Optical fiber array interconnection

Details Optical fiber array interconnection Optical fiber array interconnection

1999-12-02

2001-03-27

Phan, James (Department: 2872)

Optical waveguides

With optical coupler

Switch

C385S089000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06208779

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is related to an optical interconnection system and more particularly to a two dimensional array interconnection system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Optical back plane assemblies are commonly used in communication systems. These assemblies typically include a card cage which houses a plurality of circuit boards. Each circuit board has a plurality of electrical optical interfaces that must connect to each of the other circuit boards, for communicating with each of the other circuit boards in the assembly. Each circuit board typically has a plurality of transmit fibers that communicate with corresponding receive fibers that originate from other circuit boards. Each circuit board has a plurality of receive fibers which communicate with the transmit fibers of all other circuit boards. Prior to the invention, each of the transmit fibers on each circuit board is connected typically to point to a respective receive fiber of another circuit board. Similarly, each of the receive fibers on each circuit board is connected typically to point to a respective transmit fiber of another circuit board. This point to point connection system creates a large number of fiber optic cables in the rear end of the card cage that need to be connected together, for example, by creating a wiring type harness. Testing and rework becomes extremely difficult with such an arrangement. Additionally, if a wiring type harness is created for providing the point to point connections, a faulty connection in the harness may result in a need for replacement of the entire harness, as compared with the difficulty of searching the harness for the faulty connection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an interconnection system for an optical back plane which eliminates a need for a harness, and allows ease of assembly, testing and repairing with minimal labor and defective parts.
The invention provides a two dimensional array interconnection system which includes transmit arrays that may extend from optical connectors of respective circuit boards, and receive arrays of optical fibers that may extend from optical connectors of the respective circuit boards. The invention provides a two dimensional array interconnection system having the plurality of transmit arrays of each of the circuit boards are assembled into a first arrays guide that distributes and positions the transmit arrays of each of the circuit boards in a first orientation. The plurality of receive arrays of each of the circuit boards are assembled into a second arrays guide that distributes and positions the receive arrays of each of the circuit boards in a second orientation. The first and second arrays guides meet each other at mating ends such that the first orientation lies orthogonal to, or perpendicular to, the second orientation, whereby each transmit array of each of the circuit boards points to a receive array of another of the circuit boards. According to one embodiment, at least one of the transmit arrays of each circuit board points to one of the receive arrays on the same circuit board, which provides a channel of communication within each circuit board itself, which enables each circuit board to transmit and receive signals for communications within the circuit board itself.
According to an alternative embodiment, the arrays omits one of the transmit arrays, and the receive arrays guides omits a corresponding one of the receive arrays, which eliminates a channel of communication within each circuit board itself.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4987407 (1991-01-01), Lee
patent: 5782682 (1998-07-01), Cohen et al.

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