Patent ID: 6154373
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: H05K

Abstract:
A cross-connection system for connecting a first plurality of circuit terminations at connectors on each of a second plurality of circuit cards to transmission media terminations at each of a third plurality of cable connectors, so that the total number of connections to be made by the cross-connection system is equal to said first plurality times said second plurality times said third plurality, the cross-connection system comprising:a main backplane board having a first side and a second side;a plurality of card connectors on said first side of said main backplane board adapted for mating engagement with respective connectors of said plurality of circuit cards;a plurality of secondary connectors on said second side of said main backplane board and arranged in a plurality of groups;a plurality of secondary backplane boards each corresponding to a respective one of said plurality of secondary connector groups and each having a first side and a second side;a plurality of connectors on said first side of each of said secondary backplane boards and adapted for mating engagement with the respective group of secondary connectors; anda plurality of connectors on said second side of each of said secondary backplane boards and adapted for mating engagement with respective ones of said cable connectors;wherein the main backplane board includes a plurality of circuit paths connecting the card connectors with the secondary connectors; andwherein each of the secondary backplane boards includes a plurality of circuit paths connecting the connectors on the first side of said each secondary backplane board with the connectors on the second side of said each secondary backplane board.