Optical connections and methods of forming optical connections
In one embodiment, method of forming fibers is provided. The method includes modifying a first exposed edge of at least one core of a first fiber. The first fiber has a first end, a second end, and a length between the first end and the second end. The second end has the first exposed edge of the core, and the first exposed edge has a first diffusion state. The first fiber may transmit light along the core. The modification of the first exposed edge includes modifying the first diffusion state of the first exposed edge of the core to a second diffusion state such that light exiting the first exposed edge in the second diffusion state is spread over a greater number of angles relative to angles of the light exiting the first exposed edge in the first diffusion state.
Fiber optic systems allow signals to be transmitted using light as the signal transmission means, and such fiber optic systems may be used in computer systems to aid in data and signal transmission. The fiber optic systems may be used to provide interconnection between boards, and the fiber optic system may be used to provide fiber to fiber connections as needed. Fiber optic connections and methods of forming fiber optic connections exist in the art. However, it is desirable to provide additional optical connections and methods of forming optical connections.
SUMMARYIn one embodiment, a method of forming fibers is provided. The method includes modifying a first exposed edge of at least one core of a first fiber. The first fiber has a first end, a second end, and a length between the first end and the second end. The second end has the first exposed edge of the core, and the first exposed edge has a first diffusion state. The first fiber may transmit light along the core. The modification of the first exposed edge includes modifying the first diffusion state of the first exposed edge of the core to a second diffusion state such that light exiting the first exposed edge in the second diffusion state is spread over a greater number of angles relative to angles of the light exiting the first exposed edge in the first diffusion state.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe following detailed description of embodiments of the present invention can be best understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, fiber assemblies and methods of forming and connecting fibers are provided. Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The obtusely angled end surface 34 may be formed in an any suitable manner on the cores 14. For example, the obtusely angled end surface 34 may be formed by cutting the second end 32 of the core 14 or machining the second end 32 of the core 14. The core 14 may be described as having a central or horizontal axis 36 that runs through the core 14 parallel to the length L. The obtusely angled end surface 34 may be angled obtusely with respect to the axis 36. Thus, an obtuse angle θ may be formed between the end surface 34 and the axis 36. For example, the obtusely angled end surface 34 may be angled at greater than about 90° to less than about 180° with respect to the axis 34. In a further example, the obtusely angled end surface 34 may be angled at about 101° to about 136° with respect to the axis 34. The core 14 of the first fiber 12 may be cylindrical, and the obtusely angled end surface 34 may be elliptical as shown in
The first fiber 12 may further have an obtusely angled end surface 34 formed on the first end 30 of the core 14 as shown in
The fibers may have at least one surface feature provided on the second end of the at least one core. Referring to
At least one diffusion feature 44 may be provided on at least a portion of the first exposed edge 42. The first exposed edge 42 has a first diffusion state when no diffusion features 44 are present. The diffusion feature 44 defines a second diffusion state. The second diffusion state is such that light exiting the first exposed edge 42 having at least one diffusion feature 44 is spread over a greater number of angles relative to the angles said light would spread over if the first exposed edge 42 did not have at least one diffusion feature 44 contained thereon. Thus, the first exposed edge 42 may be modified from a first diffusion state to a second diffusion state. Because the light exiting the core 14 in the second diffusion state is spread over a greater number of angles, the first fiber 12 exhibits increased alignment tolerance because the number of angles at which light can be received is increased. It will be understood that the second diffusion state may be selected to provide a desired range or number of angles depending on the requirements of a particular fiber assembly. It will further be understood, that the first fiber 12 and the second fiber 20 may have diffusion features provided on the first exposed edges 42 of the first and second ends 30, 32 of the cores 14. Additionally, the cores 14 may have a diffusion feature 12 on an obtusely angled end surface 34. The diffusion features 44 may comprise light dispersing geometries.
The fiber assembly 10 may comprise the first fiber 12 aligned with the second fiber 20 in any desired manner. Alternatively, the first fiber 12 may be connected to the second fiber 20 in any suitable manner. The first fiber 12 may be connected to the second fiber 20 so that the fibers are aligned such that at least a portion of light exiting the second end 32 of the core 14 of the first fiber 12 enters the core 14 at the first end 30 of the second fiber 20. The first end 30 of the core 14 of the first fiber 12 may have at least one diffusion feature 44. Additionally, the first end 30 and/or second end 32 of the core 14 may have at least one diffusion feature 44.
