Modified contact traces for interface converter
US6220873A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 10, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 24, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 10, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05K1/117
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The invention relates to an interface module, such as a Giga-Bit Interface Converter module, provided to mate within a host device chassis where, at the rear of the mounting slot, a first connector engages a host socket of the host device. According to the invention, the first connector include sequential mating contact traces on a contact beam of a substrate such that when the module is inserted into the corresponding host socket, certain contacts are connected in a pre-defined sequence such that a first set of contacts electrically engages prior to a second set of contacts which electrically engages prior to a third set of contacts. In further accord with the present invention, the first set of contacts includes grounding contacts, the second set includes contacts for powering the substrate and the third set includes signal contacts. An advantage of this sequence is that the GBIC is grounded before it is powered and powered before it begins passing signals thus eliminating the damage to the GBIC encountered under the GBIC-to-host contact sequence given in the prior art GBIC specification.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.