Abstract:
A system and method for converting the numerous quantities, types, and arrangements of plug-in card connectors, usually disposed on the backplane of equipment systems, to an orderly and standardized array of external connectors. The external connectors facilitate the electrical connection between the cards and one of a variety of specific external cable connectors.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Most modem equipment for implementing telecommunications systems contain one or more electronic apparatus housed in a casing. The casing is generally enclosed, with a front access door, sidewalls, and a backplane forming the casing. Generally, the electronic apparatus is located within the casing and is electrically coupled to the backplane. In most instances, the backplane performs an interconnect function between the various electronic apparatuses within the casing. The backplane also typically supports connectors, which allows an electrical connection to be made between the electronic apparatuses coupled to the backplane and external cables, wires and leads located outside the casing. 
     Such connectors are typically included in the above-described electronic apparatuses which may be in the form of, e.g., plug-in cards. Different manufacturers and/or distributors of plug-in cards often do not employ uniformity in the types of connectors supported on the cards. Thus, when cards are replaced in telecommunication systems, either due to failure or because of an upgrade, it is not uncommon to find that the connectors on the new cards are no longer compatible with connectors on external cables previously used with the replaced cards. 
     Moreover, when a plug-in card is added to the backplane, a person adding the card (also called installer) must find space for the connectors on the added card, such that one or more connectors do not interfere with the functioning of the backplane. Since most backplanes are not designed to accommodate multiple connectors, installers usually locate the connectors on fringe areas of the backplane or else on a new backplane, subsequently added to the system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, a system and method convert the numerous quantities, types, and arrangements of plug-in card connectors usually disposed on the backplane of telecommunication systems to an orderly and standardized array of external connectors. The external connectors facilitate electrical connection between cards in a casing and one of a number of predetermined cable connectors of cables external to the casing. 
     As described in greater detail below, one or more electronic apparatuses, such as modules, PCAs, PCBs, video cards, audio cards, ethernet cards, or other types of plug-in cards, may be electrically coupled to a first side (also called “internal face”) of the backplane. On the opposite or second side (also called “external face”) of the backplane, a standardized arrangement of connectors, (e.g., pin-type connectors) are provided. The internal face of the backplane has connectors (also called “card connectors”) that receive the variety of plug-in cards. The backplane routes a signal path from the card connectors to the standardized arrangement of connectors (also called “cable connectors”) on the external face. 
     One embodiment of the system provides a conversion panel. The conversion panel has a first side (also called “internal face”) having a standardized connector arrangement configured to mate with the cable connectors on the external face of the backplane. On the second side (also called “external face”) of the panel, another set of external connectors (also called “cable connectors”) is provided. The external connectors on the conversional panel are different from the cable connectors on the backplane, e.g., one of a variety of connectors suitable for a specific application, such as SMB, BNC, RJ-45, SMB-WW and BNC-WW module, screw terminal block, coaxial F, and champ connectors. The system includes the ability to remove and replace the conversion panel, as needed or desired, such that the type, quantity and/or arrangement of cable connectors on an external face of the casing may be changed. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, a system is provided which provides a standardized electrical connection to a backplane of a card-based equipment system. The system includes a main chassis which defines an interior space for receiving plug-in cards. Also included is a backplane, which has a first side and a second side. The first side of the backplane has a plurality of plug-in card sockets for engaging with the plug-in cards. The second side of the backplane has an arrangement of backplane connectors. An interchangeable connection panel is also provided, which has a front side and a back side. The front side of the panel has panel connector receptacles configured to mate with the backplane connectors. The back side of the panel has a plurality of external connectors for establishing an electrical connection to an external cable. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for standardizing an electrical connection interface of a card based equipment system, which includes coupling a conversion panel to a backplane connector array having different types of connectors, where the conversion panel has a plurality of external connectors for establishing an electrical connection to an external cable. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows a telecommunications equipment system chassis in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2A is a simplified view of an external face of an embodiment of a backplane in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2B is a simplified view of an internal face of the backplane in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2C is a simplified illustration of the backplane of FIG. 2A with a protective cover thereon; 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B are simplified illustrations of an internal view and external view, respectively, of the interchangeable connection panel of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3C is a simplified illustration of a faceplate according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a simplified schematic illustration of the operational configuration of components of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B, are simplified schematic illustrations of a specific embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 6A and 6B, are simplified schematic illustrations of another specific embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIGS. 7A and 7B, are simplified schematic illustrations of another specific embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a telecommunications equipment system  10 , which includes a casing or main chassis  12 . Chassis  12  includes several components, such as top wall  14 , a bottom wall  16 , a side wall  18 , a side wall  20 , a back wall  22 , and a front access door  24 . Depending on the embodiment, chassis  12  may have mounting fixtures  26  and  28  located on the side walls  18  and  20  of chassis  12  to facilitate the mounting of system  10 . Chassis  12  and mounting fixtures  26  and  28  may be made with sheet metal, injection molded plastic, or other similarly suited structural materials. 
