PCB Cable Assembly for Flexible OCP Expansion Card Connections
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable solutions for OCP expansion cards in data center hardware are costly, complex, and inefficient, leading to increased power consumption and thermal issues due to unnecessary cabling and varying cabling needs for different types of expansion cards.
Innovation Solution
A unified cable system that uses existing server board connectors, including high-speed and low-speed cables, a printed circuit board, and optional connectors to support multiple sockets and types of expansion cards, with high-speed cables directly soldered to expansion card connectors to maintain signal integrity and reduce unnecessary cabling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If custom-designed cable solutions are used for each expansion card type, then cabling flexibility and adaptability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal cable system where a single cable assembly with multiple connectors can support different types of expansion cards (NIC, storage controller, accelerator card). The cable includes both high-speed connectors for data transmission and low-speed connectors for management traffic, allowing one cable design to serve multiple card types and functions, thereby reducing design complexity while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The cable system is segmented into distinct high-speed and low-speed connector components, allowing selective connection based on the expansion card type. This segmentation enables the system to connect only the necessary connectors for each specific card type, providing cabling flexibility without requiring custom designs for each card, thus reducing overall complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If all cables are connected to every expansion card, then adaptability is improved, but power consumption and thermal issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The cable system employs dynamic connection configuration where connectors are selectively engaged or disconnected based on the specific expansion card type installed. For example, storage controller cards that do not require high-speed data connections can have their high-speed connectors disconnected, reducing power consumption while maintaining the capability to connect high-speed connectors when needed for NIC or accelerator cards
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and removes unnecessary cable connections based on the expansion card type. By taking out the high-speed connectors from the cabling system when connecting storage controller cards that don't require them, the system reduces power consumption and thermal load while preserving the option to include these connectors when working with cards that need high-speed data transmission
3Temperature
If custom-designed cable connectors are used, then thermal concerns are addressed, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The universal cable connector design incorporates both high-speed and low-speed connection capabilities in a single standardized interface. This multi-functional connector handles different signal types (data, power, management traffic) through a unified design, addressing thermal management requirements while avoiding the complexity of multiple custom-designed connectors for different card types
4Reliability
If high-speed cables are used for all connections, then signal integrity is improved, but cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cable system applies different quality levels of connection appropriate to each signal type and card requirement. High-speed connectors with enhanced signal integrity features are provided where needed (for NIC and accelerator cards requiring high data rates), while storage controller cards that only require low-speed management traffic use simpler, lower-power connections, optimizing both signal integrity and power consumption locally for each connection type
Data Source
AI summary
A cable system includes a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising a set of connector pin pads and a card-side connector, with the card-side connector comprising a housing attached to the PCB and a set of pins. A first subset of the set of pins is soldered on and electrically coupled to the connector pin pads. The cable system includes first and second cables electrically coupled to the card-side connector. The first cable includes a first end soldered onto the connector pin pads to couple to the first subset of the pins and a second end coupled to a first host-side connector. The second cable includes a first end soldered onto a second subset of the set of pins of the card-side connector and a second end coupled to a second host-side connector, thereby facilitating electrical coupling between the card-side connector and the first and second host-side connectors.