Misalignment-tolerant high-density multi-transmitter/receiver modules for extremely-high frequency (EHF) close-proximity wireless connections
First Claim
1. A close-proximity device comprising:
- a substrate having metal wiring traces for making electrical connections;
a first integrated circuit (IC) chip mounted to the substrate, the first IC chip comprising;
a transmitter for generating a transmit signal having a transmit frequency;
a transmit transducer coupled to the transmitter, receiving the transmit signal from the transmitter and generating transmitted electromagnetic radiation in a transmit envelope of radiation;
a second IC chip mounted to the substrate, the second IC chip comprising;
a receiver for receiving a signal having a receive frequency;
a receive transducer, coupled to the receiver, receiving a portion of an envelope of received electromagnetic radiation emitted from a transmitter on a second device that is within a close proximity, the receive transducer generating a received signal; and
a barrier situated between the transmit transducer of the first IC chip and the receive transducer of the second IC chip, the barrier blocking a portion of the transmitted electromagnetic radiation from the transmit transducer to the receive transducer.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Docked devices communicate wirelessly and in close proximity using multiple transmitters of Extremely High-Frequency (EHF) signals of 30-300 GHz. The devices may not be precisely aligned when docked. Tolerance of misalignment is improved by adding barriers such as solid metal blocks or rows of metal-filled vias that have a spacing of less than one-quarter the EHF wavelength. The barriers reflect EHF radiation and prevent EHF radiation from penetrating the barrier. Barriers placed between adjacent transmitters and receivers block stray electromagnetic radiation from causing cross-talk. The barriers can be placed closer to the transmitters than to the receivers to allow for a wider area for reception, permitting a wider misalignment. EHF reflecting features such as ground planes spaced a quarter-wavelength apart may be added to an end of a substrate near a connecting edge to act as a barrier and reflect electromagnetic radiation back toward an intended receiver.
10 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A close-proximity device comprising:
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a substrate having metal wiring traces for making electrical connections; a first integrated circuit (IC) chip mounted to the substrate, the first IC chip comprising; a transmitter for generating a transmit signal having a transmit frequency; a transmit transducer coupled to the transmitter, receiving the transmit signal from the transmitter and generating transmitted electromagnetic radiation in a transmit envelope of radiation; a second IC chip mounted to the substrate, the second IC chip comprising; a receiver for receiving a signal having a receive frequency; a receive transducer, coupled to the receiver, receiving a portion of an envelope of received electromagnetic radiation emitted from a transmitter on a second device that is within a close proximity, the receive transducer generating a received signal; and a barrier situated between the transmit transducer of the first IC chip and the receive transducer of the second IC chip, the barrier blocking a portion of the transmitted electromagnetic radiation from the transmit transducer to the receive transducer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A close-proximity device comprising:
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a substrate having metal wiring traces for making electrical connections; a transmitter mounted to the substrate, for generating a transmit signal having a transmit frequency; a transmit transducer coupled to the transmitter, receiving the transmit signal from the transmitter and generating transmitted electromagnetic radiation in a transmit envelope of radiation; a receiver mounted to the substrate, for receiving a signal having a receive frequency; a receive transducer, coupled to the receiver, receiving a portion of an envelope of received electromagnetic radiation emitted from a transmitter on a second device that is within a close proximity, the receive transducer generating a received signal; and a barrier situated between the transmit transducer and the receive transducer, the barrier blocking a portion of the transmitted electromagnetic radiation from the transmit transducer to the receive transducer; and a curved depression formed in a housing that encloses the close-proximity device, the curved depression having a shape that complements a connecting end of a second device; wherein the barrier is formed below the curved depression of the second device; wherein the curved depression guides the second device into close proximity and alignment due to matching shapes. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification