Coaxial Signal Contact Pattern for RF Mezzanine Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mezzanine connector assemblies fail to provide a coaxial connection between circuit boards, as separate coaxial connectors with matching stack heights are often difficult to find, limiting the integration of radio frequency (RF) signals.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly with a housing and contacts arranged in a coaxial signal contact pattern, including a center signal contact surrounded by contacts electrically connected to ground, emulating a coaxial connection to facilitate RF signal transmission between substrates while maintaining consistent stack height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate coaxial connector is used to provide RF signal connection between circuit boards, then RF signal communication is enabled, but the device complexity increases and compatibility becomes difficult due to stack height mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines signal contacts and coaxial contacts into a single connector assembly. The signal contacts provide differential signal transmission while coaxial contacts provide RF signal transmission, both within the same connector structure that mates with the circuit board, eliminating the need for separate coaxial connectors and resolving the stack height mismatch issue
Solution Approach 2:
The connector assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides both signal transmission (through signal contacts) and RF signal transmission (through coaxial contacts) simultaneously. This multi-functional design allows a single connector to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate connectors, reducing overall system complexity
2Reliability
If a separate coaxial connector is used to provide RF signal connection, then RF signal communication is enabled, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in finding matching stack heights
Solution Approach 1:
By merging signal and coaxial contacts into one integrated connector assembly with a unified housing, the patent ensures that both signal and RF connections are achieved simultaneously with a single mating operation. The housing is designed to mate directly with the circuit board, eliminating the need to separately source and assemble different connectors, thereby greatly improving ease of operation and compatibility
3Device complexity
If signal contacts are used without coaxial contacts, then the connector structure is simpler, but the capability to communicate RF signals is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides both signal transmission (through signal contacts) and RF signal transmission (through coaxial contacts) simultaneously. This multi-functional design allows a single connector to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate connectors, reducing overall system complexity while expanding capability
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly includes a housing and contacts. The housing is configured to mate with a mating connector. The contacts are in the housing and configured to electrically connect the connector assembly with the mating connector. The contacts are arranged in a coaxial signal contact pattern. The coaxial signal contact pattern includes a center signal contact surrounded by contacts electrically connected to an electrical ground in a manner to emulate a coaxial connection with the mating connector.