US6281844B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical component and an electrical circuit module having connected ground planes
Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
•
Filing: 1999-11-03
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Granted: 2001-08-28
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Expires: 2019-11-03
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to an electrical component (CO) as well as a device (DEV) comprising such an electrical component (CO) and an electric circuit module (MO). A ground plane ( 4 ) of the component (CO) and a ground plane ( 2 ) of the circuit module (MO) are brought into contact via projections ( 4 ″) provided on the ground plane ( 4 ) of the component (CO) and/or on the ground plane of the circuit module (MO). The provision of the projections ( 4 ″) and the recesses ( 4 ′) therebetween provide heat sinks between the projections ( 4 ″) when they are soldered to the ground plane ( 2 ) of the circuit module (MO). Through-holes ( 8 ′) and additional non-ground conductors ( 2 ′) can be provided between pads ( 14 ) of the ground plane ( 2 ) of the circuit module (MO) allowing an efficient use of the available space. The invention is particularly useful when a patch antenna needing a large ground plane is connected to a multilayer circuit board. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a plurality of spacer elements which are arranged between the ground planes ( 2, 4 ) of the circuit module (MO) and of the component (CO), such that the ground planes ( 2, 4 ) can be kept flat. This allows a design of the configuration of the ground plane of the circuit module (MO) independently from a configuration of the component (CO).
Inventors
- 👤 Walter Kodim
- 👤 Frank Bäuerlein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:21
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K1/00; H05K1/18; H01; H01Q; H01Q9/00; H01Q9/04; H01Q9/0407; H01Q19/00; H01Q19/10; H05K3/00; H05K3/30; H05K3/32; H05K3/34; H05K3/341; H05K1/02; H05K1/0213; H05K1/0237; H05K1/0243; H05K2201/00; H05K2201/03; H05K2201/0332; H05K2201/0364; H05K2201/0373; H05K2201/10; H05K2201/10431; H05K2201/10568; H05K2201/10613; H05K2201/10954; H05K2201/10969; H05K2201/20; H05K2201/2036; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
An electrical component (CO) comprising: a base ( 3 ); and a ground plane ( 4 ) having a front surface and a back surface, said back surface of the ground plane ( 4 ) being connected to a surface of the base ( 3 ), and said front surface of said ground plane ( 4 ) being adapted to be connected with a ground plane ( 2 ) of an electrical circuit module (MO); wherein said front surface of said ground plane ( 4 ) is provided with a plurality of projections ( 4 ″) and recesses ( 4 ′) between the projections ( 4 ″) arranged according to a predetermined arrangement pattern; and wherein said ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO) is mechanically and electrically connected with the ground plane ( 2 ) of the electrical circuit module (MO) only at specific locations of said projections ( 4 ″).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
An electrical component (CO) comprising: a base ( 3 ); and a ground plane ( 4 ) having a front surface and a back surface, said back surface of the ground plane ( 4 ) being connected to a surface of the base ( 3 ), and said front surface of said ground plane ( 4 ) being adapted to be connected with a ground plane ( 2 ) of an electrical circuit module (MO); wherein said front surface of said ground plane ( 4 ) is provided with a plurality of projections ( 4 ″) and recesses ( 4 ′) between the projections ( 4 ″) arranged according to a predetermined arrangement pattern; and wherein said ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO) is mechanically and electrically connected with the ground plane ( 2 ) of the electrical circuit module (MO) only at specific locations of said projections ( 4 ″).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electrical component (CO) according to claim 1 , wherein said electrical component (CO) is a patch antenna ( 3 , 4 , 11 ).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The electrical component (CO) according to claim 2 , wherein said patch antenna is a ceramic patch antenna including a ceramic substrate ( 3 ) having on a first side a conducting layer ( 11 ) and on a second side opposite said first side said ground plane ( 4 ).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electrical component (CO) according to claim 1 , wherein said electrical component (CO) is a filter or a power amplifier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The electrical component (CO) according to claim 1 , wherein at the specific locations of the projections ( 4 ″) a conductive adhesive or solder is provided.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrical component (CO) according to claim 1 , wherein the arrangement pattern of said projections ( 4 ″) is a regular grid pattern.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
The electrical component (CO) according to claim 1 , wherein the arrangement pattern of said projections ( 4 ″) is an irregular grid pattern, where distances (dx ν , dy ν ) in a first or second direction of the grid between individual projections ( 4 ″) are different to each other and increase or decrease in said first or second direction of the grid.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
138 words
A device (DEV) comprising an electrical circuit module (MO) having a ground plane ( 2 ) and at least one electrical component (CO) said at least one electrical component (CO) comprising: a base ( 3 ); and a ground plane ( 4 ) having a front surface and a back surface, said back surface of the ground plane ( 4 ) being connected to a surface of the base ( 3 ), and said front surface of said ground plane ( 4 ) being adapted to be connected with a ground plane ( 2 ) of the electrical circuit module (MO); wherein the ground plane ( 2 ) of the electrical circuit module (MO) and said ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO) are mechanically and electrically connected only via the projections ( 4 ″).
