Midplane configuration featuring surface contact connectors

A midplane board adapted for use in an electronic equipment shelf, said midplane board comprising:

• a first surface comprising a plurality of contact elements adapted to engage corresponding contact elements on a first circuit board, said plurality of contact elements defining a first pattern;
• a second surface, in opposite relationship with said first surface, said second surface comprising a plurality of contact elements adapted to engage corresponding contact elements on a second circuit board, said plurality of contact elements defining a second pattern;
• and
• at least one intersect area where at least a portion of the first pattern is opposite at least a portion of the second pattern, the at least one intersect area comprising a set of signal connection paths suitable for establishing a connection between said contact elements on said first surface and said contact elements on said second surface, said set of signal connection paths defining a certain pattern tile having a symmetrical layout along a given axis.

A midplane board comprising:

• a first surface having a plurality of surface contact elements adapted to engage corresponding contact elements on a first circuit board;
• a second surface, opposite said first surface, said second surface comprising a plurality of surface contact elements adapted to engage corresponding contact elements of a second circuit board;
• the surface contact elements on said first surface being positioned relative the surface contact elements on the second surface such that a portion of a side of the first circuit board is opposed to a portion of a side of the second circuit board when the first and the second circuit boards engage said first and said second surfaces;
• and
• at least one signal connection path extending through said midplane board from a contact element on said first surface to a contact element on said second surface, thereby allowing an electrical signal to propagate from the contact element on said first surface to a contact element on said second surface.