Abstract: Optical data center connector systems including a fiber optic plug assembly and a fiber optic receptacle assembly. In one embodiment, a fiber optic plug assembly includes a plug body having an insertion surface and a plug body opening at the insertion surface, wherein the plug body defines a ferrule enclosure coupled in free space to the plug body opening, and a ferrule element disposed within the ferrule enclosure of the plug body. The ferrule element includes a mechanical coupling face, an optical interface surface, and a plurality of lens elements at the optical interface surface. The ferrule element is disposed within the ferrule enclosure such that the optical interface surface is recessed with respect to the insertion surface of the plug body.

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: Disclosed are optical receptacles for use with electronic devices. In one embodiment, the optical receptacle comprises an optical lens body for receiving and transmitting optical signals and the optical lens body comprising a front face with a recess and a total internal reflection (TIR) surface. A cover is disposed in the recess of the optical lens body for protecting a surface of the optical lens body and also provides a cleanable surface. The optical receptacle also includes a receptacle shell with an open side for housing the optical lens body. and a cover disposed in the recess of the optical lens body.

Abstract: Optical fiber ferrules with complementary mating geometry that are suitable for making optical connections are disclosed along with fiber optic connectors and cable assemblies using the same. In one embodiment, the fiber optic ferrule includes a body having a plurality of optical pathways and a mating geometry that includes at least one slot monolithically formed in the body of the fiber optic ferrule. The slot of the ferrule permits a relatively high number of mating/unmating cycles without generating excessive wear and debris, thereby making it suitable for consumer electronic devices or the like. The disclosure is also directed to fiber optic connectors and cable assemblies using the ferrule.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include fiber optic connectors employing a movable optical interface connected by optical fibers to a fiber optic cable, components and methods. In one embodiment, the movable optical interface moves between an extended position for cleaning by the user of the movable optical interface and a retracted position to optically connect the fiber optic connector to an optical device in a mechanically-secure manner. Because the fiber optic cable employs the movable optical interfaces, embodiments described herein involve one or more fiber protection features to prevent optical fiber attenuation and/or damage to the end portions of the optical fibers.

Abstract: Optical bodies having a total internal reflection surface and a short optical path length along with electronic devices using the optical bodies are disclosed. The optical body comprises at least one optical channel and comprises a total internal reflection (TIR) surface and a lens located on a bottom of the optical body. By way of example, the short optical path length may have the lens of the optical body at a distance of 500 microns or less from a front end of the optical module. In another embodiments, the optical body may include a window adjacent to the front end. Methods for making an optical connector are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly for terminating a fiber optic cable along with a method for making the same are disclosed. The fiber optic cable assembly comprises a fiber optic cable having at least one optical waveguide and a jacket, at least one retention component, and a retention body. The retention component is attached to a portion of the jacket of the fiber optic cable to form a retention component sub-assembly. The retention body has an insertion end and a passage extending at least partially along a length of the retention body. The retention component sub-assembly is inserted into the passage so that the at least one retention component is secured to the retention body to complete the fiber optic cable assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical ports and devices using the optical ports. The optical port includes a mounting body having a first pocket and at least one mounting surface for securing the optical port, one or more optical elements, and a first alignment feature disposed in the pocket, wherein the alignment feature includes a piston that is translatable during mating. The one or more optical elements may be an integral portion of the mounting body or a discrete lens. In other embodiments, the mounting body may include a plurality of pockets and one of the pockets may include a magnet for securing a plug to the optical port. The optical port may optionally have a minimalist optical port footprint so that the complimentary mating optical plug engages a portion of the frame during mating.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical ports and devices having a minimalist footprint. Specifically, the optical ports and devices have a footprint where the optical elements are exposed at a frame of the device. Additionally, a frame of the device provides a portion of the mating surface for engaging a complimentary optical plug during mating with the optical port on the device. This minimalist footprint advantageously allows for a smaller portion of the optical port to be exposed to the environment and subject to damage and/or wear. Further, the optical port provides a clean and sleek optical port on the device with a relatively small surface that may be cleaned or wiped by the user as necessary.

Abstract: Fiber optic interface devices (20, 320) for electronic devices (300) are disclosed. A plug-type fiber optic interface (20) has an axially moveable multi-fiber ferrule (100) that supports optical fibers (52) or a combination of optical fibers and gradient-index lenses (600). A resilient member (150) serves to provide the ferrule with forward-bias and rear-bias positions relative to a recessed front end (22) of a housing (21). A fiber optic interface assembly (570) that includes mated plug and receptacle fiber optic interface devices (20, 320) is also disclosed.

