US5125054A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laminated polymer optical waveguide interface and method of making same
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1991-07-25
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Granted: 1992-06-23
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Expires: 2011-07-25
Abstract
Abstract An interface between a laminated polymer optical waveguide (15) and an electronic device (39). The interface does not degrade the desirable properties of the optical waveguide (15), is simple, is low cost, and is compatible with integrated circuit technology as well as optical and electrical connectors (41,42,43,46). The interface includes at least one vertical cavity surface emitting laser or photosensitive diode (11,37) mounted above the surface of the optical waveguide (15). A mirror (21) positioned at an angle with respect to the optical waveguide (15) serves to reflect light between either the vertical cavity surface emitting laser or photosensitive diode (11,37) and the optical waveguide (15). At least one microstrip line (16) couples electrical signals between the vertical cavity surface emitting laser (11,37) and the electronic device (39).
Inventors
- 👤 Donald E. Ackley
- 👤 Christopher K. Y. Chun
- 👤 Michael S. Lebby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 20:05
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/30; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/381; G02B6/3817; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4204; G02B6/421; G02B6/4214
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A laminated polymer optical waveguide interface, comprising: at least one laminated polymer optical waveguide which couples at least one optical signal along its length; at least one vertically operating optoelectronic interface means which serves as at least one optical transmitter and as at least one optical receiver; at least one mirror positioned at an angle with respect to the laminated polymer optical waveguide and serves to reflect light between the vertically operating optoelectronic interface means and the optical waveguide; and at least one laminated microstrip line which serves to couple at least one electrical signal between the vertically operating optoelectronic interface means and at least one electronic device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A laminated polymer optical waveguide interface, comprising: at least one laminated polymer optical waveguide which couples at least one optical signal along its length; at least one vertically operating optoelectronic interface means which serves as at least one optical transmitter and as at least one optical receiver; at least one mirror positioned at an angle with respect to the laminated polymer optical waveguide and serves to reflect light between the vertically operating optoelectronic interface means and the optical waveguide; and at least one laminated microstrip line which serves to couple at least one electrical signal between the vertically operating optoelectronic interface means and at least one electronic device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The laminated polymer optical waveguide interface of claim 1 wherein the vertically operating optoelectronic interface means comprises at least one surface mounted vertical cavity surface emitting laser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The laminated polymer optical waveguide interface of claim 1 wherein the vertically operating optoelectronic interface means comprises at least one surface mounted light emitting diode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The laminated polymer optical waveguide interface of claim 1 wherein the vertically operating optoelectronic interface means comprises at least one surface mounted photosensitive diode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The laminated polymer optical waveguide interface of claim 1 wherein the vertically operating optoelectronic interface means comprises at least one optoelectronic integrated circuit which itself comprises a plurality of optical interface means fabricated on a common semiconducting substrate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The laminated polymer optical waveguide interface of claim 1 further comprising: at least one connector fabricated by machining of the laminated polymer optical waveguide which is coupled to the laminated polymer optical waveguide interface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The laminated polymer optical waveguide interface of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of closely spaced parallel data channels in a planar form formed by photolithographic definition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The laminated polymer optical waveguide interface of claim 1 further comprising: at least one conductive layer laminated together with the laminated polymer optical waveguide and which serves to couple at least one electrical signal along the length of the laminated polymer optical waveguide in addition to the at least one optical signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
