Abstract: A heat transfer device may be used to provide a thermal conduit from heat generating components mounted on transversely oriented circuit boards. The heat transfer device generally includes a base portion for supporting and thermally coupling with at least one heat generating component on a main circuit board and a transverse portion for supporting and thermally coupling with at least one heat generating component on a daughter circuit board that is oriented transverse to the main circuit board. The base and transverse portions may be made of a thermally conductive material with raised pedestals providing the thermal coupling with the heat generating components. The transverse portion of the heat transfer device may also be designed to facilitate connecting the daughter circuit board to the main circuit board. The heat transfer device may be used in an opto-electronic communications module, such as a broadband digital access (BDA) module used in a hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) network.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to an EML with a filter layer disposed between an active region of the EML and a substrate of the EML to absorb a portion of unmodulated light energy, and preferably the unmodulated light energy caused by transverse electric (TE) substrate mode. The filter layer preferably comprises a material with an energy band gap (Eg) that is less than the energy band gap of the predetermined channel wavelength to absorb unmodulated laser light.

Abstract: A forward and reverse test point circuit with a switchable termination may be used to provide testing of forward and reverse RF signals in an RF amplifier before and/or after amplification. The switchable forward and reverse test point circuit includes at least one switchable termination circuit coupled between forward and reverse terminals of a directional coupler and at least one test point. During forward signal testing, the forward terminal is switched to the at least one test point and the reverse terminal is switched to a termination. During reverse signal testing, the reverse terminal is switched to the at least one test point and the forward terminal is switched to a termination. The RF amplifier including the switchable forward and reverse test point circuit may be used in a hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) network delivering CATV services and may be capable of amplifying RF signals up to 1.8 GHz.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to an RF connector assembly for use within a node of a broadband distribution network, and can receive a center conductor pin of a coaxial cable, e.g., via insertion by a technician, and electrically couple the center conductor pin to circuitry within the node, such as an amplifier. The RF connector assembly preferably also securely physically couples to the center conductor pin via a spring-biased arrangement (and thus by extension securely couples the coaxial cable to the housing of the node) which can supply a bias force to the center conductor pin in response to insertion of the same into the RF connector assembly. This advantageously eliminates the necessity of opening the housing of the node to couple/decouple the center conducting pin of the coaxial cable to the node.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to an optical transceiver housing for use in an optical transceiver module with at least one vapor chamber integrated into the transceiver housing. In more detail, the transceiver housing includes at least first and second housing portions on opposite sides and forming a compartment defined by one or more inner surfaces therein. The vapor chamber includes a heat input side and a heat output side on opposite sides of the vapor chamber. An outer wall of at least one of the housing portions may be defined at least in part by the heat output side of the vapor chamber such that the heat output side is exposed to outside of the transceiver housing for transferring heat from inside to outside the optical transceiver module.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a connector assembly that includes an increased outer diameter of the connector member relative to the equivalent G-type connector and an increased inner diameter of the receptable member relative to the equivalent G-type receptacle (also referred to as a seizure nut) to achieve higher current carrying capacity and target frequency rates of up to 3.0 Ghz, for example. In one preferred example, this results in a connector assembly consistent with the present disclosure having a connector member with an outer diameter of at least 10.70 mm, and more preferably 10.76±0.01 mm, rather than the 9.4 mm diameter of existing G-type connectors. Despite this increased diameter, a seizure assembly consistent with the present disclosure can achieve a functional impedance of 75 ohms to maintain nominal signal quality.

Abstract: A lid assembly containing a lid gasket may be used to replace an existing lid assembly that forms part of a housing of an outdoor electronic device, such as an RF amplifier in a hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) network delivering CATV services to subscriber locations. The replacement lid assembly is configured to engage and cover an existing base of the electronic device, such as an RF amplifier, without disconnecting the electronic device (e.g., without interrupting CATV service). The lid gasket in the lid assembly may comply with current requirements and/or standards and is configured to engage the existing base adjacent an older gasket in the base to reinforce sealing of the electronic device housing. The lid assembly may also be configured to include improved or upgraded electronic components, such as an integrated power supply, and/or to provide improved heat transfer.

