Hybrid-Pitch Through-Hole Connector Layout for Lower Crosstalk

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional through hole connectors suffer from increased crosstalk due to the through hole via effect, leading to performance degradation compared to surface mount connectors.

Innovation Solution

A through hole connector with a hybrid pin pitch is introduced, featuring alternating signal and ground pins with leads that have a non-uniform pitch at the motherboard-facing end, allowing signal pins to be closer to ground pins and reducing crosstalk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If through hole technology is used to couple the connector with the motherboard, then reliability and manufacturing cost are improved, but performance deteriorates due to increased crosstalk from the through hole via effect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector reliabilityVSAvoidcrosstalk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating different pitch configurations in different regions of the connector. Specifically, signal pins have different pitch distances from adjacent ground pins, creating localized variations in the electromagnetic field distribution. This non-uniform pitch structure optimizes the shielding effect at specific locations where crosstalk is most problematic, while maintaining the overall through-hole connector architecture for reliability and cost benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If surface-mount technology is used to couple the connector with the motherboard, then performance is improved, but manufacturing cost and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecrosstalkVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the pitch parameters of the connector pins. By varying the pitch distances between signal pins and ground pins in specific patterns, the electromagnetic characteristics of the through-hole connector are altered to reduce crosstalk. This allows the through-hole technology to achieve performance levels previously associated with surface-mount technology, while retaining the manufacturing and reliability advantages of through-hole construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If uniform pitch is used in through hole connectors, then manufacturing is simplified, but performance deteriorates due to increased crosstalk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcrosstalk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by introducing non-uniform pitch distances between pins. Specifically, signal pins are positioned at different pitch distances from their adjacent ground pins, creating an asymmetric pattern that optimizes electromagnetic shielding. This asymmetric configuration reduces crosstalk by creating more effective ground shielding zones near signal pins, while the overall manufacturing process remains relatively simple by maintaining regular patterns in other aspects of the connector design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS12267957B2Hybrid pitch through hole connector
Publication Date: 2025.04.01 INTEL CORP
  • US12267957B2 patent drawing
  • US12267957B2 patent drawing
  • US12267957B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Connectors with a hybrid pitch are described. In one example, a connector to couple a card or module to a motherboard includes connector housing and a plurality of pins. The plurality of pins include alternating signal and ground pins. Each of the plurality of pins includes a card or module-facing end to couple with the card or module and a lead to couple with a through hole in the motherboard. A first pitch between leads of a pin and a first adjacent pin is different than a second pitch between leads of the pin and a second adjacent pin.