Cable Adapter for Star-Quad Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cables with parallel and shielded data lines cannot be easily connected to connectors designed for star-quad arrangements, limiting their universal use in automotive data networks due to crosstalk issues and incompatibility with existing printed circuit boards.
Innovation Solution
A cable with an integrated adapter that routes shielded pairs of inner conductors to maximize orthogonal orientation and distance between crossed-over conductors, minimizing inductive and capacitive coupling, and using materials with varying diameters and permittivity to ensure proper signal propagation and phase alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If cables with parallel and shielded pairs of data lines are used to reduce crosstalk in the higher frequency range, then crosstalk between pairs is improved, but compatibility with existing star-quad connectors and printed circuit boards is lost
Solution Approach 1:
An adapter is introduced as an intermediary component between the parallel shielded cable and the star-quad connector. The adapter contains both parallel contact areas for connecting to the shielded cable and crossed contact areas for connecting to the star-quad connector, enabling compatibility without compromising crosstalk performance
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into three separate components: the parallel shielded cable, the adapter, and the star-quad connector/printed circuit board. This segmentation allows each component to maintain its optimal design while the adapter provides the necessary interface between different connection types
2Adaptability or versatility
If inner conductors are routed crossed over one another in the adapter, then connection between parallel and star-quad arrangements is enabled, but inductive and capacitive coupling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful effects of inductive and capacitive coupling are counteracted in advance by carefully designing the routing of inner conductors through the adapter. The conductors are routed to minimize proximity and crossing angles, and shielding structures are positioned to preemptively reduce coupling effects before they can significantly impact signal integrity
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the adapter are designed with different properties: the area where conductors cross is specifically optimized with reduced spacing and improved shielding, while other areas maintain standard configurations. This localized optimization minimizes coupling at critical points without compromising overall adapter functionality
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the distance between crossed-over inner conductors is maximized to minimize capacitive coupling, then capacitive overcoupling is reduced, but the adapter size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The routing of inner conductors through the adapter utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement. Conductors are routed at different heights and angles within the adapter volume, allowing adequate separation distance to minimize capacitive coupling while maintaining a compact overall adapter footprint through efficient use of available space
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables seamless connection of cables with parallel and shielded pairs to star-quad connectors, reducing crosstalk and ensuring accurate differential signal transmission across the adapter, thus facilitating universal use in automotive data networks.
Implementation Method 1
the two inner conductors arranged crossed over one another in the area of the crossing are each at an angle of between 85° and 95° to each other to minimize the inductive overcoupling between the two inner conductors arranged crossed over one another
Implementation Method 2
the two inner conductors arranged crossed over one another in the area of the crossing are at their greatest distance from one another in the middle between the first connection area and the second connection area to minimize the capacitive overcoupling
Implementation Method 3
the inner conductors arranged crossed over one another are surrounded by a material with a lower permittivity than the inner conductors arranged parallel to one another, which compensates for the different propagation times
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
An adapter (1; 1'; 1"; 1'''; 1'''') for internal conductors of a cable in an HF connector has a first connection region (3) with two first pairs (51, 52) of contact regions, each with a first and second contact region (611, 612, 621, 622), and a second connection region (4) with two second pairs (101, 102) of contact regions, each with a third and fourth contact region (911, 912, 921, 922). The two first pairs (51, 52) of contact regions are arranged parallel to each other, while the two second pairs (101, 102) of contact regions are arranged crossing each other. The first and second contact regions (611, 621) of one first pair (51) of contact regions and the first and second contact regions (612, 622) of the other first pair (52) of contact regions are each electrically connected appropriately via a connection line to the third and fourth contact regions (911, 921), respectively, of one second pair (101) of contact regions and to the third and fourth contact regions (912, 922), respectively, of the other second pair (102) of contact regions. Two connection lines out of the first, second, third and fourth connection lines (7, 8, 11, 12; 7', 8', 11', 12'; 7", 8", 11", 12"; 7''', 8''', 11''', 12'''; 7'''', 8'''', 11"", 12'''' ) are arranged parallel to each other. If the adapter (1; 1'; 1"; 1'''; 1''') is fastened to a cable (13), the internal conductors of the cable run from the first connection region (3) to the second connection region (4) instead of the first, second, third and fourth connection lines.