The BELLPAC modular electronic packaging system

The BELLPAC^∗ system is a family of electronic packaging modules being used in the physical design of more than 40 new Bell Laboratories-developed systems. The BELLPAC system consists of a set of circuit packs, connectors (both circuit pack and backplane), and shelf hardware. A range of circuit pack sizes and interconnection densities is provided to match system packaging needs. Present elements include circuit pack connectors with pin-outs ranging from 50 to 300, circuit pack sizes ranging from 30 to 100 square inches, and circuit pack technologies ranging from simple, low-density, epoxy glass for epoxy-coated metal) circuits up to fine-line multilayer boards. In this paper, we review the physical design of the BELLPAC system. We also describe the large body of design and manufacturing support information available to system development organizations using BELLPAC hardware.