Abstract: Printed circuit board pad layouts and mechanical retainers are disclosed herein. For example, a printed circuit board is disclosed having a row of electrically conductive pads, the row of pads including pairs of signal pads with exactly one reference pad interposed between each pair of the signal pads. As another example, a mechanical retainer is disclosed that may assist in interconnecting two printed circuit boards and that has a longitudinal body with a threaded end, a head at an end opposite the threaded end, and a shank connecting the head to the threaded end.

Abstract: Printed circuit board pad layouts and mechanical retainers are disclosed herein. For example, a printed circuit board is disclosed having a row of electrically conductive pads, the row of pads including pairs of signal pads with exactly one reference pad interposed between each pair of the signal pads. As another example, a mechanical retainer is disclosed that may assist in interconnecting two printed circuit boards and that has a longitudinal body with a threaded end, a head at an end opposite the threaded end, and a shank connecting the head to the threaded end.

Abstract: A latch/cable management unit (LCM) provides a handle to push or pull a faceplate of a circuit pack or module into or out of a cabinet designed to house circuit modules. The LCM is also designed to contain and route cables or fibres extending from the faceplate. The LCM is pivotally connected to one end of the faceplate, pivotable in a plane parallel to an axis of the faceplate from a closed to an open position. The LCM has two arms which form a gap for containing the cables. Upper portions of the arms form an entrance/exit to allow passage of the cables or fibres into and out of the gap. The LCM also has a securing bar which locks the faceplate into the cabinet when the LCM is rotated into the closed position. The LCM also has means to hold the LCM in either the open position or the closed position to prevent inadvertent rotation of the LCM. Typically, the LCM will be used in combination with a latch located at another end of the faceplate to help move the faceplate into or out of the cabinet.