USB Receptacle Configuration via Bridge Conductor Instantiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing design of information handling systems requires unique printed circuit boards for different USB receptacle configurations, such as USB type-C and type-A, due to signal integrity issues with high-speed USB interfaces, leading to increased design, inventory, and regulatory costs.
Innovation Solution
A method that selectively instantiates bridge conductor components on printed circuit board pads to configure either a USB type-C or type-A receptacle, allowing a single PCB design to support multiple USB configurations by mutually exclusive instantiation of bridge conductor components, thereby eliminating the need for separate PCBs for each configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If unique printed circuit boards are used for different USB receptacle configurations, then signal integrity is maintained, but design and inventory costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic configuration of USB receptacle types by selectively instantiating bridge conductor components at different PCB pad locations. The same physical PCB can be configured as USB type-C or type-A through mutual exclusion of bridge conductor instantiation, allowing the system to adapt its electrical connectivity dynamically based on required USB configuration without requiring separate hardware designs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal PCB design that can serve multiple USB receptacle configurations (type-C and type-A) through the use of bridge conductor components. The bridge conductors enable the same PCB to be configured for different USB types by selectively connecting specific PCB pads, making the PCB multi-functional and eliminating the need for configuration-specific PCB designs
2Device complexity
If bridge conductor components are selectively instantiated to support multiple USB configurations, then design and inventory costs are reduced, but signal integrity challenges arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing bridge conductor components only at specific PCB pad locations where needed for the desired USB configuration. The bridge conductors are selectively instantiated between specific pads (e.g., first and second PCB pads for type-C, first and third PCB pads for type-A), creating localized electrical connections that maintain proper signal routing for the selected USB receptacle type while leaving other areas unaffected
Data Source
AI summary
A method may include selectively instantiating a bridge conductor component at a first printed circuit board (PCB) pad and a second PCB pad to provide a first universal serial bus (USB) receptacle configuration at an information handling system, the first configuration having a USB type-C receptacle at a first location at the PCB. The method may further include selectively instantiating the bridge conductor component at the first PCB pad and a third PCB pad to provide a second USB receptacle configuration at an information handling system, the second configuration having a USB type-A receptacle at the first location at the PCB. Instantiation of the bridge conductor component at the first and the second PCB pads is mutually exclusive to instantiation of the first bridge conductor component at the first and the third PCB pads.