Probe connector for a probing pad structure around a thermal attach mounting hole

Disclosed herein is technology of a probe connector for a probing pad structure around a thermal attach mounting hole. A probe connector includes a socket frame including a first channel and an elongated body including a second channel. Socket conductors are disposed in the socket frame around the first channel. The second channel is disposed at a first distal end of the elongated body, and the elongated body is disposed on the socket frame. The socket conductors are to make electrical contact with a probing pad structure disposed on a surface area around a thermal attach mounting hole of a circuit board in response to a loading attachment engaging with the elongated body via the second channel, the socket frame via the first channel, and the circuit board via the thermal attach mounting hole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1illustrates a probing pad structure on a surface area around a thermal attach mounting hole of a circuit board, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2Aillustrates a socket frame of a probe connector, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2Billustrates a probe connector, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3Ais an exploded perspective view illustrating a loading attachment, the probe connector, and the circuit board, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3Bis a section view illustrating the loading attachment engaging the probe connector and the circuit board, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4Ais a perspective view illustrating a loading attachment, the probe connector, and the circuit board, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 4Bis a section view illustrating the loading attachment engaging the probe connector and the circuit board, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 5illustrates a probe, the probe connector, the loading attachment, and the circuit board, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6illustrates a circuit board with probing pad structures on surface areas around thermal attach mounting holes, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7Aillustrates a thermal attach bottom plate for coupling with stand-offs via the thermal attach mounting holes to the circuit board and the probe connector, according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 7B-7Cillustrate the stand-offs for coupling the thermal attach bottom plate to the circuit board and the probe connector, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7Dillustrates a stand-off coupled to a circuit board for engaging with the loading attachment, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8illustrates a system including a circuit board with thermal attach mounting holes for engaging the circuit board with probe connector, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9illustrates a circuit board with thermal attach mounting holes for engaging the circuit board with the probe connector, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10illustrates a closed system for engaging with a probe connector, according to one embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A probe can be used to receive signals from a circuit board. These signals may include central processing unit (CPU) debugging signals, platform controller hub (PCH) debugging signals, voltage margining signals, miscellaneous signals (e.g., power measurement Kelvin sense, hardware strap probing, serial peripheral interface (SPI) flash, runtime flash, etc.), and so forth. A probe can be used to design computer hardware and processors, to control a processor at register level, to root-cause post validation and field failure issues of components, and to access individual registers, counters, and instructions within a device.

Coupling the probe to the circuit board requires routing area (e.g., in the core break-out/routing region) in the circuit board and surface area on the circuit board. This interferes with having a compact design of a circuit board area and layout design.

An example of physically coupling a probe (e.g., in-target probe (ITP)) to the circuit board is via a surface mounted debug connector (e.g., surface mounted Samtec connector for installing extended debug port (XDP) hardware). The surface mounted debug connector is soldered to the circuit board and about thirty-five signals are routed from silicon (e.g., CPU, PCH) to the surface mounted debug connector through the circuit board. The routing consumes routing space on the circuit board (e.g., a large amount of routing space in the core break-out/routing region) and the surface mounted debug connector consumes surface area on the circuit board. By taking up available routing space and surface area on a circuit board, the surface mounted debug port limits how compact the design of the circuit board can be and limits the circuit board layout. Industry adoption of the surface mounted debug connector is limited due to cost and complexity of the surface mounted debug connector.

To forgo the cost of the surface mounted debug connector and to save routing area, conventional circuit boards (e.g., form-factor motherboards) do not include a surface mounted debug connector. This causes a lack of debug support for central processing units (CPUs) and platform controller hubs (PCHs). The lack of debug support makes it impossible to root-cause post validation and field failure issues of components on a circuit board.

Another example of physically coupling a probe to a circuit board is via a chassis mount connector that couples to the circuit board via a chassis mounting hole. The chassis mount connector is installed on form-factor circuit boards and only in the open chassis condition. The chassis mount connector uses signal routing from the CPU to the chassis mounting hole, which also occupies substantial routing area of the circuit board. The chassis mount connector is non-standard and only has specific implementations.

Voltage margining of a circuit board requires additional resistors and volt margining connectors mounted on the circuit board. This also consumes substantial routing space (e.g., core circuit board routing area) and causes other routing in the circuit board to be more complex. This also increases cost of the circuit board.

Many circuit boards contain multiple miscellaneous signals (e.g., power measurement Kelvin sense, hardware strap probing, serial peripheral interface (SPI) flash, runtime flash, etc.) which are not brought out for probing as it increases the complexity of routing for other signals.

The embodiments described herein provide a probing solution that transmits one or more of debugging signals, voltage margining signals, miscellaneous signals, etc. to an external probe while minimizing routing area and surface area of a circuit board. The embodiments described herein provide a probing solution that is scalable across products, minimizes design and manufacturing time, and offers a simple debug solution for resolving field issues.

A probe connector for a probing pad structure around a thermal attach mounting hole (e.g., a near CPU probe (NCP) solution), as described in various embodiments herein, is a cost-effective probing solution that is scalable across products and platforms and is a universal solution which can be standardized. The NCP solution helps to avoid overhead of routing signals on circuit boards to a surface mounted debug connector or a chassis mount connector and eliminates surface mounting a surface mounted debug connector on the circuit board. The NCP solution can enable having a compact design form-factor circuit board design with debugging capabilities without increasing complexity of routing.

