Abstract: Method and apparatus for launching a coaxial cable onto a circuit board is described. In an example, a circuit board includes a front edge and a major surface. The major surface includes a recessed portion open to the front edge, the recessed portion being defined by a stop surface, opposing side surfaces, and a bottom surface. A plurality of conductive pads is disposed on the major surface. A conductive layer is disposed on at least a portion of the bottom surface. The recessed portion is adapted to receive a multiple conductor ribbon cable to provide thereby low-profile communication of the multiple conductor ribbon cable and the circuit board. The multiple conductor ribbon cable having a plurality of first conductors and a plurality of second conductors respectively associated with the plurality of first conductors. The plurality of conductive pads are adapted to receive respective first conductors of the multiple conductor ribbon cable.

Abstract: A multi-channel, low input capacitance signal probe head has a housing that receives one or more substrates having input signal pads exposed on one end of the substrate. The substrate is positioned in the housing such that the signal contact pads are exposed at an open end of the housing. A removable signal contact holder mounts to the housing and supporting electrically conductive elastomer signal contacts. The holder is disposed over an open end of housing such that the elastomer signal contacts engage the input signal pads. A probe head retention member is provided for securing the multi-channel signal probe head to a device under test.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for launching a coaxial cable onto a circuit board is described. In an example, a circuit board includes a front edge and a major surface. The major surface includes a recessed portion open to the front edge, the recessed portion being defined by a stop surface, opposing side surfaces, and a bottom surface. A plurality of conductive pads is disposed on the major surface. A conductive layer is disposed on at least a portion of the bottom surface. The recessed portion is adapted to receive a multiple conductor ribbon cable to provide thereby low-profile communication of the multiple conductor ribbon cable and the circuit board. The multiple conductor ribbon cable having a plurality of first conductors and a plurality of second conductors respectively associated with the plurality of first conductors. The plurality of conductive pads are adapted to receive respective first conductors of the multiple conductor ribbon cable.

Abstract: A low capacitance probe contact has electrically conductive contacts having fingers with opposing interior flat surfaces forming a slit there between. The fingers extend in a first direction with a mounting member extending in the opposite direction having a flat surface that is parallel to the flat surfaces of the fingers. The first and second electrically conductive contacts are secured to respective first and second electrically conductive contact pads formed on a substrate with the flat surfaces of the mounting members being positioned on the contact pads. The substrate and the electrically conductive contacts are captured within a housing having first and second members. One member has a base and extending sidewalls forming a recess that receives the substrate and the electrically conductive contacts and the other member has a periphery coextensive with the first member to capture the substrate and the electrically conductive contacts therein.

Abstract: An adapter for a multi-channel, low input capacitance signal probe head has a housing with a cavity formed therein that receives one of a mating plug or receptacle portion of multi-channel, controlled impedance connector. The housing has probe head retention members formed in the sidewalls and alignment flanges disposed adjacent to the probe head retention members that are received in the signal probe head. The adapter includes a substrate having first and second arrays of contact pads formed on the respective top and bottom surfaces of the substrate. The first array of contact pads mate with electrically conductive elastomer signal contacts of the signal probe head and the second array of contact pads mate with the contact pads of the transmission lines of the plug or receptacle. Screws extend through bores in the signal probe head and engage threaded pins in the retention members.

Abstract: A multi-channel, low input capacitance signal probe head has a housing that receives one or more substrates having input signal pads exposed on one end of the substrate. The substrate is positioned in the housing such that the signal contact pads are exposed at an open end of the housing. A removable signal contact holder mounts to the housing and supporting electrically conductive elastomer signal contacts. The holder is disposed over an open end of housing such that the elastomer signal contacts engage the input signal pads. A probe head retention member is provided for securing the multi-channel signal probe head to a device under test.

Abstract: An adapter for a multi-channel, low input capacitance signal probe head has a housing with a cavity formed therein that receives one of a mating plug or receptacle portion of multi-channel, controlled impedance connector. The housing has probe head retention members formed in the sidewalls and alignment flanges disposed adjacent to the probe head retention members that are received in the signal probe head. The adapter includes a substrate having first and second arrays of contact pads formed on the respective top and bottom surfaces of the substrate. The first array of contact pads mate with electrically conductive elastomer signal contacts of the signal probe head and the second array of contact pads mate with the contact pads of the transmission lines of the plug or receptacle. Screws extend through bores in the signal probe head and engage threaded pins in the retention members.

Abstract: A low capacitance probe contact has electrically conductive contacts having fingers with opposing interior flat surfaces forming a slit there between. The fingers extend in a first direction with a mounting member extending in the opposite direction having a flat surface that is parallel to the flat surfaces of the fingers. The first and second electrically conductive contacts are secured to respective first and second electrically conductive contact pads formed on a substrate with the flat surfaces of the mounting members being positioned on the contact pads. The substrate and the electrically conductive contacts are captured within a housing having first and second members. One member has a base and extending sidewalls forming a recess that receives the substrate and the electrically conductive contacts and the other member has a periphery coextensive with the first member to capture the substrate and the electrically conductive contacts therein.