     Chassis  12  defines an interior cavity or space  30 . Interior cavity  30  is suitable for removably receiving one or more electronic apparatuses. In one embodiment, interior cavity  30  is large enough to be capable of removably receiving electronic apparatuses, such as modules, PCAs, or other types of plug-in cards (not shown), which may provide a telecommunications functionality to system  10 . Front access door  24  provides access to interior cavity  30  for replacement, removal, assembly, servicing, and/or repair of the electronic apparatuses. Optionally, top and bottom walls  14  and  16  may have slots or grooves used to support, guide, and align the plug-in cards while housed in interior cavity  30 . 
     Back wall  22  may include a backplane  32  (FIG.  2 A). In one embodiment, backplane  32  is a printed circuit board that extends substantially the width of chassis  12  (FIG.  2 C). Backplane  32  includes circuitry identical to circuitry in a conventional backplane well-known in the telecommunications industry, which provides electrical characteristics, such as shielding, conductor path characteristics, including controlled impedance, current carrying capacity, paths for instrument buses, data busses, unit under test (UUT) stimulus busses, and power busses. In the preferred embodiment, backplane  32  provides the electrical interface between the electronic apparatus enclosed in chassis  12  and the external cables. On an internal face  34  of backplane  32 , connectors  36 A- 36 N (wherein A≦I≦N; N being the total number of connectors) are provided to engage with the electronic apparatus housed in chassis  12 . Connectors  36  may be any types of electrical connector device, preferably a connector compatible with a mating connector provided on the electronic apparatus. The electronic apparatus may include any type of PCA or PCBs, including, but not limited to, DS 1 , DS 3 , video, and ethernet plug-in cards. The arrangement of connectors  36  may be varied and will depend on the type of cards to be inserted in the system and the desired or required arrangement of the cards. 
     On an external face  40  (FIG. 2B) of backplane  32 , an array of connectors (hereinafter “backplane connectors”)  42 A- 42 M (wherein A≦J≦M; M being the total number of backplane connectors) are provided. Backplane connectors  42  may be provided in any quantity, and in any manner that does not interfere with the operation of backplane  32 . The useable space for connectors on backplane  32  is typically very limited, thus, in a preferred embodiment, backplane connectors  42  are arranged in a predetermined layout on external face  40 , such as that shown in FIG.  2 B. The predetermined layout includes all connectors  42 A- 42 M arranged in three groupings  44 ,  48  and  52 . Each group may include up to six connectors, but optionally, may have more or less as the useable space permits and/or as the application of the equipment may dictate. In one embodiment, first group  44  and second group  48  include six connectors each. In this embodiment, groups  44  and  48  are positioned proximate to top edge  46  and bottom edge  50 , respectively, with group  52  located in a central region of external face  40  (between groups  44  and  48 ). The backplane connectors of group  44  and group  48  may be any suitable connector, such as pin and card edge connectors. Preferably, but not necessarily, the connectors in groups  44  and  48  are pin-type connectors. The number of pins in each connector  42 M may vary depending on, but may include 60-, 85-, 125-, and staggered 125-pins. In one embodiment, group  52  includes four backplane connectors. The backplane connectors of group  52  may be any suitable connector, such as pin and card edge connectors, but preferably (but not necessarily) are staggered 125-pin type connectors. Pin connectors, like those described above, are manufactured by, and commercially available from AMP Incorporated, of Harrisburg, Pa. 
