WO2020211928A1 - An apparatus for connecting a signal cable and a power cable to a prinited circuit board - Google Patents

An apparatus for connecting a signal cable and a power cable to a prinited circuit board Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020211928A1
WO2020211928A1 PCT/EP2019/059756 EP2019059756W WO2020211928A1 WO 2020211928 A1 WO2020211928 A1 WO 2020211928A1 EP 2019059756 W EP2019059756 W EP 2019059756W WO 2020211928 A1 WO2020211928 A1 WO 2020211928A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
circuit board
printed circuit
compartment
module
connectable
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2019/059756
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Fredrik Ohlsson
Original Assignee
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. filed Critical Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
Priority to PCT/EP2019/059756 priority Critical patent/WO2020211928A1/en
Publication of WO2020211928A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020211928A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
    • G02B6/4201—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
    • G02B6/4246—Bidirectionally operating package structures
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
    • G02B6/4201—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
    • G02B6/4266—Thermal aspects, temperature control or temperature monitoring
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
    • G02B6/4201—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
    • G02B6/4274—Electrical aspects
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
    • G02B6/4201—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
    • G02B6/4274—Electrical aspects
    • G02B6/428—Electrical aspects containing printed circuit boards [PCB]
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
    • G02B6/4201—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
    • G02B6/4274—Electrical aspects
    • G02B6/4284—Electrical aspects of optical modules with disconnectable electrical connectors
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
    • G02B6/4292—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements
    • G02B6/4293—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements hybrid electrical and optical connections for transmitting electrical and optical signals
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/648—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding  
    • H01R13/658—High frequency shielding arrangements, e.g. against EMI [Electro-Magnetic Interference] or EMP [Electro-Magnetic Pulse]
    • H01R13/6581—Shield structure
    • H01R13/6585—Shielding material individually surrounding or interposed between mutually spaced contacts
    • H01R13/6586—Shielding material individually surrounding or interposed between mutually spaced contacts for separating multiple connector modules
    • H01R13/6587—Shielding material individually surrounding or interposed between mutually spaced contacts for separating multiple connector modules for mounting on PCBs

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an apparatus comprising a printed circuit board and an interface for providing a signal connection between a signal cable and the printed circuit board, PCB, and for providing an electrical connection between a power cable and the printed circuit board. Further, the invention relates to a network access node for a wireless communication system, wherein the network access node comprises an apparatus of the above-mentioned sort.
  • the network access node may comprise a base station.
  • the electrical apparatus has an interface to which a signal cable is connectable for providing signals to the printed circuit board.
  • the electrical apparatus also includes an interface for the electrical connection between a power cable and the printed circuit board for the provision of electrical power to the printed circuit board and to other electrical equipment of the electrical apparatus.
  • the interface for the signal cable may include a transceiver, for example an optical transceiver, which is electrically connected to the printed circuit board.
  • An object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a solution which mitigates or solves the drawbacks and problems of conventional solutions.
  • an apparatus comprising a printed circuit board, PCB, and an interface for providing a signal connection between a signal cable and the printed circuit board and for providing an electrical connection between a power cable and the printed circuit board.
  • the interface comprises:
  • a first compartment attached to the printed circuit board and configured to receive and hold a transceiver module to which the signal cable is connectable
  • a first connector electrically connected to the printed circuit board and electrically connectable to the transceiver module so as to provide a signal connection between the signal cable and the printed circuit board
  • a second compartment attached to the printed circuit board and configured to receive and hold a power module to which the power cable is connectable
  • one of the first and second compartments is located between the printed circuit board and the other one of the first and second compartments.
  • the first compartment is located between the second compartment and the printed circuit board, or the second compartment is located between the printed circuit board and the first compartment.
  • the cable connections have been placed side by side along the printed circuit board, in most cases along one and the same side of the printed circuit board.
  • the first and second compartments of the interface are stacked. In this manner, the required connection space for cable connections can be efficiently reduced and the apparatus can be smaller.
  • a connection space in a base station unit or radio unit may be called a maintenance cavity.
  • an advantage with apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention is that the cooling capacity of the base station unit or radio unit is increased, as a result of the increase of the size of the heat sink enabled by the embodiments/implementation forms of the present invention without increasing the total size of the base station unit or radio unit.
  • the second connector is located between the second compartment and the printed circuit board.
  • the first compartment has a first opening for receiving the transceiver module, wherein the second compartment has a second opening for receiving the power module, and wherein the second connector is located between the first connector and the second opening.
  • the apparatus comprises a housing attached to the printed circuit board, wherein the housing houses the first and second compartments.
  • the material of the housing may comprise or consist of a metal or a metal alloy.
  • the housing houses the first connector and the second connector.
  • the second connector is mechanically detachably connectable to the power module.
  • the first connector is mechanically detachably connectable to the transceiver module.
  • the second compartment is configured to detachably secure the power module.
  • the first compartment is configured to detachably secure the transceiver module.
  • the second compartment is configured to receive and hold the power module which is any module from the group comprising: a small form-factor pluggable, SFP, module and a quad small form- factor pluggable, QSFP, module.
  • SFP and QSFP per se are concepts known to the person skilled in the art.
  • An advantage with this implementation form is that a flexible mechanical connection for the power module is provided involving the known concepts SFP and QSFP.
  • the first compartment is configured to receive and hold the transceiver module which is any module from the group comprising: a small form-factor pluggable, SFP, module and a quad small form-factor pluggable, QSFP, module.
  • the transceiver module which is any module from the group comprising: a small form-factor pluggable, SFP, module and a quad small form-factor pluggable, QSFP, module.
  • the first compartment is configured to receive and hold an optical transceiver module to which an optical signal cable is optically and mechanically connectable, the optical transceiver module being configured to convert optical signals to electrical signals, wherein the first connector is electrically connectable to the optical transceiver module so as to provide a signal connection between the optical signal cable and the printed circuit board.
  • An optical transceiver module is a considerable heat generator. By this embodiment, the optical transceiver module can be located at a distance from the printed circuit board without contributing to a considerable increase of the size of the maintenance cavity of a base station unit or radio unit.
  • the apparatus comprises the power module.
  • the apparatus comprises the transceiver module.
  • the interface comprises:
  • a third compartment attached to the printed circuit board and configured to receive and hold a transceiver module to which the signal cable is connectable,
  • a third connector electrically connected to the printed circuit board and electrically connectable to the transceiver module so as to provide a signal connection between the signal cable and the printed circuit board
  • a fourth compartment attached to the printed circuit board and configured to receive and hold a power module to which the power cable is connectable, and a fourth connector electrically connected to the printed circuit board and electrically connectable to the power module so as to electrically connect the power cable to the printed circuit board,
  • one of the third and fourth compartments is located between the printed circuit board and the other one of the third and fourth compartments.
  • the interface comprises:
  • a third compartment attached to the printed circuit board and configured to receive and hold a transceiver module to which the signal cable is connectable, and
  • one of the second and third compartments is located between the printed circuit board and the other one of the second and third compartments.
  • the interface comprises:
  • a third compartment attached to the printed circuit board and configured to receive and hold a power module to which the power cable is connectable
  • one of the first and third compartments is located between the printed circuit board and the other one of the first and third compartments.
  • the above mentioned and other objects are achieved with a network access node for a wireless communication system, wherein the network access node comprises an apparatus according to any one of the appended claims 1 to 16 or according to any of the above- or below-mentioned embodiments of the apparatus.
  • the network access node may include a base station.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus according to a first
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 with the transceiver modules not yet installed;
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 with the transceiver modules installed but without power modules;
  • Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the apparatus of Figs. 1 to 3 with both the transceiver modules and the power modules installed;
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 4 with signal cables and power cables connected;
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention, with two transceiver modules and one power module installed;
  • Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 6 before a complete installation of the power module.
