Write protection of EEPROM for pluggable communication module

Abstract

A pluggable communication module (200) includes a circuit card (250) having a substrate (258) with an edge (252). The pluggable communication module includes an EEPROM device (300) having a power supply pin (312), a serial data pin (314), a serial clock pin (316), a ground pin (318), and a write control pin (320) for programming the EEPROM device. The pluggable communication module includes a contact pad region (262) near the edge having a signal pad (264), a ground pad (266), a power pad, a serial data pad (270), a serial clock pad (272), and a write pad (280). The write pad is located at a programming depth of the circuit card edge in front of the signal pad to mate the write pad to the receptacle connector (112) without mating the signal pad to the receptacle connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The topic of this article generally involves data communication systems. Background Technology

[0002] Some communication systems utilize communication connectors (such as card edge connectors) to interconnect various components of the system for data communication. Some known communication systems use pluggable communication modules, such as I / O modules or circuit cards, which are electrically connected to the card edge connector. Pluggable communication modules have a circuit card with a card edge that mates with the card edge connector during mating operation.

[0003] Some known pluggable communication modules include an EEPROM device on a circuit card to store information about the pluggable communication module. It is important that the data on the EEPROM device is not corrupted and / or modified; therefore, most devices have write-protected data capability. Typically, a pin at the connector interface is connected to a write control pin of the EEPROM device to control the write protection / enable function of the EEPROM device. However, this occupies space in the connector. Some connectors do not have a spare pin that can be assigned to write protection. Other known devices use a write connection input that can be kept open during production and then connected to power once writing is performed. However, this requires removing the device to write to it, which is undesirable from a manufacturing process point of view. Other known devices use write-protected software in the EEPROM device, which allows writing to the EEPROM to be implemented using software code. However, such devices have proven problematic because the startup code can be unintentionally written and the EEPROM data corrupted. In various other embodiments, a communication switch (e.g., an I2C I / O extender) can be added to the device used to control the write protection / enable function of the EEPROM device. However, this adds extra components and requires additional I / O addresses, which is problematic because devices typically only have one address for communicating with the EEPROM, and address conflicts can occur when additional devices with different addresses are present. Other known devices utilize a separate switch added to the device, which is externally accessible to control write protection / enable functionality. However, such systems have a significantly increased cost associated with this approach, and the switch can be accidentally set to write, which can be problematic.

[0004] There is still a need for a reliable and cost-effective write protection method for pluggable communication modules with EEPROM devices. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to the present invention, a pluggable communication module configured to be inserted into a receptacle connector is provided. The pluggable communication module includes a circuit card comprising a substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface. The substrate has an edge. The pluggable communication module includes an EEPROM device mounted to the upper surface of the substrate. The EEPROM device includes power supply pins, serial data pins, a serial clock pin, a ground pin, and a write control pin for programming the EEPROM device. The pluggable communication module includes a contact pad area on the upper surface of the substrate near the edge. The contact pad fields include signal pads, ground pads, power pads, serial data pads, serial clock pads, and write pads. The power pad is electrically connected to the power supply pin of the EEPROM device. The serial data pad is electrically connected to the serial data pin of the EEPROM device. The serial clock pad is electrically connected to the serial clock pin of the EEPROM device. The programming ground pad in the ground pad is electrically connected to the ground pin of the EEPROM device. The write pad is electrically connected to the write control pin of the EEPROM device. The write pad is located at the programming depth of the circuit card edge in front of the signal pad, so that the write pad is mated to the socket connector, but the signal pad is not mated to the socket connector. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 This is a front perspective view of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0007] Figure 2 This is a front perspective view of a part of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0008] Figure 3 This is a front perspective view of a pluggable communication module according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0009] Figure 4 A circuit card according to an exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0010] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment, showing a circuit card for a pluggable communication module to be loaded into a socket connector.

[0011] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment, showing that the circuit card of the pluggable communication module is partially loaded into the socket connector to achieve programming depth.

[0012] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment, showing a pluggable communication module circuit card loaded into a socket connector to achieve a full mating depth.

