Abstract: A reduced insertion force mezzanine connector is used to couple first and second circuit boards. In one embodiment a connector frame has a first end disposed against the first circuit board and defining a first wall, and an opposing second end disposed against the second circuit board and defining a second wall generally parallel with the first wall. A plurality of wafers are disposed. Each wafer has a first edge in sliding contact with the first wall and an opposing second edge in sliding contact with the second wall. A plurality of electrically conducting pathways extend along each wafer from the first edge to the second edge. A wafer guide structure defines a plurality of wafer-support aisles on the first and second walls for receiving the edges of the wafers to constrain the wafers with a fixed spacing and generally parallel alignment.

Abstract: A heatsink may be releasably secured to a substructure of an electronic system, such as a circuit board, in engagement with a heat-generating component, such as a processor.

Abstract: A heatsink may be releasably secured to a substructure of an electronic system, such as a circuit board, in engagement with a heat-generating component, such as a processor.

Abstract: Cable identification and computer system diagnostics are facilitated with electroluminescent technology. In one embodiment, a computer data cable includes an electroluminescent strand having a first wire with an electroluminescent coating and a second wire in contact with the inner wire. An AC voltage is applied between the inner and outer wire to selectively illuminate the electroluminescent strand in response to predetermined conditions, such as in response to the detection of a connection-related fault or in response to plugging in the data cable to a device port. Diagnostic techniques such as FMEA may be implemented in software for detecting connection faults and selectively illuminating the data cables in response.

Abstract: A connector for an electronic card includes an improved latching mechanism for facilitating the insertion and removal of the card. In one embodiment, a connector body is secured to a motherboard and has a socket for removably receiving a DIMM to a seated position. In the seated position, DIMM terminals are in electrical contact with socket terminals, placing the DIMM in electronic communication with the motherboard. A lever is pivotally coupled to an end of the connector body, and is pivotable into engagement with the DIMM to raise the DIMM. A linear actuator is movably secured on a track and is movable into engagement with the lever. A user ejects the DIMM by pressing downward on the linear actuator at a push point. In response, the linear actuator engages the lever to cause the lever to raise the DIMM from the seated position to a raised position, thereby separating electrical contact between the DIMM terminals and the socket terminals.

Abstract: A reduced insertion force mezzanine connector is used to couple first and second circuit boards. In one embodiment a connector frame has a first end disposed against the first circuit board and defining a first wall, and an opposing second end disposed against the second circuit board and defining a second wall generally parallel with the first wall. A plurality of wafers are disposed. Each wafer has a first edge in sliding contact with the first wall and an opposing second edge in sliding contact with the second wall. A plurality of electrically conducting pathways extend along each wafer from the first edge to the second edge. A wafer guide structure defines a plurality of wafer-support aisles on the first and second walls for receiving the edges of the wafers to constrain the wafers with a fixed spacing and generally parallel alignment.

Abstract: One embodiment of a memory module connector includes a connector body having a slot for removably receiving a DIMM and a latching mechanism for facilitating the insertion and removal of the DIMM from the slot. The footprint of the connector may be minimized in at least four ways: (1) by orienting a lever's pivot axis so that it is parallel with a plane of the DIMM, (2) by laterally spacing the pivot axis with respect to this plane, (3) by positioning the latch at the end(s) of the connector, and (4) by uniquely sculpting the latch to minimize its contribution to the overall footprint of the connector.

Abstract: A mezzanine connector is used to connect two circuit boards. A connector frame includes a first frame member secured to the first circuit board and a second frame member secured to the second circuit board. The first and second frame members are brought together and mechanically connected to one another. A wafer carrier movably disposed between the first and second frame members holds a plurality of wafers at a substantially fixed spacing and parallel alignment. Each wafer has a plurality of electrically conductive pathways. After mechanically coupling the two frame members, the wafer carrier is movable toward the second circuit board from an open circuit position to a closed circuit position to provide electronic communication between the first and second circuit boards.

Abstract: Connector and methods of connector design and manufacture are disclosed for achieving a desired phase relationship between signals carried along conductors of different lengths, while maintaining a desired impedance of the conductors. In one embodiment, a PCB connector includes a first plurality of electronic terminals and a second plurality of electronic terminals disposed on a connector body. A substrate has a dielectric constant that varies with location within the substrate. A first electronic conductor follows a first pathway within the substrate to experience a first effective dielectric constant. A second electronic conductor follows a second pathway within the substrate to experience a second effective dielectric constant. The first electronic conductor is longer than the second electronic conductor and the first effective dielectric constant is less than the second effective dielectric constant, to at least reduce phase error between signals.

Abstract: A reduced insertion force mezzanine connector is used to couple first and second circuit boards. In one embodiment a connector frame has a first end disposed against the first circuit board and defining a first wall, and an opposing second end disposed against the second circuit board and defining a second wall generally parallel with the first wall. A plurality of wafers are disposed. Each wafer has a first edge in sliding contact with the first wall and an opposing second edge in sliding contact with the second wall. A plurality of electrically conducting pathways extend along each wafer from the first edge to the second edge. A wafer guide structure defines a plurality of wafer-support aisles on the first and second walls for receiving the edges of the wafers to constrain the wafers with a fixed spacing and generally parallel alignment.

Abstract: Cable identification and computer system diagnostics are facilitated with electroluminescent technology. In one embodiment, a computer data cable includes an electroluminescent strand having a first wire with an electroluminescent coating and a second wire in contact with the inner wire. An AC voltage is applied between the inner and outer wire to selectively illuminate the electroluminescent strand in response to predetermined conditions, such as in response to the detection of a connection-related fault or in response to plugging in the data cable to a device port. Diagnostic techniques such as FMEA may be implemented in software for detecting connection faults and selectively illuminating the data cables in response.