Backplane interconnect system employing floating backplane interconnects for coupling a backplane with blade computer systems

Abstract

This application relates to a baseplate employing floating baseplate interconnects for electrical coupling with a Blade PC system, and related methods. To provide a displacement-compatible interconnect system between baseplate interconnects and corresponding Blade PC system baseplate interconnects, for establishing an electrical connection between the baseplate interconnects and corresponding Blade PC system baseplate interconnects, the baseplate interconnects are provided as floating baseplate interconnects. These floating baseplate interconnects are configured to move and displace relative to the baseplate while maintaining electrical connection to the baseplate. Each of these baseplate interconnects includes one or more flexible circuit boards connected at a first end to an electrical interconnect and at a second end to an electrical interconnect on a baseplate connector. These flexible circuit boards include cables comprising a polymer or other material surrounding the wires to allow bending and flexing of the flexible circuit boards and their internal circuitry, and thus movement relative to the baseplate.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed herein relates to a Blade computer system, which is housed in a chassis and configured to be mounted in a device rack and connected to a baseboard network to provide connectivity between the computer system and a computer network. [Previous Technology]

[0002] A data center is an indispensable part of an enterprise system to support computer business applications and provide computer-related services. A data center can provide cloud-based computer services, including data storage, data management, and software application management. Data centers can also be used for big data applications, such as supercomputing, machine learning, and artificial intelligence applications (for example). A data center includes storage systems, computer servers, and the related network infrastructure used to facilitate communication with the computer servers.

[0003] For example, Figure 1A illustrates a data center 100, which includes "M" computer racks 102(1)-102(M). Each computer rack 102(1)-102(M) is configured to accommodate "N" blade computers 104(1)(1)-104(M)(N). Each blade computer 104(1)(1)-104(M)(N) is provided in the form of one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs), sometimes referred to as "cards" or "blades". Figure 1B illustrates a computer rack 102 in the data center 100 of Figure 1A. As shown in Figure 1B, each blade computer 104 includes one or more PCBs 106(1), 106(2) forming a blade or card, which are supported in individual housings 108, which may be in the form of a device tray. One or more integrated circuit (IC) chips and / or other electrical components are mounted to PCBs 106(1), 106(2). For example, an IC chip mounted to PCBs 106(1), 106(2) of the Blade PC 104 may be a central processing unit (CPU) chip, which includes a single-processor core ("core") CPU or a multi-core CPU. For example, the Blade PC 104 can be configured as a computer server or a dedicated processor-based system for specific applications and application-specific tasks.

[0004] The chassis 108 of the Blade PC 104 is configured to be installed in a separate chassis slot 110(1)-110(N) of the computer rack 102. As shown in Figure 1B, when the chassis 108 of the Blade PC 104 is fully inserted (e.g.) into a chassis slot 110(1), an edge baseplate connector 112 of the Blade PC 104 engages with a complementary baseplate connector 114 on a baseplate 116. Thus, an electrical interconnection is established between the Blade PC 104 and the baseplate 116 through the baseplate connector 114 of the baseplate 116 and the edge baseplate connector 112 of the Blade PC 104. Therefore, the computer rack 102 must be designed so that the edge connector 112 of the blade computer 104, which is mounted in the individual chassis slots 110(1)-110(N), is aligned with the complementary edge connector 114 on the base plate 116, so that the edge connector 112 and the complementary edge connector 114 can properly engage with each other to form a connection. However, the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the base plate 116 may be different from the CTE of the corresponding PCB 106(2) of the blade computer 104 supporting the edge connector 112. This may cause a relative vertical displacement between the edge connector 112 of the blade computer 104 and the complementary edge connector 114 on the base plate 116. This defect is particularly common in the Z-axis direction of the base plate 116 relative to the blade computer 104 (for example). For example, the Blade PC 104 may be used in a cryogenic supercomputing environment, where the temperature between different regions of the Blade PC 104 and its edge baseplate connector 112, and the baseplate connector 114 of the baseplate 116, may vary significantly, resulting in greater relative variation in expansion and contraction between the baseplate 116, the Blade PC 104, and its connectors. This may jeopardize the integrity of the electrical connection between the baseplate 116 and the Blade PC 104, especially in high-density baseplates where the high-density interconnection provided in the baseplate connector 114 has a very low tolerance for displacement relative to the individual mating edge baseplate connectors 112. [Summary of the Invention]

[0005] The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein include a baseboard interconnect system employing floating baseboard interconnects for coupling a baseboard to a Blade PC system. The baseboard interconnect system includes a baseboard interconnected to a plurality of electrically connected baseboard interconnects (“baseboard interconnects”), configured to be interconnected to another, complementary Blade PC system interconnect to establish a network interconnect between the baseboard and the Blade PC system. The Blade PC system is provided in the form of one or more circuit boards (e.g., printed circuit boards (PCBs)) supported in a housing, and the one or more circuit boards are configured to be mounted in a housing slot in a device rack. Each baseboard interconnect is configured to be electrically connected to an aligned, individual Blade baseboard interconnect mounted in a housing slot to establish an electrical connection between the Blade PC system and the baseboard. However, the baseboard may experience displacement due to expansion and contraction caused by temperature changes. This can cause the baseplate interconnects on the baseplate to misalign with the housing slots of the equipment rack, and therefore with the blade baseplate interconnects of the blade computer system mounted therein. For example, if a baseplate is used in a superconducting computer system, the temperature of the baseplate and / or its connected blade computer systems and interconnects can vary significantly, and / or may differ relative to other support components (such as the equipment rack and its housing slots). This can affect the ability of the baseplate interconnects to properly align with the blade baseplate interconnects of the blade computer system to establish an electrical connection. The connection tolerance between the baseplate interconnects and the blade baseplate interconnects of the blade computer system is extremely small for high-density interconnects.

[0006] In this respect, in the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, to provide a displacement-compatible interconnection system between the baseplate interconnects of the baseplate and individual blade baseplate interconnects of the blade computer system to establish an electrical connection therebetween, the baseplate interconnects of the baseplate are provided as floating baseplate interconnects. The floating baseplate interconnects are configured to move flexibly and to displace relative to the baseplate while still maintaining an electrical connection to the baseplate. In this respect, in the exemplary embodiments, each floating baseplate interconnect includes one or more flexible circuit boards connected at a first end to an electrical interconnect on the baseplate and at a second end to an electrical interconnect on a baseplate connector. These flexible circuit boards include cables (such as ribbon cables) that include a polymer or other material surrounding the wires to allow the flexible circuit boards and the wires supported therein to bend and flex, and thus move relative to the baseplate. Therefore, when a Blade PC system is mounted in a chassis slot and a Blade baseplate interconnect is rigidly connected to the baseplate interconnect, the baseplate interconnect, connected to the baseplate via a flexible circuit board, can move relative to displacement within the baseplate. The electrical integrity between the baseplate interconnect and the Blade baseplate interconnect of the connected Blade PC system is maintained and is less susceptible to damage and failure caused by baseplate displacement. In other embodiments, the baseplate interconnect and the Blade baseplate interconnect of the Blade PC system include registration features. These registration features are configured to engage with each other to assist in alignment and electrical connection when the Blade PC system is mounted in a chassis slot of a rack and the Blade PC system is moved toward the baseplate to engage its Blade baseplate interconnect with the baseplate interconnect aligned with the chassis slot. The Blade baseplate interconnect can also be provided as a floating interconnect to allow the Blade baseplate interconnect to float relative to the circuit board in the Blade PC system.

[0007] In this regard, in one exemplary embodiment, a floating base plate interconnect configured to couple to a base plate is provided. The floating base plate interconnect includes a base plate support having a flat surface. The floating base plate interconnect also includes a base plate connector disposed on the flat surface, the base plate connector including a plurality of base plate connector electrical conductors. The floating base plate interconnect also includes a flexible circuit board including a flexible cable having a first end and a second end, and the flexible cable including a plurality of wires extending between the first end and the second end. Each wire adjacent to the first end of the flexible cable is in electrical contact with one of the plurality of base plate electrical conductors, and the wires are adjacent to the second end of the flexible cable.

[0008] In another exemplary embodiment, a computer system is provided. The computer system includes a base plate comprising a plurality of base plate electrical conductor arrays aligned adjacent to each other, each of the plurality of base plate electrical conductor arrays comprising a plurality of base plate electrical conductors. Each of the plurality of floating base plate interconnects includes a base plate support member, the base plate support member including a flat surface, a base plate connector disposed on the flat surface, the base plate connector including a plurality of base plate connector electrical conductors, and a flexible circuit board including a flexible cable having a first end and a second end and including a plurality of wires extending between the first end and the second end. Each wire adjacent to the first end of the flexible cable is in electrical contact with one of the plurality of base plate electrical conductors, the plurality of base plate electrical conductors being in one of the base plate electrical conductor arrays of the base plate. The wire adjacent to the second end of the flexible cable is in electrical contact with one of the plurality of blade baseplate connector conductors, which is used in one of the plurality of blade computer systems.

[0009] Those skilled in the art will understand the scope of this disclosure and recognize its additional features after reading the following preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Implementation Method

[0023] The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein include a baseboard interconnect system employing floating baseboard interconnects to couple a baseboard to a Blade PC system. The baseboard interconnect system includes a baseboard interconnected to a plurality of electrical baseboard interconnects (“baseboard interconnects”), which are configured to establish a network interconnect between the baseboard and the Blade PC system via interconnects to another, complementary Blade PC system interconnect. The Blade PC systems are provided in the form of one or more circuit boards (e.g., printed circuit boards (PCBs)) supported in a housing configured to be mounted in a housing slot of a device rack. Each baseboard interconnect is configured to be electrically connected to an aligned individual Blade baseboard interconnect belonging to a Blade PC system mounted in a housing slot to establish an electrical connection between the Blade PC system and the baseboard. However, the baseboard may experience displacement due to expansion and contraction caused by temperature variations. This can cause the baseplate interconnects on the baseplate to become misaligned with the housing slots of a device rack, and therefore misaligned with the blade baseplate interconnects of the blade computer system installed therein. For example, if the baseplate is used in a superconducting computer system, the temperature at the baseplate and / or at its connected blade computer system and interconnects may differ significantly, and / or may differ relative to other support components (such as the device rack and its housing slots). This can affect the ability of the baseplate interconnects to correctly align with the blade baseplate interconnects of the blade computer system to establish an electrical connection. The connection tolerance between the baseplate interconnects and the blade baseplate interconnects of the blade computer system can be minimal for high-density interconnects.

[0024] In this respect, in the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, in order to provide a displacement-compatible interconnection system between a baseplate interconnect and individual blade baseplate interconnects of a blade computer system to establish an electrical connection therebetween, the baseplate interconnects of the baseplate are provided as floating baseplate interconnects. These floating baseplate interconnects are configured to move flexibly and displace relative to the baseplate while still maintaining an electrical connection to the baseplate. In this respect, in the exemplary embodiments, each of these floating baseplate interconnects includes one or more flexible circuit boards connected at a first end to an electrical interconnect on the baseplate and at a second end to an electrical interconnect on a baseplate connector. The flexible circuit board includes a cable (such as a ribbon cable) with polymer or other material surrounding the wires to allow the flexible circuit board and its internally supported wires to bend and flex, and thus move relative to the baseplate. Therefore, when a Blade PC system is installed in a housing slot and a Blade baseplate interconnect is rigidly connected to it, the baseplate interconnect, connected to the baseplate via a flexible circuit board, can move relative to displacement within the baseplate. The electrical integrity between the baseplate interconnect and the connected Blade PC system's Blade baseplate interconnect is maintained and less susceptible to damage and failure caused by baseplate displacement. In other embodiments, the baseplate interconnect and the Blade PC system's Blade baseplate interconnect include alignment features. When a Blade PC system is installed in a housing slot in a rack and moved toward the baseplate to engage its Blade baseplate interconnect with the baseplate interconnect aligned with the housing slot's baseplate, these alignment features are configured to engage with each other to assist in alignment and electrical connection. The Blade baseplate interconnect can also be provided as a floating interconnect to allow the Blade baseplate interconnect to float relative to the circuit board within the Blade PC system.

[0025] Before discussing the example of a baseboard interconnect system that begins with Figure 3 and includes a floating baseboard interconnect coupled to the baseboard for connecting the Blade computer system to the baseboard (wherein the floating baseboard interconnect is configured to provide a floating connection with the baseboard), an exemplary baseboard interconnect system excluding the floating baseboard interconnect will be described below with reference to Figures 2A to 2C.