The NCP solution may include a probe connector and a probing pad structure disposed on a surface area around a thermal attach mounting hole of a circuit board.

FIG. 1illustrates a probing pad structure110on a surface area120around a thermal attach mounting hole130of a circuit board100, according to one embodiment. The probing pad structure110is coupled to the circuit board100. The probing pad structure110may be a copper pad structure (e.g., pattern of contacts (e.g., one or more of land grid array (LGA) contacts, ball grid array (BGA) contacts, etc.)) of specific debug signals. The probing pad structure110may include a plurality of pads (e.g., about 36) that are routed through the circuit board100(e.g., each of the pads in probing pad structure110is coupled to one or more wires that are routed through circuit board100(e.g., to CPU, PCH, etc.)). The probing pad structure110may be varied by one or more of changing pitch of the probing pad structure110, changing diameter of the probing pad structure110, or changing the pattern of the probing pad structure110. The circuit board100may be a form-factor motherboard (e.g., standard dimensions, standard locations of thermal attach mounting holes, standard size of thermal attach mounting holes, etc.). The circuit board may be one or more of a reference validation platform (RVP), a development platform or kit (e.g., Aero, Edison (Arduino), quark-based developer kits), or customer reference board (CRB) (e.g., a platform provided by a part (e.g., chip, microchip, processor, etc.) manufacturer to allow customers to evaluate the parts; may include hardware, software, firmware, etc.; may be installable on a server, computer, etc. to evaluate the part; etc.). The probing pad structure110may enable the probing of the signals of the circuit board by a probe500via a probe connector200(seeFIG. 5).

The surface area120around the thermal attach mounting hole130is effectively utilized on the circuit board100by converting the surface area120into a signal probing region and allows probing when making electrical connection with a probe connector200(seeFIG. 3A).

The surface area120may also include orientation guiding features140. The orientation guiding features140may be one or more of markings, fool-proofing features (e.g., guiding holes, guiding extrusions), etc. The orientation guiding features140may cause the probe connector200to be oriented away from the CPU or PCH (seeFIG. 5).

FIG. 2Aillustrates a socket frame210of a probe connector200, according to one embodiment. The socket frame210includes a first upper surface212and a first lower surface214(seeFIG. 2B). A first channel220traverses the socket frame210from the first upper surface212to the first lower surface214(seeFIG. 2B). In one implementation, the socket frame210is an elastomer socket frame. In one implementation, the socket frame210is a pogo-pin type socket frame. In one implementation, the socket frame210is a wire mesh (e.g., matrix) type socket frame. In one implementation, the socket frame210is a push-button type socket frame. In on implementation, the socket frame210is another means for holding socket conductors230around the first channel220in the means for holding. Each of the socket conductors may be substantially parallel.

Socket conductors230(e.g., about 36 socket connectors, about 36 socket columns) are disposed in the socket frame210around the first channel220. The socket conductors230are substantially perpendicular to and traverse the first upper surface212and the first lower surface214(seeFIG. 2B).

The socket conductors230of socket frame210may match with the probing pad structure110(seeFIG. 1) on circuit board100(e.g., 36 socket conductors230that align with36contacts on probing pad structure110). The socket conductors230may support one or more of LGA or BGA contacts. In one embodiment, an upper surface of the socket conductors230(e.g., disposed proximate the upper surface212) supports LGA contacts and a lower surface of the socket conductors230(e.g., disposed proximate the lower surface214(seeFIG. 2B)) supports BGA contacts. In another embodiment, the upper surface of the socket conductors230supports BGA contacts and a lower surface of the socket conductors230supports LGA contacts. In another embodiment, both upper and lower surfaces of the socket conductors230support LGA contacts. In another embodiment, both upper and lower surfaces of the socket conductors230support BGA contacts.

The socket frame210may have socket frame guiding features216that engage (e.g., connect, mate, bond, etc.) with the orientation guiding features140of the surface area120of the circuit board100around the thermal attach mounting hole130. In one embodiment, the orientation guiding features140are guiding holes and the frame guiding features216are guiding extrusions. In one embodiment, the orientation guiding features140are guiding extrusions and the frame guiding features216are guiding holes. In one embodiment, the orientation guiding features140and the guiding features216form a connection with each other (e.g., a magnetic bond, a hook and loop connection, etc.)

The socket frame guiding features216may align the socket conductors230with the probing pad structure110.

FIG. 2Billustrates a probe connector200, according to one embodiment. The probe connector200includes a socket frame210(seeFIG. 2A) and an elongated body240.

The elongated body240includes a second upper surface242(seeFIG. 3A) and a second lower surface244. A second channel222traverses the elongated body240from the second upper surface242(seeFIG. 3A) to the second lower surface244. The second channel222is disposed at a first distal end246of the elongated body240. The second lower surface244of the elongated body240is disposed on the first upper surface212(seeFIG. 2A) of the socket frame210.

In one embodiment, the elongated body240includes a printed circuit board (PCB). In another embodiment, the elongated body240includes a flexible printed circuit (FPC).

