Connection assembly and method

Abstract

A connection assembly (200, 300, 400) for a data processing device is disclosed, comprising: a first high speed connector (102) connectable with a source for receiving a high speed signal and a control signal from the source; and a second high-speed connector (104) connected with the first high-speed connector via a cable (106) for receiving a high-speed signal from the first high-speed connector; the second high-speed connector can be connected with the back plate (110); the second high-speed connector is connectable with a terminal device (108) for transmitting a high-speed signal to the terminal device, and the second high-speed connector is adapted to direct the high-speed signal from the first high-speed connector through the second high-speed connector to the terminal device without passing through the backplane.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection assembly and method specifically used for connecting a source end (such as a motherboard) and a terminal device (such as a hard disk or a storage device) of a data processing device. Background Art

[0002] High-speed digital signal transmission between motherboards, cables, and devices (including end devices) faces significant signal integrity challenges when performed at very high speeds (such as 32GT / s for Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) Gen5 and 64GT / s for PCIe Gen6). Specifically, if high-speed signals reach the end device through a printed circuit board (PCB), these high-speed signals will be significantly attenuated, resulting in greater overall losses.

[0003] Take the backplane as an example and Figure 1 As shown, in a conventional arrangement, a source end (such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a motherboard) of a data processing device (e.g., a personal computer or a server) is connected to a high-speed connector 10 via a printed circuit board (PCB). The high-speed connector 10 is in turn connected to another high-speed connector 12 on a backplane 14 via a cable 16. Both high-speed signals and control signals pass through the PCB of the backplane 14 after passing through the high-speed connector 12 and reach another high-speed connector 18 to be transmitted to a terminal device 20, such as a solid-state hard disk or a storage device or a computer high-speed link (CXL) device. After passing through such a transmission path, the signal from the source end will be significantly attenuated. Conventionally, expensive ultra-low loss PCB materials and repeaters (such as retimers or redrivers) are required to solve such signal integrity problems.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a connection assembly and connection method which alleviates the above-mentioned disadvantages, or at least provides an alternative solution which is useful to commerce and the public. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a connection assembly for a data processing device is provided, comprising: a first high-speed connector, which can be connected to a source end for receiving at least a high-speed signal from the source end; and a second high-speed connector, which is connected to the first high-speed connector via a plurality of wires for receiving the high-speed signal from the first high-speed connector; wherein the second high-speed connector can be connected to a backplane; wherein the second high-speed connector can be connected to a terminal device for transmitting the high-speed signal to the terminal device, and wherein the second high-speed connector is suitable for guiding the high-speed signal from the first high-speed connector to reach the terminal device through the second high-speed connector without passing through the backplane.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing device, comprising: at least one source end; at least a terminal device; a backplane; a first high-speed connector, which is connected to the source end for receiving at least a high-speed signal from the source end; and a second high-speed connector, which is connected to the first high-speed connector via a plurality of wires for receiving the high-speed signal from the first high-speed connector; wherein the second high-speed connector is connected to the backplane; wherein the second high-speed connector is connected to the terminal device for transmitting the high-speed signal to the terminal device; and wherein the second high-speed connector is suitable for guiding the high-speed signal from the first high-speed connector to reach the terminal device through the second high-speed connector without passing through the backplane.

[0007] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a method for connecting a source end and a terminal device of a data processing device is provided, comprising: connecting a first high-speed connector to the source end for receiving at least a high-speed signal from the source end; connecting a second high-speed connector to a backplane, the second high-speed connector being connected to the first high-speed connector via a plurality of wires for receiving the high-speed signal from the first high-speed connector; connecting the second high-speed connector to the terminal device for transmitting the high-speed signal to the terminal device; and the high-speed signal from the first high-speed connector reaches the terminal device through the second high-speed connector without passing through the backplane. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Examples of connection assemblies and methods according to the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a data processing device (such as a server) having a prior art connection assembly;

[0010] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of corresponding parts of a data processing device having a connection assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a portion of the connection assembly shown;

[0012] Figure 4 is an exploded view of a portion of a data processing device having a connection assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 5 and Figure 6 Shows the assembly Figure 4 The steps of the components shown;

[0014] Figures 7 to 9 yes Figure 4 The components shown are suitably assembled into different views of the module;

[0015] Fig.10 Shows the Fig. 9 The modules are mounted to a rack of data processing equipment; and

[0016] Figures 11 to 16 A further embodiment of a connection assembly according to the invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a portion of a data processing device (such as a personal computer or server) having a connection assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Briefly, the connection assembly according to the present invention includes a first high-speed connector 102 and a second high-speed connector 104, which are electrically connected to each other via a cable 106 (such as a direct-attach cable) having a plurality of wires. The wires are directly fixedly engaged with the connector lead frame of the first high-speed connector 102 and the connector lead frame of the second high-speed connector 104 (e.g., by welding) to reduce the risk of signal integrity.

