TWI504070B - An improved ethernet module having a reduced host pcb footprint and dimensioned to correspond to a rear face of an rj connector jack - Google Patents

Description

An Ethernet circuit module having a size that reduces the footprint of the main printed circuit board and corresponds to the rear side of the connector socket

The present invention is generally related to an Ethernet circuit module that includes a serial-to-Ethernet converter module and a programmable Ethernet circuit module. More specifically, the present invention relates to a space-saving Ethernet circuit module innovation architecture, which occupies less area on the main circuit board of a completed Ethernet circuit device, and its size is designed to be compared with a general RJ. The rear surface of the connector socket corresponds.

Ethernet circuit modules are well-known devices in the industry for the design of new products and for retrofitting existing products with Ethernet interface.

Ethernet circuit modules are usually used to make their host products have a "network-enabled" function. The Ethernet circuit modules built into the host products provide a network interface to the host products. The form of the network interface). For the sake of clarity, the main product in which the Ethernet circuit module is integrated is called a "completed" Ethernet device.

Among the various types of Ethernet circuit modules, serial-to-Ethernet converter modules are particularly popular because most products that require networking functions have a Central Processing Unit (CPU). Or a microcontroller, and most CPUs and microcontrollers are equipped with Universal Asynchronous Receiver and Transmitter (UART) circuits for serial communication.

The serial-to-Ethernet converter module enables such products equipped with CPUs or microcontrollers to be quickly and inexpensively converted by seamless conversion between serial data and Ethernet (TCP/IP) data. Reach the network effect.

Another type of Ethernet circuit module is called a programmable Ethernet circuit module. This type of module allows developers to load custom software programs (applications) into modules that can then be used as intelligent processing blocks for completed Ethernet devices, thus reducing, or even completely The load of the main CPU or microcontroller of the device is omitted.

For the purposes and objectives of the present invention, the term "Ethernet Circuit Module" is equally applicable to all types of modules that include a serial pair Ethernet converter module and a programmable Ethernet circuit module.

The first figure shows a brief block diagram of a typical Ethernet road module and a completed Ethernet circuit device incorporating the module.

The Ethernet circuit module 10 is generally installed on a main circuit board (not shown) of the completed Ethernet circuit device 11, and a CPU or a microcontroller 12 and a data bus are integrated in the Ethernet circuit module 10. 13. Ethernet path controller 14, and other hardware 15. The other hardware 15 includes a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, and other peripheral devices required for the operation of the Ethernet circuit module 10. The details of these peripheral devices are not related to the scope and spirit of the present invention.

It is worth noting that some CPUs and microcontrollers on the market today integrate Ethernet controllers, so functional blocks 12 and 14 can be considered as a single integrated circuit with data bus 13 stored therein. .

The Ethernet circuit module 10 has a plurality of pins (leads) 16 that are coupled to the main circuit board and/or other components on the completed Ethernet circuit device 11. More specifically, the Ethernet circuit module 10 is coupled to the RJ connector socket 17, the Ethernet path status LED 20, the module status LED 26, and the external (relative to the Ethernet path module 10) hardware 22 .

The Ethernet path controller 14 and the RJ connector socket 17 are connected by a receiving (Rx) and transmitting (Tx) line pair 18. In addition, there is also an Ethernet path status LED control line 19 for driving the Ethernet path status LED 20 of the RJ connector socket 17.

The Ethernet path status LED 20 is generally used to indicate the current connection status and connection mode of the Ethernet path controller 14. Of the two LEDs described above, one is generally green and the other is generally yellow.

Although only two monochrome Ethernet state LEDs 20 are shown in the figure, it should be understood that more LEDs and/or multi-color LEDs can be built into the RJ connector socket 17. Alternatively, the Ethernet way status LED 20 can be implemented separately from the RJ connector socket 17, or not at all. All such variations are not related to the scope and spirit of the invention.

The Ethernet circuit module 10 and the external hardware 22 are connected by an input/output (I/O) line 21. In some cases, the external hardware 22 contains only simple, non-intelligent components such as relays, optically isolated inputs, analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), or digital-to-analog converters (Digital). -to-analog Converter, DAC). Such non-intelligent components are controlled by the CPU or microcontroller 12.

In other examples, the external hardware 22 may include a second CPU or microcontroller 23, which is typically the primary ("master") CPU or microcontroller of the completed Ethernet device 11. .

The I/O line 21 can be implemented in a variety of ways, and it employs an interface technology that is suitable for a particular set of external hardware 22. The I/O line 21 can include a simple digital input/output line, an ADC and DAC line, a Pulse-Width Modulated (PWM) signal line, and the like.

Where the external hardware 22 includes a second CPU or microcontroller 23, the I/O line 21 will typically contain a serial port; in this example, the CPU or microcontroller 12 and the second CPU or microcontroller 23 will use serial communication to interact with each other.

It should be noted that in most designs, this type of serial communication will conform to the timing of the RS232 interface, but the physical line will be CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) or TTL (Transistor-Transistor Logic). Form of crystal-transistor logic). Most modern CPUs and microcontrollers contain one or more UART function blocks 24, so they can make the UART 24 of the CPU or microcontroller 12 without any additional "glue" components. The UART 24 of the second CPU or microcontroller 23 is directly interconnected.

Other serial port configurations may also be employed in the invention. For example, the CPU or microcontroller 12 may not include or use the UART 24, but other hardware 15 may include such a UART. The same is true for the second CPU or microcontroller 23. Such variations are not related to the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The Ethernet circuit module 10 typically includes a plurality of module status LED control lines 25 that drive a set of module status LEDs 26 to indicate the current state of the Ethernet circuit module.

The function of the module status LED 26 is not confused with the function of the Ethernet status LED 20, which displays the current connection status and connection mode of the Ethernet controller 14, and the module status LED 26 An indication of the overall status of the Ethernet path module 10 is provided.

For example, the module status LED 26 can indicate that the Ethernet path module 10 is currently idle, or is operating in a set mode, or has established a TCP/IP connection with another device on the network.

Physically, a typical Ethernet circuit module can be implemented as a board, with pins or leads to be mounted on the main circuit board of a completed Ethernet device; The diagram is shown in the second figure.

The Ethernet circuit module 10 is characterized in that it includes a circuit board 100 that is substantially parallel to a main circuit board (not shown) on which the circuit board 100 is mounted. The circuit board 100 has two opposite sides 101 and 102, and both sides can be used to mount electronic components.

Two such components are shown in the second figure: CPU or microcontroller 12, and Ethernet path controller 14. The circuit board 100 will also typically include other hardware (not shown). As shown, the device has two rows of pins (leads) 16 that connect the Ethernet circuit module 10 to the main circuit board. The figure shows a through-hole type of pin (lead), but other shapes of SMT and pins (leads) can be used in the example.

The Ethernet circuit module 10 includes a housing or housing (not shown) that at least partially covers the circuit board 100 for decoration, protection or heat dissipation.

For the purposes and objectives of the present invention, the term "Ethernet Circuit Module" can also be applied to an Ethernet circuit module without a housing and an Ethernet circuit module having a housing.

There are many other variations of the Ethernet path module in physical implementation. For example, U.S. Patent No. 6,881,096 discloses an Ethernet circuit module that is directly integrated into an RJ connector socket.

In the present invention, a typical RJ connector socket 17 architecture is particularly important to the present invention.

RJ connectors are commonly used today in telecommunications, data networking equipment, and devices that can be connected to data networks. The RJ connector is designed with a male connector plug and a female connector socket.

For a completed Ethernet circuit device, the female connector socket is generally mounted on the networking device, and is exposed in such a manner that the male connector plug can be inserted. The third figure shows a typical connector socket schematic.

The RJ connector socket 17 is characterized in that it comprises a substantially rectangular dielectric housing 200 having a front surface 201 and a bottom surface 203 having a socket 202 for receiving a male connector plug (not shown), and the bottom surface 203 is for mounting on a main circuit board (not shown). The outer casing 200 also defines a right surface 204, a left surface 205, a rear surface 206, and a top surface 207.

The front surface 201 will typically contain or expose a pair of Ethernet path status LEDs 20.

The receptacle 202 includes a latch shoulder 208 that, together with the latch shoulder on the plug (not shown), forms a secure engagement mechanism between the plug and the receptacle.

The RJ connector receptacle 17 also incorporates pins or leads 209. These pins or leads conduct electrical signals between the socket and the main board.

Many RJ connector sockets also have a Faraday shield 210 that encases the outer casing 200. The shield 210 typically has a resiliently biased ground lug 211 on its right surface 204, left surface 205, and top surface 207. The grounding strip 211 connects the Faraday shield to the chassis (surface) ground by contacting the completed Ethernet circuit device housing. The grounding lugs protrude from the right, left, and top sides of the socket and slightly increase the size of the socket.

