Patent Abstract:
A pin header for a transceiver comprises a frame comprising a rectangle that is indented on opposing sides of the rectangle, a first row of pins extending through the frame at a first angle to the rectangle, and a second row of pins extending through the frame at a second angle to the rectangle. The first row of pins is along a first side of the frame between the indented opposing sides and the second row of pins is along a second side of the frame between the indented opposing sides.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     Fiber optic transceivers are used in a variety of applications, including storage area networks (SANs), local area networks (LANs), Fibre Channel, Gigabit Ethernet, and synchronous optical network (SONET) applications. Fiber optic transceivers can be used as the network interface in mainframe computers, workstations, servers, and storage devices. Fiber optic transceivers can also be used in a broad range of network devices, such as bridges, routers, hubs, and local and wide area switches.  
         [0002]     To promote the growth of the market for fiber optic transceivers, an industry standard has been developed based upon an agreement between several fiber optic transceiver manufacturers entitled “Cooperation Agreement for Small Form-factor Pluggable Transceivers”, as executed on Sep. 14, 2000 (herein “the Cooperation Agreement”), which is incorporated herein in its entirety. The Cooperation Agreement specifies the package outline, circuit board layout, and pin function definitions for small form factor transceivers. One of the standard small form factor transceivers specified includes ten input/output (I/O) pins. Up to ten pins are mounted on one side of the transceiver package and up to ten pins are mounted on the opposite side of the transceiver package. The pins are secured to a printed circuit board (PCB) within the transceiver housing and extend through the transceiver housing for coupling to a host.  
         [0003]     Typically, two rows of at least five pins are manually soldered onto the printed circuit board for the I/O pins. The pins are typically edge clip pins or pin header assemblies soldered to the printed circuit board. The pins must be manually aligned and the soldering process typically requires several steps. The manual soldering process adds to the cost of manufacturing of the transceivers. Also, as a pin header is soldered to a PCB, wicking between pins in the header may occur causing solder to flow between pins. This can result in a short between pins.  
         [0004]     In addition, many currently used I/O pins do not have sufficient rigidity resulting in the pins easily bending out of alignment. Bent pins can come into contact with the metallic housing of the transceiver and create electrical shorts possibly leading to failure of the transceiver.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     One embodiment of the invention provides a pin header for a transceiver. The pin header for a transceiver comprises a frame comprising a rectangle that is indented on opposing sides of the rectangle, a first row of pins extending through the frame at a first angle to the rectangle, and a second row of pins extending through the frame at a second angle to the rectangle. The first row of pins is along a first side of the frame between the indented opposing sides and the second row of pins is along a second side of the frame between the indented opposing sides. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]     Embodiments of the invention are better understood with reference to the following drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts.  
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of a small form factor transceiver.  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating a sectional view of one embodiment of pins of the pin header extending through apertures in the housing of the small form factor transceiver.  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of a printed circuit board for the small form factor transceiver with mounted pin header.  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a sectional view of one embodiment of the printed circuit board with mounted pin header.  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating the placement of the pin header on the printed circuit board.  
         [0012]      FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of one embodiment of the pin header.  
         [0013]      FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating a top view of one embodiment of the pin header.  
         [0014]      FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating a side view of one embodiment of the pin header.  
         [0015]      FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating an end view of one embodiment of the pin header.  
         [0016]      FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of one pin of the pin header. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of a small form factor transceiver  30 . Transceiver  30  is shown without a cover installed. Transceiver  30  includes housing  32 , connector receptacle  36 , printed circuit board (PCB)  34 , and pin header  38 . Pin header  38  includes ten pins  48  arranged into two rows of five pins each. In other embodiments, pin header  38  includes more than ten pins  48 , such as fourteen pins in two rows of seven pins each. The two rows are situated on opposite sides of transceiver  30 . One row of five pins is on one side of transceiver  30  and the other row of five pins is on the other side of transceiver  30 . Housing  32  includes mounting studs  40  and  42  and apertures  44  and  46 . Connector receptacle  36  and PCB  34  are coupled to housing  32 . Pin header  38  is coupled (soldered) to PCB  34 .  