[0018] The first high-speed connector 102 can be connected (directly or indirectly) to a source end of a data processing device (such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a motherboard) for receiving high-speed signals and control signals from the source end. The second high-speed connector 104 can be connected to a terminal device 20 of the data processing device (such as a solid-state hard disk or a storage device or a computer high-speed link (CXL) device) for transmitting high-speed signals and control signals to the terminal device. Some wires of the cable 106 are used to carry high-speed signals, and some wires are used to carry control signals.

[0019] The second high-speed connector 104 is connected to and in signal communication with a backplane 110, which may be a FR4 (flame retardant) printed circuit board (PCB) having various electrical and power circuits, etc. Both the high-speed signal and the control signal received by the first high-speed connector 102 are transmitted to the second high-speed connector 104 via the cable 106. The high-speed signal (indicated by a solid arrow and designated as "HSS") from the cable 106 is directed directly through the second high-speed connector 104 (without passing through the backplane 110) after entering the second high-speed connector 104 to be transmitted to the terminal device 108.

[0020] As for the control signal (indicated by the dashed arrow and designated as "CS") from the cable 106, it can take one of two possible routes. In the first route, the control signal CS is directed directly through the second high-speed connector 104 (without passing through the backplane 110) to be transmitted to the terminal device 108. In the second route, the control signal CS is directed into the backplane 110 via a paddle card 111 in the second high-speed connector 104, travels through a portion of the circuit of the backplane 110, and then passes to the second high-speed connector 104 via the same paddle card 111, and then leaves the second high-speed connector 104 for subsequent transmission to the terminal device 108.

[0021] The advantage of the arrangement for allowing the control signal CS from the cable 106 to enter the backplane 110 via the paddle card 111 and then leave the backplane 110 via the paddle card 111 is that the control circuit can be set on a dedicated backplane (which is optional in the entire system) instead of placing it on the main board. This arrangement separates the high-speed signal and the control signal after leaving the cable 106, wherein the high-speed signal HSS passes through the second high-speed connector 104, while the control signal CS is controlled by the dedicated control circuit in the backplane 110. This not only reduces the significant challenge to signal integrity, but also enables the use of repeaters to be minimized and the backplane 110 to be made of lower-cost FR4, because the backplane 110 does not have to be properly configured to meet the transmission of high-speed signals.

[0022] Figure 3 The holder 112 is shown connecting the second high speed connector 104 to the card edge connection member 114. The card edge connection member 114 connects the holder 112 (and therefore the cable 106) to the backplane 110. The left side ( Figure 3 1) (connected to the first high-speed connector 102) is a high-speed connector supporting the target signal transmission speed, such as a 74-pin mini cooled IO (MCIO) plug. The holder 112 may be a 4-slot holder made of a metal composite material.

[0023] like Figure 3As shown, high-speed signals (HSS) carried by multiple wires of the cable 106 are guided through the second high-speed connector 104 and transmitted directly to the terminal device (such as a driver or module) without passing through the backplane 110. As for the control signals (CS) carried by other wires of the cable 106, some control signals can be guided through the second high-speed connector 104 and transmitted directly to the terminal device (such as a driver or module) without passing through the backplane 110. Some other control signals (CS) carried by the cable 106 can be guided into the backplane 110 via the paddle card 111, travel through the circuit or part of the circuit in the backplane 110, and then enter the second high-speed connector 104 via the paddle card 111 to be transmitted to the terminal device.

[0024] Steering Figure 4 , which shows an exploded view of a portion of a data processing device with a connection assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the cable 106, the backplane 110, the retainer 112 and the connecting member 114, there is also a retaining frame 116a formed by two retaining frame assemblies 116 for accommodating a drive or module 118 (as an example of a terminal device 108) and fixing the final unit to the rack of the data processing device. Depending on the design requirements, the drive or module can have any form factor, such as an E3.S form factor drive and a CXL memory module. A bracket 120 is also provided for holding the backplane 110 to the side of the retaining frame 116a formed by the two retaining frame assemblies 116.

[0025] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, to assemble the data processing device, one end of the cable 106 (the electrical portion is not shown for clarity) is engaged with the holder 112 which is already engaged with the backplane 110. The thus assembled parts are fixedly engaged with the cage 116a formed by the cage assembly 116 (e.g., by a plurality of screws), which houses the drive or module 118. The assembled module 122 is then Figures 7 to 9 In order to install the module 112 into a data processing device and Fig.10 As shown, cables (including cable 106 ) connected to the drives or modules 118 in the assembled module 122 are introduced into the rack 124 , and then the assembled module 122 is installed in the rack 124 .

