Abstract: A method includes defining a target performance for a communication network that includes multiple network nodes interconnected by Active Optical Cables (AOCs). Respective parameters, which cause the communication network to achieve the target performance, are selected for the AOCs. Commands are sent to the AOCs to set the selected parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus includes one or more optical waveguides, one or more first micro-lenses, and one or more second micro-lenses. The one or more optical waveguides are formed in a substrate and are configured to convey respective optical signals between first ends and second ends of the optical waveguides. The one or more first micro-lenses are disposed on the respective first ends of the optical waveguides and are configured to couple the optical signals between the first ends and respective first optical elements. The one or more second micro-lenses are disposed on the respective second ends of the optical waveguides and are configured to couple the optical signals between the second ends and respective second optical elements.

Abstract: A method includes defining a target performance for a communication network that includes multiple network nodes interconnected by Active Optical Cables (AOCs). Respective parameters, which cause the communication network to achieve the target performance, are selected for the AOCs. Commands are sent to the AOCs to set the selected parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an array of electro-optical transducers, control circuitry, and a connector housing. The electro-optical transducers are configured to convert between electrical signals and respective optical signals conveyed over respective optical fibers. The control circuitry is configured, in response to a failure of a first electro-optical transducer in the array that is associated with a given optical fiber, to switch one or more of the electrical signals and the optical signals so as to replace the first electro-optical transducer with a second electro-optical transducer in the array in conveying an optical signal over the given optical fiber. The connector housing contains the array of the electro-optical transducers and the control circuitry.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a base substrate, a light rotation module and a flexible printed circuit board (PCB). The light rotation module has a bottom surface mounted on the base substrate and a top surface coupled to one or more optoelectronic transducers, and is configured to direct optical signals between the respective optoelectronic transducers and optical ports on a side perpendicular to the top surface. The flexible printed circuit board (PCB) includes a first end that is attached to the top surface of the light rotation module and has the optoelectronic transducers mounted thereon, a second end attached to the base substrate, and conductive traces disposed between the first and second ends to direct electrical signals between the optoelectronic transducers and the base substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a bank of optical detectors, an input optical filter and a selector. The optical detectors are configured to output respective detection indications in response to detecting a presence of an optical signal. The input optical filter is configured to receive an input optical signal having an input wavelength, and to route the input optical signal to one of the optical detectors in the bank depending on the input wavelength. The selector is configured to select an output wavelength based on the detection indications of the optical detectors, and to cause generation and transmission of an output optical signal at the selected output wavelength.

Abstract: A method includes defining a target performance for a communication network that includes multiple network nodes interconnected by Active Optical Cables (AOCs). Respective parameters, which cause the communication network to achieve the target performance, are selected for the AOCs. Commands are sent to the AOCs to set the selected parameters.

Abstract: A method for converting a measured physical level of a cell into a logical value, in an array of memory cells storing physical levels which diminish over time, the method may include: determining extent of deterioration of the physical levels and determining thresholds accordingly for at least an individual cell in the array; and reading the individual cell including reading a physical level in said cell and converting said physical level into a logical value using at least some of said thresholds, wherein said determining extent of deterioration comprises storing predefined physical levels rather than data-determined physical levels in each of a plurality of cells and determining extent of deterioration by computing deterioration of said predefined physical levels.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an array of electro-optical transducers, control circuitry, and a connector housing. The electro-optical transducers are configured to convert between electrical signals and respective optical signals conveyed over respective optical fibers. The control circuitry is configured, in response to a failure of a first electro-optical transducer in the array that is associated with a given optical fiber, to switch one or more of the electrical signals and the optical signals so as to replace the first electro-optical transducer with a second electro-optical transducer in the array in conveying an optical signal over the given optical fiber. The connector housing contains the array of the electro-optical transducers and the control circuitry.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a bank of optical detectors, an input optical filter and a selector. The optical detectors are configured to output respective detection indications in response to detecting a presence of an optical signal. The input optical filter is configured to receive an input optical signal having an input wavelength, and to route the input optical signal to one of the optical detectors in the bank depending on the input wavelength. The selector is configured to select an output wavelength based on the detection indications of the optical detectors, and to cause generation and transmission of an output optical signal at the selected output wavelength.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a Silicon Photonics (SiP) device and a ferrule. The SiP includes multiple optical waveguides. The ferrule includes multiple optical fibers for exchanging optical signals with the respective optical waveguides of the SiP device. In some embodiments, an array of micro-lenses is configured to couple the optical signals between the optical waveguides of the SiP device and the respective optical fibers of the ferrule. In some embodiments, a polymer layer is placed between the SiP device and the ferrule, and includes multiple polymer-based Spot-Size Converters (SSCs) that are configured to couple the optical signals between the optical waveguides of the SiP device and the respective optical fibers of the ferrule.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a Silicon Photonics (SiP) device and a ferrule. The SiP includes multiple optical waveguides. The ferrule includes multiple optical fibers for exchanging optical signals with the respective optical waveguides of the SiP device. In some embodiments, an array of micro-lenses is configured to couple the optical signals between the optical waveguides of the SiP device and the respective optical fibers of the ferrule. In some embodiments, a polymer layer is placed between the SiP device and the ferrule, and includes multiple polymer-based Spot-Size Converters (SSCs) that are configured to couple the optical signals between the optical waveguides of the SiP device and the respective optical fibers of the ferrule.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an optical interconnect includes producing a semiconductor wafer that includes multiple first dies. Each first die includes circuitry disposed over a surface of the wafer and connected to conductive vias arranged in rows. The multiple first dies are diced by cutting the wafer across the rows of the vias, such that, in each first die, the cut vias form respective contact pads on a side face of the first die that is perpendicular to the surface. A second semiconductor die including one or more optoelectronic transducers is attached to the contact pads, so as to connect the transducers to the circuitry.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a connector that connects to optical fibers for connecting first and second optical signals to the apparatus. A first optical ferrule is mounted perpendicularly to the connector, and transfers the first optical signals between the connector and first optical transducers mounted on a first substrate, via first holes formed in the first substrate. A second optical ferrule is mounted perpendicularly to the connector, and transfers the second optical signals between the connector and second optical transducers mounted on a second substrate, via second holes formed in the second substrate. A light rotation module bends and transfers the first and second optical signals between the connector and the first and second ferrules. One or more lenses are mounted between the first ferrule and the first holes, so as to couple the first optical signals via the first holes between the first ferrule and the first optical transducers.