[0026] In this respect, Figure 2A illustrates a Blade computer system 200 configured to be supported in a computer rack 202. Note that only one computer rack 202 is shown, but this example allows for additional computer racks 202 to support other Blade computer systems 200. The computer rack 202 includes a plurality of chassis slots 204(1)-204(N) in an array, each chassis slot configured to receive and support a Blade computer system 200 installed thereon. For example, Figure 2A shows a Blade computer system 200 installed in chassis slot 204(1) of the computer rack 202. As shown in Figure 2B, the Blade computer system 200 includes a housing 206 supporting one or more PCBs 208(1), 208(2), each PCB having one or more integrated circuit (IC) chips 210 and / or other electronic devices 212 mounted on it. The housing 206 of the Blade computer system 200 includes external slots 214(1), 214(2) configured to engage with complementary tracks of a housing slot 204 in the computer rack 202 of Figure 2A to support the Blade computer system 200. The housing 206 also serves as a heat dissipation diffuser. Figure 2C illustrates a plurality of Blade computer systems 200(1)-200(N) in a stacked arrangement as if the Blade computer systems were installed in individual housing slots 204(1)-204(N) in the computer rack 202. As shown in Figure 2C, each Blade computer system 200(1)-200(N) includes a separate baseboard connector 216(1)-216(N) which includes individual lines or electrical traces interconnected to electrical devices mounted on its individual PCBs 208(1), 208(2). The backplane connector 216 of the Blade Computer System 200 allows the Blade Computer System 200 to be interconnected (i.e. networked) to other systems.

[0027] In this respect, as shown in Figures 2A and 2B, when the housing 206 of the Blade Computer System 200 is fully inserted (e.g.) into a housing slot 204(1), the baseplate connector 216 of the Blade Computer System 200 engages with a complementary baseplate connector 218 on the baseplate 220. Thus, an electrical interconnection with the Blade Computer System 200 is established through the electrical interconnection between the baseplate connector 218 of the baseplate 220 and the baseplate connector 216 of another Blade Computer System 200. The baseplate 220 can be configured to provide interconnection between different baseplate connectors 218 at different levels, and between different Blade Computer Systems 200 mounted in the same computer rack 202. It may also be desirable to network a particular Blade Computer System 200 in one computer rack 202 with another Blade Computer System 200 in another computer rack. In this respect, as shown in Figure 2A, a series of base plates 220(1)-220(6) can be arranged adjacent to each other to form a computer equipment tower 222 to support a large number of networked Blade computer systems 200. The interconnections between different Blade computer systems 200 installed in different computer equipment racks 202 can be supported between the interconnections between the base plates 220(1)-220(6).

[0028] Referring to Figures 2A to 2C, note that the coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) may differ between the interconnections between, for example, the baseplate connector 216, PCBs 208(1) and 208(2), and the PCBs 208(1) and 208(2) of the Blade PC system 200. This can cause these different components to expand and contract differently relative to each other at a given temperature. This may in turn cause stress to be applied between the interconnections between these components, and between the baseplate connector 216 and a connected baseplate 220. Furthermore, the temperatures experienced by different parts of the Blade PC system 200 may also be different. For example, if the Blade PC system 200 is used in a supercomputing environment, the baseplate connector 216 and PCB 208(1) may experience much lower temperatures (e.g., 4 Kelvin) than PCB 208(2) (e.g., 77 Kelvin temperature). PCB 208(1) can be designed to be on a "cold side" of the Blade computer system 200 configured for supercomputing tasks. On the other hand, PCB 208(2) of the Blade computer system 200 can be designed to be on a "warm side" of the Blade computer system 200. These differences in temperature and the different CTEs of these components can cause them to expand and contract differently, thus applying stress to their interconnections (including baseplate connector 216). For example, baseplate connector 216 can be tightly aligned with complementary baseplate connector 218 on baseplate 220 with very low tolerance for displacement, especially if baseplate connector 216 is used for high-density connectors with higher density connections.

[0029] Figure 3 is a perspective and side view of an exemplary base plate interconnection system 300, which includes a base plate 302, the base plate including a plurality of floating base plate interconnects 304(1)-304(B) to allow the floating base plate interconnects 304(1)-304(B) to float or move relative to the displacement of the base plate 302. As discussed in more detail below, each of the floating base plate interconnects 304(1)-304(B) for the base plate 302 is configured to be interconnected with a blade base plate interconnect 306(1)-306(B) of a separate blade computer system 308(1)-308(B) to establish an interconnection between the blade computer system 308(1)-308(B) and the base plate 302. The baseboard 302 is a circuit board or other structure containing internal writing in the form of traces for routing electrical signals between floating baseboard interconnects 304(1)-304(B) for connecting the Blade computer systems 308(1)-308(B). The internal writing in the baseboard 302 can also be routed to another baseboard or other system. The Blade computer systems 308(1)-308(B) are provided in the form of one or more circuit boards (e.g., printed circuit boards (PCBs)) aligned with these baseboard interconnects, and are supported in a housing configured to be mounted in a housing slot in a device rack. Using the Blade computer system 308(1) as an example, the Blade computer system 308(1) includes circuit boards 310(1) and 310(2) (e.g., PCBs) supported in a housing 312, which is configured to be mounted in a housing slot in a device rack such that the Blade baseplate interconnect 306(1) is approximately aligned with the complementary baseplate interconnect 306(1) of the baseplate 302. The housing 312 can also serve as a heat dissipation diffuser.

[0030] As discussed in more detail below, each of the floating base plate interconnects 304(1)-304(B) is configured to float relative to the displacement of the base plate 302, thereby avoiding stress and damage to the floating base plate interconnects 304(1)-304(B) that may be caused by the displacement of the base plate 302 when the floating base plate interconnects 304(1)-304(B) are connected to a separate blade computer system 308(1)-308(B). For example, the base plate 302 may expand and contract in the vertical and Z-axis directions relative to the blade computer system 308(1)-308(B). The base plate 302 may have a CTE different from that of the components of the floating base plate interconnects 304(1)-304(B). The CTE of the floating base plate interconnects 304(1)-304(B) may be different from that of the components of the blade base plate interconnects 306(1)-306(B). Furthermore, the CTE of the components of the blade interconnects 306(1)-306(B) may differ from the CTE of the circuit board 310(1) to which the blade interconnects 306(1)-306(B) are connected. Therefore, when these components may have different CTEs, they will expand or contract differently at a given temperature. Furthermore, even if the CTEs of these components are the same, these different components may experience different temperatures depending on the baseboard interconnect system 300 and its environment. For example, the baseboard interconnect system 300 may be used for performance reasons in a supercomputing, cold environment where the temperature of the baseboard 302 is maintained at a much lower temperature (e.g., 4 KJ) than the temperature of the circuit board 310(1) of the blade interconnects 306(1)-306(B) and the blade computer system 308(1)-308(B) (e.g., 77 KJ). Furthermore, the temperature of the circuit board 310(2) of the Blade computer system 308(1)-308(B) can be maintained at a higher temperature (e.g., 273 Kjeldahl).