  • FIG. 1 to 5 an apparatus 102 according to a first embodiment of the invention is schematically shown.
  • Figs. 1 to 4 show both empty compartments where modules have not yet been installed and compartments where modules have been installed.
  • the apparatus 102 includes a printed circuit board, PCB, 104.
  • Figs. 2 to 4 only show a portion of the printed circuit board 104.
  • a printed circuit board 104 having various components is known to the person skilled in the art and thus not disclosed in further detail.
  • the apparatus 102 includes an interface 106 for providing a signal connection between a signal cable 108 (see Fig. 5) and the printed circuit board 104.
  • the interface 106 is also configured to provide an electrical connection between a power cable 1 10 (see Fig. 5) and the printed circuit board 104.
  • the power cable 1 10 is an electrical cable and may be called an electrical power cable or an electric power cable.
  • the interface 106 includes:
  • a first compartment 1 12 attached to the printed circuit board 104 and configured to receive and hold a transceiver module 1 14 to which the signal cable 108 is connectable, a first connector 1 16 electrically connected to the printed circuit board 104 and electrically connectable to the transceiver module 1 14 so as to provide a signal connection between the signal cable 108 and the printed circuit board 104,
  • a second compartment 1 18 attached to the printed circuit board 104 and configured to receive and hold a power module 120 to which the power cable 1 10 is connectable, and
  • a second connector 122 electrically connected to the printed circuit board 104 and electrically connectable to the power module 120 so as to electrically connect the power cable 1 10 to the printed circuit board 104.
  • One 1 12, 1 18 of the first and second compartments 1 12, 1 18 is located between the printed circuit board 104 and the other one 1 12, 1 18 of the first and second compartments 1 12, 1 18.
  • the first compartment 1 12 is located between the second compartment 1 18 and the printed circuit board 104, or the second compartment 1 18 is located between the printed circuit board 104 and the first compartment 1 12.
  • the inventor of the present invention has considered the limited space for the interface of cable connections in certain electrical equipment, e.g. in a base station unit or radio unit.
  • the first and second compartments 1 12, 1 18 of the interface 106 are stacked, one above the other. In this manner, the required connection space for cable connections is efficiently reduced and the apparatus 102 can be reduced in size.
  • a connection space in a base station unit or radio unit may be called a maintenance cavity.
  • the heat sink By reducing the size of the maintenance cavity of the base station unit or radio unit, more room can be provided for the heat sink of the base station unit or radio unit, especially the fin structure of the heat sink, to increase in size without increasing the total size of the base station unit or radio unit.
  • the heat sink incudes a fin structure including a plurality of cooling fins.
  • the size of the base station unit or radio unit is an important factor since there is a demand for base station units or radio units of a small size. However, there is also a demand for higher output power which requires increased cooling capacity. As a result of the increase of the size of the heat sink enabled by the embodiments of the present invention, the cooling capacity of the base station unit or radio unit is increased.
  • the heat dissipation or cooling of an electrical apparatus is efficiently improved, since there is more space for heat sink and the fins of the heat sink and the heat sink can increase in size, especially the cooling fin volume, and consequently the cooling capacity of the heat sink is increased.
  • the temperature of the transceiver module e.g. an optical transceiver module
  • the temperature of the printed circuit board can be reduced, which result in a longer life time for the components of the printed circuit board and the transceiver module.
  • the reliability and life time of an optical transceiver module is related to the module temperature, i.e. the temperature of the module.
  • the first compartment may be located between the printed circuit board 104 and the second compartment.
  • An optical transceiver module 1 14 converts optical signals from an optical signal cable 108 to electrical signals to be transmitted to the printed circuit board 104. Heat is produced when the optical transceiver module 1 14 converts optical signals to electrical signals.
  • the optical transceiver module 1 14 per se is sensitive to high temperatures. High temperatures reduce the life time of the optical transceiver module 1 14. Typical allowed maximum temperatures for the optical transceiver module 1 14 is 75°C or 85°C.
  • the printed circuit board 104 is sensitive to high temperatures which have negative effects on the components of the printed circuit board 104.
  • the inventor of the present invention has appreciated the importance of heat dissipation regarding the optical transceiver module 1 14.
  • the transceiver module 1 14 is moved away from the printed circuit board 104, whereby the printed circuit board 104 is exposed to less heat from the transceiver module 1 14.
  • the temperature of the printed circuit board 104 can be reduced and the life time of the temperature-sensitive components of the printed circuit board 104 can be increased. The risk of overheating of the printed circuit board 104 is also reduced.
  • the second compartment 1 18 is located between the printed circuit board 104 and the first compartment 1 12, whereby the power module 120 installed in the second compartment 1 18 is positioned between the printed circuit board 104 and the transceiver module 1 14 installed in the first compartment 1 12.
  • the installed transceiver module 1 14 is positioned at a longer distance to the printed circuit board 104 in relation to the installed power module 120.
  • the transceiver module 1 14 installed in the first compartment 1 12 is positioned at a first distance to the printed circuit board 104 and the power module 120 installed in the second compartment 1 18 is positioned at a second distance to the printed circuit board 104, wherein the first distance exceeds the second distance.
  • the first and second compartments are stacked one on top of the other in a first direction 1 19, which is perpendicular or transverse to the plane of the printed circuit board 104, and are not positioned side by side on the printed circuit board 104.
  • a first line 121 (see Fig. 2) which is perpendicular to the plane of the printed circuit board 104 intersects both the first compartment 1 12 and the second compartment 1 18.
  • the first compartment 1 12 is adjacent to the second compartment 1 18.
  • the first and second compartments 1 12, 1 18 may share a common wall 124.
  • a signal connection is a connection for signal transmission between two entities.
  • the signal connection may be an optical signal connection for optical signals or an electrical signal connection for electrical signals.
  • the signal connection may also be a combination of an optical signal connection and an electrical signal connection.
  • the signal cable 108 and the printed circuit board 104 are connected to each other by a signal connection.
  • the signal cable 108 is signal-connectable to the transceiver module 1 14, i.e. a signal connection can be provided between the signal cable 108 and the transceiver module 1 14.
  • the signal cable 108 is both signal-connectable and mechanically connectable to the transceiver module 1 14.
  • the power cable 1 10 is electrically connected to the printed circuit board 104.
  • the power cable 1 10 is electrically connectable to the power module 120.
  • the power cable 1 10 is both electrically connectable and mechanically connectable to the power module 120.
  • the power cable 1 10 may be attached to the power module 120 by means of a screw plinth termination or by other suitable means.
  • the first connector 1 16 is electrically connected to the printed circuit board 104.
  • a physical connection for example a mechanical connection or a connection by other means, between the first connector 1 16 and the printed circuit board 104.
  • the first connector 1 16 may for example be soldered to the printed circuit board 104.
  • the first connector 1 16 is electrically connectable to the transceiver module 1 14.
  • the first connector 1 16 is also physically and mechanically connectable to the transceiver module 1 14.
  • the second connector 122 is electrically connected to the printed circuit board 104.
  • a physical connection for example a mechanical connection or a connection by other means, between the second connector 122 and the printed circuit board 104.
  • the second connector 122 may for example be soldered to the printed circuit board 104.
  • the second connector 122 is electrically connectable to the power module 120.
  • the second connector 122 is also physically and mechanically connectable to the power module.
  • the second connector 122 may include a male-type connector member 123 configured to engage a female-type connector member of the power module 120.
