Abstract:
A method provides an improved adaptor. The method involves connecting a set of conductors to (i) a set of circuit board connector contacts of a circuit board connector and (ii) a set of switchbox connector contacts of a switchbox connector. The method further involves fastening a circuit board connector housing of the circuit board connector to a switchbox connector housing of the switchbox connector, and shrink wrapping a coating over the set of conductors to physically insulate the set of conductors using the coating and the housings of the circuit board connector and the switchbox connector.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application is a Divisional of U.S. Application Ser. No. 09/941,975, filed Aug. 29, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,482,042, and entitled “TECHNIQUES FOR ACCESSING A CIRCUIT BOARD UTILIZING AN IMPROVED ADAPTOR,” the teachings of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A typical circuit board includes a section of printed circuit board (PCB) material (layers of conductive and non-conductive material sandwiched together), circuit board components, and a set of connectors. In general, the section of circuit board material provides (i) structural support for the circuit board components and the set of connectors, and (ii) a set of conducting paths (e.g., etch runs, power planes, etc.) that electrically connect with the circuit board components and the set of connectors. The circuit board components typically mount to the surface of the circuit board section and perform particular operations (e.g., instruction execution, data storage, data formatting, data transceiving, signal processing, etc.). Examples of circuit board components include integrated circuits (ICs), resistors, and capacitors. The set of connectors typically resides along a circuit board edge and enables the circuit board to exchange signals with other components (e.g., a backplane, another circuit board, a disk drive, etc.). 
     Some circuit boards include an extra connector that enables a user to directly access particular circuitry on the circuit board. For example, a circuit board can include a PCB connector that enables a user (e.g., a test or design engineer of a circuit board manufacturer) to connect a set of oscilloscope probes to the circuit board in order to sample signals for testing and debugging purposes. As another example, a user can connect a computer to the circuit board using a cable in order to program the particular circuitry (e.g., Field Programmable Gate Arrays), and/or test and debug that circuitry. 
     Furthermore, some specialized interface circuit boards include an extra connector to exchange one or more input/output (I/O) signals with an external device. For example, a printer interface circuit board typically includes a standard D-Subminiature (or D-Sub) connector for providing a printer signal to a printer. The printer typically includes a D-Sub connector as well. A user can then connect the D-Sub connector of the printer interface circuit board to the D-Sub connector of the printer using a standard printer cable (i.e., a cable having complementary D-Sub connectors at each end) thus enabling the printer to receive the printer signal from the printer interface circuit board. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Unfortunately there are deficiencies to the above-described conventional approaches to accessing a circuit board. For example, users typically prefer working with standard parts since such parts are readily available. Accordingly, users often prefer working with D-Sub cables since computer manufacturers typically provide computers having D-Sub connectors as I/O ports, and since D-Sub cables are readily available. That is, a user wishing to access circuit boards (e.g., circuit boards under test) using a computer having a D-Sub connector typically will prefer that the circuit boards have D-Sub connectors allowing that user to use a standard D-Sub cable (i.e., a D-Sub cable having D-Sub connectors at each end). Unfortunately, circuit board manufacturers typically do not attach D-Sub connectors to their non-interface circuit boards because such connectors are relatively large, i.e., because such connectors are bulky and have relatively large footprints requiring a relatively large amount of circuit board area and structural support compared to other connectors such as PCB connectors. That is, although the manufacturers of some I/O interface circuit boards (e.g., the manufacturers of printer interface circuit boards, Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface circuit boards, etc.) attach standard D-Sub connectors to their circuit boards, most other circuit board manufacturers may be unwilling to attach D-Sub connectors to their circuit boards simply for testing or debugging purposes. 
     However, some circuit board manufacturers may be willing to attach PCB connectors to their circuit boards for testing and debugging purposes. Users (e.g., an engineer or technician of a circuit board manufacturer) wishing to connect a computer to a circuit board having a PCB connector can customize a cable by cutting off the D-Sub connector from one end of a standard D-Sub cable, and fastening a PCB connector in its place. Then, the user can plug the remaining D-Sub connector of that cable into the D-Sub connector of the computer, and plug the newly fastened PCB connector of that cable onto the PCB connector of the circuit board in order to access signals on the circuit board, e.g., in order to test and debug the circuit board. 
