Patent Publication Number: US-2023152366-A1

Title: Testing board

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Taiwan Application Serial Number 110142450, filed Nov. 15, 2021, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Field of Invention 
     The present disclosure relates to a testing board. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a testing board including plural radio frequency (RF) connectors (i.e., testing fixture). 
     Description of Related Art 
     Generally speaking, a structural top view of a conventional testing board having coaxial radio frequency (RF) connectors is shown in  FIG.  1   . The printed circuit board  210  of the conventional testing board  200  is provided with a connection port  220  and plural coaxial RF connectors  230 . The coaxial RF connectors  230  are disposed on the top and bottom surfaces of the printed circuit board  210 , and the positions of the coaxial RF connectors  230  on the same surface relative to the connection port  220  are substantially arranged along the circumference of the radius R. In addition, the coaxial RF connectors  230  respectively on the top and bottom surfaces of the printed circuit board  210  are staggered and not overlapped with each other. For example, the position of the coaxial RF connector (not shown) on the bottom surface of the printed circuit board  210  corresponds to the position of one end of the conductive line shown in  FIG.  1   . As can be seen from the figure, the top and bottom surfaces of the printed circuit board  210  respectively include six coaxial RF connectors  230  and four coaxial RF connectors  230 , a total of ten. In use, the product can be connected to the port  220  and a measuring device can be connected to the coaxial RF connectors  230  to perform signal integrity testing. 
     In order to increase the density of the coaxial RF connectors  230  on the printed circuit board  210 , screws can be disposed on positions covered by the sockets of the coaxial RF connectors  230  in a traditional method to reduce the size of a base, so that the printed circuit board  210  can be provided with more coaxial RF connectors  230 . However, the effect of the above method is limited, and the wiring from the coaxial RF connector  230  to the connection port  220  is long, which results in a large signal loss and making it difficult to improve measurement accuracy. 
     SUMMARY 
     In view of this, one object of the present disclosure is to provide a testing board that can solve the above problems. 
     In order to achieve the aforementioned purpose, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a testing board includes a printed circuit board (PCB), an external connection port, and plural coaxial radio frequency (RF) connector sets. The external connection port is located on the printed circuit board. Each of the coaxial RF connector sets includes a top coaxial RF connector and a bottom coaxial RF connector. The top coaxial RF connector and the bottom coaxial RF connector are respectively disposed on a top surface and a bottom surface of the printed circuit board in a coaxial arrangement and electrically connect to the external connection port. 
     In some embodiments, the testing board further includes a first connecting element, wherein each of the top coaxial RF connector and the bottom coaxial RF connector has a socket, and a shortest linear distance between the socket and the first connecting element and along an extending direction of the printed circuit board is greater than zero. 
     In some embodiments, the testing board further includes a second connecting element, wherein the top coaxial RF connector and the bottom coaxial RF connector are respectively fixed on the top surface and the bottom surface of the printed circuit board by both of the first connecting element and the second connecting element simultaneously. 
     In some embodiments, each of the top coaxial RF connector and the bottom coaxial RF connector has a non-threaded through-hole and a threaded hole, the first connecting element passes through the non-threaded through-hole of the top coaxial RF connector to fix in the threaded hole of the bottom coaxial RF connector, and the second connecting element passes through the non-threaded through-hole of the bottom coaxial RF connector to fix in the threaded hole of the top coaxial RF connector. 
     In some embodiments, one of the top coaxial RF connector and the bottom coaxial RF connector has a first non-threaded through-hole and a second non-threaded through-hole, the other has a first threaded hole and a second threaded hole, the first connecting element passes through the first non-threaded through-hole to fix in the first threaded hole, and the second connecting element passes through the second non-threaded through-hole to fix in the second threaded hole. 
     In some embodiments, a difference between a buried distance that is between the external connection port and the top coaxial RF connector and a buried distance that is between the external connection port and the bottom coaxial RF connector is not more than 1%. 
     In some embodiments, a shortest linear distance between at least one of the top coaxial RF connectors and the external connection port is greater than all of the shortest linear distance of the reminding top coaxial RF connectors. 
