Testing apparatus for a high speed cross over communications jack and methods of operating the same

A testing unit including a substrate, a plurality of vias located in the substrate, a plurality of pin traces having a height and a width and each extending from a respective via towards an edge of the substrate and terminating at an end point, a plurality of termination points adjacent to the end points of the pin traces, a plurality of end traces having a height and a width with each end trace extending from an end point of a respective pin trace towards to a corresponding termination point near to the pin trace, a plurality of traces extending from the end of a respective end point or termination point to the edge of the substrate.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a testing framework of a network connection jack used to connect a network cable to a device.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

As electrical communication devices and their associated applications become more sophisticated and powerful, their ability to gather and share information with other devices also becomes more important. The proliferation of these intelligent, inter networked devices has resulted in a need for increasing data throughput capacity on the networks to which they are connected to provide the improved data rates necessary to satisfy this demand. As a result, existing communication protocol standards are constantly improved or new ones created. Nearly all of these standards require or significantly benefit, directly or indirectly, from the communication of high-definition signals over wired networks. Transmission of these high definition signals, which may have more bandwidth and, commensurately, higher frequency requirements, need to be supported in a consistent fashion. However, even as more recent versions of various standards provide for theoretically higher data rates or speeds, they are still speed limited by the current designs of certain physical components. Unfortunately, the design of such physical components is plagued by a lack of understanding of what is necessary to achieve consistent signal quality at multi-gigahertz and higher frequencies.

For example, communication jacks are used in communication devices, and equipment for the connection or coupling of cables that are used to transmit and receive the electrical signals that represent the data being communicated. A registered jack (RJ) is a standardized physical interface for connecting telecommunications and data equipment. The RJ standardized physical interface includes both jack construction and wiring pattern. A commonly used RJ standardized physical interface for data equipment is the RJ45 physical network interface, also referred to as an RJ45 jack. The RJ45 jack is widely used for local area networks such as those implementing the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 Ethernet protocol. The RJ45 jack is described in various standards, including one that is promulgated by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) in ANSI/TIA-1096-A.

All electrical interface components, such as cables and jacks, including the RJ45 jack, not only resist the initial flow of electrical current, but also oppose any change to it. This property is referred to as reactance. Two relevant types of reactance are inductive reactance and capacitive reactance. Inductive reactance may be created, for example, based on a movement of current through a cable that resists, which causes a magnetic field that induces a voltage in the cable. Capacitive reactance, on the other hand, is created by an electrostatic charge that appears when electrons from two opposing surfaces are placed close together.

To reduce or avoid any degradation of transmitted signals, the various components of a communications circuit preferably have matching impedances. If not, a load with one impedance value will reflect or echo part of a signal being carried by a cable with a different impedance level, causing signal failures. For this reason, data communication equipment designer and manufacturers, such as cable vendors, design and test their cables to verify that impedance values, as well as resistance and capacitance levels, of the cables comply with certain performance parameters. The RJ45 jack is also a significant component in nearly every communications circuit, however, jack manufacturers have not provided the same level of attention to its performance. Thus, although problems related to existing RJ45 jacks are well documented in tests and their negative impact on high frequency signal lines is understood, the industry seems reluctant to address the issues for this important component of the physical layer. Consequently, there is a need for an improved high speed jack

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One embodiment of the present invention discloses a testing unit including a substrate, a plurality of vias located in the substrate, a plurality of pin traces having a height and a width and each extending from a respective via towards an edge of the substrate and terminating at an end point, a plurality of termination points adjacent to the end points of the pin traces, a plurality of end traces having a height and a width with each end trace extending from an end point of a respective pin trace towards to a corresponding termination point near to the pin trace, a plurality of traces extending from the end of a respective end point or termination point to the edge of the substrate, where the end points of each pin trace are adjacent to each other and the termination points are adjacent to one another such that the pair of adjacent end traces and the pair of adjacent termination points are each adjacent to different traces.

In another embodiment, each pin trace is separated from each trace by a first distance.

In another embodiment, each end point is separated from each trace by a second distance.

In another embodiment, each termination point is connected to an end point of a pin trace that is not adjacent to the termination point by an end trace.

In another embodiment, adjacent pin traces are separated by a third distance.

In another embodiment, the testing unit includes a grounding plane in the substrate that is separated from each trace by a distance.

In another embodiment, the height and width of adjacent traces and a distance separating adjacent traces are adjusted such that the adjacent traces are magnetically coupled.

In another embodiment, the inductance and capacitance of each trace is adjusted by adjusting the first distance between the grounding plane and each trace.

In another embodiment, the height and width of adjacent end traces are adjusted such that the end traces are magnetically coupled.

In another embodiment, the substrate is RO XT8100, Rogers material.

In another embodiment, the capacitance of each trace is adjusted to between approximately 0.51 picofarads (pF) to approximately 2 pf.

In another embodiment, the inductance and capacitance of each trace is adjusted by adjusting a distance between the first ground plane and second ground plane and a distance between the first ground plane and each trace.

