigurable mounting fixtures are temporarily mountable anywhere on the top surface of the base plate. A cable including a first end connector allows a connection to a first PCBA, and a second end connector allows a connection to a second PCBA.
In a further aspect of the embodiment, the first PCBA is temporarily mounted to a first of the plurality of reconfigurable mounting fixtures, and the second PCBA is temporarily mounted to a second of the plurality of reconfigurable mounting fixtures. The first PCBA and the second PCBA are temporarily mounted before being removed and mounted inside a computer chassis.
In yet a further aspect of the embodiment, at least one of the plurality of reconfigurable mounting fixtures includes a plurality of perforations for receiving removable pins for temporarily mounting the PCBA. The perforations penetrate a surface of the at least one reconfigurable mounting fixture. In another aspect of the embodiment, the at least one reconfigurable mounting fixture includes a rectangular-shaped mounting surface. The plurality of perforations is arranged in a matrix on the rectangular-shaped mounting surface.
In a further aspect of the embodiment, at least one of the plurality of reconfigurable mounting fixtures comprises two distinct panels with one panel being mounted perpendicular to the other panel. In another aspect of the embodiment, the other panel is mounted parallel to the top surface. In yet another aspect of the embodiment, the first PCBA is temporarily mounted to the other panel. In yet another aspect, the two distinct panels include side walls where at least one of the side walls includes a plurality of holes for receiving removable pins to mount the one panel to the other panel. In another aspect of the embodiment, the one panel includes a plurality of perforations that penetrate a surface of the one panel where the perforations receive removable pins for temporarily mounting the first PCBA to the one panel.
In a further aspect of the embodiment, the plurality of reconfigurable mounting fixtures is temporarily mounted to the top surface with a sticky adhesive. In another aspect of the embodiment, the base plate is a ferromagnetic metal. At least one of the reconfigurable mounting fixtures is temporarily mounted to the top surface by a magnetic attraction between a metal portion on a bottom surface of the at least one reconfigurable mounting fixture and the base plate.
In a further aspect of the embodiment, the cable is a high-speed cable. In yet another aspect of the embodiment, the cable is supported by the top surface and includes at least two bends between the first end connector and the second end connector.
According to another embodiment, a method simulates cable routing for determining signal integrity between electronic components within a computer chassis. The method includes mounting a first PCBA in a first position on a first reconfigurable mounting fixture mountable anywhere on a continuous top surface of a base plate that simulates a computer chassis base, second PCBA is mounted in a second position on a second reconfigurable mounting fixture mountable anywhere on the continuous top surface. The first reconfigurable mounting fixture is mounted at a first location on the continuous top surface. The second reconfigurable mounting fixture is mounted at a second location on the continuous top surface. The first PCBA is connected to the second PCBA with a cable routed on the continuous top surface between a first connector for the first PCBA and a second connector for the second PCBA. A first signal integrity value of the cable between the first connector and the second connector is determined.
A further aspect of the embodiment includes mounting the first reconfigurable mounting fixture at a third location on the continuous top surface. The third location is different from the first location and the second location. A second signal integrity value of the cable between the first connector and the second connector is determined. The second signal integrity value is different from the first signal integrity value. In another aspect of the embodiment, the cable routing for determining the first signal integrity value includes three bends in the cable, and the cable routing for determining the second signal integrity value includes two bends in the cable.
In a further aspect of the embodiment, the first PCBA is mounted in a third position on the first reconfigurable mounting fixture. A second signal integrity value of the cable between the fast connector and the second connector is determined. The second signal integrity value is different from the first signal integrity value.
In a further aspect of the embodiment, a third PCBA is mounted in a third position on a third reconfigurable mounting fixture mountable anywhere on the continuous top surface. The third reconfigurable mounting fixture is mounted at a third location on the continuous top surface. The second PCBA is connected to the third PCBA with a second cable routed on the base plate between the second connector for the second PCBA and a third connector for the third PCBA. A second signal integrity value of the second cable between the second connector and the third connector is determined.
