Co-planar Waveguide Ground Skew Compensation via Dielectric Pockets
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In electrical connectors with co-planar waveguide structures, the mismatch in electrical lengths of ground conductors due to bending causes slot-line mode, leading to increased insertion loss, especially at high data rates above 1 to 2 Gigabit/sec.
Innovation Solution
The electrical lengths of ground conductors are matched by creating pockets in the dielectric material with a different dielectric constant, and adjusting the size of the ground references to maintain uniform impedance, thereby equalizing ground skew and reducing electromagnetic coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ground conductors are bent in a right-angle connector to change connector orientation, then connector versatility is improved, but electrical length mismatch between ground conductors increases causing slot-line mode and increased insertion loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing a dielectric member with a different dielectric constant than the surrounding dielectric material. This creates a localized change in electrical properties along the longer ground conductor, specifically in the region where the bending occurs. The dielectric member is positioned adjacent to the bent portion of the ground conductor to locally adjust the electrical length and match it with the other ground conductor, thereby reducing slot-line mode and insertion loss while maintaining the right-angle connector orientation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the dielectric constant parameter in the region of the longer ground conductor. By introducing a dielectric member with a different dielectric constant (either higher or lower than the surrounding material), the effective electrical length of that ground conductor segment is adjusted. This parameter change compensates for the length mismatch caused by the bending, equalizing the electrical lengths of both ground conductors and eliminating the harmful slot-line mode
2Loss of energy
If electrical lengths of ground conductors are matched by adding dielectric members, then insertion loss is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the dielectric member directly into the connector housing structure. Rather than being a separate adjustable component, the dielectric member is molded or embedded as a permanent part of the connector assembly. This merging approach simplifies manufacturing and assembly while achieving the electrical length matching function, thereby reducing the practical complexity despite the additional structural element
Solution Approach 2:
The dielectric member serves as an intermediary element that mediates between the ground conductor and the surrounding dielectric material. It provides a controlled interface that adjusts the electrical properties of the ground conductor path without requiring direct modification of the conductor itself or complex adjustment mechanisms. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall solution compared to alternative methods such as adjusting conductor lengths or adding complex matching networks
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 approach significantly reduces insertion loss and maintains uniform impedance across the connector, enhancing performance at high data rates by matching electrical lengths and adjusting dielectric constants in the co-planar waveguide structure.
Implementation Method 1
filling the pocket with a second dielectric material having a different dielectric constant than the first dielectric material
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector including a lead frame assembly of a first dielectric material that includes a pocket filled with a second dielectric material. A first ground reference, which may be either a ground contact or conductor or a virtual ground defined between signal contacts of a differential signal pair, extends in the first dielectric material and has a first physical length. A second ground reference having a different physical length than the first length extends in the first dielectric material and also through the pocket. The combination of the length of the second ground reference through the pocket along with the difference in the dielectric constants associated with the first and second dielectric materials, provides for equalizing or matching the electrical lengths of these two references having different physical lengths. This may aid in reducing slot-line mode of a co-planar waveguide. The cross-sectional size of the second reference within the pocket may be altered to provide uniform impedance along the length of the second reference as well as an impedance matched to the first conductor.