     In some embodiments, the top coaxial RF connectors on the printed circuit board are arranged in a fan shape, and a position of the top coaxial RF connector furthest from the external connection port is not more than half a width of the printed circuit board. 
     In some embodiments, a farthest distance between two sides of a base of the top coaxial RF connector is V, a distance between a central axis of one of the top coaxial RF connectors on the printed circuit board that is farthest from the external connection port and the external connection port is K, and K is smaller than 3V. 
     In some embodiments, a farthest distance between two sides of a base of the top coaxial RF connector is V, a distance between a central axis of one of the top coaxial RF connectors on the printed circuit board that is closest to the external connection port and the external connection port is K, and K is smaller than 2.5V. 
     According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a testing board includes a printed circuit board (PCB), an external connection port, and plural coaxial radio frequency (RF) connector sets. The external connection port is located on the printed circuit board. Each of the coaxial RF connector sets includes a top coaxial RF connector and a bottom coaxial RF connector. The top coaxial RF connector and the bottom coaxial RF connector are respectively disposed on a top surface and a bottom surface of the printed circuit board, and are aligned with each other in a direction perpendicular to the printed circuit board, and electrically connect to the external connection port. 
     In some embodiments, the testing board further includes a first connecting element, wherein each of the top coaxial RF connector and the bottom coaxial RF connector has a socket, and a shortest linear distance between the socket and the first connecting element and along an extending direction of the printed circuit board is greater than zero. 
     In some embodiments, the testing board further includes a second connecting element, wherein the top coaxial RF connector and the bottom coaxial RF connector are respectively fixed on the top surface and the bottom surface of the printed circuit board by using the first connecting element and the second connecting element. 
     In some embodiments, each of the top coaxial RF connector and the bottom coaxial RF connector has a non-threaded through-hole and a threaded hole, the first connecting element passes through the non-threaded through-hole of the top coaxial RF connector to fix in the threaded hole of the bottom coaxial RF connector, and the second connecting element passes through the non-threaded through-hole of the bottom coaxial RF connector to fix in the threaded hole of the top coaxial RF connector. 
     In some embodiments, one of the top coaxial RF connector and the bottom coaxial RF connector has a first non-threaded through-hole and a second non-threaded through-hole, the other has a first threaded hole and a second threaded hole, the first connecting element passes through the first non-threaded through-hole to fix in the first threaded hole, and the second connecting element passes through the second non-threaded through-hole to fix in the second threaded hole. 
     In summary, in the above-mentioned embodiments of the present disclosure, since each of the coaxial RF connector sets has the top coaxial RF connector and the bottom coaxial RF connector that are respectively disposed on the top surface and the bottom surface of the printed circuit board in a coaxial arrangement, the top coaxial RF connector and the bottom coaxial RF connector of a single coaxial RF connector set are aligned with each other in a direction perpendicular to the printed circuit board. As a result, compared with a traditional testing board, the testing board of the present disclosure can be provided with more top coaxial RF connectors and more bottom coaxial RF connectors. Moreover, the density of the top coaxial RF connectors and the density of the bottom coaxial RF connectors can be increased to shorten the wiring length of the testing board (e.g., buried lines between the external connection port and the coaxial connector set), thereby decreasing signal loss and effectively improving measurement accuracy. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying Figures. It is noted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion. 
         FIG.  1    is a top view of a conventional testing board. 
         FIG.  2    is a top view of a testing board according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional view of the testing board taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view of a testing board according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the provided subject matter. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed. 
     Further, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “bottom,” “above,” “upper”, “top” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one component or feature&#39;s relationship to another component(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the Figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly. 
