Abstract:
A multiport zero insertion force (ZIF) connector can include a multiport connector housing defining an opening and an interior space for receiving a multi-path circuit device having multiple types of electrical connection paths therethrough and multiple LIGA springs positioned within the interior space to apply pressure to the multi-path circuit device while in a first position. A locking component can be configured to cause the LIGA springs to move to a second position responsive to a user pressing the locking component, wherein the LIGA springs do not apply pressure to the multi-path circuit device while in the second position.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to signal processing systems and, more particularly, to connectors for such systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Next generation high-bandwidth probes and future generations of active probes for test systems will require the ability to handle multiple signals at the tip while meeting bandwidth and noise specifications. Current probes require two coaxial signals with frequency performance of up to 33 GHz and up to six direct current (DC) signal lines. Lower performance active probes will require up to eight signal lines and lower bandwidth. Current custom interconnect systems use off-the shelf radio frequency (RF) and DC contacts along with a custom housing. However, such multiport connectors (i.e., hybrid RF and DC) need to be custom designed and built for each probe application and, consequently, are very expensive—often prohibitively so. 
     Accordingly, a need remains for a high-performance, multiport connector system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a multiport interconnect system in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosed technology. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example of a circuit device, such as the circuit device of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosed technology. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example of a ZIF connector, such as the ZIF connector of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosed technology. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a cutaway view of a ZIF connector, such as the ZIF connector of  FIG. 3 , in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosed technology. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Radio frequency (RF) connector suppliers have been developing a process to create high performance micro-springs. Such springs are typically fabricated by way of a process referred to herein as “LIGA” (which is short for Lithographie, Galvanoformung, and Abformung). LIGA processing generally consists of three main processing steps: lithography, electroplating, and molding. There are two main types of LIGA-fabrication technologies: x-ray LIGA, which uses X-rays produced by a synchrotron to create high-aspect ratio structures, and ultraviolet (UV) LIGA, which is a more accessible method that uses UV light to create structures having relatively low aspect ratios. 
     Embodiments of the disclosed technology are generally directed to the use of LIGA springs as part of a new interconnect system for probing applications that would allow for multiple signal types while being flexible and miniature in size while reducing the cost thereof from that of a typical RF connector system. Given the small size and significant range of performance, such an interconnect system could be standardized for an entire probe platform, thus allowing for a common set of probe accessories across multiple product lines. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a multiport interconnect system  100  in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosed technology. In the example, the system  100  includes a first connector  102  suitable for connecting to an electronic device such as an oscilloscope. 
     The system  100  also includes a zero insertion force (ZIF) connector  110 , e.g., a high-bandwidth connector, suitable for connecting to a circuit device  120  such as a flex circuit that may include multiple contact paths, for example. The circuit device  120  may be suitable for connecting to a device under test (DUT), for example. In this manner, engineers may debug a particular circuit on a circuit board of the DUT. 
     A connecting member  104 , such as a bundle including coaxial cables and/or direct current (DC) lines, may be integrated with the first connector  102  and the ZIF connector  110  to provide electrical coupling between the first connector  102  and the ZIF connector  110 . 
     The ZIF connector  110  may have positioned therein multiple LIGA springs that are suitable for establishing and maintaining electrical contact with portions, e.g., connection points, of the circuit device  120  so long as the circuit device  120  is engaged with, e.g., remains inserted in, the ZIF connector  110 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an example of a circuit device  200 , such as the circuit device  120  of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosed technology. In certain embodiments, the circuit device  200  may have a height h of approximately 1 cm and a length/of approximately 3 cm, though both dimensions may be varied and would essentially be limited only by any restrictions with regard to a corresponding slot opening in the ZIF connector  110 . 
     In the example, the circuit device  200  has multiple connection points  202  that may be used to establish and maintain multiple a multiport connection through the circuit device to a DUT, for example, at one end and an electronic device such as an oscilloscope, for example, at the other end. Such internal contacts may be modified to accommodate a wide range of contact types (e.g., DC, power, and high bandwidth) so long as they stay within the contact area. Using custom, configurable, high performance LIGA springs to establish electrical connections advantageously provide a multiport connector that is flexible, configurable, high performance, small in size, robust (improved cycle life), and significantly lower in cost. 