     As shown in FIG. 2C, when backplane connectors  42  of backplane  32  are not being used, a cover  54  may be installed over backplane  32  to provide protection to the backplane and the user. 
     Although, the type, arrangement, and quantity of backplane connectors  42  in each of groups  44 ,  48  and  52  may be variable, in accordance with the present invention, a corresponding type, arrangement, and quantity of mating connectors are provided on one face of a conversion panel  60  (illustrated in FIGS.  3 A- 3 C). A first side  64  (FIG. 3A) of interchangeable conversion panel  60  has an array of connectors  62 A- 62 M which correspond to and are connectable to backplane connectors  42 A- 42 M on backplane  32 . Panel  60  may be manufactured as a printed circuit board, of a type well-known in the telecommunications arts, which provides electrical characteristics, including providing an electrical path or route for signals from/to panel connectors  62  to/from external connectors  68 . 
     A second side  66  (FIG. 3B) of conversion panel  60  has connectors  68 A- 68 P which may be arranged in any manner on second side  66 , but are generally arranged in columns and rows. Connectors  68  may be any conventional connectors suitable for telecommunications and/or similar functionality. Preferably, connectors  68  may include SMB, BNC, RJ-45, SMB to WireWrap module, screw terminal block, coaxial F, and champ connectors. As shown in FIG. 3C, a faceplate  70  may be optionally placed over, and conventionally secured to, panel  60 , with connectors  68 A- 68 P passing through appropriately placed holes provided thereon. Faceplate  70  provides protection to panel  60  and may include labels and other visual graphics for directing the user in proper connection procedures. Faceplate  70  may also have a handle  71  to facilitate the mounting and/or removal of the interchangeable connection panel. 
     In one example, plug-in card  72  (FIG. 4) is removably attached to internal face  73  of backplane  74 , which includes sockets  76  configured to engage and mate with card connectors  78  to establish an electrical connection therebetween. On external face  80  of backplane  74 , pin-connectors  82  are provided of a type and in an array suitable for engaging corresponding connectors  84  provided on conversion panel  86 . Connectors  82  and  84  will be collectively referred to as internal connectors  82  and  84 . Panel  86  has an external face  88  which is capable of supporting different types of external connectors  90 , such as SMB, BNC, RJ-45, SMB-WW module, screw terminal block, coaxial F, and champ connectors. Cable connectors  92  connected to the end of cables, wires or twisted wire pairs, may then be coupled to external connectors  90 . 
     In one embodiment, panel  102  (FIG. 5A) is coupled on a first side to backplane  32  (not shown in FIG. 5A) and supports thereon SMB type connectors  104 . In this example, panel  102  only covers a portion of backplane  32  (e.g., only the right half). Panel  102  may then be covered by an SMB faceplate  106 . Another panel  108 , which provides an interface for alarm signals, may be used to cover a lower portion of the rear of the equipment. Optionally, as shown in FIG. 5B, a left-side panel  110  and a left-side faceplate  112  may be used instead of, or in conjunction with, the right-side panel  102  and faceplate  106 . 
     In another embodiment, a conversion panel  114  (FIG. 6A) is coupled on a first side to backplane  32  and supports thereon BNC type connectors  116  instead of SMB type connectors  104  described above in reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B. In all other respects, the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B is identical to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. 
     In yet another embodiment, another conversion panel  92  includes multiple champ connectors  124  (FIG. 7A) coupled to the backplane  32  (not shown in FIG.  7 A). Specifically, champ connectors  124  may be coupled together, side-by-side, to form a single panel  92 , which may then be coupled to backplane connectors  42 . Optionally, champ connectors  124  may individually be coupled to individual columns of backplane connectors  42  (FIG.  2 B). As shown in FIG. 7B, multiple left-side champ connectors  126  may be used instead of, or in conjunction with, the right-side champ connectors  124 . Champ connectors, SMB connectors, and BNC connectors, are all available from AMP Incorporated of Harrisburg, Pa. 
     Although particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, modifications and changes will be apparent to those of skill in the art. For example, as different types of plug-in cards continue to evolve, which may require different external connectors than those mentioned above, it is intended to be within the scope of present invention to include all types of external connectors. Such modifications and adaptations of the various embodiments, implementations and examples described herein are encompassed by the attached claims.