Abstract: A facility for mounting an electronic component includes a first circuit board having of mounting apertures. A mounting element is associate with each aperture, and includes a boss defining a bore. The boss has a first surface contacting a major surface of the first circuit board, and a second surface opposite the first surface. A pin is received in the bore, and has a lower portion protruding from the first surface of the boss and into one of the apertures. The pins lower portion definves a spece to capture a portion of the first circuit board. A fastener connected to the pin may generate compression between the spece and the boss to secure the board, and a corner-shaped protrusion on the second surface may constrain the corner periphery of a second board resting on the second surface, with the fastener also securing the second board against the boss.

Abstract: A method of mounting a banana-type electrical receptacle on the substrate includes the steps of placing the electrical receptacle over an aperture formed in the substrate with support ribs formed on the outer surface of the receptacle supporting the receptacle over the aperture. A deformable electrical lead extends from a centrally disposed conductive member making an electrical connection with an electrical contact on the substrate. The electrical lead is affixed to the electrical contact on the substrate and the receptacle is inserted into the aperture crushing or shearing the support ribs and the deforming the electrical lead. Alignment ribs formed on the outer surface of the receptacle have shoulders that contact the substrate for positioning the receptacle in the substrate. The mounting method is compatible with automated soldering processes, such as wave flow soldering.

Abstract: An adapter for a multi-channel signal probe has one of the mating plug or receptacle portions of the connector electrically coupled to a first array of contact pads on one surface of a substrate. A second array of contact pads corresponding to the signal contact pads on a device under test is formed on the other surface of the substrate. A removable signal contact holder supports electrically conductive elastomer signal contacts that couple the second array of contact pads to the signal contact pads of the device under test. The adapter is secured to the device under test using an adapter retention member that is positioned on the opposite of the circuit board from the signal contact pads. Screws attach the retention member to the adapter via through holes formed in the device under test.

Abstract: A facility for mounting an electronic component includes a first circuit board having of mounting apertures. A mounting element is associated with each aperture, and includes a boss defining a bore. The boss has a first surface contacting a major surface of the first circuit board, and a second surface opposite the first surface. A pin is received in the bore, and has a lower portion protruding from the first surface of the boss and into one of the apertures. The pin's lower portion defines a space to capture a portion of the first circuit board. A fastener connected to the pin may generate compression between the space and the boss to secure the board, and a corner-shaped protrusion on the second surface may constrain the corner periphery of a second board resting on the second surface, with the fastener also securing the second board against the boss.

Abstract: A simplified user interface for an electronic test and measurement device comprises an arrangement of a segmented LCD device and a plurality of keys used to implement a softkey system, in combination with a single AMPs input connector and a rotary selector having only a single position for each basic kind of parameter to be measured. The segmented LCD device includes, at each location adjacent to a key, a plurality of segments representing a vertically-arranged list of functions to be controlled. In one embodiment of the invention, the housing of the electronic test and measurement device is fabricated to have finger-like projections overlaying a portion of the LCD screen for creating the appearance of the continuation of displayed LCD softkey separation lines.

Abstract: An electronic instrument having a housing containing a circuit assembly with a hole. A first shield in the housing is positioned adjacent the hole on one side of the circuit assembly, and a second shield is positioned on the opposite side of the circuit assembly. A spring has a first portion compressed between the circuit assembly and the first shield, and a second portion extending through the hole and biased against the second shield. The spring may be a coil spring with the first portion having a larger diameter to provide a shoulder to rest against the circuit, and the second portion having a smaller diameter to pass through the hole.

Abstract: An electrical receptacle mountable on and positionable within a substrate has an electrically conductive element that includes a conductive member with deformable electrical leads extending therefrom. The deformable electrical leads have first and second portions with the first portion extending outward from the conductive member and the second portion being adjacent to and approximately parallel with the conductive member. A body of electrically insulating material encapsulates the conductive member about the exterior surface of the conductor with the electrically insulating material having an exterior surface on which is formed support ribs and alignment ribs with the support ribs providing initial support for the electrical receptacle over an aperture formed in the substrate and the alignment ribs providing positioning alignment of the electrical receptacle within the aperture of the substrate.

Abstract: An electronic instrument with a housing having a battery compartment. The housing has a probe connector oriented on a probe axis, so that a probe may be connected to the instrument via the connector for interfacing with a device under test. A removable battery cover encloses the battery compartment, and has a probe aperture registered with the probe connector, so that a probe may be connected when the battery cover is installed. To prevent removal of the battery cover when a probe is connected to the probe connector, the battery cover is constrained against movement along the probe axis. In addition, the battery cover may contain a conductive safety element necessary to complete a circuit between the battery and other components in the instrument, so that the batteries are capable of delivering power only when the cover is properly installed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a plastic shell by providing a printed applique having a central portion with a peripheral skirt portion having an edge, then inserting the applique into the recess on a first side of a mold. The skirt of the applique has a length greater than the depth of the recess, so that the edge of the skirt extends beyond the parting line. The second side of the mold is closed to enclose the recess, and has a second recess that receives the edge of the skirt on the second side of the parting line. Plastic material is injected into the closed mold pressing the applique against the first side, and providing a bezel with an applique that covers the exterior of the front portion, and which extends to cover the skirts beyond the parting line.