Spark gap for high-speed cable connectors
First Claim
1. A connector insert comprising:
- a printed circuit board;
a plurality of first traces located on a top side of the printed circuit board;
a plurality of first connector contacts, each first connector contact attached to one of the plurality of first traces and having connector contact portions above the printed circuit board;
an integrated circuit coupled to at least a first trace in the plurality of first traces, wherein a first length of the first trace extends from a first connector contact to the integrated circuit;
a first ground pad located on the top side of the printed circuit board such that a plurality of first spark gaps are formed under the connector contact portions of the plurality of first connector contacts, each first spark gap formed between a trace in the plurality of first traces and the first ground pad, wherein a second length of the first trace extends from the first connector contact to a corresponding first spark gap; and
a protective covering over the printed circuit board, the protective covering having a first opening over at least a first portion of the second length of the first trace, a portion of the first ground pad, and the corresponding first spark gap.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Circuits, methods, and apparatus that may provide low-capacitance protection from electrostatic discharges. One example protects a circuit in a cable connector that is connected to cable connector contacts. This example may include a number of spark gaps that may be used for electrostatic discharge protection. These spark gaps may be formed using traces a printed circuit board. Signal traces to be protected may be routed such that they pass in close proximity to a ground pad, line, plane, area, or connection. When excessive electrostatic energy builds up on the signal trace, the energy may spark across a gap from the signal trace to the ground pad. The gap and parts of the signal traces and ground may be uncovered such that the electrostatic discharge may dissipate through the air.
128 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A connector insert comprising:
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a printed circuit board; a plurality of first traces located on a top side of the printed circuit board; a plurality of first connector contacts, each first connector contact attached to one of the plurality of first traces and having connector contact portions above the printed circuit board; an integrated circuit coupled to at least a first trace in the plurality of first traces, wherein a first length of the first trace extends from a first connector contact to the integrated circuit; a first ground pad located on the top side of the printed circuit board such that a plurality of first spark gaps are formed under the connector contact portions of the plurality of first connector contacts, each first spark gap formed between a trace in the plurality of first traces and the first ground pad, wherein a second length of the first trace extends from the first connector contact to a corresponding first spark gap; and a protective covering over the printed circuit board, the protective covering having a first opening over at least a first portion of the second length of the first trace, a portion of the first ground pad, and the corresponding first spark gap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 21)
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11. A cable assembly comprising:
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a cable comprising a plurality of conductors and having two ends; and two connector inserts, one connector insert on each end of the cable, wherein each connector insert comprises; a printed circuit board; a plurality of first traces on a top side of the printed circuit board; a plurality of second traces on the printed circuit board, each coupled to a conductor in the cable; a plurality of first connector contacts, each first connector contact coupled to one of the plurality of first traces and having connector contact portions above the printed circuit board; an integrated circuit coupled to at least a first trace in the plurality of first traces, wherein a first length of the first trace extends from a first connector contact to the integrated circuit; a first ground pad located on the top side of the printed circuit board such that a plurality of first spark gaps are formed under the connector contact portions of the plurality of first connector contacts, each first spark gap formed between a trace in the plurality of first traces and the first ground pad, wherein a second length of the first trace extends from the first connector contact to a corresponding first spark gap; and a protective covering over the printed circuit board, the protective covering having a first opening over at least a first portion of the second length of the first trace, a portion of the first ground pad, and the corresponding first spark gap. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 22)
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16. A connector insert comprising:
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a printed circuit board; a plurality of first traces located on a top side of the printed circuit board; a plurality of first connector contacts, each first connector contact contacting one of the plurality of first traces and having connector contact portions above the printed circuit board; a plurality of second traces located on the printed circuit board, the plurality of second traces for coupling to conductors of a cable; an integrated circuit coupled to at least a first trace in the plurality of first traces, wherein a first length of the first trace extends from a first connector contact to the integrated circuit; a first ground pad located on the top side of the printed circuit board such that a plurality of first spark gaps are formed under the connector contact portions of the plurality of first connector contacts, each first spark gap formed between a trace in the first plurality of first traces and the first ground pad, wherein a second length of the first trace extends from the first connector contact to a corresponding first spark gap; and a protective covering over the printed circuit board, the protective covering having a first opening over at least a first portion of the first trace, a portion of the first ground pad, and the corresponding first spark gap. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 23)
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Specification