Patent Publication Number: US-11394099-B2

Title: Connector for connecting a waveguide to a board and having a first opening part facing the board and a second opening part for receiving the waveguide

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) international application Serial No. PCT/KR2019/004105, filed on Apr. 5, 2019, which claims priority to Korean Patent Application Serial No. 10-2018-0040496, filed on Apr. 6, 2018. The entire contents of PCT international application Serial No. PCT/KR2019/004105 and Korean Patent Application Serial No. 10-2018-0040496 are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a connector for connecting a waveguide and a board. 
     BACKGROUND 
     As data traffic is rapidly increased, data transmission/receipt speed of input/output (I/O) bus connecting integrated circuits is also being quickly increased. For the last decades, conductor-based interconnects (e.g., copper wires) with high cost and power efficiencies have been widely applied to wired communication systems. However, such conductor-based interconnects have inherent limitations in channel bandwidths due to skin effect caused by electromagnetic induction. 
     Meanwhile, optic-based interconnects with high data transmission/reception speed have been introduced and widely used as an alternative to the conductor-based interconnects. However, the optic-based interconnects have limitations in that these interconnects cannot completely replace the conductor-based interconnects because the costs of installation and maintenance thereof are very high. 
     Recently, a new type of interconnect using the advantages of a waveguide has been introduced. A representative example thereof is an interconnect comprising a dielectric part in the form of a core and a metal part in the form of a thin cladding surrounding the dielectric part. Since such an interconnect (so-called “e-tube”) has advantages of both of metal and dielectric, such an interconnect advantageously has high cost and power efficiencies and enables high-speed data communication within a short range. Thus, it has come into the spotlight as a next-generation interconnect employable in chip-to-chip or board-to-board communication. 
     However, when such an interconnect and a board are connected to each other, the interconnect has to be coupled in a direction perpendicular to one side of the board, due to electromagnetic wave characteristics, signal loss and the like. As a result, there is a problem that when a plurality of boards are connected to each other or such an interconnect is used in a server deck or the like whose space for accommodating the boards is small, the interconnect cannot be easily connected. 
     In this regard, the inventor(s) present a connector for connecting a waveguide (e.g., e-tube) and a board, wherein the connector may guide a signal provided in a direction perpendicular to one side of the board such that the signal is transmitted in a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction of the waveguide (or may guide a signal provided in the direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the waveguide such that the signal is transmitted in the direction perpendicular to the one side of the board). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One object of the present invention is to solve all the above-described problems. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a connector capable of guiding a signal in a desired direction between a board and a waveguide, while preventing the signal from leaking outwardly. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to employ an interconnect (e.g., e-tube) using the aforementioned advantages of a waveguide such that the interconnect may be connected in a direction parallel to one side of a board to improve freedom of connection and utilization of space. 
     The representative configurations of the invention to achieve the above objects are described below. 
     According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a connector for connecting a waveguide and a board, comprising: a first opening part formed in a direction perpendicular to one side of a board and coupled to the one side of the board; a second opening part formed in a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction of a waveguide for signal transmission, wherein the waveguide is capable of being inserted in the second opening part; and a signal guide part connecting the first and second opening parts and including a hollow portion surrounded by a conductive layer therein. 
     According to the invention, it is possible to provide a connector capable of guiding a signal in a desired direction between a board and a waveguide, while preventing the signal from leaking outwardly. 
     According to the invention, it is possible to employ an interconnect (e.g., e-tube) using the aforementioned advantages of a waveguide such that the interconnect may be connected in a direction parallel to one side of a board to improve freedom of connection and utilization of space. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustratively shows an entire interface in which a board and a waveguide are connected according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustratively shows the configuration of a connector according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustratively shows the configuration of a means for coupling a board and a connector according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustratively shows the configuration of another connector according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustratively shows situations in which a waveguide and a connector according to one embodiment of the invention are connected and disconnected. 
         FIG. 6  illustratively shows situations in which a waveguide and a connector according to one embodiment of the invention are connected and disconnected. 
         FIG. 7  illustratively shows the configuration of a waveguide according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following detailed description of the present invention, references are made to the accompanying drawings that show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that the various embodiments of the invention, although different from each other, are not necessarily mutually exclusive. For example, specific shapes, structures and characteristics described herein may be implemented as modified from one embodiment to another without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, it shall be understood that the locations or arrangements of individual elements within each embodiment may also be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention is to be taken as encompassing the scope of the appended claims and all equivalents thereof. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements throughout the several views. 
     Hereinafter, various preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings to enable those skilled in the art to easily implement the invention. 
     Configuration of the Entire Interface 
       FIG. 1  illustratively shows the entire interface in which a board and a waveguide are connected according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     First, referring to  FIG. 1 , the entire interface according to one embodiment of the invention may comprise: a board  100 ; a waveguide  200 , which is an interconnect means for transmission of electromagnetic wave signals (e.g., data communication) between the board  100  and another board (not shown); and a connector  300  coupled to the board  100  and the waveguide  200  and configured to guide a direction of transmission of the signals between the board  100  and the waveguide  200 . 