[0013] Figure 8This is a top view of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment, showing that the contact array of the circuit card of the pluggable communication module and the socket connector is not mated (corresponding to...). Figure 5 ).

[0014] Figure 9 This is a top view of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment, showing the contact array of the circuit card of the pluggable communication module and the contacts of the socket connector partially mating at a programming depth (corresponding to...). Figure 6 ).

[0015] Figure 10 This is a top view of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment, showing the contact array of the circuit card of the pluggable communication module and the contacts of the socket connector to achieve a fully mating depth (corresponding to...). Figure 7 ).

[0016] Figure 11 A circuit card according to an exemplary embodiment is shown, illustrating different arrangements of contacts.

[0017] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment, showing... Figure 11 The circuit card is partially loaded into the socket connector up to the programming depth. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Figure 1 This is a front perspective view of a communication system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 2 This is a front perspective view of a portion of a communication system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The communication system 100 includes a circuit board 102 and a receptacle connector assembly 104 mounted to the circuit board 102. A pluggable communication module 200 ( Figure 1 The pluggable communication module 200 is configured to be electrically connected to the receptacle connector assembly 104. Figure 2 The portion of the receptacle connector assembly 104 is removed to show its components. The pluggable communication module 200 is electrically connected to the circuit board 102 via the receptacle connector assembly 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable communication module 200 is an input / output (I / O) module, such as a transceiver module. In various other embodiments, the pluggable communication module 200 may be a circuit card or adapter card, rather than an I / O module.

[0019] The receptacle connector assembly 104 can be used for data communication within the communication system 100. For example, the receptacle connector assembly 104 can be coupled to other components within the communication system 100 via the circuit board 102. In various embodiments, the receptacle connector assembly 104 can be used to test and / or program the pluggable communication module 200 during production. For example, the pluggable communication module 200 may include a memory device, such as an EEPROM device, which can be tested and / or programmed during production using the receptacle connector assembly 104. During testing, the EEPROM device can operate in a write-enabled mode to allow writing or programming of the EEPROM device. During normal use of the pluggable communication module 200 in the communication system 100, the EEPROM device operates in a write-disabled mode (or write-protected mode) to protect the data stored on the EEPROM device from corruption and / or modification.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle connector assembly 104 includes a receptacle cage 110 and a receptacle connector 112 adjacent to the receptacle cage 110. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle connector 112 is received within the receptacle cage 110. In various other embodiments, the receptacle connector 112 may be located rear of the receptacle cage 110. In alternative embodiments, the receptacle connector assembly 104 is configured without a receptacle cage 110. For example, the receptacle connector 112 may be configured without a surrounding receptacle cage 110. In various embodiments, the receptacle connector 112 is a card edge connector.

[0021] In various embodiments, the receptacle cage 110 is enclosed and provides electrical shielding for the receptacle connector 112. The pluggable communication module 200 is loaded into and at least partially surrounded by the receptacle cage 110. The receptacle cage 110 includes a plurality of walls 114 defining module channels for receiving one or more corresponding pluggable communication modules 200. The walls 114 may be walls defined by solid sheets, perforated walls allowing airflow, walls with cutouts (such as for a heat sink or thermal diffuser to pass through), or walls defined by rails or beams with relatively large openings. In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle cage 110 is a shielded die-cast metal cage member, wherein the walls 114 are shielding walls 114. In other embodiments, the receptacle cage 110 may be open between frame members (such as rails or beams) to provide cooling airflow for the pluggable communication module 200, wherein the frame members of the receptacle cage 110 define rails for guiding the pluggable communication module 200 into the receptacle cage 110.

