Connector with Drilling Tamper Detection Conductive Pathways
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for transmitting electrical signals between electronic circuit boards lack effective protection against unauthorized monitoring, particularly from drilling attempts that can disrupt the signal pathways.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a non-conductive support with spaced surfaces, electrical signal conductors, and a series of holes with conductive pathways that detect drilling attempts by disrupting the pathways, triggering a tamper circuit to prevent unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a connector is designed with simple structure for signal transmission, then ease of manufacture and device complexity are improved, but security against unauthorized monitoring deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into multiple functional layers: signal transmission conductors, tamper detection conductors arranged in rows of holes, and insulating support structures. This segmentation allows the tamper detection function to be added without completely redesigning the connector, maintaining ease of manufacture while improving security
Solution Approach 2:
The tamper detection conductors act as intermediary elements between the external environment and the signal transmission conductors. These detection conductors form conductive pathways that are disrupted by drilling attempts, providing an intermediate detection layer that prevents direct access to signal conductors while maintaining the overall connector structure
2Object-affected harmful factors
If tamper detection pathways are added to detect drilling attempts, then security against unauthorized monitoring is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector structure serves multiple functions: signal transmission through dedicated conductors, tamper detection through detection conductors forming conductive pathways, and structural support through the insulating body. This multi-functionality is achieved by integrating detection pathways into the existing connector geometry without requiring separate detection devices, thus limiting the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The tamper detection function is merged with the connector structure by forming detection conductors within the insulating support body itself. The detection conductors are integrated into the connector manufacturing process, combining the structural and detection functions into a single unified component rather than adding separate detection hardware
3Measurement precision
If multiple rows of holes with detection conductors are positioned between external surface and signal conductors, then detection precision against drilling attempts is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the connector have different functional qualities: the external surface region contains rows of detection holes for tamper detection, the internal region contains signal transmission conductors, and the insulating support provides structural integrity. This local differentiation of quality allows precise detection functionality to be concentrated in specific areas without complicating the entire device structure
Data Source
AI summary
A connector (26) transmits electrical signals between two electronic circuit boards (10, 12). The connector (26) comprises an electrically non-conductive support having two spaced surfaces (36, 38). Each surface (36, 38) has a respective interface (42) for electrical connection with a respective one of the two electronic circuit boards (10, 12) to be connected. At least one electrical conductor passes through the support and connects the two interfaces (42) for transmitting electrical signals between the two interfaces. The support also has an external surface (40). At least one electrically conductive pathway (A, B, C) is provided between the external surface (40) and the at least one electrical conductor for detecting an attempt to drill from the external surface to the at least one electrical conductor.