International Business Machines Corporation

Claude Gomez

Bruno Centola

Rene J Glaise

Pierre Debord

Denis G Roman

Jean-Francois Fauh

Christian Ouazana

Andre Lecerf

Patrick Michel

Michel Paul Verhaeghe

Philippe Klein

Jacques Feraud

A method and system for improving power distribution and/or current measurement on a printed circuit board is disclosed. According to the invention, a first power plane adapted for current measurement includes a first segment to which a current source is connected and a second segment to which other devices may be connected, forming the current load. A third segment is used to measure the current between the first segment and the second segment through two vias that link two points of the third segment to, preferably, two pads of the external layer. In a preferred embodiment, vias are connected to the first segment so that current flow in the third segment is linear, to improve and simplify current determination. The resistivity between the pair of vias may be computed or estimated using calibrated currents.

Method for improving power distribution current measurement on printed circuit boards

System for improving power distribution current measurement on printed circuit boards

A backplane system allowing a very large number of interconnections between high-connectivity printed circuit boards and a backplane is disclosed. The backplane is fragmented into a plurality of backplane parts that comprise connectors on their edges to mate connectors arranged on the high-connectivity printed circuit boards. These backplane parts may also include other connectors on their edges to couple to extension printed circuit boards requiring less interconnections or cables. Interposers can be used to link several backplane parts and provide enhanced air circulation.

Fragmented backplane system for I/O applications

A thermal connector to transfer heat from one PCB to another, without interfering with the convenient removal and replacement of the PCBs and without increasing the force required to connect or deconnect the PCBs. The thermal connector comprises a first part, fixedly attached to one PCB and thermally coupled to the end portion of a first heat pipe (thermally coupled to the device to be cooled) and a second movable part, adapted to firmly grasp the end portion of the first pipe and a second heat pipe thermally connected to a cooling system.

Thermal connector for transferring heat between removable printed circuit boards

An electromagnetic shield device for printed circuit boards (PCBs) which, in one embodiment, is made of conductive material and comprised of two parts. In another embodiment, the device is a singular element. In both examples, press-fit or compliant pins may be used to electrically couple the device to the PCB's ground layer. Alternatively, projecting pins or flat conductive plates can be used to provide this coupling. The device is also adjustable to accommodate PCBs of varying thicknesses. The device provides for added PCB stiffness while assuring prevention of electromagnetic radiation from the PCB's edge.

Electromagnetic shield for printed circuit boards

An electronic board assembly carrying connectors on each side of its lower edge which is adapted to withstand the relatively strong forces required to insert or remove the assembly, e.g., from a backplane board, and yet provide many electrical contacts along the interconnection sites. The electronic board assembly comprises two symmetrical elementary PCBs electrically coupled together, each carrying a connector on its external lower edge. In one embodiment, these two PCBs are coupled together by a flexible adhesive insulative layer and maintained by mechanical devices such that the distance between these two connectors is set to a predetermined distance (to align precisely with the backplane board). The mechanical device used to maintain a predetermined distance between the two connectors of the assembly may comprise a U-shaped member, the upper part of this member being strategically inserted between these connectors. Electrical communication between these PCBs is accomplished using conductive vias or parts, within the adhesive insulative layer.

Electronic board assembly including two elementary boards each carrying connectors on an edge thereof

Method for reducing the effects of signal reflections in a data communications network

An apparatus and method for inserting and extracting printed circuit boards from a housing using screwing devices. A connector on the printed circuit board includes two tapped holes that cooperate with two threaded shafts held by the housing. The threaded shafts are operatively coupled to a common control shaft in such a way that rotating the control shaft in turn rotates the threaded shafts. Depending upon the rotation direction, the threaded shafts either screw or unscrew within the tapped holes so that the printed circuit board coupled to the connector is inserted or extracted.

Growing community of inventors

Antibes, France

Claude Gomez