US6302596B1 — Small form factor optoelectronic transceivers

Claim 1

Independent Claim 174 words

An optical subassembly comprising: a housing including a first end portion and a second end portion oppositely disposed from the first end portion; the first end portion forming a bore configured and dimensioned to receive a connector ferrule having an optical fiber therein, the bore being adjacent to a ferrule stop integrally formed in the housing; a lens integrally formed with the housing, the lens having a planar surface and a convex surface opposite the planar surface, the planar surface of the lens being substantially parallel to and set in from the ferrule stop to prevent contact between the ferrule and the planar surface; an optical device in operative relationship with the bore, the lens being optically aligned with the fiber in the ferrule; and wherein the housing includes a protrusion extending from the second end portion forming a substantially circular opening in the housing for receiving the optical device, the protrusion including an angled external surface about the circular opening to receive a bonding compound for bonding the optical device to the housing.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 174 words

An optical subassembly comprising: a housing including a first end portion and a second end portion oppositely disposed from the first end portion; the first end portion forming a bore configured and dimensioned to receive a connector ferrule having an optical fiber therein, the bore being adjacent to a ferrule stop integrally formed in the housing; a lens integrally formed with the housing, the lens having a planar surface and a convex surface opposite the planar surface, the planar surface of the lens being substantially parallel to and set in from the ferrule stop to prevent contact between the ferrule and the planar surface; an optical device in operative relationship with the bore, the lens being optically aligned with the fiber in the ferrule; and wherein the housing includes a protrusion extending from the second end portion forming a substantially circular opening in the housing for receiving the optical device, the protrusion including an angled external surface about the circular opening to receive a bonding compound for bonding the optical device to the housing.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 17 words

The optical subassembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the optical subassembly includes an optical transmitter.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 18 words

The optical subassembly as recited in claim 2 , wherein the optical subassembly is class 1 eye safe.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 25 words

The optical subassembly as recited in claim 2 , wherein the housing includes a material transparent to wavelengths of light provided by the optical transmitter.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 37 words

The optical subassembly as recited in claim 2 , wherein the optical transmitter is a laser transmitter and the laser of the transmitter is one of a vertical cavity surface emitting laser and an edge emitting laser.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 29 words

The optical subassembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the housing is substantially rectangular and forms a substantially circular opening in the housing for receiving the optical device.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 24 words

The optical subassembly as recited in claim 6 , wherein the optical device is bonded to the housing with an ultraviolet light curing compound.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 19 words

The optical subassembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the housing includes one of polycarbonate, polyethersulfone and polyesterimide.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 17 words

The optical subassembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the optical subassembly includes an optical receiver.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 20 words

The optical subassembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the optical device is housed in a TO can package.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 24 words

The optical subassembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the optical subassembly is adapted for connectors using ferrules of about 1.25 mm diameter.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 23 words

The optical subassembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the ferrule stop includes a recess for receiving debris introduced into the bore.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 43 words

The optical subassembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the convex surface is separated from the planar surface to permit light, from the optical fiber, beyond an acceptance numerical aperture for the lens to be redirected back into the first end portion.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 198 words

A transceiver module comprising: a compliant retainer having a first end portion oppositely disposed to a second end portion, the first end portion dimensioned and configured to receive optical connectors; a circuit board being received in the second end portion of the retainer, the circuit board connecting to optical subassemblies for coupling to the optical connectors, the circuit board for processing signals to and from the transceiver module and the optical subassemblies, the second end portion including a U shaped portion for permitting the optical subassemblies to be received in the retainer; the transceiver including a transmitter optical subassembly matable to a receiver optical subassembly, each of the transmitter optical subassembly and the receiver optical subassembly including: a substantially rectangular housing forming a bore configured and dimensioned to receive a ferrule having an optical fiber therein, the bore being adjacent to a ferrule stop integrally formed in the housing; and a lens integrally formed with the housing, the lens having a planar surface and a convex surface opposite the planar surface, the planar surface of the lens being substantially parallel to and set in from the ferrule stop to prevent contact between the ferrule and the planar surface.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 198 words

A transceiver module comprising: a compliant retainer having a first end portion oppositely disposed to a second end portion, the first end portion dimensioned and configured to receive optical connectors; a circuit board being received in the second end portion of the retainer, the circuit board connecting to optical subassemblies for coupling to the optical connectors, the circuit board for processing signals to and from the transceiver module and the optical subassemblies, the second end portion including a U shaped portion for permitting the optical subassemblies to be received in the retainer; the transceiver including a transmitter optical subassembly matable to a receiver optical subassembly, each of the transmitter optical subassembly and the receiver optical subassembly including: a substantially rectangular housing forming a bore configured and dimensioned to receive a ferrule having an optical fiber therein, the bore being adjacent to a ferrule stop integrally formed in the housing; and a lens integrally formed with the housing, the lens having a planar surface and a convex surface opposite the planar surface, the planar surface of the lens being substantially parallel to and set in from the ferrule stop to prevent contact between the ferrule and the planar surface.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 23 words