[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle cage 110 is a single-port cage configured to receive a single pluggable communication module 200 in a single module channel 116. However, in an alternative embodiment, the receptacle cage 110 may include multiple ports to receive multiple pluggable communication modules, such as as a stacked cage member having an upper module channel and a lower module channel 116. The module channels may be arranged in a single row; however, in an alternative embodiment, the receptacle cage 110 may include multiple rows of grouped module channels (e.g., 2×2, 3×2, 4×2, 4×3, etc.). The receptacle cage 110 includes a port 118 that provides access to the module channel 116. The pluggable communication module 200 is inserted into the module channel 116 through the port 118. Optionally, multiple receptacle connectors 112 may be arranged within the receptacle cage 110 to mate with multiple pluggable communication modules.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the wall 114 of the socket cage 110 includes a top wall 130, a bottom wall 132, and a side wall 134 extending between the top wall 130 and the bottom wall 132. The bottom wall 132 may rest on the circuit board 102. However, in an alternative embodiment, the bottom wall 132 may be raised a certain distance above the circuit board 102 to define a gap below the bottom wall 132, for example, for airflow. In various other embodiments, the socket cage 110 may be configured without a bottom wall 132. Optionally, the wall 114 of the socket cage 110 may include a front wall 138 and a rear wall 136 at the front of the socket cage 110. A module port 118 is disposed in the front wall 138. The wall 114 defines a cavity 140, which forms a module channel 116. The cavity 140 is defined by the top wall 130, the bottom wall 132, the side wall 134, the rear wall 136, and the front wall 138. Other walls 114 may divide or partition the cavity 140 into individual module channels 116. For example, wall 114 may include a channel divider between the upper module channel and the lower module channel 116. Wall 114 may include a dividing wall parallel to the side wall 134, which extends between the top wall 130 and the bottom wall 132 to separate adjacent module channels from each other.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle cage 110 may include one or more washers at the front wall 138 for providing electrical shielding for the module channel 116. For example, the washers may be configured to be electrically connected to a pluggable communication module 200 housed in the module channel 116. The washers may also be configured to be electrically connected to a panel or bezel.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable communication module 200 is mounted via the front wall 138 to mate with the receptacle connector 112. The shielding wall 114 of the receptacle cage 110 provides electrical shielding around the receptacle connector 112 and the pluggable communication module 200, for example, around the mating interface between the receptacle connector 112 and the pluggable communication module 200.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle connector assembly 104 may include one or more heat sinks (not shown) for dissipating heat from the pluggable communication module 200. For example, the heat sink may be coupled to the top wall 130 and extend through an opening in the top wall 130 to engage and dissipate heat from the pluggable communication module 200.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle connector 112 is received in the cavity 140, for example, near the rear wall 136. However, in an alternative embodiment, the receptacle connector 112 may be located behind the rear wall 136 outside the receptacle cage 110 and extend into the cavity 140 to interface with the pluggable communication module 200. In the exemplary embodiment, a single receptacle connector 112 is used. However, multiple receptacle connectors 112 may be used in other embodiments.

[0028] The receptacle connector 112 includes a housing 150 having a cavity 154 and a contact assembly 190 housed within the cavity 154 of the housing 150. The contact assembly 190 includes an array of contacts 192 arranged in one or more rows. The contacts 192 are configured to be electrically connected to a pluggable communication module 200 when the pluggable communication module 200 is inserted into the housing 150.

[0029] Housing 150 extends between a front portion 156 and a rear portion 158. A cavity 154 opens at the rear portion 158 to receive a contact assembly 190. Housing 150 extends between a top portion 160 and a bottom portion 162. Housing 150 extends between opposite sides 168. In various embodiments, housing 150 may be generally box-shaped. In the illustrated embodiment, bottom 162 defines a portion configured for mounting to a circuit board 102 (e.g., ...). Figure 1 The mounting end (as shown) and the front 156 define a mounting end configured to communicate with the pluggable communication module 200 (as shown). Figure 1 (As shown) The mating end. In alternative embodiments, other orientations are possible, such as the mating end at the top 160 and / or the mounting end at the rear 158.

[0030] The housing 150 includes one or more openings 170 at its mating end. The openings 170 are configured to receive a portion of the pluggable communication module 200. In an exemplary embodiment, the opening 170 is a slot 172 configured to receive an edge of a circuit card. A contact assembly 190 is received in the housing 150 at the slot 172 to mate with the pluggable communication module 200.

[0031] Figure 3This is a front perspective view of a pluggable communication module 200 according to an exemplary embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment, the pluggable communication module 200 is an input / output (I / O) module, such as a transceiver module. The pluggable communication module 200 includes a housing 210 that holds a circuit card 250. A cable 202 is electrically connected to the circuit card 250. The cable 202 may include one or more wires or conductors terminated to the circuit card 250.

