Abstract: An arrangement for concentrating broadband data from a plurality of CPEs (customer premises equipments) for transmission over a link to an ATM network. Because each CPE can generate data at the full rate of the link, it is necessary to detect peaks of bursty traffic from a CPE user quickly and to limit the rate of data transmission whenever the capacity of the link may be exceeded. This is accomplished first by allowing the transmission of certain classes of traffic (lower priority) only when a token to permit transmission has been accumulated in the CPE, and second, by having a FIFO buffer for each user and detecting whenever the FIFO buffer has accumulated more than n cells; when this condition is detected, no more tokens are sent back to the user. The user is not allowed to accumulate more than m tokens. Advantageously, this arrangement allows essentially the full bandwidth of the link to the ATM network to be utilized by a timely throttling of bursts of traffic when they cannot be accommodated.

Abstract: A substrate is provided that supports a laser array chip positioned such that the light streams emanating from the laser array are parallel to and substantially coplanar with the surface of the substrate. A plurality of apertures are formed in the substrate between the light streams for receiving a photodiode array chip. The photodiode array chip is formed as a comb-like structure where the "teeth" of the comb are aligned with and fit into the apertures formed in the substrate such that the photodiode array chip is supported perpendicular to the substrate. Located on each of the teeth of the photodiode array chip is a photodiode. The photodiodes are arranged such that when the photodiode array chip is inserted into the substrate the photodiodes are substantially coplanar with the surface of the substrate. Using such a construction, the light streams emanating from the lasers on the laser array chip are interdigitated with and coplanar with the photodiodes.

Abstract: Connector apparatus for coupling an optical fiber cable with laser devices. The apparatus comprises a receptacle terminating aligned fibers of the optical cable in a planar surface perpendicular to a central axis of the receptacle. A plug mounts a plurality of laser devices each having an electrical terminal for connecting a laser device to an external source and an optical terminal aligned in a planar surface perpendicular to a central axis of the plug with each optical terminal positioned to correspond with one of the receptacle fibers. The plug slidably engages the receptacle and is affixed thereto to position the receptacle planar surface adjacent to and aligned with the plug planar surface to optically couple each laser device with a corresponding fiber of the optical cable.