     Unfortunately, the user may find using a customized cable to be cumbersome and time consuming when testing multiple circuit boards. That is, the user can initially run the customized cable between the test computer and the circuit board under test, and then plug in the D-Sub connector of the cable into the test computer and the PCB connector onto a first circuit board. In order to test another circuit board, the user must disconnect the PCB connector of the cable from the first circuit board and plug the PCB connector onto the next circuit board. The task of disconnecting the end of the cable from one circuit board and plugging it into another may require a substantial amount of user time and effort, particularly when the user is testing many circuit boards or when the user must frequently alternate between a fixed set of circuit boards individually (e.g., alternate among four circuit boards under test). 
     In contrast to conventional approaches to accessing circuit boards by (i) mounting D-Sub connectors to the circuit boards or (ii) mounting PCB connectors to the circuit boards and using a customized cable having a D-Sub connector on one end and a PCB connector on the other, some embodiments of the invention are directed to circuit board accessing techniques which use an adaptor having a circuit board connector and a switchbox connector (e.g., a D-Sub connector). A user (e.g., an engineer) can access a circuit board having a circuit board connector using a computer equipped with a switchbox connector by connecting the adaptor to the switchbox connector of the computer and then running a standard cable having a circuit board connector at both ends between the circuit board and the adaptor into order to enable the computer to communicate with the circuit board. Alternatively, the user can attach the circuit board connector of the adaptor to the circuit board connector of the circuit board, and then run a standard switchbox cable (e.g., a D-Sub cable) between the adaptor and the computer in order to enable the computer and the circuit board to communicate with each other. Other configurations enable the user to easily connect with and access multiple circuit boards using a connection system having multiple adaptors as well as other components. 
     One embodiment of the invention is directed to a connection system that includes a multi-port switch, multiple adaptors and multiple cable assemblies. The multi-port switch includes a primary port, multiple secondary ports, and a controller (e.g., a turnable knob) which is configured to connect the primary port individually to the multiple secondary ports. Each adaptor mates with one of the multiple secondary ports of the multi-port switch and includes (i) a circuit board connector having a set of circuit board connector contacts, (ii) a switchbox connector having a set of switchbox connector contacts, (iii) a fastener which physically fastens the circuit board connector of that adaptor and the switchbox connector of that adaptor together, and (iv) a set of conductors that electrically connects the set of circuit board connector contacts to the set of switchbox connector contacts. Each cable assembly includes a first circuit board connector which is configured to mate with the circuit board connector of an adaptor, and a second circuit board connector which is configured to connect with a circuit board. Such a connection system is suitable for accessing multiple circuit boards (e.g., by setting the controller of the multi-port switch in order to access any of the circuit board individually). 
     In one arrangement, the circuit board connector of each adaptor further includes a circuit board connector housing that defines a circuit board connector footprint, and the switchbox connector of each adaptor further includes a switchbox connector housing that defines a switchbox connector footprint. In this arrangement, the circuit board connector footprint is preferably smaller than the switchbox connector footprint. Accordingly, a manufacturer wishing to utilize the connection system can also save space by avoiding the use of the D-Sub connector on circuit boards but instead use the PCB connector which has a smaller footprint. 
     In one arrangement, the circuit board connector housing of the circuit board connector of each adaptor defines a circuit board mounting interface and a connector interface that is at a right angle to the circuit board mounting interface. The switchbox connector housing of the switchbox connector of that adaptor defines a cable attachment interface and a D-Subminiature connector interface. The set of conductors of that adaptor extends from the circuit board mounting interface defined by the circuit board connector housing to the cable attachment interface defined by the switchbox connector housing. The right angle configuration of the switchbox connector enables (i) the circuit board mounting interface defined by the circuit board connector housing and the cable attachment interface defined by the switchbox connector housing to be close together, and (ii) the set of conductors to be fairly short. 
