Abstract:
Methods of fabricating electronic circuits and electronic packages are provided. The electronic circuit includes a multilayer circuit board, and a tamper-respondent sensor embedded within the circuit board. The tamper-respondent sensor defines, at least in part, a secure volume associated with the multilayer circuit board. In certain implementations, the tamper-respondent sensor includes multiple tamper-respondent layers embedded within the circuit board including, for instance, one or more tamper-respondent frames and one or more tamper-respondent mat layers, with the tamper-respondent frame(s) being disposed, at least in part, above the tamper-respondent mat layer(s), which together define the secure volume where extending into the multilayer circuit board. In certain embodiments, one or more of the tamper-respondent layers are divided into multiple, separate tamper-respondent circuit zones, with the tamper-respondent layers, including the circuit zones, being electrically connected to monitor circuitry within the secure volume.
Abstract:
Tamper-respondent assemblies, electronic packages and fabrication methods are provided which incorporate a vent structure. The tamper-respondent assembly includes an electronic enclosure to enclose, at least in part, an electronic component(s) to be protected. The electronic enclosure includes an inner surface, and an air vent. A tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure is provided which includes a tamper-respondent sensor disposed to cover, at least part, the inner surface of the electronic enclosure, and define, at least in part, a secure volume about the electronic component(s). The vent structure includes at least one air passage coupling in fluid communication the secure volume and the air vent of the electronic enclosure to allow air pressure within the secure volume to equalize with air pressure external to the tamper-respondent assembly.
Abstract:
Manufacturing electronic packages is provided with enhanced heat dissipation capabilities. The method includes providing a plurality of electronic components, and an enclosure in which the electronic components reside. The enclosure includes a thermally conductive cover overlying the electronic components. The method includes providing at least one heat transfer element coupled to, or integrated with, the thermally conductive cover between a main surface of the cover and at least one respective electronic component. Further, the method includes providing a thermal interface material disposed between the heat transfer element(s) and the respective electronic component(s), which facilitates conductive transfer of heat from the electronic component(s) to the thermally conductive cover through the heat transfer element(s). The thermally conductive cover facilitates spreading and dissipating of the transferred heat outwards, for instance, through a surrounding tamper-respondent sensor and/or a surrounding encapsulant.
Abstract:
Tamper-respondent assemblies and fabrication methods are provided which incorporate enclosure to circuit board protection. The tamper-respondent assemblies include a circuit board, and an electronic enclosure mounted to the circuit board and facilitating enclosing at least one electronic component within a secure volume. A tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure facilitates defining the secure volume, and the tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure includes a tamper-respondent circuit. An adhesive is provided to secure, in part, the electronic enclosure to the circuit board. The adhesive contacts, at least in part, the tamper-respondent circuit so that an attempted separation of the electronic enclosure from the circuit board causes the adhesive to break the tamper-respondent circuit, facilitating detection of the separation by a monitor circuit of the tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure.
Abstract:
Tamper-respondent assemblies and methods of fabrication are provided which include an electronic enclosure and a tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure. The electronic enclosure encloses, at least in part, at least one electronic component to be protected, and includes an inner main surface, and an inner sidewall surface which has at least one inner-sidewall corner. The tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure includes a tamper-respondent sensor covering, at least in part, the inner sidewall surface of the electronic enclosure. The tamper-respondent sensor includes a flexible layer(s) with tamper-detect circuit lines and multiple slots provided therein. The multiple slots facilitate disposing the tamper-respondent sensor to cover the at least one inner-sidewall corner of the inner sidewall surface by allowing for one or more regions of overlap of the flexible layer(s) of the tamper-respondent sensor at the at least one inner-sidewall corner of the electronic enclosure.
Abstract:
Electronic packages are provided with enhanced heat dissipation capabilities. The electronic package includes a plurality of electronic components, and an enclosure in which the electronic components reside. The enclosure includes a thermally conductive cover overlying the electronic components. At least one heat transfer element is coupled to, or integrated with, the thermally conductive cover and resides between a main surface of the cover and at least one respective electronic component of the plurality of electronic components. A thermal interface material is disposed between the heat transfer element(s) and the respective electronic component(s), and facilitates conductive transfer of heat from the electronic component(s) to the thermally conductive cover through the heat transfer element(s). The thermally conductive cover facilitates spreading and dissipating of the transferred heat outwards, for instance, through a surrounding tamper-respondent sensor and/or a surrounding encapsulant.
Abstract:
A gasket assembly structure including a frame which includes a front half and a back half joined together with a plurality of interlocking tabs located around a perimeter of the frame, defining a window, and an electromagnetic gasket, constrained between the front half and the back half of the frame; where the electromagnetic gasket lines an interior perimeter of the window and partially extends from the frame into the window, and a passageway through the window of the frame with boarders defined by the constrained electromagnetic gasket. A housing structure including a receptacle recessed within an opening on a front side of the housing, the receptacle is rigidly attached to the housing, and a gasket assembly recessed within the opening and located between the front side of the housing and the receptacle, where the gasket assembly is directly secured to the housing.
Abstract:
One aspect of the invention discloses an apparatus for mating computing device structures. The apparatus comprises one or more rotatable latches, the one or more rotatable latches each including a respective screw mechanism housed within the one or more rotatable latches. The apparatus further comprises one or more spring assemblies, the one or more spring assemblies each including a respective thread assembly housed within the one or more spring assemblies. The respective thread assemblies comprise threading that is capable of receiving a corresponding screw mechanism of the one or more rotatable latches.
Abstract:
A connector apparatus is provided which includes a connector and a mechanical connect-assist mechanism associated, at least in part, with the connector. The connector is configured to operatively plug into a socket structure, and the mechanical connect-assist mechanism includes a cam shaft rotatably coupled to the connector and a connect-assist element projecting from the rotatable cam shaft. The connect-assist element is configured to engage at least one element-receiving opening associated with the socket structure with insertion of the connector within the socket structure. Rotating of the rotatable cam shaft moves the connect-assist element within the at least one element-receiving opening to facilitate secure seating and retention of the connector within the socket structure. In one embodiment, the connect-assist element is a rod extending transverse through the rotatable cam shaft, and configured to engage first and second element-receiving openings associated with the socket structure on opposite sides of the connector.
Abstract:
A method of cooling a multi-chip electronic module includes receiving in an inlet of the multi-chip module an amount of fluid, and passing the amount of fluid along a plurality of substantially parallel flow paths that extends between a heat spreader member and a printed circuit board supporting a plurality of electronic components. The plurality of electronic components is in thermal contact with an internal surface of the heat spreader member. A heat exchange is facilitated between the plurality of electronic components and the amount of fluid passing along the flow path.