The elongated body240includes one or more conductors. The conductors may be one or more of wires, traces, transmission lines, etc. The conductors may be disposed on the second lower surface244of the elongated body240. The conductors may be disposed on the second upper surface242of the elongated body240. The conductors may be disposed in the elongated body240. The conductors may make electrical connection with terminals at the second distal end248of the elongated body240. The terminals may make electrical connection with a probe500. The conductors may make electrical connection with the socket conductors230at the first distal end246.

The second lower surface244of the first distal end246of the elongated body240and the first upper surface212of the socket frame210may have corresponding guiding features to couple the socket conductors with the corresponding conductors in the elongated body240. The second lower surface244of the first distal end246of the elongated body240and the first upper surface212of the socket frame210may be coupled together (e.g., chemically bonded, thermally bonded, frictionally fit, pressure fit, coupled with epoxy, etc.) to couple the socket conductors with the corresponding conductors in the elongated body240.

The probe connector200may include a stiffener250. The stiffener may have a third upper surface252(seeFIG. 3A) and a third lower surface254(not shown). A third channel224may traverse the stiffener250from the third upper surface252to the third lower surface254. The third lower surface254may be disposed on the second upper surface242(seeFIG. 3A) of the elongated body240. In one embodiment, the stiffener250is metal. In another embodiment, the stiffener250is plastic. The stiffener250may protect the elongated body240from the loading attachment300. In one embodiment, the probe connector200does not include a stiffener250.

The second distal end248of the elongated body240may be oriented away from the circuit board100in response to coupling the socket frame guiding features216of the socket frame210with the orientation guiding features140of the surface area120around the thermal attach mounting hole130. In one embodiment, the second distal end248may be adapted to couple to a probe500(e.g., XDP, SINAI, etc.) via terminals at the second distal end248. In another embodiment, the elongated body240is integrated into a probe500.

In response to the socket frame guiding features216of the probe connector200being engaged with the orientation guiding features140, the orientation guiding features140may orient the probe connector200so that conductors in the elongated body240and traces in the circuit board100are aligned (e.g., angle between a trace in the circuit board and a corresponding conductor in the elongated body240is substantially 180 degrees, a trace and a corresponding conductor are substantially coplanar in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the circuit board100, a trace and a corresponding conductor are oriented in the same direction, etc.). In response to the socket frame guiding features216of the probe connector200being engaged with the orientation guiding features140, one or more traces may be aligned with the conductors. In response to the socket frame guiding features216of the probe connector200being engaged with the orientation guiding features140, a portion (e.g., the portion proximate the thermal attach mounting hole130) of the traces may be aligned with the conductors.

In one embodiment, the elongated body240is planar. In another embodiment, the elongated body240has a first portion (e.g., first distal end246) is disposed on a first plane and a second portion (e.g., second distal end248) that is disposed on a second plane, where there is an angle (e.g., about 15 degrees, about 30 degrees, about 45 degrees, about 60 degrees, about 75 degrees, about 90 degrees, etc.) between the first plane and the second plane. The angle between the first plane and the second plane may help orient the probe500away from the circuit board100(seeFIG. 5).

The probe connector200may be coupled with the circuit board100via a loading attachment300(seeFIGS. 3A-4B). In one embodiment, the loading attachment300is a loading screw (seeFIGS. 3A-3B). In another embodiment, the loading attachment300is a spring-based snap attachment (seeFIGS. 4A-4B). In another embodiment, the loading attachment300is another means for electrically coupling the socket conductors230with a probing pad structure110disposed on a surface area120around a thermal attach mounting hole130of the circuit board100. In another embodiment, the loading attachment300is another means for fastening the probe connector200to the surface area120around the thermal attach mounting hole130of the circuit board100. In another embodiment, the loading attachment is another means for extending through the thermal attach mounting hole130from a first side of the circuit board100and a means for coupling to the means for extending on a second side of the circuit board100.

FIG. 3Ais an exploded perspective view illustrating a loading attachment300, the probe connector200, and the circuit board100, according to one embodiment. A second lower surface244(seeFIG. 2B) of the elongated body240may be disposed on the first upper surface212of the socket frame210. A third lower surface of the stiffener250may be disposed on the upper surface242of the elongated body. In one embodiment, the loading attachment300is metal. In another embodiment, the loading attachment300is plastic.

In one embodiment, the socket conductors230are to make electrical contact with the probing pad structure110disposed on the surface area120around the thermal attach mounting hole130of the circuit board100in response to a loading attachment300engaging with the socket frame210via the first channel220, the elongated body240via the second channel222, and the circuit board100via the thermal attach mounting hole130. The socket conductors230are to make electrical contact with the elongated body240. The elongated body240is to make electrical contact with a probe500(seeFIG. 5).

In another embodiment, the socket conductors230are to make electrical contact with the probing pad structure110disposed on the surface area120around the thermal attach mounting hole130of the circuit board100in response to a loading attachment300engaging with the socket frame210via the first channel220, the elongated body240via the second channel222, the stiffener250via the third channel224, and the circuit board100via the thermal attach mounting hole130.

In one embodiment, one or more of socket frame210, elongated body240, and stiffener250are removably coupled to each other in response to loading attachment300engaging with the probe connector200and the circuit board100. One or more of socket frame210, elongated body240, and stiffener250may be interchangeable from one probe connector200to another probe connector200. In another embodiment, one or more of the socket frame210, elongated body240, and stiffener250are non-removably coupled. One or more of the socket frame210, elongated body240, and stiffener250may be chemically bounded together, frictionally bound together, fixed together by an epoxy, thermally fixed to each other, or coupled in another manner.

