Cabled Backplane Tray with EMR Absorber for Hot Swapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-speed communication systems face challenges in maintaining signal integrity and are vulnerable to electromagnetic interference (EMI), requiring power down of all trays for maintenance and not allowing for 'hot swapping' of individual trays during system operation.

Innovation Solution

A cable backplane system with trays having spacers and electromagnetic radiation (EMR) absorbers to position and secure cable connectors, reducing EMI and enabling individual tray replacement without powering down the entire system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a metal cage is used to surround the chassis to reduce electromagnetic interference, then EMI protection is improved, but the system requires power down of all trays for maintenance and does not allow hot swapping of individual trays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectromagnetic interference protectionVSAvoidhot swapping capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The chassis is divided into multiple independent trays, each with its own EMR absorber. This segmentation allows individual trays to be maintained or replaced without affecting other trays, enabling hot swapping while maintaining overall EMI protection through distributed absorbers rather than a continuous metal cage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

EMR absorbers are introduced as intermediary materials between the signal paths and the external environment. These absorbers suppress electromagnetic radiation locally at each tray level, providing EMI protection without requiring a continuous metal enclosure that would prevent hot swapping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traditional backplanes with metal enclosures are used to suppress electromagnetic radiation, then signal integrity is improved, but maintenance requires powering down the entire system and individual trays cannot be hot swapped

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal integrityVSAvoidsystem availability during maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The backplane system is segmented into multiple independent trays, each equipped with its own EMR absorber. This allows individual trays to be removed, replaced, or maintained without shutting down the entire system, thereby maintaining high productivity and system availability while preserving signal integrity through localized electromagnetic radiation suppression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from using a continuous metal enclosure to using distributed EMR absorber materials with different electromagnetic properties. This parameter change allows for localized EMI control that does not require system-wide power down, improving productivity during maintenance while maintaining signal integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If high speed differential connectors are used to increase data transmission rates above 10 Gbps, then communication speed is improved, but the system becomes more vulnerable to electromagnetic interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission rateVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

EMR absorbers are used to convert harmful electromagnetic radiation into heat energy through dielectric and magnetic loss mechanisms. This allows high-speed differential connectors to operate at data rates above 10 Gbps by absorbing and dissipating EMI that would otherwise interfere with the high-frequency signals, thus converting a harmful effect into a beneficial protection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs EMR absorbers with specific dielectric and magnetic properties tailored for high-frequency operation. By changing the material parameters to be effective at GHz frequencies, the system can support data transmission rates above 10 Gbps while simultaneously protecting against electromagnetic interference that would otherwise degrade signal quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The cable backplane system improves signal integrity and supports higher speeds with lower costs per channel, while allowing for 'hot swapping' of trays by suppressing electromagnetic radiation and maintaining system operation.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnetic radiation (EMR) absorber extending along an opening in the tray to suppress the propagation of electromagnetic radiation into or out of the tray

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS9113568B2Cabled backplane system having an electromagnetic radiation absorber

Publication Date: 2015.08.18 TE CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS GMBH

AI summary

A cable backplane system includes a tray having a frame with side walls surrounding a raceway. The side walls extend to a front edge of the frame. The tray includes spacers coupled to the tray located proximate to the front edge. Cable connectors are held by corresponding spacers in position relative to the backplane. The cable backplane system includes an electromagnetic radiation (EMR) absorber extending along an opening in the tray to suppress the propagation of EMR into or out of the tray.