Abstract:
A process is provided for aligning and connecting at least one optical fiber to at least one optoelectronic device so as to couple light between at least one optical fiber and at least one optoelectronic device. One embodiment of this process comprises the following steps: (1) holding at least one optical element close to at least one optoelectronic device, at least one optical element having at least a first end; (2) aligning at least one optical element with at least one optoelectronic device; (3) depositing a first non-opaque material on a first end of at least one optoelectronic device; and (4) bringing the first end of at least one optical element proximate to the first end of at least one optoelectronic device in such a manner that the first non-opaque material contacts the first end of at least one optoelectronic device and the first end of at least one optical element. The optical element may be an optical fiber (114), and the optoelectronic device may be a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (116). The first non-opaque material (106) may be a UV optical adhesive that provides an optical path and mechanical stability. In another embodiment of the alignment process, the first end of at least one optical element is brought proximate to the first end of at least one optoelectronic device in such a manner that an interstitial space exists between the first end of at least one optoelectronic device and the first end of at least one optical element. This interstitial space is then filled with a non-opaque material after aligning of the optical element and the optoelectronic device.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a flexible printed circuit board (102) that is used in connection with an optical transmitter, receiver or transceiver module (100). In one embodiment, the flexible printed circuit board (102) has flexible metal layers in between flexible insulating layers, and the circuit board (102) comprises: (1) a main body region (306) orientated in a first direction having at least one electrical or optoelectronic device (308); (2) a plurality of electrical contact pads integrated into the main body region (306), where the electrical contact pads function to connect the flexible printed circuit board to an external environment; (3) a buckle region (304) extending from one end of the main body region (306); and (4) a head region (302)extending from one end of the buckle region (304), and where the head region (302) is orientated so that is at an angle relative to the direction of the main body region (306). The electrical contact pads may be ball grid arrays, solder balls or land-grid arrays, and they function to connect the circuit board to an external environment. A driver or amplifier chip (108) may be adapted to the head region (302) of the flexible printed circuit board (102). In another embodiment, a heat spreader passes along a surface of the head region of the flexible printed circuit board (102), and a window is formed in the head region (302) of the flexible printed circuit board (102). Optoelectronic devices (106) are adapted to the head spreader in such a manner that they are accessible through the window in the flexible printed circuit board (102).
Abstract:
This invention relates to an optical transmitter, receiver or transceiver module, and more particularly, to an apparatus for connecting a first optical connector to a second optical connector. The apparatus comprises: (1) a housing having at least a first end and at least a second end, the first end of the housing capable of receiving the first optical connector, and the second end of the housing capable of receiving the second optical connector; (2) a longitudinal cavity extending from the first end of the housing to the second end of the housing; and (3) an electromagnetic shield comprising at least a portion of the housing. This invention also relates to an apparatus for housing a flexible printed circuit board, and this apparatus comprises: (1) a mounting structure having at least a first surface and a second surface; (2) alignment ridges along the first and second surfaces of the mounting structure, the alignment ridges functioning to align and secure a flexible printed circuit board that is wrapped around and attached to the first and second surfaces of the mounting structure; and (3) a series of heat sink ridges adapted to the mounting structure, the heat sink ridges functioning to dissipate heat that is generated from the flexible printed circuit board.
Abstract:
An optical power control system is provided that may be used in connection with an optical transmitter, receiver or transceiver module. The optical power control system comprises: (1) an array of optoelectronic devices; (2) an array of optical elements; (3) the array of optical elements optically aligned to the array of optoelectronic devices in such a manner that one or more optical elements is optically aligned to one or more optoelectronic devices; (4) a light receiving device; and (5) a reflector proximate to the array of optical elements, the reflector optically orientated with the array of optoelectronic devices and the light-receiving device such that some emission from at least one optoelectronic device is reflected on at least a portion of the light-receiving device. The optical elements may be optical fibers and may be packaged in a ferrule. The light-receiving device may be a photo-detector or a light pipe. A feedback loop connects the light-receiving device to the array of optoelectronic devices so as to adjust the output of the array of optoelectronic devices in response to the emission detected by the light-receiving device. The reflector scatters the emission from the optoelectronic device, and it may be adapted to a bottom surface of a ferrule. In another embodiment, optical resin is dispensed proximate to the array of optoelectronic devices and light-receiving device. Emission from at least one optoelectronic device is reflected onto the light-receiving device by the optical resin.