     In one arrangement, for each of the multiple adaptors, the set of circuit board connector contacts includes 10 soldering pins. Additionally, for each of the multiple adaptors the switchbox connector housing is configured to hold, as the set of switchbox connector contacts, up to 25 crimps. Furthermore, for each of the multiple adaptors, the set of conductors includes (i) a first wire that electrically connects a transmit signal pin of the 10 soldering pins to a transmit signal crimp which inserts into a transmit signal crimp location of the switchbox connector housing, (ii) a second wire that electrically connects a receive signal pin of the 10 soldering pins to a receive signal crimp which inserts into a receive signal crimp location of the switchbox connector housing, and (iii) a third wire that electrically connects a ground signal pin of the 10 soldering pins to a ground signal crimp which inserts into a ground signal crimp location of the switchbox connector housing. This arrangement enables preservation of a standard contact layout in each of the connectors (e.g., the RS-232 layout). 
     In one arrangement, the fastener of each adaptor includes an adhesive (e.g., glue) that attaches the circuit board connector housing of the circuit board connector of that adaptor to the switchbox connector housing of the switchbox connector of that adaptor. This arrangement enables the two housings to be attached using a very simple and low cost means. 
     In one arrangement, each adaptor further includes a shrink wrap coating that, in combination with the circuit board connector housing of the circuit board connector of that adaptor and the switchbox connector housing of the switchbox connector of that adaptor, physically insulates the set of conductors of that adaptor. Accordingly, the adaptor is less prone to damage from inadvertent handling or contact. 
     In one arrangement, the connection system further includes an electronic device (e.g., a computer) that electrically connects to the primary port of the multi-port switch, and multiple circuit boards that electrically connect to multiple secondary ports of the multi-port switch. In this arrangement, the user can individually access (e.g., test) the circuit boards using the electronic device. 
     The features of the invention, as described above, may be employed in connection systems (e.g., testing and debugging systems), devices and methods as well as other computer-related components such as those of EMC Corporation of Hopkinton, Massachusetts. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. 
     FIG. 1 is a diagram of a connection system which is suitable for use by the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an adaptor of the connection system of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the adaptor of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the adaptor of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 5 is a rear view of the adaptor of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a procedure for providing the adaptor of FIG.  2 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the invention are directed to circuit board accessing techniques which utilize an adaptor having a printed circuit board (PCB) connector and a switchbox connector (e.g., a D-Sub connector). A user (e.g., an engineer or technician) can access a circuit board having a PCB connector using a computer (an electronic device) equipped with a switchbox connector by connecting the adaptor to the switchbox connector of the computer and then running a standard cable having a PCB connector at both ends between the circuit board and the adaptor into order to enable the computer to communicate with the circuit board. Alternatively, the user can attach the PCB connector of the adaptor to the PCB connector of the circuit board, and then run a standard D-Sub cable (i.e., a cable having a D-Sub connector at both ends) between the adaptor and the computer in order to enable the computer and the circuit board to communicate with each other. Other configurations enable the user to easily connect with and access multiple circuit boards using a connection system having multiple adaptors as well as other components. 
     FIG. 1 shows a connection system  20  which is suitable for use by the invention. The connection system  20  includes an electronic device  22 , a set of circuit boards  24  and connection components  26  which are capable of connecting the electronic device  22  individually to the set of circuit boards  24 . In one arrangement, the electronic device  22  is a tester (e.g., a computer) which is configured to individually test the circuit boards  24  through the connection components  26  (e.g., the electronic device is configured to read and verify data from the circuit boards  24 ). As will be explained shortly, the connection components  26  include a set of adaptors that enable a user to combine and utilize readily available standard components to connect the electronic device  22  with the circuit boards  24 . 
     The additional connection components  26  include a multi-port switch  28  (e.g., a switchbox), a cable  30 , a set of adaptors  32  and a set of cable assemblies  34 . The multi-port switch  28  includes a primary port  36 , a set of secondary ports  38  and a controller  40  (e.g., a turnable knob). The controller  40  controls the operation of the multi-port switch  28 . In particular, the multi-port switch  28  is capable of connecting the primary port  36  to any of the secondary ports  38 , one at a time, depending on how the controller  40  is set. For example, a user can set the controller  40  to a first position in order to connect the primary port  36  to one secondary port  38 . The user can then move the controller  40  to a second position to connect the primary port  36  to another secondary port  38 , and so on. 
     The electronic device  22  preferably includes a port  42  which has the same type of connector interface as that of the primary port  36  of the multi-port switch  28  thus enabling the cable  30  to be a standard, off-the-shelf cable having the same type of connector interface at each end. In one arrangement, the port  42  of the electronic device  22 , the primary port  36  of the multi-port switch  28 , and connectors  44  of the cable  30  each have D-Sub connector interfaces. Accordingly, the user does not need to obtain or make a customized cable in order to connect the electronic device  22  with the multi-port switch  28 . 
