Abstract:
An electrical component, such as a trace, signal line, or contact pad (202) connected to the trace or signal line, is covered by one or more layers (106, 110). The electrical component is connected directly to an electrical device by forming an opening (114) through the one or more layers (106, 110). The opening (114) exposes a portion of the electrical component. A connector, such as a solder ball (410), a pin contact (618), or a wire bond (502), is then attached to the exposed portion of the electrical component. The connector connects directly to another electrical device to create an electrical connection between the electrical component and the electrical device. The electrical device may be configured, for example, as a second signal line or contact pad (412) in another stripline circuit, a microstrip circuit, an integrated circuit, or an electrical component.
Abstract:
Liquid metal microrelays may be made where a contact is formed by constraining a quantity of liquid metal at the end of a contact support suspended over a substrate. Movement of the contact support typically drags the liquid metal along the surface of the substrate and allows the liquid metal to bridge contacts located on the substrate. Coplanar waveguides may be used for the switched signal instead of microstrip transmission lines to reduce transmission line discontinuities due to impedance changes.
Abstract:
A miniaturized relay with an integrated electromagnetic actuator allows scaling a reed relay to a small size to reduce the power needed to actuate it while retaining a high quality liquid metal contact. A dragged liquid metal contact is used. Coplanar waveguides may be used for the switched signal instead of microstrip transmission lines to reduce transmission line discontinuities that occur due to impedance changes.