International Business Machines Corporation

Apurba Choudhury

Miles Frank Swain

Thomas W Liang

Quach Hung Huy

An apparatus and method for reliability testing an electrical connector for an unacceptable propagation delay. The propagation delay is detected in a transmitted test signal through the electrical connector in comparison to a reference signal having a known delay. A failure signal occurs in response to the transmitted test signal failing to transition before a corresponding transition in the reference signal. The apparatus and method is extendable to a plurality of conductor paths in the electrical connector, such as a parallel communication digital data bus. Moreover, the known delay in the reference signal is selectable for adjusting an allowable propagation delay criteria for applications with different data rate requirements.

Evaluation of interconnect reliability using propagation delay through interconnect

An enhanced electrical arrangement for a computer includes a circuit board, and a module arranged essentially parallel to the circuit board. An array connector is positioned between the circuit board and the module. The array connector causes the circuit board to be in electrical communication with the module. A clamping arrangement is provided for urging the circuit board and the module toward each other, by exerting a constant force against the module to cause an electrical connection between the circuit board, array connector and the module. The clamping arrangement includes an alignment assembly that is mounted to the circuit board to help align the module, and a load assembly to provide the force on the module. The alignment assembly and the load assembly are removably engageable with one another. When the load assembly is engaged with the alignment assembly, the load assembly can apply the force on the module which urges the module toward the array connector and the circuit board. Further, when the load assembly is disengaged from the alignment assembly, the force is removed from the module.

Enhanced mounting hardware for a circuit board

An electrical connector system uses two electrical connector housings and two mating electrical connectors. The electrical connector housings are disposed on a support plate in an end to end relation and spaced apart by a distance smaller than twice the distance from the electrical connector housing to the fastener holding the connector to the connector housing. The fasteners are carried by and engaged with a retainer bar that further engages the connectors to pull the connectors into the connector housings and retain them in connection relationship, ensuring reliability of the connection.

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Rochester, MN, United States of America

Apurba Choudhury