Abstract: Lens assemblies including a substrate and a plurality of mechanically isolated lenses coupled to the substrate are disclosed. The substrate may have a low coefficient of thermal expansion. Optical connectors including the lens assemblies described herein, as well as methods of fabricating a lens assembly, are also disclosed. In one embodiment, a lens assembly includes a substrate having a first surface, and a lens layer including a plurality of lenses. A coefficient of thermal expansion of the substrate is different from a coefficient of thermal expansion of the plurality of lenses. The lens layer is coupled to the first surface of the substrate, and each lens of the plurality of lenses is mechanically isolated from adjacent lenses of the plurality of lenses by gap regions within the lens layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods of aligning an optical interface assembly with an integrated circuit (IC) are disclosed. The method includes emitting light from an optical transmitter, passing the emitted light through the optical interface assembly in a first direction, and reflecting the emitted light from a reflective surface disposed immediately adjacent a front end of the optical interface assembly to define reflected light that travels back through the optical interface assembly in a second direction that is substantially opposite the first direction. The reflected light is received by an optical receiver that generates in response a receiver signal. The relative position of the optical interface assembly and the IC is adjusted to achieve an aligned position based on the receiver signal. The disclosure is also directed to a test plug for aligning an optical interface assembly to the IC.

Abstract: Circuit boards employing optical interfaces optically connected to surface-accessible, planar-shaped inter-board optical fiber traces, and related connectors, assemblies, and methods are disclosed. The circuit boards include inter-board optical fiber traces optically connected to optical components interfacing optical signals to electronic signal components in the circuit board. Providing inter-board optical fiber traces protects the optical fiber traces from the environment. To optically interface to the inter-board optical fiber traces, planar-shaped end portions of the inter-board optical fiber traces are provided surface accessible on the circuit board. In this manner, optical interfaces can be optically connected to planar-shaped, end portions of the inter-board optical fibers traces to establish optical connections.

Abstract: Small-form-factor fiber optic interface devices with an internal lens are disclosed. The fiber optic interface devices have a ferrule with a bore that supports an optical waveguide. The lens is on or adjacent the ferrule front end and is aligned with the bore. A first planar surface is provided on or adjacent the lens. The first planar surface interfaces with a second planar surface of a second fiber optic interface device to form a fiber optic interface assembly having a liquid-displacing interface when the first and second fiber optic interface devices are engaged.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical transceiver modules for use with electronic devices. In one embodiment, an optical transceiver module has a circuit board assembly for receiving and transmitting optical signals with a connector shell that is attached to the circuit board so that the circuit board is disposed outside the shell. The optical transceiver module also includes a faceplate that may have one or more attachment features for securing the faceplate and/or optical transceiver module to a device. By arranging the circuit board outside the shell of the optical transceiver module the footprint of the module is greatly reduced, thereby providing an advantageous arrangement for fitting into electronic devices having a relatively thin profile. Further, the optical transceiver module may optionally include one or more electrical contacts.

Abstract: Disclosed are interposers and interposer structures having an optical interface for optical fiber connection with a related fiber optic ferrule that can form a portion of an optical assembly. The interposer is useful for transmitting optical signals to/from the interposer for high-speed communication. Specifically, the interposer provides a passively aligned structure with an optical alignment structure of the interposer formed by a resist layer of the interposer.

Abstract: Datacenter connection systems for use in datacenter enclosures are disclosed. In one embodiment, a datacenter connection system includes a first module and a feed-through optical cable assembly. The first module includes a first faceplate having at least one first feed-through opening, a first surface, and at least one first module connector disposed on the first surface. The feed-through optical cable assembly includes an optical cable having at least one optical fiber, a first feed-through attach member coupled to the optical cable, and a first optical connector coupled to a first end portion of the at least one optical fiber. The at least one optical fiber passes through the first feed-through attach member, and the first feed-through attach member is disposed within the at least one first feed-through opening. The first optical connector is coupled to the at least one first module connector.

Abstract: An optical subassembly includes an optical device assembly including an active device and an optical fiber cable operably connected to the active device that sends optical signals to the active device and receives optical signals from the active device. A carrier module has a cable receiving space that receives the optical fiber cable therein. The carrier module includes a device support structure that supports the active device for placement on a mating surface during controlled manufacturing.

Abstract: Ferrule assemblies having at least one coded magnetic array are disclosed. In one embodiment, a ferrule assembly includes a ferrule body having a coupling surface and a coded magnetic array having a plurality of magnetic regions. The coded magnetic array may be located within the coupling surface. The ferrule assembly further includes a lens component located within the ferrule body. The lens component may have a facet at the coupling surface of the ferrule body at a predetermined angle. In another embodiment, a translating ferrule assembly includes an optical interface and a coded magnetic array, and is configured to translate within a connector housing of an optical connector when coupled to an electronics device. Optical couplings having a coded magnetic array and sockets for receiving a connector are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for creating a demarcation of at least one optical fiber in a structure along with a fiber optic cable. The method may include the steps of providing at least one optical fiber having a covering, heating a portion of the covering, and deforming the covering about the at least one optical fiber at a first location to inhibit movement of the at least one optical fiber with respect to the covering. The method may be applied to one or more optical fibers within a covering such as bare loose fibers, ribbonized fibers, buffered fibers or the like.

Abstract: Circuit boards employing optical interfaces optically connected to surface-accessible, planar-shaped inter-board optical fiber traces, and related connectors, assemblies, and methods are disclosed. The circuit boards include inter-board optical fiber traces optically connected to optical components interfacing optical signals to electronic signal components in the circuit board. Providing inter-board optical fiber traces protects the optical fiber traces from the environment. To optically interface to the inter-board optical fiber traces, planar-shaped end portions of the inter-board optical fiber traces are provided surface accessible on the circuit board. In this manner, optical interfaces can be optically connected to planar-shaped, end portions of the inter-board optical fibers traces to establish optical connections.