         [0018]     Mounting studs  40  and  42  are situated on opposite sides of transceiver  30 . Mounting stud  40  is on one side of transceiver  30  and mounting stud  42  is on the other side of transceiver  30 . Mounting studs  40  and  42  are used to mount transceiver  30  to a host. Pins  48  of pin header  38  are used to pass signals between transceiver  30  and the host. One row of five pins  48  extends through aperture  44  of housing  32  and the other row of fives pins  48  extends through aperture  46  of housing  32 . Both rows of five pins  48  couple to the host. Housing  32  is made of metal, plastic, or another suitable material. In one embodiment, transceiver  30 , and spacing of pins  48 , conforms to the industry standard small from factor transceiver specifications.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating a sectional view of one embodiment of pins  48  of pin header  38  extending through apertures  44  and  46  of housing  32  of transceiver  30 . Transceiver  30  includes PCB  34 , pin header  38 , and housing  32 . Pin header  38  includes frame  56  and pins  48 . Pin header  38  is secured (soldered) to PCB  34  such that one row of five pins  48  extends through aperture  44  and the other row of five pins  48  extends through aperture  46 . Frame  56  extends into aperture  44  to prevent the row of five pins  48  extending through aperture  44  from contacting housing  32 . Frame  56  also extends into aperture  46  to prevent the other row of five pins  48  extending through aperture  46  from contacting housing  32 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of PCB  34  of transceiver  30 . PCB  34  includes pin header  38 , test point  50 , ten pre-plated through holes  52  that receive pins  48  of pin header  38 , and transceiver components  53  and  54 . Pin header  38  includes tens pins  48  and frame  56 .  
         [0021]     Pins  48  are partially encased in frame  56  to maintain the alignment of pins  48 . Frame  56  is rectangular with indented sides at  57   a  and  57   b  forming an hourglass shaped frame  56 . Surface  56   a  of frame  56  is flat so pin header  38  can be handled by automated pick and place equipment. Automated pick and place equipment place pin header  38  on PCB  34  such that pins  48  are inserted into corresponding pre-plated through holes  52  of PCB  34 . Pin header  38  is secured to PCB  34  by soldering pins  48  into the corresponding pre-plated through holes  52  of PCB  34 . In one embodiment, a solder reflow process is used to solder pins  48  into pre-plated through holes  52 .  
         [0022]     Pogo-pin testing of PCB  34  can be performed after PCB  34  is installed in housing  32  as the hourglass shape of frame  56  allows a tester access to test point  50 . In addition, the shape of frame  56  allows enough clearance such that components  54  can be mounted on PCB  34  underneath pin header  38 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a side view of PCB  34  with mounted pin header  38 . Pin header  38  includes pins  48 , frame  56 , standoffs  60 , and alignment studs  62 . Alignment studs  62  include conical tips  63 . Component  54  can be mounted on PCB  34  underneath frame  56  of pin header  38 . Pins  48  extend through pre-plated through holes  52  in PCB  34  and are soldered in pre-plated through holes  52 . In one embodiment, pre-plated through holes  52  comprise copper.  
         [0024]     Standoffs  60  support pin header  38  on PCB  34 . Standoffs  60  prevent solder from flowing between pins  48  in each row of pins during the soldering process by leaving enough space, indicated at  64 , around each pin  48  to prevent wicking between pins  48 . Alignment studs  62  (only one alignment stud is visible in  FIG. 4 ), are located on opposite corners of pin header  38  and extend parallel to pins  48 . The alignment studs  62  are inserted into corresponding alignment stud holes  68  in PCB  34 .  
         [0025]     Conical tips  63  of alignment studs  62  assist in the placement of pin header  38  on PCB  34  during manufacturing. Pick and place equipment place conical tips  63  into alignment stud holes  68  and release pin header  38 . Pin header  38  falls into the correct position on PCB  34  as conical tips  63 , and thus alignment studs  62  move to the center of alignment stud holes  68 . This alignment process positions pins  48  in the desired location relative to PCB  34 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating the placement of pin header  38  on PCB  34 . PCB  34  includes the ten pre-plated through holes  52 , components  53  and  54 , test point  50 , and alignment stud holes  68 . Pin header  38  includes pins  48  and frame  56 . Frame  56  includes standoffs  60  and alignment studs  62 . One alignment stud  62  and the corresponding alignment stud hole  68  are located at the opposite corner of frame  56 , indicated at  65 , and are not visible in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0027]     To place pin header  38  on PCB  34 , a pick and place tool automatically positions pin header  38  such that pins  48  are started in holes  52 . Alignment studs  62  align themselves with the corresponding alignment stud holes  68  of PCB  34  as pin header  38  is lowered into place. In addition, the pins  48  are aligned with the corresponding pre-plated through holes  52  of PCB  34 