Universal Receptacle for Multi-Lane Cable Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional network ports have a fixed number of lanes, leading to wasted or stranded lanes when connecting network chip ports with varying lane counts, as existing connectors and cables are defined for specific lane counts, forcing certain lanes to be unusable and resulting in inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
Designing modular receptacles and cable connectors that can accept varying lane-count cables, allowing all lanes of network chips to be utilized, with management signals for dynamic detection of cable types to configure network switch chips appropriately, enabling high connector density and lower costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If connectors and cables are defined for specific lane counts, then connection reliability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates as lanes are wasted or stranded when connecting network chip ports with varying lane counts
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle is designed to accept multiple cable types with different lane counts (1-lane, 2-lane, 4-lane, 8-lane, 12-lane, 16-lane) through a unified interface. The connector housing and contact arrangement are standardized to accommodate varying numbers of lanes, allowing a single receptacle design to serve multiple functions across different network configurations without wasting lanes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connector types are used to match different lane counts, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases and costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of designing separate receptacles for each lane count (1-lane, 2-lane, 4-lane, etc.), the invention uses a single universal receptacle design that can accommodate all lane counts. The standardized housing, contact arrangement, and cable connector interface eliminate the need for multiple connector types, reducing device complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining full adaptability.
3Manufacturing precision
If fixed lane-count connectors are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to stranded lanes and increased component quantities
Solution Approach 1:
The universal receptacle design maintains standardized manufacturing specifications while eliminating stranded lanes. By allowing all lanes of network chip ports to be fully utilized regardless of cable lane count, the system improves productivity without sacrificing manufacturing precision. The standardized interface simplifies assembly and reduces the total number of components needed.
Data Source
AI summary
One example of a system includes a receptacle including a plurality of bays. Each bay of the receptacle supports 1-lane of network communications. The receptacle is to connect to a multi-lane cable to provide a multi-lane port or connect to a plurality of 1-lane cables to provide a plurality of 1-lane ports.