Patent Application
20170187147
Embodiments pertain to high speed fabric cable connections for electronic systems. Some embodiments relate to linear edge connectors for fabric cabling.
Electronic systems often include packaged electronic assemblies of integrated circuits (ICs) that communicate together. The packaged electronic assemblies can include multi-chip modules (MCMs) and package on package (PoP) modules that include multiple integrated circuit dice. The packaged components can include one or more processors, memory such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM). High performance electronic systems can include many electronic assemblies having processors (e.g., central processor units or CPUs) and memory (e.g., dynamic random access memory or DRAM) mounted on substrates that are interconnected with high-speed fabric interconnections. Fabric interconnection refers to a network topology between electronic devices (e.g., CPUs) to provide point-to-point communication among the devices using multiple physical links. The network topology can include multiple network switches (e.g., crossbar switches) to provide a switching fabric among the electronic devices.
One approach for connecting substrates of electronic assemblies to the cables of the fabric interconnection is to use linear edge connectors (LECs) to contact the substrate or board of the electronic assembly. The thickness of a substrate or board can depend on the number of layers included in the substrate. LECs are then typically sized to accommodate a specific substrate requirement. There are general needs for devices, systems and methods to address requirements for high-speed fabric interconnections.
The following description and the drawings sufficiently illustrate specific embodiments to enable those skilled in the art to practice them. Other embodiments may incorporate structural, logical, electrical, process, and other changes. Portions and features of some embodiments may be included in, or substituted for, those of other embodiments. Embodiments set forth in the claims encompass all available equivalents of those claims.
As explained previously herein, LECs are typically sized to for a specific substrate requirement. For example, the spacing between contacts of the LECS accommodates a specific substrate. If a different electronic assemblies include substrates of different thicknesses, the multiple substrate sizes would need multiple fabric connectors with LECs of different sized openings. A better approach would be an LEC design that can accommodate substrates of varying thickness.
When the screws are tightened, the screws provide force to the electrical contacts of the connector to mate with the electrical contacts of the substrate. The screws provide a clamping force that ensures that the connectors are firmly engaged and reduces or eliminates any micro-motion that may cause contact fretting.
The embodiment also includes a lever arm 626 that has a pivot point 630 connected to the second housing portion 638. To close the joining mechanism, the lever arm 626 turns about the pivot point 630 to contact the first movable housing portion 636 and apply bias force to the first movable housing portion and to the first connector body portion. The bias force presses the connector body portions together and the electrical contacts of the connector body tightly engage the electrical contacts of the inserted edge connector substrate. The lever arm 626 may include teeth to more firmly push against the top of the housing. The joining mechanism may include a locking mechanism to hold the lever arm in the closed position. In the embodiment shown in
The cable connector includes a lever 826 that contacts the first connector body portion at opposite edges of the first connector body portion. In some embodiments, the lever 826 is bale-shaped and comprises wire. The second connector body portion 804 includes sidewalls. The sidewalls each include a lever pivot point 830. The first connector body portion 802 includes a peg 848 to provide a load point for the lever 826. When the lever 826 is in a closed position, the lever 826 applies a bias force to the first connector body portion 802 and the substrate. When the lever 826 is in the open position, the first connector body portion 802 is relieved of the bias force.
In some embodiments, the sidewalls each include a locking mechanism 850 for the lever 826. The lever 826 is rotatable about each lever pivot point 830 to engage each locking mechanism 850. The lever 826 applies the bias force to the first connector body portion 802 when the lever 826 engages the locking mechanism 850. In certain embodiments, the locking mechanism 850 includes tabs that extend away from the sidewalls second connector body portion 804. The lever 826 is latched over the tabs when locked to maintain the bias force to the first connector body portion 802 and the substrate. To disengage the locking mechanism 850, the sides of the lever pushed outward over the tabs.
