Backplane having strip transmission line ethernet bus

• US 6,157,534 A
• Filed: 08/17/1999
• Issued: 12/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: EMC Corporation (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: EMC Corporation (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Gallagher, Brian, Markovich, Nikolai
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEA EDMONDS, LISA S
• Application Number:
  US09/375,642
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• Field of Search: 361/684, 361/685, 361/686, 361/724-727, 312/223.1, 312/223.2, 439/74, 439/65, 439/69, 439/578, 439/581, 439/67
• US Class Current: 361/724
• 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 data server, comprising:

a cabinet having a plurality of slots therein,

a backplane section disposed at a rear of the slots, such backplane section having mounted thereto a corresponding plurality of first multi-pin electrical connectors;

a plurality of hot replaceable, DC powered, processing unit modules, each one having a printed circuit board, each printed circuit board having a second multi-pin electrical connector adapted be plugged into, or un-plugged from a corresponding one of the first multi-pin electrical connectors of the backplane; and

wherein such backplane comprises;

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 backplane, such strip connector being electrically connected to the center conductor of the coaxial connector and to a first pin of the first multi-pin electrical connector;

a second strip conductor disposed on an opposite surface of the dielectric substrate of the backplane, such second strip connector being electrically connected to the outer conductor of the coaxial connector and to second pin of the first multi-pin electrical connector, such first and second pins of the first multi-pin electrical connector being electrical connected to a pair of pins of the second multi-pin electrical connector when the module is plugged into the backplane;

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

2. The data server recited in claim 1 wherein the transmission line electrically interconnects the plurality of modules.

3. The data saver recited in claim 2 wherein the coaxial connector and one of the strip conductors provide an Ethernet bus between the coaxial connector and modules.

4. The data server recited in claim 3 wherein the transmission line meanders about the backplane.

5. The data server recited in claim 4 wherein the transmission line has an AC impedance of substantially 50 ohms and a DC resistance of substantially 1.37 milli-ohms per inch.

6. A data server, comprising:

a cabinet having a plurality of slots therein;

a backplane section disposed at a rear of the slots, such backplane section having mounted thereto a corresponding plurality of first multi-pin electrical connectors;

a plurality of hot replaceable, DC powered, processing unit modules, each one having a printed circuit board, each printed circuit board having a second multi-pin electrical connector adapted be plugged into, or un-plugged from a corresponding one of the first multi-pin electrical connectors of the backplane; and

wherein such backplane comprises;

a printed circuit board having a pair of overlying strip conductors forming a strip transmission line, such strip transmission line being configured with electrical characteristics of a coaxial transmission line.

7. The data server recited in claim 6 wherein the strip transmission line has an AC impedance and DC resistance selected to configure the strip transmission line as an Ethernet coaxial transmission line.