[0031] Referring to Figure 3, in this example, to allow the floating base plate interconnects 304(1)-304(B) to float relative to the base plate 302, each of the floating base plate interconnects 304(1)-304(B) includes one or more flexible circuit boards 314 (as shown for the floating base plate interconnect 304(1)). In this example, the floating base plate interconnect 304(1) has two (2) flexible circuit boards 314(1), 314(2). As shown in the close-up view of the floating base plate interconnect 304(1) in Figure 4, each of the flexible circuit boards 314(1), 314(2) includes a flexible cable 316(1), 316(2) having a first end 318 and a second end 320. Each of the flexible cables 316(1), 316(2) includes a plurality of wires 322(1), 322(2) extending from the first end 318 to the second end 320. Flexible cables 316(1), 316(2) are made of a polymer material that supports and insulates wires 322(1), 322(2) and can be flexibly bent. This allows floating base plate interconnects 304(1) to move relative to base plate 302 without disrupting the electrical connection between flexible circuit boards 314(1), 314(2) and base plate 302. Wires 322(1), 322(2) are exposed at a first end 318 adjacent to the flexible cables 316(1), 316(2) and configured to be in electrical contact with one of the plurality of base plate conductors 324(1), 324(2) in base plate 302. For example, the base plate conductors 324(1), 324(2) may be exposed pads or other electrical structures configured to align and electrically connect with complementary conductors exposed from the flexible cables 316(1), 316(2), and electrically coupled to individual wires 322(1), 322(2) in the flexible cables 316(1), 316(2). Wires 322(1), 322(2) are exposed at a second end 320 adjacent to the flexible cables 316(1), 316(2) and configured to be electrically contacted with base plate connector conductors 325(1), 325(2) in the individual base plate connectors 326(1), 326(2) of the floating base plate interconnect 304(1), as shown in Figures 3 and 4, and especially in Figure 5B. The floating base plate interconnect 304(1) can be connected to the blade base plate interconnect 306(1) electrically connected to the blade computer system 308(1) (as shown in Figures 3 and 4) to establish an electrical connection between the blade computer system 308(1) and the base plate 302 through the blade base plate interconnect 306(1) and the floating base plate interconnect 304(1). Figure 4 also shows the blade base plate interconnect 306(2) of the blade computer system 308(2) fully engaged and connected with its complementary floating base plate interconnect 304(2).

[0032] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the flexible cables 316(1) and 316(2) of the flexible circuit boards 314(1) and 314(2) of the floating base plate interconnect 304(1) are configured to bend relative to the base plate 302 and the floating base plate interconnects 304(1)-304(B). This allows for a rigid connection between the blade base plate interconnects 306(1)-306(B) and their complementary floating base plate interconnects 304(1)-304(B) to avoid damage or to the connection from displacement or movement of the base plate 302 relative to the floating base plate interconnects 304(1)-304(B). Further illustrative details of the floating base plate interconnects 304(1)-304(B) and the blade base plate interconnects 306(1)-306(B) will be discussed.

[0033] Figures 4 and 5A-5D depict additional views of the base plate 302, floating base plate interconnects 304(1), 304(2), and complementary blade base plate interconnects 306(1), 306(2). Referring to Figures 4 and 5A-5D, and taking the floating base plate interconnect 304(1) as an example, the floating base plate interconnect 304(1) includes a base plate support 328(1), 328(2). The base plate support 328(1), 328(2) supports its individual base plate connectors 326(1), 326(2). The base plate support 328(1), 328(2) also supports an alignment structure (discussed below) for aligning the floating base plate interconnect 304(1) with its complementary blade base plate interconnect 306(1). The base plate supports 328(1), 328(2) may be structures made of metallic materials (such as aluminum, for example) to provide support and structure while being lightweight (because they are supported by individual flexible cables 316(1), 316(2) of the individual flexible circuit boards 314(1), 314(2)). As another example, the base plate supports 328(1), 328(2) may also be made of ceramic materials. It may also be desirable to use materials with low heat capacity for the base plate supports 328(1), 328(2) so that the base plate supports 328(1), 328(2) can cool down faster in supercomputing environments (for example). Each of the base plate supports 328(1), 328(2) includes a flat surface 330(1), 330(2), as shown in Figures 4 and 5A. Flat surfaces 330(1), 330(2) are configured to support individual baseplate connectors 326(1), 326(2) that include baseplate connector electrical conductors 325(1), 325(2). As shown in Figures 4 to 5B, baseplate supports 328(1), 328(2) may include optional intermediate structures 332(1), 332(2) attached to the individual flat surfaces 330(1), 330(2) of the baseplate supports 328(1), 328(2), wherein the intermediate structures 332(1), 332(2) directly support the baseplate connectors 326(1), 326(2). As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the baseplate electrical connectors 326(1), 326(2) may include circuit boards 334(1), 334(2) in which baseplate connector electrical conductors 325(1), 325(2) are exposed to make electrical connections to complementary blade baseplate interconnects 306(1). Circuit boards 334(1), 334(2) may be made from a polymer material, such as FR4 (for example). As shown in Figure 5B, circuit board 334(1) may include a support surface 336(1) and a front surface 338(1) disposed on a baseplate support 328(1). The baseplate connector electrical conductors 325(1) are exposed through the front surface 338(1) of circuit board 334(1).

[0034] As shown in Figure 4, the flexible cables 316(1) and 316(2) of the flexible circuit boards 314(1) and 314(2) are arranged and deflected such that when no lateral force is applied to the base plate supports 328(1) and 328(2), the base plate supports 328(1) and 328(2) are positioned at a standoff distance D1 from the base plate 302 in their natural unconnected state. The flexible cables 316(1) and 316(2) of the flexible circuit boards 314(1) and 314(2) are also shaped into an S-shape in this example, as shown in Figure 4. The flexible cables 316(1) and 316(2) include a protrusion C1 of radius R1, which is adjacent to the base plate 302 and the first end 318 between the first end 318 and the second end 320 of the flexible cables 316(1) and 316(2). The flexible cables 316(1), 316(2) also include a recess C2 with radius R2, which is adjacent to the base plate 302 and the first end 318 between the first end 318 and the second end 320 of the flexible cables 316(1), 316(2). Such S-shaped deflection flexible cables 316(1), 316(2) with protrusions and recesses C1, C2 provide natural elasticity and toughness in the flexible cables 316(1), 316(2) to push out the base plate supports 328(1), 328(2) when the individual blade computer system 308(1) is not connected and the force applied by the individual blade computer system 308(1) toward the base plate 302 is released. The S-shaped deflection of the flexible cables 316(1), 316(2) also provides natural elasticity and toughness in the flexible cables 316(1), 316(2) to support the base plate support members 328(1), 328(2) outward away from the base plate 302, so as to provide resistance that more easily allows the complementary alignment features in the blade base plate interconnect 306(1), as discussed below.

[0035] Furthermore, in this example, the floating base plate interconnects 304(1)-304(B) include alignment features configured to match complementary alignment features in the complementary blade base plate interconnects 306(1)-306(B). When a separate blade computer system 308(1)-308(B) is connected to the base plate 302, these alignment features assist in aligning the floating base plate interconnects 304(1)-304(B) with the individual blade base plate interconnects 306(1)-306(B).

[0036] In this respect, as shown in Figures 5B and 5D, taking the floating base plate interconnect 304(1) as an example, an alignment structure in the form of pins 340(1), 340(2) is included in the base plate support 328(1). The pins 340(1), 340(2) are configured to be received by orifices 342(1), 342(2) in the blade base plate interconnect 306(1) to align the base plate support 328(1) (and therefore the floating base plate interconnect 304(1)) with the blade base plate interconnect 306(1) when connected. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5A and 6, the floating base plate interconnect 304(1) also includes threaded orifices 344(1) and 344(2) in the individual base plate supports 328(1) and 328(2), which are configured to receive threaded screws extending from the blade base plate interconnect 306(1) as additional alignment structures for further aligning the floating base plate interconnect 304(1) with the individual blade base plate interconnect 306(1). The threaded screws 346(1) and 346(2) also engage with the threaded orifices 344(1) and 344(2) to secure the floating base plate interconnect 304(1) to the individual blade base plate interconnect 306(1).

[0037] Note that the blade baseplate interconnects 306(1)-306(B) in the blade computer system 308(1)-308(B) in Figure 3 can also be provided as floating baseplate connectors similar to floating baseplate interconnects 304(1)-304(B). In this example, referring to Figures 4, 5C, and 5D, the blade baseplate interconnect 306(1) has two (2) blade flexible circuit boards 364(1) and 364(2). As shown in the close-up view of the blade baseplate interconnect 306(1) in Figure 4, each of the blade flexible circuit boards 364(1) and 364(2) includes a blade flexible cable 366(1) and 366(2) having a first end 368 and a second end 370. Each of the blade-flexible cables 366(1) and 366(2) includes a plurality of blade wires 372(1) and 372(2) extending from a first end 368 to a second end 370. As shown in Figures 4, 5C and 5D, the blade-flexible cables 366(1) and 366(2) are made of a polymer material that can support and insulate the blade wires 372(1) and 372(2), and the blade-flexible cables are flexibly bent to allow the blade base plate interconnect 306(1) to move relative to the base plate 302 without disrupting the electrical connection between the blade flexible circuit boards 364(1) and 364(2) and the blade base plate interconnect 306(1). Blade wires 372(1) and 372(2) are exposed at their second ends 370 adjacent to the blade flexible cables 366(1) and 366(2) and configured to make electrical contact with the circuit board 310(1). Blade wires 372(1) and 372(2) are exposed at their first ends 368 adjacent to the blade flexible cables 366(1) and 366(2) and configured to make electrical contact with the blade baseplate connector conductors 375(1) and 375(2) of the individual blade baseplate connectors 376(1) and 376(2) of the blade baseplate interconnect 306(1). The blade baseplate interconnect 306(1) can then be electrically connected to the floating baseplate interconnect 304(1) to establish an electrical connection between the blade computer system 308(1) and the baseplate 302.

[0038] Referring to Figures 4 and 5C, the blade flexible cables 366(1) and 366(2) of the blade flexible circuit boards 364(1) and 364(2) are configured to bend. This allows the rigid connection between the blade base plate interconnects 306(1)-306(B) and their complementary floating base plate interconnects 304(1)-304(B) to remain undamaged or to be less susceptible to problems caused by displacement or movement of the base plate 302 relative to the blade base plate interconnects 306(1)-306(B).

[0039] Referring to Figures 5C and 5D, and using the blade base plate interconnect 306(1) as an example, the blade base plate interconnect 306(1) includes blade base plate supports 378(1) and 378(2). The blade base plate supports 378(1) and 378(2) support their individual blade base plate connectors 376(1) and 376(2). The blade base plate supports 378(1) and 378(2) may be structures made of metal materials (such as aluminum) to provide support and structure while being lightweight, as they are supported by individual blade flexible cables 366(1) and 366(2) of the individual blade flexible circuit boards 364(1) and 364(2). Each blade base plate support 378(1) and 378(2) includes a blade flat surface 380(1) and 380(2), as shown in Figure 5C. The blade flat surfaces 380(1), 380(2) are configured to support individual blade baseplate connectors 376(1), 376(2) that include blade baseplate connector electrical conductors 375(1), 375(2). As shown in Figures 5C and 5D, blade baseplate supports 378(1), 378(2) may include optional blade intermediate structures 382(1), 382(2) attached to the individual blade flat surfaces 380(1), 380(2) of the blade baseplate supports 378(1), 378(2), wherein the blade intermediate structures 382(1), 382(2) directly support the blade baseplate connectors 376(1), 376(2). As shown in Figures 5C and 5D, the blade baseplate connectors 376(1), 376(2) may include blade circuit boards 384(1), 384(2) in which blade baseplate connector electrical conductors 375(1), 375(2) are exposed for electrical connection to complementary blade baseplate interconnects 306(1). The blade circuit boards 384(1), 384(2) may be made of a polymer material, such as FR4 (for example). As shown in Figure 5C, the blade baseplate connector electrical conductors 375(1), 375(2) are exposed through the blade circuit boards 384(1), 384(2).