In a further aspect of the embodiment, the first reconfigurable mounting fixture and the second reconfigurable mounting fixture are temporarily mounted to the continuous top surface with a sticky adhesive. In another aspect of the embodiment, the first reconfigurable mounting fixture and the second reconfigurable mounting fixture each include a plurality of perforations arranged in a matrix on a rectangular-shaped mounting surface for receiving pins for mounting the PCBA. The perforations penetrate the respective mounting surfaces of the first reconfigurable mounting fixture and the second reconfigurable mounting fixture.
The above summary is not intended to represent each embodiment or every aspect of the present disclosure. Rather, the foregoing summary merely provides an example of some of the novel aspects and features set forth herein. The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of representative embodiments and modes for carrying out the present invention, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
The disclosure will be better understood from the following description of embodiments together with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. Some representative embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
The various embodiments are described with reference to the attached figures, where like reference numerals are used throughout the figures to designate similar or equivalent elements, The figures are not drawn to scale, and they are provided merely to illustrate the instant invention. It should be understood that numerous specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth to provide a full understanding. One having ordinary skill in the relevant art, however, will readily recognize that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods. In other instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown in detail to avoid obscuring certain aspects of the various embodiments. The various embodiments are not limited by the illustrated ordering of acts or events, as some acts may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other acts or events. Furthermore, not all illustrated acts or events required to implement a methodology in accordance with the present invention.
Elements and limitations that are disclosed, for example, in the Abstract, Summary, and Detailed Description sections, but not explicitly set forth in the claims, should not be incorporated into the claims, singly, or collectively, by implication, inference, or otherwise. For purposes of the present detailed description, unless specifically disclaimed, the singular includes the plural and vice versa. The word “including” means “including without limitation.” Moreover, words of approximation, such as “about,” “almost,” “substantially,” “approximately,” and the like, can be used herein to mean “at,”, “near,” or “nearly at,” or “within 3-5% of,” or “within acceptable manufacturing tolerances,” or any logical combination thereof, for example.
With regards to the present disclosure, the terms “computer system” or “computer device” refer to any electronically-powered or battery-powered equipment that has hardware, software, and/or firmware components, where the software and or firmware components can be configured, for operating features on the device.
A chassis for a computer device has finite interior space for housing electrical and mechanical components. Building a computer device within the limited space of a computer chassis is complicated by the determination of cable routing between components. For example, cables need to be routed around the numerous electronic and mechanical components within the computer chassis, which it eases the difficulty of determining a cable layout that minimizes degradation of signal integrity in the cables. Rather than determining cable routing within an assembled computer system, the present disclosure contemplates increasing the efficiency in determining the routing of cables between components using an apparatus that simulates a chassis to determine a preferred cable routing. Benefits of the present apparatus and method include an efficient set-up of reconfigurable mounting fixtures for simulating computer components. Furthermore, the reconfigurable mounting fixtures are scalable and flexible by allowing changes in cable length, connector location, and connector orientation to be readily, in addition, the reconfigurable mounting fixtures allow simulation of cable routing that can be duplicated within a computer device that provides an efficient way to obtain precise signal integrity data to verify a layout allows the computer device to operate within design specifications.
Simulation of the cable routing allows signal integrity between the various computer components to be assessed to allow for improved or optimized cable configurations within the computer chassis. The present apparatus and method allows a technician to simulate a cable layout and optimize that layout between two or more components. In the simulation, the technician can account for signal noise or signal loss in a cable extending between components before the cables are installed in the computer chassis. For example, signal noise or signal loss may degrade in a cable connecting two components of a computer device by about 3 percent to 6 percent for every bend or significant curve in a cable between two components. The present disclosure allows for simulation of the cable layout, including bends in the cable, so that signal loss or signal noise can be determined and minimized through possible alternate layouts or the use of different cables. The final simulated cable layout can then be duplicated during assembly of an actual computer device.