[0032] The circuit card 250 has an edge 252 at a mating end, which is configured to insert into a socket connector 112, such as a slot in the socket connector 112. The circuit card 250 includes contacts 260, such as pads or circuitry, at the edge 252, which are configured to mate with the socket connector 112. The contacts 260 may be disposed on an upper surface 254 and / or a lower surface 256 of the circuit card 250. In an exemplary embodiment, the circuit card 250 includes a memory device 300 (shown in dashed lines) configured to store data associated with the pluggable communication module 200. In various embodiments, the memory device may be an EEPROM device and may be referred to hereinafter as EEPROM device 300. The memory device 300 is electrically connected to the corresponding contacts 260.

[0033] The housing 210 extends between a mating end 212 and a cable end 214. The mating end 212 is configured to mate with a receptacle connector 112. A cable 202 extends from the cable end 214. In the illustrated embodiment, the cable end 214 is opposite to the mating end 212. For example, the mating end 212 may be located at the front of the housing 210, and the cable end 214 may be located at the rear of the housing 210. In alternative embodiments, other orientations are possible. For example, the pluggable communication module 200 may be a right-angle module having a cable end 214 perpendicular to the mating end 212.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, the housing 210 is a multi-piece housing. For example, the housing 210 includes an upper housing member 216 and a lower housing member 218. The housing 210 includes a cavity 220 between the upper housing member 216 and the lower housing member 218. The housing 210 includes a top wall 222 and a bottom wall 224. The housing 210 includes side walls 226, 228 between the top wall 222 and the bottom wall 224. The upper housing member 216 and the lower housing member 218 may meet at a seam along the side walls 226, 228. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing 210 includes a main portion 230 and a nose 232 extending forward from the main portion 230. The nose 232 may be inserted into a module channel 116 of the socket cage 110 (e.g., Figure 1 (As shown).

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable communication module 200 includes a latch 240 coupled to the housing 210. The latch 240 secures the pluggable communication module 200 to the receptacle cage 110. The latch 240 includes one or more latch fingers 242 configured to be latchably coupled to the receptacle cage 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the latch 240 includes a release element 244 for releasing the latch 240 from the receptacle cage 110 to remove the pluggable communication module 200 from the receptacle cage 110. For example, the release element 244 may include a pull tab or other type of release mechanism.

[0036] Figure 4 A circuit card 250 according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. The circuit card 250 includes a substrate 258. Contacts 260 are disposed on the substrate 258, such as an upper surface 254 and / or a lower surface 256. An EEPROM device 300 is mounted to the substrate 258, for example, to the upper surface 254 and / or the lower surface 256. In an exemplary embodiment, other components are mounted to the substrate 258, such as a resistor 302 or other electrical components.

[0037] EEPROM device 300 is a memory device containing data associated with pluggable communication module 200. For example, EEPROM device 300 may include information including, but not limited to, serial number, manufacturer, manufacturer date, cable electrical performance data, cable type, cable length, cable loss profile, number of contacts, etc. The data stored in EEPROM device 300 is configured for write protection. However, circuit card 250 can be configured for write-enabled mode (e.g., programming mode) to input data or modify data stored on EEPROM device 300. In normal operation, circuit card 250 is in write-disabled mode (e.g., write-protected mode).

[0038] EEPROM device 300 includes a plurality of conductors 310, such as leads, contacts, or pins, configured to be electrically connected to circuitry of circuit card 250. For example, conductors 310 may be soldered to pads or traces on circuit card 250. In an exemplary embodiment, EEPROM device 300 includes a power supply pin 312, a serial data pin 314, a serial clock pin 316, a programming ground pin 318, and a write control pin 320. In alternative embodiments, EEPROM device 300 may include additional pins, such as address inputs.

[0039] The contacts 260 of the circuit card 250 form contact pad areas 262 along the upper surface 254 and / or the lower surface 256 (not shown). The contacts 260 are configured to mate with corresponding contacts 192 of the receptacle connector 112. The contacts 260 include pads, traces, vias or other circuit elements extending along one or more surfaces and / or layers of the circuit card 250.