In construction, it is an inevitable fact that the height H ₁ and width W _{1 of the} RJ connector socket cannot be substantially reduced, even though the rapid advancement of modern technology has greatly reduced other electronic components. This is because the male connector plug has its standard size, which determines the smallest possible size of the socket.

There are several ways in the industry to reduce the overall size of the RJ connector socket. Most of these practices focus on reducing the height H _{1 of the} socket. For example, a lower height socket is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,497,526, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

U.S. Patent No. 5,378,172 discloses a low-profile socket whose reduction in socket height is achieved by transferring the latching function of the socket to the main circuit board.

It should be noted that the above improvements are only slightly helpful to the industry, and most RJ connector sockets are still generally built into the socket as shown in the third figure. There are even unofficial RJ connector socket sizes "standard" on the market. Considering the design tolerances and eliminating the ground lug 211, this unofficial standard sets the height H ₁ to about 14 mm and the width W _{1 to} about 16 mm. The "standard" height H ₁ including the grounding piece 211 is about 15 mm, and the "standard" width W ₁ is about 17.5 mm. Most RJ connector sockets manufactured today have the above width and height.

Since most RJ connector sockets have a "standard" height, they typically determine the height of a completed Ethernet device incorporating the RJ connector sockets. Considering that most of today's electronic components are low-profile, the RJ connector socket is a bit higher than the rest of the electronic circuit. A large portion of the internal space of such a completed Ethernet device (usually located behind the RJ connector socket) will not be used.

The continued miniaturization of electronic devices has created a need to continuously increase the density of component placement on printed circuit boards. When the size of the networked electronic device is reduced, the manufacturer of the Ethernet circuit module has the pressure to reduce the footprint of the module on the main circuit board.

The above problems occur when the Ethernet circuit module starts to approach the "upper limit of size reduction". Some of the modules are almost even large enough to fit into the integrated CPU or microcontroller, Ethernet controller, memory, The UART(s) is in a single integrated circuit with almost all of the components required for module operation.

In view of the above-mentioned deficiencies, the object of the present invention is to reduce the footprint of an Ethernet circuit module on a main circuit board. Another object of the present invention is to increase the internal space utilization of the completed Ethernet circuit device.

The present invention provides an Ethernet circuit module for a completed Ethernet circuit device, the completed Ethernet circuit device comprising a main circuit board and a connector socket mounted on the main circuit board, wherein The Ethernet circuit module includes a circuit board vertically mounted on the main circuit board, and the Ethernet circuit module is sized to correspond to a rear side surface of the connector socket.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the circuit board of the Ethernet circuit module is not oriented in a direction substantially parallel to the main circuit board. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the circuit board is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the main circuit board.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an Ethernet circuit module uses an integrated circuit that includes a CPU or microcontroller, an Ethernet circuit controller, a memory, a UART(s), and an I/O line. The integrated circuit is mounted on a first side of one of the circuit boards of the Ethernet circuit module.

The second side of the board of the Ethernet circuit module is envisioned to be typically occupied by the small (or smaller) components required for a complete Ethernet circuit module circuit.

It is further contemplated in the invention that the second side of the circuitry of the Ethernet circuit module includes a connector that includes pins or leads that are substantially parallel to the Ethernet circuit module circuit board and that are substantially perpendicular to the main circuit board. These pins or leads are used to assemble the Ethernet circuit module on the main circuit board and transmit electrical signals between the Ethernet circuit module and the main circuit board.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the height and width of the inventive Ethernet circuit module can be designed to not exceed (or only slightly exceed) the "standard" width of the RJ connector socket, taking into account the grounding strip. With height.

The invention envisages that the Ethernet circuit module is mounted on the main circuit board directly behind the RJ connector socket. Since the height and width dimensions of the Ethernet circuit module of the present invention are designed to correspond to the rear side surface of the RJ connector socket, it will be able to efficiently utilize the internal space of the completed Ethernet circuit device.

That is, the inventive Ethernet circuit module occupies a very small space on the main circuit board, and it utilizes the space available behind the RJ Ethernet circuit socket.

In another embodiment of the invention, the Ethernet circuit module does not use an integrated circuit that is packaged in a standard housing with leads. In another embodiment of the present invention, the Ethernet circuit module fixes one or more germanium dies on the Ethernet circuit module circuit board by using chip-on-board (COB) technology. The first side and the second side.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the accompanying drawings.

The following embodiments are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, FIG.

The detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention is intended to be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art of the invention. Change it. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting

Please refer to the fourth to sixth figures, which show specific embodiments of the present invention.