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of one embodiment of pin header  38 . Pin header  38  includes the tens pins  48   a - 48   j  captured in frame  56 . Frame  56  includes standoffs  60   a  and  60   b  and alignment studs  62   a  and  62   b . Alignment stud  62   a  includes conical tip  63   a  and alignment stud  62   b  includes conical tip  63   b . Pins  48   a - 48   j  are arranged in two rows  70  and  72  on opposite sides of frame  56 . The first row  70  of five pins includes pins  48   a - 48   e  and the second row  72  of five pins includes pins  48   f - 48   j . In one embodiment, the center pin to center pin distance between the rows  70  and  72  of pins  48  is within the range of 9 mm to 11 mm, such as 10.16 mm per the Cooperation Agreement previously incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0029]     Pins  48   a - 48   j  extend through frame  56  and include a shorter tail portion  100   a  and  100   b  extending up from frame  56 , a captured portion  102   a  and  102   b  within frame  56 , and a longer contact portion  104   a  and  104   b  extending down from frame  56 . The tail portions  100   a  and  100   b  of pins  48   a - 48   j  are configured for mounting in pre-plated through holes  52  of PCB  34 . The captured portions  102   a  and  102   b  of pins  48   a - 48   j  are enclosed within frame  56  to prevent movement of pins  48   a - 48   j . In one embodiment, pins  48   a - 48   j  can withstand (remain in frame  56 ) up to a nine pound pull out force. The contact portions  104   a  of pins  48   a - 48   e  extend through aperture  46  of housing  32  and the contact portions  104   b  of pins  48   f - 48   j  extend through aperture  44  of housing  32 . Pins  48   a - 48   j  are configured to electrically couple transceiver  30  to a host for transmitting signals between transceiver  30  and the host.  
         [0030]     In one embodiment, pins  48   a - 48   j  are round and made of copper or brass and are plated with gold for greater electrical conductivity at solder joints and contacts. In one embodiment, the ends of pins  48   a - 48   j  are not plated while the rest of the pin is plated. Pins  48   a - 48   j  are rigid to resist bending and have a diameter within the range of 0.4 mm to 0.5 mm. The lengths of pins  48   a - 48   j  are similar and within the range of 8 mm to 11 mm. Both ends of pins  48   a - 48   j  are chamfered or rounded, such as at the ends  106  and  108  of pin  48   f.    
         [0031]     Frame  56  includes standoffs  60   a  and  60   b  and alignment studs  62   a  and  62   b . Standoffs  60   a  and  60   b  support pin header  38  on PCB  34  and form voids  64  between and around pins  48   a - 48   e  and pins  48   f - 48   j , respectively. Voids  64  prevent solder from flowing between pins  48   a - 48   e  and pins  48   f - 48   j  to prevent wicking during the soldering of pin header  38  to PCB  34 .  
         [0032]     Alignment stud  62   a  extends upward from the end of standoff  60   a  and alignment stud  62   b  extends upward from the end of standoff  60   b . The conical tip  63   a  extends upward from alignment stud  62   a  and the conical tip  63   b  extends upward from alignment stud  62   b . Conical tips  63   a  and  63   b  ease the alignment of alignment studs  62   a  and  62   b  into alignment stud holes  63  of PCB  34 .  
         [0033]     Frame  56  is comprised of a liquid crystal polymer that is injection molded around pins  48   a - 48   j . In another embodiment, frame  56  is formed first and pins  48   a - 48   j  are post inserted into frame  56 . Frame  56  extends around pins  48   a - 48   j  at captured portions  102   a  and  102   b . In one embodiment, such as where pins  48   a - 48   j  are overmolded, frame  56  extends conically toward the ends of pins  48   a - 48   j , such as at  110  of pin  48   f . In another embodiment, such as where pins  48   a - 48   j  are post inserted into frame  56 , conical portions, such as  110 , are not included in frame  56 .  
         [0034]     Frame  56  has a rectangular shape with indentations at  57   a  and  57   b  to form an hourglass shape. Frame  56  includes a flat surface  56   b  opposite surface  56   a  (not visible in  FIG. 6 ). In one embodiment, frame  56  can withstand soldering temperatures up to 220° C. In another embodiment, frame  56  can withstand soldering temperatures up to 300° C.  
         [0035]      FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating a top view of one embodiment of pin header  38 . Pin header  38  includes pins  48   a - 48   j  and frame  56 . Frame  56  includes standoffs  60   a  and  60   b  and alignment studs  62   a  and  62   b . Frame  56  is rectangular with indented sides  57   a  and  57   b  to from an hourglass shape. One side  57   b  of the hourglass of frame  56  includes edges  200 ,  202 ,  204 , and  206 . The other side  57   a  of the hourglass of frame  56  includes edges  208 ,  210 ,  212 , and  214 . Edge  206  is perpendicular to standoff  60   b  and extends from standoff  60   b  to edge  204 . Edges  204  and  200  angle inward toward the center  112  of frame  56  to edge  202 . Edge  208  is perpendicular to standoff  60   a  and extends from standoff  60   a  to edge  210 . Edges  210  and  214  angle inward toward the center  112  of frame  56  to edge  212 . Edges  212  and  202  are parallel to each other.  
