Patent · US Active

Method for improving power distribution current measurement on printed circuit boards

US7765673B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
5References
3Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 21, 2008
Grant dateAug 3, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 24, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/49165
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

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.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.