Enlargement-free Conductor Track Transition for High-Frequency PCBs

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional printed circuit board technologies face challenges in efficiently handling high-frequency signals with minimal loss and maintaining miniaturization, as they often require pads for transition between conductor tracks and vias, leading to parasitic effects and increased energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method for manufacturing electronic devices with a widening-free transition between conductor tracks and contact structures, using a common process to form conductive traces and contact structures directly in an insulative support structure, eliminating the need for pads and allowing for seamless, low-loss propagation of high-frequency signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a pad is used for transition between conductor track and via, then manufacturing tolerances are compensated, but parasitic effects increase and energy consumption rises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompensation for manufacturing tolerancesVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the pad structure from the transition between conductor track and via. By directly connecting the via to the conductor track without an intermediate pad, the patent removes the source of parasitic effects and associated energy losses while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through precise alignment processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the conductor track and via into a seamless continuous conductive path. The via is directly integrated with the conductor track, eliminating the boundary and pad structure that previously separated these elements, thereby reducing parasitic capacitance and inductance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If a pad is used for transition between conductor track and via, then manufacturing tolerances are compensated, but parasitic effects increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompensation for manufacturing tolerancesVSAvoidparasitic effects
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pad structure that generates parasitic effects is extracted and removed from the design. The direct via-to-conductor-track connection eliminates the parasitic capacitance and inductance associated with pad structures while relying on precision manufacturing to maintain alignment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a pad to bridge the conductor track and via, the invention inverts the approach by making the via itself the connecting element that directly interfaces with the conductor track, eliminating the need for an intermediate pad structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Loss of energy

If connection paths are shortened for miniaturization, then energy consumption reduces, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidmanufacturing tolerances
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from two-dimensional pad-based connections to three-dimensional direct via-to-track integration. By utilizing vertical via structures that directly penetrate the substrate and connect to conductor tracks, the patent achieves shorter connection paths while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through precise spatial positioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Loss of energy

If pads are eliminated for seamless transition, then energy loss reduces, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy lossVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The via structure is given multiple functions: it serves as both the connection element and the alignment reference for the conductor track. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate pad structures while integrating alignment and connection functions into a single manufacturable feature

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3143847B1Method for manufacturing a conductor track with enlargement-free transition between conductor path and contact structure
Publication Date: 2023.07.12 AT & S AUSTRIA TECHNOLOGIE & SYSTEMTECHNIK AG
  • EP3143847B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3143847B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP3143847B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to an electronic device (100) having an electrically insulating support structure (102), an electrically conductive conductor path (104) on a surface of the support structure (102), and an electrically conductive contact structure (106) which extends from the surface into the support structure (102) and is electrically connected to the conductor path (104) at a connection point (108), thereby forming a common conductor track (110). The conductor path (104) and the contact structure (106) transition into each other in an enlargement-free manner at the connection point (108).