Pad architecture for backwards compatibility for bi-directional transceiver module

Claim 2

A connector that electrically connects an optoelectronic transceiver module configured for bi-directional communication and a communications device configured for unidirectional communication, the connector comprising: a first plurality of pads that are used to communicate with a first receiver and a first transmitter of the optoelectronic transceiver module, the first plurality of pads comprising; first transmitter pads; and first receiver pads; a second plurality of pads used to communicate with the communications device; and a third plurality of pads selectively operable to communicate with a second receiver and a second transmitter when used to connect the optoelectronic transceiver module to a communications device that is configured for bi-directional communication, the third plurality of pads comprising: second transmitter pads; and second receiver pads.

Claim 3

The connector of claim 1 , wherein said communications device is configured to receive standard form factor pluggable (SFP) modules.

Claim 4

The connector of claim 2 , wherein said second plurality of pads conforms to the SFP standard.

Claim 5

The connector of claim 1 , wherein said communication device is configured to receive a 10 Gigabit standard form factor pluggable (XFP) module.

Claim 6

The connector of claim 1 , wherein at least said first transmitter pads of said first plurality of pads communicate with said first transmitter of said optoelectronic transceiver.

Claim 7

The connector of claim 5 , wherein at least said first receiver pads of said first plurality of pads communicate with said first receiver of said optoelectronic transceiver.

Claim 8

The connector of claim 1 , wherein at least said second transmitter pads of said third plurality of pads communicate with said second transmitter of said optoelectronic transceiver.

Claim 9

The connector of claim 7 , wherein at least said receiver pads of said third plurality of pads communicate with said second receiver of said optoelectronic transceiver.

Claim 10

The connector of claim 1 , wherein a sum of the first plurality, the second plurality and the third plurality equals twenty.

Claim 11

The connector of claim 1 , wherein a sum of the first plurality, the second plurality and the third plurality equals thirty.

Claim 12

A connector that electrically connects an optical transceiver module configured for unidirectional communication and a communications device configured for bi-directional communication, the connector comprising: a first plurality of pads that are used to communicate with a receiver and a transmitter of the optical transceiver module, the first plurality comprising: first transmitter pads; and first receiver pads; a second plurality of pads used to communicate with the communications device; and a third plurality of pads that are idle but that can be used to communicate with a second receiver and a second transmitter when used to connect an optical transceiver module configured for bi-directional communication to the communications device, the third plurality of pads comprising: second transmitter pads; and second receiver pads.

Claim 13

A connector that electrically connects an optical transceiver module configured for unidirectional communication and a communications device configured for bi-directional communication, the connector comprising: a first plurality of pads that are used to communicate with a receiver and a transmitter of the optical transceiver module, the first plurality comprising: first transmitter pads; and first receiver pads; a second plurality of pads used to communicate with the communications device; and a third plurality of pads that are idle but that can be used to communicate with a second receiver and a second transmitter when used to connect an optical transceiver module configured for bi-directional communication to the communications device, the third plurality of pads comprising: second transmitter pads; and second receiver pads.

Claim 14

The connector of claim 11 , wherein said transceiver module is selected from the group consisting of a standard form factor pluggable (SFP) module or a 10 Gigabit standard form factor pluggable (XFP) module.

Claim 15

The connector of claim 12 , wherein said first plurality of pads conforms to the SFP standard.

Claim 16

The connector of claim 11 , wherein at least said second transmitter pads of said third plurality of pads communicate with a second transmitter of an optoelectronic transceiver configured for bi-directional communication.

Claim 17

The connector of claim 14 , wherein at least said second receiver pads of said third plurality of pads communicate with a second receiver of an optoelectronic transceiver configured for bi-directional communication.

Claim 18

The connector of claim 11 , wherein a sum of the first plurality, the second plurality and the third plurality equals twenty.

Claim 19

The connector of claim 11 , wherein a sum of the first plurality, the second plurality and the third plurality equals thirty.

Claim 20

An optoelectronic transceiver assembly providing backwards compatibility between a bi-directional component and a legacy unidirectional component, comprising: an optical transceiver module; a communications device that communicates electrically with the optical transceiver module, wherein one of the optical transceiver module and the communications device is configured for bi-directional communication and the other of the optical transceiver module and the communications device is configured only for unidirectional communication; and a connector that electrically connects the optical transceiver module and the communications device, wherein the connector includes: a first set of pads that are used to communicate with a first receiver and a first transmitter of the optical transceiver module, the first set of pads comprising: first receiver pads to communicate with the first receiver; and first transmitter pads to communicate with the first transmitter; and a second set of pads that are idle but can be used to communicate with a second receiver and a second transmitter when used to connect an optical transceiver module and a communications device that are both configured for bi-directional communication, the second set of pads comprising: second receiver pads to communicate with the second receiver; and second transmitter pads to communicate with the second transmitter.

Claim 21

An optoelectronic transceiver assembly providing backwards compatibility between a bi-directional component and a legacy unidirectional component, comprising: an optical transceiver module; a communications device that communicates electrically with the optical transceiver module, wherein one of the optical transceiver module and the communications device is configured for bi-directional communication and the other of the optical transceiver module and the communications device is configured only for unidirectional communication; and a connector that electrically connects the optical transceiver module and the communications device, wherein the connector includes: a first set of pads that are used to communicate with a first receiver and a first transmitter of the optical transceiver module, the first set of pads comprising: first receiver pads to communicate with the first receiver; and first transmitter pads to communicate with the first transmitter; and a second set of pads that are idle but can be used to communicate with a second receiver and a second transmitter when used to connect an optical transceiver module and a communications device that are both configured for bi-directional communication, the second set of pads comprising: second receiver pads to communicate with the second receiver; and second transmitter pads to communicate with the second transmitter.

Claim 22

The optoelectronic transceiver assembly of claim 18 , wherein said communications device is configured to receive a module selected from the group consisting of a standard form factor pluggable (SFP) module or a 10 Gigabit standard form factor pluggable (XFP) module.

Claim 23

The optoelectronic transceiver assembly of claim 19 , wherein said transceiver module is one of a standard form factor pluggable (SFP) module, and a bi-directional transceiver module.

Claim 24

The optoelectronic transceiver assembly of claim 18 , wherein said first set of pads conforms to the SFP standard.

Claim 25

The optoelectronic transceiver assembly of claim 18 , wherein at least said second transmitter pads of said second set of pads communicate with a second transmitter of an optoelectronic transceiver configured for bi-directional communication.

Claim 26

The optoelectronic transceiver assembly of claim 22 , wherein at least said second receiver pads of said second set of pads communicate with a second receiver of an optoelectronic transceiver configured for bi-directional communication.

Claim 27

The optoelectronic transceiver assembly of claim 18 , wherein a sum of the first set, and the second set equals twenty.

Claim 28

The optoelectronic transceiver assembly of claim 18 , wherein a sum of the first set, and the second set equals thirty.