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: 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: Optical receptacles having compliance for facilitating alignment with fiber optic connectors during insertion, and related components, systems and methods are disclosed. In one example, an optical receptacle disposed in a receptacle optical assembly optically connects to a fiber optic component, for example, a ferrule, for facilitating transmission of an optical signal from the optical receptacle to the exemplary ferrule. A support interface between the optical receptacle and receptacle housing contains a compliance feature that permits the optical receptacle to move with respect to the receptacle housing during insertion of the fiber optic connector. An insertion force of the fiber optic connector causes the optical receptacle to be able to move into optical alignment with the connector during insertion of the fiber optic connector, thereby moving ferrule(s) of the fiber optic connector into optical alignment with the ferrule(s) of the optical receptacle.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical ports and devices using the optical ports. The optical port includes a mounting body having a first pocket and at least one mounting surface for securing the optical port, one or more optical elements, and a first alignment feature disposed in the pocket, wherein the alignment feature includes a piston that is translatable during mating. The one or more optical elements may be an integral portion of the mounting body or a discrete lens. In other embodiments, the mounting body may include a plurality of pockets and one of the pockets may include a magnet for securing a plug to the optical port. The optical port may optionally have a minimalist optical port footprint so that the complimentary mating optical plug engages a portion of the frame during mating.

Abstract: Gradient index (GRIN) lens holders employing groove alignment feature(s) in recessed cover and single piece components, connectors, and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the GRIN lens holder contains one or more internal groove alignment features configured to secure one or more GRIN lenses in the GRIN lens holder. The groove alignment features are also configured to accurately align the end faces of the GRIN lenses. The GRIN lens holders disclosed herein can be provided as part of an optical fiber ferrule and/or a fiber optic component or connector for making optical connections. A fiber optic connector containing the GRIN lens holders disclosed herein may be optically connected to one or more optical fibers in another fiber optic connector or to an optical device, such as a laser-emitting diode (LED), laser diode, or opto-electronic device for light transfer.

Abstract: Gradient index (GRIN) lens holders employing groove alignment feature(s) and total internal reflection (TIR) surface, and related components, connectors, and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the GRIN lens holder contains one or more internal groove alignment features configured to secure one or more GRIN lenses in the GRIN lens holder. The groove alignment features are also configured to accurately align the end faces of the GRIN lenses. The GRIN lens holders disclosed herein can be provided as part of an optical fiber ferrule and/or a fiber optic component or connector for making optical connections. A fiber optic connector containing the GRIN lens holders disclosed herein may be optically connected to one or more optical fibers in another fiber optic connector or to an optical device, such as a laser-emitting diode (LED), laser diode, or opto-electronic device for light transfer.

Abstract: A fiber optic connection system is disclosed for optically connecting a fiber optic connector to an internal optical interface of a device through a display surface of the device. Connecting the connector to the device causes a display alignment feature of the connector to be retained against the display surface of the device. This causes a connector optical interface in the connector to optically connect to a device optical interface through the display surface of the device when the connector is connected with the device. One benefit of this arrangement is that a device, such as a smartphone or other small form-factor device for example, may include optical communication hardware that leverages the excellent clarity and flatness of the display surface, such as a display glass for example, to form and maintain a strong fiber optic connection between the connector and the device.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical ports and devices having a minimalist footprint. Specifically, the optical ports and devices have a footprint where the optical elements are exposed at a frame of the device. Additionally, a frame of the device provides a portion of the mating surface for engaging a complimentary optical plug during mating with the optical port on the device. This minimalist footprint advantageously allows for a smaller portion of the optical port to be exposed to the environment and subject to damage and/or wear. Further, the optical port provides a clean and sleek optical port on the device with a relatively small surface that may be cleaned or wiped by the user as necessary.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include fiber optic connectors employing a movable optical interface connected by optical fibers to a fiber optic cable, components and methods. In one embodiment, the movable optical interface moves between an extended position for cleaning by the user of the movable optical interface and a retracted position to optically connect the fiber optic connector to an optical device in a mechanically-secure manner. Because the fiber optic cable employs the movable optical interfaces, embodiments described herein involve one or more fiber protection features to prevent optical fiber attenuation and/or damage to the end portions of the optical fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical plug connectors and optical receptacles for making optical connections. In one embodiment, the optical plug connector includes an optical portion having an optical interface and a cover for protecting the optical interface. The cover can translate toward the optical interface when connecting the optical plug connector and a portion of the cover allows transmission of optical signals therethrough. The cover has a sliding fit relative to a portion of the housing and may translate on at least one guide surface of the housing.