  • the interface 106 includes:
  • a third compartment 126 attached to the printed circuit board 104 and configured to receive and hold a transceiver module 1 14 to which the signal cable 108 is connectable, a third connector 128 electrically connected to the printed circuit board 104 and electrically connectable to the transceiver module 1 14 so as to provide a signal connection between the signal cable 108 and the printed circuit board 104,
  • a fourth compartment 130 attached to the printed circuit board 104 and configured to receive and hold a power module 120 to which the power cable 1 10 is connectable, and
  • a fourth connector 132 electrically connected to the printed circuit board 104 and electrically connectable to the power module 120 so as to electrically connect the power cable 108 to the printed circuit board 104.
  • One of the third and fourth compartments 126, 130 is located between the printed circuit board 104 and the other one of the third and fourth compartments 126, 130.
  • the third compartment 126 may be positioned in relation to the fourth compartment 130 in similar ways as for the first compartment 1 12 in relation to the second compartments 1 18.
  • the apparatus 102 of Figs. 1 to 5 includes a housing 134 attached to the printed circuit board 104.
  • the housing 134 which also may be called cage, houses the first, second, third and fourth compartments 1 12, 1 18, 126, 130.
  • the material of the housing 134 comprises or consists of a metal or a metal alloy.
  • the housing 134 is attached to the printed circuit board 104 by means of fasteners or tongues 136 which are inserted into holes, for example through-holes, in the printed circuit board 104 and retained or fixed in the holes by press fit or interference fit.
  • fasteners or tongues 136 which are inserted into holes, for example through-holes, in the printed circuit board 104 and retained or fixed in the holes by press fit or interference fit.
  • other attachments are possible.
  • the first compartment 1 12 has a first opening 138 for receiving the transceiver module 1 14
  • the second compartment 1 18 has a second opening 140 for receiving the power module 120
  • the second connector 122 is located between the first connector 1 16 and the second opening 140.
  • the housing 134 houses the first connector 1 16 and the second connector 122.
  • the second connector 122 is mechanically detachably connectable to the power module 120, i.e. the second connector 122 is detachably connectable to the power module 120 in a mechanical sense.
  • the first connector 1 16 is mechanically detachably connectable to the transceiver module 1 14, i.e. the first connector 1 16 is detachably connectable to the transceiver module 1 14 in a mechanical sense.
  • Each of the first and third compartment 1 12, 126 is configured to receive and hold an optical transceiver module 1 14 to which an optical signal cable 108 is optically and mechanically connectable.
  • the optical transceiver module 1 14 is configured to convert optical signals to electrical signals
  • each of the first and third connectors 1 16, 128 is electrically connectable to the optical transceiver module 1 14 so as to provide a signal connection between the optical signal cable 1 14 and the printed circuit board 104.
  • the signal cable 108 may be an optical signal cable 108, e.g. an optical fibre cable or fibre optic cable, for optical signals.
  • the signal cable 108 may be an electrical signal cable for electrical signals.
  • the third and/or fourth compartment 126, 130 in Fig. 1 can be excluded, which provides an embodiment with the first and second compartments 1 12, 1 18 only or an embodiment with the first, second and third compartments 1 12, 1 18, 126 only or an embodiment with the first, second and fourth compartments 1 12, 1 18 130 only.
  • one or two compartments of the four-compartment interface 106 may be excluded, turning the interface into a two-compartment interface or a three-compartment interface.
  • each transceiver 1 14 two signal cables 108 are connectable.
  • a transceiver module may be configured for connection with one signal cable only.
  • Each of the first compartment 1 12 and third 126 is configured to detachably secure the transceiver module 1 14, whereby the transceiver module 1 14 is easily removed for replacement or for inspection and thereafter reintroduced in the first compartment 1 12 or third compartment 126.
  • Each of the second compartment 1 18 and the fourth compartment 130 is configured to detachably secure the power module 120, whereby the power module 120 is easily removed for replacement or for inspection and thereafter reintroduced in the second compartment 1 18 or third compartment 130.
  • Each of the first compartment 1 12 and the third compartment 126 is configured to receive and hold the optical transceiver module 1 14 which is any module from the group including: a small form-factor pluggable, SFP, module and a quad small form-factor pluggable, QSFP, module, i.e. an optical transceiver module of a small form-factor pluggable, SFP, kind or a quad small form-factor pluggable, QSFP, kind.
  • the optical transceiver module 1 14 is an SFP or QSFP module, and may be called an SFP or QSFP transceiver module.
  • SFP and QSFP are known industry standards set by the Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA).
  • Each of the second compartment 1 18 and the fourth compartment 130 is configured to receive and hold the power module 120 which is any module from the group including: a small form-factor pluggable, SFP, module and a quad small form-factor pluggable, QSFP, module, i.e. a power module of a small form-factor pluggable, SFP, kind or a quad small form-factor pluggable, QSFP, kind.
  • Each compartment 1 12, 1 18, 126, 130 may be called an SFP or QSFP compartment, i.e. designed to receive an SFP or QSFP module.
  • the housing 134 may be a so called SFP housing or QSFP housing, or an SFP cage or QSFP cage, i.e. a housing 134 or cage configured to receive and hold one or a plurality of SFP modules or QSFP modules.
  • a plurality of SFP modules or QSFP modules is at least two modules, i.e. two or more of SFP modules or QSFP modules.
  • the apparatus 102 may include the power module 120 and the transceiver module 1 14.
  • the apparatus 102 may comprise the signal cable 108 and the power cable 1 10.
  • the signal cable 108 is configured to provide signals to the printed circuit board 104 and the power cable 1 10 is configured to supply power to the printed circuit board 102.
  • the apparatus 202 includes a printed circuit board 204.
  • the apparatus 202 includes an interface 206 for providing a signal connection between a signal cable 108 and the printed circuit board 204 and for electrically connecting a power cable 1 10 to the printed circuit board 204.
  • the interface 206 includes:
  • a first compartment 212 attached to the printed circuit board 204 and configured to receive and hold an optical transceiver module 1 14 to which the signal cable 108 is connectable, a first connector electrically connected to the printed circuit board 204 and electrically connectable to the optical transceiver module 1 14 so as to provide a signal connection between the signal cable 108 and the printed circuit board 204,
  • a second compartment 218 attached to the printed circuit board 204 and configured to receive and hold a power module 220 to which two power cables 1 10 are connectable,
  • one or more second connectors electrically connected to the printed circuit board 204 and electrically connectable to the power module 220 so as to electrically connect the power cable 1 10 to the printed circuit board 204,
  • a third compartment 226 attached to the printed circuit board 204 and configured to receive and hold an optical transceiver module 1 14 to which the signal cable is connectable, and
  • a third connector electrically connected to the printed circuit board 204 and electrically connectable to the optical transceiver module 1 14 so as to provide a signal connection between the signal cable 108 and the printed circuit board 204.
  • the second compartment 218 is located between the printed circuit board 204 and the first compartment 212. In the shown embodiment, the second compartment 218 is located between the printed circuit board 204 and the third compartment 226. The second connector is located between the second compartment 218 and the printed circuit board 204.
  • the apparatus 202 includes a housing 234 which houses the first, second and third compartments 212, 218, 226.
  • the second compartment 218 is configured to receive and hold a power module 220 which is wider in relation to the power modules 120 of Figs. 1 to 5.
  • the power module 220 of Figs. 6 and 7 is configured to electrically and mechanically connect with two power cables 1 10.
  • the power module 220 includes a power module body 250 to which the power cable 1 10 is mechanically and electrically connectable.
  • the power module 220 includes a latch or lever 252 which is pivotably attached to the power module body 250.
  • the lever 252 is configured to interact with one or more notches or recesses 254 in the printed circuit board 204 to push the power module 220 to its place in the second compartment 218 and to pull the power module 220 out of the second compartment 218, respectively.
  • the lever 252 is configured to engage said one or more recesses 254 in the printed circuit board 204 and thus push the power module 220 to its place in the second compartment 218 and eventually lock the power module body 250 in its position in the second compartment 218.
