Optical waveguides – With disengagable mechanical connector – Optical fiber to a nonfiber optical device connector
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-11
2001-11-20
Bovernick, Rodney (Department: 2874)
Optical waveguides
With disengagable mechanical connector
Optical fiber to a nonfiber optical device connector
C385S088000, C385S089000, C385S092000, C257S700000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318909
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention generally relates to packaging systems for optical communication devices, and, in particular, to an integrated packaging system for packaging an optical communications device that provides automatic alignment between the optical communications device and an optical fiber mounted in a fiber optic connector.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In typical optical fiber-based optical communication systems, an optical communications device transmits optical signals to, or receives optical signals from, one or more optical fibers. The optical fibers are mounted in a fiber optic connector that positions the ends of the optical fibers in close proximity to the optical communications device. When transmitting, the optical communications device converts electrical signals into optical signals and transmits the optical signals into the optical fibers. When receiving, the optical communications device receives the optical signals from the optical fibers and converts the optical signals into electrical signals.
To transmit an optical signal to or to receive an optical signal from an optical fiber, the optical communications device must be precisely positioned in three dimensions relative to the end of the optical fiber. If the element of the optical communications device that transmits or receives the optical signal is not precisely aligned with the core of the optical fiber, the quality of the optical communication can be significantly degraded. However, the core of the optical fiber has cross-sectional dimensions in the order of a few microns to a few hundred microns so that precisely aligning the core of the optical fiber with respect to the optical communications device can be difficult.
Although packages for optical communications devices exist capable of aligning the optical communications device with optical fibers, such packages suffer from shortcomings: typically, conventional packages are complex and are difficult to use to align the optical fibers with the optical communications device with the precision needed for optimum optical signal transfer between the optical fibers and the optical communications device. For example, many conventional optical communications device packages do not automatically align the optical fibers with the optical communications device with the required precision. Therefore, additional steps are required to provide the required precision. For example, the conventional device packages may bring the optical fibers within close proximity of the optical communications device. Then, the optical fibers have to be slightly repositioned to provide the required precision. Such repositioning can be difficult and expensive to perform. In addition, many conventional optical device packages are complex, and include a large number of components. The complexity of conventional optical communications device packages and their difficulty of use significantly increases the cost of such packages.
Thus, an unaddressed need exists in the industry for a simple, low-cost packaging system for an optical communications device that provides an automatic alignment between the optical communications device and optical fibers mounted in an fiber optic connector.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention overcomes the inadequacies of conventional packaging systems for optical communications devices as will be described below. In general, the invention provides a simple and efficient integrated packaging system for an optical communication devices that provides an automatic alignment of the optical communications device and optical fibers secured in an optical fibre connector.
The invention provides an integrated packaging system for packaging an optical communications device. The packaging system comprises an integral mechanical support, a printed circuit board and the optical communications device. The integral mechanical support includes a first support element and a second support element. The first support element extends at a non-zero angle from the second support element. The printed circuit board includes a first portion and a second portion in contact with the first support element and the second support element, respectively. The optical communications device is mechanically coupled to the first support element of the mechanical support and is electrically connected to the first portion of the printed circuit board.
The integrated packaging system is preferably capable of providing automatic alignment between the optical communications device and one or both of an optical element and an optical fiber. To this end, the first support element may include a device alignment feature. The device alignment feature and the optical communications device have a defined positional relationship with respect to one another.
When structured to provide the automatic alignment between the optical communications device and the optical element, the packaging system additionally comprises a cover assembly that includes a cover and the optical element coupled to the cover. The cover comprises a cover alignment feature shaped to engage with the device alignment feature. The optical element and the cover alignment feature have a defined positional relationship with respect to one another corresponding to the defined positional relationship between the optical communications device and the device alignment feature.
When structured to provide the automatic alignment between the optical communications device and the optical fiber, the packaging system additionally comprises a fiber optic connector that includes a connector body and the optical fiber coupled to the connector body. The connector body comprises a connector alignment feature shaped to engage with the device alignment feature. The optical fiber and the connector alignment feature have a defined positional relationship with respect to one another corresponding to the defined positional relationship between the optical communications device and the device alignment feature.
The integrated packaging system may alternatively be structured to provide automatic alignment between the optical communications device and one or both of an optical element and an optical fiber by additionally comprising a cover assembly including a cover comprising a device alignment feature. The cover is mechanically coupled to the first support element in a position at which the device alignment feature and the optical communications device have a predetermined positional relationship with respect to one another.
When structured to provide automatic alignment between the optical communications device and the optical element, the cover assembly of this alternative structure additionally includes the optical element coupled to the cover. The optical element and the device alignment feature have a defined positional relationship with respect to one another corresponding to the defined positional relationship between the optical communications device and the device alignment feature.
When structured to provide the automatic alignment between the optical communications device and the optical fiber, the alternative structure of the packaging system additionally comprises a fiber optic connector that includes a connector body and the optical fiber coupled to the connector body. The connector body comprises a connector alignment feature shaped to engage with the device alignment feature. The optical fiber and the connector alignment feature have a defined positional relationship with respect to one another corresponding to the defined positional relationship between the optical communications device and the device alignment feature.
The invention provides many advantages, a few of which are described below as examples.
An advantage of the invention is that the packaging system automatically and precisely aligns an optical fiber with the optical communications device mounted in the packaging system.
Another advantage of the invention is that an integrated packaging system that precisely aligns an optical fiber with the optical communications de
Giboney Kirk S.
Rosenberg Paul K.
Yuen Albert T.
Agilent Technologie,s Inc.
Bovernick Rodney
Hardcastle Ian
Pak Sung
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