FIG. 3Bis a section view illustrating the loading attachment300engaging the probe connector200and the circuit board100, according to one embodiment.

In one embodiment, loading attachment300is a loading screw. Loading attachment300may have a head portion310and a body portion320. The head portion310may be formed to be one or more of driven with a tool (e.g., screwdriver, wrench, etc.), turned, or pushed to engage with probe connector200and circuit board100. The head portion310may be larger than the body portion320. In one embodiment, the body portion320has substantially the same width (e.g., diameter) as the width (e.g., diameter) of the thermal attach mounting hole130, so that the loading attachment300may have a friction fit with circuit board100via thermal attach mounting hole130. In another embodiment, the body portion320has threading to engage with circuit board100via thermal attach mounting hole130. In another embodiment, the body portion320may engage with a component (e.g., a stand-off710(seeFIGS. 7A-7D) within the thermal attach mounting hole130. In another embodiment, the body portion320may traverse the circuit board100via the thermal attach mounting hole130and engage with a component on the opposite side of the circuit board100(e.g., a nut).

The body portion may traverse the stiffener250via third channel224, the elongated body240via second channel222, and the socket frame210via first channel220and engage with the circuit board100via thermal attach mounting hole130. The lower surface of head portion310may be disposed on third upper surface252of stiffener250or second upper surface242of elongated body240.

In one embodiment, the loading attachment300provides about a 25 gram/pin load on each of the plurality of socket conductors230(e.g., when the loading attachment300engages with the probe connector200and the circuit board100). The loading attachment may removably couple the probe connector200to an upper surface of the circuit board100and the loading attachment may also removably couple the probe connector200to a lower surface of the circuit board100.

The probe connector200may be removably connected to the circuit board100(e.g., plug and use) whereas the surface mounted debug connector is surface mounted (e.g., soldered) on the circuit board100. The probe connector200is reusable on multiple circuit boards100whereas the surface mounted debug connector is not reusable.

FIG. 4Ais a perspective view illustrating a loading attachment300, the probe connector200, and the circuit board100, according to another embodiment.

In one embodiment, the loading attachment300is a spring-based snap attachment adapted to mount to the circuit board100. The loading attachment300may include a head portion310, a body portion320, a spring430, snap portions440aand400b, and a slot portion450. The snap portions440aand440bmay be a first distance apart when a force is not applied to snap portions440aand/or440b. The slot portion450(and the material and thickness of the snap portions440aand440b) may allow the snap portions440aand440bto be forced (e.g., moved, squeezed) closer to each other (e.g., a second distance apart which is less than the first distance) to allow passage of the probe connector200via channels222,224, and226and circuit board100via thermal attach mounting hole130so that body portion320traverses the probe connector200via channels222,224, and226and circuit board100via thermal attach mounting hole130. The length of body portion320, the height and spring constant of spring430, the thickness of probe connector200(e.g., from first lower surface214to second upper surface242, from first lower surface214to third upper surface252, etc.), and the thickness of the circuit board100may be adjusted to apply a specific load (e.g., about 25 grams/pin) on each of the socket conductors230when the loading attachment300is engaged with the probe connector200and the circuit board100. The force applied may be a function of the spring constant of the spring430(e.g., the spring constant may depend on material and construction of spring430) multiplied by the distance that the spring430is deformed (e.g., difference between height of spring430without force applied (static state) and the height of spring430with a force applied). For example, if the specific load is 25 grams/pin for 36 socket conductors230, then a total load of at least 900 grams may be needed. If the distance that the spring430is deformed is 1 mm, then a spring constant of spring430of at least 8.829 N/mm may be needed (0.025 kg/pin*36 pins*(9.81 m/sec2)/1 mm=8.829 N/mm). In another embodiment, the loading attachment300provides about a 35 gram/pin load on each of the plurality of socket conductors230.

FIG. 4Bis a section view illustrating the loading attachment300engaging the probe connector200and the circuit board100, according to another embodiment.

In one embodiment, the probe connector200may be removed from the circuit board100by forcing snap portions440aand400bcloser together (e.g., squeezing the snap portion440) to allow passage of the snap portion440through the thermal attach mounting hole130.

In another embodiment, the probe connector200may be removed from the circuit board100by pulling on the head portion310to pull the snap portions440aand440bthrough the thermal attach mounting hole130(e.g., the snap portion440may disengage from the circuit board100if a threshold force is applied, where the threshold force is greater than the force applied for electrical contact between the socket conductors230and the probing pad structure110(e.g., threshold force is above about 25 g/pin for each socket conductor230)).

FIG. 5illustrates a probe500, the probe connector200, the loading attachment300, and the circuit board100, according to one embodiment.

In one embodiment, the probe connector200is coupled to probe500(e.g., via an interface, via an adaptor, via a connector, etc.). In another embodiment, probe connector200is integral to probe500. Probe500may make electrical contact with the probing pad structure110(seeFIG. 3A) via probe connector200. Probing pad structure110may make electrical contact with one or more components (e.g., package510, CPU520, PCH530, etc.) via wiring routed through circuit board100. Probe500may receive signals from (e.g., take readings of) components such as package510, CPU520, and/or PCH530.

In one embodiment, probe500is a debugging probe (e.g., XDP probe) and probe500receives debug signals corresponding to CPU520coupled to the circuit board100. In another embodiment, probe500(e.g., XDP probe) is a debugging probe and probe500receives debug signals corresponding to a PCH530coupled to the circuit board100. In another embodiment, probe500is a voltage measurement probe and probe500receives voltage margining signals from the circuit board100. In another embodiment, probe500is another means for measuring signals from a circuit board.

FIG. 6illustrates a circuit board100with probing pad structures110on surface areas120around thermal attach mounting holes130, according to one embodiment.

On any given platform there may be multiple types of debug support required (e.g., external debugging probe (XDP), voltage margining, SINAI, etc.). There may be multiple thermal attach mounting holes130(e.g., three or four thermal attach mounting holes130). By mapping these signals to the nearest thermal attach mounting hole130, debug support may be provided through probe connector200for a majority of signals. CPU/PCH ball map also influences the signal mapping to nearest thermal attach mounting holes130.FIG. 6illustrates the mapping of debug signals to the nearest four thermal attach mounting holes130a-d. Signal mapping can vary based on product requirement.

Each probing pad structure110a-dmay connect to a specific probing signal (e.g., CPU debugging, PCH debugging, voltage margining, miscellaneous signals (e.g., power measurement Kelvin sense, hardware strap probing, serial peripheral interface (SPI) flash, runtime flash, etc.), etc. Probing pad structure110aon surface area120aaround a thermal attach mounting hole130amay be used by probe500via probe connector200to receive miscellaneous signals. Probing pad structure110bon surface area120baround a thermal attach mounting hole130bmay be used by probe500via probe connector200to receive voltage margining signals. Probing pad structure110con surface area120caround a thermal attach mounting hole130cmay be used by probe500via probe connector200to receive CPU520debug signals. Probing pad structure110don surface area120daround a thermal attach mounting hole130dmay be used by probe500via probe connector200to receive PCH530debug signals.

The probe connector200is to transmit a first set of signals to the probe500in response to the socket conductors230making electrical contact with probing pad structure110a. The probe connector200is to transmit a second set of signals to the probe500in response to the socket conductors230making electrical contact with probing pad structure110b. The second set of signals is a different type of signals than the first set of signals.

Thermal attach mounting holes130are located proximate the CPU520and/or PCH530(e.g., more proximate to CPU520and/or PCH530than chassis mounting holes and a surface mounted debug connector). This enables probing signals to be routed for a shorter distance than conventional solutions, saving routing area and layer space in the core region.

A surface mounted debug connector has about 8″ to 9″ routing length within a circuit board and occupies about 20-25% routing area on a core layer of the circuit board for debug signal routing. For example, a surface mounted debug connector may be placed on the secondary side of a form-factor system circuit board to enable CPU/PCH debugging in an open chassis environment. Due to space and priority of placement of other connectors, surface mounted debug connector placement has last preference and is moved to the lower side of the circuit board. Thirty-five debug signals are routed from the CPU to the surface mounted debug connector. On an eight layer circuit board stack-up, layer 4 is used for surface mounted debug connector signal routing. Overall 1100 mm2area is used for surface mounted debug connector signal routing on a core layer and in addition the surface mounted debug connector consumes about 232 mm2of circuit board area. The surface mounted debug connector is not surface mounted by default on the circuit board when the board is integrated on the form-factor system due to height limitation and cost. If there is a field failure on the form-factor system, then a surface mounted debug connector will be surface mounted on the circuit board for debugging. This is not convenient and is a time consuming activity. Supporting debugging on a large volume of form-factor systems using a surface mounted debug connector would be an immense task.

A chassis mount connector (e.g., connect to a chassis mounting hole) also has about 8″ to 9″ routing length and also occupies about 20-25% routing area on a core layer of a circuit board for debug signal routing.

A probing pad structure110around a thermal attach mounting hole130of a circuit board100may have about 1.5″ to 2″ routing length and may occupy about 3% routing area on a core layer of a circuit board for debug signal routing. The circuit board100with the probing pad structure110has an opportunity for board layer count reduction and optimization.

FIG. 7Aillustrates a thermal attach bottom plate700for coupling with stand-offs710via the thermal attach mounting holes130to the circuit board100and the probe connector200, according to an embodiment. Thermal attach bottom plate700may be attached to an upper surface or a lower surface of the circuit board. In one embodiment, the stand-offs710are removably coupled to the circuit board100via the thermal attach mounting holes130. In another embodiment, the stand-offs710are non-removably coupled to the circuit board100via the thermal attach mounting holes. One or more of the thermal attach bottom plate700, a stand-off710, or the circuit board100may be one or more of chemically bounded together, frictionally bound together, fixed together by an epoxy, thermally fixed to each other, soldered together, or coupled in another manner.

FIGS. 7B-7Cillustrate the stand-offs710for coupling the thermal attach bottom plate700to the circuit board100and the probe connector200, according to an embodiment.

