JPH012274A - Packaged microwave integrated circuit connector assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to radio frequency connector assemblies for interconnecting microwave integrated circuits packaged in conductive housings.

In the past, packaged microwave integrated circuits
In general, radio frequencies are interconnected, i.e., coupled, by a single fill connector with a male connector fixed to each housing with a female coupler.As the frequencies increase and the package becomes smaller, it is difficult to use conventional connectors. become. As a result, packages have been simplified to include leads that pass through insulating beads that form part of the package housing.

The connector consists of a center conductor and an outer conductor for receiving the leads. A conductive connection gasket provides contact between the outer conductor and the housing. A problem with such connectors is the fact that as the temperature changes, metal-to-metal contact is often lost and the coaxial ground return circuit connection (and thus boundary impedance) becomes intermittent.

The inherent low profile of the connector assembly of the present invention allows the subsystem designer to use a relatively simple flat mounting surface for mounting flat pack microwave integrated circuits. The basic design of the connector assembly ensures the highest level of mechanical integrity despite ambient temperature changes,
while maintaining a completely disconnected, constant impedance radio frequency propagation line connection.

The connector assembly consists of three parts: one interconnection body (or barrel) and two identical electrically conductive compression gaskets. The compression gasket has the function of maintaining a coaxial ground return connection between the package and the interconnect body even when the subsystem is subjected to temperature changes. This is an important feature of the connector when stable high frequency performance is required. The connector assembly can be utilized to implement subsystems consisting of multiple microwave integrated circuits arranged in any desired planar pattern.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved low profile radio frequency connector assembly for interconnecting packaged microwave integrated circuits.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved radio frequency connector assembly that maintains metal contact (and thus constant impedance) between microwave integrated circuit packages with temperature changes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a connector assembly that provides a consistent connection by limiting gasket compression during interconnection of microwave integrated circuits.

The foregoing and other objects include: an interconnection body having a center contact supported on said body by a dielectric sleeve; a cylindrical rim coaxial with the center contact and extending outwardly from each side of the body a predetermined distance; The first diameter corresponds to the diameter of the shaped rim.
a disc-shaped compression gasket including an axially outwardly extending flange and a second axially oppositely extending flange, the connector connecting a microwave integrated circuit packaged in a conductive housing. The thickness of the gasket and the length of the cylindrical rim are selected so that the gasket maintains effective electrical contact between the housing of the integrated circuit package and the connector body subject to temperature changes.

Next, the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows microwave integrated circuit packages 11 and 12 interconnected by a connector 13 of the present invention. The integrated circuit package includes leads 14 extending outwardly and connecting to the packaged integrated circuit. Leads 14 include It is supported by an insulating bead 16 suitably secured to the housing wall and sealed to the housing.

In accordance with the present invention, a connector is provided that provides a connection between the leads 14 of one housing and the corresponding leads 14 of an adjacent housing, and also provides effective electrical contact between the walls 17 of the housings.

The connector 13 has a circumferential groove 23 with a conductor 21 drilled to provide a hole or opening 22.
It is formed between both ends of 2.

The conductor supports a dielectric cylinder 24, which may be, for example, TFE fluorocarbon, and the cylinder has a center contact 26.
is supported. More specifically, the cylinder 24 is provided with a rim 27. When the cylinder 24 is inserted into the hole, the rim 27 snaps into the groove 23 until the cylinder 24 is inserted into the hole.
is deformed, thereby locking the insulating member within the housing.

Cylinder 24 includes a hole 28 with serrated grooves 29. A serrated rim 30 is formed on the center conductor.

When the center conductor is forced into the cylinder 24, the cylinder deforms allowing the center conductor to be inserted and the serrated rim to engage the groove 29. The center conductor is fixed. Both ends of the center conductor are provided with a recess 3 with a slot (32).
1 so that the center conductor can slide into conductor 14 . The connector body assembly consists of an outer conductor, a main body,
and forming a coaxial assembly including a center conductor coaxially supported by a dielectric member.

According to the invention, an electrically conductive compression gasket is provided which rests in the recess formed by the cylindrical rim 34 formed in the body 21. The gasket connects the main body 21 and the housing wall 17.
give contact between

The gasket has a first diameter that is the same as the inner diameter of the rim 34.
and a second outwardly and axially oppositely extending flange 36 configured to abut the housing surface 17 . The gasket is compressed, thereby providing effective electrical contact between the outer surfaces of the two axially and radially extending flange members and the associated body and housing.

In accordance with the present invention, the size of the rim 34 and the thickness of the gasket are such that during assembly of the package, gasket compression will occur on the rim 34.
4 to ensure accurate and repeatable compression. This ensures effective electrical contact and maintains a good ground return connection between the connector body and the package housing despite temperature changes.

With particular reference to FIG. 5, the maximum allowable deflection of flange 35 is determined by calculating the deflection, which deflection is determined at the contact point at the edge of dielectric member 24, specifically at the contact point indicated by arrow 37. be. Similarly, critical points of contact with the housing are indicated by arrows 38. When the deflection to these two points is known, the length of the rim 34 is selected so that the rim contacts the housing and does not allow the gasket to compress further and prevent expansion of the housing and connector due to changes in ambient temperature. Guarantees accurate, repeatable and effective contact even in the presence of shrinkage.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing two integrated microwave circuits packaged in a housing interconnected by the connector of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an end view taken along line 2-2 of the first [4]. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the connector interconnecting the housings taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 4 is an end view of the connector taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 3. FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a conductive compression gasket that provides a valid electrical connection despite temperature changes. 11.12... Integrated circuit package, 13... Connector, 14... Lead wire, 17... Housing wall, 21... Conductor, 22... Opening, 24... Cylinder, 33... ...Gasket, 35.36...Flange.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A connector for interconnecting microwave integrated circuit packages of the type including a housing having a penetrating body consisting of an insulating bead and a center conductor, in which a conductive connector body, a center contact, and a center contact are coaxially disposed within the body. a supporting dielectric sleeve; a cylindrical rim extending outwardly from the body a predetermined distance and coaxial with respect to the central contact; and a first outer axially extending rim having a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the cylindrical rim. a disk-shaped gasket having a flange and a second opposing axially extending flange, the thickness of the gasket between the flanges and the length of the cylindrical rim being such that the gasket is connected to the integrated circuit package housing. and a connector body selected to maintain effective electrical contact between the connector body and the connector body with temperature changes. 2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the second outwardly extending flange has a smaller diameter than the first outwardly extending flange.