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, contact 260 includes signal pads 264 and ground pads 266. Ground pads 266 may be arranged between signal pads 264 to provide shielding or isolation between the signal pads 264. In an exemplary embodiment, signal pads 264 are arranged in pairs, with ground pads 266 located between the pairs of signal pads 264. For example, the pairs of signal pads 264 may define a differential pair configured to transmit and / or receive differential signals.

[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, contact 260 includes one or more power pads 268. The power pads 268 are used to supply power to the EEPROM device 300. For example, the power pads 268 are electrically connected to a power supply pin 312 of the EEPROM device 300. The power pads 268 can provide a voltage to the EEPROM device 300, such as 3.3 V, 5.0 V, or another voltage.

[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, contact 260 includes a serial data pad 270 and a serial clock pad 272. The serial data pad 270 is configured to be electrically connected to the serial data pin 314 of the EEPROM device 300. The serial clock pad 272 is configured to be electrically connected to the serial clock pin 316 of the EEPROM device 300.

[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the ground pads 266 of the contact 260 includes a programming ground pad 274. The programming ground pad 274 is configured to be electrically connected to the ground pin 318 of the EEPROM device 300.

[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, contact 260 includes a write pad 280 for disabling write protection of the EEPROM device 300 and allowing the EEPROM device 300 to enter a write-enabled mode for programming. The write pad 280 is configured to be electrically connected to the write control pin 320 of the EEPROM device 300. In an exemplary embodiment, the write pad 280 is electrically connected to the power pad 268 via resistor 302.

[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, contacts 260 in contact pad area 262 are arranged in a row (along the lateral axis 282) near the edge 252 of circuit card 250. For example, signal pads 264, ground pads 266, power pads 268, serial data pads 270, and serial clock pads 272 may be arranged in the row. In various embodiments, write pads 280 may be arranged in the row. However, in other various embodiments, write pads 280 may be offset from the row, such as interleaving or stacking with another contact in the contact 260. In the illustrated embodiment, write pad 280 is stacked with a first ground pad of ground pad 266, hereinafter referred to as stacked ground pad 266a. Thus, write pad 280 and stacked ground pad 266a are configured to interface with the same contact 192 of receptacle connector 112. By utilizing the same contact 192 for both the write pad 280 and the stacked ground pad 266a, no additional contacts are needed for the contact pad area 262, and therefore, no additional contacts 192 are needed for the receptacle connector 112. This reduces the overall interface, saving space and / or cost. Furthermore, the circuit card 250 incorporated into the write pad 280 can be used with the receptacle connector 112, which has a standard mating interface (e.g., a standard number of contacts).

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment, each contact 260 extends between a front end 290 and a rear end 292. The contact 260 has a length defined between the front end 290 and the rear end 292 of the respective contact 260. The contact 260 extends along a contact axis between the front end 290 and the rear end 292. In an exemplary embodiment, the contacts 260 within the contact pad region 262 are arranged parallel to each other. The contacts 260 have gaps or intervals between them. Optionally, the intervals between the contacts 260 may be the same across the contact pad region 262. However, the intervals between various contacts 260 may be different. In an exemplary embodiment, the contacts 260 may have various lengths, for example, for sequential mating. For example, power pad 268, serial data pad 270, serial clock pad 272, and programming ground pad 274 may have a first length. Other ground pads 266 may have a second length shorter than the first length. Signal pads 264 may have a third length shorter than the second length. In various other embodiments, all ground pads 266 may have a first length. In various other embodiments, the power pad 268 may be longer than the other pads, for example, longer than the serial data pad 270 and the serial clock pad 272. The programming ground pad 274 may be longer than the power pad 268 and / or longer than the serial data pad 270 and the serial clock pad 272. The different lengths of the contacts 260 allow for sequential mating with various contacts 260 when the circuit card 250 is inserted into the receptacle connector 112.