Stand-off710may include inner threading720, a stand-off head730, and a stand-off body740. The stand-off head730may engage with the thermal attach bottom plate700. The stand-off head730may include grooves on the outer surface for gripping the stand-off710. The stand-off body740may traverse mounting holes in the thermal attach bottom plate700and the thermal attach mounting hole130of circuit board100. The stand-off body740may couple one or more of the thermal attach bottom plate700and the circuit board100by one or more of outer threading on stand-off body740, soldering, a frictional fit, epoxy, a chemical bond, a thermal bond, or other manner.

FIG. 7Dillustrates a stand-off710coupled to a circuit board100for engaging with the loading attachment300, according to one embodiment.

The probe connector200and probing pad structure110may install on either the upper surface or lower surface of the circuit board100depending on the stack-up of the circuit board100, routing in the circuit board100, and thermal attach bottom plate700placement, stand-off710placement, and so forth. If a stand-off710is soldered on the lower surface of the circuit board100and a threading area is projecting out from the upper surface of the circuit board, the probe connector installation can be customized to suit attachment to the threading of the stand-off710with respective loading attachments300(e.g., screws). A thermal attach bottom plate700and a probe connector200may simultaneously be coupled to the circuit board (e.g., co-existence) by customizing the design of the probe connector200.

In one embodiment, stand-off710includes inner threading720to couple with a loading attachment300. In one embodiment, stand-off710includes outer threading on stand-off body740to couple with loading attachment300. In one embodiment, thermal attach bottom plate700is coupled to the circuit board via loading attachment300engaging with stand-off710. The stand-off may include a threading area (e.g., inner threading720, stand-off body740, etc.) projecting through the thermal attach mount hole130. The loading attachment300is to couple the probe connector200to the circuit board100via the threading area of the stand-off710.

The dimensions of the stand-off710, the loading attachment300, and the probe connector200provide the force to make electrical contact between the probing pad structure110and the socket conductors230when loading attachment300is coupled with stand-off710.

FIG. 8illustrates a system800including a circuit board100with thermal attach mounting holes130for engaging the circuit board100with probe connector200, according to one embodiment. The system800may be one or more of a tablet, a smartphone, a reference tablet, a laptop, a desktop, a closed system, an open system, and so forth. The circuit board100may be a motherboard. The circuit board may include three thermal attach mounting holes130. The thermal attach mounting holes130may be passive.

FIG. 9illustrates a circuit board100with thermal attach mounting holes130for engaging the circuit board100with probe connector200, according to one embodiment.

The probing pad structures110a-cmay be used to one or more of the transmit signals as described inFIG. 6. By creating the probing pad structures110a-caround the three thermal attach mounting holes130a-cand by terminating the signals (e.g., routing wiring from a component) to the probing pad structures110a-c(e.g., NCP footprints) will provide capabilities for debug signals (e.g., XDP debug signals), voltage margining signals, and miscellaneous signals (e.g., power measurement Kelvin sense, hardware strap probing, serial peripheral interface (SPI) flash, runtime flash, etc.).

FIG. 10illustrates a closed system1000for engaging with a probe connector200, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the closed system1000is a laptop. The closed system1000includes a lid1010, a base1020, openings1030for accessibility to modules (e.g., circuit board100, thermal attach mounting holes130, etc.). A cover may be removed to access an opening1030. An opening1030may provide access to a probing pad structure110around a thermal attach mounting hole130. A probe connector200may engage the surface area120of circuit board100around a thermal attach mounting hole130of the closed system1000via the opening1030without removal of the complete D-skin of the system (e.g., closed system1000, system800), which substantially helps during field failure issue debugging. A surface mounted debug connector and a chassis mount connector may require removing the D-skin of the system.

The probe connector200is to be used on one or more of RVP, a development platform or kit (e.g., Aero, Edison (Arduino), Quark-based developer kits, etc.), CRB, and form-factor circuit boards in open systems and closed systems. In one implementation, the same probe connector200is to be used on each of RVP, a development platform or kit, CRB, and form-factor circuit boards. In one implementation, the same probe connector200is to be used on a first type of circuit board100(e.g., an RVP, a development platform or kit, a CRB, or form-factor circuit board) and a second type of circuit board100, where the first type of circuit board100is different from the second type of circuit board100. In one implementation, a first type of probe connector200is to be used on a first type of circuit board100and a second type of probe connector200is to be used on a second type of circuit board100, where the first type of probe connector200is different from the second type of probe connector200and the first type of circuit board100is different from the second type of circuit board100. The probe connector200has applications of debugging during platform validation, form-factor board post-validation, and field failure issue resolution. During failure debug, a thermal attach can be un-screwed and the thermal attach mounting hole130can be utilized for engaging a probe connector.

The probe connector200and probing pad structure110eliminate the need for soldering a surface mounted debug connector (e.g., XDP surface mounted debug connector) for debug of field failure issues, saves the surface mounted debug connector signal routing area (e.g., about 1100 mm2) and connector area on the circuit board100. The routing layer can be effectively used for other critical signals routing.

Resistors (e.g., standard instrumentation platform (SIP) resistors) on the circuit board can be moved to probe500, saving routing and circuit board100area. The probe connector200and probing pad structure110have a wider scope in the validation environment (e.g., RVP, a development platform or kit (e.g., Aero, Edison (Arduino), quark-based developer kits), CRB, etc.) by not being restricted to one type of debugging. The probe connector200and probing pad structure110support varying use cases without adding any overhead on the circuit board design.

