US 2026/0051691 A1 · MODULAR SYSTEM BACKPLANE AND METHOD

Abstract

A modular system backplane can be built from a variety of individual backplane modules. The backplane modules may have edge connectors for connection to one another to provide a modular system backplane for rapid development of a backplane for demonstration and/or prototyping of electronic devices using electronic modules conforming with the open system standard. A backplane module can be configured with spaced electronic module connectors for providing between two and five slots for single-slot or dual-slot electronic modules conforming with an open system standard. Various backplane modules may be designed for specific functions, such as providing power, RF communications, networking, inertial and navigation sensing, etc. using a variety of electronic modules conforming with the open system standard. A set of backplane modules can then be connected to each other as a modular system backplane to provide a particular backplane for the desired functionality.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A backplane module for a modular system backplane, comprising:

a substrate having a first face, a second face opposite the first face, a first edge and a second edge opposite and substantially parallel to the first edge;
a first multi-pin electrical connector disposed adjacent the first edge;
a second multi-pin electrical connector disposed adjacent the second edge;
a plurality of electrical conductors extending between pins of the first multi-pin connector and pins of the second multi-pin connector;
and
a plurality of third multi-pin connectors disposed on the first face and having pins in electrical contact with one or more of the plurality of electrical conductors,
wherein the first multi-pin connector is a male connector configured to physically and electrically interface with the second multi-pin connector that is a female connector.

4 more elements

A modular system backplane, comprising:

a first backplane module including:
a first substrate having a first face, a second face opposite the first face, a first edge and a second edge opposite and substantially parallel to the first edge;
a first multi-pin electrical connector disposed adjacent the first edge;
a second multi-pin electrical connector disposed adjacent the second edge;
a plurality of first electrical conductors extending between pins of the first multi-pin connector and pins of the second multi-pin connector;
and
a plurality of third multi-pin connectors disposed on the first face and having pins in electrical contact with one or more of the plurality of first electrical conductors;
a second backplane module including:
a second substrate having third face, a fourth face, a third edge, and a fourth edge opposite and substantially parallel to the third edge;
a fourth multi-pin electrical connector disposed adjacent the third edge;
a fifth multi-pin electrical connector disposed adjacent the fourth edge;
a plurality of second electrical conductors extending between pins of the fourth multi-pin connector and pins of the fifth multi-pin connector;
and
a plurality of sixth multi-pin connectors disposed on the third face and having pins in electrical contact with one or more of the plurality of second electrical conductors,
wherein the second multi-pin connector is configured to physically and electrically interface with the fourth multi-pin connector.

12 more elements

A method of providing a modular system backplane, comprising:

providing a first backplane module including:
a first substrate having a first face, a second face opposite the first face, a first edge and a second edge opposite and substantially parallel to the first edge;
a first multi-pin electrical connector disposed adjacent the first edge;
a second multi-pin electrical connector disposed adjacent the second edge;
a plurality of first electrical conductors extending between pins of the first multi-pin connector and pins of the second multi-pin connector;
and
a plurality of third multi-pin connectors disposed on the first face and having pins in electrical contact with one or more of the plurality of first electrical conductors;
providing a second backplane module including:
a second substrate having third face, a fourth face, a third edge, and a fourth edge opposite and substantially parallel to the third edge;
a fourth multi-pin electrical connector disposed adjacent the third edge;
a fifth multi-pin electrical connector disposed adjacent the fourth edge;
a plurality of second electrical conductors extending between pins of the fourth multi-pin connector and pins of the fifth multi-pin connector;
and
a plurality of sixth multi-pin connectors disposed on the third face and having pins in electrical contact with one or more of the plurality of second electrical conductors;
connecting the second multi-pin connector, physically and electrically, to the fourth multi-pin connector.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Modular system backplane and method

Life of this patent

Modular system backplane and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20