Monolithic Coaxial Waveguide Connector for Removable PCB Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of convenient methods for removably attaching printed circuit boards to microwave and millimeter-wave components, which complicates servicing and upgrading, especially as the number of connections and operating frequency increase, making existing attachment methods inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A circuit board connector is developed using PolyStrata® multilayer build processing technology to create a monolithic structure with coaxial waveguides, allowing for removable attachment and electrical connection between the circuit board and microwave/millimeter-wave components, featuring a mounting feature for the circuit board edge and coaxial waveguides with a center conductor soldered to the board, and additional connections via conductive elastomer pins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If traditional attachment methods are used for connecting circuit boards to microwave/millimeter-wave components, then the connection is fixed and stable, but servicing and upgrading become difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two separable parts: a circuit board-mounted portion with coaxial cable connections and a waveguide interface portion that attaches to the microwave component. This segmentation enables removable attachment for easy servicing while maintaining stable electrical connections through precision-machined mating surfaces and interlocking features.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of connections and operating frequency increase, then system capability improves, but interconnection complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design provides universal interfacing capabilities between coaxial cable systems and waveguide systems, accommodating multiple connection types and frequencies through standardized mounting features and scalable coaxial-to-waveguide transition geometries that can be adapted to different system requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector employs nested coaxial structures where inner conductors are surrounded by intermediate shields and outer grounds, creating multiple transmission paths within a compact volume. This nested arrangement enables multiple connections to be integrated in a space-efficient manner while maintaining signal integrity at high frequencies.
3Ease of operation
If removable attachment is implemented, then servicing and upgrading become easier, but connection stability and electrical performance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates pre-assembled coaxial cable sections with factory-terminated connectors and pre-positioned mounting features. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the connector is installed and removed multiple times, the electrical performance remains consistent without requiring field retermination or adjustment, maintaining reliability while enabling removability.
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
Enables efficient physical and electrical connection between the circuit board and microwave/millimeter-wave components, facilitating easy servicing and upgrading while maintaining reliable performance across increasing connection densities and frequencies.
Implementation Method 1
The waveguide may include a center conductor having a first end, with the first end configured to be electrically connected to a conductive trace of the circuit board
Implementation Method 2
The connector may also include additional connections to the antenna array via conductive elastomer pins
Data Source
AI summary
Circuit board connector that provides electrical connection between conductive traces in a printed circuit board and microwave/millimeter-wave components.