The diffusion features 44 may be any suitable diffusion feature. For example, the diffusion features 44 may be formed in any suitable random pattern such as the pattern 38 illustrated in
The fiber assemblies may have at least one magnet incorporated therein. Referring to
The magnet 46 may be any suitable type of magnet. For example, the magnet 46 may comprise a hollow wire coil connected to a power source to form an air core electromagnet. The magnet 46 may be an iron core electromagnet with a hollow area in the core shaped to accept an alignment pin 22. Alternatively, the magnet 46 may comprise any other suitable type of electromagnet. For example, the magnet 46 could be operated in an AC fashion to provide an alignment force and to engage the first connector 16 and the second connector 18, and the magnet 46 could be subsequently operated in a DC fashion to maintain static engagement. When the magnet 46 comprises an electromagnet, the magnet 46 may be operated electromagnetically to engage the first connector 16 by providing a magnetic force that attracts the first connector 16. Additionally, the power to the magnet 46 may be turned off to disengage the first connector 16 after the first connector 16 and the second connector 18 are engaged. The first connector 16 may additionally have at least one permanent magnet 50 that may cause the first connector 16 and the second connector 18 to remain statically engaged even after power to an electromagnet in the second connector 18 is turned off.
The first connector 16 and the second connector 18 may comprise any suitable types of connectors. For example, the connectors could be MT ferrule type connectors as discussed above. As shown in
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, board assemblies and methods of connecting boards are provided. Referring to
The first board 60 may be parallel to the second board 62. Additionally, the first face 64 of the first board 60 may face the first face 66 of the second board 62. The boards 60, 62 may comprise any suitable board type. For example, the boards 60, 62 may comprise printed circuit boards or electronic circuit boards. The first connector 76 may be connected to the second connector 78 as shown in
Referring now to
The second connector 78 may comprise a plurality of second array positions 82. The second array positions 82 may be defined on a mating face 84 of the second connector 78. Additionally, the second array positions 82 may correspond to positions (not shown) on the second board 62 first face 66, and the positions on the second board 62 first face 66 may correspond to emitters or receivers/detectors that may emit or receive a signal. Thus, the second connector 78 may be connected to at least one emitter or receiver. The second array positions 82 may be configured such that an optical signal such as light may enter or exit the second array positions 82. It will be understood that the first array positions 80 and the second array positions 82 may have any suitable configuration, and the illustrated configuration comprises only one of the possible configurations.
The first connector 76 may be aligned with or connected to the second connector 78 such that at least one position of the plurality of first array positions 80 is aligned with a desired at least one position of the plurality of second array positions 82. For example, referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The fiber bundle 68 may be connected to the first board 60 by a connector portion 75 as described herein. The connector portion 75 may have an engagement member 86 disposed between the connector portion 75 and the first connector 76. The engagement member 86 may be any suitable member that allows the first connector 76 to move in relation to the connector portion 75. For example, the engagement member 86 may comprise at least one spring as shown in
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, assemblies having active alignment and methods of forming connections are provided. Referring to
The first board 60 and the second board 62 may have a center region 88. The center region 88 may be defined between a front edge 90 and a rear edge 92 of the boards 60 or 62. The center region 88 of the first board 60 may comprise a first optical array 94. Alternatively, the first optical array 94 may be defined by the second end 70 of a fiber bundle 68 that may be connected to any desired structure as shown in
The movable stage 86 may have a second optical array 96, and the second optical array 96 may comprise a plurality of second array positions 82 as illustrated in
The movable stage 86 may be disposed such that the at least one motor may steer the movable stage such that the second optical array 96 may be aligned with the second end 70 of the fiber bundle 68. For example, the movable stage may be steered such that a desired at least one of the plurality of second array positions 82 may be aligned with a desired at least one of the plurality of first array positions 80. For example, some possible alignments are illustrated in
It will be understood that the motor or motors may be disposed in any suitable manner to allow the motors to steer the movable stage 86. For example, the at least one motor may be disposed such that the movable stage 86 may be engaged by the at least one motor. The at least one motor may comprise a portion of the movable stage 86. The at least one motor may comprise a single motor disposed to steer the movable stage in a first direction. The at least one motor could alternatively comprise two motors. The first motor may be disposed to steer the movable stage 86 in a first direction, and the second motor may be disposed to steer the movable stage 86 in a second direction. The at least one motor could additionally comprise a third motor disposed to steer the movable stage 86 in a third direction. The motors may comprise any suitable types of motors. For example, the motors may be microstepper motors.