  • the lever 252 when inserting the power module body 250 into the second compartment 218 the lever 252 may be held so it extends substantially parallel to the printed circuit board 204 and the power module 220 is slid towards its position in the second compartment 218. Thereafter, the lever 252 may be pivoted to engage the recesses 254 in the printed circuit board 204 and at the same time the lever 252 is configured to push the power module body 250 into its locked position in the second compartment 218.
  • the lever 252 may be pulled and/or pushed to extend substantially parallel to the printed circuit board 204, whereby the power module body 250 is pulled out from the second compartment 218 by the interaction between the lever 252 and the recesses 254, and subsequently the lever 252 disengages the recesses 252, as illustrated in Fig. 7.
  • the lever 252 may have a U-shape.
  • the lever 252 may comprise a grip 256 to be gripped by a user, e.g. gripped by the finger of the user.
  • the lever 252 may have two projections 258 configured to engage the recesses 254 in the printed circuit board 204.
  • the lever 252 may be pivotally attached to the power module body 250 via a pivot axis 259.
  • the lever 252 may be pivotable in relation to the power module body 250 about the pivot axis 259.
  • the pivot axis 259 may be located between the grip 256 and the two projections 258.
  • the grip 256 and the power module body 250 may define a lever opening 260.
  • the grip 256 and the power module body 250 may be configured to surround the openings of the first and third compartments 212, 226 when the power module body 250 is in its locked position in the second compartment 218, such that optical signal cables connected to the optical transceiver modules 1 14 retained in the first and third compartments 212, 226 may extend through the lever opening 260.
  • a third compartment attached to the printed circuit board and configured to receive and hold a power module to which the power cable is connectable
  • a third connector electrically connected to the printed circuit board and electrically connectable to the power module so as to electrically connect the power cable to the printed circuit board, wherein one of the first and third compartments is located between the printed circuit board and the other one of the first and third compartments.
  • the embodiments of the present invention also comprise a network access node for a wireless communication system, wherein the network access node comprises an apparatus 102, 202 according to any one of the embodiments disclosed above.
  • a part of the network access node is illustrated by Fig. 5, where a so called the maintenance cavity 142 is shown, in which cables 108, 1 10 are connected to the transceiver modules 1 14 and the power modules 120.
  • the network access node may comprise a base station, for example a base radio station.
  • the network access node may include one or more antennas.
  • the base station may have a housing which houses the antenna. Alternatively, the antenna is mounted outside the housing of the base station, for example with a distance to the housing of the base station.
  • the antenna may be directly or indirectly connectable to the printed circuit board via a suitable cable. In general, the antenna is connectable to the printed circuit board via a filter of the network access node.

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Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (102; 202) comprising a printed circuit board (104; 204) and an interface (106; 206) for providing a signal connection between a signal cable (108) and the printed circuit board (104; 204) and for providing an electrical connection between a power cable (110) and the printed circuit board (104; 204). The interface (106; 206) includes a first compartment (112; 212) attached to the printed circuit board (104; 204) and configured to receive and hold a transceiver module (114) to which the signal cable (108) is connectable. Further, the interface (106; 206) comprises a first connector (116) electrically connected to the printed circuit board (104; 204) and electrically connectable to the transceiver module (114) so as to provide a signal connection between the signal cable (108) and the printed circuit board (104; 204). The interface (106; 206) also has a second compartment (118; 218) attached to the printed circuit board (104; 204) and configured to receive and hold a power module (120; 220) to which the power cable (110) is connectable. Further, the interface (106; 206) includes a second connector (122) electrically connected to the printed circuit board (104; 204) and electrically connectable to the power module (120; 220) in order to electrically connect the power cable (110) to the printed circuit board (102; 204). The first compartment (112; 212) is located between the second compartment (118) and the printed circuit board (104; 204), or the second compartment (118; 218) is located between the printed circuit board (104; 204) and the first compartment (112; 212). Advantages of the embodiments of the present invention is that installation space is saved, and the cooling capacity of a network access node can be increased. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a network access node for a wireless communication system, wherein the network access node comprises the apparatus (102; 202).

Description

AN APPARATUS FOR CONNECTING A SIGNAL CABLE AND A POWER CABLE TO A PRINITED CIRCUIT BOARD
Technical Field
The invention relates to an apparatus comprising a printed circuit board and an interface for providing a signal connection between a signal cable and the printed circuit board, PCB, and for providing an electrical connection between a power cable and the printed circuit board. Further, the invention relates to a network access node for a wireless communication system, wherein the network access node comprises an apparatus of the above-mentioned sort. The network access node may comprise a base station.
Background
Conventionally, to connect a signal cable, for example an optical signal cable, to a printed circuit board of an electrical apparatus, for example a base station unit or radio unit, the electrical apparatus has an interface to which a signal cable is connectable for providing signals to the printed circuit board. In general, the electrical apparatus also includes an interface for the electrical connection between a power cable and the printed circuit board for the provision of electrical power to the printed circuit board and to other electrical equipment of the electrical apparatus. The interface for the signal cable may include a transceiver, for example an optical transceiver, which is electrically connected to the printed circuit board. When in use, heat is generated by the transceiver and by the printed circuit board. The heat may negatively affect the transceiver and the components of the printed circuit board.
Summary
An object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a solution which mitigates or solves the drawbacks and problems of conventional solutions.
According to a first aspect of the invention, the above mentioned and other objects are achieved with an apparatus comprising a printed circuit board, PCB, and an interface for providing a signal connection between a signal cable and the printed circuit board and for providing an electrical connection between a power cable and the printed circuit board. The interface comprises:
a first compartment attached to the printed circuit board and configured to receive and hold a transceiver module to which the signal cable is connectable,
a first connector electrically connected to the printed circuit board and electrically connectable to the transceiver module so as to provide a signal connection between the signal cable and the printed circuit board, a second compartment attached to the printed circuit board and configured to receive and hold a power module to which the power cable is connectable, and
a second connector electrically connected to the printed circuit board and electrically connectable to the power module so as to electrically connect the power cable to the printed circuit board, wherein
one of the first and second compartments is located between the printed circuit board and the other one of the first and second compartments.
Thus, the first compartment is located between the second compartment and the printed circuit board, or the second compartment is located between the printed circuit board and the first compartment.
Conventionally, the cable connections have been placed side by side along the printed circuit board, in most cases along one and the same side of the printed circuit board. By contrast, in accordance with the apparatus according to the first aspect, the first and second compartments of the interface are stacked. In this manner, the required connection space for cable connections can be efficiently reduced and the apparatus can be smaller. A connection space in a base station unit or radio unit may be called a maintenance cavity. By stacking the first and second compartments in accordance with the apparatus according to the first aspect, the maintenance cavity of a base station unit or radio unit can be radically reduced in size. By reducing the size of the maintenance cavity of the base station unit or radio unit, there is more room for the heat sink of the base station unit or radio unit, especially the fin structure of the heat sink, to increase in size without increasing the total size of the base station unit or radio unit. Thus, an advantage with apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention is that the cooling capacity of the base station unit or radio unit is increased, as a result of the increase of the size of the heat sink enabled by the embodiments/implementation forms of the present invention without increasing the total size of the base station unit or radio unit.
In an implementation form of an apparatus according to the first aspect, the second connector is located between the second compartment and the printed circuit board. An advantage with this implementation form is that an advantageous electrical connection between the power module and the printed circuit board is provided.
In an implementation form of an apparatus according to the first aspect, the first compartment has a first opening for receiving the transceiver module, wherein the second compartment has a second opening for receiving the power module, and wherein the second connector is located between the first connector and the second opening. An advantage with this implementation form is that an advantageous electrical connection between the power module and the printed circuit board is provided.
