Abstract: Electrical current flow in a ball grid array (BGA) package can be measured by an apparatus including an integrated circuit (IC) electrically connected to the BGA package. Solder balls connect the BGA package to a printed circuit board (PCB) and are arranged to provide a contiguous channel for a current sense wire. A subset of solder balls is electrically connected to supply current from the PCB through the BGA package to the IC. The current sense wire is attached to the upper surface of the PCB, within the contiguous channel, and surrounds the subset of solder balls. An amplifier is electrically connected to the current sense wire ends to amplify a voltage induced on the current sense wire by current flow into the BGA package. A sensing analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is electrically connected to convert a voltage at the output of the amplifier into digital output signals.

Abstract: An electronic system can be used to monitor temperature. The electronic system can include a characterized dielectric located adjacent to a plurality of heat-producing electronic devices. The electronic system can also include a leakage measurement circuit that is electrically connected to the characterized dielectric. The leakage measurement circuit can be configured to measure current leakage through the characterized dielectric. The leakage measurement circuit can also be configured to convert a leakage current measurement into a corresponding output voltage. A response device, electrically connected to the leakage measurement circuit can be configured to, in response to the output voltage exceeding a voltage threshold corresponding to a known temperature, initiate a response action.

Abstract: A method for printed circuit board design rework utilizing two components in series, the method includes selecting a first chip component and a second chip component for placement on an original land location previously occupied by an original chip component. The method further includes placing the first chip component and the second chip component on a chip component support structure. The method further includes soldering a first end of the first chip component to a first end of the second chip component. Responsive to transferring the first chip component and the second chip component to the original land location, the method further includes soldering a second end of the first chip component to a first land of the original land location. The method further includes soldering a second end of the second chip component to a second land of the original land location.

Abstract: Aspects include a cryptographic hardware security module having a secure embedded heat pipe and methods for assembling the same. The cryptographic hardware security module can include a printed circuit board having one or more components. The cryptographic hardware security module can further include an encapsulation structure having a top can and a bottom can. The top can is fixed to a first surface of the printed circuit board and the bottom can is fixed to second surface of the printed circuit board opposite the first surface. A heat pipe is positioned between the top can and the component. The heat pipe includes two or more 180-degree bends. A portion of the heat pipe extends beyond a secure region of the encapsulation structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermal interface material detection includes a heatsink stack up with a heatsink, a thermal interface material, a heat generating component, and a printed circuit board. The heatsink is disposed on the thermal interface material, the thermal interface material is disposed on the heat generating component, and the heat generating component is disposed on the printed circuit board. A channel in a body of the heatsink is configured for insertion of a compression probe, where a first end of the channel leads to a lower surface of the body of the heatsink and a second end of the channels leads to an upper surface of the body of the heatsink.

Abstract: A system and method for slowing a vehicle. Road conditions around the vehicle are monitored, and determined if those road conditions are hazardous. An engine control unit is informed of the hazardous road conditions and alters the operation of the engine control unit in response to the hazardous road conditions. When an operator of the vehicle desires to slow the vehicle down, an indication is received indicating the intent to slow the vehicle down. The vehicle is then slowed based upon the altered operation of the engine control unit by applying a vacuum to increase a manifold vacuum of the engine.

Abstract: Described is an anti-vibration fixture comprising a radiolucent enclosure and a vibration-dampening material attached to an inside face of the radiolucent enclosure. The vibration-dampening material is configured to receive a component for nondestructive testing by computed tomography (CT) scanning. The anti-vibration fixture further comprises a plurality of fasteners attached to opposing faces of the radiolucent enclosure.

Abstract: Described is an anti-vibration fixture comprising a radiolucent enclosure and a vibration-dampening material attached to an inside face of the radiolucent enclosure. The vibration-dampening material is configured to receive a component for nondestructive testing by computed tomography (CT) scanning. The anti-vibration fixture further comprises a plurality of fasteners attached to opposing faces of the radiolucent enclosure.

Abstract: Aspects include a hybrid socket dynamic warp indicator for socket connector systems and methods of using the same to measure the warpage of a printed circuit board assembly. The method can include providing a printed circuit board having a plurality of pads and a socket. A warp indicator having a plurality of solder joint connections and a resistor array is electrically coupled to the printed circuit board to build a printed circuit board assembly. The printed circuit board assembly is subjected to a thermal event. A resistance across the resistor array is measured after the thermal event. A number of separations between one or more pads of the printed circuit board and one or more solder joint connections of the warp indicator is determined based on a change in the resistance. A defective warpage condition for the socket is determined based on the number of separations.

