VOGUE GUTS pics / circuit board ?'s

sonicboom · #1 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 07:32 PM

I have 2 questions for anyone who has knowledge on phone circuit boards....

-Please look at the Photos I have posted of the Vogue main circuit boards below. There is a thick gold line printed around the entire border on both front and back on the main circuit board. From close inspection it does not appear to be connected to any circuits or parts. Most cell phone circuit boards have this gold border printed on them in the same way. I would like to know what it is for. If I cut throught it will it make anything on the phone non-functional? I have circled in red (#1) the area where I am specifically concerned about.

-Also, on the back of the vogue circuit board I have circled in red (#2) two small dots that have been printed on the board. What are these for?

Thanks!

Front.JPG

Back.JPG

VulcanGrey · #2 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 08:07 PM

I can't see what "dots" you have circled, because that is about the worst quality photo that I have ever seen...

But the gold bands on the PCB are usually RF (Radio Frequency) shielding, either to shield internal components from the RF so that they work correctly without interference, or as part of the FCC compliance to shield the outside world from RF interference. Or both.

**guitardoc64** · #3 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 08:12 PM

I agree, better photos would help. What you're trying to do would help us suggest whether or not to do it.

**rstoyguy** · #4 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 08:29 PM

The two dot's may be test points...an easy way for tech's to test something..

**CFay** · #5 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 10:08 PM

Based on what i can see in the photo, the gold strip is more than likely an a) rf shielding like mentioned above or ground strip. The xbox 360 motherboard works the same way, the is a central ground around the whole board in which must be in contact with the metal screws to work properly. So i wouldnt suggest cutting it off. Did you check if any traces are connected to it?

sonicboom · #6 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 12:45 AM

No traces are connected to it...
sorry about the pictures, my camera sucks. I'll see if I can't get some better ones!

Just in case you are wondering, here is why i am doing this....
http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=37830

frentraken · #7 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 07:56 AM

more then likely this board is multi layered so just because you can't see a trace doesn't mean one isn't there. But I'd agree probably in as a rf blocker to stop interferance both ways.