[0040] As shown in Figure 4, the blade-shaped flexible cables 366(1) and 366(2) of the flexible circuit boards 314(1) and 314(2) are S-shaped and deflected. The blade-shaped flexible cables 366(1) and 366(2) of the flexible circuit boards 364(1) and 364(2) are also formed in an S-shape in the example shown in Figure 4. The blade-shaped flexible cables 366(1) and 366(2) include a protrusion C3 with radius R3 between the first end 368 and the second end 370 of the blade-shaped flexible cables 366(1) and 366(2). The blade-shaped flexible cables 366(1) and 366(2) also include a recess C4 adjacent to the second end 370 between the first end 368 and the second end 370 of the blade-shaped flexible cables 366(1) and 366(2). The S-shaped deflection blade flexible cable 366(1) and 366(2) with protrusions and concave portions C3 and C4 provides natural elasticity and toughness in the blade flexible cable 366(1) and 366(2).

[0041] Furthermore, in this example, the floating base plate interconnects 304(1)-304(B) include alignment features configured to match complementary alignment features in the complementary blade base plate interconnects 306(1)-306(B). When a separate blade computer system 308(1)-308(B) is connected to the base plate 302, these alignment features assist in aligning the floating base plate interconnects 304(1)-304(B) with the individual blade base plate interconnects 306(1)-306(B).

[0042] In this respect, as shown in Figures 5B and 5D, taking the floating base plate interconnect 304(1) as an example, an alignment structure in the form of pins 340(1), 340(2) is included in the base plate support 328(1). The pins 340(1), 340(2) are configured to be received by orifices 342(1), 342(2) in the blade base plate interconnect 306(1) to align the base plate support 328(1) (and therefore the floating base plate interconnect 304(1)) with the blade base plate interconnect 306(1) when connected. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5A and 6, the floating base plate interconnect 304(1) also includes threaded orifices 344(1) and 344(2) in the individual base plate supports 328(1) and 328(2), which are configured to receive threaded screws 346(1) and 346(2) extending from the blade base plate interconnect 306(1) as additional alignment structures for further aligning the floating base plate interconnect 304(1) with the individual blade base plate interconnect 306(1). The threaded screws 346(1) and 346(2) also engage with the threaded orifices 344(1) and 344(2) to secure the floating base plate interconnect 304(1) to the individual blade base plate interconnect 306(1).

[0043] Figure 7 illustrates a computer system 700 that can employ and support networking Blade computer systems 308(1)-308(B) via a base plate and floating base plate interconnects 304(1)-304(B). In this regard, the computer system 700 shown in Figure 7 depicts a computer rack 702 that includes a plurality of chassis slots 704(1)-704(M) in an array, each chassis slot configured to receive and support an individual, installed Blade computer system 308(1)-308(B). Figure 7 shows a Blade computer system 308(1) installed in a chassis slot 704(1) of the computer rack 702. When the Blade Computer System 308(1) is fully inserted into the chassis slot 704(1) (for example), the Blade baseplate interconnect 306(1) of the Blade Computer System 308(1) engages with the complementary floating baseplate interconnect 304(1) to establish an electrical connection to the baseplate 720(1). Note that Figure 7 is shown as baseplates 720(2)-720(7) having multiple similar baseplates 720(1), each of which can also support a separate computer rack 702. Also note that the baseplates generally adjacent to baseplates 720(6) and 720(7) are removed for illustrative purposes only.

[0044] Figure 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a processor-based system 800, which can be included in a Blade computer system including the Blade computer systems 308(1)-308(B) in Figures 3-7. In this example, processor 802 includes one or more CPU cores 804(1)-804(P). The processor-based system 800 may be circuitry or circuitry included in an electronic board, such as a printed circuit board (PCB), server, personal computer, desktop computer, laptop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), computing tablet, mobile device, or any other device, and may represent, for example, a server or a user's computer. Processor 802 represents one or more general-purpose processing circuitry, such as a microprocessor, central processing unit, or the like. Processor 802 is configured to execute processing logic in computer instructions for performing the operations and steps discussed herein. Processor 802 also includes an instruction cache 808 for temporary, fast-access memory storage of instructions. Instructions fetched from memory or pre-fetched (such as fetching from system memory 810 on system bus 812) are stored in instruction cache 808.

[0045] The processor 802 and system memory 810 are coupled to system bus 812 and can be intercoupled with peripheral devices included in the processor-based system 800. As is well known, the processor 802 communicates with these other devices by exchanging addresses, control, and information on system bus 812. For example, the processor 802 can convey bus transaction requests to the memory controller 814 in system memory 810 (as an example of a slave device). Although not shown in Figure 8, multiple system buses 812 may be provided, each forming a different fabric. In this example, the memory controller 814 is configured to provide memory access requests to the memory array 816 in system memory 810. The memory array 816 includes an array of storage bits for storing data. System memory 810 can be read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, dynamic random access memory (DRAM) (such as synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), etc.), and static memory (such as flash memory, static random access memory (SRAM), etc.), as non-limiting examples.

[0046] Other devices can be connected to the system bus 812. As illustrated in Figure 8, these devices may include system memory 810, one or more input devices 818, one or more output devices 820, a modem 822, and one or more display controllers 824 (for example). Input devices 818 may include any type of input device, including but not limited to input buttons, switches, voice processors, etc. Output devices 820 may include any type of output device, including but not limited to audio, video, other visual indicators, etc. Modem 822 may be any device configured to allow the exchange of data with network 826. Network 826 may be any type of network, including but not limited to wired or wireless networks, private or public networks, local area networks (LANs), wireless local area networks (WLANs), wide area networks (WANs), Bluetooth™ networks, and the Internet. Modem 822 may be configured to support any desired type of communication protocol. The processor 802 can also be configured to access the display controller 824 on the system bus 812 to control information sent to one or more displays 828. The displays 828 can include any type of display, including but not limited to cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma display, etc.

[0047] The processor-based system 800 in Figure 8 may include a set of instructions 830 to be executed. The instructions 830 may be stored in system memory 810, processor 802, and / or in an instruction cache 808, which is an example of non-transitory computer-readable medium 832. The instructions 830 may also reside ( wholly or at least partially) in system memory 810 and / or in processor 802 during their execution. The instructions 830 may be further sent or received on network 826 via modem 822, such that network 826 includes non-transitory computer-readable medium 832.

[0048] Although the non-transitory computer-readable medium 832 is shown as a single medium in one exemplary embodiment, the term "computer-readable medium" should be considered to include a single medium or multimedia (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and / or associated cache and server) that stores the one or more sets of instructions. The term "computer-readable medium" should also be considered to include any medium capable of storing, encoding, or carrying a set of instructions for execution by a processing device, and that set of instructions causes the processing device to perform any or more of the methods of the embodiments disclosed herein. The term "computer-readable medium" should therefore be considered to include (but is not limited to) solid-state memory, optical media, and magnetic media.