In an implementation form of an apparatus according to the first aspect, the apparatus comprises a housing attached to the printed circuit board, wherein the housing houses the first and second compartments. The material of the housing may comprise or consist of a metal or a metal alloy.
In an implementation form of an apparatus according to the first aspect, the housing houses the first connector and the second connector. An advantage with this implementation form is that an advantageous electrical connection between the power module and the printed circuit board and an advantageous electrical connection between the transceiver module and the printed circuit board are provided.
In an implementation form of an apparatus according to the first aspect, the second connector is mechanically detachably connectable to the power module. An advantage with this implementation form is that a flexible electrical connection between the power module and the printed circuit board is provided.
In an implementation form of an apparatus according to the first aspect, the first connector is mechanically detachably connectable to the transceiver module. An advantage with this implementation form is that a flexible electrical connection between the transceiver module and the printed circuit board is provided.
In an implementation form of an apparatus according to the first aspect, the second compartment is configured to detachably secure the power module. An advantage with this implementation form is that a flexible mechanical connection for the power module is provided.
In an implementation form of an apparatus according to the first aspect, the first compartment is configured to detachably secure the transceiver module. An advantage with this implementation form is that a flexible mechanical connection for the transceiver module is provided.
In an implementation form of an apparatus according to the first aspect, the second compartment is configured to receive and hold the power module which is any module from the group comprising: a small form-factor pluggable, SFP, module and a quad small form- factor pluggable, QSFP, module. SFP and QSFP per se are concepts known to the person skilled in the art. An advantage with this implementation form is that a flexible mechanical connection for the power module is provided involving the known concepts SFP and QSFP.
In an implementation form of an apparatus according to the first aspect, the first compartment is configured to receive and hold the transceiver module which is any module from the group comprising: a small form-factor pluggable, SFP, module and a quad small form-factor pluggable, QSFP, module. An advantage with this implementation form is that a flexible mechanical connection for the transceiver module is provided involving the known concepts SFP and QSFP.
In an implementation form of an apparatus according to the first aspect, the first compartment is configured to receive and hold an optical transceiver module to which an optical signal cable is optically and mechanically connectable, the optical transceiver module being configured to convert optical signals to electrical signals, wherein the first connector is electrically connectable to the optical transceiver module so as to provide a signal connection between the optical signal cable and the printed circuit board. An optical transceiver module is a considerable heat generator. By this embodiment, the optical transceiver module can be located at a distance from the printed circuit board without contributing to a considerable increase of the size of the maintenance cavity of a base station unit or radio unit.
In an implementation form of an apparatus according to the first aspect, the apparatus comprises the power module.
In an implementation form of an apparatus according to the first aspect, the apparatus comprises the transceiver module.
In an implementation form of an apparatus according to the first aspect, the interface comprises:
a third compartment attached to the printed circuit board and configured to receive and hold a transceiver module to which the signal cable is connectable,
a third connector electrically connected to the printed circuit board and electrically connectable to the transceiver module so as to provide a signal connection between the signal cable and the printed circuit board,
a fourth compartment attached to the printed circuit board and configured to receive and hold a power module to which the power cable is connectable, and a fourth connector electrically connected to the printed circuit board and electrically connectable to the power module so as to electrically connect the power cable to the printed circuit board, wherein
one of the third and fourth compartments is located between the printed circuit board and the other one of the third and fourth compartments. An advantage with this implementation form is an advantageous arrangement of the cable connections.
In an implementation form of an apparatus according to the first aspect, the interface comprises:
a third compartment attached to the printed circuit board and configured to receive and hold a transceiver module to which the signal cable is connectable, and
a third connector electrically connected to the printed circuit board and electrically connectable to the transceiver module so as to provide a signal connection between the signal cable and the printed circuit board, wherein
one of the second and third compartments is located between the printed circuit board and the other one of the second and third compartments. An advantage with this implementation form is an advantageous arrangement of the cable connections.
In an implementation form of an apparatus according to the first aspect, the interface comprises:
a third compartment attached to the printed circuit board and configured to receive and hold a power module to which the power cable is connectable, and
a third connector electrically connected to the printed circuit board and electrically connectable to the power module so as to electrically connect the power cable to the printed circuit board, wherein
one of the first and third compartments is located between the printed circuit board and the other one of the first and third compartments. An advantage with this implementation form is an advantageous arrangement of the cable connections.
According to a second aspect of the invention, the above mentioned and other objects are achieved with a network access node for a wireless communication system, wherein the network access node comprises an apparatus according to any one of the appended claims 1 to 16 or according to any of the above- or below-mentioned embodiments of the apparatus. The network access node may include a base station.
Further applications and advantages of the embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description. Brief Description of the Drawings
The appended drawings are intended to clarify and explain different embodiments of the invention, in which:
- Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus according to a first
embodiment of the invention, with the transceiver modules and the power modules not yet installed, and the power modules and their second connectors in an exploded view
- Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 with the transceiver modules not yet installed;
- Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 with the transceiver modules installed but without power modules;
- Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the apparatus of Figs. 1 to 3 with both the transceiver modules and the power modules installed;
- Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 4 with signal cables and power cables connected;
- Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention, with two transceiver modules and one power module installed; and
- Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 6 before a complete installation of the power module.
Detailed Description
With reference to Figs. 1 to 5, an apparatus 102 according to a first embodiment of the invention is schematically shown. Figs. 1 to 4 show both empty compartments where modules have not yet been installed and compartments where modules have been installed. With reference to Figs. 2 to 4, the apparatus 102 includes a printed circuit board, PCB, 104. Figs. 2 to 4 only show a portion of the printed circuit board 104. A printed circuit board 104 having various components is known to the person skilled in the art and thus not disclosed in further detail. The apparatus 102 includes an interface 106 for providing a signal connection between a signal cable 108 (see Fig. 5) and the printed circuit board 104. The interface 106 is also configured to provide an electrical connection between a power cable 1 10 (see Fig. 5) and the printed circuit board 104. The power cable 1 10 is an electrical cable and may be called an electrical power cable or an electric power cable. The interface 106 includes:
a first compartment 1 12 attached to the printed circuit board 104 and configured to receive and hold a transceiver module 1 14 to which the signal cable 108 is connectable, a first connector 1 16 electrically connected to the printed circuit board 104 and electrically connectable to the transceiver module 1 14 so as to provide a signal connection between the signal cable 108 and the printed circuit board 104,
a second compartment 1 18 attached to the printed circuit board 104 and configured to receive and hold a power module 120 to which the power cable 1 10 is connectable, and
a second connector 122 electrically connected to the printed circuit board 104 and electrically connectable to the power module 120 so as to electrically connect the power cable 1 10 to the printed circuit board 104.
One 1 12, 1 18 of the first and second compartments 1 12, 1 18 is located between the printed circuit board 104 and the other one 1 12, 1 18 of the first and second compartments 1 12, 1 18. Thus, the first compartment 1 12 is located between the second compartment 1 18 and the printed circuit board 104, or the second compartment 1 18 is located between the printed circuit board 104 and the first compartment 1 12.
The inventor of the present invention has considered the limited space for the interface of cable connections in certain electrical equipment, e.g. in a base station unit or radio unit. In accordance with the apparatus 102 according to the first aspect, the first and second compartments 1 12, 1 18 of the interface 106 are stacked, one above the other. In this manner, the required connection space for cable connections is efficiently reduced and the apparatus 102 can be reduced in size. As mentioned above, a connection space in a base station unit or radio unit may be called a maintenance cavity. By stacking the first and second compartments in accordance with the apparatus according to the first aspect, the maintenance cavity of a base station unit or radio unit can be reduced in size. By reducing the size of the maintenance cavity of the base station unit or radio unit, more room can be provided for the heat sink of the base station unit or radio unit, especially the fin structure of the heat sink, to increase in size without increasing the total size of the base station unit or radio unit. In general, the heat sink incudes a fin structure including a plurality of cooling fins. The size of the base station unit or radio unit is an important factor since there is a demand for base station units or radio units of a small size. However, there is also a demand for higher output power which requires increased cooling capacity. As a result of the increase of the size of the heat sink enabled by the embodiments of the present invention, the cooling capacity of the base station unit or radio unit is increased.