     According to one embodiment of the invention, a signal transmitted from the board  100  may be transmitted to the connector  300  in a direction perpendicular to one side of the board  100 , and the transmitted signal may be guided by the connector  300  such that the signal is transmitted in a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction of the waveguide  200 . Further, according to one embodiment of the invention, the guided signal may be transmitted to the other board through the waveguide  200  coupled to the connector  300  in the direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the waveguide  200 . Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the invention, a signal transmitted from the other board may be transmitted to the connector  300  through the waveguide  200  in the direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the waveguide  200 , and the transmitted signal may be guided by the connector  300  such that it is transmitted in the direction perpendicular to the one side of the board  100 . In addition, according to one embodiment of the invention, the guided signal may be transmitted to the board  100  coupled to the connector  300 . 
     Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the invention, the board  100  may comprise a patch for emitting a signal to the waveguide  200  or the connector  300 . 
     For example, according to one embodiment of the invention, a signal generated from a chip present in the board  100  may be propagated along a microstrip circuit (not shown) of the board  100 , and the propagated signal may be emitted to the connector  300  through the above described patch. It should be understood that the chips described herein do not only represent electronic circuit components in a traditional sense, each chip comprising a number of semiconductors (e.g., transistors) and the like, but also encompass, in their broadest sense, all types of components or elements that can exchange electromagnetic wave signals with each other. 
     Configuration of the Connector 
     Hereinafter, the internal configuration of the connector  300  crucial for implementing the invention and the functions of the respective components thereof will be discussed. 
       FIG. 2  illustratively shows the configuration of the connector  300  according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the connector  300  as shown in  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment of the invention may comprise: a first opening part  310  formed in a direction  410  perpendicular to one side of the board  100  as shown in  FIG. 1  and coupled to the one side of the board  100 ; a second opening part  320  formed in a direction  420  parallel to a longitudinal direction of the waveguide  200  as shown in  FIG. 1  for signal transmission, wherein the waveguide  200  may be coupled to the second opening part  320 ; and a signal guide part  330  connecting the first opening part  310  and the second opening part  320  and including a hollow portion surrounded by a conductive layer therein. 
     Specifically, the first opening part  310  according to one embodiment of the invention may comprise an opening  311  formed in the direction  410  perpendicular to the one side of the board  100 , and one side  312  including the opening  311  may be coupled to the board  100  such that the one side  312  faces the one side  110  ( FIG. 3 ) of the board  100 . 
     For example, referring to  FIG. 3 , the first opening part  310  according to one embodiment of the invention may comprise a latch, and the latch may be placed into a slot  125  of the board  100  so that the one side  312  of the first opening part  310  and the one side  110  of the board  100  may be fixed facing each other. Further, according to one embodiment of the invention, soldering may be performed to reinforce the fixing (or coupling) between the board  100  and the first opening part  310 . 
     Meanwhile, the manner of coupling the board  100  and the first opening part  310  according to one embodiment of the invention is not limited to the above-described latch coupling, and may be variously changed (e.g., to a bolt-nut coupling) as long as the objects of the invention can be achieved. 
     Next, the second opening part  320  according to one embodiment of the invention may comprise an opening  321  formed in the direction  420  as shown in  FIG. 2  parallel to the longitudinal direction of the waveguide  200  as shown in  FIG. 1 , and the waveguide  200  may be coupled through the opening  321 . 
     For example, according to one embodiment of the invention, the coupling may be made by the waveguide  200  being inserted into the opening  321  formed in the direction  420  parallel to the longitudinal direction of the waveguide  200 . 
     Meanwhile, the direction  420  in which the second opening part  320  (specifically, the opening  321  of the second opening part  320 ) according to one embodiment of the invention is formed may be perpendicular to the direction  410  in which the first opening part  310  (specifically, the opening  311  of the first opening part  310 ) is formed, or may be parallel to the one side of the board  100 . 
     Next, referring to  FIG. 2 , the signal guide part  330  according to one embodiment of the invention may comprise a hollow portion  331  penetrating the first opening part  310  and the second opening part  320 , and may guide a signal transmitted through the waveguide  200  such that the signal is transmitted to the board  100  along the hollow portion  331 , or guide a signal transmitted through the board  100  such that the signal is transmitted to the waveguide  200  along the hollow portion  331 . Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the invention, an insulating (or dielectric) material other than air may be included in the hollow portion  331 , as necessary. 
     Further, according to one embodiment of the invention, the signal guide part  330  may comprise a conductive layer surrounding the hollow portion  331  to reduce signal loss that may occur as the direction in which a signal transmitted through the waveguide  200  or transmitted from the board  100  is transmitted is changed (specifically, guided through the connector  300 ). That is, according to one embodiment of the invention, the conductor layer may extend from the first opening part  310  (specifically, the opening  311  of the first opening part  310 ) to the second opening part  320  (specifically, the opening  321  of the second opening part  320 ) to surround the hollow portion  331 , thereby preventing a signal propagated between the board  100  and the waveguide  200  from leaking outwardly. 