In another embodiment, a pin of an RJ 45 jack is connected to each via.

In another embodiment, an end of each trace is magnetically coupled to a connection unit.

In another embodiment, the connection unit is an RJ 59 connector.

In another embodiment, the height and width of adjacent pin traces and a distance separating adjacent pin traces are adjusted such that the adjacent pin traces are magnetically coupled.

In another embodiment, the height and width of adjacent end point and termination point and the distance separating adjacent end point and termination point are adjusted such that the adjacent end points and adjacent termination points are magnetically coupled.

In another embodiment, the inductance and capacitance of each end point and termination point are adjusted by adjusting the distance between the grounding plane and each end trace and each branch trace.

In another embodiment, the inductance and capacitance of each pin trace is adjusted along the length of the trace by adjusting the predetermined distance between the grounding plane and each end trace.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

FIG. 1illustrates a testing unit100for a high speed communication jack. The testing unit100, or testing framework, includes a pin connection portion102that is configured to affix to a high speed communication jack such as, but not limited to, a RJ 45 communication jack. Traces104,106,108,110,112,114,116and118extend radially from the pin connection portion102to the outer edge of the testing unit100. The end of each trace104,106,108,110112,114,116and118terminates at the edge of the testing unit100to allow for the connection of a communication unit (not shown). The connection units120,122,124,126,128,130,132and134may be any type of connector including, but not limited to a RJ 45 connector.

FIG. 2depicts a blown up view of another embodiment of the connection portion102. The connection portion102includes vias204,206,208,210,212,214,216, and218that are sized to engage the pins of a high speed communication jack. Pin traces220,222,224,226,228230,232and234extend radially from the vias204,206,208,210,212,214,216, and218towards the traces104,106,108,110,112,114,116and118. Each pin trace220,222,224,226,228,230,232and234extends to an end point236,238,240,242,244,246,248and250. Each pin trace220,222,224,226,228,230,232and234is also matched to an adjacent pin trace220,222,224,226,228,230,232and234. As an illustrative example, pin trace220is matched to pin trace222, pin trace224is match with pin trace226, pin trace228is matched to pin trace230and pin trace232is matched to pin trace234. Each pin trace220,222,224,226,228,230,232and234has a length (L), a height (H) and a width (W), and is separated from an adjacent pin trace by a distance (S). The width of each pin trace220,222,224,226,228230,232and234is approximately 35 mils. By adjusting the length, height and width of adjacent pin traces, the inductance of adjacent pin traces can be matched to each other. The end point236,238,240,242,244,246,248or250of each pin trace is separated from a respective trace104,106,108,110,112or114by a predetermined distance (Se).

End traces252,254,256,258,260,262,264and266extend from a respective end point236,238,240,242,244,246,248or250of a pin trace220,222,224,226,228230,232and234to a termination point268,270,272,274,276,278,280or282. The end traces252,254,256,258,260,262,264and266may also extend from the side of the pin trace220,222,224,226,228230,232and234to the termination point268,270,272,274,276,278,280or282. The termination points268,270,272,274,276,278,280or282are separated from the ends of each respective trace104,106,108,110,112or114by the predetermined distance Se. In one embodiment, the distance Se, is constant along the length of the end trace252,254,256,258,260,262,264and266. In another embodiment, the distance Se, varies along the length of the end trace252,254,256,258,260,262,264and266. Each end trace252,254,256,258,260,262,264and266has a length (L), width (W) and height (H). By adjusting the length, height and width of each end trace252,254,256,258,260,262,264and266in conjunction with the separation distance Se, different inductive and conductive configurations can be achieved. The width of each branch trace234,236,238and240may be approximately 35 mils. The width of each end trace252,254,256,258,260,262,264and266may be approximately 10 mils.

FIG. 3depicts a cut away view of the connection portion102. The connection portion102includes a top surface302. The end points236and238and the termination points268and270are positioned on the top surface302such that the end points236and238and termination points268and270alternate across the surface304of the substrate. A first grounding trace306and a second grounding trace308are positioned in the dielectric layers below the top surface with the first grounding trace304being separated from the top surface302by a first dielectric layer having a height H1. The second grounding trace306is separated from the first grounding trace304by a second dielectric layer310having a second height H2. By adjusting the heights H1and H2of the dielectric layers308and310, the capacitance of each trace, end point, and termination point can be adjusted. Further, the impedance of each end trace252,254,256,258,260,262,264and266, pin trace220,222,224,226,228230,232and234, end point236,238,240,242,244,246,248or250and termination point268,270,272,274,276,278,280or282can be adjusted by modifying the length, width and height of each respectively. By adjusting the impedance of adjacent traces, end points and termination points the adjacent traces and points can be magnetically coupled to one another eliminating crosstalk or noise. The dielectric layers are made from a material having a dielectric constant greater than 3.0 such as, but not limited to, RO XT8100, ROGERS Material, or any other material capable of isolating a high frequency electrical signal.

