Multiplexer/demultiplexer based on diffractive optical elements
Granted: April 11, 2017
Patent Number:
9618708
A first transmissive diffraction grating includes a multiplexed transmission region; a second diffraction grating includes multiple demultiplexed transmission regions that are spatially displaced from one another and characterized by average corresponding grating-normal vector direction, grating wavevector magnitude, and grating wavevector direction. The demultiplexed transmission regions differ with respect to at least one of those parameters. The gratings are arranged such that each…
Partially etched phase-transforming optical element
Granted: April 11, 2017
Patent Number:
9618664
An optical element (transmissive or reflective) includes a transmissive layer comprising two different optical media arranged among discrete volumes arranged along the layer. The discrete volumes are arranged to approximate a desired phase function (typically modulo 2?) and are smaller than an operational wavelength in order to provide a range of phase delays needed to adequately approximate the desired phase function.
Multi-channel optoelectronic subassemblies
Granted: April 4, 2017
Patent Number:
9612414
This disclosure generally relates to devices and methods involving optoelectronic subassemblies. In some aspects, the disclosed devices and methods may relate to a multi-channel optoelectronic subassembly including a multi-channel header subassembly with a plurality of optoelectronic transducers on a substrate, a housing defining a housing cavity and including an optically transmissive portion, a ferrule assembly retaining optical fibers and an alignment sleeve with a sleeve cavity sized…
Differential TWE MZM driver for silicon photonics
Granted: March 28, 2017
Patent Number:
9606416
A differential TWE MZM includes a differential driver, first and second capacitors, and first and second terminations. The differential driver includes a first differential output and a second differential output that collectively form a differential pair. The first differential output is DC coupled to a first arm optical phase shifter of a TWE MZM. The second differential output is DC coupled to a second arm optical phase shifter of the TWE MZM. The first capacitor AC couples the second…
Blind equalization tap coefficient adaptation in optical systems
Granted: March 14, 2017
Patent Number:
9596104
A method of blind tap coefficient adaptation includes receiving a digital data signal including random digital data, equalizing a first portion of the digital data signal using a first set of predetermined tap coefficients and a second portion of the digital data signal using a second set of predetermined tap coefficients. The method includes generating a first eye diagram and a second eye diagram from a first portion and a second portion of an equalized signal, respectively. The first…
Clock recovery and equalizer estimation in a multi-channel receiver
Granted: March 7, 2017
Patent Number:
9590799
A method of performing clock recovery and equalizer coefficient estimation in a multi-channel receiver may include recovering, at a first clock recovery unit, a first clock signal associated with a first channel. The method may include estimating a first set of coefficients for a first equalizer associated with the first channel using the first clock signal. The method may include passing the first clock signal to a second clock recovery unit associated with a second channel. The method…
N×N optical switch
Granted: February 21, 2017
Patent Number:
9575259
An optical cross-connect connecting a series of optical input ports to a series of optical output ports includes at least a first group of input/output port arrays, each including a series of optical input/output ports disposed horizontally and configured to project or receive optical signals. A plurality of steering elements selectively steer optical signals along switching trajectories between the input and output ports. An angle-to-offset conversion unit converts optical signals…
Method of monitoring an optoelectronic transceiver with multiple flag values for a respective operating condition
Granted: February 21, 2017
Patent Number:
9577759
The circuit monitors operation of an optoelectronic transceiver that includes a laser transmitter and a photodiode receiver. The circuit includes analog to digital conversion circuitry configured to convert a first analog signal corresponding to a first operating condition of said optoelectronic transceiver into a first digital value, and convert a second analog signal corresponding to a second operating condition of said optoelectronic transceiver into a second digital value…
Pin cadence for high-speed connectors
Granted: February 21, 2017
Patent Number:
9577386
A connector includes pins having a pinout including a functional designation cadence. The functional designation cadence includes a first ground pin, a first signal pin, a no-connect pin, a second signal pin, and a second ground pin, where the first signal pin is positioned between the first ground pin and the no-connect pin, the no-connect pin is positioned between the first and second signal pins, and the second signal pin is positioned between the no-connect pin and the second ground…
Pluggable connector
Granted: February 21, 2017
Patent Number:
9575268
In an embodiment, a pluggable connector configured to removably couple an end of an optical cable to an optoelectronic module includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to engage a latch slot of the optoelectronic module to retain within the optoelectronic module a ferrule optically coupled to optical fibers of the optical cable. The second portion is configured to engage the ferrule to prevent removal of the ferrule from within the optoelectronic…
Wavelength division multiplexer array
Granted: February 21, 2017
Patent Number:
9575255
In an example embodiment, a WDM array includes an optical filter, N common ports, N reflection ports, and N pass ports. The N common ports may be positioned to a first side of the optical filter. N may be greater than or equal to two. The N reflection ports may be positioned to the first side of the optical filter. The N pass ports may be positioned to a second side of the optical filter opposite the first side.
