Electromagnetically coupled interconnect system architecture
AssigneeFormFactor, Inc.
InventorCharles A. Miller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electromagnetic interconnect method and apparatus effects contactless, proximity connections between elements in an electronics system. Data to be communicated between elements in an electronic system are modulated into a carrier signal and transmitted contactlessly by electromagnetic coupling. The electromagnetic coupling may be directly between elements in the system or through an intermediary transmission medium.
Claims20
A method for effecting contactless, proximity connections between elements in an electronics system, the method comprising:
- positioning a first electromagnetic coupler of a first electronics system element proximate to a transmission line, wherein the positioning comprises positioning the first electromagnetic coupler within less than 10 millimeters from the transmission line;
- providing a first signal from the first element to the first electromagnetic coupler;
- and
- inducing a second signal in the transmission line in response to the first signal,
- providing a second electromagnetic coupler of a second electronics system element proximate to the transmission line;
- inducing a third signal in the second electromagnetic coupler in response to the second signal, wherein the third signal is an attenuated version of the first signal attenuated by at least 10 decibels.
A method for effecting contactless, proximity connections between elements in an electronics system, the method comprising:
- positioning a first electromagnetic coupler of a first electronics system element proximate to a second electromagnetic coupler of a second electronic system element;
- providing a first signal from the first electronics system element to the first electromagnetic coupler;
- and
- inducing a second signal in the second electromagnetic coupler in response to the first signal, wherein the second signal is an attenuated version of the first signal attenuated by at least 10 decibels,
- wherein the first electronics system element is an integrated circuit and the first electromagnetic coupler is formed on or is a part of the integrated circuit.
A method for effecting contactless, proximity connections between elements in an electronics system, the method comprising:
- positioning a first electromagnetic coupler of a first electronics system element proximate to a transmission line;
- providing a first signal from the first element to the first electromagnetic coupler;
- and
- inducing a second signal in the transmission line in response to the first signal, providing a second electromagnetic coupler of a second electronics system element proximate to the transmission line;
- inducing a third signal in the second electromagnetic coupler in response to the second signal, wherein the third signal is an attenuated version of the first signal attenuated by at least 10 decibels,
- wherein the first electronics system element is an integrated circuit and the first electromagnetic coupler is formed on or is a part of the integrated circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.