     For example, according to one embodiment of the invention, the signal guide part  330  may consist of metal, or only some of layers around the hollow portion  331  of the signal guide part  330  may be formed as conductive layers, so that the hollow portion  331  may be surrounded by the conductive layers. Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the invention, various methods such as metal bonding, metal plating, and sputtering may be utilized to form some layers as the conductive layers as described above. 
     Meanwhile, referring to  FIG. 4 , when the waveguide  200  as shown in  FIG. 1  is a plurality of waveguides, the signal guide part  330  as shown in  FIG. 3  according to one embodiment of the invention may comprise the hollow portion  331  corresponding to each of the plurality of waveguides  200 , and may guide a signal transmitted through the plurality of waveguides  200  such that the signal is transmitted to the board  100  along the hollow portion  331  corresponding to each of the plurality of waveguides  200 , or guide a signal transmitted through the board  100  such that the signal is transmitted to the plurality of waveguides  200  along the hollow portion  331  corresponding to each of the plurality of waveguides  200 . 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  illustratively show situations in which the waveguide  200  and the connector  300  according to one embodiment of the invention are connected and disconnected. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , it may be assumed that eight waveguides  200  are coupled to the connector  300  according to one embodiment of the invention. (For example, the waveguides  200  are similar to conventional QSFP (Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable) modules.) 
     First, referring to  FIG. 5 , according to one embodiment of the invention, the eight waveguides  200  and the connector  300  may be coupled to each other when pressure is applied to the connector  300  (specifically, the second opening part  320  of the connector  300  as shown in  FIG. 1 ) coupled to one side of the board  100 , in a direction  510  parallel to a longitudinal direction of the waveguides  200  or parallel to the one side of the board  100 . 
     Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the invention, the second opening part  320  of the connector  300  may comprise eight openings in which the eight waveguides  200  may be respectively inserted, and the first opening part  310  of the connector  300  as shown in  FIG. 1  may comprise eight openings that respectively correspond to the eight openings of the second opening part  320 . Further, the signal guide part  330  of the connector  300  as shown in  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment of the invention may comprise eight hollow portions penetrating between the first opening part  310  and the second opening part  320 . 
     That is, in this case, a signal transmitted through the eight waveguides  200  may be guided such that the signal is transmitted to the board  100  along the hollow portion corresponding to each of the eight waveguides  200 , or a signal transmitted through the board  100  may be guided such that the signal is transmitted to the eight waveguides  200  along the hollow portion corresponding to each of the eight waveguides  200 . 
     Next, referring to  FIG. 6 , according to one embodiment of the invention, the eight waveguides  200  may be disconnected from the connector  300  when pressure is applied to the eight waveguides  200  coupled as above, in a direction  610  parallel to the longitudinal direction of the waveguides  200  or parallel to the one side of the board  100  (specifically, opposite to the direction  510  of  FIG. 5 ). 
     It is noted that although the embodiments in which the eight waveguides  200  are coupled to the connector  300  have been mainly described above, the present invention is not necessarily limited to that number of waveguides, and the number may be variously changed to 2, 4, 6 or the like as long as the objects of the invention can be achieved. 
     Configuration of the Waveguide 
     Hereinafter, the illustrative configuration of the waveguide  200  that may be connected to the above-described connector  300  as shown in  FIG. 1  according to the invention will be described. 
       FIG. 7  illustratively shows the configuration of the waveguide  200  according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the waveguide  200  according to one embodiment of the invention may comprise a dielectric part  210  consisting of dielectric. Further, the waveguide  200  according to one embodiment of the invention may comprise the dielectric part  210  comprising a first and a second dielectric part having different permittivity, and a metal part  220  surrounding the dielectric part  210 . For example, the first dielectric part may be in the form of a core disposed at the center of the waveguide, and the second dielectric part may be a component consisting of a material having permittivity different from that of the first dielectric part and may be formed to surround the first dielectric part, while the metal part  220  may be a component consisting of metal such as copper and may be in the form of a cladding surrounding the second dielectric part. 
     Meanwhile, the waveguide  200  according to one embodiment of the invention may further comprise a jacket  230  consisting of a covering material enveloping the dielectric part  210  and the metal part  220 . 
     Referring further to  FIG. 7 , the dielectric part  210  may be exposed where the waveguide  200 , according to one embodiment of the invention, is connected to the connector  300 , without being surrounded by the metal part  220 . 
     However, it is noted that the internal configuration or shape of the waveguide  200  according to the invention is not necessarily limited to the above description, and may be changed without limitation as long as the objects of the invention can be achieved. For example, at least one of both ends of the waveguide  200  may be tapered (i.e., linearly thinned) for impedance matching purposes. 
     Although the present invention has been described in terms of specific items such as detailed elements as well as the limited embodiments and the drawings, the detailed elements and the limited embodiments are only provided to help more general understanding of the invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains that various modifications and changes may be made from the above description. 
     Therefore, the spirit of the present invention shall not be limited to the above-described embodiments, and the entire scope of the appended claims and their equivalents will fall within the scope and spirit of the invention.