Thus, the heat dissipation or cooling of an electrical apparatus, especially a base station unit or radio unit, is efficiently improved, since there is more space for heat sink and the fins of the heat sink and the heat sink can increase in size, especially the cooling fin volume, and consequently the cooling capacity of the heat sink is increased. By the improved cooling, the temperature of the transceiver module, e.g. an optical transceiver module, and the temperature of the printed circuit board can be reduced, which result in a longer life time for the components of the printed circuit board and the transceiver module. For example, the reliability and life time of an optical transceiver module is related to the module temperature, i.e. the temperature of the module.
By the stacking of the first and second compartments 1 12, 1 18 of the interface 106, one on top of the other, more area of the printed circuit board 104 can be used for other electrical components instead of being used for cable connections.
In some embodiments, the first compartment may be located between the printed circuit board 104 and the second compartment. However, the inventor of the present invention has appreciated that the heat generation of the transceiver module 1 14, especially an optical transceiver module 1 14, is problematic. An optical transceiver module 1 14 converts optical signals from an optical signal cable 108 to electrical signals to be transmitted to the printed circuit board 104. Heat is produced when the optical transceiver module 1 14 converts optical signals to electrical signals. Firstly, the optical transceiver module 1 14 per se is sensitive to high temperatures. High temperatures reduce the life time of the optical transceiver module 1 14. Typical allowed maximum temperatures for the optical transceiver module 1 14 is 75°C or 85°C. Secondly, the printed circuit board 104 is sensitive to high temperatures which have negative effects on the components of the printed circuit board 104. Thus, the inventor of the present invention has appreciated the importance of heat dissipation regarding the optical transceiver module 1 14. By placing the second compartment 1 18 holding the power module 120, which is not a considerable heat-generator, between the printed circuit board 104 and the first compartment 1 12 holding the transceiver module 1 14, the transceiver module 1 14 is moved away from the printed circuit board 104, whereby the printed circuit board 104 is exposed to less heat from the transceiver module 1 14. Thus, the temperature of the printed circuit board 104 can be reduced and the life time of the temperature-sensitive components of the printed circuit board 104 can be increased. The risk of overheating of the printed circuit board 104 is also reduced.
Thus, with reference to the above, in the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 5, the second compartment 1 18 is located between the printed circuit board 104 and the first compartment 1 12, whereby the power module 120 installed in the second compartment 1 18 is positioned between the printed circuit board 104 and the transceiver module 1 14 installed in the first compartment 1 12. Hereby, the installed transceiver module 1 14 is positioned at a longer distance to the printed circuit board 104 in relation to the installed power module 120. In other words, the transceiver module 1 14 installed in the first compartment 1 12 is positioned at a first distance to the printed circuit board 104 and the power module 120 installed in the second compartment 1 18 is positioned at a second distance to the printed circuit board 104, wherein the first distance exceeds the second distance.
As shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the first and second compartments are stacked one on top of the other in a first direction 1 19, which is perpendicular or transverse to the plane of the printed circuit board 104, and are not positioned side by side on the printed circuit board 104. A first line 121 (see Fig. 2) which is perpendicular to the plane of the printed circuit board 104 intersects both the first compartment 1 12 and the second compartment 1 18. In the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 5, the first compartment 1 12 is adjacent to the second compartment 1 18. The first and second compartments 1 12, 1 18 may share a common wall 124.
A signal connection is a connection for signal transmission between two entities. The signal connection may be an optical signal connection for optical signals or an electrical signal connection for electrical signals. The signal connection may also be a combination of an optical signal connection and an electrical signal connection.
As mentioned above, the signal cable 108 and the printed circuit board 104 are connected to each other by a signal connection. Thus, the signal cable 108 is signal-connectable to the transceiver module 1 14, i.e. a signal connection can be provided between the signal cable 108 and the transceiver module 1 14. The signal cable 108 is both signal-connectable and mechanically connectable to the transceiver module 1 14.
Further, as mentioned above, the power cable 1 10 is electrically connected to the printed circuit board 104. Thus, the power cable 1 10 is electrically connectable to the power module 120. The power cable 1 10 is both electrically connectable and mechanically connectable to the power module 120. The power cable 1 10 may be attached to the power module 120 by means of a screw plinth termination or by other suitable means.
Further, as mentioned above, the first connector 1 16 is electrically connected to the printed circuit board 104. Thus, there is a physical connection, for example a mechanical connection or a connection by other means, between the first connector 1 16 and the printed circuit board 104. The first connector 1 16 may for example be soldered to the printed circuit board 104. Also, as mentioned above, the first connector 1 16 is electrically connectable to the transceiver module 1 14. Thus, the first connector 1 16 is also physically and mechanically connectable to the transceiver module 1 14.
Further, as mentioned above, the second connector 122 is electrically connected to the printed circuit board 104. Thus, there is a physical connection, for example a mechanical connection or a connection by other means, between the second connector 122 and the printed circuit board 104. The second connector 122 may for example be soldered to the printed circuit board 104.
Also, as mentioned above, the second connector 122 is electrically connectable to the power module 120. Thus, the second connector 122 is also physically and mechanically connectable to the power module. The second connector 122 may include a male-type connector member 123 configured to engage a female-type connector member of the power module 120.
Further, with reference to Figs. 1 to 5, the interface 106 includes:
a third compartment 126 attached to the printed circuit board 104 and configured to receive and hold a transceiver module 1 14 to which the signal cable 108 is connectable, a third connector 128 electrically connected to the printed circuit board 104 and electrically connectable to the transceiver module 1 14 so as to provide a signal connection between the signal cable 108 and the printed circuit board 104,
a fourth compartment 130 attached to the printed circuit board 104 and configured to receive and hold a power module 120 to which the power cable 1 10 is connectable, and
a fourth connector 132 electrically connected to the printed circuit board 104 and electrically connectable to the power module 120 so as to electrically connect the power cable 108 to the printed circuit board 104. One of the third and fourth compartments 126, 130 is located between the printed circuit board 104 and the other one of the third and fourth compartments 126, 130. The third compartment 126 may be positioned in relation to the fourth compartment 130 in similar ways as for the first compartment 1 12 in relation to the second compartments 1 18.
The apparatus 102 of Figs. 1 to 5 includes a housing 134 attached to the printed circuit board 104. The housing 134, which also may be called cage, houses the first, second, third and fourth compartments 1 12, 1 18, 126, 130. In this embodiment, the material of the housing 134 comprises or consists of a metal or a metal alloy. The housing 134 is attached to the printed circuit board 104 by means of fasteners or tongues 136 which are inserted into holes, for example through-holes, in the printed circuit board 104 and retained or fixed in the holes by press fit or interference fit. However, other attachments are possible.
With reference to Fig. 1 , the first compartment 1 12 has a first opening 138 for receiving the transceiver module 1 14, the second compartment 1 18 has a second opening 140 for receiving the power module 120, and the second connector 122 is located between the first connector 1 16 and the second opening 140. The housing 134 houses the first connector 1 16 and the second connector 122. The second connector 122 is mechanically detachably connectable to the power module 120, i.e. the second connector 122 is detachably connectable to the power module 120 in a mechanical sense. The first connector 1 16 is mechanically detachably connectable to the transceiver module 1 14, i.e. the first connector 1 16 is detachably connectable to the transceiver module 1 14 in a mechanical sense. The same applies for the third and fourth connectors 128, 132 and the third and fourth compartments 126, 130.