In particular, reference is made to the fourth figure, which shows a front view, a side view and a rear side view of an Ethernet circuit module in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The Ethernet circuit module of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is implemented by an integrated circuit 300 that integrates a CPU or a microcontroller and an Ethernet path controller. The integrated circuit can also integrate a flash memory for storing a CPU program (firmware), a SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) for storing variables and data, a normal I/O line, and a UART (s ).

One example of integrated circuit 300 is the LM3S8930 component of Luminary Micro (now owned by Texas Instruments). This integrated circuit incorporates all of the functional blocks listed above. The circuit can be used in a 16x16 mm, 100-pin LQFP (low profile quad flat package) package or for a 10x10 mm, 108-bump BGA (Ball Grid Array) package structure.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the integrated circuit 300 is mounted on the first side 101 of the circuit board 100 of the Ethernet circuit module 10, and the first side 101 of the circuit board 100 may or may not have other Electronic components are mounted thereon.

Referring now to the fifth diagram, those skilled in the art will appreciate the height H ₂ and width W _{2 of the} circuit board 100 and thus understand the Ethernet circuit module 10 constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The overall height and width are determined by the size of the integrated circuit 300.

For a 100-pin LQFP package structure with a size of 16×16 mm, the height H ₂ and the width W _{2 of the} circuit board 100 can be made to be 17×17 mm, which is only slightly larger than the RJ connector socket (including The "standard" height H ₁ and width W _{1 of the} leaf spring). Therefore, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, although the height H ₂ and the width W _{2 of the} circuit board 100 may be larger than the individual heights H ₁ and W _{1 of the} RJ connector socket, the difference between the corresponding sizes is small, It will substantially increase the height and width of the completed Ethernet device.

When a 108-bump BGA package structure is used, the overall size of the board 100 can be substantially further reduced to a smaller size than the corresponding size of the RJ connector socket. Thus, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the height H ₂ and width W ₂ of the circuit board 100 are smaller than the individual height H ₁ and width W _{1 of the} RJ connector receptacle.

In both cases, the size of the Ethernet circuit module 10 can be determined by selecting the appropriate package structure of the integrated circuit 300 and dimensioning the circuit board 100 to substantially separate the RJ connector sockets. The height and width are the same, or are designed to be smaller than the height and width of the RJ connector socket, respectively, or designed to be greater than the height and width of the RJ connector socket, respectively, without substantially increasing the height of the completed Ethernet device width.

It is to be noted that the specific number of integrated circuit components and package types used herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. A variety of other integrated circuits are also available in the present invention, and these integrated circuits can be used in many package options.

Most of the electronic components required for the other completed Ethernet circuit module 10 circuits are mounted on the second side 102, and the second side 102 is also provided with a connector 303. The connector 303 includes a plurality of pins or leads 16 for mounting the Ethernet circuit module 10 on a main circuit board (not shown), and the Ethernet circuit module 10 and the main circuit board. Transfer electrical signals between. These pins or leads 16 will be disposed generally parallel to the circuit board 100 and generally perpendicular to the main circuit board.

The connector 303 is designed to be attached to the second side 102 of the circuit board 100 in a surface mount manner. The plastic portion 304 of the connector 303 is also designed in this manner, and the entire connector 303 is in this form. It is disposed on the circuit board 100 such that the plastic portion 304 is completely inside the boundary of the circuit board 100 such that the overall height H _{2 of the} circuit board 100 is minimized.

It should be noted that in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the Ethernet circuit module may also include a housing (not shown) that may be fabricated from plastic, sheet metal stamping, or other suitable material and/or manner.

The main function of the housing is as a Faraday shield, or as a heat sink for the board and its components, or just for decoration. The outer casing completely covers the circuit board 100 or only partially covers the circuit board. All such variations are within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Referring now to the fifth drawing, a main circuit board 400, a "standard" RJ connector socket 17, and an Ethernet circuit module 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention are illustrated, wherein the Ethernet circuit The module 10 is mounted behind the RJ connector socket 17.

Those skilled in the art will immediately appreciate that the Ethernet circuit module 10 constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is itself on the main circuit board 400 after utilizing the available space behind the RJ connector socket 17. The footprint of the board has been minimized. The height H ₂ and the width W ₂ of the Ethernet circuit module 10 closely correspond to the height H _{1 of the} RJ connector socket 17 and the width W ₁ .