     The circuit boards  24  preferably include connectors  46  which have a different connector interface than that of the secondary ports  38  of the multi-port switch  28 . In one arrangement, the connectors  46  are PCB connectors having PCB connector interfaces, and the secondary ports  38  (as well as the primary port  36 ) of the multi-port switch  28  have D-Sub connector interfaces. Accordingly, the user can use a standard, off-the-shelf switchbox as the multi-port switch  28 . Furthermore, the circuit boards  24  can conserve circuit board area by using smaller footprint PCB connectors, i.e., connectors having smaller footprints compared to that of D-Sub connectors. 
     It should be understood that each adaptor  32  provides multiple connector interfaces that enable the user to use standard, off-the-shelf cables as the cable assemblies  34 . In one arrangement (and as will be described later in connection with FIG.  2 ), each adaptor  32  has a D-Sub connector interface for connecting with the multi-port switch  28 , and a PCB connector interface. Accordingly, the user can use, as the cable assemblies  34 , a standard cable having (i) a section of cable  48 , (ii) a PCB connector  50  at one end for connecting to an adaptor  32 , and another PCB connector  52  at the other end for connecting with a connector  46  of a circuit board  24 . As a result, the user does not need to obtain or make customized cables. Furthermore, the user does not need to plug and unplug a single cable each time the user wishes to test a new circuit board. Rather, the user can simply change the setting of the controller  40  of the multi-port switch  28  to access a new circuit board  24 . 
     By way of example only, the circuit boards  24  insert and operate within a card cage assembly  54  having a chassis  56  and a backplane  58 . In addition to the connectors  46 , the circuit boards  24  include sections of circuit board material  60  and operating circuitry  62 . For example, the circuit board  24 -A inserts into the card cage assembly  54  when moved in the direction  64 . Once a circuit board  24  is installed, the electronic device  34  is capable of accessing signals from the operating circuitry  62  (e.g., data for testing and debugging purposes) of that circuit board  24  through the connection components  26 . Further details of the invention will now be provided with reference to FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 2 shows particular details of an adaptor  32 . As shown, the adaptor  32  includes a circuit board (or PCB) connector  70 , a switchbox connector  72 , and a fastener  74 . In one arrangement, the fastener  74  includes a thin layer of adhesive which bonds the circuit board connector  70  to the switchbox connector  72 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the circuit board connector  70  includes a set of contacts  76  and a circuit board connector housing  78 . Ends  80  of the set of contacts  76  extend through the circuit board connector housing  78  to define a circuit board mounting interface  82 . The circuit board connector housing  78 , in addition to defining the circuit board mounting interface  82 , further defines a connector interface  84  that is at a right angle to the circuit board mounting interface  82 . By way of example only, the circuit board connector  70  includes, as the set of contacts  76 , 10 circuit board pins. 
     As further shown in FIG. 2, the switchbox connector  72  includes a set of contacts  86  (shown generally by arrows  86 ) and a switchbox housing  88 . In one arrangement, adhesive (e.g., plastic cement) bonds the switchbox housing  88  (e.g., non-conductive material) to the circuit board connector housing  78  (e.g., non-conductive material). The switchbox housing  88  defines a cable attachment interface  90  and a connector interface  92 . The switchbox housing  88  further defines locations  94  for receiving and holding the contacts  86 . By way of example only, the switchbox housing  88  defines a set of 25 locations  94  for holding up to 25 crimps (i.e., contacts  86 ). In one arrangement, the connector interface  92  is a D-Sub connector interface and the locations  94  are standardized positions for contacts carrying particular signals (e.g., RS-232 signals). As such, the switchbox connector  72  further includes an outer metallic casing  96  that defines screw holes  98  (or alternatively holds screws that thread into a complementary D-Sub connector interface). 
     As will be discussed later, the adaptor  32  further includes a set of conductors that connect the set of contacts  76  of the circuit board connector  70  with the set of contacts  86  of the switchbox connector  72 . In particular, the set of conductors extends from the circuit board mounting interface  82  defined by the circuit board connector housing  78  to the cable attachment interface  90  defined by the switchbox connector housing  88 . The adaptor  32  further includes a coating to protect the set of conductors. Further details of the invention will now be provided with reference to FIGS. 3 through 5. 
