Abstract: A connector device for connecting optical fiber endpieces comprising an optoelectronic chip, a fiber end piece holder and a reflection surface. The chip is oriented for emitting and/or detecting optical signals along a first propagation direction normal to a circuit board. The reflection surface changes a propagation direction of optical signals from the first propagation direction to a different, second propagation direction and/or vice versa. The connector device comprises a layered optical stack mounted to the circuit board and designed for propagation of optical signals along the first propagation direction. The connector device further comprises a coupling adapter piece mounted to the layered optical stack that holds and/or secures the fiber end piece holder in an orientation enabling propagation of signals radiation along the second propagation direction. The reflection surface for changing between both propagation directions is comprised in the coupling adapter piece.

Abstract: Backplane optical connectors and optical connections are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a backplane optical connector includes a ferrule element that includes a body portion having optical interface, at least two bores positioned through the body portion, at least two posts extending from the body portion, and a fiber inlet portion extending from the body portion. The fiber inlet portion includes a fiber receiving opening. The backplane optical connector further includes a magnet disposed within each bore of the at least two bores, and a bias member coupled to the at least two posts.

Abstract: Optical ports providing passive alignment connectivity are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical port includes a substrate having a surface, a photonic silicon chip, a connector body, and a plurality of spacer elements. The photonic silicon chip includes an electrical coupling surface, an upper surface and an optical coupling surface. The optical coupling surface is positioned between the electrical coupling surface and the upper surface. The photonic silicon chip further includes at least one waveguide terminating at the optical coupling surface, and a chip engagement feature disposed on the upper surface. The connector body includes a first alignment feature, a second alignment feature, a mounting surface, and a connector engagement feature at the mounting surface. The connector engagement feature mates with the chip engagement feature. The plurality of spacer elements is disposed between the electrical coupling surface of the photonic silicon chip and the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Backplane optical connectors and optical connections are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a backplane optical connector includes a ferrule element that includes a body portion having optical interface, at least two bores positioned through the body portion, at least two posts extending from the body portion, and a fiber inlet portion extending from the body portion. The fiber inlet portion includes a fiber receiving opening. The backplane optical connector further includes a magnet disposed within each bore of the at least two bores, and a bias member coupled to the at least two posts.

Abstract: Optical ports providing passive alignment connectivity are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical port includes a substrate having a surface, a photonic silicon chip, a connector body, and a plurality of spacer elements. The photonic silicon chip includes an electrical coupling surface, an upper surface and an optical coupling surface. The optical coupling surface is positioned between the electrical coupling surface and the upper surface. The photonic silicon chip further includes at least one waveguide terminating at the optical coupling surface, and a chip engagement feature disposed on the upper surface. The connector body includes a first alignment feature, a second alignment feature, a mounting surface, and a connector engagement feature at the mounting surface. The connector engagement feature mates with the chip engagement feature. The plurality of spacer elements is disposed between the electrical coupling surface of the photonic silicon chip and the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A cap apparatus is mounted to a fiber optic connector having a ferrule supporting optical fiber(s). A sealing apparatus is cooperatively configured with the cap apparatus for protecting an end face of the ferrule. The cap apparatus includes a body having opposite ends between which a cavity extends. The opposite ends of the body respectively define first and second openings to the cavity. A portion of the fiber optic connector extends through the first opening and into the cavity. The cap apparatus includes a cover mounted to the body and at least partially obstructing the second opening, wherein the end face of the ferrule is positioned within the cavity at a location spaced from the cover. The sealing apparatus is positioned between at least a portion of the cover and the end face of the ferrule.