[0049] The embodiments disclosed herein include various steps. The steps of the embodiments disclosed herein may be formed by hardware components or may be embodied in machine-executable instructions that can be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processor programmed with such instructions to perform the steps. Alternatively, the steps may be performed by a combination of hardware and software.

[0050] The embodiments disclosed herein may be provided as computer program products (or software) and may include machine-readable media (or computer-readable media) having instructions stored thereon, which may be used to program a computer system (or other electronic device) to perform programs according to the embodiments disclosed herein. Machine-readable media includes any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a machine-readable (e.g., computer-readable) form. For example, machine-readable media includes: machine-readable storage media (e.g., ROM, random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices, etc.) and the like.

[0051] Unless specifically indicated to the contrary and as will be apparent from the preceding discussion, it should be understood that throughout the specification, discussions using terms such as “processing,” “calculating,” “determining,” “displaying,” or similar terms refer to the actions and procedures of a computer system (or similar electronic computing device) that manipulate and convert data and memory represented as physical (electronic) quantities in the computer system’s registers into other data that are similarly represented as physical quantities in the computer system’s memory, registers, or other such information storage, transmission, or display devices.

[0052] The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently associated with any particular computer or other device. Various systems can be used by following the procedures taught herein, or it can be demonstrated that constructing more specialized devices to perform the required method steps is convenient. The necessary structures for various such systems are evident from the above description. Furthermore, the embodiments described herein are not illustrated with reference to any particular programming language. It will be understood that the teachings of the embodiments described herein can be implemented using various programming languages.

[0053] Those skilled in the art will further understand that the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithms described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, stored in memory or other computer-readable media, and executed by a processor or other processing device, or a combination of both. Components of the distributed antenna system described herein can be employed in any circuit, hardware component, integrated circuit (IC), or IC chip (for example). The memory disclosed herein can be any type and size of memory and can be configured to store any type of information desired. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability, various exemplary components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above in a general manner with respect to functionality. How such functionality is implemented depends on the specific application, design choices, and / or design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art can implement the functionality in various ways for each specific application, but such implementation decisions should not be construed as departing from the scope of the embodiments herein.

[0054] The implementation or execution of the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits related to the embodiments disclosed herein can be performed by a processor, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. Furthermore, the controller can be a processor. The processor can be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor can be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors incorporating a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0055] The embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in hardware and instructions stored in the hardware, and may reside in, for example, RAM, flash memory, ROM, electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), registers, hard disks, removable disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of computer-readable media known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor such that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium may be integrated with the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a remote site. Alternatively, the processor and the storage medium may reside as separate components in a remote site, base station, or server.

[0056] It should also be noted that the operational steps described in any of the exemplary embodiments herein are described to provide examples and discussion. The described operations may be performed in several sequences other than the illustrated sequence. Furthermore, the operation described in a single operational step may actually be performed in several different steps. Additionally, one or more operational steps discussed in the exemplary embodiments may be combined. Those skilled in the art will also understand that information and signals can be represented by any of a variety of techniques and skills. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips mentioned throughout this specification may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields (or particles), light fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0057] Unless expressly stated to the contrary, any method described herein is not intended to be interpreted as requiring its steps to be performed in a particular order. Accordingly, when a method claim does not actually describe the order in which its steps are to be followed, or when the claims or specification do not expressly indicate to the contrary that such steps will be restricted to a particular order, it is not intended to imply any particular order.

[0058] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the various modifications and variations that can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As modifications, combinations, partial combinations and variations of the disclosed embodiments of the invention are conceived by those skilled in the art and are possible in accordance with the spirit and substance of the invention, the invention should be interpreted as encompassing all things within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0010] Several aspects of the present disclosure are depicted in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form part of this specification, and together with the specification, are responsible for explaining the principles of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 1A is a diagram of an exemplary data center, which includes a computer rack with a Blade computer system installed;

[0012] Figure 1B is a more detailed view of the Blade computer system installed in the computer equipment rack in Figure 1A, wherein the Blade computer system is connected to the base plate;

[0013] Figure 2A illustrates an exemplary computer equipment tower including a plurality of computer equipment racks, each computer equipment rack including a plurality of chassis slots, each chassis slot being aligned with a base plate interconnect in a base plate for interconnecting the Blade computer system to the base plate.

[0014] Figure 2B illustrates the same blade computer system as Figure 2A;

[0015] Figure 2C illustrates a plurality of Blade computer systems in Figure 2A, which are supported in a stacked arrangement as if they were installed in individual adjacent chassis slots in a computer rack in a computer equipment tower in Figure 2A.

[0016] Figure 3 is a perspective and side view of an exemplary base plate interconnection system, which includes a base plate, the base plate including a plurality of floating base plate interconnects configured to float relative to the displacement of the base plate, and wherein each of the floating base plate interconnects is configured to interconnect with a separate blade base plate interconnect of the blade computer system to establish an interconnection between the blade computer system and the base plate;

[0017] Figure 4 is a side view of the floating base plate interconnects of the base plate in Figure 3, which are aligned with individual blade base plate interconnects of the blade computer system to establish an interconnection between the blade computer system and the base plate.

[0018] Figures 5A and 5C are other perspective and side views of the base plate interconnection system in Figures 3 and 4;

[0019] Figures 5B and 5D are close-up and perspective views of a base plate connector, one of the floating base plate interconnects, which is aligned with a blade base plate connector of a blade base plate interconnect to establish an interconnection between the blade computer system and the base plate.

[0020] Figure 6 is an additional side view of the floating base plate interconnects of the base plate in Figures 3 and 4, which are aligned with individual blade base plate interconnects of the blade computer system to establish an interconnection between the blade computer system and the base plate.

[0021] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a computer system including a plurality of base plates, and illustrates a device rack mounted for one of the base plates, wherein the device rack includes a plurality of housing slots each configured to support a Blade computer system (similar to those shown in Figures 3-6), for interconnection to the base plates via an interconnection between the Blade base plate interconnect and a floating base plate interconnect; and

[0022] Figure 8 is a block diagram of an exemplary processor-based system, which includes a processing unit having one or more processor cores, each of which is configured to execute computer instructions for execution, wherein the processor-based system can be provided as a Blade computer system, such as the Blade computer systems in Figures 3 to 7.

