Card Edge Connector Pin Layout for Shorter PCB Signal Stubs
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Solution Overview
Problem
In card edge connectors, heel-based signal routing results in longer stub lengths, leading to higher resonance and degradation in signal performance due to floating toe portions, which is exacerbated by PCB congestion and mechanical limitations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a flipped pin foot orientation in card edge connectors, where both sets of pins are configured for toe-based signal routing, reducing stub lengths and maintaining signal integrity in high-speed communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If heel-based signal routing is used to accommodate PCB congestion, then routing flexibility is improved, but stub length increases leading to higher resonance and signal degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional pin orientation by flipping the pin foot orientation so that the toe portion contacts the PCB first instead of the heel portion. This inversion allows toe-based routing to be used instead of heel-based routing, thereby reducing stub length while maintaining routing flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of pin orientation from conventional heel-first contact to flipped toe-first contact. This parameter change transforms the routing topology, enabling shorter signal paths and reduced stub lengths while accommodating PCB congestion constraints.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional pin orientation is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but stub length increases causing resonance and signal performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by flipping the pin foot orientation from conventional to reversed configuration. Although this requires modified tooling and assembly processes, it resolves the signal performance issue by enabling toe-based routing with significantly reduced stub lengths, thereby improving high-speed signal integrity.
3Reliability
If toe-based signal routing is implemented with flipped pin orientation, then stub length is reduced improving signal integrity, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of the pin feet from conventional to flipped configuration. This single parameter change enables toe-based routing topology throughout the connector, systematically reducing stub lengths across all signal paths while maintaining consistent manufacturing procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a card edge connector includes a housing including a slot to receive a first circuit board. A first plurality of pins extend from within the slot through a bottom of the housing. Each of the first plurality of pins includes a first end to mate with a corresponding contact of the first circuit board and a second end to mate with a corresponding one of a first plurality of contacts of a second circuit board, the second end including a heel portion and a toe portion extending from the heel portion in a direction away from a centerline of the slot. A second plurality of pins extend from within the slot through the bottom of the housing. Each of the second plurality of pins includes a first end to mate with a corresponding contact of the first circuit board and a second end to mate with a corresponding one of a second plurality of contacts of the second circuit board, the second end comprising a heel portion and a toe portion extending from the heel portion in a direction toward the centerline of the slot. Other embodiments are described and claimed.