     In certain embodiments, a DUT may have multiple circuit devices attached thereto such that a user may quickly and efficiently test various portions or aspects of the DUT by connecting a ZIF connector to—and acquiring data from—any or all of the circuit devices one at a time, e.g., sequentially. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example of a ZIF connector  300 , such as the ZIF connector  110  of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosed technology. In the example, the ZIF connector  300  has a housing  301 , e.g., a metal housing, that defines an opening  302 , e.g., a slotted opening, and an interior space that are both suitable for receiving a mating member, e.g., a circuit device such as the circuit device  120  of  FIG. 1 . 
     The ZIF connector  300  has a locking component  304  suitable for facilitating the mating of the mating member, e.g., a circuit device, with the ZIF connector  300 . In certain embodiments, a user may press the locking component  304  and, responsive thereto, multiple LIGA springs positioned within the interior space may move or be caused to be moved to an “open” position such that the user (or another party) may easily insert the mating member through the opening  302  and into the interior portion of the ZIF connector  300 . 
     Responsive to the user releasing the locking component  304 , the LIGA springs positioned in the interior space may move or be caused to be moved to a “closed” positioned such that they make contact with—while concurrently applying pressure to—the mating member. In certain embodiments, the LIGA springs may also establish at least one electrical connection with the mating member and maintain the electrical connection(s) so long as the mating member remains secured within—and mated with—the ZIF connector  300 . 
     In the example, the ZIF connector  300  includes a rear portion  306  suitable for receiving—or otherwise mating with—a connecting member such as the connecting member  104  of  FIG. 1 . The rear portion  306  may include an optional side hole  308  or multiple side holes suitable to be used as an attachment point for accessories such as active probe tips, passive probe tips, and browsers, for example. In place of or in addition to the side hole(s)  308 , optional support ribs  310  may be used as an attachment point for accessories such as those noted above. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a cutaway view of a ZIF connector  400 , such as the ZIF connector  300  of  FIG. 3 , in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosed technology. In the cutaway example, one can see multiple LIGA springs  402  within a housing  401 , e.g., a metal housing, of the ZIF connector  400 . 
     The LIGA springs  402  may include DC springs, signal springs, ground springs, or any suitable combination thereof. Any or all of the LIGA springs  402  may have a generally helical shape, a cantilever shape, or a combination thereof depending on the production process used and/or intended application of the ZIF connector, for example. 
     Also within the ZIF connector  400  is a spring housing  404  and multiple positioning portions  406  and  408  (also referred to herein as positioning keys) configured to align a mating member, such as a circuit device, within the interior portion of the ZIF connector  400  while the mating member is within the interior portion. While the example illustrates two positioning portions  406  and  408 , certain embodiments may include more than two positioning portions. 
     Two connecting members  410  and  412  serve to provide an electrical connection between the ZIF connector  400  and another connector such as the first connector  102  of  FIG. 1 , for example. In the example, the connecting members  410  and  412  are coaxial lines having corresponding coaxial launches  414  and  416 , respectively, that may serve to electrically couple with a circuit board  420  that is situated underneath the LIGA springs  402  and the spring housing  404 . In other embodiments, there may be more than two connecting members, e.g., two coaxial lines and six to eight DC lines, connecting the ZIF connector  400  to the other connector. 
     Having described and illustrated the principles of the invention with reference to illustrated embodiments, it will be recognized that the illustrated embodiments may be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles, and may be combined in any desired manner. And although the foregoing discussion has focused on particular embodiments, other configurations are contemplated. In particular, even though expressions such as “according to an embodiment of the invention” or the like are used herein, these phrases are meant to generally reference embodiment possibilities, and are not intended to limit the invention to particular embodiment configurations. As used herein, these terms may reference the same or different embodiments that are combinable into other embodiments. 
     Consequently, in view of the wide variety of permutations to the embodiments described herein, this detailed description and accompanying material is intended to be illustrative only, and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. What is claimed as the invention, therefore, is all such modifications as may come within the scope and spirit of the following claims and equivalents thereto.