Abstract: The application provides a connector device for connecting at least one optical fiber endpiece to an electric terminal. The connector device comprises a printed circuit board and an electric connector plug connectable to an electric terminal. A fiber end piece holder is mounted or mountable in an orientation enabling light propagation parallel to the printed circuit board, whereas an optoelectronic chip comprising optoelectronic active elements enables emission and/or detection of light substantially normal to the printed circuit board. A layered optical stack is provided on the printed circuit board, which layered optical stack comprises a reflection surface for changing the propagation direction between parallel and normal to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Optical coupling assemblies for silicon-based optical sources are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical coupling assembly includes an optical coupling carrier frame and a jumper cable assembly. The optical coupling carrier frame includes a frame portion defining an integrated circuit opening operable to receive an integrated circuit assembly, and a connector portion extending from the frame portion. The connector portion includes a channel operable to receive an optical connector of an optical cable assembly. The jumper cable assembly is disposed within the connector portion. The jumper cable assembly includes a plurality of jumper optical fibers, a jumper ferrule coupled to a first end of the plurality of jumper optical fibers, and an optical turn assembly coupled to a second end of the plurality of jumper optical fibers. The optical turn assembly is operable to optically turn optical signals propagating within the optical turn assembly.

Abstract: A cap apparatus is mounted to a fiber optic connector having a ferrule supporting optical fiber(s). A sealing apparatus is cooperatively configured with the cap apparatus for protecting an end face of the ferrule. The cap apparatus includes a body having opposite ends between which a cavity extends. The opposite ends of the body respectively define first and second openings to the cavity. A portion of the fiber optic connector extends through the first opening and into the cavity. The cap apparatus includes a cover mounted to the body and at least partially obstructing the second opening, wherein the end face of the ferrule is positioned within the cavity at a location spaced from the cover. The sealing apparatus is positioned between at least a portion of the cover and the end face of the ferrule.

Abstract: Optical ports providing passive alignment connectivity are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical port includes a substrate having a surface, a photonic silicon chip, a connector body, and a plurality of spacer elements. The photonic silicon chip includes an electrical coupling surface, an upper surface and an optical coupling surface. The optical coupling surface is positioned between the electrical coupling surface and the upper surface. The photonic silicon chip further includes at least one waveguide terminating at the optical coupling surface, and a chip engagement feature disposed on the upper surface. The connector body includes a first alignment feature, a second alignment feature, a mounting surface, and a connector engagement feature at the mounting surface. The connector engagement feature mates with the chip engagement feature. The plurality of spacer elements is disposed between the electrical coupling surface of the photonic silicon chip and the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A connector for a traceable cable having a tracing optical fiber, and a cable assembly having the same. The connector includes a connector housing and a light pipe positioned at least partially within the connector housing. The light pipe has at least one tracing optical fiber interface configured to be optically coupled to the tracing optical fiber. The light pipe also has at least one tracer light interface optically accessible from outside of the connector housing. The light pipe defines an optical path configured to direct tracer light from the at least one tracing optical fiber interface to the at least one tracer light interface. The at least one tracer light interface is configured to receive and emit the tracer light directed by the optical path.

Abstract: Optical ports providing passive alignment connectivity are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical port includes a substrate having a surface, a photonic silicon chip, a connector body, and a plurality of spacer elements. The photonic silicon chip includes an electrical coupling surface, an upper surface and an optical coupling surface. The optical coupling surface is positioned between the electrical coupling surface and the upper surface. The photonic silicon chip further includes at least one waveguide terminating at the optical coupling surface, and a chip engagement feature disposed on the upper surface. The connector body includes a first alignment feature, a second alignment feature, a mounting surface, and a connector engagement feature at the mounting surface. The connector engagement feature mates with the chip engagement feature. The plurality of spacer elements is disposed between the electrical coupling surface of the photonic silicon chip and the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An optical coupling includes a planar tapered waveguide coupling element having a first end opposite a second end, a tapered waveguide positioned within a planar substrate, the tapered waveguide comprising a waveguide diameter that is larger at the first end than at the second end. An optical pathway is disposed within the tapered waveguide and extends between the first end and the second end. The tapered waveguide is tapered from the first end to the second end such that the waveguide diameter transitions a light beam traveling along the optical pathway from a first beam size at the first end to a second beam size at the second end.