[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, the rear ends 292 of the contacts 260 are aligned at the same depth from the edge 252 of the circuit card 250. However, the front ends 290 of the various contacts 260 are staggered from the edge 252 of the circuit card 250 at different depths. For example, the power pad 268, serial data pad 270, serial clock pad 272, and programming ground pad 274 may be closer to the edge 252 than the signal pad 264 and / or other ground pads 266. Thus, the power pad 268, serial data pad 270, serial clock pad 272, and programming ground pad 274 may mate with the corresponding contacts 192 of the socket connector 112 before the signal pad 264 and / or other ground pads 266 mate with their corresponding contacts 192. Alternatively, one or more of the ground pads 266 may be closest to the edge 252 (e.g., having the shortest depth) to ensure that the circuit card 250 is grounded before mates with other pads, such as the power pad 268. In the illustrated embodiment, contact 260 has the following mating sequence: first, one of write pad 280 and ground pad 266 mates; second, power pad 268 mates; third, serial data pad 270 and serial clock pad 272 mate; and finally, signal pad 264 mates. In alternative embodiments, other arrangements are possible.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, the write pad 280 is located in front of the stacked ground pad 266a, such as between the ground pad 266 and the edge 252. For example, the write pad 280 is longitudinally aligned with the ground pad 266 (along the longitudinal axis 284), but located in front of the ground pad 266. The write pad 280 may be laterally aligned (along the lateral axis 286) with the front of the power pad 268, serial data pad 270, serial clock pad 272, and programming ground pad 274 at a first depth 294 from the edge 252. Thus, when the circuit card 250 is partially loaded into the receptacle connector 112, only the power pad 268, serial data pad 270, serial clock pad 272, programming ground pad 274, and write pad 280 can be connected to their corresponding contacts 192, while the signal pad 264 remains unengaged with its corresponding contact 192. In this partially paired state, the write-enabled mode is used to allow programming of the EEPROM device 300.

[0049] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of a communication system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment, showing a circuit card 250 of a pluggable communication module 200 ready to be loaded into a socket connector 112. Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of a communication system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment, showing the circuit card 250 of the pluggable communication module 200 partially loaded into the receptacle connector 112 up to the programming depth. Figure 7This is a cross-sectional view of a communication system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment, showing that the circuit card 250 of the pluggable communication module 200 is loaded into the socket connector 112 to achieve a full mating depth.

[0050] In an exemplary embodiment, the communication system 100 can utilize the test or programming socket connector 112a to test the pluggable communication module 200 and / or the programmable EEPROM device 300. The programming socket connector 112a... Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown in the diagram, the programming socket connector 112a utilizes a stop block 155 to control the mating position of the circuit card 250 relative to the socket connector 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the stop block 155 extends into the cavity 154 of the housing 150 to interface with the edge 252 of the circuit card 250, thereby positioning the circuit card 250 within the housing 150. In alternative embodiments, the stop block 155 may be located in other positions. For example, the stop block 155 may extend from the front of the housing 150 to interface with another portion of the circuit card 250. In various other embodiments, the stop block 155 may extend from the cage 110 (… Figure 1 (As shown in the diagram) An extension extends to interface with and control the mating tabs of the circuit card 250. A stop block 155 restricts the circuit card 250 from being inserted into the housing 150 to the programming depth. The stop block 155 prevents the circuit card 250 from being fully inserted into the housing 150 to reach the full mating depth. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication system 100 may utilize a common socket connector 112b for general operation within the communication system 100. The common socket connector 112b does not include the stop block 155. The common socket connector 112b allows the circuit card 250 to be fully inserted into the housing 150 to reach the full mating depth. Optionally, the stop block 155 can be removed from the housing 150 to convert the socket connector 112 from a programming socket connector 112a to a common socket connector 112b.

[0051] In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle connector 112 includes contacts 192 along both sides of the slot (e.g., along the top and bottom of the slot). Similarly, the circuit card 250 includes contacts 260 along both the upper surface 254 and the lower surface 256.

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, the write pad 280 is located at the front of the circuit card 250, near the edge 252. The write pad 280 is located in front of the ground pad 266. The write pad 280 is positioned along the upper surface 254 to interface with the corresponding contact 192 at the programming depth. Figure 6For example, when circuit card 250 is partially loaded into the slot of housing 150, write pad 280 is electrically connected to the corresponding contact 192 to enable the pluggable communication module 200 to operate in write-enabled mode. When ground pad 266 is connected to contact 192, the pluggable communication module 200 is in write-disable mode (e.g., write-protected mode). For example, when circuit card 250 is at full mating depth, contact 192 interfaces with signal pad 264 and ground pad 266, but not with write pad 280. Thus, at full mating depth, the pluggable communication module 200 is in write-disable mode.

[0053] Figure 8 This is a top view of a communication system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment, showing that the circuit card 250 of the pluggable communication module 200 and the contact array of the contacts 192 of the socket connector 112 are not mated (corresponding to...). Figure 5 ). Figure 9 This is a top view of a communication system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment, showing the circuit card 250 of the pluggable communication module 200 at a programming depth (corresponding to...). Figure 6 The contact array of the contact 192 of the socket connector 112 partially mates with the contact 192 of the socket connector 112. Figure 10 This is a top view of a communication system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment, showing the circuit card 250 of the pluggable communication module 200 mating with the contact array of the contacts 192 of the socket connector 112 at a fully mating depth (corresponding to...). Figure 7 ).

[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, the array of contacts 192 of the receptacle connector 112 is arranged in a row at predetermined intervals corresponding to the spacing of contacts 260. The contacts 192 include signal pads 264, ground pads 266, power pads 268, serial data pads 270, and serial clock pads 272 corresponding to the circuit card 250. The signal pads 264, ground pads 266, power pads 268, serial data pads 270, and serial clock pads 272 are located at a full mating depth from the edge 252 of the circuit card 250 to mate with their corresponding contacts 192 at this full mating depth. The write pad 280 does not reach a full mating depth but is only configured to mate with the power pad 268, serial data pad 270, serial clock pad 272, and programming ground pad 274 at a programming depth to the corresponding contacts 192. The contacts 192 of the socket connector 112 that interface with the power pad 268, serial data pad 270, serial clock pad 272, and programming ground pad 274 are configured to interface with the power pad 268, serial data pad 270, serial clock pad 272, and programming ground pad 274 when the circuit card 250 is loaded to the programming depth and when the circuit card 250 is loaded to the full mating depth.

[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, one of the contacts 192 defines a programming contact 194, which is configured to interface with the write pad 280 when the circuit card 250 is in programming depth. Figure 9 When circuit card 250 is at full mating depth ( Figure 10 When the same programming contact 194 is configured to mate with one of the grounding pads 266, the communication system 100 does not require any additional components to be added to the receptacle connector 112 (e.g., additional contact 192), which reduces costs compared to systems with additional components.

[0056] In an exemplary embodiment, when circuit card 250 is in programming depth, contact 192 is configured to interface with power pad 268, serial data pad 270, serial clock pad 272, programming ground pad 274, and write pad 280 to enable EEPROM device 300 to operate in write-enabled mode. Data on EEPROM device 300 can be input, deleted, updated, modified, etc., in write-enabled mode. Write pad 280 is electrically connected to the power supply via resistor 302. The write-enabled circuit uses write pad 280 to ground the power supply connection to write control pin 320. When the signal to write control pin 320 is driven low or held floating, EEPROM device 300 is write-enabled. When write pad 280 is disconnected from contact 192, write control pin 320 is driven high (e.g., 3.3 V), and EEPROM device 300 is write-protected.

[0057] Figure 11 A circuit card 250 according to an exemplary embodiment is shown, which illustrates different arrangements of contacts 260. Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of a communication system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment, showing... Figure 11 The circuit card 250 is partially loaded into the receptacle connector 112 to the programming depth. In the illustrated embodiment, the write pad 380 is located away from the contact pad area 262, for example, close to the EEPROM device 300. In an exemplary embodiment, the programming probe 400 is configured to interface with the write pad 380 to enable writing to the EEPROM device 300. The programming probe 400 may be handheld or may be part of a test fixture configured to interface with the write pad 380 during test or programming modes. In the illustrated embodiment, the write pad 380 does not interface with the contacts 192 of the receptacle connector 112. The EEPROM device 300 is configured to be programmed when the circuit card 250 engages with the receptacle connector 112 in a write-enabled mode. The EEPROM device 300 is configured to restrict programming when the circuit card 250 engages with the receptacle connector 112 in a write-invalid mode.

Claims

1. A pluggable communication module (200) configured to be inserted into a receptacle connector (112), the pluggable communication module comprising: A circuit card (250) includes a substrate (258) having an upper surface (254) and a lower surface (256), the substrate having an edge (252); An EEPROM device (300) is mounted on the upper surface of the substrate, the EEPROM device including a power supply pin (312), a serial data pin (314), a serial clock pin (316), a ground pin (318), and a write control pin (320) for programming the EEPROM device; and The contact pad area (262) is located on the upper surface of the substrate near the edge, and the contact pad area includes a signal pad (264), a ground pad (266), a power pad (268), a serial data pad (270), a serial clock pad (272), and a write pad (280). The power pad is electrically connected to the power supply pin of the EEPROM device, the serial data pad is electrically connected to the serial data pin of the EEPROM device, the serial clock pad is electrically connected to the serial clock pin of the EEPROM device, the programming ground pad in the ground pad is electrically connected to the ground pin of the EEPROM device, and the write pad is electrically connected to the write control pin of the EEPROM device. The write pad is positioned at a programming depth from the edge of the circuit card in front of the signal pad, so that the write pad is mated to the socket connector, but the signal pad is not mated to the socket connector.

2. The pluggable communication module (200) according to claim 1, wherein, The write pad (280) is aligned with the first ground pad in the ground pad (266) in the mating direction.

3. The pluggable communication module (200) according to claim 2, wherein, The write pad (280) is configured to be electrically connected to the first contact (192) of the socket connector (112) in a programming mode, the first ground pad being isolated from the first contact in the programming mode, and wherein the first ground pad is configured to be electrically connected to the first contact of the socket connector in a normal operating mode, the write pad being isolated from the first contact in the normal operating mode.

4. The pluggable communication module (200) according to claim 1, wherein, The write pad (280) is connected to the power pad (268) via a resistor (302).

5. The pluggable communication module (200) according to claim 1, wherein, The EEPROM device (300) is configured to be programmed when the circuit card (250) is mated with the socket connector (112) in write-enabled mode, and wherein the EEPROM device is configured to be restricted from programming when the circuit card is mated with the socket connector in write-disable mode.

6. The pluggable communication module (200) according to claim 1, wherein, The signal pad (264), the ground pad (266), the power pad (268), the serial data pad (270), and the serial clock pad (272) are positioned at a full fit depth from the edge (252) of the circuit card (250), while the write pad (280) does not reach the full fit depth.

7. The pluggable communication module (200) according to claim 1, wherein, The power pad (268), the serial data pad (270), and the serial clock pad (272) have a first length, the ground pad (266) has a second length less than the first length, and the signal pad (264) has a third length less than the second length.

8. The pluggable communication module (200) according to claim 1, wherein, The signal pad (264), the ground pad (266), the power pad (268), the serial data pad (270), and the serial clock pad (272) are arranged in a row and extend parallel to each other in a direction parallel to the mating direction. The write pad (280) is located in front of the row and is aligned with one of the ground pads in the mating direction.

9. The pluggable communication module (200) according to claim 1, wherein, The power pad (268), the serial data pad (270), the serial clock pad (272), and the programming ground pad (266) are aligned with the write pad (280) at a programming depth from the edge (252) of the circuit card (250) to the front of the signal pad (264) to mate the power pad, the serial data pad, the serial clock pad, the programming ground pad, and the write pad to the receptacle connector (112) without mate the signal pad to the receptacle connector.

10. The pluggable communication module (200) according to claim 1, wherein, The circuit card (250) is configured to physically engage the stop block of the socket connector (112) to control the mating position of the circuit card relative to the socket connector, thereby connecting the power pad (268), the serial data pad (270), the serial clock pad (272), and the write pad (280) to the contacts of the socket connector at the programming depth to program the EEPROM device (300) and restrict the connection of the signal pad (264) to the contacts of the socket connector.

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