       FIG.  2    is a top view of a testing board  100  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional view of the testing board  100  taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG.  2   . As shown in  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  3   , the testing board  100  includes a printed circuit board (PCB)  110 , an external connection port  120 , and plural coaxial radio frequency (RF) connector sets  130 . As shown in  FIG.  2   , the external connection port  120  (e.g., a USB 3.0 female socket or a board-side TYPE C connector) may be fixed on an side edge of the printed circuit board  110 , and the socket of the external connection port  120  is directed to the bottom of  FIG.  2    for being inserted by a corresponding male socket. However, the present disclosure is not limited in this regard, when necessary, the external connection port  120  can be fixed on the central portion of the printed circuit board  110  and its socket may be directed to the normal vector direction of the working surface of the circuit board  110 , and the coaxial RF connector sets  130  uses the external connection port  120  as the center to radiate outward to form a round shape and are respectively disposed on the front and back surfaces of all side edges of the printed circuit board  110 . Further, in this embodiment, the outline of the printed circuit board  110  may be a perfect circle or other regular polygon shapes. 
     In this embodiment, five coaxial RF connector sets  130  are included, but the number of the coaxial RF connector sets  130  is not limited to five. As shown in  FIG.  3   , each of the coaxial RF connector sets  130  includes a top coaxial RF connector  132   a  and a bottom coaxial RF connector  132   b . The top coaxial RF connector  132   a  and the bottom coaxial RF connector  132   b  are respectively disposed on a top surface  112  and a bottom surface  114  of the printed circuit board  110  in a coaxial arrangement. In the following description, “coaxial arrangement” is referred to as the top coaxial RF connector  132   a  and the bottom coaxial RF connector  132   b  of one coaxial RF connector set that are aligned with each other in a direction d 1  perpendicular to the printed circuit board  110 . In other words, the top coaxial RF connector  132   a  and the bottom coaxial RF connector  132   b  are symmetrically disposed on the top surface  112  and the bottom surface  114  of the printed circuit board  110 . In  FIG.  2   , the position of the bottom coaxial RF connector  132   b  (not shown) substantially overlaps the position of the top coaxial RF connector  132   a , as shown in  FIG.  3   . 
     In some embodiments, the testing board  100  may be a signal integrated (SI) testing fixture. For example, the top coaxial RF connector  132   a  and the bottom coaxial RF connector  132   b  may be SubMiniature version A (SMA) testing socket connectors (testing sockets), which may be suitable for transmitting high-frequency signals. The high-frequency signals are referred to as signals above 300 kHz, for example. Taking the SMA as an example, the SMA is suitable for measuring signals with GHz frequency. The aforementioned coaxial RF connectors are not limited to SMA specification. As long as a connector is coaxial and can support RF signals, it belongs to the category. For example, common specifications/types in the industry include PC 1.85, PC 3.5, SK, etc. In addition, the external connection port  120  may be electrically connected to the top coaxial RF connector  132   a  and the bottom coaxial RF connector  132   b  of the coaxial RF connector set  130  respectively through buried lines W and W 1 . In other embodiments, the buried lines W and W 1  in the printed circuit board  110  may be replaced with exposed lines respectively on the top surface  112  and the bottom surface  114 , depending on the design requirements. When the testing board  100  is in use, a product is connected to the external connection port  120 , and a measurement device is connected to a number of the top coaxial RF connectors  132   a  and a number of the bottom coaxial RF connector  132   b , so as to perform a signal integrated test. 
     Specifically, since each of the coaxial RF connector sets  130  of the testing board  100  has the top coaxial RF connector  132   a  and the bottom coaxial RF connector  132   b  that are respectively disposed on the top surface  112  and the bottom surface  114  of the printed circuit board  110  in a coaxial arrangement, the top coaxial RF connector  132   a  and the bottom coaxial RF connector  132   b  of a single coaxial RF connector set  130  are aligned with each other in the vertical direction d 1 . As a result, compared with the conventional testing board  200  of  FIG.  1   , the testing board  100  of  FIG.  2    can be provided with more top coaxial RF connectors  132   a  and more bottom coaxial RF connectors  132   b . Moreover, on the printed circuit board  110 , the density of the top coaxial RF connectors  132   a  and the density of the bottom coaxial RF connectors  132   b  can be increased to shorten the wiring length of the testing board  100  (e.g., the buried lines W and W 1  between the external connection port  120  and the coaxial RF connector set  130 ), thereby decreasing signal loss and effectively improving measurement accuracy. 
