US 11,988,706 B2
Trace level voltage sensor for multi-layer printed circuit boards
Yangtzu Lee, Taoyuan (TW); Wei-Chih Chen, Taoyuan (TW); and Pin-Hao Hung, Taoyuan (TW)
Assigned to QUANTA COMPUTER INC., Taoyuan (TW)
Filed by Quanta Computer Inc., Taoyuan (TW)
Filed on Dec. 29, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/646,436.
Prior Publication US 2023/0204652 A1, Jun. 29, 2023
Int. Cl. G01R 31/28 (2006.01); G01R 19/165 (2006.01); H05K 1/02 (2006.01)
CPC G01R 31/2812 (2013.01) [G01R 19/16576 (2013.01); H05K 1/0298 (2013.01); H05K 2201/10151 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A voltage sensor system comprising:
a printed circuit board having a plurality of layers, one of the layers including a trace network and a sensor circuit including the trace network and a sensing point, the sensor circuit coupled between a voltage supply and a ground, wherein the trace network of the one of the layers is positioned near at least one area of the one of the layers susceptible to microscopic cracks causing an abnormal circuit condition; and
a controller coupled to the sensing point, wherein the controller is operable to:
determine a voltage of the sensing point;
compare the voltage to a threshold value; and
based on the comparison, determine an abnormal circuit condition in the printed circuit board.