Abstract: A sonar system is provided including a sonar assembly configured to attach to a motor assembly of a watercraft or a watercraft. The sonar assembly includes sonar transducer element(s) that transmit sonar beam(s). The sonar system includes a display, processor(s), and a steering assembly configured to cause rotation of the sonar assembly or the motor assembly. The sonar system includes a memory including computer program code that causes the processor(s) to cause the sonar transducer element(s) to emit sonar beam(s), receive sonar return data from a coverage volume of the sonar transducer element(s), generate a sonar image of the coverage volume based on the sonar return data, receive an input from a user, determine a target in the underwater environment based on the input, and cause the steering assembly to adjust the coverage volume to maintain the target within the coverage volume as the watercraft moves relative to the target.

Abstract: Apparatus and method associated with surface structures of compute component packages are disclosed herein. In embodiments, an apparatus may include a plurality of structures provided on a surface of a compute component package, wherein the plurality of structures are to be used to attach and electrically couple the compute component package to another device, and wherein a structure of the plurality of structures includes first and second portions, the second portion disposed further from the surface than the first portion, and the first portion to comprise a material different from the second portion.

Abstract: Apparatus and method associated with surface structures of compute component packages are disclosed herein. In embodiments, an apparatus may include a plurality of structures provided on a surface of a compute component package, wherein the plurality of structures are to be used to attach and electrically couple the compute component package to another device, and wherein a structure of the plurality of structures includes first and second portions, the second portion disposed further from the surface than the first portion, and the first portion to comprise a material different from the second portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining whether solder used during assembly of a printed circuit board is lead-free or not. This may include providing a pad on the printed circuit board and placing solder on the pad in a predetermined pattern. The solder may be heated so as to create reflow. The solder may later be examined to determine if the solder is lead-free.

Abstract: An anchoring mechanism and method are provided for securing a component to a printed circuit board. The anchoring mechanism may include a loop, a first leg extending from the loop, and a second leg extending from the loop. The first leg may mount through a first hole of the printed circuit board and include a compressible section to compress when inserted into the first hole and to expand after passing through the first hole. The compressible section of the first leg may support solder between the anchoring mechanism and the first hole. Likewise, the second leg may mount through a second hole of the printed circuit board and include a compressible section to compress when inserted into the second hole and to expand after passing through the second hole. The compressible section of the second leg may support solder between the anchoring mechanism and the second hole.

Abstract: An apparatus to retain an assembled component on one side of a double-sided printed circuit board during reflow of other components subsequently positioned on an opposite side of the double-sided printed circuit board and methods for manufacturing and using the same. The retainer includes a heat-shrinkable member and a retaining member. Being formed from a heat-shrinkable material, the heat-shrinkable member is configured to receive a post extending through an opening formed in a double-sided printed circuit board from a component previously assembled on one side thereof. The retaining member is coupled with the heat-shrinkable member, and the double-sided printed circuit board is disposed substantially between the retaining member and the component. The heat-shrinkable member is configured to shrinkably engage the post when an opposite side of the double-sided printed circuit board is populated and reflowed, retaining the inverted component on the double-sided printed circuit board.

Abstract: A mechanism and method are provided for assembling a printed circuit board having a first surface, a second surface and an edge. The printed circuit board may include at least one female member to receive a corresponding male member. The mechanism may include an extension board having an edge to couple to the edge of the printed circuit board. The extension board may include a male member to extend from the edge of the extension board and to couple to the at least one male member so as to couple the extension board to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An apparatus to retain an assembled component on one side of a double-sided printed circuit board during reflow of other components subsequently positioned on an opposite side of the double-sided printed circuit board and methods for manufacturing and using the same. The retainer includes a heat-shrinkable member and a retaining member. Being formed from a heat-shrinkable material, the heat-shrinkable member is configured to receive a post extending through an opening formed in a double-sided printed circuit board from a component previously assembled on one side thereof. The retaining member is coupled with the heat-shrinkable member, and the double-sided printed circuit board is disposed substantially between the retaining member and the component. The heat-shrinkable member is configured to shrinkably engage the post when an opposite side of the double-sided printed circuit board is populated and reflowed, retaining the inverted component on the double-sided printed circuit board.

Abstract: An apparatus to retain an assembled component on one side of a double-sided printed circuit board during reflow of other components subsequently positioned on an opposite side of the double-sided printed circuit board and methods for manufacturing and using the same. The retainer includes a heat-expandable member and a retainer member. Being formed from a heat-expandable material, the heat-expandable member is coupled with the retainer member and is disposed about a periphery thereof. The retainer member is configured to be coupled with a component and, when the component is assembled onto a double-sided printed circuit board, to be received by an opening formed in the double-sided printed circuit board. The heat-expandable member is configured to expand during assembly of the component, engaging an inner surface that defines the opening. Thereby, the component is retained and supported when the double-sided printed circuit board is subsequently inverted, populated, and reflowed.

Abstract: A zero mounting force solder-free connector/component and method.