The probe connector200and probing pad structure110can co-exist with socket retention hardware that is typically used on RVPs, development platforms or kits, or CRBs. The probe connector200and probing pad structure110may be a plug and use type of probing solution saving unwanted overhead cost.

The probe connector200and probing pad structure110has minimal use of critical routing layers. The probe connector200and probing pad structure110allow reference platforms to be designed very close to the customer product and RVP, a development platform or kit, or CRB collaterals can be directly leveraged by the customers. The probe connector200and probing pad structure110provides effective utilization of thermal and socket hardware attachment holes on form factor, RVP, a development platform or kit, and CRB circuit boards100for debug purposes without adding additional cost. The probe connector200and probing pad structure110has a debug option on form-factor circuit boards100during pre- and/or post-validation. During power-on or critical debug on internal platforms, the probe connector200and probing pad structure110provide a debug opportunity even before universal serial bus (USB) interfaces are activated.

Various operations are described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present disclosure, however, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation.

The terms “over,” “under,” “between,” “disposed on,” and “on” as used herein refer to a relative position of one material layer or component with respect to other layers or components. For example, one layer disposed on, over, or under another layer may be directly in contact with the other layer or may have one or more intervening layers. Moreover, one layer disposed between two layers may be directly in contact with the two layers or may have one or more intervening layers. Similarly, unless explicitly stated otherwise, one feature disposed between two features may be in direct contact with the adjacent features or may have one or more intervening layers.

The following examples pertain to further embodiments.

Example 1 is a probe connector comprising: a socket frame comprising a first upper surface and a first lower surface, wherein a first channel is from the first upper surface to the first lower surface; a plurality of socket conductors disposed in the socket frame around the first channel, wherein each of the plurality of socket conductors is substantially perpendicular to and traverses the first upper surface and the first lower surface; and an elongated body comprising a second upper surface and a second lower surface, wherein: a second channel is from the second upper surface to the second lower surface; the second channel is disposed at a first distal end of the elongated body; the second lower surface of the elongated body is disposed on the first upper surface of the socket frame; and the plurality of socket conductors are to make electrical contact with a probing pad structure disposed on a surface area around a thermal attach mounting hole of a circuit board in response to a loading attachment engaging with the elongated body via the second channel, the socket frame via the first channel, and the circuit board via the thermal attach mounting hole.

In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1, wherein the elongated body is a printed circuit board.

In Example 3, the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-2, wherein the elongated body is a flexible printed circuit.

In Example 4, the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-3 further comprising a stiffener comprising a third upper surface and a third lower surface, wherein: a third channel is from the third upper surface to the third lower surface; the third lower surface is disposed on the second upper surface; and the plurality of socket conductors are to make electrical contact with the probing pad structure in response to the loading attachment engaging with the stiffener via the third channel, the elongated body via the second channel, the socket frame via the first channel, and the circuit board via the thermal attach mounting hole.

In Example 5, the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-4, wherein: the socket frame comprises socket frame guiding features on the first lower surface; the surface area comprises orientation guiding features; and in response to the socket frame guiding features coupling with the orientation guiding features, traces in the circuit board and conductors in the elongated body are to be electrically coupled and are to be aligned.

Example 6 is a system comprising: a circuit board; a probing pad structure disposed on a surface area of the circuit board around a thermal attach mounting hole of the circuit board; a probe connector comprising: a socket frame comprising a first channel; a plurality of socket conductors disposed in the socket frame around the first channel; and an elongated body comprising a first distal end, wherein the first distal end comprises a second channel; and a loading attachment, wherein the plurality of socket conductors are to make electrical contact with the probing pad structure in response to the loading attachment engaging with the elongated body via the second channel, the socket frame via the first channel, and the circuit board via the thermal attach mounting hole.

In Example 7, the subject matter of Example 6, further comprising a second probing pad structure disposed on a second surface area around a second thermal attach mounting hole of the circuit board, wherein: the probe connector is to transmit a first set of signals to a probe in response to the plurality of socket conductors making electrical contact with the probing pad structure; and the probe connector is to transmit a second set of signals to the probe in response to the plurality of socket conductors making electrical contact with the second probing pad structure; and the second set of signals is a different type of signals than the first set of signals.

In Example 8, the subject matter of any one of Examples 6-7, wherein: the socket frame comprises one or more socket frame guiding features; and the surface area comprises one or more orientation guiding features to couple with the one or more socket frame guiding features.

In Example 9, the subject matter of any one of Examples 6-8, wherein, in response to the socket frame guiding features coupling with the orientation guiding features: traces in the circuit board and conductors in the elongated body are to be electrically coupled; and the traces in the circuit board and the conductors in the elongated body are to be aligned.

In Example 10, the subject matter of any one of Examples 6-9, wherein the circuit board is a motherboard in a closed system, wherein the plurality of socket conductors are to make electrical contact with the probing pad structure in response to the loading attachment engaging with the elongated body via the second channel, the socket frame via the first channel, and the circuit board via the thermal attach mounting hole without removing the circuit board from the closed system.

In Example 11, the subject matter of any one of Examples 6-10, wherein the circuit board is at least one of a reference validation platform or a customer reference board.