The laminated polymer optical waveguide interface of claim 1 further comprising: at least two conductive layers laminated as part of the laminated polymer optical waveguide to form at least one microstrip line and which serves to couple at least one high bandwidth electrical signal along the length of the laminated polymer optical waveguide in addition to the at least one optical signal.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for interfacing between optical signals and electrical signals, comprising: coupling at least one optical signal along the length of at least one laminated polymer optical waveguide; forming a reflective surface by laser ablation of the laminated polymer optical waveguide followed by coating with a reflective material; mounting at least one vertically operating optoelectronic device above the reflective surface; reflecting the optical signal from the laminated polymer optical waveguide to the vertically operating optoelectronic device; and coupling at least one electrical signal from the vertically operating optoelectronic device to at least one integrated circuit.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for interfacing between optical signals and electrical signals, comprising: coupling at least one optical signal along the length of at least one laminated polymer optical waveguide; forming a reflective surface by laser ablation of the laminated polymer optical waveguide followed by coating with a reflective material; mounting at least one vertically operating optoelectronic device above the reflective surface; reflecting the optical signal from the laminated polymer optical waveguide to the vertically operating optoelectronic device; and coupling at least one electrical signal from the vertically operating optoelectronic device to at least one integrated circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method for interfacing between optical signals and electrical signals of claim 10 wherein mounting the vertically operating optoelectronic device comprises mounting at least one surface mounted vertical cavity surface emitting laser.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method for interfacing between optical signals and electrical signals of claim 10 wherein mounting the vertically operating optoelectronic device comprises mounting at least one surface mounted photosensitive diode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method for interfacing between optical signals and electrical signals of claim 10 further comprising: coupling at least one connector means to the laminated polymer optical waveguide interface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method for interfacing between optical signals and electrical signals of claim 10 further comprising: coupling at least one electrical signal between the vertically operating optoelectronic interface means and at least one electronic device with at least one laminated microstrip line.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method for interfacing between optical signals and electrical signals of claim 10 further comprising: coupling at least one electrical signal along the length of the laminated polymer optical waveguide in addition to the at least one optical signal by means of at least one conductive layer laminated together with the laminated polymer optical waveguide.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method for interfacing between optical signals and electrical signals of claim 10 further comprising: coupling at least one high bandwidth electrical signal along the length of the laminated polymer optical waveguide in addition to the at least one optical signal by means of a microstrip line laminated together with the laminated polymer optical waveguide.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
170 words
A laminated polymer optical waveguide interface, comprising: at least one laminated polymer optical waveguide, formed by photolithographic definition within a plurality of parallel optical waveguides which serves to couple at least one optical signal along its length; at least one vertically operating optoelectronic device which serves as an optical transmitter; at least one reflective surface formed by laser ablation of the laminated polymer optical waveguide followed by coating with a reflective material which is positioned at an angle with respect to the laminated polymer optical waveguide serving to reflect light between the vertically operating optoelectronic device and the optical waveguide; at least one surface mounted integrated circuit; at least one laminated microstrip line which serves to couple at least one electrical signal between the vertically operating optoelectronic interface means and the surface mounted integrated circuit; and a microstrip line laminated together with the laminated polymer optical waveguide which serves to couple high bandwidth electrical signals along the length of the laminated polymer optical waveguide in addition to the optical signals.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
170 words
A laminated polymer optical waveguide interface, comprising: at least one laminated polymer optical waveguide, formed by photolithographic definition within a plurality of parallel optical waveguides which serves to couple at least one optical signal along its length; at least one vertically operating optoelectronic device which serves as an optical transmitter; at least one reflective surface formed by laser ablation of the laminated polymer optical waveguide followed by coating with a reflective material which is positioned at an angle with respect to the laminated polymer optical waveguide serving to reflect light between the vertically operating optoelectronic device and the optical waveguide; at least one surface mounted integrated circuit; at least one laminated microstrip line which serves to couple at least one electrical signal between the vertically operating optoelectronic interface means and the surface mounted integrated circuit; and a microstrip line laminated together with the laminated polymer optical waveguide which serves to couple high bandwidth electrical signals along the length of the laminated polymer optical waveguide in addition to the optical signals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The laminated polymer optical waveguide interface of claim 1, wherein the at least one mirror is formed by laser ablation of the laminated polymer optical waveguide followed by coating with a reflective material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-06-23 | 1995-12-23 | 1996-06-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-23 | 1999-12-23 | 2000-06-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-23 | 2003-12-23 | 2004-06-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |