Abstract: RF emission may be reduced by providing grounding strips between optical transmitter and receiver modules in an optical transceiver package. The grounding strips includes an upper portion to fit over a top of the module, a transition portion to span a distance between the top of the module and the board, and a lower portion in electrical connection with a grounding pad on the board. The grounding strip may be substantially as wide as the module that it covers. Angled tabs may be provided to fit within registration holes in the ground pad. The grounding strip may be press-fitted onto the module or soldered. The low impedance ground strip increases the connectivity of the optical module to the board and may replace grounding leads to the external housing to reduce RF emissions.

Abstract: A wavelength locker for monitoring the wavelength drift of a laser uses a pair of detectors for detecting a power component of the laser beam and a wavelength component of the laser beam, respectively. Various positionings of the power detector and/or variations to the collimating lens provide a compact arrangement with fewer components.

Abstract: Modern optoelectronic components have very tight coupling tolerances. Small misalignments of a strong lens that occur during the alignment and bonding process seriously degrade optical coupling. A weak lens is actively mounted using a flexure to correct misalignments of the strong lens. Since the weak lens does not exert as much steering force on a beam for a similar movement as the strong lens, misalignments that may occur during weak lens positioning and bonding do not appreciably degrade coupling.

Abstract: Coplanar waveguides have a center signal line and a pair of ground lines on either side formed of a sputtered material such as gold (Au). Such waveguides are subject to what is known as the edge effect at high frequency operation causing currents to concentrate and flow along adjacent edges of the lines. Providing a thicker plated layer only on adjacent edges of the lines provide substantial performance improvements over sputtered lines alone while saving significant amount of Au, thus reducing costs.

Abstract: A method of improving network interface reliability uses a fail-over mechanism. When one network card becomes disabled, a second network card takes its place. A mid-plane separates the network card into a transition portion and a main portion. Cables are connected to the transition portion, and allows input and output from a particular network card to be re-routed to another network card without the need to physically alter the external cables.

Abstract: A thermo-optic switch comprises two planar waveguide and a heating element couple to at least one of the planar waveguides. The heating element is coupled to a package substrate using solder bumps.

Abstract: A planar lightwave circuit comprises a plurality of waveguides formed with a geometrical or refractive index properties that renders the planar lightwave circuit substantially polarization insensitive.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting an end of a tie wrap after a locking mechanism of the tie wrap has been engaged includes inserting the end of the tie wrap in proximity with a curved blade of a cutting tool. Pressure is applied to the cutting tool to force the curved blade against the tie wrap until the tie wrap is cut through.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an integrated circuit includes: a stress-follower circuit configuration. The stress-follower circuit of the configuration is coupled to a pad of the integrated circuit. The stress-follower circuit configuration is coupled so as to reduce the voltage stress on the gate of a transistor in a transistor stack so that in operation the transistor in the stack tolerates an operating voltage approximately 1.5 volts above its nominal voltage. The transistor stack is also coupled to the pad.

Abstract: A memory and sense amplifier with latched output included therein derives high speed and noise immunity with precharged logic circuits through the separation of sense amplifier enablement and resetting by use of the precharge operation. Inclusion of bit line decoders which are wholly or partially self-resetting and self-precharging in sense amplifier support circuitry allows high performance at extremely short memory operation cycle times. A multiplexor is included which is usable in operating cycles as well as test cycles of the memory and further, in combination with other elements of the memory and sense amplifier arrangement, enables the pipelining of plural memory operations in a single memory cycle.