The transceiver module as recited in claim 14 , wherein the ferrule stop includes a recess for receiving debris introduced into the bore.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 44 words

The transceiver module as recited in claim 14 , further comprising an optical device for each of the transmitter optical subassembly and the receiver optical subassembly in operative relationship with the bore, and the lens being optically aligned with the fiber in the ferrule.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 39 words

The transceiver module as recited in claim 14 , wherein the transmitter optical subassembly and receiver optical subassembly are matable by an attachment means integrally formed in the housing of the transmitter optical subassembly and the receiver optical subassembly.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 19 words

The transceiver module as recited in claim 14 , wherein the transmitter optical subassembly is class 1 eye safe.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 36 words

The transceiver module as recited in claim 14 , wherein the housings of the transmitter optical subassembly and the receiver optical subassembly include a material transparent to wavelengths of light provided by the transmitter optical subassembly.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 39 words

The transceiver module as recited in claim 14 , wherein the transmitter optical subassembly includes a laser and the laser of the transmitter optical subassembly is one of a vertical cavity surface emitting laser and an edge emitting laser.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 29 words

The transceiver module as recited in claim 14 , wherein the housings of the transmitter optical subassembly and the receiver optical subassembly include one of polycarbonate, polyethersulfone and polyetherimide.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 21 words

The transceiver module as recited in claim 14 , wherein the bores are adapted for ferrules of about 1.25 mm diameter.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 29 words

The transceiver module as recited in claim 14 , wherein the housings of the transmitter and receiver optical subassemblies form a substantially circular opening for receiving an optical device.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 17 words

The transceiver module as recited in claim 23 , wherein the optical device includes a TO can.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 63 words

The optical subassembly as recited in claim 23 , wherein the housing includes a protrusion extending from a second end portion opposite the bore, the protrusion forming a substantially circular opening in the housing for receiving the optical device, the protrusion including an angled external surface about the circular opening to receive a bonding compound for bonding the optical device to the housing.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 92 words

A transceiver comprising a transmitter optical subassembly housing matable to a receiver optical subassembly housing, each of the transmitter optical subassembly and the receiver optical subassembly including an attachment structure for receiving and securing the attachment structure of the other, the attachment structures being integrally formed into the housings; and a compliant retainer having a first end portion dimensioned and configured to receive optical connectors and a second end portion including a U shaped portion for permitting the transmitter optical subassembly and the receiver optical subassembly to be received in the retainer.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 92 words

A transceiver comprising a transmitter optical subassembly housing matable to a receiver optical subassembly housing, each of the transmitter optical subassembly and the receiver optical subassembly including an attachment structure for receiving and securing the attachment structure of the other, the attachment structures being integrally formed into the housings; and a compliant retainer having a first end portion dimensioned and configured to receive optical connectors and a second end portion including a U shaped portion for permitting the transmitter optical subassembly and the receiver optical subassembly to be received in the retainer.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 31 words

The transceiver as recited in claim 26 , wherein the attachment structure on one subassembly includes tabs and the attachment structure on the other subassembly includes holes for receiving the tabs.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 17 words

The transceiver as recited in claim 26 , wherein the attachment structures include slidably matable dovetail-shaped structures.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 159 words

An optical subassembly comprising: a housing including a first end portion and a second end portion oppositely disposed from the first end portion; the first end portion forming a bore configured and dimensioned to receive a connector ferrule having an optical fiber therein, the bore being adjacent to a ferrule stop integrally formed in the housing; a lens integrally formed with the housing, the lens having a planar surface and a convex surface opposite the planar surface, the planar surface of the lens being substantially parallel to and set in from the ferrule stop to prevent contact between the ferrule and the planar surface; and an optical device in operative relationship with the bore, the lens being optically aligned with the fiber in the ferrule; wherein the convex surface is separated from the planar surface to permit light, from the optical fiber, beyond an acceptance numerical aperture for the lens to be redirected back into the first end portion.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 159 words

An optical subassembly comprising: a housing including a first end portion and a second end portion oppositely disposed from the first end portion; the first end portion forming a bore configured and dimensioned to receive a connector ferrule having an optical fiber therein, the bore being adjacent to a ferrule stop integrally formed in the housing; a lens integrally formed with the housing, the lens having a planar surface and a convex surface opposite the planar surface, the planar surface of the lens being substantially parallel to and set in from the ferrule stop to prevent contact between the ferrule and the planar surface; and an optical device in operative relationship with the bore, the lens being optically aligned with the fiber in the ferrule; wherein the convex surface is separated from the planar surface to permit light, from the optical fiber, beyond an acceptance numerical aperture for the lens to be redirected back into the first end portion.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2004-10-15	2005-04-16	2005-10-16	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2008-10-15	2009-04-16	2009-10-16	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2012-10-15	2013-04-16	2013-10-16	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Small form factor optoelectronic transceivers

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag