Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for mechanically coupling an optics system holder of an optoelectronic module with an optical connector of the optoelectronic module. The apparatus comprises first and second retention features formed on opposite ends of the optics system holder and first and second latches formed on opposite ends of the optical connector. When a lower surface of the optical connector is pressed against an upper surface of the optics system holder, the first and second retention features engage the first and second latches, respectively, such that the first and second latches flex to a limited degree and exert a spring force on the optical connector that firmly presses the lower surface of the optical connector against the upper surface of the optics system holder.

Abstract: Optical receivers and a method for providing a diagnostic measurement of optical modulation amplitude at other than a signal output of an optical receiver are invented and disclosed. The method includes the steps of applying a representation of an output of an optical detector to a circuit that determines a difference between a first signal level and a second signal level that is different from the first signal level and buffering the difference between the first signal level and the second signal level received from the circuit. The optical receivers include an optical detector, a transimpedance amplifier that applies automatic gain control, a circuit that determines a difference between two signal values and a limiting post amplifier. The receivers provide a diagnostic measure that can be compared to certain thresholds relating to known bit error rates or applied in a calculation to generate an absolute optical modulation amplitude value.

Abstract: In an optoelectronic assembly in which one or more beam paths are to be aligned with a corresponding number of active optical elements, the cooperation between flexible alignment features and fixed alignment features achieves elastic averaging so as to provide the target accuracy. By averaging dimensional and positional errors over a large number of localized couplings of the flexible and fixed alignment features, elastic averaging provides the same accuracy as the more costly and complex kinematic alignment techniques.

Abstract: A surface-emitting semiconductor laser device is provided that includes an edge-emitting laser formed in various layers of semiconductor material disposed on a semiconductor substrate, a polymer material disposed on the substrate laterally adjacent the layers in which the edge-emitting laser is formed, and a reflector formed in or on an angled side facet of the polymer material generally facing an exit end facet of the laser. Laser light passes out of the exit end facet propagates through the polymer material before being reflected by the reflector out of the device in a direction that is generally normal to the upper surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A thin hybrid plug, a thin hybrid receptacle that mates with the thin hybrid plug, and a thin hybrid connector assembly comprising the thin hybrid receptacle mated with the thin hybrid plug are provided. A method for configuring a thin hybrid plug so that an optical surface of the plug is disposed for easy cleaning is also provided. An optics system of the hybrid plug has an optical surface that is substantially flush with an end face of a molded plug body of the hybrid plug to allow the optical surface to be easily wiped clean. In addition, the electrical contacts system and the optics system of the hybrid plug are arranged to enable the optical surface of the optics system to be easily wiped with a cleaning device, such as a cotton-tipped swab, for example. An optics system of the hybrid receptacle has an optical surface that is also disposed to be easily wiped with a cleaning device, such as a cotton-tipped swab, for example.

Abstract: An optical transmitter includes a transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) having a transistor outline (TO) package, a flexible circuit, and at least one active electronic device mounted on the flexible circuit. The active electronic device includes circuitry for processing signals communicated to and from the TOSA.

Abstract: An electrical-to-optical and optical-to-electrical converter plug device includes a plug-shaped housing assembly, electrical contact fingers, a substantially planar circuit substrate, an optics block, and one or more opto-electronic conversion devices mounted on the circuit substrate. The opto-electronic signal conversion device has a device optical axis oriented normal to the circuit substrate and electrically coupled to the contact fingers. The optics block has a device optical port aligned with the device optical axis. The optics block has a fiber optical port oriented perpendicularly to the device optical axis. The optics block includes an optical reflector interposed in an optical path between the device optical port and the fiber optical port for redirecting an optical signal at an angle of substantially 90 degrees between a device optical port and a corresponding fiber optical port. An optical fiber can be coupled to the fiber optical port.

Abstract: An active optical cable is provided that incorporates a power management solution. The AOC has plugs that are configured to mate with respective USB sockets. The AOC is used to interconnect a USB host with a USB device. To the USB host and to the USB device, the AOC appears to be a standard USB electrical cable. Each of the plugs of the AOC has an optical-to-electrical and an electrical-to-optical (OE/EO) conversion module that converts electrical USB signals output from the USB host or USB device into optical signals and converts optical signals carried on the optical fibers of the AOC into electrical USB signals. The plugs include controllers that monitor certain conditions of the AOC and that select the power levels to be used in the plugs based on detected conditions.

Abstract: A floating heat sink device is provided that attaches to a cage in a floating configuration that enables the heat sink device to move, or “float”, as the parallel optical communications device secured to the cage moves relative to the cage. Because the heat sink device floats with movement of the parallel optical communications device, at least one surface of the parallel optical communications device maintains continuous contact with at least one surface of the heat sink device at all times. Ensuring that these surfaces are maintained in continuous contact at all times ensures that heat produced by the parallel optical communications device will be transferred into and absorbed by the floating heat sink device.

Abstract: An optical signal representing digital data is produced by an opto-electronic semiconductor device having a group of three or more opto-electronic light sources that emit optical signals in accordance with a pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) scheme. The optical signal can be transmitted through an optical fiber coupled to an assembly containing the opto-electronic semiconductor device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for direct cooling of transceivers, including transceivers used in electrical and optical communications systems. An electrical system includes a transceiver module with a housing that contains a plurality of apertures to allow air flow into and out of the transceiver module. The transceiver includes an internal heat sink located within the housing of the transceiver module, where the internal heat sink is thermally coupled to at least one internal component of the transceiver module. The electrical system also includes a cage for receiving and electrically connecting to the transceiver module.

Abstract: A surface-emitting semiconductor laser device is provided that includes an edge-emitting laser formed in various layers of semiconductor material disposed on a semiconductor substrate, a polymer material disposed on the substrate laterally adjacent the layers in which the edge-emitting laser is formed, a diffractive or refractive lens formed in or on an upper surface of the polymer material, a side reflector formed on an angled side reflector facet of the polymer material generally facing an exit end facet of the laser, and a lower reflector disposed on the substrate beneath the polymer material. Laser light passes out of the exit end facet and propagates through the polymer material before being reflected by the side reflector toward the lower reflector. The laser light is then re-reflected by the lower reflector towards the lens, which directs the laser light out the device in a direction that is generally normal to the upper surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A connection system and method in which, when a plug portion is mated with a receptacle portion, a reflector in the plug portion can redirect optical signals between an end of an optical fiber in the plug portion and an opto-electronic device, such as a light source or light receiver, in the receptacle portion

Abstract: A parallel transceiver includes a constructed array of dice. The constructed array comprises an integer number of dies that each have an integer number of optoelectronic devices arranged on the die. Each die forming the constructed array is attached to a respective tab of a shim that is fixed to a first lead frame. Each tab includes a bridge region and a mounting region. Each die is attached to a respective mounting region of a corresponding tab. When necessary, a laser hammering technique is performed whereby laser generated energy is applied along an axis in the bridge region of the shim to adjust the position of the optoelectronic devices on the die attached to the tab in one or more directions relative to the axis.

Abstract: An optical backplane is provided that has at least first and second side walls that are generally parallel to one another and at least one optical relay element disposed on at least one of the parallel side walls. An optical signal is coupled into the optical backplane through an entrance facet of the backplane. The optical signal is maintained within the optical backplane by internal reflection at the parallel side walls of the backplane. The optical relay element receives the optical signal reflected off of one of the side walls and reflects and refocuses the optical signal to guide the optical signal and prevent it from diverging as it propagates through the backplane from the entrance facet to the exit facet.

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 open loop gain adjustment method and apparatus are provided for adjusting the gain of a TIA of an optical RX module based on measurements of the BER of the optical link in which the optical RX module is employed. The gain of the TIA is adjusted until a determination is made that a satisfactory or optimum link BER has been achieved.

Abstract: A locking device is provided that is configured to be attached to the MPO connector module and placed in a locking state that prevents the MPO connector module from being decoupled from the receptacle. The locking device may be a locking clip that is configured to be inserted into a keying slot formed in an MPO connector module. When the locking clip is inserted into the keying slot and placed in a locking state, the locking clip prevents the MPO connector module from being decoupled from the receptacle. If the locking clip is placed in an unlocking state, a tool or fingers can be used to extract the locking clip from the keying slot, thereby making it possible to decouple the MPO connector module from the receptacle.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices are described that include a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) and a structure formed on or near the surface of the VCSEL that acts as a filter that benefits high-frequency VCSEL modulation performance.

Abstract: Optical receivers and a method for providing a diagnostic measurement of optical modulation amplitude at other than a signal output of an optical receiver are invented and disclosed. The method includes the steps of applying a representation of an output of an optical detector to a circuit that determines a difference between a first signal level and a second signal level that is different from the first signal level and buffering the difference between the first signal level and the second signal level received from the circuit. The optical receivers include an optical detector, a transimpedance amplifier that applies automatic gain control, a circuit that determines a difference between two signal values and a limiting post amplifier. The receivers provide a diagnostic measure that can be compared to certain thresholds relating to known bit error rates or applied in a calculation to generate an absolute optical modulation amplitude value.