Abstract: A grid array capacitor can be used to physically and electrically couple an integrated circuit (IC) package to a printed circuit board (PCB). The grid array capacitor includes an inner conductor and an inner dielectric coaxially surrounding the inner conductor. A secondary conductor can be located to surround, in a coaxial orientation, the inner dielectric. Both the inner conductor and the secondary conductor can be electrically connected to the IC package and to the PCB. In certain applications, the structure of the inner conductor, inner dielectric, and secondary conductor can provide capacitance used to decouple electronic circuits.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to short and/or near short etch rework. A microfluidic device is positioned on a portion of a circuit having a defect. The microfluidic device is caused to dispense etchant that removes the defect of the circuit, where a flow of the etchant is controlled to access the portion of the circuit having the defect to thereby etch away the defect, the flow of the etchant being obstructed from accessing other portions of the circuit. The microfluidic device is used to extract the etchant from the portion of the circuit such that the etchant avoids contact with the other portions of the circuit. The microfluidic device is removed from the circuit.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include a press-fit pin for mechanically and electrically connecting to a through-hole of a substrate. The press-fit pin can include a press-fit portion configured to be deformed upon insertion into the through-hole against a plated surface of the through-hole. A surface mount technology (SMT) pad can be coupled to a first end of the press-fit portion. The SMT pad can include a conductive material. The press-fit pin can further include a trace extension coupled to the SMT pad. The trace extension can extend from the SMT pad in a direction perpendicular to the press-fit portion. The press-fit pin can include a tip portion coupled to a second end of the press-fit portion.

Abstract: Electrical current flow in a ball grid array (BGA) package can be measured by an apparatus including an integrated circuit (IC) electrically connected to the BGA package. Solder balls connect the BGA package to a printed circuit board (PCB) and are arranged to provide a contiguous channel for a current sense wire. A subset of solder balls is electrically connected to supply current from the PCB through the BGA package to the IC. The current sense wire is attached to the upper surface of the PCB, within the contiguous channel, and surrounds the subset of solder balls. An amplifier is electrically connected to the current sense wire ends to amplify a voltage induced on the current sense wire by current flow into the BGA package. A sensing analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is electrically connected to convert a voltage at the output of the amplifier into digital output signals.

Abstract: An electronic system can include an electronic module and a trace circuit that provides a perimeter that encloses the electronic module. A sensing circuit within the electronic system can be configured to detect a discontinuity in the perimeter. In response to detecting the discontinuity in the perimeter, the sensing circuit can initiate, from a response device, a response signal.

Abstract: A system and method to prevent eavesdropping by a device. An anti-eavesdrop component is installed on the device. The anti-eavesdrop component is configured to actively prevent the device from capturing audio from the environment. In response to installing the anti-eavesdrop component, the device recognizes the anti-eavesdrop component as a primary audio input for the device. The anti-eavesdrop component then proceeds to block the device from capturing outside audio by injecting noise or otherwise interfering with the primary audio input.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for determining ultrasonic vital product data of coaxial cables and side-band communications through a water medium of a water-cooling system and/or apparatus. The system may include a first electronic device. The system may also include a second electronic device. The system may also include one or more cables running between the first electronic device and the second electronic device. The system may also include a water jacket filled with water encasing the one or more cables. The system may also include one or more transducers connected to the water jacket, the one or more transducers configured to send signals through the water to gather information about each cable. The system may also include a computer system connected to the one or more transducers, where the computer system is configured to control the one or more transducers.

Abstract: A ball-grid-array component of a ball-grid array assembly is analyzed prior to reflow. A predicted warping pattern of the ball-grid-array component that is likely to occur during reflow is predicted based on the analyzing. A solder ball ball-grid-array defect that could be caused by the predicted warping pattern is predicted. An initial via suction pattern to mitigate the ball-grid-array defect is assigned. A vacuum head is applied to a via in the ball-grid-array assembly. The solder ball is located at the opposite end of the via from the vacuum head. Suction is applied to the via based on the via suction pattern. The suction draws a portion of the solder ball into the via during reflow.

Abstract: A set of features for a product is identified. It is determined that preventing an electrical connection at a ball-grid-array location on a ball-grid-array assembly of the product would result in the set of features. The ball-grid-array location is established as a target BGA location based on that determination. Suction is applied to a via at the target BGA location during reflow of the ball-grid-array assembly. With that application of suction, a solder ball at the target BGA location is drawn into the via.

Abstract: Provided is a system for removing an electronic component from a printed circuit board (PCB). The system may comprise a heating well configured to hold a rework liquid. The system may further comprise a head system configured to create a liquid-tight seal around an electronic component. The system may further comprise a nozzle and a mechanical capture device disposed within the head system. The mechanical capture device may be configured to attach to the electronic component. The system may further comprise a controller. The controller may be configured to release the rework liquid through the nozzle and onto the electronic component and lift the electronic component off the PCB.

Abstract: A press-fit insertion method is provided. The press-fit insertion method includes loading press-fit pins into a connector, heating a printed circuit board (PCB) defining plated through holes (PTHs) into which the press-fit pins are insertable and pressing the connector onto the PCB to insert the press-fit pins into the PTHs with the PCB remaining heated.