Claim 10
Independent Claim
138 words
A device (DEV) comprising an electrical circuit module (MO) having a ground plane ( 2 ) and at least one electrical component (CO) said at least one electrical component (CO) comprising: a base ( 3 ); and a ground plane ( 4 ) having a front surface and a back surface, said back surface of the ground plane ( 4 ) being connected to a surface of the base ( 3 ), and said front surface of said ground plane ( 4 ) being adapted to be connected with a ground plane ( 2 ) of the electrical circuit module (MO); wherein the ground plane ( 2 ) of the electrical circuit module (MO) and said ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO) are mechanically and electrically connected only via the projections ( 4 ″).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device according to claim 8 , wherein said electrical component (CO) is a patch antenna ( 3 , 4 , 11 ).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device according to claim 9 , wherein said patch antenna is a ceramic patch antenna including a ceramic substrate ( 3 ) having on a first side a conducting layer ( 11 ) and on a second side opposite said first side said ground plane ( 4 ).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device according to claim 8 , wherein said electrical component (CO) is a filter or a power amplifier.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
71 words
The device according to claim 8 , wherein said projections ( 4 ″) are provided on the ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO), and said ground plane ( 2 ) of said electrical circuit module (MO) comprises a conductor pad ( 14 ) pattern corresponding to the arrangement pattern of said projections ( 4 ″) of said ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device according to claim 8 , wherein said electrical circuit module (MO) is a printed circuit board.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device according to claim 8 , wherein said projections ( 4 ″) are provided with solder or a conductive adhesive.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device according to claim 8 , wherein the arrangement pattern of said projections ( 4 ″) is a regular grid pattern.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
63 words
The device according to claim 8 , wherein the arrangement pattern of said projections ( 4 ″) is an irregular grid pattern, where distances (dx ν , dy ν ) in a first or second direction of the grid between individual projections ( 4 ″) are different to each other and increase or decrease in said first or second direction of the grid.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
100 words
A device (DEV) comprising: an electrical circuit module (MO), wherein said electrical circuit module (MO) is a multilayer circuit board; and at least one electrical component (CO) connected at ground planes ( 2 ; 4 ) thereof; wherein said ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO) and/or said ground plane ( 2 ) of said electrical circuit module (MO) comprises a plurality of projections ( 4 ″) arranged according to a predetermined arrangement pattern; and wherein said ground planes ( 2 ; 4 ) are in electrical contact with each other via said projections ( 4 ″).
Claim 20
Independent Claim
100 words
A device (DEV) comprising: an electrical circuit module (MO), wherein said electrical circuit module (MO) is a multilayer circuit board; and at least one electrical component (CO) connected at ground planes ( 2 ; 4 ) thereof; wherein said ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO) and/or said ground plane ( 2 ) of said electrical circuit module (MO) comprises a plurality of projections ( 4 ″) arranged according to a predetermined arrangement pattern; and wherein said ground planes ( 2 ; 4 ) are in electrical contact with each other via said projections ( 4 ″).
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device according to claim 17 , wherein said multilayer circuit board comprises a plurality of through-holes ( 8 ′) and blind-holes provided between said pads ( 14 ) and connecting individual layers of said multilayer circuit board.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device according to claim 17 , wherein said multilayer circuit board comprises a plurality of signal conductors ( 2 ′) not having a ground potential and being arranged between said conductor pads ( 14 ).
Claim 23
Independent Claim
158 words
A device (DEV) comprising: an electrical circuit module (MO); and at least one electrical component (CO) connected at ground planes ( 2 ; 4 ) thereof; wherein said ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO) and/or said ground plane ( 2 ) of said electrical circuit module (MO) comprises a plurality of projections ( 4 ″) arranged according to a predetermined arrangement pattern on the ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO); wherein said ground planes ( 2 ; 4 ) are in electrical contact with each other via said projections ( 4 ″); and said ground plane ( 2 ) of said electrical circuit module (MO) comprises a conductor pad ( 14 ) pattern corresponding to the arrangement pattern of said projections ( 4 ″) of said ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO), said conductor pads ( 14 ) being connected through conductor stripes ( 15 ).
Claim 24
Independent Claim
158 words
A device (DEV) comprising: an electrical circuit module (MO); and at least one electrical component (CO) connected at ground planes ( 2 ; 4 ) thereof; wherein said ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO) and/or said ground plane ( 2 ) of said electrical circuit module (MO) comprises a plurality of projections ( 4 ″) arranged according to a predetermined arrangement pattern on the ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO); wherein said ground planes ( 2 ; 4 ) are in electrical contact with each other via said projections ( 4 ″); and said ground plane ( 2 ) of said electrical circuit module (MO) comprises a conductor pad ( 14 ) pattern corresponding to the arrangement pattern of said projections ( 4 ″) of said ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO), said conductor pads ( 14 ) being connected through conductor stripes ( 15 ).
