Abstract: A fixture for probing circuit boards and microcircuits. A guide plate provides indexing for positioning a probe assembly in one or two dimensions. The guide plate has two opposed mounting sides connected by one or two indexing sides and is mounted to the test unit by screws. The indexing sides and, optionally, the mounting sides have column mounting holes and column markings. A bridge mounts to the indexing sides with its column pointer aligned with the desired column marking. The bridge has row mounting holes and row markings. The probe assembly mounts to the bridge with its row pointer aligned with the desired row marking. Optionally, the bridge is part of the probe assembly and without row indexing elements to be used in one dimension. The probe assembly has a terminator platform and connector plate with electrical cable assemblies extending therebetween.

Abstract: A controlled-impedance cable termination that minimizes the effects of cable expansion and contraction on impedance matching. The terminator has an anchor block, an expansion/contraction compensator (ECC) attached to the cable, a compliant signal contact for making the electrical connection between the cable center conductor and the electrical device. The ECC has an electrically-conductive ferrule with a bore. The ferrule bore may be formed in the anchor block instead of in a separate ferrule. The cable shield is attached at the bore. A solid dielectric insert fits into the ferrule bore. An electrically-conductive center pin fits into a bore in the dielectric insert and has a bore that accepts the center conductor such that the center conductor can expand and contracting while maintaining electrical contact with the center pin. A plate abuts the anchor block face and holds the compliant contacts through apertures.

Abstract: A controlled-impedance cable termination that minimizes the effects of cable expansion and contraction on impedance matching. The terminator has an anchor block, an expansion/contraction compensator (ECC) attached to the cable, a compliant signal contact for making the electrical connection between the cable center conductor and the electrical device. The ECC has an electrically-conductive ferrule with a bore. The ferrule bore may be formed in the anchor block instead of in a separate ferrule. The cable shield is attached at the bore. A solid dielectric insert fits into the ferrule bore. An electrically-conductive center pin fits into a bore in the dielectric insert and has a bore that accepts the center conductor such that the center conductor can expand and contracting while maintaining electrical contact with the center pin. A plate abuts the anchor block face and holds the compliant contacts through apertures.

Abstract: An apparatus for terminating a controlled-impedance cable using compliant electrical contacts to provide an interface to another device. The terminator includes an anchor block for securing the cable. Optionally, the anchor block is electrically non-conductive. A conductive ferrule is installed on the cable shield and the cable end is dressed. The ferrule/cable assembly is installed in a through hole in the anchor block so the cable end is flush with the anchor block face. An insulating or conductive plate mounted to the anchor block holds the signal contact that electrically connects the center conductor to the device and optional ground contacts that electrically connect the ferrule to the device. The ground contacts surround the signal contact in a pattern that closely mimics the impedance environment of the cable. When using a conductive plate, the signal contact is insulated from the plate by an insulating centering plug or a non-conductive coating.

Abstract: An apparatus for terminating a controlled-impedance cable using compliant electrical contacts to provide an interface to another device. The terminator includes an anchor block for securing the cable. Optionally, the anchor block is electrically non-conductive. A conductive ferrule is installed on the cable shield and the cable end is dressed. The ferrule/cable assembly is installed in a through hole in the anchor block so the cable end is flush with the anchor block face. An insulating or conductive plate mounted to the anchor block holds the signal contact that electrically connects the center conductor to the device and optional ground contacts that electrically connect the ferrule to the device. The ground contacts surround the signal contact in a pattern that closely mimics the impedance environment of the cable. When using a conductive plate, the signal contact is insulated from the plate by an insulating centering plug or a non-conductive coating.

Abstract: An apparatus for terminating a controlled-impedance cable using compliant electrical contacts to provide an interface to another device. The terminator includes a conductive ground block for securing the cable by its ground shield and providing a common ground. Once the cable is anchored in the ground block, the block face and cable ends are dressed to make a reliable electrical contact with the compliant signal contact that electrically connects the cable center conductor to the device. An insulating or conductive plate mounted to the ground block holds the signal contact and optional ground contacts that electrically connect the ground block to the ground plane of the device. The ground contacts surround the signal contact in a pattern that closely mimics the impedance environment of the cable. When using a conductive plate, the signal contact is insulated from the plate by an insulating centering plug or a non-conductive coating.

