Cable Termination System Offset Ground Via Signal Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cable connectors experience impedance discontinuities and increased insertion loss at high signaling frequencies due to the transition between the cable and the circuit board, leading to signal reflections and cross-talk, which are exacerbated by the placement of the drain wire and the asymmetrical pad configuration.
Innovation Solution
A cable connector design featuring a circuit board with offset ground via between two traces, where the drain wire is soldered to the ground via and the conductors are surrounded by an insulative layer with a shield, providing a more compact and symmetrical termination configuration that reduces impedance discontinuities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cable connector design is used with symmetrical pad configuration, then manufacturing is simpler, but impedance discontinuities and insertion loss increase at high frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the ground via offset from the center between the two signal traces, specifically closer to one trace than the other. This asymmetric ground via placement, combined with asymmetric pad configurations, creates a more compact connector structure while maintaining electromagnetic field symmetry and reducing impedance discontinuities at high frequencies.
2Reliability
If drain wire is positioned conventionally, then connection is simpler, but electromagnetic field symmetry is compromised leading to increased reflections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the drain wire specifically between the two signal conductors, adjacent to the insulative layer. This localized placement of the drain wire maintains electromagnetic field symmetry in the critical region between conductors, reducing reflections and improving signal integrity while allowing flexible connection to the ground via.
3Volume of moving object
If compact connector design is implemented, then space is reduced, but maintaining electromagnetic field symmetry becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by using asymmetric positioning of the ground via and pads, which allows the overall connector size to be reduced while maintaining electromagnetic field symmetry. The asymmetric design enables optimized spacing between components, achieving compact dimensions without compromising the symmetry of electromagnetic fields between conductors.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable termination is disclosed that includes a cable with a first and a second insulated conductor positioned in a shield, the cable further including a drain wire. The cable is mounted on a circuit board that includes a first pad and a second pad that are respectively soldered to the first and second conductors. A ground via is positioned in front and between the first and second pads and the drain wire is inserted into and soldered to the ground via.