In one example, each of the first array positions 80 may be emitters, and each of the second array positions 82 may be detectors. Each one of the plurality of emitters 80 may correspond to one of the detectors 82. Signals may be emitted that correspond to the plurality of emitters 80 such that signals are transmitted along the fibers 74 of the fiber bundle 68 to the second end 70 of the fiber bundle 68. The movable stage 86 may then be selectively operated until at least one of the plurality of detectors 82 is aligned with the corresponding signal from at least one the plurality of emitters 80. The movable stage 86 may be selectively operated until each on of the plurality of detectors 82 is aligned with the corresponding signal from the plurality of emitters 80.
In a further example, each of the first array positions 80 may be detectors, and each of the second array positions 82 may be emitters. Each one of the plurality of emitters 82 may correspond to one of the detectors 80. Signals may be emitted that correspond to the plurality of emitters 82. The movable stage 86 may then be selectively operated until at least one of the plurality of detectors 80 is aligned with the corresponding signal from at least one the plurality of emitters 82. The movable stage 86 may be selectively operated until each on of the plurality of detectors 80 is aligned with the corresponding signal from the plurality of emitters 82.
It will be understood that the second end 70 of the fiber bundle 68 need only be positioned proximate to the second array 96 in order for optical communication to be established between the fiber bundle 68 and the second optical array 96. Thus, no direct physical connection between the fiber bundle 68 and the second array 96 needs to be made. Additionally, the fiber bundle 68 need only be grossly aligned with the second array 96 prior to selectively operating the movable stage 86. The assembly 58 may have any suitable mechanical constraint to keep the fiber bundle 68 proximate to the second array 96 if needed. For example, the first or second board 60, 62 may have a bracket (not shown) for engaging the fiber bundle 68. In another example, the first board 60 may have a spring arm (not shown) that may be extended to position the fiber bundle 68 proximate to the second array 96.
The first array positions 80 may comprise a row location R and a column location C as shown in
In one example, the center of the first array 94 may be aligned with the center of the second array 96 as shown in
The movable stage 86 and motors may be controlled in any suitable manner. For example, the movable stage 86 and motors may be controlled by at least one algorithm, and the algorithm may be a search algorithm. An example of a suitable algorithm is shown in
It will be understood that the alignment of the movable stage 86 with the second end 70 of the fiber bundle may be performed at any desired time throughout the operation of the assembly 58. For example, the alignment may be periodically performed to ensure that vibrations or other movements do not cause undue misalignment and loss of optical communication.
While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. For example, the fiber assemblies can comprise a plurality of fibers, cores, connectors, magnets, and the like. It will be further understood that the board assemblies can comprise a plurality of boards, fiber bundles, connectors, optical arrays, magnets, engagement members, and the like. Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, the representative apparatus, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.
Claims
1. A method of forming fibers, comprising modifying a first exposed edge of at least one core of a first fiber, wherein:
- said first fiber comprises a first end, a second end comprising said first exposed edge of said core end having a first diffusion state;
- said first fiber may transmit light along said core; and
- said modification of said first exposed edge comprises modifying said first diffusion state of said first exposed edge of said core to a second diffusion state such that light exiting said first exposed edge in said second diffusion state is spread over a greater number of angles relative to angles of said light exiting said first exposed edge in said first diffusion state.
2. A method of coupling fibers, comprising:
- modifying a first exposed edge of at least one core of a first fiber, wherein: said core comprises a first end, a second end comprising said first exposed edge of said core and having a first diffusion state, and a length between said first end and said second end; said first fiber may transmit light along said core; and said modification of said first exposed edge comprises modifying said first diffusion state of said first exposed edge of said core to a second diffusion state such that light exiting said first exposed edge in said second diffusion state is spread over a greater number of angles relative to angles of said light exiting said first exposed edge in said first diffusion state; and
- optically coupling said second end of said first fiber to a first end of a second fiber.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2 said step of optically coupling further comprising aligning said second end of said first fiber with said first end of said second fiber such that at least a portion of light exiting said second end of said first fiber enters said core of said first end of said second fiber.
4. The method as claimed in claim 2 further comprising modifying said first end of said second fiber, wherein:
- said second fiber comprises at least one core having a first end, a second end comprising a first exposed edge of said core and having a first diffusion state, and a length between said first end and said second end; and
- said modification comprises modifying said first diffusion state of said first exposed edge of said second fiber to a second diffusion state.
5. The method as claimed in claim 2 wherein said step of modifying said first exposed edge of said core comprises forming at least one diffusion feature on said first exposed edge of said core of said first fiber.
6. The method as claimed in claim 5 wherein said at least one diffusion feature comprises a random pattern.
7. The method as claimed in claim 5 wherein said at least one diffusion feature comprises an ordered pattern.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein said ordered pattern comprises a grating.