FIG. 4depicts a diagram of the circuit formed in the testing unit100inFIG. 2. The schematic includes the connection portion402, an input stimulus404, a RJ 45 high speed communication jack406and a output load408. The RJ 45 jack406includes internal traces410and412that are connected to pins416and418which engage vias422and424. The vias422and424are electrically connected to the pin traces424and426on the testing unit100. The length, width, height and separation distance of the end traces252,254,256,258,260,262,264and266and pin traces220,222,224,226,228,230,232and234are adjusted to create difference capacitance values along the length of the traces104,106,108,110,112or114. The inductance of each pin trace is changed by adjusting the height H1of the dielectric layer under the pin traces220,222,224,226,228,230,232or234and the height H2between the second grounding trace306and first grounding trace304under each pin trace220,222,224,226,228,230,232and234. The capacitors created by the pin traces220,222,224,226,228, and the grounding traces304and306are sized between approximately 1 picofarads (pF) to approximately 5 pF. The top and bottom surfaces of the unit100may be covered in a plastic insulating layer to further enhance the operation of the circuit.

The capacitors created by the traces104,106,108,110,112or114and the grounding traces304and306are sized between approximately 0.51 pF to approximately 2 pF. The top and bottom surfaces of the unit100may be covered in a plastic insulating layer to further enhance the operation of the circuit. In one embodiment, signals are driven through the line using between approximately 4 mW of power and 20 mW of power.

FIG. 5depicts one embodiment of a testing unit for a high speed communication jack. The testing unit500includes a high speed communication jack502connected to the connection portion102of the testing unit may be a RJ type connector, Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector and jack, Fire-wire (1394) connector and jack, HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) connector and jack, D-subminiature type connector and jack, ribbon type connector or jack, or any other connector or jack receiving a high speed communication signal. The high speed communication jack502is connected to the connection portion102such that each pin on the high speed communication jack502corresponds to one of the vias202,204,206,208,210,212,214and216. The high speed communications jack502may be configured such that pairs of pins are magnetically coupled together.

Each trace104,106,108,110,112,114,116and118extends from the connection portion102to the connection units120,122,124,126,128,130,132and134. The connection units120,122,124,126,128,130,132and134are configured such that a cable having a connector, such as an RJ 45 connector, can be removably attached to each of the connection units120,122,124,126,128,130,132and134. The connection units120,122,124,126,128,130,132and134transmit signals from the cable connected to the connection unit120,122,124,126,128,130,132and134and the associated trace104,106,108,110,112,114,116or118connected to the connection unit20,122,124,126,128,130,132and134. The connection units20,122,124,126,128,130,132and134are affixed to a connection plate504that extends around the periphery of the testing unit500. The connection plate504may be made of metal, such as steel, or metallized plastic. Each of the connection units20,122,124,126,128,130,132and134are affixed to the side surface of the connection plate504such that the central axis of the connection unit20,122,124,126,128,130,132and134is substantially parallel to the surface of the testing unit500.

FIG. 6depicts a schematic representation of multiple testing units connected together across a network. A first testing unit602is connected to a second testing unit604by a cable606connected to the high speed communication jack on each of the testing unit602and604. The cable606may be a communication cable such as an Ethernet cable, a category 5, 6, or 7 cable, a serial cable, a Fire-wire cable, a USB cable or any other type of communication cable. The cable606includes connectors (not shown) to allow the cable606to be removably connected to the high speed communication jacks. In one embodiment, the high speed communication jack on the first testing unit602is the same type of high speed communication jack as the second testing unit604. In another embodiment, the high speed communication jack on the first testing unit602is a different type than the high speed communication jack on the second testing unit604. The cable can be of any length including, but not limited to, 3 feet, 6, feet, 10 feet, 12 feet, 15 feet or 20 feet.

The connection units104,106,108,110,112,114,116or118each connect to a signal transmission and receiving unit610and612via cables coupled to the connection units104,106,108,110,112,114,116or118on one end and to the signal transmission and receiving units610and612on the opposite end. In one embodiment, the signal transmission and receiving unit610transmits a signal from the first testing unit602to the second testing unit604via the high speed connection jacks on the first and second testing units602and604. Upon receiving the signal, the second testing unit604transmits the signal to the signal transmission and receiving unit612. In one embodiment, the signal transmission and receiving unit612transmits a new signal back to the signal transmission and receiving unit610over the cable606. In one embodiment, the signal transmission and receiving unit612transmits a second signal to the signal transmission and receiving unit612that is based on the signal previously transmitted by the signal transmission and receiving unit610. In another embodiment, the signal transmission and receiving unit612transmits a second signal to the signal transmission and receiving unit610that is substantially identical to the signal previously transmitted by the signal transmission and receiving unit610.

The preceding detailed description is merely some examples and embodiments of the present disclosure and that numerous changes to the disclose embodiments can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from its spirit or scope. The preceding description, therefore, is not meant to limit the scope of the disclosure but to provide sufficient disclosure to one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention with undue burden.