Twinaxial Cable Splitter for IC Package Test Signal Breakout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional testing systems are not configured to test integrated circuit (IC) packages that include twinaxial cables and are mounted to a package printed circuit board (PCB), as they do not receive twinaxial cables for performance metric testing.
Innovation Solution
A die package testing apparatus with a twinaxial cable splitter that includes a housing and electrically nonconductive substrate, supporting first and second electrical conductors, which are electrically isolated and configured to be in electrical contact with twinaxial cables and complementary electrical components, allowing for the testing of IC packages with twinaxial cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate devices are used to provide different communication services, then service functionality is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple communication services (DSL, cable modem, fiber optic, wireless) into a single splitter device that can handle multiple signal types simultaneously. The splitter integrates multiple filtering circuits and output ports in one unit, eliminating the need for separate devices for each service type.
Solution Approach 2:
The splitter is designed as a universal device capable of providing multiple communication services through a single interface. It includes configurable filtering circuits that can be programmed via remote management to provide different service types, making one device perform the functions of multiple specialized devices.
2Device complexity
If traditional splitters are used without filtering circuits, then device complexity is reduced, but signal interference and service reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces filtering circuits as intermediary components between the input signal and output ports. These filters act as mediators that selectively pass desired signals while blocking interfering signals from other services, preventing signal degradation without adding significant complexity to the overall device.
3Reliability
If multiple filtering circuits are integrated in one splitter, then service reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses programmable filtering circuits whose parameters can be configured remotely after manufacturing. This allows a single manufacturing process to produce splitters that can be adapted to different service requirements through software configuration rather than requiring different hardware configurations for each service type.
4Reliability
If site-specific splitters are manufactured for each location, then service reliability is improved, but installation time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements filtering circuits that are pre-configured at the factory with default settings. The splitter is manufactured in advance with all necessary filtering components installed and can be quickly deployed to any location. Remote management capabilities allow for post-installation configuration adjustments without requiring on-site manufacturing or complex installation procedures.
Data Source
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AI summary
A twinaxial cable splitter includes first and second electrical splitter conductors that are configured to be placed in electrical communication with respective first and second signal conductors of a twinaxial electrical cable at one end of the electrical splitter conductors, and are configured to be placed in electrical communication with respective first and second electrical signal conductors of first and second coaxial electrical cables. Thus, the first and second coaxial electrical cables are placed in electrical communication with the first and second electrical signal conductors, respectively, of the twinaxial cable. The twinaxial cable is in electrical communication with an IC die package. The first and second coaxial electrical cables are configured to route electrical signals to a testing device that is configured to determine certain metrics of an IC chip of the die package.