Each of the first and third compartment 1 12, 126 is configured to receive and hold an optical transceiver module 1 14 to which an optical signal cable 108 is optically and mechanically connectable. The optical transceiver module 1 14 is configured to convert optical signals to electrical signals, and each of the first and third connectors 1 16, 128 is electrically connectable to the optical transceiver module 1 14 so as to provide a signal connection between the optical signal cable 1 14 and the printed circuit board 104. Thus, the signal cable 108 may be an optical signal cable 108, e.g. an optical fibre cable or fibre optic cable, for optical signals. However, in other embodiments the signal cable 108 may be an electrical signal cable for electrical signals.
It is to be understood that the third and/or fourth compartment 126, 130 in Fig. 1 can be excluded, which provides an embodiment with the first and second compartments 1 12, 1 18 only or an embodiment with the first, second and third compartments 1 12, 1 18, 126 only or an embodiment with the first, second and fourth compartments 1 12, 1 18 130 only. In other words, one or two compartments of the four-compartment interface 106 may be excluded, turning the interface into a two-compartment interface or a three-compartment interface.
In the embodiment disclosed above, to each transceiver 1 14 two signal cables 108 are connectable. However, in other embodiments, a transceiver module may be configured for connection with one signal cable only.
Each of the first compartment 1 12 and third 126 is configured to detachably secure the transceiver module 1 14, whereby the transceiver module 1 14 is easily removed for replacement or for inspection and thereafter reintroduced in the first compartment 1 12 or third compartment 126. Each of the second compartment 1 18 and the fourth compartment 130 is configured to detachably secure the power module 120, whereby the power module 120 is easily removed for replacement or for inspection and thereafter reintroduced in the second compartment 1 18 or third compartment 130.
Each of the first compartment 1 12 and the third compartment 126 is configured to receive and hold the optical transceiver module 1 14 which is any module from the group including: a small form-factor pluggable, SFP, module and a quad small form-factor pluggable, QSFP, module, i.e. an optical transceiver module of a small form-factor pluggable, SFP, kind or a quad small form-factor pluggable, QSFP, kind. The optical transceiver module 1 14 is an SFP or QSFP module, and may be called an SFP or QSFP transceiver module. SFP and QSFP are known industry standards set by the Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA). Thus, SFP and QSFP per se are concepts known to the person skilled in the art and thus not disclosed in further detail. Each of the second compartment 1 18 and the fourth compartment 130 is configured to receive and hold the power module 120 which is any module from the group including: a small form-factor pluggable, SFP, module and a quad small form-factor pluggable, QSFP, module, i.e. a power module of a small form-factor pluggable, SFP, kind or a quad small form-factor pluggable, QSFP, kind. Each compartment 1 12, 1 18, 126, 130 may be called an SFP or QSFP compartment, i.e. designed to receive an SFP or QSFP module. The housing 134 may be a so called SFP housing or QSFP housing, or an SFP cage or QSFP cage, i.e. a housing 134 or cage configured to receive and hold one or a plurality of SFP modules or QSFP modules. A plurality of SFP modules or QSFP modules is at least two modules, i.e. two or more of SFP modules or QSFP modules.
The apparatus 102 may include the power module 120 and the transceiver module 1 14. The apparatus 102 may comprise the signal cable 108 and the power cable 1 10. As disclosed above, the signal cable 108 is configured to provide signals to the printed circuit board 104 and the power cable 1 10 is configured to supply power to the printed circuit board 102.
With reference to Figs. 6 and 7, an apparatus 202 according to a second embodiment of the invention is schematically illustrated. The apparatus 202 includes a printed circuit board 204. The apparatus 202 includes an interface 206 for providing a signal connection between a signal cable 108 and the printed circuit board 204 and for electrically connecting a power cable 1 10 to the printed circuit board 204. The interface 206 includes:
a first compartment 212 attached to the printed circuit board 204 and configured to receive and hold an optical transceiver module 1 14 to which the signal cable 108 is connectable, a first connector electrically connected to the printed circuit board 204 and electrically connectable to the optical transceiver module 1 14 so as to provide a signal connection between the signal cable 108 and the printed circuit board 204,
a second compartment 218 attached to the printed circuit board 204 and configured to receive and hold a power module 220 to which two power cables 1 10 are connectable,
one or more second connectors electrically connected to the printed circuit board 204 and electrically connectable to the power module 220 so as to electrically connect the power cable 1 10 to the printed circuit board 204,
a third compartment 226 attached to the printed circuit board 204 and configured to receive and hold an optical transceiver module 1 14 to which the signal cable is connectable, and
a third connector electrically connected to the printed circuit board 204 and electrically connectable to the optical transceiver module 1 14 so as to provide a signal connection between the signal cable 108 and the printed circuit board 204.
In the shown embodiment, the second compartment 218 is located between the printed circuit board 204 and the first compartment 212. In the shown embodiment, the second compartment 218 is located between the printed circuit board 204 and the third compartment 226. The second connector is located between the second compartment 218 and the printed circuit board 204. The apparatus 202 includes a housing 234 which houses the first, second and third compartments 212, 218, 226. The second compartment 218 is configured to receive and hold a power module 220 which is wider in relation to the power modules 120 of Figs. 1 to 5. The power module 220 of Figs. 6 and 7 is configured to electrically and mechanically connect with two power cables 1 10. The power module 220 includes a power module body 250 to which the power cable 1 10 is mechanically and electrically connectable.
With reference to Figs. 6 and 7, the power module 220 includes a latch or lever 252 which is pivotably attached to the power module body 250. The lever 252 is configured to interact with one or more notches or recesses 254 in the printed circuit board 204 to push the power module 220 to its place in the second compartment 218 and to pull the power module 220 out of the second compartment 218, respectively. When the power module 220 is installed in the second compartment 218 the lever 252 is configured to engage said one or more recesses 254 in the printed circuit board 204 and thus push the power module 220 to its place in the second compartment 218 and eventually lock the power module body 250 in its position in the second compartment 218. With reference to Fig. 7, when inserting the power module body 250 into the second compartment 218 the lever 252 may be held so it extends substantially parallel to the printed circuit board 204 and the power module 220 is slid towards its position in the second compartment 218. Thereafter, the lever 252 may be pivoted to engage the recesses 254 in the printed circuit board 204 and at the same time the lever 252 is configured to push the power module body 250 into its locked position in the second compartment 218.
With reference to Fig. 7, to remove the power module body 250 from the second compartment 218, the lever 252 may be pulled and/or pushed to extend substantially parallel to the printed circuit board 204, whereby the power module body 250 is pulled out from the second compartment 218 by the interaction between the lever 252 and the recesses 254, and subsequently the lever 252 disengages the recesses 252, as illustrated in Fig. 7. The lever 252 may have a U-shape. The lever 252 may comprise a grip 256 to be gripped by a user, e.g. gripped by the finger of the user. The lever 252 may have two projections 258 configured to engage the recesses 254 in the printed circuit board 204. The lever 252 may be pivotally attached to the power module body 250 via a pivot axis 259. Thus, the lever 252 may be pivotable in relation to the power module body 250 about the pivot axis 259. The pivot axis 259 may be located between the grip 256 and the two projections 258. The grip 256 and the power module body 250 may define a lever opening 260. The grip 256 and the power module body 250 may be configured to surround the openings of the first and third compartments 212, 226 when the power module body 250 is in its locked position in the second compartment 218, such that optical signal cables connected to the optical transceiver modules 1 14 retained in the first and third compartments 212, 226 may extend through the lever opening 260.