[0026] Figures 11 to 16 Various embodiments of the connection assembly according to the present invention are shown. Fig.11As shown, the high-speed signal HSS from the mainboard is directly transmitted to the driver side via the high-speed connector 104. On the other hand, the control signal CS from the mainboard is guided into the programmable system on chip (PSoC) of the backplane 110 via the paddle card, then leaves the backplane 110 via the same paddle card, and then is transmitted to the driver side.

[0027] Fig.12 A connection assembly according to the present invention is shown, which is implemented in a backplane 110 connected to four IC cables 106a. Fig.13 A connection assembly according to the present invention is shown implemented in a backplane 110 engaged with two 2C cables 106b. Fig.14 A connection assembly implemented in the form of a high-speed connector according to the present invention is shown and generally designated as 200 having a SFF-TA-1002 IC connector 202, a x4 high-speed signal cable 204, and a power and sideband board connector 206.

[0028] Fig.15 A connection assembly implemented in the form of a high-speed connector according to the present invention is shown and generally designated as 300 , having a SFF-TA-1002 2C connector 302 , a x8 high-speed signal cable 304 , and a power and sideband board connector 306 . Fig.16 A connection assembly implemented in the form of a high-speed connector according to the present invention is shown and generally designated as 400 , having a SFF-TA-1002 2C connector 402 , two x4 high-speed signal cables 404 , and a power and sideband board connector 406 .

[0029] It should be understood that the above only shows examples in which the present invention can be implemented, and various modifications and / or changes can be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It should also be understood that, for the sake of brevity, the various features of the present invention described herein in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

Claims

1. A connection assembly for a data processing device, comprising: a first high-speed connector, the first high-speed connector being connectable to a source end for receiving at least a high-speed signal from the source end; as well as a second high-speed connector connected to the first high-speed connector via a plurality of wires for receiving the high-speed signal from the first high-speed connector; wherein the second high-speed connector is capable of connecting to a backplane; wherein the second high-speed connector is connectable to a terminal device for transmitting the high-speed signal to the terminal device, and The second high-speed connector is adapted to guide the high-speed signal from the first high-speed connector to reach the terminal device through the second high-speed connector without passing through the backplane.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the second high-speed connector is adapted to direct control signals from the first high-speed connector through the second high-speed connector to the terminal device without passing through the backplane.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein when the second high-speed connector is connected to the backplane, the second high-speed connector is adapted to direct a control signal from the first high-speed connector into the backplane via a paddle card of the second high-speed connector and then out of the backplane via the paddle card for subsequent transmission to the terminal device.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein at least some of the plurality of wires are fixedly engaged with a connector lead frame of the first high speed connector.

5. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a retainer for connecting the plurality of wires to the backplane.

6. The assembly of claim 5 further comprising a card edge connector for connecting the retainer to the backplane.

7. A data processing device, comprising: at least one source; At least the terminal device; Back panel; a first high-speed connector connected to the source end for receiving at least a high-speed signal from the source end; as well as a second high-speed connector connected to the first high-speed connector via a plurality of wires for receiving the high-speed signal from the first high-speed connector; wherein the second high-speed connector is connected to the backplane; wherein the second high-speed connector is connected to the terminal device for transmitting the high-speed signal to the terminal device; and The second high-speed connector is adapted to guide the high-speed signal from the first high-speed connector to reach the terminal device through the second high-speed connector without passing through the backplane.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the source comprises a mainboard.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the terminal device comprises at least one of a hard disk drive and a storage device.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second high-speed connector is adapted to direct control signals from the first high-speed connector to the terminal device through the second high-speed connector without passing through the backplane.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second high-speed connector is adapted to direct control signals from the first high-speed connector into the backplane via a paddle card of the second high-speed connector and then out of the backplane via the paddle card for subsequent transmission to the terminal device.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least some of the plurality of wires are fixedly engaged with a connector lead frame of the first high-speed connector.

13. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a retainer connecting the plurality of wires to the backplane.

14. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a card edge connector connecting the holder to the backplane.

15. A method for connecting a source end and a terminal device of a data processing device, comprising: connecting a first high-speed connector to the source end for receiving at least a high-speed signal from the source end; connecting a second high-speed connector to the backplane, the second high-speed connector being connected to the first high-speed connector via a plurality of wires for receiving the high-speed signal from the first high-speed connector; connecting the second high-speed connector to the terminal device for transmitting the high-speed signal to the terminal device; as well as The high-speed signal from the first high-speed connector reaches the terminal device through the second high-speed connector without passing through the backplane.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the control signal from the first high-speed connector reaches the terminal device through the second high-speed connector without passing through the backplane.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the control signal from the first high-speed connector enters the backplane via a paddle card and then exits the backplane via the paddle card for subsequent transmission to the terminal device.

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