Abstract: Techniques for updating message definitions used by a PCIe component such as a retimer are described. The message definitions are provided within a firmware image that is checked for validity and authenticity during a firmware update process. This enables in-field updating of the message definitions in a secure manner, making it possible to securely expand or adjust the functionality offered by the component deployed in the field. In the case where the component is a retimer, the functionality can include delay buffer and/or lane routing settings that result in a reduced lane-to-lane skew. Techniques for in-band transmission of a data package such as a firmware update are also described.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for receiving, at an upstream-facing pseudo-port of a retimer, a telemetry request command via one or more control skip-ordered sets (C-SKPs), the telemetry request command including one of a plurality of telemetry IDs respectively identifying types of telemetry data, the types of telemetry data selected from the group consisting of: retimer training and status state machine (RTSSM) state information and temperature data, retrieving telemetry data from the retimer associated with the telemetry ID in the telemetry request command, receiving, at a downstream-facing pseudo-port of the retimer, C-SKPs, and responsively generating modified C-SKPs by rewriting fields of the received C-SKPs with the retrieved telemetry data, and transmitting the modified C-SKPs via the upstream-facing pseudo-port.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for a retimer module comprising a first cable connector and a second cable connector, a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) retimer die comprising one or more upstream PHYs coupled to the first cable connector and one or more downstream PHYs coupled to the second cable connector, the PCIe retimer die further comprising an I2C input coupled between designated I2C pins of the first and second cable connectors, a voltage regulator module (VRM) configured to receive a supply voltage via a pin of the first cable connector, to responsively generate a plurality of regulated supply voltages, and to provide the plurality of regulated supply voltages to the retimer die, and a casing containing the retimer die and the voltage regulator module, the casing comprising a fastener for mounting to a chassis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that improves the performance of a data network by segmenting the TCP path and implementing a proprietary protocol (DPR™) over a network. Bandwidth is reduced and reliability improved by using an erasure coded algorithm to generate a predicted number of redundant coded packets used to reconstruct lost data packets. Coded packets are generated at the transmission side and the coded packets together with the raw data packets successfully sent over the channel are used to reconstruct lost raw data packets. The DPR™ erasure coding to adjust for packet loss in real time protocol provides a multiplexed tunnel for a multiplicity of TCP sessions from a client to a cloud proxy. DPR™ implements congestion management, flow control, reliability, and link monitoring. Other network protocols (such as UDP) are supported with a reliability protocol based upon network coding that improves the transmission reliability.

Abstract: The performance of TCP (and other protocols) is improved in a data network by segmenting the TCP path and implementing a protocol over the network. The protocol provides a multiplexed tunnel for a multiplicity of TCP sessions from a client to a cloud proxy. The protocol implements congestion management, flow control, reliability, and link monitoring. Other network protocols (such as UDP) are supported with a reliability protocol based upon network coding that improves the transmission reliability.

Abstract: A photodetector with a bandwidth-tuned cell structure is provided. The photodetector is fabricated from a semiconductor substrate that is heavily doped with a first dopant. A plurality of adjoining cavities is formed in the semiconductor substrate having shared cell walls. A semiconductor well is formed in each cavity, moderately doped with a second dopant opposite in polarity to the first dopant. A layer of oxide is grown overlying the semiconductor wells and an annealing process is performed. Then, metal pillars are formed that extend into each semiconductor well having a central axis aligned with an optical path. A first electrode is connected to the metal pillar of each cell, and a second electrode connected to the semiconductor substrate. The capacitance between the first and second electrodes decreases in response to forming an increased number of semiconductor wells with a reduced diameter, and forming metal pillars with a reduced diameter.

Abstract: A photodetector with a bandwidth-tuned cell structure is provided. The photodetector is fabricated from a semiconductor substrate that is heavily doped with a first dopant. A plurality of adjoining cavities is formed in the semiconductor substrate having shared cell walls. A semiconductor well is formed in each cavity, moderately doped with a second dopant opposite in polarity to the first dopant. A layer of oxide is grown overlying the semiconductor wells and an annealing process is performed. Then, metal pillars are formed that extend into each semiconductor well having a central axis aligned with an optical path. A first electrode is connected to the metal pillar of each cell, and a second electrode connected to the semiconductor substrate. The capacitance between the first and second electrodes decreases in response to forming an increased number of semiconductor wells with a reduced diameter, and forming metal pillars with a reduced diameter.

Abstract: A method is provided for performing chromatic dispersion (CD) compensation. A zero-forcing filter is calculated with a number of taps (n) required to nullify a chromatic dispersion frequency response of an optical channel. The number of taps in the zero-forcing filter is truncated to a number equal to (n?x), where x is an integer greater than 0. In one aspect, the chromatic dispersion frequency response of the optical channel is partitioned into a plurality of constituent chromatic dispersion responses, and a zero-forcing filter is calculated for each of the plurality of constituent chromatic dispersion responses. The number of taps in each of the plurality of zero-forcing filters is truncated, and the CD compensation filter is formed for each of the plurality of truncated tap zero-forcing filters. In another aspect, the tap values of the zero-forcing filter are quantized to a finite quantization set.

Abstract: A pattern method is provided for testing an optical lens. The method provides a lens for test, including a first lens surface with a focal plane in object space and a second lens surface with a focal plane in image space. Also provided is a pattern test fixture including an imaging device and a target pattern. The lens is positioned so that the imaging device is located outside the object space focal plane and the target pattern located is outside the image space focal plane. The imaging device, such as a microscope, magnification device, human eye, or camera, is used to view the target pattern. A viewed image representation of the target pattern is received in the imaging device and compared to the target pattern. More typically, the viewed image representation is compared to a target pattern copy.

Abstract: A method is provided for demultiplexing optical signals. A first photodiode accepts first optical signals in a first range of wavelengths with second optical signals in a second range of wavelengths greater than the first range. First electrical signals are generated in the first photodiode in response to the first optical signals. A second photodiode accepts the second optical signals, and generates second electrical signals in response to the second optical signals. The first photodiode substantially absorbs photons associated with the first optical signal, and substantially passes photons associated with the second optical signals. In one aspect, the first photodiode has a first coefficient of absorption associated with the first range of wavelengths and the second photodiode has a second coefficient of absorption and a half value layer (HVL) associated with the second range of wavelengths. The first photodiode has thickness less than the HVL of the second photodiode.

Abstract: A photodetector with a bandwidth-tuned cell structure is provided. The photodetector is fabricated from a semiconductor substrate that is heavily doped with a first dopant. A plurality of adjoining cavities is formed in the semiconductor substrate having shared cell walls. A semiconductor well is formed in each cavity, moderately doped with a second dopant opposite in polarity to the first dopant. A layer of oxide is grown overlying the semiconductor wells and an annealing process is performed. Then, metal pillars are formed that extend into each semiconductor well having a central axis aligned with an optical path. A first electrode is connected to the metal pillar of each cell, and a second electrode connected to the semiconductor substrate. The capacitance between the first and second electrodes decreases in response to forming an increased number of semiconductor wells with a reduced diameter, and forming metal pillars with a reduced diameter.

Abstract: A method for placing components on a substrate, the method comprising determining a reference point of a mechanical holding jig based upon a plurality of mechanical features of the mechanical holding jig and placing the substrate into the jig such that mechanical features on the substrate align with the mechanical features on the mechanical holding jig. A location of the substrate is determined with the reference point of the mechanical holding jig. The method continues by installing a plurality of first components onto the substrate aligned to the mechanical holding jig. The substrate is removed from the mechanical holding jig and a second component is placed onto the substrate to cover the plurality of first components. The second component is placed onto the substrate to align a plurality of references points of the second component to the mechanical features on the substrate. The second component is secured to the substrate.

Abstract: A photodetector with a bandwidth-tuned cell structure is provided. The photodetector is fabricated from a semiconductor substrate that is heavily doped with a first dopant. A plurality of adjoining cavities is formed in the semiconductor substrate having shared cell walls. A semiconductor well is formed in each cavity, moderately doped with a second dopant opposite in polarity to the first dopant. A layer of oxide is grown overlying the semiconductor wells and an annealing process is performed. Then, metal pillars are formed that extend into each semiconductor well having a central axis aligned with an optical path. A first electrode is connected to the metal pillar of each cell, and a second electrode connected to the semiconductor substrate. The capacitance between the first and second electrodes decreases in response to forming an increased number of semiconductor wells with a reduced diameter, and forming metal pillars with a reduced diameter.