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device according to claim 20 , wherein said multilayer circuit board comprises a plurality of through-holes ( 8 ′) and blind-holes provided between said pads ( 14 ) and connecting individual layers of said multilayer circuit board.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device according to claim 20 , wherein said multilayer circuit board comprises a plurality of signal conductors ( 2 ′) not having a ground potential and being arranged between said conductor pads ( 14 ).
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
105 words
A connecting means for connecting ground planes ( 2 , 4 ) of an electrical circuit module (MO) and at least one electrical component (CO), wherein said connecting means comprises a plurality of spacer elements ( 4 ″) connectable with both the ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO) and the ground plane ( 2 ) of said electrical circuit module (MO), said spacer element ( 4 ″) being arranged according to a predetermined arrangement pattern, and the ground planes ( 2 , 4 ) are electrically and mechanically connected only at the specific locations of said spacer elements ( 4 ″).
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
105 words
A connecting means for connecting ground planes ( 2 , 4 ) of an electrical circuit module (MO) and at least one electrical component (CO), wherein said connecting means comprises a plurality of spacer elements ( 4 ″) connectable with both the ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO) and the ground plane ( 2 ) of said electrical circuit module (MO), said spacer element ( 4 ″) being arranged according to a predetermined arrangement pattern, and the ground planes ( 2 , 4 ) are electrically and mechanically connected only at the specific locations of said spacer elements ( 4 ″).
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The connecting means according to claim 23 , wherein said spacer elements ( 4 ″) are provided with solder.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The connecting means according to claim 23 , wherein a layer ( 16 ) is provided on which said spacer elements ( 4 ″) are attached.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The connecting means according to claim 23 , wherein said layer ( 16 ) is conducting at least in areas where said spacer elements ( 4 ″) are attached.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
The connecting means according to claim 23 , wherein said spacer elements ( 4 ″) are connected to each other through connection elements ( 17 ).
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The connecting means according to claim 27 , wherein said connection elements ( 17 ) are non-conducting.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
38 words
The connecting means according to claim 27 , wherein said connection elements ( 17 ) are conducting connecting elements ( 17 ) and are arranged such that they do not touch the upper layer of the circuit module.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
45 words
A connecting means according to claim 29 , wherein said conducting connecting elements ( 17 ) are either arranged centrally in the height direction of the spacer elements ( 4 ″) or are aligned with the top surface of the spacer elements ( 4 ″).
Claim 36
Independent Claim
125 words
A device (DEV) comprising an electrical circuit module (MO) having a ground plane ( 2 ) and at least one electrical component (CO), said electrical component (CO) comprising: a base ( 3 ); and a ground plane ( 4 ) having a front surface and a back surface; connecting means for connecting ground planes ( 2 , 4 ) of the electrical circuit module (MO) and the electrical component (CO); wherein said connecting means is provided between said ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO) and said ground plane ( 2 ) of said electrical circuit module (MO), and said ground planes ( 2 , 4 ) are electrically and mechanically connected only at specific locations of spacer elements ( 4 ″).
Claim 37
Independent Claim
125 words
A device (DEV) comprising an electrical circuit module (MO) having a ground plane ( 2 ) and at least one electrical component (CO), said electrical component (CO) comprising: a base ( 3 ); and a ground plane ( 4 ) having a front surface and a back surface; connecting means for connecting ground planes ( 2 , 4 ) of the electrical circuit module (MO) and the electrical component (CO); wherein said connecting means is provided between said ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO) and said ground plane ( 2 ) of said electrical circuit module (MO), and said ground planes ( 2 , 4 ) are electrically and mechanically connected only at specific locations of spacer elements ( 4 ″).
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device according to claim 31 , wherein at the spacer elements ( 4 ″) are provided with a conductive adhesive or solder.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device according to claim 31 , wherein a layer ( 16 ) is provided on which said spacer elements ( 4 ″) are attached.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device according to claim 31 , wherein said layer ( 16 ) is conducting at least in areas where said spacer elements ( 4 ″) are attached.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device according to claim 31 , wherein said spacer elements ( 4 ″) are connected to each other through connection elements ( 17 ).
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 35 , wherein said connection elements ( 17 ) are non-conducting.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device according to claim 35 , wherein said connection elements ( 17 ) are conducting connecting elements ( 17 ) and are arranged such that they do not touch the upper layer of the circuit module.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device according to claim 37 , wherein said conducting connecting elements ( 17 ) are either arranged centrally in the height direction of the spacer elements ( 4 ″) or are aligned with the top surface of the spacer elements ( 4 ″).
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-08-27 | 2005-02-26 | 2005-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-08-27 | 2009-02-26 | 2009-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-08-27 | 2013-02-26 | 2013-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |