Circuit Board Trace Testing with Shielded Wireless Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circuit board testing systems face challenges in efficiently and accurately testing electrical connections, particularly for internal conductive traces and components without physical contact, while minimizing interference from unwanted wireless signal coupling.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a pin assembly with electromagnetic shielding and a sensor configured for wireless coupling to test electrical connections, involving a fixture that aligns with the circuit board's coordinates, applying electrical signals, and receiving responses through wireless coupling, with electromagnetic shielding to prevent interference, and threshold comparisons to assess signal strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wireless coupling is used to test electrical connections without physical contact, then testing efficiency and accessibility to internal components is improved, but unwanted wireless signal coupling and interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary shielding structure (conductive enclosure or shield) between the test signal source and the sensor to block unwanted wireless signal coupling. This mediator allows the desired electrical signal to pass through the circuit board while preventing direct wireless interference between testing components, thus maintaining testing efficiency while reducing harmful electromagnetic interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and isolates the harmful wireless signal coupling by using electromagnetic shielding that selectively blocks interfering signals while allowing the desired test signals to pass. The shielding structure is positioned to specifically target and remove the harmful wireless interference pathway without affecting the useful electrical signal transmission through the circuit board traces.
2Measurement precision
If electromagnetic shielding is added to minimize interference, then signal detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies electromagnetic shielding locally only where needed - specifically around the sensor or in specific zones where wireless signal interference occurs - rather than implementing complete system-wide shielding. This localized approach maintains signal detection accuracy in critical areas while minimizing the overall complexity and resource usage of the shielding structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin conductive shielding films or flexible conductive enclosures that provide effective electromagnetic shielding with minimal structural complexity. These thin-film shields are easier to integrate into the testing fixture and require less material and assembly complexity compared to bulky traditional shielding structures, thus improving signal detection accuracy without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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 accurate testing of electrical paths and traces on and within circuit boards, including internal components, by minimizing interference and ensuring reliable signal detection, thereby improving testing efficiency and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured to wirelessly couple to a second electrically-conductive structure. The sensor is configured to receive, through the wireless coupling, an electrical response
Implementation Method 2
The outer enclosure may be or include metal. The outer enclosure may be spring-loaded to move relative to the electrically-conductive pin. The outer enclosure may be configured at least to inhibit signal coupling between the electrically-conductive pin and the sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
An example system is configured to test an electrical connection in a circuit board. The circuit board includes a first electrically-conductive structure for receiving test signals, second electrically-conductive structures for mounting components, and electrically-conductive traces between the first electrically-conductive structure and the second electrically-conductive structures. The system includes a pin assembly including an electrically-conductive pin that is configured to physically contact the first electrically-conductive structure to apply an electrical signal to the first electrically-conductive structure; and a sensor configured to wirelessly couple to a second electrically-conductive structure. The sensor is configured to receive, through the wireless coupling, an electrical response that is based on the electrical signal through an electrically-conductive trace on the circuit board.