     In this embodiment, the testing board  100  further includes a first connecting element  140   a . Each of the top coaxial RF connector  132   a  and the bottom coaxial RF connector  132   b  has a socket  134   a . The shortest linear distance D between the socket  134   a  and the first connecting element  140   a  and along an extending direction d 2  of the printed circuit board  110  is greater than zero. In other words, the first connecting element  140   a  does not overlap the socket  134   a  in the vertical direction d 1 . Such a configuration can prevent the first connecting element  140   a  from being in contact with the socket  134   a  to result in interference during fixing the first connecting element  140   a.    
     The testing board  100  further includes a second connecting element  140   b . The shortest linear distance D between the socket  134   b  and the second connecting element  140   b  and along the extending direction d 2  of the printed circuit board  110  is also greater than zero. The top coaxial RF connector  132   a  and the bottom coaxial RF connector  132   b  are respectively fixed on the top surface  112  and the bottom surface  114  of the printed circuit board  110  by using the first connecting element  140   a  and the second connecting element  140   b  (i.e., by both of the first connecting element  140   a  and the second connecting element  140   b  simultaneously). That is to say, merely using the first connecting element  140   a  and the second connecting element  140   b  can fix the top coaxial RF connector  132   a  and the bottom coaxial RF connector  132   b  at a corresponding position, thereby reducing assembly time and the material cost of connecting elements. 
     In this embodiment, the first connecting element  140   a  and the second connecting element  140   b  may be screws. Each of the top coaxial RF connector  132   a  and the bottom coaxial RF connector  132   b  has a non-threaded through-hole O and a threaded hole T. The non-threaded through-hole O of the top coaxial RF connector  132   a  is substantially aligned with the threaded hole T of the bottom coaxial RF connector  132   b . The threaded hole T of the top coaxial RF connector  132   a  is substantially aligned with the non-threaded through-hole O of the bottom coaxial RF connector  132   b . The first connecting element  140   a  can pass through the non-threaded through-hole O of the top coaxial RF connector  132   a  to fix in the threaded hole T of the bottom coaxial RF connector  132   b , and the second connecting element  140   b  can pass through the non-threaded through-hole O of the bottom coaxial RF connector  132   b  to fix in the threaded hole T of the top coaxial RF connector  132   a.    
     Moreover, a difference between a distance of the buried line W (i.e., a buried distance) that is between the external connection port  120  and the top coaxial RF connector  132   a  and a distance of the buried line W 1  that is between the external connection port  120  and the bottom coaxial RF connector  132   b  is not more than 1%. In other words, the two distances may be regarded as substantially the same. When designing, the buried line W and the buried line W 1  can overlap to a certain extent but they are disposed in an insulating manner by insulating layers in the printed circuit board  110 . 
     In this embodiment, the linear distance K 1  between at least one of the top coaxial RF connectors  132   a  (e.g., the top coaxial RF connector  132   a  adjacent to the center of  FIG.  2   ) and the external connection port  120  is greater than the linear distance K 2  between each of the other top coaxial RF connectors  132   a  (e.g., the outer top coaxial RF connector  132   a  of  FIG.  2   ) and the external connection port  120 . When needed, the plural top coaxial RF connectors  132   a  may be located at the positions of the linear distance K 1 , or the differences of the linear distances K 1  of the top coaxial RF connectors  132   a  are in a range of ±1%. The measurement of the linear distance between the external connection port  120  and each of the coaxial RF connectors is the shortest linear distance measured from the center of the central axis of each of the coaxial RF connectors to the corresponding socket of the external connection port  120 . As shown in  FIG.  2   , except for the distance of the top coaxial RF connector  132   a  at the center of  FIG.  2    is K 1 , the linear distances K 2  of the other top coaxial RF connectors  132   a  are the same or falls within the range of ±1% of the linear distance K 2 . 