The cable connector includes a set of conductive elements arranged on an inside surface of the top plate and another set of conductive elements arranged on an inside surface of the bottom plate. A conductive element 1360 is elongate and includes a rear wall end to be electrically coupled to a cable, and a contact end that includes an electrical contact 1306. The electrical contact ends of the conductive elements can be retracted toward the top and bottom plates to facilitate insertion of the substrate.
The cable connector includes a second non-conductive element 1366 joining contact ends of the conductive elements of the bottom plate, and at least one arm 1368 coupled to the first non-conductive element. The one or more arms are slidable in relation to the bottom plate to move the second non-conductive element and the contact ends of the conductive elements relative to the inside surface of the bottom plate.
A conductive element can include a spring element (e.g., by the shape of the bend in the conductive element) to bias the electrical contact end of the conductive element away from the inside surface of the top plate or away from the inside surface of the bottom plate. In
In some embodiments, the cable connector includes a top lever 1370A arranged on the outside surface of the top plate of the connector body and a bottom lever 1370B arranged on the outside surface of the bottom plate of the connector body. The one or more arms 1364 coupled to the first non-conductive element 1362 include a first rod and a second rod slidable through the top plate and coupled to the top lever 1370A, and the one or more arms 1368 coupled to the second non-conductive element 1366 includes a third rod and a fourth rod slidable through the bottom plate and coupled to the bottom lever 1370B. The first non-conductive element 1362 includes a first beam coupled to the first and second rods and engaging the electrical contact ends of the conductive elements of the top plate, and the second non-conductive element 1366 includes a second beam coupled to the third and fourth rods and engaging the electrical contact ends of the conductive elements of the bottom plate.
In some embodiments, the top lever 1370A includes a first lever end a second lever end. The first lever end is coupled to the one or more arms 1364 that are coupled to the first non-conductive element 1362 and the second lever end is coupled to the outer surface of the top plate by a one or more springs 1372A. A top pivot 1330A is arranged between the first lever end and the second lever end. The bottom lever 1370B also includes a first lever end and a second lever end. The first lever end is coupled to the one or more arms 1368 that are coupled to the second non-conductive elements 1366 and the second lever end is coupled to the outer surface of the bottom plate by a one or more springs 1372B. A bottom pivot 1330B is arranged between the first lever end and the second lever end.
Pushing the second lever ends of the top and bottom levers toward the top and bottom plates causes the first lever ends to raise and pull the contact ends of the conducive elements toward the inside surfaces of the first and second plates, and releasing the second lever ends causes the conductive elements to move away from the inside surfaces of the top plate and bottom plate. In this way, the substrate can be inserted when the second levers ends are pushed or squeezed towards the plates, and releasing the levers allows the electrical contacts of the connector body to engage the contacts of the inserted substrate.
The several devices described provide cable connection between an electronic fabric cable connection and an electronic assembly that includes an edge connector substrate. The cable connectors work with different substrate thicknesses so that one cable connector can be used with multiple substrate designs. The several embodiments of the cable connector provide a low insertion force or no insertion force connection to the substrate. Several of the embodiments reduce the risk of contamination to the electrical contacts of the connection because minimal wipe or no wipe is involved in connecting to the contacts of the substrate. The embodiments do not rely on any external structure of the edge connector substrate to retain the connection, thereby reducing fretting of the contacts.
Instead of using a universal linear edge connector for multiple substrate thicknesses, a different approach is to change the thickness of the edge connector substrate to accommodate a specified linear edge connector opening or height between contacts.
A cable connector for electronic fabric interconnection may be configured by shape and size for use with the edge connector substrate 1425A with the greatest thickness. The thickness of the substrate may be related to the number of layers in the substrate. To use edge connector substrates that have less layers than the substrate of 1425A and consequently may be thinner than 1425A (such as substrates 1425B and 1425C), conductive material 1474 can be added to the contact pads to increase the overall thickness of the substrate and contact pads to match the thickness of 1425A. For example, the thickness of substrate 1425A may correspond to a substrate with a first specified substrate layer count, and substrate 1425C may have a different specified layer count resulting in a thinner substrate. Copper or another conductive material can be added to the contact pads of substrate 1425C until the combined thickness of the linear edge connector substrate and the contact pads is the thickness of substrate 1425A and the thickness specified for the cable connector.
