Rigid-Flex Port Connector Layout for Lower Network Signal Loss
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanisms for connecting processors to port connectors in network devices exhibit poor signal loss behavior.
Innovation Solution
The use of a rigid-flex circuit with a first and second rigid portion and a flexible portion joined between them, mounted on opposite sides of a printed circuit board, to communicatively couple integrated circuits to port connectors, reducing signal loss and improving signal integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional connection mechanisms are used to connect processors to port connectors, then device complexity is reduced, but signal loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rigid-flex circuit that extends in multiple dimensions from the printed circuit board, with rigid portions mounted on opposite sides and flexible portions connecting them. This multi-dimensional configuration creates optimized signal paths that reduce signal loss while maintaining manageable device complexity through structured spatial arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite rigid-flex circuit structure combining rigid portions (for stable mounting on the printed circuit board) and flexible portions (for optimized signal transmission paths). This composite approach allows the connection mechanism to simultaneously achieve low signal loss and controlled complexity through material and structural differentiation.
2Reliability
If rigid-flex circuit with multiple portions is used to couple integrated circuits to port connectors, then signal integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid-flex circuit is segmented into distinct rigid portions and flexible portions, each serving specific functions. The rigid portions provide stable mounting surfaces on opposite sides of the printed circuit board, while the flexible portions provide optimized signal transmission paths, thereby improving signal integrity through functional segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid-flex circuit structure is nested within the device architecture, with rigid portions mounted on the printed circuit board and flexible portions extending between them. This nested configuration integrates the complex multi-part structure into the existing device layout, improving signal integrity while containing the complexity within a compact hierarchical arrangement.
Data Source
AI summary
A network device or a system can include a printed circuit board, an integrated circuit mounted on a first side of the printed circuit board, a rigid-flex circuit having a first rigid portion, a second rigid portion, and a flexible portion joined between the first and second rigid portions, and port connectors mounted on the second rigid portion of the rigid-flex circuit. The first rigid portion of the rigid-flex circuit can be disposed on a second side, opposing the first side, of the printed circuit board. The rigid-flex circuit is configured to communicatively couple the integrated circuit to the port connectors. The network device can include alignment structures for positioning the printed circuit board and the rigid-flex circuit within a housing of the device.