Wireless EHF PCB Connectivity Without Mechanical Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connector and backplane architectures in electronic systems introduce impedance discontinuities, degrading signal quality and requiring expensive electronics to negotiate, while mechanical connectors are prone to wear and alignment issues.
Innovation Solution
A system for communicating EHF electromagnetic signals using a printed circuit board (PCB) with integrated circuits (ICs) and antennas, where insulating material holds the IC and antenna in fixed positions, enabling wireless data and power transfer between devices without physical connections, using inductive power receivers and EHF communication units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional mechanical connectors and backplane architectures are used to connect multiple PCBs, then information flow between boards is facilitated, but impedance discontinuities are introduced that degrade signal quality and require expensive electronics to negotiate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical connectors with wireless electromagnetic coupling. Transmitter and receiver circuits on separate PCBs communicate through electromagnetic fields without physical contact, eliminating mechanical impedance discontinuities and their associated signal quality degradation while maintaining information flow capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic fields as an intermediary medium for signal transmission between PCBs. The transmitter converts electrical signals to electromagnetic signals that propagate through space to the receiver, which converts them back to electrical signals, thereby avoiding direct electrical contact and its associated impedance issues
2Ease of operation
If conventional mechanical connectors are used to connect PCBs, then signal transmission is enabled, but the connectors wear out over time and require precise alignment and manufacturing methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical connectors with wireless electromagnetic coupling. The transmitter and receiver circuits communicate through electromagnetic fields without physical contact, completely eliminating mechanical wear, alignment requirements, and manufacturing precision constraints associated with traditional connectors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the signal transmission function from mechanical connectors and implements it through separate transmitter and receiver circuits that communicate wirelessly. This separates the signal path from any mechanical connection path, eliminating the reliability issues inherent in mechanical systems
3Ease of operation
If mechanical connectors are used for PCB connections, then electrical connection is established, but the connectors are susceptible to mechanical jostling and require precise alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical connectors with wireless electromagnetic coupling. Transmitter and receiver circuits establish electrical connection functionality through electromagnetic fields without any mechanical contact, thereby eliminating susceptibility to mechanical jostling and removing alignment precision requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the connection system into separate transmitter and receiver circuits on different PCBs that communicate wirelessly. This segmentation allows each circuit to operate independently without requiring precise mechanical alignment or connection between boards
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides high-bandwidth, reliable, and scalable communication with improved signal integrity and manufacturability, allowing for flexible device architectures and simultaneous wireless charging and data synchronization.
Implementation Method 1
an inductive power receiver for converting received inductive energy into power for operating the first EHF communication unit and data storage unit
Implementation Method 2
a transmitter circuit that transforms a baseband data signal into an EHF electrical signal and conducts the transformed EHF electrical signal to the antenna for transmission as an EHF electromagnetic signal encoded with data
Implementation Method 3
a receiver circuit that receives from the antenna an EHF electrical signal received by the antenna as an EHF electromagnetic signal encoded with data and transforms the received EHF electrical signal into a baseband data signal
Data Source
AI summary
A scalable, high-bandwidth connectivity architecture for portable storage devices and memory modules may utilize EHF communication link chip packages mounted in various two-dimensional and three-dimensional configurations on planar surfaces such as printed circuit boards. Multiple electromagnetic communication links between devices distributed on major faces of card-like devices may be provided with respectively aligned pairs of communication units on each device. Adjacent communication units on a printed circuit board may transmit or receive electromagnetic radiation having different polarization, such as linear or elliptical polarization. Power and communication between communication devices may both be provided wirelessly.