| FINISAR CORPORATION Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120120851 | PROTOCOLS FOR OUT-OF-BAND COMMUNICATION - Methods for managing an optical network through out-of-band communication between optical transceiver modules in a heterogeneous network fabric are disclosed. The disclosed methods include methods for performing fabric discovery, communicating error messages, detecting intrusion. Methods are also disclosed for communicating between transceivers of differing protocol versions and memory capacity. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120120407 | Optical Coherence Tomography System And Method - A method of analysis of a sample, including the steps of: (a) splitting an input optical beam into a probe beam and reference beam; (b) utilizing the probe beam to interrogate a sample and obtaining a return sample beam there from; (c) manipulating the reference beam into a predetermined polarization state; (d) mixing the return sample beam and reference beam producing a series of mixed beams; and (e) analyzing the polarization components of the series of mixed beams. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120082450 | MONOLITHIC POWER MONITOR AND WAVELENGTH DETECTOR - Monolithic single and/or dual detector structures are fabricated on the emitting surface of a VCSEL and/or on a lens or glass substrate configured to be positioned along the axis of emission of an optical light source. Each monolithic detector structure includes one or two PIN detectors fabricated from amorphous silicon germanium with carbon doping or amorphous germanium with hydrogen doping. The monolithic detectors may additionally include various metallization layers, buffer layers, and/or anti-reflective coatings. The monolithic detectors can be grown on 1550 NM VCSELs used in optical transmitters, including lasers with managed chirp and TOSA modules, to reduce power and real estate requirements of the optical transmitters, enabling the optical transmitters to be implemented in long-reach SFP+ transceivers. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120076505 | THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF A LOCKER ETALON IN A TRANSMITTER OPTICAL SUBASSEMBLY - Thermal management of a locker etalon in a transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA). In one example embodiment, a TOSA includes a case, a laser positioned within the case and electro-thermally connected to the case, a locker etalon positioned in the case and thermally connected to the case, and a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) positioned within the case and in thermal contact with both the laser and the locker etalon. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120057879 | DISCRETE BOOTSTRAPPING IN AN OPTICAL RECEIVER TO PREVENT SIGNAL FEEDBACK - An optical receiver assembly that is configured to avoid the introduction of feedback in an electrical signal converted by the assembly is disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical receiver assembly is disclosed, comprising a capacitor, an optical detector provided with a power supply being mounted on a top electrode of the capacitor, and an amplifier mounted on the reference surface. The assembly further includes an isolator interposed between the reference surface and the capacitor, wherein the isolator includes a bottom layer of dielectric material that is affixed to a portion of the reference surface, and a metallic top plate that is electrically coupled both to a ground of the amplifier and to the capacitor. This configuration bootstraps the amplifier ground to the amplifier input via the photodiode top electrode of the capacitor to cancel out feedback signals present at the amplifier ground. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120057821 | ACTIVE OPTICAL CABLE - Integrated cables are disclosed that can include a first optical fiber for optical communication over the length of the integrated cables from a first connector at a first end to a second connector at a second end. The integrated cable can further include a second electrical connector configured to connect with a second electrical port external to the integrated cable. The integrated cable can further include an electrical conductor extending from the first electrical connector to the second electrical connector and configured to supply operating power to an electronic device connected to the second electrical connector but external to the integrated cable. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120039572 | ELECTRONIC MODULE HAVING MULTIPLE FLEX CIRCUIT CONNECTORS - In one example embodiment, an electronic module comprises a plurality of components and flex circuit connectors each electrically connected to respective components of the electronic module. The electronic module may be an optical subassembly of an optical transceiver. Moreover, one of the flex circuit connectors may be physically connected to another of the flex circuit connectors. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120033979 | OPTOELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS ASSEMBLY HAVING AN ELECTRICAL AND OPTICAL INTERFACE - In one example embodiment, an optoelectronic communications assembly having an optical receiver or an optical transmitter includes an optical interface disposed at an end thereof and through which optical signals are communicated by the optical receiver or optical transmitter. The optoelectronic communications assembly also includes an electronic component and a first electrical interface disposed at the optical interface end of the optical communications assembly and communicatively coupled to the electronic component. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120032752 | VERTICAL QUASI-CPWG TRANSMISSION LINES - In one example embodiment, a coplanar waveguide signal transition element transitions high-speed signals between vertically stacked coplanar waveguide transmission lines. The signal transition element comprises one or more dielectric layers and a plurality of electrically conductive vias extending through at least a portion of the one or more dielectric layers. The vias include one or more signal vias and one or more ground vias that are configured to transition signals between the vertically stacked coplanar waveguide transmission lines. The signal transition element also comprises a ground plane disposed within the one or more dielectric layers and electrically coupled to the one or more ground vias. The ground plane has one or more openings through which the one or more signal vias respectively pass. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120026697 | THUMBSCREW FOR PLUGGABLE MODULES - In one example, a pluggable module comprises a shell, a module connector, and one or more thumbscrews. The shell defines a cavity within which a PCB and one or more components are disposed and includes a front, back, first side, and second side. The module connector is operatively connected to the PCB near the back of the shell and extends from within the cavity to outside the shell through an opening defined in the back of the shell. The module connector is configured to operatively couple the pluggable module to a host device. The thumbscrews are housed within one or more portions of the shell and are configured to threadably secure the pluggable module to the host device. Each of the thumbscrews comprises a torque limiter. The pluggable module can further comprise protecting means for protecting a portion of the module connector extending outside the cavity from damage. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120020674 | STATUS LINK FOR MULTI-CHANNEL OPTICAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS - A robust and redundant status link is established by a first multi-channel optoelectronic device with a second multi-channel optoelectronic device in a multi-channel communication link. Transmitter bias currents are effectively modulated with a status link modulation signal representative of status data and subsequently modulated with primary data modulation signals. The resulting signals are transformed into optical signals and transmitted over the link as main communication links combined with a status link. At the second device, the optical signals are received and converted to electrical signals. The receipt of the optical signals creates multiple receiver bias currents, which may be monitored to detect the status link modulation signal. The second device may adjust various operating parameters in response to the information conveyed by the status link. For instance, devices can use status links to operate above nominal eye safety limits and/or to adjust transmit power to compensate for degradation effects. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120007689 | EMI TRAP USING MICROWAVE CIRCUIT - In one example embodiment, a transmitter comprises a first component coupled to receive a signal for transmission and a second component communicatively coupled to the first component to transmit the signal over a transmission medium. The transmitter further comprises a planar transmission line formed on a substrate and disposed between the first and second components to couple the signal from the first component to the second component. The planar transmission line includes a first transmission line element formed on the substrate and configured to suppress radiation of EMI at a predetermined frequency. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20110318000 | OPTICAL BUS - An optical bus. Optical sub-assemblies are used to connect lengths of optical fiber to form a single optical fiber that is a bus. A master transceiver may be connected to one end of the fiber and nodes can be connected to the optical sub-assemblies. Each optical sub-assembly includes a center fiber with a mirror that enables each connector to reflect optical signals out of the fiber and that enables a node to launch optical signals on the optical bus. The optical bus can also be connected with a second transceiver that may be used to deliver optical power to the attached nodes. Some nodes include two optical subassemblies to enable bidirectional communication on the optical bus. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110311230 | OPTICAL BUS - An optical bus. Optical sub-assemblies are used to connect lengths of optical fiber to form a single optical fiber that is a bus. A master transceiver may be connected to one end of the fiber and nodes can be connected to the optical sub-assemblies. Each optical sub-assembly includes a center fiber with a mirror that enables each connector to reflect optical signals out of the fiber and that enables a node to launch optical signals on the optical bus. The optical bus can also be connected with a second transceiver that may be used to deliver optical power to the attached nodes. Some nodes include two optical subassemblies to enable bidirectional communication on the optical bus. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110306156 | SURFACE GRATINGS ON VCSELS FOR POLARIZATION PINNING - Methods for manufacturing a polarization pinned vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). Steps include growing a lower mirror on a substrate; growing an active region on the lower mirror; growing an upper mirror on the active region; depositing a grating layer on the upper minor; and etching a grating into the grating layer. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110305454 | OPTICAL TRANSCEIVERS WITH CLOSED-LOOP DIGITAL DIAGNOSTICS - Systems and methods for performing closed-loop diagnostics in optical transceiver. The TOSA of an optical receiver includes a primary transmit module and a secondary receiver module. The transmit module transmits a data signal to a ROSA of another optical transceiver. The ROSA has a secondary transmit module that can transmit a diagnostic data signal back to the secondary receiver module of the TOSA. The TOSA can use the diagnostic data received from the ROSA to automatically adjust itself and perform closed-loop feedback functions. The closed loop diagnostics can be implemented in a network where one transceiver may be connected with more than one other transceiver in a multi-node configuration. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110293285 | TRANSCEIVER MODULE AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WITH DUAL EYE OPENERS - A transceiver module having integrated eye diagram opening functionality for reducing jitter is described. The transceiver module may include a transmitter eye opener and a receiver eye opener integrated in a single circuit. The transceiver module may also include serial control and various other integrated components. Other functionalities that may be integrated on the transceiver module include loopback modes, bypass features, bit error rate testing, and power down modes. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110267742 | LATCHING MECHANISM FOR AN ELECTRONIC MODULE - Latching mechanisms for electronic modules. In one example embodiment, a latching mechanism for an electronic module includes a latch, a latch return spring, and a release slide. The latch is configured to rotate between a latched position and an unlatched position. The latch includes a latch arm on a first end of the latch and an engagement pin on a second end of the latch. The latch return spring is configured to bias the latch in the latched position. The release slide includes a slide ramp. The slide ramp is configured to engage the latch arm as the release slide is slid away from the engagement pin, which causes the latch to rotate from the latched position to the unlatched position. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110255878 | BANDPASS COMPONENT DECIMATION AND TRANSMISSION OF DATA IN CABLE TELEVISION DIGITAL RETURN PATH - A device for and a method of decreasing the data rate of a digital return path link in a Cable Television Hybrid Fiber-Coax system (CATV system) is disclosed. At the node of the CATV system, the bandwidth of the a digital data stream representative of an analog return signal is limited to a desired frequency band. The ba | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110229702 | REDUCING THERMAL EXPANSION EFFECTS IN SEMICONDUCTOR PACKAGES - Reducing effects of thermal expansion in electronic components. An electronic device can include a support, such as a leadframe. An electronic component can be supported by the support. A first flexible layer can cover the electronic component. A second more rigid layer can cover the first layer. The first layer can be made from a material that is more flexible than the second layer thereby creating a mechanical buffer layer between the second layer and the electronic component such that the electronic component is protected from thermal expansion of the second portion caused by changes in temperature. The electronic component can be a laser. The first and second materials can be selected to disperse an optical emission from the optical transmitter. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110228803 | VCSEL WITH INTEGRAL RESISTIVE REGION - In one embodiment, a VCSEL includes a plurality of semiconductor layers, an insulative region, a resistive region, and a remainder region. The semiconductor layers include a lower mirror, an active region, and an upper mirror. The active region is disposed over the lower mirror and includes a first lasing region. The upper mirror is disposed over the active region. The insulative region and the resistive region are integrally formed in the semiconductor layers. The remainder region includes the semiconductor layers except for the insulative region and the resistive region integrally formed in the semiconductor layers. The insulative region is disposed between the resistive region and the remainder region. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110228483 | COMMUNICATIONS MODULE WITH A SHELL ASSEMBLY HAVING THERMAL MECHANICAL FEATURES - In an embodiment, a shell assembly for a communications module is described that includes a top shell, a bottom shell, and a thermal boss. The top shell has a top panel and opposing lateral side portions. The bottom shell has a bottom panel and opposing lateral side portions. The top shell and the bottom shell are configured to be assembled together to define a cavity therebetween. The cavity may be configured to receive a transceiver assembly. The thermal boss extends from the top panel and includes a thermal interface surface defining a thermal interface plane oriented at an angle relative to the top panel. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110200287 | CONSTRAINING BALL LENS IN AN OPTICAL SUBASSEMBLY - In one embodiment, an optical subassembly includes a housing, a ball lens, a constraining insert, and a ball lens constraint. The housing includes a fiber receptacle formed in a first end of the housing and a second receptacle formed in a second end of the housing opposite the first end. The fiber receptacle and second receptacle define a cavity through the housing from the first end to the second end of the housing. The ball lens and the constraining insert are disposed within the cavity. The ball lens constraint is configured to cooperate with the constraining insert to constrain the ball lens in three dimensions within the cavity. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110194810 | REINFORCED MULTI-BODY OPTICAL DEVICES - Reinforced multi-body optical devices. In one example embodiment, a method for fabricating a reinforced multi-body optical device includes various acts. First, a supporting plate is bonded, using pressure and heat, to a multi-body optical device to form a reinforced multi-body optical device. The supporting plate has a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that is within about 0.5 parts per million of the CTE of the multi-body optical device. Then, the multi-body optical device is ground to reduce the thickness of the multi-body optical device. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110188867 | DQPSK DEMODULATOR - A phase shift keyed demodulator includes first and second beam splitters, a first optical path, a second optical path, and a wavelength tuner. The first beam splitter splits an input signal into first and second output signals. The second beam splitter splits each first and second output signal into a transmitted signal and a reflected signal. The first optical path includes an optical path of each transmitted signal from a beam splitting surface to a reflector and back to the beam splitting surface. The second optical path includes an optical path of each reflected signal from the beam splitting surface to a mirror surface and back to the beam splitting surface. A path difference introduces a delay between the transmitted signal and the reflected signal. The wavelength tuner tunes the demodulator to a predetermined central wavelength and introduces a phase shift between first and second transmitted signals. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110182571 | OPTICAL TRANSCEIVER WITH CLOCK FOR PROVIDING MAINTENANCE AND LIFETIME INFORMATION - An optoelectronic device uses microcode to perform an end of life calculation for the optoelectronic device. In a disclosed example, the optoelectronic device senses environmental and operational parameters under changing conditions during device operation. The optoelectronic device then calculates the end of life for itself based on one or more of the sensed environmental and/or operational parameters. The calculation can be done in real time and using digital logic. The calculation can provide a result in a format which is useful to a host system with which the device is connected. The optoelectronic device may automatically shut itself down upon reaching its calculated end of life. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110170880 | VARIABLE OPTICAL ATTENUATOR INTEGRATION INTO TRANSMITTER OPTICAL SUBASSEMBLIES - A small-scale VOA system includes a polarization rotator, a voltage multiplier circuit, and at least one transistor. The polarization rotator can be positioned within a TOSA along the emission axis of a corresponding optical signal source in addition to one or more polarizers. A microcontroller provides a first low voltage control signal to a voltage multiplier to generate a large voltage DC signal which is provided to the transistor. The transistor modulates the large voltage signal with a second control signal from the microcontroller to generate a large voltage AC signal for driving the polarization rotator. The polarization rotation of the polarization rotator can be altered depending on the applied large-voltage AC signal. As a result, the polarization rotator and one or more polarizers can variably attenuate signals emitted by the optical signal source or act as a shutter. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110110669 | OPTICAL TRANSCIEVER - An optical transceiver for detecting an incoming light beam and for transmitting an outgoing light beam along a common optical axis is provided. Such an optical transceiver provides a compact optical transceiver that is suitable for a wide variety of applications. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110096803 | ASYMMETRIC DBR PAIRS COMBINED WITH PERIODIC AND MODULATION DOPING TO MAXIMIZE CONDUCTION AND REFLECTIVITY, AND MINIMIZE ABSORPTION - An optical device for improving conduction and reflectivity and minimizing absorption. The optical device includes a first mirror comprising a first plurality of mirror periods designed to reflect an optical field at a predetermined wavelength, where the optical field has peaks and nulls. Each of the plurality of mirror periods includes a first layer of having a high carrier mobility, a second layer having lower carrier mobility, and a first compositional ramp between the first and second layers. The thicknesses of the first and second layers for at least a portion of the first plurality of mirror periods are established such that the nulls of the optical field occur within the first layer and not within the compositional ramp. At least the portion of the first layers within the first plurality of mirror periods include elevated doping concentrations at locations of the nulls of the optical field. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110091219 | LASER DRIVERS FOR CLOSED PATH OPTICAL CABLES - Simplified laser drivers for closed path digital optical cables and digital optical cables including the simplified laser drivers. The laser driver can include less transistors than conventional laser drivers for optical communication cables. The laser can include a bias source and modulation source. The bias source can have a single constant current bias point for all laser diodes. The modulation current source can have a single temperature coefficient for all laser diodes. The laser driver can exclude, for example, any one of or combination of temperature compensation of the modulation or bias current sources, external programming of the modulation or bias current sources, power control based on output of the laser diode, and/or control based on feedback received from a monitor device or other sensor within the cables. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110090930 | VERTICAL CAVITY SURFACE EMITTING LASER WITH UNDOPED TOP MIRROR - A VCSEL with undoped top mirror. The VCSEL is formed from an epitaxial structure deposited on a substrate. A doped bottom mirror is formed on the substrate. An active layer that includes quantum wells is formed on the bottom mirror. A periodically doped conduction layer is formed on the active layer. The periodically doped conduction layer is heavily doped at locations where the optical energy is at a minimum when the VCSEL is in operation. A current aperture is used between the conduction layer and the active region. An undoped top mirror is formed on the heavily doped conduction layer. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110086452 | SEMICONDUCTOR HAVING ENHANCED CARBON DOPING - Methods for fabricating semiconductors with enhanced strain. One embodiment includes fabrication of a semiconductor device with an epitaxial structure. The epitaxial structure is formed with one or more semiconductor layers. One or more of the layers includes a dopant including small quantities of Al and repeated delta doping during expitaxial growth to form periods where surfaces are group III rich. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110081120 | OPTICAL SUBASSEMBLY GROUNDING IN AN OPTOELECTRONIC MODULE - Optical subassembly grounding in an optoelectronic module. In one example embodiment, a conductive OSA grounding gasket assembly includes a top gasket and a bottom gasket. The top gasket includes a top shell surface and a top OSA surface. The top shell surface is configured to be in direct physical contact with a conductive top shell of an optoelectronic module. The top OSA surface is configured to make direct physical contact with a conductive housing of an OSA. The bottom gasket includes a bottom OSA surface and a bottom shell surface. The bottom OSA surface is configured to be in direct physical contact with the conductive housing of the OSA. The bottom shell surface is configured to make direct physical contact with a conductive bottom shell of the optoelectronic module. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110081119 | SIMPLIFIED AND SHORTENED PARALLEL CABLE - One embodiment includes a connector comprising a connector housing, a ferrule, and a crimp ring. The connector housing has inner and outer surfaces extending between forward and rear ends of the connector housing. The inner surfaces defined a passageway extending lengthwise between the forward and rear ends. The connector housing includes at least one protrusion formed on one of the outer surfaces that is configured to engage a corresponding connector engaging structure of an alignment guide to secure the connector housing within the alignment guide. The ferrule is configured to mount upon end portions of a plurality of optical fibers of a multi-fiber communication cable. The ferrule is disposed partially within the passageway. The crimp ring encompasses the rear end of the connector housing and is configured to secure the connector to the multi-fiber communication cable. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110081114 | COMMUNICATIONS MODULE INTEGRATED BOOT AND RELEASE SLIDE - One embodiment includes an integrated boot and release slide having a release slide and a boot. The release slide includes a main body, a plurality of arms, and a plurality of coupling structures. The arms extend from a first end of the main body. The coupling structures extend from a second end of the main body opposite the first end. The boot is overmolded over the coupling structures of the release slide and defines a cavity configured to slidably receive a communications cable. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110080008 | LATCHING MECHANISM FOR A MODULE - One embodiment includes a latching mechanism having a latch, a cam and a slider. The cam is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation. The cam is also configured to displace an end of the latch when the cam is rotated about the axis of rotation. The slider is operably connected to the cam and is configured to cause the cam to rotate about the axis of rotation. Some embodiments also include a retaining cover and a boot. The retaining cover secures a second end of the latch to a module in which the latching mechanism is implemented. The boot is operatively connected to the slider and can be manipulated by a user to activate the slider. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110076032 | HIGH-SPEED SPECTRAL GAIN OFFSET OPTICAL TRANSMITTER - In one example, a DFB laser includes a substrate, an active region, and a grating. The active region is formed above the substrate and is designed to emit light having a gain peak wavelength. The grating is formed above the active region and is designed to provide optical feedback for light having a lasing peak wavelength. The gain peak wavelength is longer than the lasing peak wavelength and a difference between the gain peak wavelength and the lasing peak wavelength at room temperature is between 10 nm and 50 nm. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110076023 | MULTICHANNEL TUNABLE OPTICAL DISPERSION COMPENSATOR - An embodiment of the invention includes a tunable optical dispersion compensator (TODC) comprising a first beam displacer on an optical path, wherein the first beam displacer separates an optical signal into a first beam and a second beam, and one or more polarizing beam splitters on the optical path, wherein the one or more polarizing beam splitters keep the first beam and the second beam on the optical path. The TODC also comprises one or more etalons on the optical path, wherein the one or more etalons are tunable to introduce a group delay in the first beam and the second beam, and a reflecting mirror on the optical path, wherein the reflecting mirror returns the optical signal back along the optical path. The TODC further comprises a second beam displacer, wherein the second beam displacer combines the first beam and the second beam into an output optical signal. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110069959 | OPTICAL INTERLEAVER AND DEINTERLEAVER - Optical interleavers and deinterleavers. In one example embodiment, an optical deinterleaver includes first, second, and third filter cells interleaved with first and second waveplates. The filter cells are configured to filter optical signals propagating on first, second, and third paths of an optical loop. The optical deinterleaver also includes a retro reflector optically coupled with the filter cells and waveplates. The retro reflector is configured to reflect the optical signals between the first path and the second and third paths to form the optical loop. The optical deinterleaver further includes first, second, and third single-fiber collimators optically coupled to the first, second, and third paths of the optical loop, respectively. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110064406 | ASYMMETRICAL INTERLEAVER AND DEINTERLEAVER - Asymmetrical interleavers and deinterleavers. In one example embodiment, an asymmetrical deinterleaver includes first, second, third, fourth, and fifth filter cells interleaved with first, second, third, and fourth waveplates and followed by a fifth waveplate. The filter cells are configured to filter optical signals propagating on first and second legs of an optical loop. The asymmetrical deinterleaver also includes a retro reflector optically coupled with the filter cells and waveplates. The retro reflector is configured to reflect the optical signals between the first leg and the second leg to form the optical loop. The asymmetrical deinterleaver further includes a single-fiber collimator optically coupled to the first leg of the optical loop and a dual-fiber collimator optically coupled to the second leg of the optical loop. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110062312 | OPTOELECTRONIC SUBASSEMBLY WITH INTEGRAL THERMOELECTRIC COOLER DRIVER - Optical subassemblies including optical transmit and receive subassemblies. The optical subassemblies comprise a housing, and first and second substrates mounted within the housing. Also disposed within the housing is a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) thermally coupled to the first substrate. An optical transmitter is mounted on the first substrate, and thermally coupled to the TEC. A TEC driver is mounted on the second substrate and electrically coupled to the TEC. In some embodiments a thermal resistance mechanism is provided for connecting the first substrate to the second substrate. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110057128 | OPTO-ISOLATOR INCLUDING A VERTICAL CAVITY SURFACE EMITTING LASER - The present invention relates to opto-isolators. Opto-isolators are disclosed that include a transmitter package and a vertical VCSEL disposed within the transmitter package. The opto-isolators further include a receiver package and a photodetector disposed within the receiver package. The photodetector is optically coupled to the VCSEL and configured to receive an output optical signal generated by the VCSEL. The opto-isolators further include an alignment package configured to receive the transmitter package and the receiver package. In another embodiment, opto-isolators include a VCSEL and a photodetector optically coupled to the VCSEL and configured to receive an output optical signal generated by the VCSEL. The opto-isolators further include a package enclosing both the VCSEL and the photodetector. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110049471 | EFFICIENT CARRIER INJECTION IN A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - Semiconductor devices such as VCSELs, SELs, LEDs, and HBTs are manufactured to have a wide bandgap material near a narrow bandgap material. Electron injection is improved by an intermediate structure positioned between the wide bandgap material and the narrow bandgap material. The intermediate structure is an inflection, such as a plateau, in the ramping of the composition between the wide bandgap material and the narrow bandgap material. The intermediate structure is highly doped and has a composition with a desired low electron affinity. The injection structure can be used on the p-side of a device with a p-doped intermediate structure at high hole affinity. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110045621 | VERTICAL CAVITY SURFACE EMITTING LASER HAVING MULTIPLE TOP-SIDE CONTACTS - A VCSEL with undoped mirrors. An essentially undoped bottom DBR mirror is formed on a substrate. A periodically doped first conduction layer region is formed on the bottom DBR mirror. The first conduction layer region is heavily doped at a location where the optical electric field is at about a minimum. An active layer, including quantum wells, is on the first conduction layer region. A periodically doped second conduction layer region is connected to the active layer. The second conduction layer region is heavily doped where the optical electric field is at a minimum. An aperture is formed in the epitaxial structure above the quantum wells. A top mirror coupled to the periodically doped second conduction layer region. The top mirror is essentially undoped and formed in a mesa structure. An oxide is formed around the mesa structure to protect the top mirror during wet oxidation processes. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110044006 | HEAT MANAGEMENT IN AN ELECTRONIC MODULE - In one example, a heat management system suitable for use in connection with an electronic module is disclosed. In a disclosed embodiment the heat management system includes a module guide configured to receive an electronic module. At least two heat sink elements are configured and arranged for movement independent of each other. At least two retention elements are configured to bias a respective heat sink element against any electronic module that is positioned within the module guide. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110033049 | ENCRYPTED OPTOELECTRONIC MODULE - Methods and systems for encrypting and decrypting data are described. An exemplary system includes an optical transceiver that includes at least one of an encryption block and a decryption block. The optical transceiver also has at least one encryption and decryption key stored at the transceiver. The encryption block receives unencrypted data and performs encryption operations on the data using the encryption and decryption key. The decryption block receives encrypted data and performs a decryption operation using the encryption and decryption key. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110020007 | INTER-TRANSCEIVER MODULE COMMUNICATION FOR OPTIMIZATION OF LINK BETWEEN TRANSCEIVERS - Two or more optical transceivers coupled to each other by an optical link to optimize communication over the optical link. A first transceiver generates electrical data that represents an operational parameter for optimization. The transceiver then converts the electrical data into an optical signal and transmits the optical signal over the optical link to a second transceiver. The second transceiver recovers the electrical data from the optical signal and uses the recovered electrical data to change characteristics of the optical signal transmitted by the second transceiver. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110012739 | ELECTRICAL OVERSTRESS EVENT INDICATOR ON ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY - Detecting electrical overstress events in electronic circuitry such as optical emitters. In one example embodiment, a laser includes an active area and a contact region in electrical communication with the active area. A portion of the contact region is configured to manifest a change in a visual attribute of the portion in response to exposure of the portion to an electrical overstress event. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110010576 | MICROCODE CONFIGURABLE FREQUENCY CLOCK - A microcode configurable frequency clock that may be used to control the speed of high speed comparison in an operational optical transceiver. The frequency clock includes a memory and a logic circuit. The memory receives microcode generated data relating to the desired speed of comparison. The logic circuit is configured to receive an input clock signal and to produce an output clock signal by frequency dividing the input signal based on the microcode generated data. The output clock is used to control the speed of comparison in the optical transceiver. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110008917 | HIGH-POWER OPTICAL BURN-IN - Semiconductor lasers are aged to identify weak or flawed devices, resulting in improved reliability of the remaining devices. The lasers can be aged using a high-power optical burn-in that includes providing a high drive current to the lasers for a period of time, and maintaining the ambient temperature of the lasers at a low temperature. After the high-power optical burn-in, the output of the lasers can be measured to determine if the lasers are operating within specifications. Those that are not can be discarded, while those that are can be further aged using a high-temperature thermal burn-in that includes providing a drive current to the lasers while maintaining the ambient temperature of the lasers at a high-temperature. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110008053 | QUANTIFYING LINK QUALITY IN AN OPTOELECTRONIC MODULE - In one example embodiment, an optoelectronic module includes an optical receiver and a post-amplifier. The optical receiver is configured to receive an optical signal and generate an electrical data signal corresponding to the optical signal. The post-amplifier is electrically connected to the optical receiver and is configured to amplify the electrical data signal. The optoelectronic module further includes means for quantifying a quality of the optical signal from which the amplified electrical data signal is derived. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20100325324 | ELECTRICAL DEVICE WITH ELECTRICAL INTERFACE THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH OPTICAL CABLES - A device having a plug that is configured to mechanically interface with a receptacle external to the device. The plug also has an electrical interface that electrically interfaces with the receptacle even though the external receptacle has a mechanical and electrical interface shaped to interface with an integrated cable that includes an optical communication mechanism for communicating over most of the length of the integrated cable, and even though the device itself has a full electrical communication channel communicatively coupling a data communication endpoint of the device with the electrical interface of the plug. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100325298 | AUTHENTICATION MODES FOR AN OPTICAL TRANSCEIVER MODULE - Methods for authenticating an optical transceiver module to a host are disclosed. The transceiver comprises a receive signal line for transferring data from the transceiver to the host and a transmit signal line for transferring data from the host to the transceiver in preparation for transmission to a communications network. The transceiver includes a controller having a processor in communication with the host, and a first memory register assignable by the processor. A consolidated laser driver/post amplifier is also included and features a pattern generator and a data switch. The pattern generator produces a string of bit values that serve as an authenticating data portion. The data switch selectively inputs the authenticating data portion to the receive signal line of the transceiver according to the state of the first memory register, enabling the authenticating data portion to be received by the host, thereby authenticating the transceiver. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100311195 | DBR Laser with Improved Thermal Tuning Efficiency - A distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) includes a base substrate and a gain medium formed on the base substrate. A waveguide positioned above the base substrate in optical communication with the gain medium and defines a gap extending between the base substrate and the waveguide along a substantial portion of the length thereof. The waveguide may have a grating formed therein. A heating element is in thermal contact with the waveguide and electrically coupled to a controller configured to adjust optical properties of the waveguide by controlling power supplied to the heating element. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100296817 | ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION CONTAINMENT IN AN OPTOELECTRONIC MODULE - Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) containment assemblies for use in optoelectronic modules. In one example embodiment, an EMR containment assembly includes an EMR shield and a mounting spring plate attached to the EMR shield. The EMR shield includes a first substantially flat body defining at least one edge, a plurality of optical ports defined in the first body; and a plurality of fingers defined along at least one edge of the first body. The fingers are configured to bias against a housing of an optoelectronic module. The mounting spring plate includes a second substantially flat body defining at least one edge, an optical window defined in the second body, and a plurality of leaf springs defined along at least one edge of the second body. The leaf springs are configured to bias against an alignment guide positioned within the optoelectronic module. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100279447 | DBR LASER WITH IMPROVED THERMAL TUNING EFFICIENCY - A distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) includes a base substrate and a gain medium formed on the base substrate. A waveguide positioned above the base substrate in optical communication with the gain medium and defines a gap extending between the base substrate and the waveguide along a substantial portion of the length thereof. The waveguide having a grating formed therein. A heating element is in thermal contact with the waveguide and electrically coupled to a controller electrically configured to adjust optical properties of the waveguide by controlling power supplied to the heating element. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100258896 | PASSIVATED OPTICAL DETECTORS WITH FULL PROTECTION LAYER - In one example, an optoelectronic transducer includes a first contact, a second contact, a passivation layer, and a protection layer. The passivation layer is formed on top of the first contact and the second contact and is configured to substantially minimize dark current in the optoelectronic transducer. The protection layer is formed on top of the passivation layer and substantially covers the passivation layer. The protection layer is configured to protect the passivation layer from external factors and prevent degradation of the passivation layer. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100254710 | EARLY SELF-VALIDATION OF PERSISTENT MEMORY DURING BOOT IN AN OPTICAL TRANSCEIVER - An operational optical transceiver configured to self-validate a boot image loaded from the persistent memory early in the boot process. The optical transceiver includes a persistent memory, a controller, and a system memory. The controller initializes the boot process and begins to load information from the persistent memory to the system memory. Next, the controller detects early in the boot process boot image verification data in the information being sent to the system memory. The controller then determines if the boot image verification data has an expected value. If the verification data includes the expected value, the controller continues the boot process. If the verification data does not include the expected value, the controller will retry the boot process a predetermined number of times and will enter a default operational state if the expected value is not detected while retrying the boot process the predetermined number of times. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100158057 | FEEDBACK CONTROL FOR HEATED TOSA - A closed loop system for controlling laser temperature without the need for additional sensors or other hardware. Embodiments utilize an existing automatic power feedback loop and existing sensors to determine the temperature of a TOSA based on changes in laser bias current, thus avoiding the need for the additional hardware. The automatic power feedback loop will modify the laser bias current as the temperature of the TOSA changes. That is, as the temperature increases, the amount of laser bias current is increased and as the temperature decreases, the amount of laser bias current is decreased. Thus, the laser bias current may be used as feedback for the laser temperature control. Accordingly, when the transceiver module drops below a predetermined temperature, a laser heater current may be controlled to thereby maintain the same laser bias current as at the preset temperature. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100149759 | THUMBSCREW FOR PLUGGABLE MODULES - In one example, a pluggable module comprises a shell, a module connector, and one or more thumbscrews. The shell defines a cavity within which a PCB and one or more components are disposed and includes a front, back, first side, and second side. The module connector is operatively connected to the PCB near the back of the shell and extends from within the cavity to outside the shell through an opening defined in the back of the shell. The module connector is configured to operatively couple the pluggable module to a host device. The thumbscrews are housed within one or more portions of the shell and are configured to threadably secure the pluggable module to the host device. Each of the thumbscrews comprises a torque limiter. The pluggable module can further comprise protecting means for protecting a portion of the module connector extending outside the cavity from damage. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100142898 | BAIL RELEASE MECHANISM FOR COMMUNICATIONS MODULE - In one example, a bail release mechanism includes a bail and a de-latching member. The bail is configured to be attached to the shell of a module that includes a latch pin configured to engage a structure of a host device receptacle to secure the module within the receptacle. The bail is further configured to rotate about a first axis between a latched position and an unlatched position. The first axis is in a fixed position relative to the shell. The de-latching member is attached to the bail at a second axis that is offset from the first axis and is configured to rotate about the second axis. The second axis is movable relative to the shell. The de-latching member includes a first end configured to displace the structure of the receptacle during rotation of the de-latching member to disengage the latch pin from the structure. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100135677 | Temperature Controlled Interferometer For Phase Demodulation - An interferometer includes an optical beam splitter that splits an input optical signal into a first optical signal propagating in a first optical path comprising free space and a second optical signal propagating in a second optical path comprising a dielectric medium. A differential delay delays the second optical signal relative to the first optical signal by a differential delay time that is proportional to at least one of a temperature and a refractive index of the dielectric medium. A temperature controller in thermal contact with the dielectric medium changes the temperature of the dielectric medium to control at least one of thermal expansion/contraction and a temperature dependent change in the refractive index of the dielectric medium, thereby changing the differential phase delay. An optical beam splitter/combiner optically coupled to the first and second optical paths generates a first and second interferometric optical signal having an amplitude and phase that is related to the differential delay. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100132999 | ELECTROMAGNETIC SHIELDING CONFIGURATION - An electromagnetic shielding configuration comprising a first electrically conductive wall having a first surface and a second electrically conductive wall having a second surface. The first surface is oppositely disposed from the second surface, wherein interfacing of the first conductive wall and the second conductive wall forms an enclosure wall. The first surface comprises at least one stepped edge forming a plurality of surfaces of unequal lateral displacement, and a corrugated surface on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, the corrugated surface formed by a series of apices extending radially from the first surface. The second surface is substantially a conjugate of the first surface. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100129035 | OPTICAL NETWORK UNIT TRANSCEIVER - In one example embodiment, a pluggable ONU transceiver module comprises a top shell, a bottom shell configured to mate with the top shell to form a cavity, and a PCB disposed within the cavity. A plurality of pins are coupled to the PCB and are configured to be inserted into a protruding socket of a host device through the bottom shell. The protruding socket is mounted on a PCB of the host device. The pluggable ONU transceiver module further comprises one or more guiding features integrated with the bottom shell and configured to ensure that the pins are inserted correctly into the protruding socket, and means for positioning the top shell at a predetermined height above the PCB of the host device to allow coupling of the top shell to a heatsink of the host device. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100124418 | TRANSMISSION OF EYE INFORMATION FROM OPTO-ELECTRONIC MODULES - A method of controlling communication between transceivers includes transmitting payload data from a transmitter of a first transceiver in a data channel of a physical link to a receiver of a second transceiver, the second transceiver further including an equalizer, varying equalizer settings in the equalizer, analyzing effects of varying equalizer settings to determine transmitter diagnostic settings for the first transceiver, and transmitting the transmitter diagnostic settings from a transmitter of the second transceiver in an out-of-band channel of a physical link to a receiver of the first transceiver a second transceiver in a data channel. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100124030 | FLOATING FRONT ENCLOSURE FOR PLUGGABLE MODULE - In one example embodiment, a host device includes a front panel, a bezel assembly, a floating PCB, and two host guides. The front panel defines an opening configured to receive a pluggable module in a plugging direction. The bezel assembly defines an opening configured to align with the front panel opening and to receive the pluggable module, the bezel assembly rigidly secured to the front panel. The host guides are rigidly secured to the floating PCB and are configured to guide the pluggable module when it is plugged into the host device. The host guides and bezel assembly operate together to allow the floating PCB to float with respect to the front panel in the plugging direction while remaining substantially aligned with the front panel in directions normal to the plugging direction. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100112861 | COMMUNICATION MODULE GROUND CONTACT - A transceiver module that utilizes a side contact spring portion to ground a shielded cable that is plugged into the transceiver module. In one example embodiment, a transceiver module includes a housing, a jack, and a side contact spring portion. The housing is operative to be electrically connected to chassis ground when the transceiver module is received within a host port. The jack is defined in the housing and operative to receive a shielded plug. The side contact spring portion is substantially implemented within the jack and is configured to be in electrical contact with both the housing and a conductive element of the shielded plug received by the jack such that a chassis ground is established between the housing and the shielded plug and such that a moveable bail pivot lever is able to move without disrupting the electrical contact between the side contact spring portion and the housing and/or the conductive element of the shielded plug. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100111539 | TRANSCEIVER MODULE AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WITH DUAL EYE OPENERS - A transceiver module having integrated eye diagram opening functionality for reducing jitter is described. The transceiver module may include a transmitter eye opener and a receiver eye opener integrated in a single circuit. The transceiver module may also include serial control and various other integrated components. Other functionalities that may be integrated on the transceiver module include loopback modes, bypass features, bit error rate testing, and power down modes. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100110137 | USE OF VCSEL TO DETECT PAPER IN A PRINTER - A method of detecting the properties of a printing target in a printing apparatus capable of performing a recording process on the printing target. The method uses a vertical cavity surface emitting laser disposed in the printing apparatus and comprises transporting the printing target through the printing apparatus, emitting a wavelength modulated optical signal toward the printing target using the vertical cavity surface emitting laser, receiving a reflection of the wavelength modulated optical signal, and analyzing the reflected optical signal to identify a property of the printing target. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100098436 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING SIGNALS WITH INCREASED DISPERSION TOLERANCE USING A DIRECTLY MODULATED LASER TRANSMITTER - An optical transmitter is disclosed wherein a signal processor receives a data stream and outputs a drive signal for a laser, where the drive signal encodes each bit of the data stream according to the values of adjacent bits effective to compensate for spreading of bits within the fiber. The output of the laser is input to an optical spectrum reshaper that outputs a signal having an enhanced extinction ratio. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100098427 | EMI SHROUD FOR A PLASTIC RECEIVE OPTICAL SUBASSEMBLY - The principles of the present invention provide for a plastic ROSA that has a metallic EMI shroud covering a portion of the plastic ROSA. The combination of the plastic ROSA and the EMI shroud provides the unexpected result of having EMI shielding substantially similar to a metal ROSA. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100097942 | SERIALIZER/DESERIALIZER TEST MODES - Serializer, deserializer, and/or serdes ICs are configured to support one or more test modes to enable end-to-end testing in communication links in which the ICs are implemented. To support the end-to-end testing, the ICs can include a multiplexing stage with means for deterministically mapping a plurality of input parallel data signals to at least one output serial data signal and/or a demultiplexing stage with means for deterministically mapping at least one input serial data signal to a plurality of output parallel data signals. When used in combination in a communication link, the means included in the multiplexing stage and demultiplexing stage deterministically map specific input parallel data signals to specific output parallel data signals. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100095110 | OUT OF BAND ENCRYPTION - Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for securing data transmission in networks. Embodiments of the invention further relate to encryption methods that dynamically adjust during the course of data transmission. Further, the encryption methods can adapt dynamically without user intervention. In one embodiment, an encryption scheme can be established, controlled, and monitored via out-of-band communication between transceiver modules. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100092184 | Active Linear Amplifier Inside Transmitter Module - In one example embodiment, a transmitter module includes a header electrically coupled to a chassis ground. First and second input nodes are configured to receive a differential data signal. A buffer stage has a first node coupled to the first input node and a second node coupled to the second input node. An amplifier stage has a fifth node coupled to a third node of the buffer stage and a sixth node coupled to a signal ground that is not coupled to the chassis ground. An optical transmitter has an eighth node coupled to a seventh node of the amplifier stage and a ninth node configured to be coupled to a voltage source. A bias circuit is configured to couple a fourth node of the buffer stage to a bias current source. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100080518 | PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD POSITIONING IN AN OPTOELECTRONIC MODULE - Printed circuit board (PCB) positioning in an optoelectronic module. In one example embodiment, a spacer can be use to position top and bottom PCBs that are at least partially enclosed within top and bottom shells of an optoelectronic module. The spacer includes top and bottom surfaces and a plurality of top posts extending from the top surface. The top posts are configured to extend through openings in the top PCB to contact inside surfaces of the top shell. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100067636 | Baseband Phase-Locked Loop - An example method includes receiving a phase correction signal representing a phase difference between a source signal and a reference signal, generating a first control voltage from the phase correction signal using a charge pump circuit, generating a second control voltage from the phase correction signal in response to a digitally filtered version of the phase correction signal, wherein the second control voltage corrects for an offset error present in the first control voltage, calculating a VCO control signal based on a linear combination of the first and the second control voltages; and generating the source signal in response to the VCO control signal. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100061069 | OPTOELECTRONIC MODULE FORM-FACTOR ADAPTER - In one example embodiment, an adapter module includes a body having a first form-factor and multiple receptacles extending into the body. Each of the receptacles is configured to receive an optoelectronic module having a second form-factor. The second form-factor is smaller than the first form-factor. The first form-factor may substantially conform to the CFP MSA, for example. The second form-factor may substantially conform to the SFP+ or QSFP MSA, for example. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100054749 | COMBINATION NETWORK FIBER CONNECTOR AND LIGHT PIPE - Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to an optical transceiver in which the base portion is made of a light permeable material and configured to emit light representative of the status of certain transceiver parameters. The transceiver includes a housing which at least partially encloses the base portion. The base portion connects to a printed circuit board on which a light-emitting diode is mounted. Light from the light-emitting diode is conducted to front portion of the base, which is light permeable, through a light-pipe assembly, thereby illuminating the entire front portion of the base. Because the front portion of the base is not enclosed within the housing the light emitted is clearly visible from a distance even when fiber connectors are plugged into the transceiver receptacles. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100054734 | FIBER OPTIC TRANSCEIVER MODULE WITH OPTICAL DIAGNOSTIC DATA OUTPUT - Exemplary embodiments of the invention relates to an optical transceiver module having a diagnostic assembly, wherein the diagnostic assembly is configured to visually display the operational status of the transceiver transmitter and receiver components while optically transmitting diagnostic information. The transceiver operational status is accessible while the transceiver operates in conjunction with an external host and may be ascertained in real time without interrupting normal transceiver operation or suspending the transmission of data over optical fibers. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100054733 | ACCESSING TRANCEIVER LINK INFORMATION FROM HOST INTERFACE - Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for accessing the digital diagnostic data and controller data of a remote transceiver module via the diagnostic port of a local transceiver. The invention involves modulating high-speed data and out-of-band data as a double modulated signal, wherein the out-of-band data includes the remote transceiver controller and digital diagnostic data, which is subsequently accessible by an external user device from the diagnostic port of the local transceiver. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100046943 | SIMULATION OF OPTICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF AN OPTICAL FIBER - An optical communication apparatus that includes multiple optically communicative components positioned optically in series. Some of the optically communicative components may be optical fiber segments of perhaps different types. The optical channel represented by the series of optically communicative components and approximates a transfer function of an optical channel of a longer optical fiber. Accordingly, rather than deal with a lengthy optical fiber, an apparatus having a shorter optical channel may be used instead. The construction of the optical communicative components may be calculating an input transfer function. The construction would include an ordering of discrete optically communicative components that, when placed optically in series, simulates an estimation of a particular transfer function. Testing may then occur by actually passing an optical signal through the series construction of optically communicative components, rather than through the longer optical fiber. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100045345 | AC DIFFERENTIAL CONNECTION ASSEMBLY BETWEEN A TRANS-IMPEDANCE AMPLIFIER AND A POST AMPLIFIER FOR BURST MODE RECEIVING - An AC differential connection assembly between a trans-impedance amplifier and a post amplifier for burst mode receiving comprising means for coupling a differential output of the trans-impedance amplifier to a differential input of the post amplifier, the means for coupling comprises a coupling capacitor assembly; and a switching circuit coupled across the differential input of the post amplifier, the switching circuit having an ‘on’ state with low impedance and an ‘off’ state with high impedance; wherein during burst mode receiving, the switching circuit is in the ‘off’ state and the coupling capacitor assembly having a time constant to maintain a stable DC level such that a payload is received accurately by the differential input of the post amplifier; and during an idle period, the switching circuit is in the ‘on’ state and the coupling capacitor assembly having a time constant to recover a DC level of the differential output of the trans-impedance amplifier. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100039785 | CFP MECHANICAL PLATFORM - In one example embodiment, a pluggable optoelectronic module includes a shell with a front, back, and first and second sides. A first guiderail protrudes from the first side and extends from the front of the shell to the back of the shell. A second guiderail protrudes from the second side and also extends from the front of the shell to the back of the shell. A first thumbscrew runs the length of the module and is housed within the first guiderail. A second thumbscrew also runs the length of the module and is housed within the second guiderail. The two thumbscrews are configured to secure the module to a host device when the module is plugged into the host device. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100039778 | CFP MECHANICAL PLATFORM - In one example embodiment, a host device includes a host bezel, first and second guides, and a host connector. The host bezel defines an opening configured to receive a pluggable module. A first cutout on one side of the opening and a second cutout on the opposite side of the opening are adapted to receive corresponding guiderails on the module. The first and second guides are coupled to the host bezel and to a host printed circuit board. Each of the first and second guides defines a channel configured to receive the first and second guiderails of the module. The host connector is coupled to the host printed circuit board and is disposed at the back end of the first and second guides. The host connector includes a recessed slot configured to receive a module connector to electrically couple the module to the host printed circuit board. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100039134 | HIGH-POWER OPTICAL BURN-IN - Semiconductor lasers are aged to identify weak or flawed devices, resulting in improved reliability of the remaining devices. The lasers can be aged using a high-power optical burn-in that includes providing a high drive current to the lasers for a period of time, and maintaining the ambient temperature of the lasers at a low temperature. After the high-power optical burn-in, the output of the lasers can be measured to determine if the lasers are operating within specifications. Those that are not can be discarded, while those that are can be further aged using a high-temperature thermal burn-in that includes providing a drive current to the lasers while maintaining the ambient temperature of the lasers at a high-temperature. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100034100 | NETWORK LOAD TESTER WITH REAL-TIME DETECTION AND RECORDING - A load tester is configured to generate traffic streams for testing a network. The traffic streams can include one or more stream objects. Each stream object can be characterized by a unique identifier and can include a fixed number of frames. The frames can share the same S_ID and D_ID while being characterized by a unique sequence count. The load tester can receive a plurality of frames, all or some of which belong to a stream object, and analyze the received frames in real-time to identify the occurrence of one or more errors such as out-of-order frame errors, dropped frame errors, and misdirected frame errors. The different types of errors can be individually recorded. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100028015 | BACKDOOR DIAGNOSTIC COMMUNICATION TO TRANSCEIVER MODULE - Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to an optical transceiver module having a diagnostic communications link, wherein the link is configured to access diagnostic and other data contained within the transceiver controller via a backdoor interface. Controller data, including operational parameter values and module setup values, is accessible while the transceiver operates in conjunction with an external host and may be retrieved, and sometimes modified, in real time without interrupting normal transceiver operation or suspending the transmission of data over optical fibers. The data is accessed with an external user device via a backdoor interface on the outside of the transceiver module. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100028014 | FIBEROPTIC TRANSCEIVER MODULE WITH INTEGRAL STATUS INDICATORS - Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to an optical transceiver module having a status indicator assembly, wherein the status indicator assembly is configured to visually display the operational status of the transceiver transmitter and receiver components. The operational status is accessible while the transceiver operates in conjunction with an external host and may be ascertained in real time without interrupting normal transceiver operation or suspending the transmission of data over optical fibers. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100027991 | OPTICAL TRANSCEIVER WITH LED LINK INFORMATION INDICATOR - Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to an analyzer device configured to interface with an optical transceiver module having a diagnostic communications port, wherein the port is configured to access diagnostic and other data contained within the transceiver controller via a backdoor interface. Controller data, including operational parameter values and module setup values, is accessible while the transceiver operates in conjunction with an external host and may be retrieved, and sometimes modified, in real time without interrupting normal transceiver operation or suspending the transmission of data over optical fibers. The analyzer device accesses the data via the diagnostic communications port on the outside of the transceiver module. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100011134 | LOADING AND EXECUTING FIRMWARE MODULE WITHOUT RESETTING OPERATION - A host communicates a firmware module to an electronic device utilizing a data communication interface (e.g., I | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100008679 | Phase Shift Keyed Modulation of Optical Signal Using Chirp Managed Laser - A high-speed optical transmitter comprises multiple digital lanes that are provided to a bank of digital-to-analog converters. The analog signals are then used to Phase Shift Keyed (PSK) modulation using a Chirp Managed Laser (CML)-based transmitter, and potentially using dual polarization. A corresponding optical receiver receives the sequence of optical signals at a demodulator. For each polarization, the demodulator includes a corresponding demodulation channel that is configured to demodulate that polarization component of the optical signal into one or more signal components. Each of these signal components is converted into a corresponding digital signal using a corresponding analog-to-digital converter. In the case of higher-order PSK modulation (e.g., 8PSK or higher), for each polarization, the analog converter has a lower sampling rate than for QPSK modulation. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20090305447 | IMPLANTED VERTICAL CAVITY SURFACE EMITTING LASER - A method of forming a gain guide implant for a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) comprises implanting ions into a wafer to simultaneously form a first non-conducting portion of the gain guide implant spaced apart from an active region and a second non-conducting portion of the gain guide implant occupying the active region, the first non-conducting portion laterally offset relative to the second non-conducting portion. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090284930 | MODULAR HEATSINK MOUNTING SYSTEM - In one example, a host system includes a PCB, a plurality of rails disposed on the PCB, and a connector disposed on the PCB. The PCB, rails and connector define a slot configured to receive an optoelectronic module. The host system further includes means for removably mounting a modular heatsink to the host system such that the host system directly contacts the optoelectronic module when the optoelectronic module is fully inserted into the slot. The means for removably mounting has a standardized arrangement such that any modular heatsink having a mounting arrangement that is complementary to the standardized arranged can be removably mounted to the host system. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090282290 | RECREATING ERRORS IN A NETWORK DEVICE - Recreating errors in a network device. In one embodiment, a method for recreating an error condition in a network device includes capturing a first set of commands sent to a network device; identifying an error condition in the network device, the error condition corresponding to the captured first set of commands; and sending a second set of commands to the network device in a second attempt to recreate the error condition. The second set of commands includes the first set of commands as well as additional commands that are configured to place the network device in substantially the same state as at the time that the first set of commands was sent to the network device. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090279902 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DEMODULATING AND REGENERATING PHASE MODULATED OPTICAL SIGNALS - A DPSK/DQPSK receiver includes an optical splitter that separates the received DPSK/DQPSK optical signal according to an optical power splitting ratio into a plurality of received optical signals. A plurality of optical filters passes a plurality of filtered received optical signals. A plurality of optical detectors generates a plurality of electrical detection signals, each with a power that is related to a power of a respective filtered optical signal. A plurality of amplifiers generates a plurality of amplified electrical signals. At least one electrical signal combiner combines the plurality of amplified electrical detection signals generated by the plurality of optical amplifiers into a combined reception signal. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090275230 | POWERED LATCHING MECHANISM FOR A MODULE - A latching system for use in selectively securing a module within a receptacle of a host device is described. In one or more examples, the latching system includes a powered actuation mechanism and a latching mechanism. In one or more examples, the module latching mechanism includes a latch and the powered actuation mechanism disengages a latch from a catch. In one or more examples, two latches are provided. In one or more examples, the latching mechanism of a module includes a pusher that interacts with a latch located on a receptacle. In one or more examples, a module includes two latches. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090269069 | PASSIVE WAVE DIVISION MULTIPLEXED TRANSMITTER HAVING A DIRECTLY MODULATED LASER ARRAY - An wave division multiplexed (WDM) optical transmitter is disclosed including a directly modulated laser array and a planar lightwave chip (PLC) having a plurality of OSRs that receive outputs of the laser array and increase the extinction ratio of the received light. An optical multiplexer receives the outputs of the OSRs and couples them to a single output port. The multiplexer has transmission peaks through its ports each having a 0.5 dB bandwidth including the frequency of a laser in the array. The optical multiplexer may be embodied as cascaded Mach-Zehnder interferometers or ring resonators. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090267712 | FEED THRU WITH FLIPPED SIGNAL PLANE USING GUIDED VIAS - An embodiment of the invention includes a high speed feed thru connecting a first circuit outside a housing to a second circuit inside the housing. The first circuit includes a first high speed integrated circuit chip and the second circuit includes a second high speed integrated circuit chip or optoelectronic device. The high speed feed thru includes an inside coplanar structure positioned at least partially inside the housing, the inside coplanar structure connected to the second circuit. The high speed feed thru also includes an outside coplanar structure positioned at least partially outside the housing, the outside coplanar structure connected to the first circuit. A material separates the inside coplanar structure and the outside coplanar structure. At least one guided via extends through the material, connecting the inside coplanar structure and the outside coplanar structure. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090265142 | FAULT ANALYSIS AND MONITORING APPLICATIONS USING OUT-OF-BAND BASED MODULES - One example embodiment includes a testing device. The testing device comprises a signal reception element, an out-of-band detector and testing logic. The signal reception element is configured to receive a physical layer signal from a communication module via a physical link and to produce an incoming double modulated signal, the incoming double modulated signal including a high-speed data signal and an out-of-band data signal. The out-of-band data signal comprises diagnostic data of the communication module. The out-of-band detector is coupled to the signal reception element and is configured to extract the out-of-band data signal from the incoming double modulated signal. The testing logic is coupled to the out-of-band detector and is configured to extract and analyze the diagnostic data from the out-of-band data signal. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090262870 | TUNING SYSTEM AND METHOD USING A SIMULATED BIT ERROR RATE FOR USE IN AN ELECTRONIC DISPERSION COMPENSATOR - A system and method is disclosed for controlling signal conditioning parameters and a sampling parameter controlling conversion of a received signal to digital sampled values prior to decoding. The sampled values are decoded according to a comparison with expected values calculated according to a model of a transmission channel. The model is also updated from time to time by comparing the expected values with actual sampled values. Variation of the expected values over time is calculated. One or more of the signal conditioning parameters and the sampling parameter are adjusted according to a numerical minimization method such that the system BER is reduced. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090261955 | INTELLIGENT BAIL - An identification device is configured to be coupled externally to an optoelectronic device to provide connectivity and/or identification information in an optical network in which the optoelectronic device is implemented. The identification device may include an integrated circuit with unique identification information and a plurality of contacts coupled to the integrated circuit and configured to be coupled to an outside identification system. The outside identification system communicates with the identification device via the plurality of contacts to collect unique identification information, the ability to retrieve the unique identification information additionally implicating connectivity in some embodiments. The identification device may include a plurality of clips configured to engage corresponding posts on a latch of the optoelectronic device. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090240945 | ANTICOUNTERFEITING MEANS FOR OPTICAL COMMUNICATION COMPONENTS - Methods and systems for detecting counterfeit optical communications products are described. An exemplary system includes a host device and a fiber optic component, such as an optical transceiver. The optical transceiver may include a TOSA, a ROSA, a controller circuit, and a memory module. The controller circuit may be operably connected to the TOSA, the ROSA, and the memory module. The host device may send a set of challenge data to the optical transceiver. The optical transceiver may respond with a data set encrypted by the controller circuit using a secret key stored in the memory module. The encrypted response data set may be evaluated to determine whether the optical transceiver is authenticate. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090238224 | Directly Modulated Laser with Isolated Modulated Gain Electrode for Improved Frequency Modulation - A DBR laser, such as a semiconductor DBR laser is disclosed having improved frequency modulation performance. The laser includes a split gain electrode and a tuning electrode. A modulating current encoding a data signal is injected into a first section of the gain electrode whereas a substantially DC bias voltage is imposed on a second section of the gain electrode positioned between the first gain electrode and the tuning electrode. The first and second gain electrodes are electrically isolated from each other and the tuning electrode by a large isolation resistance. In some embodiments, the isolation resistance is generated by forming the electrodes on a P+ layer and removing portions of the P+ layer between adjacent electrodes. Capacitors may couple to one or both of the second gain electrode and the tuning electrode. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090219008 | PHASE DETECTOR UTILIZING ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTER COMPONENTS - Methods and systems are provided for an improved phase detector utilizing analog-to-digital converter (ADC) components. In an embodiment, the method includes from an ADC having a sampling clock signal that determines sampling instants, obtaining a first comparison value between an analog signal and a first threshold voltage at a first sampling instant, and obtaining a second comparison value between the analog signal and a second threshold voltage at a second sampling instant. The method further includes, from a supplemental circuit, obtaining a third comparison value between the analog signal and a third threshold voltage at a third sampling instant between the first and second sampling instants. The method further includes processing the first, second, and third comparison values to determine a phase relationship between the analog signal and the sampling clock. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090208225 | VARIABLE OPTICAL ATTENUATOR INTEGRATION INTO TRANSMITTER OPTICAL SUBASSEMBLIES - A small-scale VOA system includes a polarization rotator, a voltage multiplier circuit, and at least one transistor. The polarization rotator can be positioned within a TOSA along the emission axis of a corresponding optical signal source in addition to one or more polarizers. A microcontroller provides a first low voltage control signal to a voltage multiplier to generate a large voltage DC signal which is provided to the transistor. The transistor modulates the large voltage signal with a second control signal from the microcontroller to generate a large voltage AC signal for driving the polarization rotator. The polarization rotation of the polarization rotator can be altered depending on the applied large-voltage AC signal. As a result, the polarization rotator and one or more polarizers can variably attenuate signals emitted by the optical signal source or act as a shutter. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090208214 | EXTINCTION RATIO CONTROL USING A FREQUENCY SPREAD TONE TO MODULATE OPTICAL SIGNAL POWER LEVELS - An optical transmitter that controls the extinction ratio by modulating a power level of an optical signal using a frequency spread tone. An electro-optic transducer driver generates an electrical signal that is to be converted into an optical signal. Meanwhile, a tone generator generates an electrical tone having a relatively narrow frequency spectrum. A frequency spreading circuit frequency spreads the electrical tone. A modulator modulates a power level of the electrical signal using the frequency spread electrical tone. An electro-optic transducer then converts the modulated electrical signal into a corresponding optical signal. An optoelectronic transducer recovers the modulated electrical signal by monitoring the optical signal. The tone is then recovered from the signal, and demodulated. The demodulated tone is then used to control the extinction ratio. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090196631 | MONOLITHIC POWER MONITOR AND WAVELENGTH DETECTOR - Monolithic single and/or dual detector structures are fabricated on the emitting surface of a VCSEL and/or on a lens or glass substrate configured to be positioned along the axis of emission of an optical light source. Each monolithic detector structure includes one or two PIN detectors fabricated from amorphous silicon germanium with carbon doping or amorphous germanium with hydrogen doping. The monolithic detectors may additionally include various metallization layers, buffer layers, and/or anti-reflective coatings. The monolithic detectors can be grown on 1550 NM VCSELs used in optical transmitters, including lasers with managed chirp and TOSA modules, to reduce power and real estate requirements of the optical transmitters, enabling the optical transmitters to be implemented in long-reach SFP+ transceivers. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090190310 | HEAT MANAGEMENT IN AN ELECTRONIC MODULE - In one example, an electronic module includes a printed circuit board and a housing at least partially enclosing the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board includes a heat-generating component. The housing includes a first case and a second case attached to the first case. The first and second cases cooperatively define a sealed cavity containing a fluid. The second case includes a thermal contact structure positioned proximate to the heat-generating component. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090182531 | LOGGING MECHANISM FOR AN INTELLIGENT TRANSMITTER MODULE - An optoelectronic device having an intelligent transmitter module (“ITM”) includes a mechanism for logging operational information regarding the ITM. The optoelectronic device includes a microcontroller and a persistent memory. The microcontroller is configured to identify the operational information, and write log information representing the operational information to the persistent memory. The operational information may include statistical data about operation, or may include measured parameters. Log entries may be made periodically and/or in response to events. The log may then be evaluated to determine the conditions under which the ITM has historically operated. | 07-16-2009 |
| 20090175582 | ELECTROMAGNETIC INTEFERENCE CONTAINMENT STRUCTURES - In one example embodiment, an optoelectronic module comprises a body, a signal ground, and an OSA. The body is connected to chassis ground and defines a cavity within which one or more components are disposed. The optical subassembly is disposed in the body cavity, has one or more components connected to signal ground, and comprises a header assembly, a housing, and one or more containment structures. The header assembly houses one or more components that generate EMI emissions and includes an optical aperture. The housing includes a port and a barrel. The port defines a fiber receptacle and the barrel defines a cavity that at least partially receives the header assembly. The containment structure(s) at least partially contain the EMI emissions within the OSA. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090168858 | DIGITAL DIAGNOSTICS PARAMETER STORAGE - A method of managing storage of digital diagnostics parameters on a transceiver device may include loading stored digital diagnostics parameters into the system memory, receiving updates to the digital diagnostics parameters in the system memory, and writing the updates to the digital diagnostic parameters in the system memory to persistent memory while providing access to other components to the digital diagnostics parameters by way of the system memory. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090161714 | OPTIMIZING VCSEL MIRRORS FOR IMPROVING TEMPERATURE RESPONSE - Improved slope efficiency in a VCSEL can be accomplished by selecting particular mirror layer compositions and/or mirror layer configurations that minimize increased reflectivity in the top mirror and/or maximize increased reflectivity of the bottom mirror with increasing temperature. Improved reflectivity of the bottom mirror compared to the top mirror over a desired operating temperature range can be facilitated by (i) selecting mirror pairs for the bottom and/or top mirror that gives the bottom mirror pairs a greater increase in contrast ratio with increasing temperature compared to the top-mirror pairs, and/or (ii) including fewer mirror pairs in the bottom mirror than the number of mirror pairs that would give optimal reflectivity. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090160583 | HYBRID SURFACE MOUNTABLE PACKAGES FOR VERY HIGH SPEED INTEGRATED CIRCUITS - In one example, a hybrid surface mountable package includes a housing at least partially defining a sealed cavity, two microwave integrated circuits (MIC) chips positioned inside the sealed cavity, and a very-high-speed interconnect connecting the two MIC chips to each other. The very-high-speed interconnect includes strong coupling co-planar waveguide (CPWG) transmission lines. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090159715 | VORTEX-BASED TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - A vortex-based temperature control system comprises a test chamber configured to receive a test article therein, a sensor disposed within the test chamber for detecting a temperature within the test chamber, a first vortex tube coupled to the test chamber for providing a heating airflow to the test chamber, and a second vortex tube coupled to the test chamber for providing a cooling airflow to the test chamber. The system also comprises a temperature controller coupled to the sensor and configured to control an airflow delivered to the first and second vortex tubes to obtain a desired temperature setting within the test chamber. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090148106 | LINE-SIDE OUT-OF-BAND ELECTRICAL INTERFACE FOR OPTOELECTRONIC MODULES - Electrical connections from the printed circuit board (“PCB”) of an optoelectronic device through the front or line-side of the device enable a microcontroller or other component on the PCB to electrically communicate with an optical connector or other line-side device. The electrical connections can be integrated within a lead frame and trace structure providing mechanical support for the electrical connections and the PCB, with each electrical connection including a PCB-side contact and a line-side contact supported by the integrated structure. Alternately, the electrical connections can be integrated within one or more flex circuits. The optical connector can include traces and contacts configured to be electrically coupled to corresponding line-side contacts when the optical connector is received within the device. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090147820 | AVOIDING AIR FLOW PENETRATION IN TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT - In one example embodiment, a board for measuring device temperatures comprises a base and one or more fingers extending from the base. The base and the one or more fingers comprise a flexible material. One or more first temperature sensors are disposed on the one or more fingers. One or more second temperature sensors are disposed on the base. Each of the first and second temperature sensors comprises a partially thermally isolated temperature sensor. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090141277 | THREAD LATERAL MOVEMENT SENSOR - A system for detecting the lateral movement of thread in a textile manufacturing system is disclosed. The system includes an optical device configured to emit an optical signal. The optical device includes a resonant cavity. The system further includes a driver connected to the optical device. The driver configured to drive the optical signal. A mechanical guide is connected to the optical device. The mechanical guide is configured to receive a moving thread in a textile manufacturing process. The moving thread scatters the optical signal such that a portion of the optical signal is reflected back into the resonant cavity of the optical device; causing a change in the optical signal. An optical detector is optically coupled to the optical device. The optical detector is configured to detect the changed optical signal. Lateral movement detection circuitry is connected to the optical detector to detect lateral movements such as vibrations. The lateral movement detection circuitry is configured to output a signal representing the lateral movement of the moving thread based on the detected changed optical signal. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090138709 | OPTICAL TRANSCEIVER WITH VENDOR AUTHENTICATION - An optical receiver comprising at least one processor and a memory including at least one of an encryption key or a decryption key and at least one of encryption microcode or decryption microcode that includes processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the optical transceiver to perform the following: an act of performing an encryption or decryption operation on data received from a host computing system to thereby authenticate the optical transceiver. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090123157 | PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD ASSEMBLY CARRIER FOR AN OPTICAL ELECTRICAL DEVICE - A printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) carrier for enclosing an optical transceiver PCBA. The PCBA carrier includes a base portion including one or more first connection members, the base portion being configured to receive an optical transceiver PCBA and a top portion including one or more second connection members configured to couple to the first connection members to thereby secure the top portion to the base portion, the top portion being configured to reside above the optical transceiver PCBA when the first and second connection members are coupled. The PCBA carrier is further configured to enclose the optical transceiver PCBA when the base and top portions are coupled to provide a solid structure for the optical transceiver PCBA without the need for a separate optical transceiver module housing. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090123118 | INTEGRATED OPTICAL INTERCONNECT - An integrated optical interconnect. The integrated optical interconnect includes a receptacle for connecting to a first external component. The receptacle includes an EMI shield with an aperture sized to allow transmission of an optical signal through the aperture while containing EMI within the receptacle. The integrated optical interconnect also includes a port injection molded around or within a portion of the receptacle, the port being configured to receive a second external component and a lens injection molded near a location of the aperture of the EMI shield. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090122493 | OPTOELECTRONIC SUBASSEMBLY WITH INTEGRAL THERMOELECTRIC COOLER DRIVER - Optical subassemblies including optical transmit and receive subassemblies. The optical subassemblies comprise a housing; a substrate mounted within the housing; a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) thermally coupled to the substrate, the TEC being mounted within the housing; an optical component structurally mounted on the substrate, wherein the optical component is thermally coupled to the TEC; and a TEC driver electrically coupled to the TEC, wherein the TEC driver is configured to electrically drive the TEC, the TEC driver being mounted within the housing. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090116846 | PROTOCOLS FOR OUT-OF-BAND COMMUNICATION - Methods for managing an optical network through out-of-band communication between optical transceiver modules in a heterogeneous network fabric are disclosed. The disclosed methods include methods for performing fabric discovery, communicating error messages, detecting intrusion. Methods are also disclosed for communicating between transceivers of differing protocol versions and memory capacity. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090111331 | RECEPTACLE WITH MULTIPLE CONTACT SETS FOR DIFFERENT CONNECTOR TYPES - A receptacle that is configured to receive connectors of different types. If a connector of one type is received into the receptacle, the connector contacts engage one set of receptacle contacts. If a connector of another type is received into the receptacle, the connector contacts engage another set of receptacle contacts, and so forth for potentially other connector types and other contact sets. A communication system may also control which PHY circuitry communicates with the receptacle depending on which connector type is plugged into the receptacle. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090100502 | PROTECTING AGAINST COUNTERFEIT ELECTRONIC DEVICES - An embodiment of the invention includes a method of authenticating a second device connected to a first device. The method includes transmitting a first data string from the first device to the second device and receiving a second data string at the first device from the second device. The method also includes generating a third data string using an alteration key at the first device and comparing the third data string and either the first data string or the second data string. The method further includes authenticating the second device if the compared data strings match. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090097850 | Optical Communications System - In an optical communications link, an optical system including: at least a first input port for delivering an optical signal travelling in the communications link, the optical signal including a plurality of wavelength channels, the channels being utilized for carrying optical information over an optical data link; a dispersive element for spatially separating the wavelength channels; an active optical-phase element; and a plurality of optical manipulation elements for directing the spatially separated channels between the dispersive element and the optical phase element wherein, the optical phase element independently modifies the phase of predetermined ones of the wavelength channel in a predetermined and decoupled manner for substantial compensation of signal degradation effects imparted to the wavelength channels by said communications link. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090092399 | MONOLITHIC SHELL FOR AN OPTICAL ELECTRICAL DEVICE - An optoelectronic transceiver module. The optoelectronic module is a monolithic, one-piece module shell that includes a top portion, a bottom portion, a first side portion, a second side portion, and a front portion. The top portion, bottom portion, first side portion, second side portion and the front portion define a cavity configured to enclose electro-optical circuitry. In addition, the top portion and the bottom portion are configured such that the top portion is not separable from the bottom portion. Further, the front portion defines at least one of an optical transmit port or an optical receive port. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090089885 | RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFIERS FOR PROVIDING USER ACCESS TO COMPUTING RESOURCES - A system for controlling access to computing resources including an authentication device operatively associated with a computing device, the authentication device being configured to transmit an interrogation signal to a predetermined area. A computing device has at least one software application resides thereon. A wireless license device is configured to transmit license information to the authentication device in response to the interrogation signal and to allow the software application to run while the wireless license device is within the predetermined area and to prevent the software application from running when the wireless license device is not within the predetermined area. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090083755 | TASK SCHEDULING OF FIBER-OPTIC TRANSCEIVER FIRMWARE - Systems and methods for optimizing the task scheduling efficiency of firmware and/or software associated with optoelectronic transceiver devices. In one example, a scheduling module executes microcode that schedules tasks based on the operational parameters. The scheduling module compares operational parameters with their last known values and then flags necessary tasks to be initiated. The scheduling module flags only those tasks that rely on a particular operational parameter and only if the operational parameter has changed in value since the most recent time that it has been measured. Specifically, the scheduling module identifies leading tasks and dependent tasks and flags tasks only if data that relies on the operating parameter has changed since a previous task scheduling determination. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090079544 | Periodic Detection Of Location Of Portable Articles Using An RFID System - A system for tracking network devices includes a host computing device, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag secured to at least one of the network devices, and a reader configured to communicate with the RFID tag to receive device parameters from the RFID tag, the reader being configured to transmit the device parameters to the host computing device. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090074357 | SURFACE WARP RESISTANT OPTICAL DEVICES - In at least one example, an optical component includes a central optical surface proximate an optical axis, a peripheral portion extending radially from the central optical surface, and a stepped portion between the central optical surface and the peripheral portion. The stepped portion may be formed to raise the central optical surface above the peripheral portion. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090074020 | DBR laser with improved thermal tuning effciency - A distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) includes a base substrate and a gain medium formed on the base substrate. A waveguide positioned above the base substrate in optical communication with the gain medium and defines a gap extending between the base substrate and the waveguide along a substantial portion of the length thereof. The waveguide may have a grating formed therein. A heating element is in thermal contact with the waveguide and electrically coupled to a controller configured to adjust optical properties of the waveguide by controlling power supplied to the heating element. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090072904 | Variable Gain Amplifier Having Dual Gain Control - An electronic amplifier circuit that provides improved gain control linearity characteristics resulting from having a controllable field effect transistor (FET) acting as a degeneration resistance (degeneration resistance FET) and a controllable load resistance FET. The overall gain function of the amplifier exhibits improved linearity in part due to the presence of the load FET, which tends to cancel the nonlinear behavior emanating from the degeneration FET. The circuit also includes a control circuit for generating non-linear control signals that are responsive to process characteristics of the FETs, such that the degeneration resistance FET and load resistance FETs may be controlled more consistently and independently from process variations. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090072903 | Variable Gain Amplifier Having Variable Gain DC Offset Loop - A variable gain amplifier and offset cancellation loop circuit and methods for tracking and correcting DC offset errors that may vary in accordance with the gain of the variable gain amplifier. The circuit is designed to provide tracking of rapid changes in the offset error while maintaining a desired overall frequency response of the combined variable gain amplifier and offset loop. The offset loop cancellation circuit has a wide enough bandwidth to allow the offset cancellation loop to track rapid changes in offset errors that result from rapid changes to the amplifier's gain setting. A control circuit is provided to prevent the large offset cancellation loop bandwidth from having a detrimental effect on the amplifier's overall bandwidth when the amplifier is set to high levels of forward gain by adjusting the offset cancellation loop gain as the forward gain of the amplifier is altered. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090072865 | Peak Detector with Active Ripple Suppression - A peak detector circuit that responds rapidly to power transients, and yet is able to avoid interpreting data fluctuations as power transients by generating dual peak signals from an amplifier's differential output signal, where the dual peak signals have data ripple components that tend to cancel one another. The system and methods permit the peak detectors to be much more responsive to power transients by expanding their bandwith (shortening the time constants) to the point that low frequency data components affect the individual peak detector signals, but the effects are cancelled out when the individual components are added together. The peak detector described herein may be used in an AGC system to provide ripple-free gain control signals, while rapidly following any power transients in transmitted signals. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090067848 | LIMITED LIFE TRANSCEIVER - Systems and methods for an optical transceiver module to limit the amount of time the optical transceiver module is allowed to operate. The optical transceiver module includes at least one processor, a persistent memory and a system memory. The persistent memory, which is coupled to the at least one processor, contains microcode. The microcode is loaded from the persistent memory to the system memory and executed by the at least one processor. The executed microcode causes the optical transceiver module to detect the amount of time that the optical transceiver has been operating. The optical transceiver module then determines if the detected amount of operating time is in excess of a predetermined amount of operating time. If the detected operating time is in excess of the predetermined amount of operating time, the optical transceiver module causes itself to become non-operational. The optical transceiver module may then report its operational status. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090060526 | OPTICAL FM SOURCE BASED ON INTRA-CAVITY PHASE AND AMPLITUDE MODULATION IN LASERS - An optical transmitter is discloses having a gain section and a phase section. The phase section is modulated to generate a frequency modulated signal encoding data. The frequency modulated signal is transmitted through an optical spectrum reshaper operable to convert it into a frequency and amplitude modulated signal. In some embodiments, a driving circuit is coupled to the phase and gain sections is configured to simultaneously modulate both the phase and gain sections such that the first signal is both frequency and amplitude modulated. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090060522 | PARALLEL HIGH-SPEED COMMUNICATION LINKS WITH REDUNDANT CHANNEL ARCHITECTURES - An optical transmission system includes more optical channels than electrical channels. If an optical channel is not functioning, the signals may be diverted to another optical channel since there are more optical channels than electrical channels. Embodiments of the present invention also relate to switches for switching the electrical channels to particular optical channels on either or both of the transmission and reception side. The switches include switching elements and selector elements for routing the electrical signals between the electrical channels and optical channels. In one embodiment, the multiple optical channels are incorporated into a single cable. The single cable may have the electrical interface for a number of electrical channels exposed for mechanical and electrical coupling with an external port, whereas the optical channels may be hidden within the cable coating. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090060520 | REDUNDANCY AND INTEROPERABILITY IN MULTI-CHANNEL OPTOELECTRONIC DEVICES - A multi-channel optoelectronic device is configured to establish a redundant status link with a remote device. The optoelectronic device can transmit N transmit optical signals to the remote device over a plurality of transmit channels and receive N receive optical signals from the remote device over a plurality of receive channels. The optoelectronic device includes one or more spare transmit and receive channels. When used with a remote device having spare transmit and receive channels, each device can establish a status link with the other and use the status link to switch out transmit and/or receive channels to identify and permanently switch out the worst transmit and/or receive channels. Alternately, the device can interoperate with a non-status-link enabled remote device by determining that the remote device is not status-link enabled, transitioning to a low transmit power mode, and transmitting and receiving over a plurality of default transmit and receive channels. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090060425 | ACTIVE OPTICAL CABLE WITH INTEGRATED CONTROL FEATURES - An active cable that is configured to communicate over much of its length using one or more optical fibers, and that includes an integrated electrical connector at least one end. The active cable can include a circuit disposed in the integrated cable, the circuit configured to provide pre-emphasis of the second electrical signal. The pre-emphasis can be accomplished by either boosting high frequency content or removing low frequency content from the first or second electrical signals. The active cable can also include circuitry configured to provide equalization of the first electrical signal within the integrated cable. The preemphasis and/or equalization can be fixed, adjustable, or adaptable. The preemphasis and/or equalization can be host selectable via a serial interface of the integrated cable, which can include I2C. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090059987 | MONOLITHIC OPTO-ISOLATORS - Monolithic opto-isolators and arrays of monolithic opto-isolators are disclosed. The monolithic opto-isolators are manufactured in a single semiconductor wafer where they may be tested at the wafer level before each opto-isolator is singulated from the wafer. The monolithic opto-isolators include a VCSEL monolithically produced adjacent to a photodiode where an axis of optical signal transmission of the VCSEL is substantially parallel to an axis of optical signal reception by the photodiode. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090047027 | Optical Network Unit Transceiver Module Having Direct Connect RF Pin Configuration - Systems and method for using a direct connect RF pin configuration for an ONU transceiver module to connect directly to an external component. The ONU module communicates with an optical network. The ONU module further includes an RF interface and a direct connect RF pin configuration to communicate using RF signals. In one embodiment, the direct connect RF pin configuration includes two ground pins and a data pin which are spaced apart and directly connected to a PCB of the ONU. The opposing ends of the pins are directly connected to a PCB of an external component, such as an ONU host box. The pins are thus spaced apart such that they do not impede each others' function and available for direct connection to the external component. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090047026 | Asymmetric Scheduling of Multiple Analog Inputs Using A Single A/D Converter For Fiber-Optic Transceivers - A firmware control method for the optimized use of a single A/D converter to measure multiple analog signals with asymmetric requirements on sampling rate including a lookup table design procedure and an acquisition algorithm. Since diagnostic analog parameter values require differing sampling rates to be effectively measured, the schedule for converting those values to digital value should correspond to the associated sampling rate. The present invention involves the creation and subsequent implementation of a scheduling table based on the required sampling rates of the operational parameters to be converted. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090041073 | DBR LASER WITH IMPROVED THERMAL TUNING EFFICIENCY - A distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) includes a base substrate and a gain medium formed on the base substrate. A waveguide positioned above the base substrate in optical communication with the gain medium and defines a gap extending between the base substrate and the waveguide along a substantial portion of the length thereof The waveguide having a grating formed therein. A heating element is in thermal contact with the waveguide and electrically coupled to a controller electrically configured to adjust optical properties of the waveguide by controlling power supplied to the heating element. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090034982 | INTEGRATED LASER AND PHOTODETECTOR CHIP FOR AN OPTICAL SUBASSEMBLY - A semiconductor device with an integrated optical transmitter and optical receiver is disclosed that can be used in an optical subassembly. The device may include a substrate, a first component, an optical filter, and a second component, wherein the first component comprises an optical transmitter and the second component comprises an optical receiver, or vice versa. The first component can be configured to emit (or be sensitive to) a first optical signal having a first wavelength while the second component can be configured to be sensitive to (or emit) a second optical signal having a second wavelength. The optical filter can be configured to allow transmission therethrough of optical signals having the first wavelength while blocking optical signals having the second wavelength. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090034571 | MIGRATION ENHANCED EPITAXY FABRICATION OF ACTIVE REGIONS HAVING QUANTUM WELLS - Semiconductor lasers, such as VCSELs having active regions with flattening layers associated with nitrogen-containing quantum wells are disclosed. MEE (Migration Enhanced Epitaxy) is used to form a flattening layer upon which a quantum well is formed and thereby enhance smoothness of quantum well interfaces and to achieve narrowing of the spectrum of light emitted from nitrogen containing quantum wells. A cap layer is also formed over the quantum well. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090033442 | NON-COPLANAR HIGH-SPEED INTERCONNECTS - In one example embodiment, a high-speed package includes first and second layers and a multi-channel non-coplanar interconnect. The first layer includes first and second sets of coplanar transmission lines. The second layer includes third and fourth sets of coplanar transmission lines. The multi-channel non-coplanar interconnect includes first and second channels. The first channel connects the first set of transmission lines to the third set of transmission lines. The second channel connects the second set of transmission lines to the fourth set of transmission lines. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090033426 | PRE-EMPHASIS CIRCUIT - An amplifier stage or circuit for providing pre-emphasis. The circuit includes a first input node configured to receive a first data signal and a second input node configured to receive a second data. The circuit also includes an adjustable delay stage configured to at least partially produce a delay in the first and/or second data signals to thereby generate a first delayed signal and/or second delayed signal. The circuit additionally includes a pulse generation stage configured to generate a first pulse signal from the first delayed signal and the first data signal and/or produce a second pulse signal from the second delayed signal and the second data signal. The circuit further includes a first output node configured to output the first pulse signal and a second output node configured to output the second pulse signal. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090032291 | SPIDER CLIP FOR SECURING A CIRCUIT BOARD WITHIN A COMMUNICATIONS MODULE - A clip for securing a component, such as a circuit board, within a communications module is disclosed. The clip may include a flat base with legs extending therefrom and resilient springs disposed at terminal ends of each of the legs. The legs may be configured to frictionally secure the clip to the module. For instance, the legs may secure the clip to a top shell portion of the module. The springs may be configured to resiliently compress against corresponding contact zones on the circuit board when the top shell is mated with a bottom shell of the module such that the circuit board is secured in place within the module. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention enable the quick and simple assembly of modules without the need for fasteners and other time-consuming and/or labor-intensive solutions conventionally implemented to secure circuit boards and other components within the modules. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090028579 | FIBER OPTIC LINK HAVING AN INTEGRATED LASER AND PHOTODETECTOR CHIP - A fiber optic communications link is disclosed that can include first and second nodes operably connected by a multi-mode optical fiber and that utilizes two distinct optical wavelengths for enabling the bidirectional transfer of data via the optical fiber between the first and second nodes. Each node can include an integrated transmitter/receiver chip that includes a substrate, an optical receiver or transmitter, a filter, and an optical transmitter or receiver. The transmitter of the chip at the first node can be configured to transmit, via the optical fiber, optical data on one wavelength for conversion to an electrical signal by the receiver of the chip at the second node. Simultaneously, the transmitter of the chip at the second node can be configured to transmit, via the optical fiber, optical data on another wavelength for conversion to an electrical signal by the receiver of the chip at the first node. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090028556 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING THE POWER LEVEL OF TWO OR MORE OPTICAL TRANSMITTERS - Methods and apparatus for monitoring the power level of one or more optical emitters are provided. In some embodiments, optical signals from two or more optical emitters are directed at different regions of a photo detector. The photo detector may include two or more spaced contacts that are adapted to receive different contributions of photo current from each of the optical signals. By monitoring the photo currents in the two or more spaced contacts, a measure of the optical power of each of the optical signals may be determined. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090028551 | DYNAMIC DIGITAL DIAGNOSTIC ALERTS - Alerts, such as laser driver current alarms, are triggered in an optoelectronic device based on dynamic digital diagnostics, such as operating temperature. Optoelectronic devices may execute microcode structured to represent a formulaic relation between a first parameter (e.g., temperature) and an indicator value for a second parameter (e.g., laser driver current). The microcode may further be structured to cause the optoelectronic device to access the first parameter, calculate an indicator value for the second parameter based on the accessed first parameter using the formulaic relation, access the second parameter, and compare the indicator value with the second parameter to determine whether to trigger an alert. If the second parameter exceeds the indicator value, the alert may be triggered, and may be indicative of potentially imminent optoelectronic device failure. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090016737 | ELECTRONIC DISPERSION COMPENSATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An electronic dispersion compensation module may perform one or more electronic dispersion compensation solutions. The electronic dispersion compensation module may include a solution control module. The solution control module may configure the electronic dispersion compensation module to perform an electronic dispersion compensation solution using data indicating a bit error rate. A bit error rate module may create the data indicating a bit error rate. The bit error rate module may form part of a clock and data recovery module. The electronic dispersion compensation module may be configured to receive a signal from a backplane and may also be configured to apply any of a plurality of electronic dispersion compensation solutions to the signal received from the backplane. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090016391 | HEADER ASSEMBLY FOR EXTENDED TEMPERATURE OPTICAL TRANSMITTER - A header assembly for extended temperature optical transmitters is disclosed. The header assembly may include a hermetic enclosure and a header base with an interior surface. A plurality of conductive leads penetrate from the outer portion of the header assembly to the interior surface. A thermoelectric cooler (“TEC”) having a planar configuration and a thickness not exceeding 500 microns is positioned adjacent to the interior surface of the header assembly, the TEC being in thermal communication with the header base and a mounting surface. A submount, on which a laser diode is positioned, is in thermal communication with the mounting surface of the TEC. In this manner, the TEC may be configured affect a selective transfer of heat to the laser diode and transfer of heat away from the laser diode. In some embodiments, the header assembly is configured to operate at optical data transmission rates of 10 Gbps or higher in such extended ambient temperatures. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090015456 | ANECHOIC STRUCTURES FOR ABSORBING ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE IN A COMMUNICATIONS MODULE - A communications module includes an interior configuration designed to intercept, disrupt, and scatter EMI produced by the module during operation. The interior configuration may include an anechoic structure that includes a plurality of anechoic elements positioned proximate EMI-producing components within the module. The anechoic elements may form truncated pyramids, columns having rounded tops, cones, or other shapes. The anechoic elements may be uniform or non-uniform in size, length, or shape and can be arranged in a periodic, non-periodic, or random pattern. In some embodiments, the anechoic elements may include cast zinc metal, Nickel, and/or radiation absorbent material, such as a mixture of iron and carbon. In operation, EMI impinging on the anechoic elements is scattered by their surfaces until absorbed by the elements or other structures of the module, thereby preventing the EMI from exiting the module. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090010600 | OPTICAL COMPONENT AND TRANSCEIVER PACKAGING - An optical module and packaging thereof. A high speed optical module, such as a transceiver or transponder is disclosed. A fiber assembly including a receptacle, a fiber, and a modified connector are provided and enable an optical connection from inside of the optical component to outside of the component. Internally, the fiber assembly is detachable from an internal optical component. the optical component is connected to a PCB using a ball grid array. By detaching the fiber assembly, the optical component can be changed-out without damaging the fiber. The fiber is spooled inside the module to protect the fiber around a spooling assembly that is integrated with the receptacle holders that form part of the module's ports. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090004917 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WITH EMI SHIELD - An electrical connector having an electrical interface assembly electrical processing circuitry, and an EMI barrier. The electrical interface assembly has a plurality of electrical contacts for interfacing with a receptacle when the electrical connector is connected to a corresponding receptacle. The electrical processing circuitry is for processing electrical signals received from at least some of the plurality of electrical contacts and/or to be sent to the plurality of electrical contacts. The EMI barrier substantially contains the electrical processing circuitry except at a number of EMI barrier openings. The largest of these EMI barrier openings is where the electrical contacts pass through the connector. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090004915 | CONNECTOR RECEPTACLE WITH RECEPTACLE EMI SHIELD - An electrical connector receptacle that includes receptacle-side electrical contacts, a socket, and a receptacle shield. The socket is configured such that a connector may be inserted therein allowing the electrical contacts of the connector to interface with the receptacle-side electrical contacts. The receptacle shield is placed in the back of the receptacle, and is composed of an Electro-Magnetic Interference barrier material. In one embodiment, the receptacle shield is configured to interface with an EMI barrier of the connector, and includes separate slots through which electrical connections may pass. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090003842 | CHIRPED LASER WITH PASSIVE FILTER ELEMENT FOR DIFFERENTIAL PHASE SHIFT KEYING GENERATION - Apparatus and methods for driving a transmitter to generate DNPSK signals is disclosed including generating N data streams comprising data symbols and for each of a plurality of sets of N simultaneous data symbols of the N data streams, imposing signals are on L of a plurality of signal lines, with the value of L corresponding to values of the N simultaneous data symbols. Signals on the plurality of signal lines are ANDed with a clock signal synchronized with the N data streams to produce RZ signals. The RZ signals are summed and the summed signal is input to a laser that produces an output having frequency modulation corresponding to the magnitude of the summed signal. The output of the laser is passed through an optical discriminator. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20080311689 | SECURING A TRANSISTOR OUTLINE CAN WITHIN AN OPTICAL COMPONENT - The present invention relates to affixing components of optical packages. The optical packages can include an optical component, such as a TO-Can. The TO-Can can house an optical transmitter and/or an optical receiver. Another optical component of the optical package can be a barrel for aligning the TO-Can with an optical fiber. The TO-Can can be affixed within an open end of the optical barrel using a bonding substance, such as an epoxy, that has wicking properties. The wicking properties cause the bonding substance to enter a gap between the optical barrel and the TO-Can by capillary action. Use of the bonding substance with wicking properties creates a more robust optical package in a cost effective manner. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080301595 | OPTIMIZATION OF LASER PARAMETERS TO ACHIEVE DESIRED PERFORMANCE - One example disclosed herein relates to a method of at least partially optimizing one or more output performance parameters of a laser die. The method includes an act of identifying one or more output performance parameters to be at least partially optimized, an act of identifying one or more design parameters associated with the one or more output performance parameters, an act of determining a subset of the one or more design parameters that should be varied so as to at least partially effect the one or more output performance parameters, an act of varying the subset of design parameters to produce one or more intermediate results, and an act of using the intermediate results to determine values for the one or more design parameters such that the one or more performance parameters are at least partially optimized | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080298804 | TUNING SELECT FIBER OPTIC CHANNELS FOR CHANNEL MONITORING - A tunable element of a tuning module is receptive to optical data channels of a multiplexed optical data signal, each optical data channel having a different respective wavelength. The tunable element is responsive to different stimuli such that multiple passbands of the tunable element are defined, each passband corresponding to a respective stimulus and including no more than one wavelength of the optical data channels. An optical detector communicates with the tunable element and is receptive to no more than one optical data channel from the tunable element at any given time, an output of the optical detector is an electrical data signal that corresponds to the optical data channel received by the optical detector from the tunable element. A controller communicates with the tunable element and tunes the tunable element from one optical data channel to the other by causing application of a corresponding stimulus to the tunable element. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080298801 | ELECTRONIC DISPERSION COMPENSATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A test has been developed that is known as the transmitter waveform dispersion penalty (TWDP) test. The TWDP test has been used to test and certify various optical data transmission devices. Similar tests are being developed to test optical receivers such as a difference waveform distortion penalty (dWDP). A test pattern used to generate the transmitted sequence by the device under test is a PRBS9. The PRBS9 test pattern begins with a run of nine ones and has a length of 511 bits. According to the teachings herein, a test pattern of less than 511 bits is generated to perform the TWDP and dWDP tests. The test pattern may include a sequence of bits specifically designed to provide reliable test penalty calculation without the costly and time consuming aspects of the conventional TWDP and dWDP tests using the PRBS9 pattern. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080298752 | ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION SHIELD FOR AN OPTICAL SUBASSEMBLY - In one example embodiment, an electromagnetic radiation (EMR) shield includes a central portion, a plurality of arms extending radially outward from the central portion, and a substantially centrally located opening defined in the central portion. The perimeter of the central portion is approximately the same size and shape as that of a portion of an associated optical subassembly (OSA). | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080298750 | ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION SHIELD FOR AN OPTICAL SUBASSEMBLY - In one example embodiment, an electromagnetic radiation (EMR) shield includes a disk, and a substantially centrally located opening defined in the disk. An outside perimeter of the disk is approximately the same as that of a flange of an associated optical subassembly (OSA). The disk defines a plurality of apertures. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080298041 | ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION SHIELD FOR AN OPTICAL SUBASSEMBLY - In one example embodiment, an electromagnetic radiation (EMR) shield includes a central portion, an opening defined in the central portion, a wing attached to and extending outward from the central portion, and a protrusion defined in the wing. The perimeter of the EMR shield is approximately the same size and shape as that of a portion of an associated optical subassembly (OSA). | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080292322 | OPTOELECTRONIC DEVICES WITH INTELLIGENT TRANSMITTER MODULES - An optoelectronic device can implement an intelligent transmitter module (“ITM”), rather than a conventional TOSA, for the transmission of optical data signals. The ITM can include an optical transmitter, a CDR and driver IC, and a microcontroller and/or linear amplifier. Space available in the optoelectronic device due to using an ITM rather than a TOSA and PCB-bound CDR, driver, microcontroller, and/or linear amplifier can be used for the inclusion of one or more electronic and/or optical components. Electronic components that can be included in a device with an ITM include: an FPGA, a DSP, a memory chip, a digital diagnostic IC, a video IC, a wireless interface, and an RF interface. Optical components that can be included in a device with an ITM include: a VOA, an SOA, a MUX, a DEMUX, a polarization controller, and an optical power monitoring device. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080292317 | INTEGRATED MULTIPLEXER/DEMULTIPLEXER HAVING OFFSET TRANSMITTERS AND RECEIVERS FOR USE IN AN OPTICAL TRANSCEIVER MODULE - An apparatus for use in an optical transceiver module that incorporates an integrated multiplexer/demultiplexer for high speed data transfer applications. One example embodiment includes a transmissive block arranged to interface with a transmit optical port, a receive optical port, and a plurality of optical subassemblies. The transmit optical port may transmit a first multiplexed optical signal and the receive optical port may receive a second multiplexed optical signal. Filters may be positioned between the transmissive block and one or more of the optical subassemblies to transmit signals at predetermined wavelengths while reflecting other signals incident thereon. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080292311 | Intelligent Transmitter Module - An intelligent transmitter module (“ITM”) includes a CDR circuit for equalizing and retiming an electrical data signal, a driver for generating a modulation signal and/or performing waveform shaping of the equalized and retimed signal, and an optical transmitter configured to emit an optical signal representative of the data signal. A linear amplifier may also be included to amplify the modulation signal when the optical transmitter is a laser with managed chirp. Alternately or additionally, a microcontroller with a 14-bit or higher A2D can be included to control and optimize operation of the ITM. In one embodiment, the CDR, driver, linear amplifier, and/or microcontroller are flip chip bonded to a first substrate while the laser with managed chirp is bonded to a second substrate. The first substrate may comprise a multi-layer high frequency laminate. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080291950 | OPTICAL BEAM STEERING FOR TUNABLE LASER APPLICATIONS - A transmitter is disclosed including a laser array comprising a plurality of lasers spatially offset from one another and each having a laser output having a unique wavelength. A first prism is positioned to impart a first angular shift to the laser outputs to produce and a second prism is positioned to impart a second angular shift opposite the first angular shift on the outputs. An index modulating element is coupled to one of the first and second prisms and a controller is electrically coupled to the index modulating element to control an angle of light output form the second prism. An optical spectrum reshaper may be positioned between the second prism and the lens and have at least one transmission edge aligned with the wavelength at least one of the lasers. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080285980 | Eye Safety Mechanism for Use in Optical Cable with Electrical Interfaces - An eye safety mechanism for use with a bi-directional data cable having an electrical interface at least one (but potentially both) ends, despite the fact that the cable communicates over much of its length using a bi-directional optical channel. Upon power-up, the eye safety mechanism determines whether or not a loss of signal condition is present on an optical receive channel of the bi-directional data cable. If the loss of signal is present, the mechanism intermittently disables the optical transmit channel of the bi-directional data cable. On the other hand, if the loss of signal is not present, the mechanism enables the optical transmit channel of the bi-directional data cable without intermittently disabling transmission at least for most of the time until the next time a loss of signal is detected on the optical receive channel. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080284522 | LINEAR TRANSIMPEDANCE AMPLIFIER WITH MULTIPLEXED GAIN STAGE - A linear transimpedance amplifier includes a forward transimpedance circuit that receives an input signal from an optical device. The forward transimpedance circuit generates a linear output signal. The forward transimpedance circuit includes a first gain path and a second gain path, the first gain path configured to amplify the input signal when the first gain path is at a lower input impedance relative to the second gain path and the second gain path configured to amplify the input signal when the second gain path is at a lower input impedance relative to the first gain path. A feedback circuit includes a first circuit that detects a low frequency component of the output signal. The feedback circuit further includes a second circuit that is driven by the low frequency component of the output signal and is connected with the forward transimpedance circuit such that the second circuit uses an average optical device current to at least partially control when the input signal is amplified by the first gain path and when the input signal is amplified by the second gain path. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080267620 | EYE SAFETY AND INTEROPERABILITY OF ACTIVE CABLE DEVICES - An integrated cable configured to communicate over much of its length using one or more optical fibers includes an electrical connector at least one end. The electrical connector at a first end of the integrated cable and an optoelectronic device coupled to or included in the other end of the integrated cable may utilize a bidirectional status link to transmit status data to each other. If the status data indicates that optical signals transmitted over the optical channels between the two devices are not potentially exposed to view, the two devices may operate above nominal eye safety limits. Otherwise, the two devices may operate at or below nominal eye safety limits. If the second optoelectronic device is not status-link enabled, the first optoelectronic device may operate at or below nominal eye safety limits. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080267408 | PROTECTING AGAINST COUNTERFEIT ELECTRONICS DEVICES - An optical transceiver module is authenticated in a host system. A host generates a data string and writes the data string to a first predetermined memory location known to the transceiver. The data string is cryptographically altered (either encrypted or decrypted) by the transceiver and written to a second predetermined memory location known to the host. The host retrieves the cryptographically altered data string and performs a complementary cryptographic operation (either a decryption or encryption, respectively) thereon, creating a resulting data string. If the resulting data string is equal to the data string written to the first predetermined memory location, the transceiver is authenticated. The host and the transceiver may switch roles, with the transceiver generating the data string, the host cryptographically altering it, and so on. The host encrypts data strings when the transceiver decrypts data strings, and vice versa. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080267233 | RESISTIVE HEATING ELEMENT FOR ENABLING LASER OPERATION - Heating resistor used to control laser operation. A laser package, such as a Transmitter Optical Subassembly (TOSA) includes a substrate. A laser is disposed on the substrate. A resistive heating element is disposed on the substrate with the laser. Control circuitry is connected to the resistive heating element. The control circuitry is configured to cause current flow through the resistive heating element based on temperature conditions. Current flow through the resistive heating element causes an increase in the operating temperature of the laser. This can be used to increase the effective operating temperature range of a laser. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080253293 | OPTIMIZATION OF SERDES SAMPLING PARAMETERS - One or more modules configured to cause a network diagnostic component to perform the following: an act of selecting first specific sampling parameters at which the SERDES is to receive network traffic; an act of determining a number of errors included in a signal output by the SERDES at the selected first specific sampling parameters; an act of repeating for a specified number of the remaining sampling parameters the acts of selecting specific sampling parameters and determining the number of errors in a signal output by the SERDES at the selected specific sampling parameter; an act of recording the number of errors for each selected specific sampling parameter in an output record, and an act of applying an optimization solution on the output record to thereby determine the specific sampling parameters that will cause the SERDES to output a signal with the lowest value of errors. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080248694 | TRANSCEIVER CONNECTOR WITH INTEGRATED MAGNETICS - In one example embodiment, a connector structure includes a housing that defines a chamber, a plurality of magnetic cores positioned within the chamber, and a means for positioning the plurality of magnetic cores so that a first magnetic core of the plurality of magnetic cores is not in physical contact with a second magnetic core of the plurality of magnetic cores. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080248683 | OPTOELECTRONIC MODULE RETENTION MECHANISM - A retention mechanism for an electronic or optoelectronic module. In one example embodiment, an optoelectronic module retention clip includes a base, a pair of arms extending from the base, and a protrusion extending from each arm. Each protrusion is configured to engage a complementary structure defined in a de-latch slide and a complementary structure defined in an optoelectronic module shell so as to prevent motion of the de-latch slide relative to the shell when the optoelectronic module retention clip is attached to the optoelectronic module. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080247765 | POWER SOURCE FOR A DISPERSION COMPENSATION FIBER OPTIC SYSTEM - This invention generally relates to an optical filter for a fiber optic communication system. An optical filter may be used, following a directly modulated laser source, and converts a partially frequency modulated signal into a substantially amplitude modulated signal. The optical filter may compensate for the dispersion in the fiber optic transmission medium and may also lock the wavelength of the laser source. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080247763 | CHIRPED LASER WITH PASSIVE FILTER ELEMENT FOR DIFFERENTIAL PHASE SHIFT KEYING GENERATION - A method for generating D-N-PSK optical signals is disclosed wherein a laser is modulated to generate optical signal pairs including phase modulated and fixed phase portions, the phase modulated portions having a frequency encoding one or more data symbols and the fixed phase portion having a carrier frequency and a phase corresponding to the immediately preceding phase modulated portion. The output of the laser is passed through an optical spectrum reshaper having a transmission function chosen to attenuate a plurality of the phase modulated portions relative to the fixed phase portions. The phase modulated portions may have N frequency levels located on either side of the carrier frequency. One of the N frequency levels may be equal to the carrier frequency. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080247416 | CIRCUIT FOR TAPPING A LINE IN A NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC COMPONENT - The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a network diagnostic component and related circuit for tapping a line in the network diagnostic component. The network diagnostic component includes a first network port configured to connect with a first node, a second network port configured to connect with a second node and a connection line directly coupling the first network port to the second network port configured to transmit network traffic between the first and second networks port. The network diagnostic component further includes a tap circuit coupled to the connection line configured to obtain a portion of the network traffic transmitted between the first and second network ports via the connection line. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080240733 | DISPERSION COMPENSATOR FOR FREQUENCY RESHAPED OPTICAL SIGNALS - An optical transmitter is disclosed including an optical signal source generating a frequency modulated signal encoding data. An optical spectrum reshaper is positioned to receive the frequency modulated signal and converts the frequency modulated signal into a reshaped signal having increased amplitude modulation relative to the frequency modulated signal. A third-order dispersive element is positioned to receive the reshaped signal and is adapted to impose third-order dispersion on the reshaped signal to generate a compensated signal having third-order dispersion effective to compensate for second-order dispersion caused by an optical fiber positioned between the optical transmitter and a receiver. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080240180 | OPTICAL FM SOURCE BASED ON INTRA-CAVITY PHASE AND AMPLITUDE MODULATION IN LASERS - A laser is disclosed including a gain section having a distributed feedback grating imposed thereon. An absorption section is embedded in the gain section such that the first and second portions of the distributed feedback grating extend on either side of the electro-absorption section. A controller imposes a substantially DC bias signal on the first and second gain electrodes and imposes a modulation signal encoding digital data on the modulation electrode to generate a frequency modulated signal. In some embodiments, the first and second portions are biased above the lasing threshold and the absorption section is modulated below the lasing threshold to modulate loss in the absorption section. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080237835 | NON-UNIFORM FEEDTHROUGH AND LEAD CONFIGURATION FOR A TRANSISTOR OUTLINE PACKAGE - A transistor outline package having a feedthrough via and lead configuration that maximizes the amount of usable area on a header of the package is disclosed. In one embodiment, the package includes a header having an interior surface that includes a first and second lead assembly. The first lead assembly includes two vias having a first diameter, with each first via being positioned along a first pin circle imaginarily defined on the interior surface of the header. Each first via also includes first leads received therein. The second lead assembly includes four vias having a second diameter each, with each second via being positioned along a second pin circle that has a diameter greater than that of the first pin circle. Each second via includes second leads received therein. This configuration increases usable area on the header interior surface between the leads, enabling relatively larger submounts to be placed thereon. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080232067 | MECHANISMS FOR HEAT TRANSFER IN AN OPTICAL TRANSCEIVER MODULE AND CARD CAGE SYSTEM - Mechanisms and systems for dissipating heat from an optical transceiver module to a module card cage system. In one embodiment, a thermal conductive label having at least one raised portion is attached to a surface of the module. The raised portion is configured to contact at least a portion of the card cage to dissipate heat from the module to the card cage. In another embodiment, the card cage has a protruding depression formed on a part of its surface that is above a slot configured to receive an optical transceiver module. The protruding depression is configured to contact at least a portion of the module to dissipate heat from the module to the card cage. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080225910 | LASER DRIVER BIAS CURRENT CALIBRATION - A method for a calibration module to calibrate laser bias current in an optical transceiver. The method comprises causing the calibration module to configure a control module of the optical transceiver for a calibration operation, causing the calibration module to determine a laser bias current monitored by the control module, and determining one or more calibration factor values that cause the laser bias current monitored by the control module to substantially match a laser bias current as measured by an external test meter. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080224287 | OPTOELECTRONIC DEVICE ALIGNMENT IN AN OPTOELECTRONIC PACKAGE - Using one or more reference indicators in die attaching an optoelectronic device to a lead during the assembly of an optoelectronic package. One example method of assembling an optoelectronic package includes detecting a reference indicator included in a first component of an optoelectronic package. The method also includes die attaching a second component to the optoelectronic package at a die attach location. The die attach location is substantially aligned with the reference indicator along a line that intersects the reference indicator and is parallel to either an x-axis or a y-axis of an x-y coordinate system associated with the optoelectronic package. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080210845 | PHOTODIODE HAVING ROUNDED EDGES FOR HIGH ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE THRESHOLD - In one example, an optical detector includes a photosensitive layer, and a group of additional layers associated with that photosensitive layer. The group of additional layers may include first and second contact layer configured for electrical communication with the photosensitive layer. In this example, one of the group of layers is shaped so as to define a corner whose radius of curvature is greater than about 2 microns. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080207039 | COLLAR CLIP FOR AN ELECTRONIC MODULE - In one example embodiment, a collar clip includes a body that is sized and configured to partially encircle a shell of an optoelectronic transceiver module. Each extended element in a pair of the extended elements is separated from the other extended element in the pair by a cavity. Each cavity is configured to receive a portion of a corresponding structure of the shell. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080206913 | CLEAVING EDGE-EMITTING LASERS FROM A WAFER CELL - In one example embodiment, a process for cleaving a wafer cell includes several acts. First a wafer cell is affixed to an adhesive film. Next, the adhesive film is stretched substantially uniformly. Then, the adhesive film is further stretched in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to a predetermined reference direction. Next, the wafer cell is scribed to form a notch that is oriented substantially parallel to the predetermined reference direction. Finally, the wafer cell is cleaved at a location substantially along the notch. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080205900 | STATUS LINK FOR MULTI-CHANNEL OPTICAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS - A robust and redundant status link is established by a first multi-channel optoelectronic device with a second multi-channel optoelectronic device in a multi-channel communication link. Transmitter bias currents are effectively modulated with a status link modulation signal representative of status data and subsequently modulated with primary data modulation signals. The resulting signals are transformed into optical signals and transmitted over the link as main communication links combined with a status link. At the second device, the optical signals are received and converted to electrical signals. The receipt of the optical signals creates multiple receiver bias currents, which may be monitored to detect the status link modulation signal. The second device may adjust various operating parameters in response to the information conveyed by the status link. For instance, devices can use status links to operate above nominal eye safety limits and/or to adjust transmit power to compensate for degradation effects. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080205896 | POSITIONING PLATE FOR OPTICAL SUBASSEMBLY - In one example, an optical subassembly positioning plate is provided that includes a substantially flat body that defines at least one edge. A port is defined in the body. The port is configured to receive and secure an optical subassembly in an x-direction and a y-direction when said optical subassembly positioning plate is positioned within an optoelectronic transceiver module. A plurality of fingers is defined along at least one edge of the body. Each of the plurality of fingers is configured to contact a shell of the optoelectronic transceiver module so as to bias a flange of the optical subassembly against a portion of the shell of the optoelectronic transceiver module such that the optical subassembly is substantially retained in a z-direction when the optical subassembly positioning plate is positioned within the optoelectronic transceiver module. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080205895 | OPTICAL SUBASSEMBLY POSITIONING DEVICE FOR AN ELECTRONIC MODULE - In one example embodiment, an optical subassembly (OSA) positioning device includes a front piece, a top back piece, and a top connector piece connecting the front piece and the top back piece, a bottom back piece, and a bottom connector piece connecting the from piece ad the bottom back piece. The front piece defines a first port. The first port is configured to receive and substantially secure a first OSA in an x-axis position and a y-axis position when the OSA positioning device is positioned within an optoelectronic module. The top and bottom connector pieces are deformable in response to an exerted force so as to bias a flange of the first OSA against a shell of the optoelectronic module such that the first OSA is secured in a z-axis position when the OSA positioning device is positioned within the optoelectronic module. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080205893 | ANGULAR SEAM FOR AN ELECTRONIC MODULE - In one example embodiment, an angular seam includes a first complementary structure defined in a first shell of an optoelectronic transceiver module, and a second complementary structure defined in a second shell of the optoelectronic transceiver module. The second complementary structure is configured to receive the first complementary structure so that an angular seam is defined that is substantially non-transmissive to electromagnetic radiation. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080205827 | PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD POSITIONING MECHANISM - In one example embodiment, a printed circuit board positioning mechanism includes a solderable plate and a compressible structure attached to the solderable plate. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080205466 | RIDGE WAVEGUIDE LASER WITH A COMPRESSIVELY STRAINED LAYER - In one example embodiment, a ridge waveguide (RWG) laser includes a substrate, an active layer disposed above the substrate, a ridge structure disposed above the active layer, a contact layer disposed above the ridge structure, a compressively strained dielectric passivation layer disposed above the active layer and extending along either side of the ridge structure such that the passivation layer is in substantial contact with each side of the ridge structure, and a top metallic contact layer disposed above both the dielectric passivation layer and the contact layer and layered alongside the portions of the dielectric passivation layer that contact the sides of the ridge structure. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080205437 | MULTI-MODE INTEGRATED CIRCUIT FOR USE IN OPTOELECTRONIC DEVICES - A multi-mode SerDes may be implemented in at least two different optoelectronic device architectures. The serializer includes a dual-mode bypass block for allowing data signals to go straight from input nodes to a multiplexing block or for decoding encoded data signals. A final dynamic high speed multiplexer multiplexes two data signals into one serial signal, or allows a single signal to go through. The deserializer includes an input dynamic high speed demultiplexer for demultiplexing one serial signal into two, or for allowing a serial signal through. A dual-mode bypass block is provided to allow data signals to go straight through from a demultiplexing block to output nodes or to encode data signals prior to providing them to the output nodes. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080203864 | ROTATABLE TOP SHELL - In one example, a rotatable top shell is provided for an example optoelectronic device. The rotatable top shell includes a body defining a curved tongue on one end. The tongue is configured to rotate about a complimenting curved mating surface of a bottom shell of the optoelectronic device to allow the body to rotate between an open position and a closed position. The rotatable top shell further includes means for securing the rotatable top shell relative to the bottom shell. The means for securing the rotatable top shell may include one or more of: a plurality of nubs defined along at least one edge of the body, a hole defined in the body for receiving a retention pin of the bottom shell, two sides for being received within a main cavity of the bottom shell, or the like. | 08-28-2008 |