Abstract: A connector device for connecting optical fiber endpieces comprising an optoelectronic chip, a fiber end piece holder and a reflection surface. The chip is oriented for emitting and/or detecting optical signals along a first propagation direction normal to a circuit board. The reflection surface changes a propagation direction of optical signals from the first propagation direction to a different, second propagation direction and/or vice versa. The connector device comprises a layered optical stack mounted to the circuit board and designed for propagation of optical signals along the first propagation direction. The connector device further comprises a coupling adapter piece mounted to the layered optical stack that holds and/or secures the fiber end piece holder in an orientation enabling propagation of signals radiation along the second propagation direction. The reflection surface for changing between both propagation directions is comprised in the coupling adapter piece.

Abstract: The application provides a connector device for connecting at least one optical fiber endpiece to an electric terminal. The connector device comprises a printed circuit board and an electric connector plug connectable to an electric terminal. A fiber end piece holder is mounted or mountable in an orientation enabling light propagation parallel to the printed circuit board, whereas an optoelectronic chip comprising optoelectronic active elements enables emission and/or detection of light substantially normal to the printed circuit board. A layered optical stack is provided on the printed circuit board, which layered optical stack comprises a reflection surface for changing the propagation direction between parallel and normal to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Optical ports providing passive alignment connectivity are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical port includes a substrate having a surface, a photonic silicon chip, a connector body, and a plurality of spacer elements. The photonic silicon chip includes an electrical coupling surface, an upper surface and an optical coupling surface. The optical coupling surface is positioned between the electrical coupling surface and the upper surface. The photonic silicon chip further includes at least one waveguide terminating at the optical coupling surface, and a chip engagement feature disposed on the upper surface. The connector body includes a first alignment feature, a second alignment feature, a mounting surface, and a connector engagement feature at the mounting surface. The connector engagement feature mates with the chip engagement feature. The plurality of spacer elements is disposed between the electrical coupling surface of the photonic silicon chip and the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A traceable cable assembly includes a traceable cable having at least one data transmission element, a jacket at least partially surrounding the at least one data transmission element, and a tracing optical fiber incorporated with and extending along at least a portion of a length of the traceable cable. The traceable cable assembly also includes a connector provided at each end of the traceable cable. Each connector has a connector housing having opposed first and second ends, the second end being coupled to the traceable cable, and a diffuser supported by the connector housing. The connector housing is configured to receive tracer light from the tracing optical fiber and allow the tracer light to leave the connector housing. The diffuser is also configured to diffuse the tracer light leaving the connector housing.

Abstract: Backplane optical connectors and optical connections are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a backplane optical connector includes a ferrule element that includes a body portion having optical interface, at least two bores positioned through the body portion, at least two posts extending from the body portion, and a fiber inlet portion extending from the body portion. The fiber inlet portion includes a fiber receiving opening. The backplane optical connector further includes a magnet disposed within each bore of the at least two bores, and a bias member coupled to the at least two posts.

Abstract: A connector for a traceable cable having a tracing optical fiber, and a cable assembly having the same. The connector includes a connector housing and a light pipe positioned at least partially within the connector housing. The light pipe has at least one tracing optical fiber interface configured to be optically coupled to the tracing optical fiber. The light pipe also has at least one tracer light interface optically accessible from outside of the connector housing. The light pipe defines an optical path configured to direct tracer light from the at least one tracing optical fiber interface to the at least one tracer light interface. The at least one tracer light interface is configured to receive and emit the tracer light directed by the optical path.

Abstract: A cap apparatus is mounted to a fiber optic connector having a ferrule supporting optical fiber(s). A sealing apparatus is cooperatively configured with the cap apparatus for protecting an end face of the ferrule. The cap apparatus includes a body having opposite ends between which a cavity extends. The opposite ends of the body respectively define first and second openings to the cavity. A portion of the fiber optic connector extends through the first opening and into the cavity. The cap apparatus includes a cover mounted to the body and at least partially obstructing the second opening, wherein the end face of the ferrule is positioned within the cavity at a location spaced from the cover. The sealing apparatus is positioned between at least a portion of the cover and the end face of the ferrule.