ESD protective I/O serpentine block design

Abstract

A way to modify the current standard I/O interface cable mating serpentine block design to add the capability of electrostatic charge bleeding of the signal inputs is proposed. This is accomplished during the initial cable plugging period, with the use of an I/O cable presence detection switch through a series resistor to ground (or other equivalent means, such as Zener diodes). When an I/O cable is plugged into the serpentine block, any personnel or cable electrostatic discharge (ESD) across the signal conductor input pin(s) will be bled off through the ground conductor almost upon contact. Then, via the cable presence detecting mechanism (switch), the normal data path will be restored only after the electrostatic charge has been bled off. The proposed I/O connector design has the following advantages over the manual mode of a electrostatic charge removal: it provides permanent ESD protection for I/O interface cards without worry about human error, and it allows concurrent maintenance where ESD events can be one of the detrimental factors to a continuous operating system. Preliminary tests have shown that this approach meets the anticipated preventive result against ESD damages.<>