Abstract:
A connector assembly is provided that has optical communications capabilities and high data rate electrical communications capabilities and that is backwards compatible with one or more USB standards. A socket of the connector assembly has high data rate electrical connections and USB electrical connections such that it is capable of supporting high data rate signaling protocols for high data rate devices as well as USB signaling protocols. A plug of the connector assembly has high data rate electrical connections, USB electrical connections, and an optical-to-electrical (OE)/electrical-to-optical (EO) conversion module. The socket can be mated with the plug of the invention and with USB plugs that are compliant with existing USB plugs. Thus, both the socket and the plug have backwards compatibility with one or more existing USB standards.
Abstract:
An adapter is provided that has both an electrical coupling configuration that complies with the RJ-45 wiring standard for electrical communications and an optical coupling configuration for optical communications. The adapter is configured as an interface for at least two modular connector assemblies to enable the modular connector assemblies to communicate with each other either optically or electrically, depending on whether the plugs of the assemblies are configured to have optical or electrical communications capabilities.
Abstract:
A modular connector assembly is provided that has both an electrical coupling configuration that complies with the RJ-45 wiring standard and an optical coupling configuration that provides the assembly with optical communications capabilities. In addition, the modular connector assembly is configured to have backwards compatibility with existing 8P8C jacks and plugs that implement the RJ-45 wiring standard. Consequently, the modular connector assembly may be used to communicate optical data signals at higher data rates (e.g., 10 Gb/s and higher) or to communicate electrical data signals at lower data rates (e.g., 1 Gb/s).
Abstract:
A three-terminal VCSEL is provided that has a reduced fall time that allows the VCSEL to be operated at higher speeds. Methods of operating the three-terminal VCSEL are also provided. The VCSEL can be operated at higher speeds without decreasing the optical output of the VCSEL when it is in the logical HIGH state.
Abstract:
A consumer input/output (CIO) optical transceiver module, an active optical cable that incorporates a CIO optical transceiver module, and a method for using a CIO optical transceiver module in an active optical cable are provided. In contrast to optical transceiver modules currently used in active optical cables, which utilize parallel arrays of laser diodes and parallel arrays of photodiodes, the CIO optical transceiver module includes two singlet laser diodes and two singlet photodiodes for providing two high-speed transmit channels and two high-speed receive channels, respectively. Because the singlet laser diodes and photodiodes of the CIO optical transceiver module are less costly than the parallel arrays of laser diodes and parallel arrays of photodiodes that are used in known active optical cables, the CIO optical transceiver module can be manufactured at relatively low costs with high quality, and therefore is well suited for consumer applications.
Abstract:
A hybrid RJ-45 plug is provided that has both an electrical coupling configuration and an optical coupling configuration. The electrical coupling configuration is an 8P8C electrical wiring configuration that complies with the RJ-45 electrical wiring standard. The optical coupling configuration includes an optics system that provides the plug with optical communications capabilities. The hybrid RJ-45 plug is backwards compatible with an existing RJ-45 jack that implements an RJ-45 electrical wiring standard. However, the hybrid RJ-45 plug is also configured to mate with an optical jack that has only optical communications capabilities and to mate with a hybrid RJ-45 jack that has both optical and electrical communications capabilities.
Abstract:
A USB connector is provided that has an OE module and high-speed electrical connections integrated therein. The OE module includes an optical module, at least one laser diode, at least one photodiode, an optical transceiver IC, and a PCB. The optical module, the laser diode, the photodiode, and the IC are mounted on a surface of the PCB. The OE module is secured within the USB connector. The PCB includes conductive traces and electrical contact pads. The conductive traces electrically connect the IC with the contact pads. The contact pads are electrically connected via through holes formed in the PCB to the high-speed electrical connections, which, in turn, are electrically connected to conductive traces of a motherboard or a computer.
Abstract:
A mesa-structure avalanche photodiode in which a buffer region in the surface of the mesa structure effectively eliminates the sharply-angled, heavily doped part of the cap layer that existed adjacent the lightly-doped n-type multiplication layer and p-type guard ring before the buffer region was formed. This reduces electric field strength at the ends of the planar epitaxial P-N junction and prevents edge breakdown in this junction. The lateral extent of the guard ring is defined by a window formed in a masking layer prior to regrowth of the guard ring. This guard ring structure eliminates the need to perform additional processing steps to define the lateral extent of the guard ring and passivate the periphery of the guard ring.
Abstract:
A tunnel diode is disclosed having a highly P-doped layer of indium gallium arsenide formed on a highly N-doped layer of indium gallium arsenide which is supported on a semi-insulating substrate of indium phosphide. In an alternative embodiment, a tunnel diode is disclosed which has a highly P-doped layer of indium gallium arsenide formed on a highly N-doped layer of indium gallium arsenide which is supported on an N-doped substrate.
Abstract:
A hybrid RJ-45 plug is provided that has both an electrical coupling configuration and an optical coupling configuration. The electrical coupling configuration is an 8P8C electrical wiring configuration that complies with the RJ-45 electrical wiring standard. The optical coupling configuration includes an optics system that provides the plug with optical communications capabilities. The hybrid RJ-45 plug is backwards compatible with an existing RJ-45 jack that implements an RJ-45 electrical wiring standard. However, the hybrid RJ-45 plug is also configured to mate with an optical jack that has only optical communications capabilities and to mate with a hybrid RJ-45 jack that has both optical and electrical communications capabilities.