Thermally conductive flexible member for heat transfer
Granted: February 14, 2017
Patent Number:
9572283
An example embodiment includes a thermal conduction system for dissipating thermal energy generated by operation of an optical subassembly that is disposed within a shell of a communication module. The thermal conduction system can include a thermally conductive flexible member that contacts the optical subassembly and the shell of the communication module. By contacting the optical subassembly and the shell, the thermal energy generated by operation of the optical subassembly can…
Latch mechanism for communication module
Granted: January 24, 2017
Patent Number:
9551847
A latch may include a follower and a driver. The follower may include a follower opening configured to receive a post of a housing. The driver may include a driver opening configured to receive the post of the housing such that the driver is selectively rotatable relative to the post. The driver may further include an interfacing finger positioned to be received by the follower opening. The interfacing finger may be configured to urge the follower to slidingly move relative to the…
Communication module assembly with heat sink and methods of manufacture
Granted: January 10, 2017
Patent Number:
9545033
A communication assembly can include: a module device; a cage having a body defining a first open end that is configured to receive the module device therethrough and the body defining one or more first receiver members between the first end and a second end opposite of the first end, the one or more first receiver members having a first part of fastening system (e.g., two-part fastening system); and a heat sink adapted to be received into the cage so as to be thermally coupled with the…
Interconnect structure for E/O engines having impedance compensation at the integrated circuits' front end
Granted: January 10, 2017
Patent Number:
9544057
The present invention relates to an interconnect structure for coupling at least one electronic unit for outputting and/or receiving electric signals, and at least one optical unit for converting said electric signals into optical signals and/or vice versa, to a further electronic component. The interconnect structure comprises an electrically insulating substrate (102) and a plurality of signal lead pairs (104, 120) to be coupled between said electronic unit (108, 116) and a front end…
Multichannel RF feedthroughs
Granted: January 3, 2017
Patent Number:
9538637
Multichannel RF Feedthroughs. In some examples, a multichannel RF feedthrough includes an internal portion and an external portion. The internal portion includes a top surface on which first and second sets of traces are formed. Each set of traces is configured as an electrical communication channel to carry electrical data signals. The external portion includes a bottom surface on which the first set of traces is formed and a top surface on which the second set of traces is formed. A…
Hybrid PCB with multi-unreinforced laminate
Granted: December 20, 2016
Patent Number:
9526185
A hybrid printed circuit board may include a top layer, a bottom layer, and a plurality of internal layers stacked up between the top layer and the bottom layer. The plurality of internal layers may include a first internal layer below the top layer and a second internal layer above the bottom layer. The hybrid printed circuit board may include first unreinforced laminate placed between the top layer and the first internal layer. The hybrid circuit board may additionally include second…
Snap-mounted and pluggable optoelectronic module
Granted: December 20, 2016
Patent Number:
9525448
An example embodiment includes a snap-mountable optoelectronic module. The module includes a frame, a cover, and a module latch. The frame includes two or more post blocks that each defines a module latch receiver. The cover is configured to at least partially enclose an inner assembly and includes a module latch recess. The module latch includes pivots and a latch portion. The pivots are received in the module latch receivers such that the module latch is configurable in an unlatched…
Latching mechanisms for pluggable electronic devices
Granted: December 13, 2016
Patent Number:
9520662
Latching mechanisms for pluggable electronic devices when received within a host cage of a host device. In one example embodiment, the host cage is configured to be connected to a host printed circuit board and configured to at least partially surround a host connector. The host cage includes a pair of inwardly biased leaf springs that extend toward the host connector and thereby engage with the latching mechanism of the pluggable electronic module in order to secure the pluggable…
Communication over multimode and single mode fiber
Granted: December 13, 2016
Patent Number:
9520943
An example embodiment includes a system for communicating an optical signal. The system includes an optical transmitter and an optical receiver. The optical transmitter includes one or more lasers configured to produce a light signal and a transmitter optical sub assembly (TOSA) receptacle. The TOSA receptacle optically couples the lasers to an optical fiber and launches a quasi-multimode optical signal (quasi-MM signal) that includes at least one lower order mode optical signal and at…