Referring now to the sixth drawing, there is shown a front view, a side view and a rear view of an Ethernet circuit module in another embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment of the invention, the Ethernet circuit module 10 does not use the integrated circuit 300. In this embodiment, the Ethernet circuit module 10 utilizes Chip-on-Board (COB) technology to mount one or more packaged germanium die 500 on the circuit board 100. The first side 101 can also be mounted on its second side 102 if desired.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the use of on-board bonded wafer technology can further reduce the cost and size of the Ethernet circuit module 10.

It should be noted that the number of germanium grains used in the present invention, the position on the circuit board 100, the number of crystal grains packaged together, and the shape and material used for the die package can be changed, and the sixth The particular arrangement of crystal grains shown in the figures should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed; rather, the invention is intended to cover the scope of the appended claims. The various modifications and similar configurations within the spirit and scope of the invention are to be interpreted in the broadest sense to cover all such modifications and similar structures.

10. . . Ethernet circuit module

11. . . Ethernet road device

12. . . CPU or microprocessor

13. . . Data bus

14. . . Ethernet road controller

15. . . Hardware

16. . . Pin/lead

17. . . RJ connector socket

18. . . Receiving and transmitting line pairs

19. . . Ethernet road status LED control line

20. . . Ethernet road status LED

twenty one. . . I/O line

twenty two. . . External hardware

twenty three. . . CPU or microprocessor

twenty four. . . UART

25. . . Module status LED control circuit

26. . . Module status LED

100. . . Circuit board

101. . . First side

102. . . Second side

200. . . shell

201. . . Front surface

202. . . socket

203. . . Bottom surface

204. . . Right surface

205. . . Left surface

206. . . Post-surface

207. . . Top surface

208. . . Latching shoulder

209. . . Pin/lead

210. . . Shield

211. . . Grounding piece

300. . . Integrated circuit

303. . . Connector

304. . . Plastic department

400. . . Main circuit board

500. . . Grain

The first figure is a typical block diagram of a typical Ethernet circuit module in the prior art and a completed Ethernet circuit device based on the Ethernet circuit module.

The second figure is a simplified diagram of a typical Ethernet circuit module in the prior art.

The third figure shows a simplified architecture of a typical RJ connector socket in the prior art.

The fourth figure is a schematic diagram of an Ethernet circuit module in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a main circuit board, a "standard" RJ connector socket, and an Ethernet circuit module secured to the rear of the RJ connector socket in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of an Ethernet circuit module in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

10. . . Ethernet circuit module

17. . . RJ connector socket

400. . . Main circuit board

Claims (12)

An Ethernet circuit module for a completed Ethernet circuit device, the completed Ethernet circuit device comprising: a main circuit board and a connector socket mounted on the main circuit board; wherein the Ethernet The circuit module performs Ethernet path data processing by a single circuit board vertically mounted on the main circuit board, and the single circuit board is sized to correspond to a rear side surface of one of the connector sockets Wherein the single circuit board is disposed outside the outer casing of the connector socket and is located behind the rear side surface of the outer casing; and wherein the Ethernet circuit module is not mechanically combined with the connector socket And the Ethernet circuit module is coupled to the connector socket only by wires on the main circuit board. The Ethernet circuit module of claim 1, wherein the Ethernet circuit module is sized to have a height and a width that are substantially equal to the height and width of the connector socket, respectively. The Ethernet circuit module of claim 1, wherein the Ethernet circuit module is sized to have a height and a width that are respectively smaller than a height and a width of the connector socket. The Ethernet circuit module of claim 1, wherein the Ethernet circuit module is sized to have a height and a width respectively greater than a height and a width of the connector socket. But does not substantially increase the height of the completed Ethernet device With width. The Ethernet circuit module of claim 1, further comprising an integrated circuit, wherein the integrated circuit comprises a central processing unit or a microcontroller. The Ethernet circuit module of claim 5, wherein the integrated circuit further comprises an Ethernet path controller. The Ethernet circuit module of claim 6, wherein the integrated circuit further comprises a universal asynchronous receiving transmitter. The Ethernet circuit module of claim 1, further comprising one or more germanium dies fixed on the circuit board. The Ethernet circuit module of claim 1, wherein the circuit board is at least partially covered by a casing. The Ethernet circuit module of claim 1, wherein the circuit board is sized to have a height and a width substantially equal to the height and width of the connector socket, respectively. The Ethernet circuit module of claim 1, wherein the circuit board is sized to have a height and a width which are respectively smaller than a height and a width of the connector socket. The Ethernet circuit module of claim 1, wherein the circuit board is sized to have a height and a width respectively greater than a height and a width of the connector socket, but substantially not increasing The height and width of the completed Ethernet device.