Abstract: A compliant electrical contact (10) and an assembly (12) employing a plurality of the contacts (10). The contact (10) has several embodiments, all of which include a spring (20) with convolutions (22), a contact point (24) at each end, and a shunt (50) that is generally parallel to the spring (20) and that spans the convolutions (22) longitudinally. In one embodiment, one end of a single shunt strip (90) is fixedly attached near a contact point (24a) and the other end is slidably attached near the other contact point (24b). In another embodiment, the center of a single shunt strip (92) is fixedly attached at the center of the spring (20) and the two ends are slidably attached near the contact points (24). In another embodiment, one end of one shunt strip (94) is fixedly attached near one contact point (24a), one end of another shunt strip (96) is fixedly attached near the other contact point (24b).

Abstract: An apparatus for terminating a controlled-impedance cable using compliant electrical contacts to provide an interface to another device. The terminator includes a conductive ground block for securing the cable by its ground shield and providing a common ground. Once the cable is anchored in the ground block, the block face and cable ends are dressed to make a reliable electrical contact with the compliant signal contact that electrically connects the cable center conductor to the device. An insulating or conductive plate mounted to the ground block holds the signal contact and optional ground contacts that electrically connect the ground block to the ground plane of the device. The ground contacts surround the signal contact in a pattern that closely mimics the impedance environment of the cable. When using a conductive plate, the signal contact is insulated from the plate by an insulating centering plug or a non-conductive coating.

Abstract: A compliant electrical contact (10) and an assembly (12) employing a plurality of the contacts (10). The contact (10) has several embodiments, all of which include a spring (20) with convolutions (22), a contact point (24) at each end, and a shunt (50) that is generally parallel to the spring (20) and that spans the convolutions (22) longitudinally. In one embodiment, one end of a single shunt strip (90) is fixedly attached near a contact point (24a) and the other end is slidably attached near the other contact point (24b). In another embodiment, the center of a single shunt strip (92) is fixedly attached at the center of the spring (20) and the two ends are slidably attached near the contact points (24). In another embodiment, one end of one shunt strip (94) is fixedly attached near one contact point (24a), one end of another shunt strip (96) is fixedly attached near the other contact point (24b).

Abstract: A compliant electrical contact and an assembly employing a plurality of the contacts that provides an interface between two electrical devices. The contact has a convoluted spring with convolutions and a contact point at each end. In one contact embodiment, the convolutions have appendages which electrically short adjacent convolutions throughout a significant portion of the compression range of the contact. An appendage may be a single finger that extends from one convolution toward the adjacent convolution, a pair of opposed fingers that extend toward each other from adjacent convolutions, or machined edges on adjacent convolutions. In some configurations, the fingers or a surface on the appendage or fingers are at a skew angle to the direction of compression. In another contact embodiment, a shunt attached at one contact point and parallel to the spring spans most or all of the convolutions longitudinally.

Abstract: A compliant electrical contact and an assembly employing a plurality of the contacts that provides an interface between two electrical devices. The contact has a convoluted spring with convolutions and a contact point at each end. In one contact embodiment, the convolutions have appendages which electrically short adjacent convolutions throughout a significant portion of the compression range of the contact. An appendage may be a single finger that extends from one convolution toward the adjacent convolution, a pair of opposed fingers that extend toward each other from adjacent convolutions, or machined edges on adjacent convolutions. In some configurations, the fingers or a surface on the appendage or fingers are at a skew angle to the direction of compression. In another contact embodiment, a shunt attached at one contact point and parallel to the spring spans most or all of the convolutions longitudinally.

Abstract: A compliant electrical contact assembly for temporarily interfacing two electrical devices. The assembly includes a contact having loops with axes forming with a closed coil with opposed contact points. The axes is angled from the direction of the compression force holding the assembly sandwiched between the electrical devices. The electrically shorted loops of the coil slide on the surfaces of one another as the compression force is applied, providing compliance. The contact can be made extremely small such that pitches in the micrometer range can be achieved with very low inductance values. The contact is installed in a through aperture in a dielectric panel such that the contact points extend from opposed openings of the aperture. Optionally, the aperture is filled with a compliant, conductive elastomer.

Abstract: A compliant electrical contact assembly for temporarily interfacing two electrical devices. The assembly includes a contact having loops with axes forming with a closed coil with opposed contact points. The axes is angled from the direction of the compression force holding the assembly sandwiched between the electrical devices. The electrically shorted loops of the coil slide on the surfaces of one another as the compression force is applied, providing compliance. The contact can be made extremely small such that pitches in the micrometer range can be achieved with very low inductance values. The contact is installed in a through aperture in a dielectric panel such that the contact points extend from opposed openings of the aperture. Optionally, the aperture is filled with a compliant, conductive elastomer.

Abstract: A compliant electrical contact assembly for temporarily interfacing two electrical devices. The assembly includes a contact having loops with axes forming with a closed coil with opposed contact points. The axes is angled from the direction of the compression force holding the assembly sandwiched between the electrical devices. The electrically shorted loops of the coil slide on the surfaces of one another as the compression force is applied, providing compliance. The contact can be made extremely small such that pitches in the micrometer range can be achieved with very low inductance values. The contact is installed in a through aperture in a dielectric panel such that the contact points extend from opposed openings of the aperture. Optionally, the aperture is filled with a compliant, conductive elastomer.

Abstract: A compliant electrical contact assembly for temporarily interfacing two electrical devices. The assembly includes a contact with a closed coil with opposed contact points and an axis that is angled from the direction of the compression force holding the assembly sandwiched between the electrical devices. The electrically shorted loops of the coil slide on the surfaces of one another as the compression force is applied, providing compliance. The contact can be made extremely small such that pitches in the micrometer range can be achieved with very low inductance values. The contact is installed in a through aperture in a dielectric panel. The coil fits into a center section of the aperture. The contact points extend from opposed openings of the aperture. Optionally, the aperture is filled with a compliant, conductive elastomer.

Abstract: A compliant electrical contact assembly for temporarily interfacing two electrical devices. The assembly includes a contact with a closed coil with opposed contact points and an axis that is angled from the direction of the compression force holding the assembly sandwiched between the electrical devices. The electrically shorted loops of the coil slide on the surfaces of one another as the compression force is applied, providing compliance. The contact can be made extremely small such that pitches in the micrometer range can be achieved with very low inductance values. The contact is installed in a through aperture in a dielectric panel. The coil fits into a center section of the aperture. The contact points extend from opposed openings of the aperture. Optionally, the aperture is filled with a compliant, conductive elastomer.

Abstract: A compliant electrical contact having a closed coil with opposed, paraxial leads extending therefrom at an angle from the axis of the coil. The electrically shorted loops of the coil slide on the surfaces of one another as axial force is applied to the ends of the leads, providing compliance. The contact can be made extremely small such that pitches in the micrometer range can be achieved with very low inductance values. The contact is a component of an assembly where it is installed in a through aperture in a dielectric sheet. The coil fits into a larger center section of the aperture. The leads extend from opposed openings of the aperture. Optionally, the aperture is filled with a compliant, conductive elastomer.

Abstract: A compliant electrical contact having a closed coil with opposed, paraxial leads extending therefrom at an angle from the axis of the coil. The electrically shorted loops of the coil slide on the surfaces of one another as axial force is applied to the ends of the leads, providing compliance. The contact can be made extremely small such that pitches in the micrometer range can be achieved with very low inductance values. The contact is a component of an assembly where it is installed in a through aperture in a dielectric sheet. The coil fits into a larger center section of the aperture. The leads extend from opposed openings of the aperture. Optionally, the aperture is filled with a compliant, conductive elastomer.

Abstract: An external spring probe is provided having a first section and a second section which extend and compress relative to each other. The first section consists of a tip at one end and a first contact component opposite the tip. A flange extends radially outward between the tip and the first contact component. The second section consists of a tip at one end and a second contact component opposite the tip. The second contact component is in contact with the first contact component. A flange extends radially outward between the second section tip and the second contact component. A spring is sandwiched between the two flanges surrounding the two contact components. The first and second contact components remain in contact with each other during compression and extension of the two sections.

Abstract: A compliant electrical contact assembly for temporarily interfacing two electrical devices. The assembly includes a contact having loops with axes forming with a closed coil with opposed contact points. The axes is angled from the direction of the compression force holding the assembly sandwiched between the electrical devices. The electrically shorted loops of the coil slide on the surfaces of one another as the compression force is applied, providing compliance. The contact can be made extremely small such that pitches in the micrometer range can be achieved with very low inductance values. The contact is installed in a through aperture in a dielectric panel such that the contact points extend from opposed openings of the aperture. Optionally, the aperture is filled with a compliant, conductive elastomer.