Abstract: An anchoring mechanism and method are provided for securing a component to a printed circuit board. The anchoring mechanism may include a loop, a first leg extending from the loop, and a second leg extending from the loop. The first leg may mount through a first hole of the printed circuit board and include a compressible section to compress when inserted into the first hole and to expand after passing through the first hole. The compressible section of the first leg may support solder between the anchoring mechanism and the first hole. Likewise, the second leg may mount through a second hole of the printed circuit board and include a compressible section to compress when inserted into the second hole and to expand after passing through the second hole. The compressible section of the second leg may support solder between the anchoring mechanism and the second hole.

Abstract: An apparatus to retain an assembled component on one side of a double-sided printed circuit board during reflow of other components subsequently positioned on an opposite side of the double-sided printed circuit board and methods for manufacturing and using the same. The retainer includes a heat-shrinkable member and a retaining member. Being formed from a heat-shrinkable material, the heat-shrinkable member is configured to receive a post extending through an opening formed in a double-sided printed circuit board from a component previously assembled on one side thereof. The retaining member is coupled with the heat-shrinkable member, and the double-sided printed circuit board is disposed substantially between the retaining member and the component. The heat-shrinkable member is configured to shrinkably engage the post when an opposite side of the double-sided printed circuit board is populated and reflowed, retaining the inverted component on the double-sided printed circuit board.

Abstract: A mechanism and method are provided for assembling a printed circuit board having a first surface, a second surface and an edge. The printed circuit board may include at least one female member to receive a corresponding male member. The mechanism may include an extension board having an edge to couple to the edge of the printed circuit board. The extension board may include a male member to extend from the edge of the extension board and to couple to the at least one male member so as to couple the extension board to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An apparatus to retain an assembled component on one side of a double-sided printed circuit board during reflow of other components subsequently positioned onto an opposite side of the double-sided printed circuit board and methods for manufacturing and using the same. Being formed from an epoxy material, the retainer is configured to be coupled with a component, which is then positioned onto a printed circuit board. During a subsequent solder reflow stage, an ambient temperature surrounding the printed circuit board increases, and the epoxy material is configured to enter a semi-liquid state, flowing onto, and adhering with, the printed circuit board. Upon reaching a typical solder reflow temperature, the liquefied epoxy material is configured to cure or harden, adhesively coupling the component with the printed circuit board. Thereby, the component is inhibited from separating from the printed circuit board when the printed circuit board is subsequently inverted, populated, and reflowed.

Abstract: An interposer to couple a microelectronic device package to a motherboard is formed from a PCB substrate. Multiple via holes are drilled through a copper-clad PCB substrate and then coated inside with copper. The copper surface coating is etched to form multiple traces. In one embodiment, the substrate is cut through each row of via holes and between each row of via holes to produce multiple individual beam-and-trace interposers. Two or more such interposers may be affixed together to form a beam-and-trace interposer array. Alternatively, the substrate is not cut into strips, and each via hole is filled completely with a conductive material to form an array of solid conductive columns through the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for minimizing open electrical connections between carrier substrates and components connected thereto that occur due to sag in the substrate incurred due to exposure to an increasing heat profile encountered to secure the component to the substrate. A zero insertion force heat activated retention pin expands or bends during the temperature increase, creating an upward force on the printed circuit board. This upward force counters the downward sag forces and enables the carrier substrate to maintain a coplanar relationship with the component being connected.

Abstract: A substrate of a component manufactured for surface mounting on a circuit board, comprising a substrate surface, a non-conductive mask layer on the substrate surface facing the circuit board, and a conductive contact land on the substrate surface which is exposed by an aperture provided in the mask layer and of a thickness sufficient to ensure that a contact surface of the land is at least level with, or protrudes beyond, the plane of the mask layer immediately surrounding the aperture.

Abstract: An anchoring mechanism and method are provided for securing a component to a printed circuit board. The anchoring mechanism may include a loop, a first leg extending from the loop, and a second leg extending from the loop. The first leg may mount through a first hole of the printed circuit board and include a compressible section to compress when inserted into the first hole and to expand after passing through the first hole. The compressible section of the first leg may support solder between the anchoring mechanism and the first hole. Likewise, the second leg may mount through a second hole of the printed circuit board and include a compressible section to compress when inserted into the second hole and to expand after passing through the second hole. The compressible section of the second leg may support solder between the anchoring mechanism and the second hole.

Abstract: A method to retain an assembled component on one side of a double-sided printed circuit board. In one embodiment, an adhesive body, in a solid state, is coupled with a component by disposing a coupling member extending from said component within a channel formed in said adhesive body such that the coupling member is engaged with at least one engaging member, said at least one engaging member each extending into said channel from an internal surface defining said channel. The component is then assembled onto a printed circuit board and adhered onto the printed circuit board via the adhesive body when the adhesive body is in semi-liquid state.

Abstract: An apparatus to retain an assembled component on one side of a double-sided printed circuit board during reflow of other components subsequently positioned on an opposite side of the double-sided printed circuit board and methods for manufacturing and using the same. The retainer includes a heat-expandable member and a retainer member. Being formed from a heat-expandable material, the heat-expandable member is coupled with the retainer member and is disposed about a periphery thereof. The retainer member is configured to be coupled with a component and, when the component is assembled onto a double-sided printed circuit board, to be received by an opening formed in the double-sided printed circuit board. The heat-expandable member is configured to expand during assembly of the component, engaging an inner surface that defines the opening. Thereby, the component is retained and supported when the double-sided printed circuit board is subsequently inverted, populated, and reflowed.