3D Circuit Board Impedance Control via Deepened Carrier Body

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional two-dimensional printed circuit boards (2D-PCBs) face challenges in controlling characteristic impedance and cross-talk, especially at high data rates, due to their limited design which restricts their performance in high-speed applications.

Innovation Solution

A three-dimensional circuit board design featuring a carrier body with circuit paths in multiple planes, an electrical grounding layer, and staggered mechanical and electrical termination portions to improve impedance and cross-talk control, incorporating a mechanical and electrical plug portion with a bevelled edge and guiding walls for enhanced alignment and contact management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a conventional two-dimensional printed circuit board (2D-PCB) is used, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the control of characteristic impedance and cross-talk compensation is complicated and limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpedance control precisionVSAvoidcircuit board structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional PCB layout to a three-dimensional circuit board structure with multiple planes (upper and lower planes at different height levels). Circuit paths can be arranged in different planes, allowing vertical separation of signal and ground paths while maintaining controlled impedance through the multi-plane configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If circuit paths are arranged in multiple planes in a three-dimensional carrier body, then impedance control and cross-talk compensation are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecross-talk control performanceVSAvoidmulti-plane structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit board is segmented into multiple distinct planes (upper and lower planes) at different height levels within the carrier body. Each plane can independently carry circuit paths, allowing separation of signal and ground paths in the vertical dimension to reduce cross-talk while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular plane design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If mechanical and electrical termination portions are staggered, then cross-talk is reduced and cable connection is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecross-talk reductionVSAvoidtermination portion alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical termination portion and electrical termination portion are intentionally staggered (asymmetrically positioned) relative to each other along the longitudinal axis of the carrier body. This asymmetric arrangement reduces cross-talk between adjacent cables while improving cable connection geometry, with the staggered design built into the molded structure to manage precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP2667690B1Three-dimensional circuit board
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 TYCO ELECTRONICS BELGIUM EC
  • EP2667690B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2667690B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2667690B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a three-dimensional circuit board (1), comprising a carrier component (10; 30), carrying at least one circuit path (110, 120) at an outside of a carrier body (100; 300) of the carrier component (10; 30), wherein, for impedance control, the carrier body (100; 300) comprises a deepening (102), wherein the circuit path (110, 120) is at least partially arranged in the deepening (102).