     In addition, the top coaxial RF connectors  132   a  on the printed circuit board  110  are arranged in a fan shape. If the side on which the external connection port  120  is disposed is regarded as the font side of the printed circuit board  110 , the position of the top coaxial RF connector  132   a  furthest from the external connection port  120  is not more than half the width of the printed circuit board  110  along a front-to-rear direction. Explain in detail, the dotted line L of  FIG.  2    presents along half the width of the printed circuit board  110 , and the positions of all of the top coaxial RF connectors  132   a  are located below the dotted line L (i.e., on the bottom portion of the printed circuit board  110 ). Even if the top coaxial RF connector  132   a  adjacent to the center is not beyond the dotted line L. Compared with the conventional testing board  200  of  FIG.  1   , the present configuration can greatly reduce the wiring length of the testing board  100  (e.g., the buried lines W and W 1 ), thereby effectively improving measurement accuracy. 
     In this embodiment, the farthest distance V is between the two sides of a base  136  of the top coaxial RF connector  132   a , and the farthest distance is referred to as the longest straight-line distance between any two points of the base  136  on the tangent plane parallel to the printed circuit board  110 . A distance K 1  is between the central axis of one of the top coaxial RF connectors  132   a  on the printed circuit board  110  that is farthest from the external connection port  120  (e.g., the top coaxial RF connector  132   a  adjacent to the center of  FIG.  2   ) and the external connection port  120 , and K 1  is smaller than 3V. Further, a distance K 2  is between the central axis of one of the top coaxial RF connectors  132   a  on the printed circuit board  110  that is closest to the external connection port  120  and the external connection port  120 , and K 2  is smaller than 2.5V. Through the aforementioned design, all of the top coaxial RF connectors  132   a  will not be beyond half the region of the printed circuit board  110 , thereby effectively improving measurement accuracy. In addition, the arrangement of the bottom coaxial RF connectors  132  may be the same as the aforesaid arrangement, and will not be repeated again. The aforementioned distance relationship is related to the number of the coaxial RF connectors on the printed circuit board  110 . When comparing, the printed circuit board  110  may selectively include ten coaxial RF connectors as a condition. 
     It is to be noted that the connection relationships, the materials, and the advantages of the elements described above will not be repeated in the following description. In the following description, other types of testing boards will be explained. 
       FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view of a testing board  100   a  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The testing board  100   a  includes the printed circuit board  110 , the external connection port  120 , and plural RF connector sets  130   a . The difference between this embodiment and the embodiment of  FIG.  3    is that the top coaxial RF connector  132   a  of the connector set  130   a  has a first non-threaded through-hole O 1  and a second non-threaded through-hole O 2 , and the bottom coaxial RF connector  132   b  has a first threaded hole T 1  and a second threaded hole T 2 . The non-threaded through-hole O of the top coaxial RF connector  132   a  is substantially aligned with the threaded hole T of the bottom coaxial RF connector  132   b . Moreover, the first connecting element  140   a  passes through the first non-threaded through-hole O 1  of the top coaxial RF connector  132   a  to fix in the first threaded hole T 1  of the bottom coaxial RF connector  132   b . The second connecting element  140   b  passes through the second non-threaded through-hole O 2  of the top coaxial RF connector  132   a  to fix in the second threaded hole T 2  of the bottom coaxial RF connector  132   b.    
     In alternative embodiment, the first non-threaded through-hole O 1  and the second non-threaded through-hole O 2  of the top coaxial RF connector  132   a  of the connector set  130   a  may be replaced with threaded holes, while the first threaded hole T 1  and the second threaded hole T 2  of the bottom coaxial RF connector  132   b  may be replaced with through-holes. It is only necessary to flip the first connecting element  140   a  and the second connecting element  140   b  of  FIG.  4    180 degrees to fix, depending on the design requirements. 
     The foregoing has described features of several embodiments to allow those skilled in the art to better understand aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures to achieve the same objectives and/or achieve the same advantages of the embodiments described herein. Those skilled in the art should also understand that such equivalent structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.