Abstract: A light engine is disclosed that includes an optical bench with a mirror etched therefrom to form a single, unitary structure. The integrated mirror may therefore be pre-aligned with an associated light path to reduce light path alignment errors. In an embodiment, the optical bench includes a first end extending to a second end along a longitudinal axis, a laser diode disposed on a mounting surface adjacent the first end of the optical bench and configured to output laser light along a first light path that extends substantially along the longitudinal axis, and an integrated mirror device disposed along the light path to receive and direct the laser light along a second light path to optically couple the laser light to a photonically-enabled complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) die, the second light path being substantially orthogonal relative to the first light path.

Abstract: Techniques for reducing optical fiber bending loss in an optical transceiver are disclosed. In an embodiment, a small form-factor (SFF) optical transceiver housing includes a demultiplexer device, such as an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) device, having a longitudinal center line that is offset laterally by a distance Doffset from the longitudinal center line of the SFF optical transceiver housing. The lateral offset distance Doffset may advantageously enable an intermediate optical fiber coupling the demultiplexer with an optical coupling receptacle, such as an LC connector, to be routed within the SFF optical transceiver housing in a manner that avoids introducing bends that are less than a minimum bending radius associated with the intermediate optical fiber cable. Thus some embodiments of the present disclosure enable greater tolerance when routing an intermediate optical fiber within housings that would otherwise introduce bending loss by virtue of their constrained dimensions.

Abstract: Techniques for flexible coupling between an optical coupling receptacle/port of an optical transceiver housing and optical components within the same are disposed. In an embodiment, an optical transceiver housing includes an intermediate fiber with a first end optically coupled to an optical coupling port and a second end optically coupled to a multiplexer/de-multiplexer device, e.g., an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) device, PLC splitter, and so on. The intermediate fiber may be routed in the transceiver housing in a manner that and the radius of the bends may be optimized to reduce fiber bending losses. The techniques herein are equally applicable to both ROSA and TOSA modules and may be utilized to achieve flexible coupling for multi-channel transceiver devices.

Abstract: A light engine is disclosed that includes an optical bench with a mirror etched therefrom to form a single, unitary structure. The integrated mirror may therefore be pre-aligned with an associated light path to reduce light path alignment errors. In an embodiment, the optical bench includes a first end extending to a second end along a longitudinal axis, a laser diode disposed on a mounting surface adjacent the first end of the optical bench and configured to output laser light along a first light path that extends substantially along the longitudinal axis, and an integrated mirror device disposed along the light path to receive and direct the laser light along a second light path to optically couple the laser light to a photonically-enabled complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) die, the second light path being substantially orthogonal relative to the first light path.

Abstract: An optical transceiver module is disclosed having a housing that includes at least a first housing portion and a second housing portion, each of the first and second housing portions including a base portion having at least one sidewall extending therefrom that defines a compartment. The first housing portion is configured to couple to the second housing portion to form a cavity therebetween. A transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) arrangement coupled to the base portion of the first housing portion and is electrically coupled to a first flexible printed circuit (FPC). A receiver optical subassembly (ROSA) arrangement is coupled to the base portion of the second housing portion and is electrically coupled to a second FPC. A first shield coupled to at least one of the first housing portion or the second housing portion to reduce electromagnetic interference between the TOSA arrangement and the ROSA arrangement.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a multi-layered flexible printed circuit (FPC) is disclosed that includes two or more insulating layers to route conductive traces carrying radio frequency (RF) signals, e.g., data signals, and conductive traces carrying direct current (DC) signals, e.g., power signals and low-frequency control signals, while sufficiently isolating the RF signals from electrical interference by the DC transmission lines. This advantageously eliminates having two or more separate FPCs to electrically couple each optical subassembly, e.g., receiver optical subassemblies (ROSAs) and transmitter optical subassemblies (TOSAs), to associated circuitry in a transceiver housing, which saves space and reduces manufacturing complexity, for example.

Abstract: A mirror device for use in an optical subassembly is disclosed that includes at least one surface with a visible indicator to allow a technician to differentiate a highly-reflective surface from relatively less reflective (e.g., un-coated) surfaces. The mirror device may be formed using known approaches, such as through the deposition of a metallic material on to a surface of the mirror device followed by one or more optional coating layers. Before, or after, forming the highly-reflective surface, a visual indicator may be introduced on to a surface of the mirror device that is opposite the highly-reflective surface. The visual indicator may comprise, for example, random scratches/scoring etched from a wire brush or tool, paint, epoxy, ink, or any other indicator that allows a technician to visually differentiate the portion of the mirror device having the visual indicator from the highly-reflective portion.

Abstract: A multi-channel transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) with an off-center fiber in an optical coupling is disclosed, and can provide passive compensation for beam displacement introduced by optical isolators. The optical coupling receptacle can include an optical isolator configured to receive a focused light beam from a focus lens within the TOSA. The optical coupling receptacle may be offset such that a center line of the focused light beam entering the optical isolator is offset from a center line of a fiber within optical coupling receptacle. Thus the optical isolator receives the focused light beam from the focus lens and introduces beam displacement such that an optical signal is launched generally along a center line of the fiber. Thus the expected beam displacement introduced by the optical isolator is eliminated or otherwise mitigated by the offset between a center line of the fiber and a center position of the focus lens.

Abstract: An optical component holder having a base portion with a chamfered (or step) portion is disclosed herein that allows a technician to position and partially insert the same within an associated opening using a relatively minor amount of force. The chamfered portion of the base portion operates, in a general sense, as a guide that ensures proper alignment of the optical component holder and allows the same to travel a predetermined distance within the opening before being blocked from further travel by “bottoming” out when the wider portion of the base is at the edge of the associated opening. Thus, the chamfered portion provides an alignment feature to provide tactile feedback that indicates to the technician that the optical component holder is aligned and evenly inserted into an associated opening prior to supplying additional force to press the optical component holder fully into a housing.

Abstract: A photodiode package is disclosed that includes a TO-Can style body with an exposed sensor cavity that eliminates the necessity of an encapsulant dispensing process. The TO-Can body of the photodiode package includes an integrated coupling member to allow for coupling to a ROSA housing without an intermediate member. The photodiode package includes a base portion with a cylindrical wall portion that extends therefrom to form an optical coupling cavity. A surface of the base portion provides at least one mounting surface within the optical coupling cavity for coupling to a photodiode chip. The cylindrical wall may function as an integrated coupling member and may be used to directly couple the photodiode package, e.g., without an intermediate cap/ring, into a socket of a ROSA housing. The base portion and cylindrical wall may be formed from a single piece of material, or from multiple pieces depending on a desired configuration.

Abstract: An optical component holder having a base portion with a chamfered (or step) portion is disclosed herein that allows a technician to position and partially insert the same within an associated opening using a relatively minor amount of force. The chamfered portion of the base portion operates, in a general sense, as a guide that ensures proper alignment of the optical component holder and allows the same to travel a predetermined distance within the opening before being blocked from further travel by “bottoming” out when the wider portion of the base is at the edge of the associated opening. Thus, the chamfered portion provides an alignment feature to provide tactile feedback that indicates to the technician that the optical component holder is aligned and evenly inserted into an associated opening prior to supplying additional force to press the optical component holder fully into a housing.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an optical component assembly is disclosed and is configured to be at least partially disposed within at least one first opening of an optical subassembly housing. The at least one optical component assembly comprising a base extending from a first end to a second end along a longitudinal axis, and a vertical mount disposed on the base and including a first surface that provides a mounting region to couple to an optical component, the first surface defining a vertical axis that extends substantially upright from the base and a horizontal axis that is angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the base at a first angle, the vertical mount further providing a channel that extends through the vertical mount, wherein the channel provides an optical pathway angled relative to the first surface at the first angle, the first angle being substantially between about 15 and 75 degrees.

Abstract: A multi-channel receiver optical subassembly (ROSA) including at least one sidewall receptacle configured to receive and electrically isolate an adjacent multi-channel transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) is disclosed. The multi-channel ROSA includes a housing with at least first and second sidewalls, with the first sidewall being opposite the second sidewall and including at least one sidewall opening configured to fixedly attach to photodiode assemblies. The second sidewall includes at least one sidewall receptacle configured to receive at least a portion of an optical component package, such as a transistor outline (TO) can laser package, of an adjacent multi-channel TOSA, and provide electrical isolation between the ROSA housing and the TOSA within an optical transceiver. The sidewall receptacle can include non-conductive material in regions that directly or otherwise come into close proximity with the optical component package of the adjacent TOSA.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an optical component assembly is disclosed and is configured to be at least partially disposed within at least one first opening of an optical subassembly housing. The at least one optical component assembly comprising a base extending from a first end to a second end along a longitudinal axis, and a vertical mount disposed on the base and including a first surface that provides a mounting region to couple to an optical component, the first surface defining a vertical axis that extends substantially upright from the base and a horizontal axis that is angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the base at a first angle, the vertical mount further providing a channel that extends through the vertical mount, wherein the channel provides an optical pathway angled relative to the first surface at the first angle, the first angle being substantially between about 15 and 75 degrees.

Abstract: Techniques for reducing optical fiber bending loss in an optical transceiver are disclosed. In an embodiment, a small form-factor (SFF) optical transceiver housing includes a demultiplexer device, such as an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) device, having a longitudinal center line that is offset laterally by a distance Doffset from the longitudinal center line of the SFF optical transceiver housing. The lateral offset distance Doffset may advantageously enable an intermediate optical fiber coupling the demultiplexer with an optical coupling receptacle, such as an LC connector, to be routed within the SFF optical transceiver housing in a manner that avoids introducing bends that are less than a minimum bending radius associated with the intermediate optical fiber cable. Thus some embodiments of the present disclosure enable greater tolerance when routing an intermediate optical fiber within housings that would otherwise introduce bending loss by virtue of their constrained dimensions.

Abstract: A transceiver module having a partitioned housing, e.g., a bifurcated or multi-segment housing, is disclosed that allows coupling and alignment of a TOSA arrangement and ROSA arrangement in separate respective portions in order to minimize or otherwise reduce component damage and rework iterations during manufacturing and repair. Technicians may thus perform at least partial assembly and testing of each optical subassembly arrangement in parallel and in relative isolation without necessarily interrupting and/or waiting on completion of the other. In a general sense, each separate portion of the partitioned housing provides a dedicated workspace of about equal dimension for coupling of subassembly components. Each separate portion may lie flat on a tabletop, for instance, which may further simplify manufacturing processes and provide a wide-range of acceptance angles for performing soldering, welding, insertion and coupling of components, visual inspection, fiber routing, and so on.

Abstract: A multi-channel optical transmitter or transceiver includes an optical multiplexer with input and output ports on a single side. The optical multiplexer receives optical signals at different channel wavelengths on a plurality of mux input ports on one side and combines the optical signals into a multiplexed optical signal, which is output on an optical output port on the same side. The optical multiplexer may be located at a distal end of a transceiver or transmitter housing. In one embodiment, the optical multiplexer is a reversed planar lightwave circuit (PLC) splitter including splitter output ports that are used as the mux input ports and a splitter input port that is used as the mux output port. The mux input ports may be optically coupled to respective transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) modules with optical fibers.

Abstract: A multi-channel optical transmitter or transceiver includes an optical multiplexer with input and output ports on a single side. The optical multiplexer receives optical signals at different channel wavelengths on a plurality of mux input ports on one side and combines the optical signals into a multiplexed optical signal, which is output on an optical output port on the same side. The optical multiplexer may be located at a distal end of a transceiver or transmitter housing. In one embodiment, the optical multiplexer is a reversed planar lightwave circuit (PLC) splitter including splitter output ports that are used as the mux input ports and a splitter input port that is used as the mux output port. The mux input ports may be optically coupled to respective transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) modules with optical fibers.

Abstract: A multi-channel transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) with an off-center fiber in an optical coupling is disclosed, and can provide passive compensation for beam displacement introduced by optical isolators. The optical coupling receptacle can include an optical isolator configured to receive a focused light beam from a focus lens within the TOSA. The optical coupling receptacle may be offset such that a center line of the focused light beam entering the optical isolator is offset from a center line of a fiber within optical coupling receptacle. Thus the optical isolator receives the focused light beam from the focus lens and introduces beam displacement such that an optical signal is launched generally along a center line of the fiber. Thus the expected beam displacement introduced by the optical isolator is eliminated or otherwise mitigated by the offset between a center line of the fiber and a center position of the focus lens.

Abstract: A multi-channel transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) with an off-center fiber in an optical coupling is disclosed, and can provide passive compensation for beam displacement introduced by optical isolators. The optical coupling receptacle can include an optical isolator configured to receive a focused light beam from a focus lens within the TOSA. The optical coupling receptacle may be offset such that a center line of the focused light beam entering the optical isolator is offset from a center line of a fiber within optical coupling receptacle. Thus the optical isolator receives the focused light beam from the focus lens and introduces beam displacement such that an optical signal is launched generally along a center line of the fiber. Thus the expected beam displacement introduced by the optical isolator is eliminated or otherwise mitigated by the offset between a center line of the fiber and a center position of the focus lens.