Connector Stub Resonance Frequency Shifting via Propagation Delay

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Solution Overview

Problem

In information handling systems, unused mating stubs in connectors resonate at frequencies that affect signal integrity as transmission frequencies increase, leading to decreased performance in existing architectures.

Innovation Solution

The connector design includes a pin with a stub that has a significantly larger per-unit-length signal propagation delay than the rest of the pin, achieved through coatings, tapers, or coarsening features, which shifts the resonant frequency to higher values, maintaining mechanical rigidity and tolerance while mitigating unwanted resonances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional connector stub design is used, then mechanical rigidity and tolerance are maintained, but resonance occurs at transmission frequencies affecting signal integrity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal integrityVSAvoidresonance effect

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the stub by applying coatings with different dielectric constants, creating tapers along the stub length, or adding coarsening features. These parameter changes modify the per-unit-length signal propagation delay, thereby shifting the resonant frequency to higher values where it no longer interferes with transmission frequencies, resolving the resonance problem while maintaining mechanical integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different properties to different portions of the stub. By applying dielectric coatings only to specific sections, creating tapers in certain regions, or adding coarsening features locally, the stub achieves varying signal propagation characteristics along its length. This local differentiation allows the stub to maintain its mechanical function while altering its electrical resonance characteristics to avoid interfering with signal frequencies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If stub resonance frequency is increased, then signal integrity is improved, but per-unit-length signal propagation delay must be significantly increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal integrityVSAvoidsignal propagation delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent deliberately changes the per-unit-length signal propagation delay parameter by introducing dielectric coatings, tapers, or coarsening features on the stub. These modifications increase the effective electrical length or slow down signal propagation in the stub region, which directly increases the per-unit-length delay and shifts resonance to higher frequencies, thereby improving signal integrity without requiring changes to the main signal path

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This design effectively reduces or eliminates the disadvantages of resonance in connector stubs, enhancing signal integrity by increasing the resonance frequency and maintaining mechanical features for connector mating.

Implementation Method 1

Each stub 24 and 26 may act as an antenna, and thus may resonate at frequencies (and harmonics thereof) for which the length of such stub 24 or 26 is equal to one-quarter of the wavelength of such frequencies.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

constructing the stub such that a per-unit-length signal propagation delay through the stub is significantly larger than a per-unit-length signal propagation delay through the remainder of the pin excluding the stub

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal propagation delay:

Data Source

PatentUS9768555B2Systems and methods for frequency shifting resonance of connector stubs

Publication Date: 2017.09.19 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a connector may include a housing and a pin housed in the housing and configured to electrically couple to a corresponding electrically-conductive conduit of an information handling resource comprising the connector. The pin may include an approximate connection point at which the pin electrically couples to a corresponding pin of another connector mated to the connector and a stub extending from the approximate connection point and constructed such that a per-unit-length signal propagation delay through the stub is significantly larger than a per-unit-length signal propagation delay through the remainder of the pin excluding the stub.