At 1510, conductive material is added to the electrical contact pads until a height defined by the linear edge connector substrate, the electrical contact pads of the top surface and the electrical contact pads of the bottom surface matches a height between top edge connectors and bottom edge connectors of the cable connector, or is within the height range specified for use with the cable connector. In some embodiments, copper is deposited on the contact pads to increase the overall height or thickness of the combined substrate and electrical pads.
Example 1 includes subject (such as an apparatus) comprising a first connector body portion including a first plurality of electrical contacts arranged to contact electrical contacts of a first surface of an edge connector substrate; a second connector body portion separate from the first connector body portion and including a second plurality of electrical contacts arranged to oppose the first plurality of electrical contacts of the first connector body portion and to contact electrical contacts of a second surface of the edge connector substrate, wherein the first plurality of electrical contacts and the second plurality of electrical contacts are electrically coupled to one or more cables; and a joining mechanism configured to join the first connector body portion and the second connector body portion together and to apply a bias force to the edge connector substrate when the edge connector substrate is arranged between the first connector body portion and the second connector body portion.
In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 optionally includes a joining mechanism including: a housing arranged around the first connector body portion and the second connector body portion, wherein the housing includes an opening to receive the edge connector substrate; and one or more springs arranged internal to the housing to apply the bias force to one or both of the first connector body portion and the second connector body portion.
In Example 3, the subject matter of one or both of Examples 1 and 2 optionally includes a joining mechanism including a lever arm including a pivot point, wherein the lever arm turns about the pivot point; a cam arranged at the pivot point of the lever arm and rotatable by the lever arm; and a spring arranged between the cam and the first connector body portion, wherein the lever arm in a closed position compresses the spring with the cam to apply the bias force to the first connector body portion.
In Example 4, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-3 optionally includes one or more springs arranged between the first connector body portion and the second connector body portion to bias the first and second connector body portions apart, and optionally includes a joining mechanism including one or more screws and threaded screw holes.
In Example 5, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-4 optionally includes one or more springs arranged between the first connector body portion and the second connector body portion to bias the first and second connector body portions apart, and optionally includes a joining mechanism including a housing arranged around the first connector body portion and the second connector body portion, wherein the housing includes an opening to receive the edge connector substrate; and a tie bar arranged within the housing and adjacent the first connector body portion, wherein a surface of the housing includes a threaded screw hole to receive a screw to push the tie bar against the first connector body portion and apply the bias force to the edge connector substrate and bias the first connector body portion toward the second connector body portion.
In Example 6, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-5 optionally includes one or more springs arranged between the first connector body portion and the second connector body portion to bias the first and second connector body portions apart, and optionally includes a joining mechanism including a housing, including a first movable housing portion to contact the first connector body portion and a second housing portion to contact the second connector body portion; a lever arm including a pivot point connected to the second housing portion, wherein the lever arm turns about the pivot point to contact the first movable housing portion in a closed position and apply the bias force to the first movable housing portion and to the first connector body portion; and a locking mechanism to hold the lever arm in the closed position.
In Example 7, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-6 optionally includes a first connector body portion including multiple pegs and the second connector body portion includes multiple slots to receive the multiple pegs, wherein the joining mechanism includes one or more springs arranged between the first connector body portion and the second connector body portion, and wherein the one or more springs are configured to draw the first connector body portion and the second connector body portion together to provide the bias force.
In Example 8, the subject matter of Example 7 optionally includes a bolster, wherein the first and second connector body portions include wings extending outward from each side of the first and second connector body portions, and wherein the first and second connector body portions are slidable relative to the bolster from a first position that separates the wings to separate the first and second body portions to a second position that allows the first and second body portions to draw together.
In Example 9, the subject matter of one or both of Examples 7 and 8 optionally includes at least one of the first connector body portion and the second connector body portion including multiple tabs to engage matching notches of the edge connector substrate when the edge connector substrate is inserted between the first connector body portion and the second connector body portion.