Abstract: An optical interface module includes a single flexible Printed Circuit Board (PCB) including conductive traces. An electrical connector, one or more opto-electronic transducers and ancillary circuitry are disposed on the flexible PCB. The electrical connector is configured to mate with a corresponding connector on a substrate. The opto-electronic transducers are configured to be coupled to optical fibers carrying optical signals. The ancillary circuitry is coupled by the traces to the opto-electronic transducers and the electrical connector so as to convey electrical signals corresponding to the optical signals between the opto-electronic transducers and the electrical connector.

Abstract: An apparatus includes one or more optical waveguides, one or more first micro-lenses, and one or more second micro-lenses. The one or more optical waveguides are formed in a substrate and are configured to convey respective optical signals between first ends and second ends of the optical waveguides. The one or more first micro-lenses are disposed on the respective first ends of the optical waveguides and are configured to couple the optical signals between the first ends and respective first optical elements. The one or more second micro-lenses are disposed on the respective second ends of the optical waveguides and are configured to couple the optical signals between the second ends and respective second optical elements.

Abstract: A method and a wireless communication device to overcome a hidden node problem in a BSS. The method includes detecting that transmitting one or more data frames causing one or more nodes of an unsynchronized wireless communication network to become hidden nodes. The wireless communication device that causes the hidden node problem requests a time allocation for transmitting one or more data frames to at least one node of the unsynchronized wireless communication network and to transmit the one or more data frames using an antenna beam forming technique at the allocated time frame.

Abstract: A flash memory apparatus that may include a plurality of memory portions, and a controller operative to reserve for data retention purposes, for at least a first duration of time, only certain memory portions; allocate data, during said first duration of time, only to said certain memory portions, thereby to define a retired memory portion for said first duration of time; determine to copy data from a certain memory portion to a retired memory portion based upon a relationship between effective cycle counts of the certain memory portion and the retired memory portion, an effective cycle count of any memory portion is responsive to a number of erase-write cycles and to an effective duration of time the memory portion had available to recover from erase-write cycles; and copy the data from the certain memory portion to the retired memory portion.

Abstract: A method and a wireless communication device to overcome a hidden node problem in a BSS The method includes detecting that transmitting one or more data frames causing one or more nodes of an unsynchronized wireless communication network to become hidden nodes. The wireless communication device that causes the hidden node problem requests a time allocation for transmitting one or more data frames to at least one node of the unsynchronized wireless communication network and to transmit the one or more data frames using an antenna beam forming technique at the allocated time frame.

Abstract: A system that includes a multiplicity of flash memory cells; a reading apparatus; a writing apparatus for writing logical data from temporary memory into individual flash memory cells from among said multiplicity of flash memory cells, thereby to generate a physical representation of the logical data including a plurality of physical levels at least some of which represent, to said reading apparatus, at least one bit-worth of said logical data; and a special cell marking apparatus operative to store an earmark in at least an individual one of said multiplicity of flash memory cells for subsequent special treatment.