Angled Faceplates for Network Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network elements with flat faceplates require long track lengths on Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) for port connections, leading to the need for Active Electrical Cables (AECs) and lack of physical and visual segregation of client and fabric ports, resulting in increased costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an angled faceplate with a middle plate and side plates extending at obtuse angles, reducing track lengths on the PCB and allowing for the use of Direct Attach Copper (DAC) cables, while providing physical and visual segregation of ports through a trapezoidal or trapezium shape configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a flat faceplate is used, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the track length on the PCB becomes long requiring AEC cables
Solution Approach 1:
The faceplate transitions from a symmetric flat design to an asymmetric angled design where side plates extend at obtuse angles (130-160 degrees) relative to the middle plate. This asymmetry repositions ports closer to the PCB circuits, reducing track lengths and enabling DAC cable usage while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized angular configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The faceplate design adds angular dimensionality by extending side plates at obtuse angles rather than maintaining a flat planar structure. This dimensional change in the faceplate geometry directly reduces the electrical track length on the PCB without requiring active cables, solving the contradiction between structural simplicity and track length reduction.
2Device complexity
If a flat faceplate is used, then the structure is simple, but physical and visual segregation of client and fabric ports is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The faceplate is segmented into distinct functional zones: a middle plate containing fabric ports and side plates containing client ports. This segmentation provides both physical separation and visual identification of different port types, improving operational ease while maintaining a unified integrated faceplate structure rather than multiple separate components.
3Length of stationary object
If long cable lengths are required, then AEC cables must be used, but costs increase and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The faceplate geometry parameters (obtuse angles of 130-160 degrees) are optimized to reduce the physical distance between ports and PCB circuits. This parameter change enables the use of passive DAC cables instead of active AEC cables, reducing both cost and system complexity while maintaining signal integrity for high-speed connections.
Data Source
AI summary
A module for a networking node is disclosed. The module includes a Printed Circuit Board (“PCB”); one or more circuits mounted to the PCB; and a faceplate that including a plurality of plates, angled relative to one another, such that the faceplate includes increased surface area relative to a substantially flat faceplate, wherein at least two plates of the plurality of plates include physical ports each having track lengths to a circuit of one or more circuits, wherein one or more of the physical ports support signals at a rate of at least 100 Gbps. Each plate of the plurality of plates can be flat. Any of the plurality of plates can include physical ports. The physical ports can be pluggable modules. Each type of the physical ports can be a same type on a given plate.