An alternative to the embodiment of Figs. 6 and 7 would be to let the interface, instead of the third compartment 226 and the third connector mentioned above, include:
a third compartment attached to the printed circuit board and configured to receive and hold a power module to which the power cable is connectable, and
a third connector electrically connected to the printed circuit board and electrically connectable to the power module so as to electrically connect the power cable to the printed circuit board, wherein one of the first and third compartments is located between the printed circuit board and the other one of the first and third compartments.
The embodiments of the present invention also comprise a network access node for a wireless communication system, wherein the network access node comprises an apparatus 102, 202 according to any one of the embodiments disclosed above. A part of the network access node is illustrated by Fig. 5, where a so called the maintenance cavity 142 is shown, in which cables 108, 1 10 are connected to the transceiver modules 1 14 and the power modules 120. The network access node may comprise a base station, for example a base radio station. The network access node may include one or more antennas. The base station may have a housing which houses the antenna. Alternatively, the antenna is mounted outside the housing of the base station, for example with a distance to the housing of the base station. The antenna may be directly or indirectly connectable to the printed circuit board via a suitable cable. In general, the antenna is connectable to the printed circuit board via a filter of the network access node.
Finally, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but also relates to and incorporates all embodiments within the scope of the appended independent claims.

Claims

1 . An apparatus (102; 202) comprising
- a printed circuit board (104; 204) and
- an interface (106; 206) for providing a signal connection between a signal cable (108) and the printed circuit board (104; 204) and for providing an electrical connection between a power cable (1 10) and the printed circuit board (104; 204),
the interface (106; 206) comprising:
a first compartment (1 12; 212) attached to the printed circuit board (104; 204) and configured to receive and hold a transceiver module (1 14) to which the signal cable (108) is connectable,
a first connector (1 16) electrically connected to the printed circuit board (104; 204) and electrically connectable to the transceiver module (1 14) so as to provide a signal connection between the signal cable (108) and the printed circuit board (104; 204),
a second compartment (1 18; 218) attached to the printed circuit board (104; 204) and configured to receive and hold a power module (120; 220) to which the power cable (1 10) is connectable, and
a second connector (122) electrically connected to the printed circuit board (104; 204) and electrically connectable to the power module (120; 220) so as to electrically connect the power cable (1 10) to the printed circuit board (102; 204), wherein
one (1 12, 1 18; 212, 218) of the first and second compartments (1 12, 1 18; 212, 218) is located between the printed circuit board (104; 204) and the other one (1 12, 1 18; 212, 218) of the first and second compartments (1 12, 1 18; 212, 218).
2. An apparatus (102; 202) according to claim 1 , wherein the second connector (122) is located between the second compartment (1 18; 218) and the printed circuit board (104; 204).
3. An apparatus (102; 202) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first compartment (1 12) has a first opening (138) for receiving the transceiver module (1 14), wherein the second compartment (1 18) has a second opening (140) for receiving the power module (120), and wherein the second connector (122) is located between the first connector (1 16) and the second opening (140).
4. An apparatus (102; 202) according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the apparatus (102; 202) comprises a housing (134; 234) attached to the printed circuit board (104; 204), and wherein the housing (134; 234) houses the first and second compartments (1 12, 1 18; 212, 218).
5. An apparatus (102; 202) according to claim 4, wherein the housing (134) houses the first connector (1 16) and the second connector (122).
6. An apparatus (102; 202) according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein the second connector (122) is mechanically detachably connectable to the power module (120).
7. An apparatus (102; 202) according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the first connector (1 16) is mechanically detachably connectable to the transceiver module (1 14).
8. An apparatus (102; 202) according to any one of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the second compartment (1 18; 218) is configured to detachably secure the power module (120; 220).
9. An apparatus (102; 202) according to any one of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the first compartment (1 12; 212) is configured to detachably secure the transceiver module (1 14).
10. An apparatus (102) according to any one of the claims 1 to 9, wherein the second compartment (1 18) is configured to receive and hold the power module (120) which is any module from the group comprising: a small form-factor pluggable, SFP, module and a quad small form-factor pluggable, QSFP, module.
1 1. An apparatus (102; 202) according to any one of the claims 1 to 10, wherein the first compartment (1 12; 212) is configured to receive and hold the transceiver module (1 14) which is any module from the group comprising: a small form-factor pluggable, SFP, module and a quad small form-factor pluggable, QSFP, module.
12. An apparatus (102; 202) according to any one of the claims 1 to 1 1 , wherein the first compartment (1 12; 212) is configured to receive and hold an optical transceiver module (1 14) to which an optical signal cable (108) is optically and mechanically connectable, the optical transceiver module (1 14) being configured to convert optical signals to electrical signals, wherein the first connector (1 16) is electrically connectable to the optical transceiver module (1 14) so as to provide a signal connection between the optical signal cable (108) and the printed circuit board (104; 202).
13. An apparatus (102; 202) according to any one of the claims 1 to 12, wherein the apparatus (102; 202) comprises the power module (120; 220).
14. An apparatus (102; 202) according to any one of the claims 1 to 13, wherein the apparatus (102; 202) comprises the transceiver module (1 14).
15. An apparatus (102) according to any one of the claims 1 to 14, wherein the interface (106) comprises:
a third compartment (126) attached to the printed circuit board (104) and configured to receive and hold a transceiver module (1 14) to which the signal cable (108) is connectable, a third connector (128) electrically connected to the printed circuit board (104) and electrically connectable to the transceiver module (1 14) so as to provide a signal connection between the signal cable and the printed circuit board (104),
a fourth compartment (130) attached to the printed circuit board (104) and configured to receive and hold a power module (120) to which the power cable (1 10) is connectable, and a fourth connector (132) electrically connected to the printed circuit board (104) and electrically connectable to the power module (120) so as to electrically connect the power cable (1 10) to the printed circuit board (104), wherein
one (126, 130) of the third and fourth compartments (126, 130) is located between the printed circuit board (104) and the other one (126, 130) of the third and fourth compartments (126, 130).
16. An apparatus (202) according to any one of the claims 1 to 14, wherein the interface (206) comprises:
a third compartment (226) attached to the printed circuit board (204) and configured to receive and hold a transceiver module (1 14) to which the signal cable (108) is connectable, and
a third connector electrically connected to the printed circuit board (204) and electrically connectable to the transceiver module (1 14) so as to provide a signal connection between the signal cable (108) and the printed circuit board (204), wherein
one (212, 226) of the second and third compartments (212, 226) is located between the printed circuit board (204) and the other one (212, 226) of the second and third compartments (212, 226).
17. A network access node for a wireless communication system, wherein the network access node comprises an apparatus (102; 202) according to any one of the claims 1 to 16.
PCT/EP2019/059756 2019-04-16 2019-04-16 An apparatus for connecting a signal cable and a power cable to a prinited circuit board WO2020211928A1 (en)

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PCT/EP2019/059756 WO2020211928A1 (en) 2019-04-16 2019-04-16 An apparatus for connecting a signal cable and a power cable to a prinited circuit board

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PCT/EP2019/059756 WO2020211928A1 (en) 2019-04-16 2019-04-16 An apparatus for connecting a signal cable and a power cable to a prinited circuit board

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Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20130051737A1 (en) * 2011-08-29 2013-02-28 Nai-Chien Chang Optoelectronic signal conversion module
WO2017075558A1 (en) * 2015-10-30 2017-05-04 Vapor IO Inc. Hot-pluggable connection for data communications

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20130051737A1 (en) * 2011-08-29 2013-02-28 Nai-Chien Chang Optoelectronic signal conversion module
WO2017075558A1 (en) * 2015-10-30 2017-05-04 Vapor IO Inc. Hot-pluggable connection for data communications

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