Abstract: An optical multi-chip module (MCM) is provided. A printed circuit board (PCB) overlies a package bottom and has die contact regions, each having at least one electrical interface. A first die contact region is formed in a PCB top surface recess, and an optical component die has a bottom surface with an area about matching the PCB top surface recess. The optical component die has an optical port with microlens. An electrical component die has a bottom surface with at least one electrical interface connected to the second die electrical interface, which is connected to the first die electrical interface via a PCB trace. A wire bond is connected between the electrical component die and a package interconnection lead. A cover assembly connector has an optical port with a microlens, configured to communicate with the optical component die optical port, and a fiber port to accept an optical fiber.

Abstract: An optical element assembly with integrally formed microlens is presented. A wafer is provided with a plurality of adjacent IC optical elements, each optical element having an optical transmission port in a wafer top surface. A microlens array is attached to the wafer top surface, so that each microlens in the array overlies a corresponding optical element optical transmission port. Then, a wafer of optical elements with attached microlenses is formed, where each microlens has a first lens surface adhering directly to a corresponding optical transmission port. Subsequent to forming the wafer of optical elements with attached microlenses, the wafer is diced forming a plurality of optical element assemblies. Each optical element assembly includes an optical element integrally formed with an attached microlens.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for aligning the optic port of a device having a Free Space Optics (FSO) connector. In a link device with an FSO connector, a controller determines that an optic port alignment procedure is required. A lens is set to an initial wide beam dispersion mode, and a mirror is set to an initial position angle. Note: the lens and mirror may be the FSO connector receive path or transmit path. An optical signal is communicated at a first low baud rate, and the first baud rate communications are optimized by iteratively adjusting the mirror and narrowing the lens focus. Then, an optical signal is communicated at a second baud rate, faster than the first baud rate, and the second baud rate communications are optimized by iteratively adjusting the mirror and narrowing the lens focus.

Abstract: A Free Space Optics (FSO) connector is provided with a method for interfacing to an electronic circuit card electrical connector via the FSO connector. The method transceives electrical signals via an electronic circuit card electrical connector. Using an FSO connector, the method converts between electrical signals and optical signals, and transceives optical signals via free space. In one aspect, the optical signals are initially received via free space along a first axis, and reflected along a second axis. Further, the optical signals may be initially transmitted along the second axis and reflected into free space along the first axis. In another aspect, the optical signals are transceived in a plurality of directions in free space. For example, optical signals may be transmitted and received in four mutually-orthogonal axes.

Abstract: An off-axis misalignment compensating fiber optic cable plug is provided. The plug has a cable interface to engage a fiber optic core end, where the fiber optic core has a cross-sectional area. The plug also includes a lens having a first surface to transceive an optical signal with a jack. The first surface has a cross-sectional area at least 30 times as large as the core cross-sectional area. The lens has a second surface to transceive optical signals with the fiber optic line core end. In one aspect, the lens has an axis and the lens first surface is convex with a radius of curvature capable of receiving an optical signal beam with a beam axis of up to ±2 degrees off from the lens axis. Even 2 degrees off-axis, the lens is able to focus the beam on the fiber optic line core end.

Abstract: An optic connector jack is provided with a punch-down fiber optic cable termination. The jack is made up of a housing with a connector mating interface, for connection to a plug connector, and a cradle for receiving a fiber optic cable. The cradle has at least one U-shaped punch-down blade for securing each fiber optic cable with respect to the housing. A crimping plate overlies the cradle and mates to the housing for securing each fiber optic cable in the cradle. The U-shaped punch-down blade has an open top portion, a closed bottom portion, and an inside diameter about equal to a fiber optic cable diameter. The U-shaped punch-down blade has an interior blade edge, the interior blade edge securing a fiber optic cable by slicing into at least a part of the fiber optic cable circumference. In one aspect, the jack includes a lens for each fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable is provided with a cable section including at least one length of fiber optic line having a first end and a second end. A first and second plug each have a mechanical body shaped to selectively engage and disengage a jack housing. Each plug has a microlens with a planar surface to engage the fiber optic line end and a convex surface to transceive light in a first collimated beam with a jack optical interface. The fiber optic cable ends are formed in a focal plane of a corresponding plug microlens.