Abstract: Fiber optic connector adapter module assemblies employing an engagement technique to install a fiber optic connector adapter module in an enclosure without tools are disclosed. In one embodiment, a fiber optic connector adapter module assembly includes a fiber optic connector adapter module having a plurality of first ports, and an adapter mount having an adapter opening. The adapter opening includes an insertion region and an installation region, wherein the insertion region and the installation region are shaped such that the insertion region is larger than the installation region. The fiber optic connector adapter module assembly may further include at least one retention mechanism coupled to the adapter mount. The installation region of the adapter mount and the retention mechanism cooperate to releasably lock the fiber optic connector adapter module in the insertion region upon rotation of the fiber optic connector adapter module into the installation region of the adapter opening.

Abstract: Fiber optic connector adapter modules for use in optic communications networks are disclosed. In one embodiment, a fiber optic connector adapter module includes an adapter plate having a first surface and a second surface, an array of fiber optic connector adapters with a first port extending from the first surface of the adapter plate, wherein the first port of each fiber optic connector adapters of the array is configured to receive a first fiber optic connector, and at least one reinforcement member connecting the first port of adjacent fiber optic connector adapters of the array. In other embodiments, the first port of the fiber optic connector adapters are offset with respect to one another to provide better access to the first ports.

Abstract: Fiber optic connector adapter module assemblies employing an engagement technique to install a fiber optic connector adapter module in an enclosure without tools are disclosed. In one embodiment, a fiber optic connector adapter module assembly includes a fiber optic connector adapter module having a plurality of first ports, and an adapter mount having an adapter opening. The adapter opening includes an insertion region and an installation region, wherein the insertion region and the installation region are shaped such that the insertion region is larger than the installation region. The fiber optic connector adapter module assembly may further include at least one retention mechanism coupled to the adapter mount. The installation region of the adapter mount and the retention mechanism cooperate to releasably lock the fiber optic connector adapter module in the insertion region upon rotation of the fiber optic connector adapter module into the installation region of the adapter opening.

Abstract: Optical couplings for optically coupling one or more devices are disclosed. According to one embodiment, an optical coupling includes an optical coupling body, an optical interface, and a coded magnetic array located at the optical coupling body. The coded magnetic array has a plurality of magnetic regions configured for mating the optical interface. The optical coupling further includes a reflective surface within the optical coupling body and positioned along an optical path of the optical coupling body. The reflective surface is operable to redirect an optical signal propagating within the optical coupling body such that it propagates through the optical interface. The optical coupling may be configured as a plug, such as a plug of a connector assembly, or as a receptacle, such as a receptacle on an electronic device. Connector assemblies of optical cables, optical coupling receptacles, and translating shutter assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cable attach structure for attaching a fiber-optic cable to a rear end and a connector to a front end is disclosed. In one embodiment, the cable attach structure is a portion of a fiber optic cable assembly having a fiber optic cable with at least one optical fiber and a connector attached to the optical fiber. The fiber optic cable is attached to the cable attach structure at a rear end and circuit board is attached to the cable attach structure at the front end. The cable attach structure also routes the at least one optical fiber away from the centerline of the connector for off-axis fiber routing. In other embodiments, the optical fiber can enter the connector from a first direction and attach to the connector in a second direction if desired.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, an optical assembly may include a ferrule element having a fiber guiding portion separated from an in-wall locating feature by an access region, and a lens element positioned opposite access region and aligned with the in-wall locating feature. The optical assembly also includes an optical component coupled to and extending through the fiber guiding portion and the access region such that a proximal end of the optical component is positioned within the in-wall locating feature. The optical component includes a coated portion that is coated with an insulator in positions proximate to the fiber guiding portion and an uncoated portion substantially free of the insulator in positions proximal to the in-wall locating feature. The optical assembly also includes a lens cover coupled to the ferrule element and positioned proximate to the lens element.

Abstract: A fiber optic distribution cable includes a jacket defining an exterior of the fiber optic distribution cable and a plurality of optical fibers extending through a cavity of the jacket. The jacket has an access location with a single opening formed in the jacket that extends to the cavity. A distribution optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers extends through and protrudes from the single opening in the jacket at the access location. The length of the distribution optical fiber is at least 5/4 times the length of the single opening.

Abstract: Disclosed are interposer structures having an optical fiber connection and a related fiber optic ferrule that can form a portion of an optical assembly. The interposer structure is useful for transmitting optical signals to/from an integrated circuit that may be attached to the interposer. Specifically, the interposer structure and the related ferrule of the optical connector provide a passively aligned structure having a matched thermal response to maintain a suitable optical connection between the devices over a range of temperatures.

Abstract: Fiber optic connector assemblies are disclosed that utilize a reverse optical fiber loop within the fiber optic connector to isolate the optical fiber from stresses. In one embodiment, a fiber optic connector assembly includes an optical fiber having a fiber end, and a connector housing, wherein the optical fiber enters the connector housing from a first direction and is secured within the connector housing in a second direction, thereby forming a reverse optical fiber loop that is free to expand or contract within the connector housing. In another embodiment, a fiber optic connector assembly includes an optical fiber having a fiber end, a connector housing, and a substrate within the connector housing. The optical fiber enters the connector housing over a first surface of the substrate then passes by (i.e., crosses) the first surface, and is secured within the connector housing at a second surface of the substrate.