     FIG. 3 shows a top view of the adaptor  32 . As shown, the contacts  76  at the connector interface  84  of the circuit board connector  70  are arranged in a 2×5 array. Other contact arrangements are suitable for use as well for the circuit board connector  70 . 
     FIG. 4 shows a side view of the adaptor  32 . The connector interface  84  of the circuit board connector  70  is at a right angle to the connector interface  92  of the switchbox connector  72 . Accordingly, when connector interface  92  of the switchbox connector  72  mates with the multi-port switch  28  (FIG.  1 ), the connector interface  84  of the circuit board connector  70  extends at a right angle. Preferably, the positioning of the circuit board connector  70  relative to the switchbox connector  72  provides a clearance region  99  that permits easy and convenient engagement of a cable assembly  34  with the connector interface  92  when the switchbox connector  72  mates with a corresponding switchbox connector (e.g., one of the secondary ports  38  of the multi-port switch  28 , see FIG.  1 ). 
     FIG. 5 shows a rear view of the adaptor  32 . As shown, the set of contacts  80  of the circuit board connector  70  include a transmit pin  80 -T for carrying a transmit signal, a receive pin  80 -R for carrying a receive signal and a ground pin  80 -G for carrying a ground signal. Similarly, the set of contacts  86  of the switchbox connector  72  include a transmit crimp  86 -T for carrying the transmit signal, a receive crimp  86 -R for carrying the receive signal and a ground crimp  86 -G for carrying the ground signal. The crimps  86  preferably reside in standardized locations (e.g., based on the RS-232 standard) for use with standard, off-the-shelf parts (e.g., standard computer I/O ports, standard switchboxes, other accessories, etc.). The adaptor  32  includes a set of conductors  100  which include a transmit conductor  100 -T that connects the transmit pin  80 -T and the transmit crimp  86 -T together, a receive conductor  100 -R that connects the receive pin  80 -R and the receive crimp  86 -R together, and a ground conductor  1   00 -G that connects the ground pin  80 -G and the ground crimp  86 -G together. 
     As further shown in FIG. 5, the circuit board connector  70  has a footprint  102  and the switchbox connector  72  has a footprint  104 . In one arrangement, the footprint  102  of the circuit board connector  70  is smaller than the footprint  104  of the switchbox connector  72 . Accordingly, the circuit board connector  70  itself can be smaller than the switchbox connector  72 . As a result, the circuit boards  24  can have connectors  46  which are (i) similar in size to the circuit board connector  70  and (ii) smaller in size than the switchbox connector  72  in order to conserve circuit board space while remaining connectable with an adaptor  32  using a standard, off-the-shelf cable assembly  34  having complementary circuit board connectors  50 ,  52  at each end. 
     As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the distance between circuit board mounting interface  82  of the right angle PCB connector  70  and the cable attachment interface  90  of the switchbox connector  72  is small thus enabling the set of conductors  100  (e.g., wires, metal strips, etc.) to be relatively short. Further details of the invention will now be provided with reference to FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a procedure  110  performed by a manufacturer in order to provide the adaptor  32  of FIGS. 2 through 5. In step  112 , the manufacturer connects the set of conductors  100  to the set of circuit board connector contacts  80  of the circuit board connector  70  and to the set of contacts  86  of the switchbox connector  72 . In one arrangement, the manufacturer (i) solders first ends of wires (the set of conductors  100 ) to pins (the set of contacts  80 ) of the circuit board connector  70  and (ii) crimps second ends of the wires to crimps (the set of contacts  86 ) of the switchbox connector  72 , and inserts the crimps into the switchbox connector housing  88  of the switchbox connector  72 . 
     In step  114 , the manufacturer fastens the circuit board connector  70  and the switchbox connector  72  together. For example, the manufacturer bonds the circuit board connector housing  78  with the switchbox connector housing  88  using a layer of adhesive in order to fasten the two connectors  70 ,  72  together. 
     In step  116 , the manufacturer applies insulation against the circuit board connector housing  78  and the switchbox connector housing  88  such that the insulation, in combination with the housings  78 ,  88  physically insulates the set of conductors  100 . Accordingly, the conductors  100  are held in place and are now protected against damage and/or possible shorting if inadvertently hit. For example, the manufacture can surround the set of conductors  100  and the housings  78 ,  88  with a shrink wrap coating, shrink the coating (e.g., by applying heat) and cut away portions of the coating to expose the connector interfaces  84 ,  92 . The end result is the adaptor  32  which is capable of mounting to a secondary port  36  of the multi-port switch  28  in order to reliably convey signals between a circuit board  32  and the electronic device  28  (also see FIG.  1 ). 
     As described above, embodiments of the invention are directed to circuit board accessing techniques which utilize an adaptor  32  having a printed circuit board (PCB) connector  70  and a switchbox connector  72  (e.g., a D-Sub connector). In one arrangement, a user can easily connect with and access multiple circuit boards  24  using connection components  26  having multiple adaptors  32  and a variety of standard, off-the-shelf parts. The features of the invention, as described above, may be employed in computerized systems, apparatus and procedures as well as other electronic devices such as those of EMC Corporation of Hopkinton, Massachusetts. 
     While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     For example, it should be understood that the multi-port switch  28  was described above as being a standard switchbox having four secondary ports  38  by way of example only. The multi-port switch  28  can have a different number of secondary ports  38  (e.g., it can be a two-way A-B switchbox, it can include  6  secondary ports  38 , etc.). Furthermore, the multi-port switch  28  can be more sophisticated than a conventional manually operated knob-controlled switch. Rather, the multi-port switch  28  can be push-button controlled, computer controlled (i.e., electronically controlled), etc. 
     Additionally, it should be understood that the adaptor  32  was described above as including a circuit board connector  70  and a switchbox connector  72  which are fastened together using an adhesive. The use of the adhesive (e.g., heavy duty cement) is a simple and low cost fastening means. Other fastening mechanisms are suitable for use as well such as screws, interlocking flanges, etc. In one arrangement, each of the connectors  70 ,  72  includes an outer metallic shield (e.g., a chassis ground) which are connected together by a fastener (e.g., a screw, nuts and bolts, welds, solder, etc.). 
     Furthermore, it should be understood that the insulated coating that protects the set of conductors  100  of FIG. 5 was described as being a shrink wrap coating by way of example only. In other arrangements, the adaptor  32  includes, as the fastener  74 , a molded coating (e.g., molded rubber) which simultaneously holds the connectors  70 ,  72  together and protects the set of conductors  100  from damage. 
     Additionally, it should be understood that the adaptors  32  were described above as mating directly with multi-port switch  28  by way of example only. In other arrangements, the adaptors  32  mate with the PCB connectors  46  of the circuit boards  24  directly, and the cable assemblies  34  extend from the adaptors  32  to the multi-port switch  28 . 
     Furthermore, it should be understood that the adaptors  32  are suitable for use in applications other than the connector system  20 . For example, an adaptor  32  can be connected directly to the I/O port of a computer (e.g., directly to the port  42  of the electronic device  22 ) thus enabling connection to a circuit board using a standard cable having a circuit board connector at both ends. As another example, the adaptor  32  can be connected directly to the circuit board connector  46  of a circuit board  24  thus enabling connection to the electronic device  22  using a standard cable having the same connector at both ends (e.g., D-Sub connectors). Such uses of the adaptor  32  alleviate the need for a user to obtain or make a customized cable having a different connector at each end. 
     Additionally, it should be understood that the adaptor  32  was described above as using a  10  pin PCB connector  70  and a  25  location D-sub connector  72  by way of example only. The PCB connector  70  can have a different number of pins such as  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  12 , etc. Similarly, the D-Sub connector  72  can have a different number of contact locations such as  9 ,  15 ,  25 ,  37 ,  50 , etc. 
     Furthermore, it should be understood that the adaptor  32  was described as using, as the connector  72 , a crimp-type D-Sub connector by way of example only. Other connectors are suitable for use as the connector  72  as well such as a solder-type D-Sub connector, DIN connectors, IEEE connectors, LFH connectors, RJ45 connectors, RJ11 connectors, V0.35 connectors, half-pitch DB connectors, other USB connectors, and the like.