Abstract: A system for matching impedance in a flexible trace interconnect array. The array comprising a flexible dielectric film, a plurality of trace conductors disposed along a longitudinal axis of the dielectric film, and a shield disposed along a section of the array, wherein at least one parameter of at least one of an unshielded section and of the shielded section is selected such that impedance of the unshielded section and impedance of the shielded section are substantially the same.

Abstract: An improved technique for power distribution for use by high speed integrated circuit devices. A mixture of high dielectric constant, Er and low Er materials are used in a dielectric layer sandwiched between the voltage and ground planes of a printed circuit board that is used to fixture one or more integrated circuit devices. The low Er material is used in an area contained by the location of the integrated circuit device and its corresponding decoupling capacitors located nearby. High Er material is used in areas between the regions of low Er material. The low Er material improves that speed at which current from an adjoining decoupling capacitor can propagate to a power pin of the integrated circuit device. The high Er material mitigates cross-coupling of noise between the low Er regions.

Abstract: A system for reducing signal crosstalk in a flexible trace interconnect array includes a flexible dielectric material base, and a plurality of conductors longitudinally arranged as pairs in a signal layer array on the base. At least one of the pairs of conductors comprises a twisted pair.

Abstract: A system and method for improved power plane decoupling. In a preferred embodiment, two dielectric layers with different dielectric constants are separated by a first conducting layer. Second and third conducting layers are positioned outside the two dielectric layers, forming a conductor-dielectric-conductor-dielectric-conductor stack. The two outer conducting layers contact each other periodically through vias made in the conducting layers, adding high dielectric constant capacitance to the plane structure for short time intervals. The lower dielectric constant material provides high propagation speed coupling to the high dielectric constant material.

Abstract: A wiring apparatus for reducing electromagnetic interference between conductive wires is provided. Wire pairs are incorporated into rigid or flexible printed circuits to precisely control loop alignment and phase differences. This precise alignment helps to cancel radiated electromagnetic fields and reduce voltage polarities induced in nearby wires. In one embodiment, a pair of parallel wires is aligned parallel to a second, twisted pair of wires. In another embodiment, two twisted pairs of wires, with identical loop lengths, are aligned parallel to each other and offset by exactly one half loop length. In a third embodiment, two twisted pairs of wires are aligned parallel to each other, in which one pair has a loop length that is an integer ratio of the other pair.

Abstract: A detection device for sensing malfunctions in a wide band power amplifier, driving the take-up spool motor of a reel-to-reel tape transport system, is disclosed. A feedback loop is connected from the output of the amplifier to a malfunction junction positioned at the input of the amplifier. The signal at the malfunction junction is monitored and compared with a predetermined range of standard reference signals. Whenever the malfunction junction signal is out of the predetermined range, the power amplifier is turned off thereby preventing damage to the tape. A filter means is positioned so as to desensitize the compare means until the amplifier is operating at steady state.