Bidirectional parallel optical transceiver module and a method for bidirectionally communicating optical signals over an optical link

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9429725-B2
Application number	US-201313866765-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 19, 2013
Priority date	Apr 19, 2013
Publication date	Aug 30, 2016
Grant date	Aug 30, 2016

Abstract

Bidirectional parallel optical transceiver modules for use in optical links and methods for communicating bidirectionally over the links are provided. The bidirectional parallel optical transceiver modules have features that ensure relatively low optical crosstalk, relatively low return loss and relatively high SNR. In addition, the modules have an in-line, zig-zag configuration that allows the modules to be compact and to have high bidirectional channel density for achieving high bandwidth.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A bidirectional parallel optical transceiver module comprising:
a generally planar mounting surface that lies in a first plane;
an array of light sources mounted on the mounting surface;
an array of light detectors mounted on the mounting surface;
an optics system disposed on the mounting surface above the array of light sources and the array of light detectors, the optics system comprising:
an upper part that is secured to a lower part by a refractive index matching epoxy;
a first beam splitter; and
a pocket disposed between the upper part and the lower part of the optics system, the refractive index matching epoxy surrounding and fixedly positioning the first beam splitter inside the pocket, the first beam splitter having a first filter disposed on an upper side and a second filter disposed on a lower side, wherein first optical signals produced by the array of light sources are incident on the second filter that splits each of the first optical signals into at least first and second portions, the first portions of the first optical signals passing through the refractive index matching epoxy and the upper side of the first beam splitter before being coupled by one or more first optical elements of the optics system into respective end faces of respective optical fibers that are mechanically coupled to the optics system; and

an array of monitor light detectors mounted on the mounting surface and configured to receive the second portions of the optical signals from the second filter.

2. The bidirectional parallel optical transceiver module of claim 1 , wherein the first optical signals produced by the light sources are incident on the lower side of the first beam splitter at respective angles of incidences (AOIs) relative to a normal to the lower side of the first beam splitter, wherein the AOIs range from about 0° to about 15°.

3. The bidirectional parallel optical transceiver module of claim 2 , wherein the second filter directs the second portions at respective angles of reflection (AORs) relative to the normal to the lower side of the first beam splitter, wherein the AORs range from about 0° to about 15°.

4. The bidirectional parallel optical transceiver module of claim 3 , wherein the first plane corresponds to an X-Y plane of an X, Y , Z Cartesian coordinate system, and wherein each respective monitor light detector, receive light detector and respective light source have a common X coordinate and different Y coordinates in the X-Y plane, and wherein each respective fiber end face has the common X coordinate of the respective light source, monitor light detector and receive light detector and has Y and Z coordinates that are different from the Y and Z coordinates of the respective light source, monitor light detector and receive light detector.

5. The bidirectional parallel optical transceiver module of claim 1 , wherein the first plane corresponds to an X-Y plane of an X, Y , Z Cartesian coordinate system, each respective receive light detector and respective light source being in a common line in X and Y dimensions of the X, Y , Z Cartesian coordinate system such that each receive light detector and respective light source have a common X coordinate and different Y coordinates in the X-Y plane, and wherein each respective fiber end face has the common X coordinate of the respective light source and receive light detector and has Y and Z coordinates that are different from the Y and Z coordinates of the respective light source and receive light detector.

6. The bidirectional parallel optical transceiver module of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second beam splitter included in the optics system having at least an upper side and a lower side, and wherein the second optical signals reflected in the first direction are coupled by one or more of the second optical elements onto the second beam splitter, and wherein the second beam splitter allows only respective portions of optical signals that are incident on the upper side of the second beam splitter that are of at least one intended wavelength of light to pass through the second beam splitter and to be coupled by said one or more second optical elements of the optics system onto respective receive light detectors of the array of receive light detectors.

7. The bidirectional parallel optical transceiver module of claim 1 , wherein the respective first optical signals produced by the respective light sources of the array of light sources are of a first wavelength, λ1, and wherein the respective optical signals passing out of the respective end faces are of a second wavelength, λ2.

8. The bidirectional parallel optical transceiver module of claim 1 , wherein the respective optical signals produced by the respective light sources of the array of light sources are of a first wavelength, λ1, and wherein the respective optical signals passing out of the respective end faces are of the first wavelength, λ1.

9. The bidirectional parallel optical transceiver module of claim 1 , wherein the end faces of the optical fibers are mechanically coupled to the optics system by a butt-coupling arrangement.

10. The bidirectional parallel optical transceiver module of claim 1 , wherein the end faces of the optical fibers are mechanically coupled to the optics system by a multi-fiber connector.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the lower side of the respective first beam splitter directs the second portions by reflecting the second portions at respective angles of reflection (AORs) relative to a normal to the lower side of the first beam splitter, and wherein the AORs range from about 0° to about 15°.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first plane corresponds to an X-Y plane of an X, Y , Z Cartesian coordinate system, and wherein within each module, each respective receive light detector, respective monitor light detector, and respective light source are in a common line in X and Y dimensions of the X, Y , Z Cartesian coordinate system, wherein each receive light detector, respective monitor light detector, and respective light source have a common X coordinate and different Y coordinates in the X-Y plane, and wherein each respective fiber end face has the common X coordinate of the respective light source, monitor light detector and receive light detector and has Y and Z coordinates that are different from the Y and Z coordinates of the respective light source, monitor light detector and receive light detector.

13. The bidirectional parallel optical transceiver module of claim 1 , wherein the second filter is partially reflective and partially transparent to a first wavelength of the first optical signals.

14. The bidirectional parallel optical transceiver module of claim 1 , wherein said one or more first optical elements of the optics system include:
a first array of optical elements disposed in between the end faces of the optical fibers and the first beam splitter, each optical element of the first array receiving a respective first portion of the respective first optical signal that passes through the first beam splitter and directing the received first portion onto a respective end face of a respective optical fiber, each respective optical element of the first array receiving a respective second optical signal passing out of a respective end face and directing the respective received optical signal passing out of the respective end face onto the upper side of the first beam splitter.

15. The bidirectional parallel optical transceiver module of claim 14 , further comprising:
one or more second optical elements, wherein the second optical signals are

Assignees

• Avago Technologies General Ip

Inventors

• Shao Bing
• Chen Ye

Classifications

• G02B6/4214

  the intermediate optical element having redirecting reflective means, e.g. mirrors, prisms for deflecting the radiation from horizontal to down- or upward direction toward a device (G02B6/4246 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H04B10/40 Primary

  Transceivers · CPC title

• G02B6/4246 Primary

  Bidirectionally operating package structures · CPC title

• G02B6/4215

  the intermediate optical elements being wavelength selective optical elements, e.g. variable wavelength optical modules or wavelength lockers (G02B6/4246 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G02B6/4286

  Optical modules with optical power monitoring · CPC title