Abstract: The invention provides an interconnect for a data storage system, to enable optical communication between a data storage device and a backplane to which the data storage device is in use to be connected, wherein the interconnect includes an electrical power connection for providing power to a said data storage device; and, an optical engine for generating and receiving optical signals for transmission of data between the data storage device and the backplane.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical connector for connecting a user circuit to an optical backplane, in use the connector being adapted for mounting on a user circuit. The connector comprises an active or passive photonic interface through which optical signals may be transmitted and received between a user circuit and a said optical backplane. The connector further is comprised of a primary aligner for engagement with a corresponding aligner on a backplane to ensure alignment of the optical interface with the backplane, and a support for supporting the aligner and/or the optical interface on the connector. The support is selected to enable relative movement between a user circuit to which the connector is connected in use and the aligner and/or the optical interface. The support is preferably a flexible printed circuit board.

Abstract: An electro-optical printed circuit board and a method of making an electro-optical printed circuit board are provided. The method comprises: forming a trench or groove on an outer surface of an electrical printed circuit board; providing optical material in the trench thereby to form an optical waveguide.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for connecting at least a first Fibre Channel device to at least a second Fibre Channel device. The apparatus includes ports, buffers and bypass buffers that are arranged so that the second Fibre Channel device can operate at a physical link rate that is higher than the physical link rate of the first Fibre Channel device regardless of whether or not the first Fibre Channel device is sending data words to the second Fibre Channel device and regardless of whether or not the second Fibre Channel device is sending data words to the first Fibre Channel device.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical connector for connecting a user circuit to an optical backplane, in use the connector being adapted for mounting on a user circuit. The connector comprises an active or passive photonic interface through which optical signals may be transmitted and received between a user circuit and a said optical backplane. The connector further is comprised of a primary aligner for engagement with a corresponding aligner on a backplane to ensure alignment of the optical interface with the backplane, and a support for supporting the aligner and/or the optical interface on the connector. The support is selected to enable relative movement between a user circuit to which the connector is connected in use and the aligner and/or the optical interface. The support is preferably a flexible printed circuit board.