In Example 10, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 7-9 optionally includes a lever configured to contact the first connector body portion at opposite edges of the first connector body portion, wherein the second connector body portion optionally includes sidewalls, wherein the sidewalls each include a lever pivot point and a locking mechanism, wherein the lever is rotatable about each pivot point to engage each locking mechanism, and wherein the lever applies the bias force to the first connector body when the lever engages the locking mechanism.
In Example 11, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-10 optionally includes a lever that comprises wire and is bale-shaped.
Example 12 can include subject matter (such as an apparatus), or can be combined one or any combination of Examples of 1-11 to include subject matter, comprising a cable connector for connection to an edge connector substrate, wherein the cable connector optionally includes a connector body including a top plate, a bottom plate, a rear wall joining the first plate and the second plate to define an inside space of the connector body, and an opening opposite the rear wall sized to receive the edge connector substrate; a first non-conductive element joining contact ends of the first plurality of conductive elements of the top plate, and at least one arm coupled to the first non-conductive element and slidable relative to the top plate to move the first non-conductive element and the contact ends of the first plurality of conductive elements relative to the inside surface of the top plate; and a second non-conductive element joining contact ends of the second plurality of conductive elements of the bottom plate, and at least one arm coupled to the second non-conductive element and slidable in relation to the bottom plate to move the second non-conductive element and the contact ends of the second plurality of conductive elements relative to the inside surface of the bottom plate.
In Example 13, the subject matter of Example 12 optionally includes a top lever arranged on an outside surface of the top plate and a bottom lever arranged on an outside surface of the bottom plate, wherein the at least one arm coupled to the first non-conductive element includes a first rod and a second rod slidable through the top plate and coupled to the top lever, and wherein the at least one arm coupled to the second non-conductive element includes a third rod and a fourth rod slidable through the bottom plate and coupled to the bottom lever.
In Example 14, the subject matter of Example 13 optionally includes a first non-conductive element including a first beam coupled to the first and second rods and engaging the contact ends of the first plurality of conductive elements, and the second non-conductive element includes a second beam coupled to the third and fourth rods and engaging the contact ends of the second plurality of conductive elements.
In Example 15 the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 12-14 optionally includes a conductive element includes a spring element to bias the contact end of the conductive element away from the inside surface of the top plate or the inside surface of the bottom plate.
In Example 16 the subject matter of Example 15 optionally includes a top lever arranged on an outside surface of the top plate and including a first lever end coupled to the at least one arm coupled to the first non-conductive element, a second lever end coupled to the outer surface of the top plate by a spring, and a top pivot arranged between the first lever end and the second lever end of the top lever; and a bottom lever arranged on an outside surface of the bottom plate and including a first lever end coupled to the at least one arm coupled to the second non-conductive element, a second lever end coupled to the outer surface of the bottom plate by a spring, and a bottom pivot arranged between the first lever end and the second lever end of the bottom lever, wherein pushing the second lever ends of the top lever and bottom lever toward the top plate and bottom plate causes the first lever ends to raise and pull the contact ends of the conducive elements toward the inside surfaces of the first and second plates, and wherein releasing the second lever ends causes the conductive elements to move away from the inside surfaces of the top plate and bottom plate.
Example 17 includes subject matter (such as method of making a connector for an electronic assembly) comprising forming a first plurality of electrical contact pads on a top surface of a linear edge connector substrate and a second plurality of electrical contact pads on a bottom surface of the linear edge connector substrate, the linear edge connector substrate for insertion into a cable connector configured for electronic fabric interconnection; and adding conductive material to the electrical contact pads until a height defined by the linear edge connector substrate, the electrical contact pads of the top surface and the electrical contact pads of the bottom surface matches a height between top edge connectors and bottom edge connectors of the cable connector.
In Example 18, the subject matter of Example 17 optionally includes adding the conductive material to the electrical contact pads by depositing copper onto the electrical contact pads.
Example 19 can include subject matter (such as an electronic assembly), or can optionally be combined with one or any combination of Examples 1-18 to include such subject matter, comprising a linear edge connector substrate, wherein the linear edge connector substrate has a first thickness; and a plurality of electrical contact pads arranged on a top surface and bottom surface of the linear edge connector substrate, wherein the contacts pads include conductive material such that the combined thickness of the linear edge connector substrate and the contact pads is a second thickness specified for connection to a cable connector configured for electronic fabric interconnection.
In Example 20, the subject matter of Example 19 optionally includes the first thickness corresponds to a specified substrate layer count, and the second thickness corresponds to a second specified substrate layer count.
Example 21 can include subject matter (such as an electronic assembly), or can optionally be combined with one or any combination of Examples 1-20 to include such subject matter, comprising a cable for electronic fabric interconnection; a cable connector configured for connection to an edge connector substrate, the cable connector including: a first connector body portion including a first plurality of electrical contacts arranged to contact electrical contacts of a first surface of an edge connector substrate; a second connector body portion separate from the first connector body portion and including a second plurality of electrical contacts arranged to oppose the first plurality of electrical connectors of the first connector body portion and to contact a electrical contacts of a second surface of the edge connector substrate, wherein the first plurality of electrical contacts and the second plurality of electrical contacts are electrically coupled to the cable; and a joining mechanism configured to join the first connector body portion and the second connector body portion together and to apply a bias force to the edge connector substrate when the edge connector substrate is arranged between the first connector body portion and the second connector body portion.
In Example 22, the subject matter of Example 21 optionally includes a joining mechanism including a housing arranged around the first connector body portion and the second connector body portion, wherein the housing includes an opening to receive the edge connector substrate; and one or more springs arranged internal to the housing to apply the bias force to one or both of the first connector body portion and the second connector body portion.
In Example 23, the subject matter of one or both of Examples 21 and 22 optionally includes a joining mechanism including: a lever arm including a pivot point, wherein the lever arm turns about the pivot point; a cam arranged at the pivot point of the lever arm and rotatable by the lever arm; and a spring arranged between the cam and the second connector body portion, wherein the lever arm in a closed position compresses the spring with the cam to apply the bias force to the second connector body portion.
In Example 24, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 21-23 optionally includes one or more springs arranged between the first connector body portion and the second connector body portion to bias the first and second connector body portions apart, wherein the joining mechanism includes one or more screws and threaded screw holes.
In Example 25, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 21-24 optionally includes including one or more springs arranged between the first connector body portion and the second connector body portion to bias the first and second connector body portions apart and a joining mechanism including: a housing, including a first housing portion to contact the first connector body portion and a second movable housing portion to contact the second connector body portion; a lever arm including a pivot point connected to the first housing portion, wherein the lever arm turns about the pivot point to contact the second movable housing portion in a closed position and apply the bias force to the second movable housing portion and the second connector body portion; and a locking mechanism to hold the lever arm in the closed position.
In Example 26 the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 21-25 optionally includes a second connector body portion includes multiple pegs and the first connector body portion includes multiple slots to receive the multiple pegs, wherein a joining mechanism optionally including one or more springs, arranged between the first connector body portion and the second connector body portion, and configured to draw the first connector body portion and the second connector body portion together to provide the bias force, wherein the first and second connector body portions include wings extending outward from each side of the first and second connector body portions, wherein the electronic assembly further includes a bolster slidable from a first position that separates the wings to separate the first and second body portions to a second position that allows the first and second body portions to draw together.
In Example 27, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 21-26 optionally includes a lever configured to contact the second connector body portion at opposite edges of a top surface of the second connector body portion, wherein the first connector body portion includes sidewalls, wherein the sidewalls each include a lever pivot point and a locking mechanism, wherein the lever is rotatable about each pivot point to engage each locking mechanism, and wherein the lever applies the bias force to the second connector body when the lever engages the locking mechanism.
These several Examples can be combined using any permutation or combination. The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b) requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the scope or meaning of the claims. The following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.