9. The method as claimed in claim 5 wherein said step of modifying said first exposed edge of said core comprises blasting said first exposed edge of said core.
10. The method as claimed in claim 9 wherein said blasting comprises sandblasting.
11. The method as claimed in claim 5 wherein said step of modifying said first exposed edge of said core comprises machining said first exposed edge of said core.
12. The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein said machining comprises grinding.
13. The method as claimed in claim 5 wherein said step of modifying said first exposed edge of said core comprises etching said first exposed edge of said core.
14. The method as claimed in claim 5 wherein said step of modifying said first exposed edge of said core comprises laser cutting said first exposed edge of said core.
15. The method as claimed in claim 5 wherein said step of modifying said first exposed edge of said core comprises molding said surface features into said first exposed edge of said core.
16. The method as claimed in claim 15 wherein said molding comprises molding facets.
17. A method of optically coupling boards, comprising:
- connecting a first end of a fiber bundle to a first face of a first board, wherein: said fiber bundle has a first end and a second end; said fiber bundle comprises a plurality of fibers comprising cores; each of said fibers may transmit light along said core; each of said fibers comprises a first end proximate to said first end of said fiber bundle, a second end comprising a first exposed edge of said core and having a first diffusion state proximate to said second end of said fiber bundle, and a length between said first end and said second end; and said second end of said fiber bundle comprises a first connector;
- modifying said first diffusion state of said first exposed edge of said core to a second diffusion state such that light exiting said first exposed edge in said second diffusion sate is spread over a greater number of angles relative to angles of said light exiting said first exposed edge in said first diffusion state; and
- connecting said first connector to a second connector on a first face of a second board.
18. A method of optically coupling boards, comprising:
- connecting a first end of a first fiber bundle to a first face of a first board, wherein: said fiber bundle has a second end; said fiber bundle comprises a plurality of fibers comprising cores; each of said cores may transmit light; each of said fibers comprises a first end proximate to said first end of said fiber bundle, a second end comprising a first exposed edge and having a first diffusion state proximate to said second end of said fiber bundle, and a length between said first end and said second end; and said second end of said fiber bundle comprises a first connector comprising a plurality of first array positions;
- modifying said first diffusion sate of said first exposed edge of said core to a second diffusion state such that light exiting said first exposed edge in said second diffusion state is spread over a greater number of angles relative to angles of said light exiting said first exposed edge in said first diffusion state; and
- connecting said first connector to a second connector on a first face of a second board, wherein: said second connector is defined by a plurality of second array positions; and said first connector is connected to said second connector such that at least one of said plurality of first array positions is aligned with at least one of said plurality of second array positions.
19. The method as claimed in claim 18 wherein said first array positions are aligned with said second array positions such that at least a portion of light exiting from said fiber bindle in said plurality of first array positions is received by said plurality of second array positions.
20. The method as claimed in claim 18 wherein said first array positions correspond to positions of said plurality of fibers.
21. A fiber assembly, comprising:
- a first fiber comprising at least one core, wherein: said first fiber may transmit light along said core; said first fiber comprises a first end, a second end, and a length between said first end and said second end; at least a portion said second end comprises a first exposed edge of said core; at least a portion of said first exposed edge of said core comprises at least one diffusion feature contained thereon; said at least one diffusion feature defines a second diffusion state of said first exposed edge of said core; and said second diffusion state is such that light exiting said first exposed edge of said core in said second diffusion state is spread over a greater number of angles relative to the angles said light would spread over if said first exposed edge did not comprise said at least one diffusion feature; and
- a second fiber comprising at least one core, wherein: said second fiber is defined by a first end; and said first fiber is at least partially aligned with said second fiber.
22. The assembly as claimed in claim 21 wherein said first fiber is aligned with said second fiber such that light exiting said second end of said first fiber is at least partially incident on said core of said first end of said second fiber.
23. The assembly as claimed in claim 21 wherein said at least one diffusion feature comprises a random pattern.
24. The assembly as claimed in claim 21 wherein said at least one diffusion feature comprises an ordered pattern.
25. The assembly as claimed in claim 24 wherein said ordered pattern comprises a grating.
26. The assembly as claimed in claim 21 wherein said at least one diffusion feature comprises facets.
27. The assembly as claimed in claim 21 wherein said first fiber comprises a first connector at said second end that is connected to a second connector at said first end of said second fiber.
