Surface mountable coaxial solder interconnect and method

Abstract

A surface mountable coaxial solder interconnect. The invention provides a small, low-cost, passively self-aligning, high-frequency electronic interconnect adapted to mass production and method. The invention includes a substrate, a signal conductor, and an annular conductor. The substrate incorporates an annular pad and a signal pad substantially centered within the annular pad. The signal conductor includes reflowed solder and is wetted to the signal pad. Similarly, the annular conductor includes reflowed solder and is wetted to the annular pad. The invention may also provide a second substrate substantially parallel to the first substrate that includes a second annular pad and a second signal pad substantially centered within the second annular pad. In such a case, the signal conductor is also wetted to the second signal pad, and, similarly, the annular conductor is also wetted to the second annular pad. The method of the invention includes obtaining a mask and a substrate. The mask obtained defines a center cavity and an annular cavity surrounding the center cavity, and may also define an outer cavity in fluidic communication with the annular cavity. The substrate obtained includes a solder-wettable signal pad, and a solder-wettable annular pad surrounding the signal pad. The mask is then filled with solder paste and aligned with the substrate such that the center cavity of the mask is in registry with the signal pad. The solder paste is then reflowed, generating solder wetting the solder-wettable signal pad and the solder-wettable annular pad.