         [0036]     Alignment stud  62   a  is positioned at an end of standoff  60   a  and alignment stud  62   b  is positioned at an end of standoff  62   b . Alignment studs  62   a  and  62   b  are positioned at opposite corners  216  and  218  of frame  56 . Alignment studs  62   a  and  62   b  are circular in shape and standoffs  60   a  and  60   b  are rectangular in shape with rounded ends.  
         [0037]     Pin row  70  including pins  48   a - 48   e  is parallel to pin row  72  including pins  48   f - 48   j . Pin  48   a  is directly opposite pin  48   f , pin  48   b  is directly opposite pin  48   g , pin  48   c  is directly opposite pin  48   h , pin  48   d  is directly opposite pin  48   i , and pin  48   e  is directly opposite pin  48   j . Pins  48   a - 48   e  of row  70  are equally spaced and pins  48   f - 48   j  of row  72  are equally spaced. In one embodiment, the center pin to center pin spacing between pins  48   a - 48   e  and between pins  48   f - 48   j  is within the range of 1 mm to 2 mm.  
         [0038]      FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating a side view of one embodiment of pin header  38 . Pin header  38  includes pins  48   a - 48   e  and frame  56 . Frame  56  includes standoff  60   a  and alignment studs  62   a  and  62   b . Alignment stud  62   a  includes conical tip  63   a  and alignment stud  62   b  includes conical tip  63   b . Frame  56  also includes alignment stud bases  80   a  and  80   b . Alignment stud bases  80   a  and  80   b  extend outwardly from frame  56  and are raised with respect to the bottom or one side, indicated at  220 , of frame  56 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating an end view of one embodiment of pin header  38 . Pin header  38  includes pins  48   a  and  48   f  and frame  56 . Frame  56  includes edges  208 ,  210 ,  212 , and  214 , conical portions  110  and  222 , standoffs  60   a  and  60   b , and alignment studs  62   a  and  62   b . Alignment studs  62   a  includes conical tip  63   a  and alignment stud  62   b  includes conical tip  63   b . Pin  48   a  includes tail portion  100   a , captured portion  102   a , and contact portion  104   a . Pin  48   f  includes tail portion  10   b , captured portion  102   b , and contact portion  104   b . In one embodiment, such as where pins  48  are overmolded, conical portions, such as  110 , extend from frame  56  toward pins  48  tail portions, such as  100   a  and  10   b . Conical portions, such as  222 , extend from frame  56  toward pins  48  contact portions, such as  104   a  and  104   b . In another embodiment, such as where pins  48  are post inserted, conical portions, such as  110  and  222 , are not included in frame  56 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating one pin  48   f  in frame  56  of pin header  38 . Pin  48   f  includes the tail portion  10   b , captured portion  102   b , and contact portion  104   b . The end  108  of tail portion  100   b  is chamfered or rounded and the end  106  of contact portion  104   b  is chamfered or rounded. The length of tail portion  100   b  is within the range of 1 mm to 2 mm. The length of captured portion  102   b  is within the range of 2 mm to 3 mm. The length of contact portion  104   b  is within the range of 4 mm to 6 mm.  
         [0041]     Frame  56  includes the center portion  112 , a tail capture portion  224 , and a contact capture portion  226 . Tail capture portion  224  includes conical portion  110  extending from frame  56  toward the end  108  of tail portion  100   b  and contact capture portion  226  includes conical portion  222  extending from frame  56  toward the end  106  of contact portion  104   b . In another embodiment, conical portions  110  and  222  are not included in frame  56 . Tail capture portion  224  extends above center portion  112  and contact capture portion  226  extends below center portion  112 . In one embodiment, tail capture portion  224  is wider than contact capture portion  226 .  
         [0042]     Tail capture portion  224  maintains a space between center portion  112  and PCB  34  to allow other components to be mounted on PCB  34  above center portion  112 . With pin header  38  installed in housing  32 , contact capture portion  226  and conical portion  222  prevent pin  48   f  from contacting housing  32  and causing a short. The other pins  48  in pin header  38  are similarly configured to pin  48   f.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7