28. The assembly as claimed in claim 21 wherein said core comprises glass.
29. The assembly as claimed in claim 21 wherein said core comprises plastic.
30. A board assembly, comprising:
- a first board;
- a fiber bundle having a first end and a second end, wherein said fiber bundle comprises a plurality of fibers; each of said plurality of fibers comprises a first end proximate to said first end of said fiber bundle and a second end proximate to said second end of said fiber bundle; each of said fibers comprises a core that may transmit light; and each of a portion of said second end of said fibers is defined by a first exposed edge of said core; at least a portion of each of said first exposed edge of said core comprises at least one diffusion feature contained thereon; said at least one diffusion feature defines a second diffusion state of said first exposed edge of said core; said second diffusion state is such that light exiting said first exposed edge of said core in said second diffusion state is spread over a greater number of angles relative to the angles said light would spread over if said first exposed edge did not comprise said at least one diffusion feature; said first end of said fiber bundle is connected to said first board; and said second end of said fiber bundle comprises a first connector; and
- a second board comprising a second connector, wherein said first connector may be connected to said second connector.
31. The assembly as claimed in claim 30 wherein said first board is parallel to said second board.
32. The assembly as claimed in claim 31 wherein:
- said fiber bundle is connected to a first face of said first board;
- said second connector is on a first face of said second board; and
- said first face of said first board faces said second face of said first board.
33. The assembly as claimed in claim 30 wherein said first connector comprises a plurality of first array positions; and wherein said second connector defines a plurality of second array positions.
34. The assembly as claimed in claim 33 wherein said plurality of first array positions correspond to array positions on said first board.
35. The assembly as claimed in claim 33 wherein said plurality of first array positions correspond to positions of said plurality of fibers.
36. The assembly as claimed in claim 33 wherein said first connector may be connected to said second connector such that said at least one of said plurality of said first array positions is aligned with a desired at least one of said plurality of second array positions.
37. The assembly as claimed in claim 30 wherein said first connector is connected to at least one emitter, and wherein said second connector is connected to at least one receiver.
38. The assembly as claimed in claim 30 wherein said first connector is connected to at least one receiver, and wherein said second connector is connected to at least one emitter.
39. The assembly as claimed in claim 30 wherein said first end of said fiber bundle is connected to said first board via a connector portion.
40. A system, comprising:
- a plurality of electronic circuit boards; and
- at least one optical fiber in optical communication with at least one circuit board of said plurality of electronic circuit boards, wherein the at least one optical fiber comprises at least one core having at least one end surface, and wherein said at least one end surface comprises a light dispersing geometry.
41. The system as claimed in claim 40 wherein said light dispersing geometry comprises a random pattern.
42. The system as claimed in claim 40 wherein said light dispersing geometry comprises an ordered pattern.
43. The system as claimed in claim 40 wherein said light dispersing geometry comprises a diffraction grating.
44. The system as claimed in claim 40 wherein said at least one optical fiber comprises a plurality of said cores.
45. The system as claimed in claim 40 wherein said at least one optical fiber is in optical communication with more than one of said plurality of electronic circuit boards.
46. The system as claimed in claim 40 wherein said at least one optical fiber is in optical communication with two of said plurality of electronic circuit boards.
47. The system as claimed in claim 40 wherein said system comprises a plurality of said optical fibers.
48. A system, comprising:
- a first means for transmitting light from a first point to a second point;
- a means for providing a diffusion state of said first means for transmitting light such that light exiting said first means for transmitting light is spread over a desired number of angles; and
- a second means for transmitting light from a first point to a second point at least partially aligned with said first means for transmitting light proximate to said means for providing a diffusion state.
49. The system as claimed in claim 48 further comprising a means for providing a diffusion state of said second means for transmitting light such that light exiting said second means for transmitting light is spread over a desired number of angles proximate to said means for providing a diffusion state of said first means for transmitting light.
50. The system as claimed in claim 48 further comprising a means for connecting said first means for transmitting light to said second means for transmitting light.
51. A system, comprising:
- a plurality of electronic circuit boards;
- means for establishing optical communication between a first one of said plurality of electronic circuit boards and a second one of said plurality of electronic circuit boards; and
- means for providing a diffusion state of said means for establishing optical communication such that light exiting said means for establishing optical communication is spread over a desired number of angles.
52. The system as claimed in claim 51 further comprising means for connecting said means for establishing optical communication to at least one of said plurality of electronic circuit boards.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 3, 2004
Publication Date: May 4, 2006
Inventors: David Fenwick (Chelmsford, MA), Richard Luebs (Windsor, CO), Terrel Morris (Garland, TX), Duane Wegher (Ft. Collins, CO), Jeffrey Yetter (Loveland, CO)
Application Number: 10/980,591
International Classification: G02B 6/38 (20060101);