Claims

1. A computer system comprising: a base plate including a plurality of base plate electrical conductors; and a plurality of floating base plate interconnects, each of the plurality of floating base plate interconnects including: a base plate support including a flat surface; a base plate connector disposed on the flat surface, the base plate connector including a plurality of base plate connector electrical conductors; and a flexible circuit board including a flexible cable having a first end and a second end and including a plurality of wires extending between the first end and the second end, wherein: Each wire adjacent to the first end of the flexible cable is electrically in contact with one of the plurality of base plate conductors; each wire adjacent to the second end of the flexible cable is electrically in contact with one of the plurality of base plate connector conductors, the plurality of base plate connector conductors being used for one of the plurality of Blade Computer Systems; the flexible circuit board of each of the plurality of floating base plate interconnects is configured to bend relative to the base plate; and the flexible circuit board of each of the plurality of floating base plate interconnects is configured to bend relative to the base plate in a vertical displacement direction in a Z-axis direction.

2. The computer system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible circuit board supports the base plate support at a standoff distance from the base plate when no lateral force is applied to the flat surface of the base plate support.

3. The computer system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible circuit board is configured to bend relative to the base plate when a force is applied to the base plate support.

4. The computer system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of baseplate connector electrical conductors of the baseplate connector of at least one floating baseplate interconnect is configured to electrically couple the blade computer system to the baseplate connector via an individual blade baseplate connector electrical conductor of a blade baseplate interconnect.

5. The computer system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the baseplate support is further configured to be rigidly connected to the Blade baseplate interconnect of the Blade computer system.

6. The computer system as claimed in claim 1, wherein for each flexible circuit board of one of the plurality of floating base plate interconnects, the flexible cable further comprises: a protrusion having a first radius adjacent to the base plate between the first end and the second end of the flexible cable; and a recess having a second radius adjacent to the base plate connector between the first end and the second end of the flexible cable.

7. The computer system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of blade computer systems, each blade computer system comprising: a circuit board including a plurality of circuit board electrical conductors; and at least one floating blade baseplate interconnect, each floating blade baseplate interconnect comprising: a blade baseplate support including a flat surface; a blade baseplate connector disposed on the flat surface, the blade baseplate connector including a plurality of blade baseplate connector electrical conductors; and a blade flexible circuit board including a blade flexible cable having a first end and a second end and including a plurality of blade wires extending between the first end and the second end, wherein: The blade wires located at the first end of the blade flexible cable are in electrical contact with one of the plurality of blade baseplate connector conductors in the blade baseplate connector; and the blade wires located at the second end of the blade flexible cable are in electrical contact with one of the plurality of circuit board conductors on the circuit board.

8. The computer system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the flexible circuit board of each of the at least one floating blade base plate interconnect is configured to bend relative to the circuit board.

9. The computer system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible circuit board is configured to bend relative to the base plate when the first end of the wires is placed in electrical contact with an individual base plate connector conductor among the plurality of base plate connector conductors in a base plate.

10. The computer system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wires adjacent to the second end of the flexible cable are connected via an individual blade baseplate connector conductor of a plurality of blade baseplate connector conductors configured to be electrically coupled to the blade computer system to the baseplate connector.

11. The computer system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the baseplate connector includes a circuit board having a support surface and a front surface disposed on the baseplate support, wherein the plurality of baseplate connector electrical conductors are exposed through the front surface.

12. The computer system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one alignment structure disposed on the flat surface adjacent to the base plate connector.

13. The computer system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the at least one alignment structure is configured to engage with a complementary alignment structure of a blade baseplate interconnect of a blade computer system to align the baseplate connector with a blade baseplate connector.

14. The computer system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the at least one alignment structure includes at least one pin configured to engage with at least one complementary aperture of a blade baseplate interconnect of a blade computer system to align the baseplate connector with the blade baseplate interconnect.

15. The computer system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the at least one alignment structure includes at least one aperture configured to engage with a further complementary pin of a blade baseplate interconnect of a blade computer system to align the baseplate connector with the blade baseplate interconnect.

16. The computer system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base plate support includes a second surface disposed on an opposite side of the flat surface, and the second surface includes a curved end portion.

17. A computer system comprising: a base plate including a plurality of base plate electrical conductors; and a plurality of floating base plate interconnects, each of the plurality of floating base plate interconnects including: a base plate support including a flat surface; a base plate connector disposed on the flat surface, the base plate connector including a plurality of base plate connector electrical conductors; and a flexible circuit board including a flexible cable having a first end and a second end and including a plurality of wires extending between the first end and the second end, wherein: Each wire adjacent to the first end of the flexible cable is electrically contacted with one of the plurality of base plate conductors; and each wire adjacent to the second end of the flexible cable is electrically contacted with one of the plurality of base plate connector conductors, the plurality of base plate connector conductors being used for one of the plurality of blade computer systems; and each of the plurality of blade computer systems includes: a circuit board including a plurality of circuit board conductors; and at least one floating blade base plate interconnect, each floating blade base plate interconnect including: a blade base plate support including a flat surface; and a blade base plate connector disposed on the flat surface, the blade base plate connector including a plurality of blade base plate connector conductors; A flexible circuit board includes a flexible cable having a first end and a second end and including a plurality of blade wires extending between the first end and the second end, wherein: the blade wires located at the first end of the flexible cable are in electrical contact with one of the plurality of blade baseplate connector conductors in a blade baseplate connector; and the blade wires located at the second end of the flexible cable are in electrical contact with one of the plurality of circuit board conductors on the circuit board.

18. The computer system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the flexible circuit board of each of the at least one floating blade base plate interconnect is configured to bend relative to the circuit board.

19. The computer system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the flexible circuit board is configured to bend relative to the base plate when the first end of the wires is placed in electrical contact with one of the base plate connector conductors of the plurality of base plate connector conductors in a base plate.

20. The computer system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the wires adjacent to the second end of the flexible cable are connected via an individual blade baseplate connector conductor of a plurality of blade baseplate connector conductors configured to be electrically coupled to the blade computer system to the baseplate connector.

21. The computer system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the baseplate connector includes a circuit board having a support surface and a front surface disposed on the baseplate support, wherein the plurality of baseplate connector electrical conductors are exposed through the front surface.

22. The computer system as claimed in claim 17 further includes at least one alignment structure disposed on the flat surface adjacent to the base plate connector.

23. The computer system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the base plate support includes a second surface disposed on an opposite side of the flat surface, and the second surface includes a curved end portion.

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