Virtual midplane to enhance card interconnections using a matrix of interconnecting assemblies
AssigneeNortel Networks Limited
InventorPhilip K. Edholm
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention is a method and apparatus for interconnection system. A first connector located on a first card provides first contacts for first signal traces on the first card. The first connector has a first housing enclosing the first contacts and a first extension portion. A second connector located on a second card provides second contacts for second signal traces on the second card. The second connector has a second housing enclosing the second contacts. The second connector is coupled to the first connector when the first and second housings are mated such that the first and second cards are substantially perpendicular to each other, the second card is aligned on the first extension portion.
Claims15
An interconnection assembly comprising:
- a first connector located on a first card to provide first contacts for first signal traces on the first card, the first connector having a first housing enclosing the first contacts and a first extension portion underneath the first housing;
- and
- a second connector located on a second card to provide second contacts for second signal traces on the second card, the second connector having a second housing enclosing the second contacts and a second extension portion on a side of the second housing;
- and
- wherein the second connector is coupled to the first connector when the first and second housings are mated such that the first and second cards are substantially perpendicular to each other, the second card being aligned on the first extension portion underneath the first housing and the first card being aligned on the second extension portion on the side of the second housing.
A method for interconnecting first and second cards, the method comprising:
- providing first contacts for first signal traces on the first card by a first connector located on the first card, the first connector having a first housing enclosing the first contacts and a first extension portion underneath the first housing;
- providing second contacts for second signal traces on the second card by a second connector located on the second card, the second connector having a second housing enclosing the second contacts and a second extension portion on a side of the second housing;
- and
- mating the first and second housings such that the first and second cards are substantially perpendicular to each other, the second card being aligned on the first extension portion underneath the first housing and the first card being aligned on the second extension portion on the side of the second housing.
A system comprising:
- K first cards positioned in a substantially parallel direction to one another, each of the K first cards having first signal traces;
- and
- N second cards coupled to the K first cards via a matrix of N×K connecting assemblies to electrically connect the first signal traces among the K first cards, each of the N second cards having second signal traces, the N second cards being positioned in a substantially parallel direction to one another, each of the N×K connecting assemblies comprising:
- a first connector located on one of the K first cards to provide first contacts for the first signal traces on the one of the K first cards, the first connector having a first housing enclosing the first contacts and a first extension portion underneath the first housing, and
- a second connector located on one of N second cards to provide second contacts for the second signal traces on the one of N second cards, the second connector having a second housing enclosing the second contacts and a second extension portion on a side of the second housing, and
- wherein the second connector is coupled to the first connector when the first and second housings are mated such that the one of the K first cards and the one of N second cards are substantially perpendicular to each other, the one of the N second cards being aligned on the first extension portion underneath the first housing and the one of the K first cards being aligned on the second extension portion on the side of the second housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.