Backplane having strip transmission line ethernet bus

• US 5,971,804 A
• Filed: 06/30/1997
• Issued: 10/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Emc IP Holding Company LLC (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: EMC Corporation (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Gallagher, Brian, Markovich, Nikolai
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vigushin, John B.
• Application Number:
  US08/885,381
• Time in Patent Office: 848 Days
• Field of Search: 361/788, 361/792, 361/794, 361/795, 361/784, 361/785, 333/104, 333/116, 333/123, 333/124, 333/160, 333/161, 333/206, 333/243, 333/246, 333/247, 333/238, 439/63, 439/578, 439/581, 439/607, 439/608, 439/944, 174/28, 174/102 C, 174/102 SP, 395/280-284, 395/287, 395/821, 364/240, 364/240.1, 364/240.2, 364/240.3, 364/240.4, 364/240.5, 364/240.6, 364/240.7
• US Class Current: 439/581
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/189 Power distribution
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/409 Mechanical coupling back panels H05K7/1438
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0237 High frequency adaptations H05K1/0216 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/14 Structural association of two or more printed circuits providing electric connection to or between printed circuits H05K1/11, H01R12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1408 by a unique member which latches several boards, e.g. locking bars
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1492 having electrical distribution arrangements, e.g. power supply or data communications

Abstract

A data server having a plurality of hot replaceable processing unit modules. Each module includes a motherboard having plugged therein: a CPU; a main memory; an I/O adapter card, and an interconnect printed board, electrically connected to the motherboard. A backplane has a first connector adapted for coupling to a DC power supply. The interconnect printed circuit board has a DC to DC converter connected to a second connector adapted to mate with the first connector to enable the processing unit module to be hot plugged into, or removed from, the backplane. The backplane has formed thereon a strip transmission line adapted to provide an Ethernet bus for interconnecting a plurality of the modules. A cable management system for a cabinet used to house the module includes at least one vertically extending channel disposed in the cabinet and a fastener adapted to open and enable the a cable to be inserted into the channel and close to retain such cable within the channel. A chassis having a plurality of shelves for supporting electrical modules with a partitioning member adapted for removable insertion onto one of the shelves to accommodate modules with different widths. An I/O adapter card mounting plate, with captive hardware, adapted for securing an array of I/O adapted cards, and honey-combed I/O adapter card filler plate to a case. A method for booting operating system software into a main memory of a processing unit.

Claims

1. A printed circuit board, comprising:

an electrical connector electrically connected to the printed circuit board, the electrical connector having a pair of pins to supply signals and return to the printed circuit board;

a coaxial connector having a center conductor and an outer conductor;

a first strip conductor disposed on one surface of a dielectric substrate of the printed circuit board, the first strip conductor being electrically connected to the center conductor of the coaxial connector and to one of the pins of the electrical connector;

a second strip conductor disposed on an opposite surface of the dielectric substrate of the printed circuit board, the second strip conductor being electrically connected to the outer conductor of the coaxial connector and another one of the pins of the electrical connector;

the first and second strip conductors being in an overlaying relationship to form a transmission line between the coaxial connector and the electrical connector.

2. The printed circuit board recited in claim 1 wherein the coaxial connector and one of the strip conductors provide an Ethernet bus between the coaxial connector and the electrical connector.

3. The printed circuit board recited in claim 2 wherein the transmission line meanders about the printed circuit board.

4. The printed circuit board recited in claim 3 wherein the transmission line has an AC impedance of substantially 50 ohms and a DC resistance of substantially 1.37 milli-ohms per inch.

5. A printed circuit board, comprising:

an electrical connector electrically connected to the printed circuit board, the electrical connector having a pair of pins to supply signals and return to the printed circuit board;

a coaxial connector having a center conductor and an outer conductor;

a first strip conductor electrically connected to the center conductor of the coaxial connector and to one of the pins of the electrical connector;

a second strip conductor electrically connected to the outer conductor of the coaxial connector and another one of the pins of the electrical connector;

the first and second strip conductors being separated by a dielectric of the printed circuit board and being disposed in an overlaying relationship to form a transmission line between the coaxial connector and the electrical connector.