Abstract:
This invention relates to an optical transmitter, receiver or transceiver module, and more particularly, to an optoelectronic connector. The optoelectronic connector comprises: (1) a mounting structure; (2) an array of optoelectronic devices adapted to the mounting structure, the optoelectronic devices having at least a first end; (3) an array of optical elements, the array of optical elements having at least a first end; (4) the first end of the array of optical elements proximate to the first end of the array of optoelectronic devices in such a manner that one or more optical elements is positioned relative to one or more optoelectronic devices; and (5) a heat spreader passing along a surface of a head region of the mounting structure. The mounting structure may be a flexible printed circuit board. Thermal vias or heat pipes in the head region may transmit heat from the mounting structure to the heat spreader. The heat spreader may provide mechanical rigidity or stiffness to the heat region. In another embodiment, an electrical contact and ground plane may pass along a surface of the head region so as to provide an electrical contact path to the optoelectronic devices and limit electromagnetic interference. In yet another embodiment, a window may be formed in the head region of the mounting structure so as to provide access to the head spreader. Optoelectronic devices may be adapted to the head spreader in such a manner that the devices are accessible through the window in the mounting structure.
Abstract:
An optoelectronic mounting structure is provided that may be used in conjunction with an optical transmitter, receiver or transceiver module. The apparatus comprises: (1) a mounting structure; (2) an array of optoelectronic devices adapted to the mounting structure, the optoelectronic devices having at least a first end; (3) an array of optical elements, the array of optical elements having at least a first end; (4) the first end of the array of optical elements proximate to the first end of the array of optoelectronic devices in such a manner that one or more optical elements is optically aligned to one or more optoelectronic devices; and (5) a heat spreader passing along a surface of a head region of the mounting structure. The mounting structure may be a flexible printed circuit board. Thermal vias or heat pipes in the head region may transmit heat from the mounting structure to the heat spreader. The heat spreader may provide mechanical rigidity or stiffness to the heat region. In another embodiment, an electrical contact and ground plane may pass along a surface of the head region so as to provide an electrical contact path to the optoelectronic devices and limit electromagnetic interference. In yet another embodiment, a window may be formed in the head region of the mounting structure so as to provide access to the heat spreader. Optoelectronic devices may be adapted to the heat spreader in such a manner that the devices are accessible through the window in the mounting structure.
Abstract:
An optical power control system is provided that may be used in connection with an optical transmitter, receiver or transceiver module. The optical power control system comprises: (1) an array of optoelectronic devices; (2) an array of optical elements; (3) the array of optical elements optically aligned to the array of optoelectronic devices in such a manner that one or more optical elements is optically aligned to one or more optoelectronic devices; (4) a light receiving device; and (5) a reflector proximate to the array of optical elements, the reflector optically orientated with the array of optoelectronic devices and the light-receiving device such that some emission from at least one optoelectronic device is reflected on at least a portion of the light-receiving device. The optical elements may be optical fibers and may be packaged in a ferrule. The light-receiving device may be a photo-detector or a light pipe. A feedback loop connects the light-receiving device to the array of optoelectronic devices so as to adjust the output of the array of optoelectronic devices in response to the emission detected by the light-receiving device. The reflector scatters the emission from the optoelectronic device, and it may be adapted to a bottom surface of a ferrule. In another embodiment, optical resin is dispensed proximate to the array of optoelectronic devices and light-receiving device. Emission from at least one optoelectronic device is reflected onto the light-receiving device by the optical resin.
Abstract:
A process is provided for aligning and connecting at least one optical fiber to at least one optoelectronic device so as to couple light between at least one optical fiber and at least one optoelectronic device. One embodiment of this process comprises the following steps: (1) holding at least one optical element close to at least one optoelectronic device, at least one optical element having at least a first end; (2) aligning at least one optical element with at least one optoelectronic device; (3) depositing a first non-opaque material on a first end of at least one optoelectronic device; and (4) bringing the first end of at least one optical element proximate to the first end of at least one optoelectronic device in such a manner that the first non-opaque material contacts the first end of at least one optoelectronic device and the first end of at least one optical element. The optical element may be an optical fiber (114), and the optoelectronic device may be a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (116). The first non-opaque material (106) may be a UV optical adhesive that provides an optical path and mechanical stability. In another embodiment of the alignment process, the first end of at least one optical element is brought proximate to the first end of at least one optoelectronic device in such a manner that an interstitial space exists between the first end of at least one optoelectronic device and the first end of at least one optical element. This interstitial space is then filled with a non-opaque material after aligning of the optical element and the optoelectronic device.