In Example 12, the subject matter of any one of Examples 6-11, wherein the loading attachment provides about a 25 gram/pin load on each of the plurality of socket conductors.

In Example 13, the subject matter of any one of Examples 6-12, wherein the loading attachment is a screw adapted to mount to the circuit board.

In Example 14, the subject matter of any one of Examples 6-13, wherein the loading attachment is a spring-based snap attachment adapted to mount to the circuit board.

In Example 15, the subject matter of any one of Examples 6-14, wherein a stand-off is coupled to the circuit board, the stand-off comprising a threading area projecting through the thermal attach mount hole, wherein the loading attachment is to couple the probe connector to the circuit board via the threading area of the stand-off.

In Example 16, the subject matter of any one of Examples 6-15, wherein the loading attachment is to removably couple the probe connector to an upper surface of the circuit board and the loading attachment is to removably couple the probe connector to a lower surface of the circuit board.

Example 17 is a system comprising: a probe; and a probe connector coupled to the probe, the probe connector comprising: a socket frame comprising a first channel; a plurality of socket conductors disposed in the socket frame around the first channel; and an elongated body comprising a first distal end and a second distal end, wherein: the first distal end comprises a second channel and the second distal end is to couple to the probe; the plurality of socket conductors are to make electrical contact with a probing pad structure disposed on a surface area around a thermal attach mounting hole of a circuit board in response to a loading attachment engaging with the socket frame via the first channel, the elongated body via the second channel, and the circuit board via the thermal attach mounting hole; and the probe is to measure a signal at the probing pad structure via the probe connector.

In Example 18, the subject matter of Example 17, wherein the probe is a debugging probe and the signal comprises a debug signal corresponding to a central processing unit coupled to the circuit board.

In Example 19, the subject matter of any one of Examples 17-18, wherein the probe is a debugging probe and the signal comprises a debug signal corresponding to a platform controller hub coupled to the circuit board.

In Example 20, the subject matter of any one of Examples 17-19, wherein the probe is a voltage measurement probe and the signal comprises a voltage margining signal from the circuit board.

Example 21 is an apparatus comprising: a first plurality of conductors; means for holding the first plurality of conductors around a first channel in the means for holding, each of the first plurality of conductors being substantially parallel; an elongated body comprising a second plurality of conductors, wherein: a first distal end of the second plurality of conductors is to make electrical contact with the first plurality of conductors; and the elongated body comprises a second channel disposed proximate the first distal end; and means for electrically coupling the first plurality of conductors with a probing pad structure disposed on a surface area around a thermal attach mounting hole of the circuit board.

In Example 22, the subject matter of Example 21, wherein the means for electrically coupling further comprises means for fastening the apparatus to the surface area around the thermal attach mounting hole of the circuit board.

In Example 23, the subject matter of any one of Examples 21-22, wherein a second distal end of the second plurality of conductors is to couple with a means for measuring signals from the circuit board.

In Example 24, the subject matter of any one of Examples 21-23, wherein the means for fastening comprises a means for extending through the thermal attach mounting hole from a first side of the circuit board and a means for coupling to the means for extending on a second side of the circuit board.

Various embodiments can have different combinations of the structural features described above. For instance, all optional features of the computing system described above can also be implemented in a method or process and specifics in the examples can be used anywhere in one or more embodiments.

The embodiments may be described with reference to a probe connector for a probing pad structure around a thermal attach mounting hole. The embodiments can also be applicable to other types of integrated circuits and programmable logic devices. For example, the disclosed embodiments are not limited to desktop computer systems or portable computers, such as the Intel® Ultrabooks™ computers, and can be also used in other devices, such as handheld devices, tablets, other thin notebooks, systems on a chip (SoC) devices, and embedded applications. Some examples of handheld devices include cellular phones, Internet protocol devices, digital cameras, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and handheld PCs. Embedded applications typically include a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a system on a chip, network computers (NetPC), set-top boxes, network hubs, wide area network (WAN) switches, or any other system that can perform the functions and operations taught below. It is described that the system can be any kind of computer or embedded system. The disclosed embodiments can especially be used for low-end devices, like wearable devices (e.g., watches), electronic implants, sensory and control infrastructure devices, controllers, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, or the like. Moreover, the apparatuses, methods, and systems described herein are not limited to physical computing devices, but can also relate to software optimizations for energy conservation and efficiency. As will become readily apparent in the description below, the embodiments of methods, apparatuses, and systems described herein (whether in reference to hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof) are vital to a ‘green technology’ future balanced with performance considerations.

Although the embodiments herein are described with reference to a circuit board, other embodiments are applicable to other types of integrated circuits and logic devices. Similar techniques and teachings of embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to other types of circuits or semiconductor devices that can benefit from higher pipeline throughput and improved performance. The teachings of embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable to any processor or machine that performs data manipulations. However, the present disclosure is not limited to processors or machines that perform 512 bit, 256 bit, 128 bit, 64 bit, 32 bit, or 16 bit data operations and can be applied to any processor and machine in which manipulation or management of data is performed. In addition, the description herein provides examples, and the accompanying drawings show various examples for the purposes of illustration. However, these examples should not be construed in a limiting sense as they are merely intended to provide examples of embodiments of the present disclosure rather than to provide an exhaustive list of all possible implementations of embodiments of the present disclosure.