Abstract: The disclosure describes a method for assembling an optical coupler, the method may include (a) inserting optical fibers of an array of optical fibers through an array of openings of a mount of the optical coupler so that tips of the optical fibers pass through the array of openings of the mount and reach an adaptor; wherein the array of openings of the mount exhibit a first positioning accuracy; (b) using the adaptor to position the tips of the optical fibers at predefined locations, at a second positioning accuracy that is higher than the first positioning accuracy; (c) fixing the tips of the optical fibers to the mount while maintaining the tips of the optical fibers at the predefined locations; and (d) detaching the mount from the adaptor.

Abstract: An electro-optic unit that may include a substrate, multiple optical engines, multiple electro-optic sub-units and optical conduits. Each optical engine may include one or more mechanical housings, each mechanical housing may include a group of lenses. Each electro-optic sub-unit is selected out of (a) a transmit electro-optic sub-unit that may include a group of lasers and a group of at least one laser driver, (b) a receive electro-optic sub-unit that may include a group of detectors and a group of at least one reception circuits; and (c) a hybrid electro-optic sub-unit that may include a receive portion and a transmit portion; wherein the transmit portion may include a sub-group of lasers and a sub-group of at least one laser driver; wherein the receive portion may include a sub-group of detectors and a sub-group of at least one reception circuits.

Abstract: A method for passively coupling an optical fiber to an optoelectronic chip, the method may include connecting the optical fiber to an optical cable interface of a first portion of an optical coupler; wherein the optical coupler further comprises a second portion; wherein the first portion comprises first optics that comprises a first lens array, an optical cable interface and three contact elements, each contact element has a spherical surface; and wherein the second portion comprises second optics that comprise a second lens array, and three elongated grooves; connecting the optical coupler to a substrate that supports the optoelectronic chip; and mechanically coupling the first portion to the second portion by aligning the three contact elements of the first portion with the three elongated grooves of the second portion thereby an optical axis related to a first lens array of the first portion passes through a point of intersection between longitudinal axes of the three elongated grooves, and an optical axi

Abstract: A method for passively coupling an optical fiber to an optoelectronic chip, the method may include connecting the optical fiber to an optical cable interface of a first portion of an optical coupler; wherein the optical coupler further comprises a second portion; wherein the first portion comprises first optics that comprises a first lens array, an optical cable interface and three contact elements, each contact element has a spherical surface; and wherein the second portion comprises second optics that comprise a second lens array, and three elongated grooves; connecting the optical coupler to a substrate that supports the optoelectronic chip; and mechanically coupling the first portion to the second portion by aligning the three contact elements of the first portion with the three elongated grooves of the second portion thereby an optical axis related to a first lens array of the first portion passes through a point of intersection between longitudinal axes of the three elongated grooves, and an optical axi

Abstract: Systems and method for automatically assembling a multi-fiber optical ferrule. Holes are drilled or etched in a thin, flat substrate. A vacuum gripper and further alignment components are used to provide sufficient lateral alignment for insertion of the optical fibers. The protrusion of each optical fiber is detected on an output side of the substrate, and an adhesive is applied to attach the fibers to the substrate.

Abstract: Systems and method for attaching optical elements to a multi-fiber ferrule. The method may include the steps of acquiring a ferrule having a plurality of holes and an output side; providing an optical element having a flat surface such that an orientation of the flat surface of the optical element is facing the output side of the ferrule within a predetermined tolerance; applying an adhesive to the flat surface of the optical element or the output side of the ferrule, the adhesive selected to match the refractive index of the optical element; moving at least one of the optical element and the ferrule with a controlled velocity and acceleration such that the flat surface of the optical element pushes against all of the protruding fibers; and curing the applied adhesive to attach the optical element to the ferrule.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically assembling a multi-fiber optical ferrule. A vacuum gripper comprises a first and a second flat surface, the first and second flat surfaces being transverse and meeting at a seam, the seam including a narrow gap; and a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the seam such that the vacuum pump produces negative pressure along a length of the seam when the vacuum pump is activated, wherein the negative pressure is sufficient to grip an optical fiber.

Abstract: Systems and method for attaching optical elements to a multi-fiber ferrule. The method may include the steps of acquiring a ferrule having a plurality of holes and an output side; providing an optical element having a flat surface such that an orientation of the flat surface of the optical element is facing the output side of the ferrule within a predetermined tolerance; applying an adhesive to the flat surface of the optical element or the output side of the ferrule, the adhesive selected to match the refractive index of the optical element; moving at least one of the optical element and the ferrule with a controlled velocity and acceleration such that the flat surface of the optical element pushes against all of the protruding fibers; and curing the applied adhesive to attach the optical element to the ferrule.

Abstract: Systems and method for automatically establishing a multi-fiber optical cross-connection. The method may include the steps of: identifying a plurality of communications connections that require connection to one or more optical fibers; mapping the holes in a plurality of ferrules, the ferrules configured to accept optical fibers therethrough; based on positions of end points of the communications connections and the positions of the mapped holes in the plurality of ferrules, generating an insertion algorithm for a plurality of optical fibers; inserting each of the optical fibers in pre-selected holes of the mapped holes based on the insertion algorithm.

Abstract: Systems and method for automatically assembling a multi-fiber optical ferrule. Holes are drilled or etched in a thin, flat substrate. A vacuum gripper and further alignment components are used to provide sufficient lateral alignment for insertion of the optical fibers. The protrusion of each optical fiber is detected on an output side of the substrate, and an adhesive is applied to attach the fibers to the substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling optical connectors. A float mechanism for controlling an optical connector can include a pin, a first and a second shaft assembly, and a base. The base can include a first and a second cantilever, and a housing, that defines an opening for receiving the pin. The base can receive the two shaft assemblies. The float mechanism can further include a tab with multiple surfaces and be configured to receive the pin.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling optical connectors. A float mechanism for controlling an optical connector can include a pin, a first and a second shaft assembly, and a base. The base can include a first and a second cantilever, and a housing, that defines an opening for receiving the pin. The base can receive the two shaft assemblies. The float mechanism can further include a tab with multiple surfaces and be configured to receive the pin.