High-Frequency, High-Signal-Density, Surface-Mount Technology Footprint Definitions
AssigneeFCI Americas Technology, Inc.
InventorsClifford Winings, Joseph Shuey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods for designing SMT connector footprints are disclosed. A circuit board may have disposed thereon an arrangement of SMT pads and corresponding vias. The arrangement of vias may differ from the arrangement of SMT pads. The arrangement of SMT pads may differ from the arrangement of contacts in a connector the footprint is designed to receive. The terminal ends of the contacts may be jogged or bent for electrical connection with the SMT pads. The SMT pads and vias may be arranged in a number of ways that increase signal contact density of the board, while limiting cross-talk and providing adequate impedance and routing space on the board. An interactive tool for designing such a footprint is disclosed.
Claims20
An interactive method for defining a surface mount technology (“SMT”) footprint, the method comprising:
- receiving first input data that defines a geometry associated with a first SMT footprint;
- generating, based on the first input data, first output data indicative of an electrical performance of the first SMT footprint;
- after generating the first output data, then receiving second input data that defines a geometry associated with a second SMT footprint;
- and
- generating, based on the second input data, second output data indicative of an electrical performance of the second SMT footprint.
A tool for defining a surface mount technology (“SMT”) footprint, the tool comprising:
- a user interface for receiving first input data that defines a geometry associated with a first SMT footprint and second input data that defines a geometry associated with a second SMT footprint;
- and
- a processor that (i) receives the first input data;
- (ii) generates, based on the first input data, first output data indicative of an electrical performance of the first SMT footprint;
- (iii) receives the second input data after generating the first output data;
- and (iv) generates, based on the second input data, second output data indicative of an electrical performance of the second SMT footprint.
An interactive method for defining a surface mount technology (“SMT”) footprint, the method comprising:
- receiving first input data that defines a geometry associated with a first SMT footprint;
- generating, based on the first input data, a visual depiction of the first SMT footprint;
- after generating the visual depiction of the first SMT footprint, then receiving second input data that defines a geometry associated with a second SMT footprint;
- and
- generating, based on the second input data, second output data indicative of an electrical performance of the second SMT footprint.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.