Abstract: Automatic gain control (AGC) may be accomplished in a radio frequency (RF) amplifier in a hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) network using a wideband RF tuner to select multiple pilot channels (e.g., frequencies in lower and upper portions of an RF signals spectrum) for use in measuring power and determining a correction to be applied to the RF amplifier. The power of the pilot channel or channels may be measured, for example, using a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) from the wideband RF tuner or using a power detector circuit. Using the wideband RF tuner allows selectable gain and/or tilt control across a wideband spectrum, such as a channel spectrum of a CATV downstream RF signal, to maintain stable RF output levels of the amplifier as RF input levels vary. The RF amplifier may be a line extender amplifier used in a CATV HFC network to amplify a wideband RF spectrum of up to 1.8 GHz.

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure includes a node housing for use in a broadband distribution network that includes coupling the amplifier to a lid portion and providing an interface plate in a base portion that allows for RF and power signals to be provided to the RF amplifier within the lid portion. The interface plate disposed within the base portion further preferably provides power pass-through to downstream nodes that remains electrically connected even when the amplifier is decoupled from the lid portion. Thus, the amplifier and/or lid portion may be decoupled from the base portion without disrupting power distribution to the down-stream nodes.

Abstract: An optical fiber holder is disclosed herein that includes at least one confinement slot for routing intermediate optical fibers within a housing of an optical assembly module, and preferably, a plurality of confinement slots for maintaining a target/nominal fiber bending radius for one or more intermediate optical fibers within the housing. Preferably, the optical fiber holder is disposed within the housing of an optical subassembly between an optical component, e.g., a TOSA arrangement and/or ROSA arrangement, and optical coupling receptacles, e.g., LC coupling receptacles, for optically coupling with external fibers for sending and/or receiving optical signals.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to techniques for thermal management within optical subassembly modules that include thermally coupling heat-generating components, such as laser assemblies, to a temperature control device, such as a thermoelectric cooler, without the necessity of disposing the heat-generating components within a hermetically-sealed housing. Accordingly, this arrangement provides a thermal communication path that extends from the heat-generating components, through the temperature control device, and ultimately to a heatsink component, such as a sidewall of a transceiver housing, without the thermal communication path extending through a hermetically-sealed housing/cavity.

Abstract: A parabolic reflector device (also referred to herein as a parabolic lens device) is disclosed which includes a plurality of parabolic lens members and a mirror member which couple together and collectively provide a light-transmissive structure for multiplexing or demultiplexing of an optical signal. The parabolic reflector device can be implemented within optical subassembly modules to support operations of transmitter optical subassemblies (TOSAs) and/or receiver optical subassemblies (ROSAs).

Abstract: A coaxial seizure assembly is disclosed that includes an integrated mechanical stop that prevents over-insertion and maintains a nominal/expected impedance value to enable high-frequency switching, e.g., 1.8-3 Ghz or greater. In more detail, the coaxial seizure assembly includes a coaxial receptacle defined by an opening configured to at least partially receive and couple to a coaxial connector. The opening communicates with a seizure cavity defined within the coaxial seizure assembly. A radio frequency (RF) interconnect at least partially extends into the seizure cavity, with the RF interconnect having a first end to electrically couple to an electrical component and a second end that extends a predetermined angle relative to the first end, e.g., substantially 90 degrees. The second end defines a mating surface that aligns within the seizure cavity such that an imaginary line drawn along an insertion path of a coaxial cable conductor pin intersects with the mating surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a component bridge that couples to a feedthrough device to provide additional component mounting surface area within a TOSA housing, and preferably, within a hermetically-sealed TOSA housing. The component bridge includes a body that defines a component mounting surface to couple to electrical components, e.g., one or more filtering capacitors, and a notched portion to provide an accommodation groove. The component bridge includes at least one projection/leg for coupling to a mounting surface of a feedthrough device. The accommodation groove of the component bridge allows for other electrical components, e.g., RF traces, to be patterned/disposed on to the mounting surface and extend at least partially through the accommodation groove while remaining electrically isolated from the same. Accordingly, the component bridge further increases available component mounting surface area for existing feedthrough devices without necessity of re-design and/or modification.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to utilizing capacitors stacks with capacitors mounted in a terminal-to-terminal mounting orientation to reduce overall footprint of capacitor arrays for bypass filtering circuits. In an embodiment, each capacitor stack includes at least a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and a ground plane interconnect. The first capacitor includes first and second terminals disposed opposite each other. The first terminal provides a mating surface to couple to the second capacitor, the second terminal couples to a ground plane. The second capacitor includes first and second terminals disposed opposite each other. The first terminal provides a mounting surface to electrically couple to and support the first capacitor, and the second terminal provides a mating surface to electrically and physically couple to the ground plane. Accordingly, the first capacitor can be inverted and mounted atop the second capacitor to eliminate the necessity of wire bonds, for example.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to an optical demultiplexer for use in an optical transceiver module having a truncated profile/shape to increase tolerance and accommodate adjacent optical components. In more detail, the optical demultiplexer comprises a body with at least one truncated corner at the input end. The at least one truncated corner allows the optical demultiplexer to be disposed/mounted, e.g., directly, on a densely populated transceiver substrate, e.g., a printed circuit board (PBC), and provide additional tolerance/space for mounting of circuitry and/or components within the region that would normally be occupied by corner(s) of the optical demultiplexer body. The at least one truncated corner may be introduced in a post-production step, e.g., via cut & polishing, or introduced during formation of the optical demultiplexer using, for instance, photolithography techniques.

Abstract: In general, the present disclosure is directed to locking arrangements for use with optical subassembly housings, such as small form-factor pluggable (SFFP) housings, that include a handle member configured to rotate about the housing to allow a user to select a target/desired orientation. Preferably, the locking arrangement couples to a pluggable housing that is configured to removably couple into a receptacle of an optical transceiver cage or other suitable enclosure. The locking arrangement further includes a handle member rotatably coupled to the pluggable housing, the handle member being configured to allow the pluggable housing to releasably lock within the receptacle. The handle member is also preferably configured to maintain a user-selected orientation such that the handle member remains at a given angle relative to the pluggable housing in the absence of a user-supplied force.

Abstract: In general, a temperature control device for use in laser assemblies and optical subassemblies is disclosed that includes at least two electrically conductive terminals to enable flexible electrical coupling to associated components, e.g., monitor photodiodes and laser diodes, and accommodate a range of laser assembly configurations without the necessity of supplying a negative voltage rail. In more detail, a temperature control device consistent with the present disclosure includes a bottom plate, a top plate, and a plurality of semiconductor elements disposed therebetween. The top plate includes a component mounting surface that provides at least a first and second electrically conductive terminal/pad. The first and second electrically conductive terminals/pads can be electrically isolated, e.g., via a gap, and configured to provide first and second voltage potentials respectively.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a lens clip that defines at least one mounting surface for coupling to and supporting an array of optical components, e.g., a laser diode and associated components, and an optical lens slot to receive and securely hold an array of optical lenses at a predetermined position relative to the optical components to ensure nominal optical coupling. The optical lens slot includes dimensions that permit insertion of each optical lens into the same and restrict travel along one or more axis. Accordingly, disposing an optical lens within the lens slot ensures correct alignment along at least two axis, e.g., Z and X, with the third axis (e.g., Y) extending parallel along the slot to permit lateral adjustment of each lens.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a stepped profile for substrates that support “on board” optical subassembly arrangements. The stepped profile enables mounting TOSA modules to the substrate in a recessed orientation to reduce the overall distance between terminals of the substrate and associated components of the TOSA, e.g., RF terminals of the substrate and an LDD of the TOSA. In an embodiment, the stepped profile further simplifies mounting and optical alignment of TOSA modules by providing at least one mechanical stop to engage surfaces of the TOSA modules and limit travel by the same along one or more axis.