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In some implementations, the reconfigurable mounting fixtures, such as fixtures 220 (see
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With the pins 380 secured to the PCBA 325, each of the pins 380 can be further be inserted into respective ones of the perforations 370 via a friction fit or with a sticky or tacky adhesive that allows the PC BA 325 to be easily removed when needed. The perforations 370 penetrate a mounting surface 322 of the reconfigurable mounting fixtures, such as single panel fixture 320. The single panel reconfigurable mounting fixture 320 includes a rectangular-shaped mounting surface 322. Other shapes for the mounting surface are contemplated, including circular and elliptical shapes, along with other polygonal shapes. The perforations 370 are depicted in a grid-like matrix on the rectangular-shaped mounting surface 322 to allow for many different PCBA configurations, or for other computer components to be temporarily mounted to the single panel reconfigurable mounting fixture 320.
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The electronic components are all connected by a plurality of cables that simulate a planned layout for an actual assembled computer device. For example, cable 560 connects first PCBA 525 and second PCBA 535. Cable 570 connects second PCBA 535 and third PCBA 545. Cable 580 connects third PCBA 545 and fourth PCBA 555. Each of the cables 560, 570, 580 are routed in a manner that simulates an actual cable layout between two respective electronic components connected by the cable, which typically includes the cable being disposed on the top surface 515 of the base plate 510.
The electronic components, such as PCBAs 525, 535, 545, 555 can further be oriented on the reconfigurable mounting fixtures 520, 530, 540, 550 in the same orientation planned within the actual assembled computer device. Signal integrity testing can then be performed by a technician between the connections of the routed cable with two respective PCBAs to determine signal loss or signal noise in the cable due to bends or other cable distortions between the two components is within acceptable ranges. The routing of the cables is the same as the routing planned for the actual assembled computer device. If the signal integrity in a cable between two connected components is not acceptable, the routing of the cable, the mounting, of the reconfigurable mounting fixtures, or the mounting of components to the reconfigurable mounting fixtures can be adjusted to a new configuration and retested for signal integrity.
More and fewer combinations of reconfigurable mounting fixtures, mounted electronic components, and cable layouts depicted in
In some implementations, a method simulates cable routing for determining signal integrity between electronic components within a computer chassis. Referring to
In some implementations, the first reconfigurable mounting fixture 225 is mounted at a new third location on the continuous top surface 215. The third location is different from the first location and the second location. A second signal integrity value of a cable 255 between the first connector 256 and the second connector 257 is determined, The second signal integrity value will be different from the first signal integrity value due to a change in the cable layout and other factors that can degrade or improve the signal. In some implementations, the cable routing for determining the first signal integrity value includes three bends in the cable, and the cable routing for determining the second signal integrity value includes two bends in the cable.
In some implementations, the first PCBA 225 is mounted in a third position on the first reconfigurable mounting fixture 220. A second signal integrity value of the cable between the first connector 253 and the second connector 254 is determined. The second signal integrity value is different from the first signal integrity value due to the change of the mounting of the PCBA on the reconfigurable mounting fixture itself.
In some implementations, a third PCBA 245 is mounted in a third position on a third reconfigurable mounting fixture 240 mountable anywhere on the continuous top surface 215. The third reconfigurable mounting fixture 240 is mounted at a third location on the continuous top surface 215. The second PCBA 235 is connected to the third PCBA 245 with a second cable 258 routed on the base plate 210 between the second connector 260 for the second PCBA 235 and a third connector 259 for the third PCBA 245. A signal integrity value of the second cable 258 between the second connector 260 and the third connector 259 can then be determined by a technician.
In some implementations, one or more of the reconfigurable mounting fixtures are temporarily mounted to the continuous top surface with a sticky or tacky adhesive that allows the reconfigurable mounting fixture(s) to be easily removed and repositioned. In another aspect, one or more of the reconfigurable mounting fixtures each include a plurality of perforations arranged in a matrix on a rectangular-shaped mounting surface for receiving pins for mounting the PCBA to the reconfigurable mounting fixture(s). The perforations penetrate the respective mounting surfaces of the reconfigurable mounting fixtures.
While various aspects of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Numerous changes to the disclosed aspects can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing, from the spirit or scope. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described aspects. Rather, the scope of the invention should be defined in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
Although the invention has been illustrated and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations, and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments. only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “including,” “includes,” “having,” “has,” “with,” or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description. and/or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.”
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Furthermore, terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
