Flexible Optical Cage Service Board for Low-Loss Signal Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing service boards in network communication devices face challenges in high-speed, high-density scenarios due to poor integration, large size, weight, volume, and wind resistance issues caused by dense optical cage interfaces, leading to restricted application in high-speed transmission scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A service board design incorporating a flexible board that electrically connects optical cages to chips, reducing vertical connection paths, insertion loss, and crosstalk, while allowing for high wiring density and flexible bending, thereby improving integration and assembly efficiency and reducing occupied space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large quantity of cables are led out from the optical cage to connect to the chip, then electrical connection is achieved, but integration is poor and assembly is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the connection system into three distinct segments: the optical cage with signal pins, the flexible board as an intermediate connector, and the chip. This segmentation replaces the traditional direct cable connection with a modular approach where the flexible board acts as a bridge, simplifying assembly by eliminating the need to manually connect numerous cables while maintaining reliable electrical connection through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible board serves as an intermediary component between the optical cage and the chip. Instead of directly connecting cables from the optical cage to the chip, the flexible board with its signal pins provides an intermediate connection layer, reducing assembly complexity while ensuring reliable electrical connection through controlled impedance traces and standardized mounting interfaces.
2Reliability
If connectors are used to connect the optical cage to the chip, then electrical connection is achieved, but the connection path is long causing insertion loss and crosstalk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical connection path (optical cage → cable → connector → chip) to a planar layout where the flexible board with signal pins is mounted directly on the PCB near the chip. This dimensional change shortens the connection path by eliminating unnecessary vertical transitions and long cable runs, reducing insertion loss and crosstalk while maintaining reliable electrical connection through direct trace routing on the flexible board.
3Reliability
If traditional rigid connection structures are used, then electrical connection is stable, but the service board occupies large space and has large weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional rigid connection structures with a flexible board that has signal pins. This flexible board can be bent and routed to connect the optical cage to the chip in a compact manner, significantly reducing the service board's volume and weight while maintaining stable electrical connection through controlled impedance traces and secure mounting interfaces that ensure reliable signal transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
A service board includes a flexible board, at least one chip, and at least one optical cage layer. Each optical cage layer includes a plurality of optical cages. Each optical cage has an opening that faces a panel side and that is configured to connect to an optical module. The optical cage includes a housing and a plurality of signal pins. One end of the flexible board is electrically connected to tail ends of the plurality of signal pins, and another end of the flexible board is electrically connected to one chip, thereby shortening a connection path between the optical module and the chip, and reducing a link loss. Therefore, integration of the service board is improved, assembly is convenient, and a high-density connection and a simplified design of the service board are implemented, so that the service board is applicable to a high-density and high-speed transmission scenario.