Optical data processing system

Claim 2

A circuit board apparatus for optically coupling electrooptical circuit devices comprising: means defining first and second surfaces in spaced relationship, means for holding an electro-optical device with at least portions of said device between said first and second surfaces, at least one optical interface window disposed between said surfaces and positioned to be aligned with said device when said device is so held, an optical terminal coupled to said surface-defining means, and optical transmission means located between said first and second surfaces and coupled from said optical interface window to said optical terminal.

Claim 3

The circuit board of claim 1 including at least two of said device-holding means, at least one optical interface window for each device held by said two means, and optical transmission means optically coupling one such window to another such window.

Claim 4

The circuit board of claim 2 wherein said optical transmission means comprise optical fiber.

Claim 5

The circuit board as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for holding an electro-optical device comprises sockets having a plurality of spaced optical interface windows for transferring optical information between said electro-optical devices mounted in said sockets and a plurality of optical fibers ending at said windows.

Claim 6

The circuit board as defined in claim 4 wherein at least one of said means defining said first and second surfaces comprises an electrically conductive plate.

Claim 7

The circuit board as defined in claim 5 and further including a layer of potting material carried on said plate to rigidly hold said optical fiber in place.

Claim 8

The circuit board as defined in claim 6 wherein each socket includes a socket guide having at least one notch for receiving an optical fiber at a predetermined position on the periphery of said socket.

Claim 9

The circuit as defined in claim 7 wherein each optical interface window is located at a notch in said socket guide and comprises an end of an optical fiber.

Claim 10

An optical data processing system comprising: a circuit board including a plurality of optical sockets interconnected in a predetermined manner by optical fibers, and circuit wafers shaped to fit within said optical sockets and including electrical micro-circuits having electro-optical input and output devices electrically coupled to said micro-circuits and optically coupled to said interconnecting optical fibers when said wafers are mounted in said sockets.

Claim 11

An optical data processing system comprising: a circuit board including a plurality of optical sockets interconnected in a predetermined manner by optical fibers, and circuit wafers shaped to fit within said optical sockets and including electrical micro-circuits having electro-optical input and output devices electrically coupled to said micro-circuits and optically coupled to said interconnecting optical fibers when said wafers are mounted in said sockets.

Claim 12

The system as defined in claim 9 wherein said circuit board comprises a conductive plate and said optical fibers are positioned above said plate.

Claim 13

The system as defined in claim 10 wherein each wafer includes at least a bottom conductive surface which is electrically and thermally coupled to said plate of said circuit board when said wafer is mounted thereon to provide electrical power to circuits within said wafer.

Claim 14

An optical data processing system comprising: a first circuit board including a plurality of optical sockets interconnected in a predetermined manner by optical fibers and further including at least one optical input and output terminal, circuit wafers shaped to fit within said optical sockets and including electrical micro-circuits having electrical-optical input and output devices electrically coupled to said micro-circuits and optically coupled to said interconnecting optical fibers when said wafers are mounted in said sockets, a second circuit board including a plurality of optical sockets interconnected in a predetermined manner by optical fibers and further including at least one optical input and output terminal, circuit wafers shaped to fit within said optical sockets of said second circuit board and including electrical micro-circuits having electrical optical input and output devices electrically coupled to said micro-circuits and optically coupled to said interconnecting optical fibers when said wafers are mounted in Said sockets, and an optical connector including optical fibers therein coupling said input and output terminals of said first circuit board to said output and input terminals respectively of said second circuit board.

Claim 15

An optical data processing system comprising: a first circuit board including a plurality of optical sockets interconnected in a predetermined manner by optical fibers and further including at least one optical input and output terminal, circuit wafers shaped to fit within said optical sockets and including electrical micro-circuits having electrical-optical input and output devices electrically coupled to said micro-circuits and optically coupled to said interconnecting optical fibers when said wafers are mounted in said sockets, a second circuit board including a plurality of optical sockets interconnected in a predetermined manner by optical fibers and further including at least one optical input and output terminal, circuit wafers shaped to fit within said optical sockets of said second circuit board and including electrical micro-circuits having electrical optical input and output devices electrically coupled to said micro-circuits and optically coupled to said interconnecting optical fibers when said wafers are mounted in Said sockets, and an optical connector including optical fibers therein coupling said input and output terminals of said first circuit board to said output and input terminals respectively of said second circuit board.

Claim 16

The system as defined in claim 12 wherein each of said first and second circuit boards comprises a pair of spaced conductive plates and said circuit boards are stacked upon one another such that one of said plates of said first circuit board contacts one of said plates of said second circuit board.

Claim 17

An electrical-optical circuit adapted to fit within an optical socket having a plurality of light transmission means coupling said socket to other optical sockets, said circuit comprising: an electrical micro-circuit, electrical-optical input and output devices electrically coupled to said micro-circuit, a pair of spaced conductive surfaces shaped to fit in said optical sockets, said micro-circuit and said devices fitted between said conductive surfaces, and oriented such that light-responsive surfaces of said devices are arranged in a predetermined array adjacent and in alignment with light transmission means of said optical sockets, electrical leads coupling power input terminals of said micro-circuit and said devices to said conductive surfaces, and means for applying operating power to said surfaces.

Claim 18

An electrical-optical circuit adapted to fit within an optical socket having a plurality of light transmission means coupling said socket to other optical sockets, said circuit comprising: an electrical micro-circuit, electrical-optical input and output devices electrically coupled to said micro-circuit, a pair of spaced conductive surfaces shaped to fit in said optical sockets, said micro-circuit and said devices fitted between said conductive surfaces, and oriented such that light-responsive surfaces of said devices are arranged in a predetermined array adjacent and in alignment with light transmission means of said optical sockets, electrical leads coupling power input terminals of said micro-circuit and said devices to said conductive surfaces, and means for applying operating power to said surfaces.