WO1998015866A1 - Optical-fibre transmitter and/or receiver module, and an active opto-electronic element - Google Patents

Optical-fibre transmitter and/or receiver module, and an active opto-electronic element Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1998015866A1
WO1998015866A1 PCT/IB1997/001229 IB9701229W WO9815866A1 WO 1998015866 A1 WO1998015866 A1 WO 1998015866A1 IB 9701229 W IB9701229 W IB 9701229W WO 9815866 A1 WO9815866 A1 WO 9815866A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
optical
fibre
housing
receiver module
electronic element
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB1997/001229
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Richard Herrmann
Original Assignee
The Whitaker Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by The Whitaker Corporation filed Critical The Whitaker Corporation
Priority to AU43929/97A priority Critical patent/AU4392997A/en
Publication of WO1998015866A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998015866A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
    • G02B6/4292—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
    • G02B6/4201—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
    • G02B6/4204—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details the coupling comprising intermediate optical elements, e.g. lenses, holograms
    • G02B6/421—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details the coupling comprising intermediate optical elements, e.g. lenses, holograms the intermediate optical component consisting of a short length of fibre, e.g. fibre stub

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an optical-fibre transmitter and/or receiver module having an active optoelectronic element which is connected to a connecting frame and is embedded in a housing made from a transparent material, and having an optical-fibre connector with an external connector housing and a connector inner part which has an optical-fibre end face.
  • the invention further relates to an active optoelectronic component having a housing which encloses the element and is made from a transparent material, and having a connecting frame.
  • optical- fibre transmitter or receiver modules which serve the purpose of coupling light out of an optical fibre onto a receiver element (for example a photodiode or photo transistor) , and converting it into an electrical signal or, correspondingly, of converting an electrical signal and launching light into an optical fibre by means of a transmitter element (for example, LED or laser diode) .
  • a transmitter element for example, LED or laser diode
  • modules correspondingly comprise optical-fibre ends and one or more transmitters and/or one or more receivers.
  • an opto-electronic element is located in a housing which has an opening for the purpose of accepting an optical-fibre connector through said opening.
  • the opto-electronic element is encapsulated by a transparent material, and the latter has a depression with a lens into which the end of the optical fibre has to be introduced. It is therefore necessary for the fibre end in the front region to project from the connector, or for the connector to be matched to the optical element, for example by providing a connector housing whose collar surrounds the optical element at least partially.
  • An optical-fibre transmitter or receiver module is likewise disclosed in US 5,243,678, a transmitter and a receiver being arranged next to one another in the module, and the housings, made from transparent material, of these opto-electronic components in each case having a retarded surface of the housings, with which an optical fibre makes contact.
  • the retarded surface of the housings in this case has a nose, and the corresponding connector end has a depression, as a result of which it is possible to achieve a particularly accurate coupling.
  • the object is achieved with reference to the module by means of an arrangement having the features of Patent Claim 1, and with reference to the element by means of an arrangement having the features of Patent Claim 8.
  • the housing of the opto-electronic element has an optical-guide section to which the end face of an optical fibre can be coupled very easily.
  • this coupling is independent of the nature of the optical-fibre connector.
  • the connector housing of the optical-fibre connector has a circumferential collar which projects in the plug-in direction beyond the optical-fibre end face, and thus protects the sensitive end face of the optical fibre.
  • the collar need not be configured such that it accepts the entire housing of the opto-electronic element, but it need only accept the optical fibre which is fastened to this housing or is constructed in one piece therewith.
  • Figure 1 shows a partial cross-section through an arrangement according to the invention, which is fastened to a printed circuit board
  • Figure 2 shows a partial cross-section through the same arrangement and at right angles to the first partial cross-section.
  • Figure 1 shows a printed circuit board 8 on which an enveloping housing 12 is mounted.
  • a printed circuit board connection 4 which carries an active opto-electronic element 3 surrounded by a housing 10.
  • the active optoelectronic element 3 has a connecting frame 2 which projects with corresponding connections through the printed circuit board 8.
  • the housing 10 surrounds the active opto-electronic element 3 completely. It consists of a transparent material, for example an epoxy resin.
  • the housing 10 has an optical-guide section 9 which is produced from the same material as the housing 10 and permits the light to be guided away from or to the opto-electronic element 3.
  • the figure also shows an optical fibre 5 which has a plastic cladding and is fastened in an optical-fibre connector consisting of an inner connector part 6 and a connector housing 7.
  • the optical-fibre end face 11 can be arranged directly on the end face of the optical-guide section 9.
  • This direct coupling leads to a transition from the optical fibre to the housing 10 of the optoelectronic element which exhibits low attenuation.
  • Supporting the shoulder of the connector inner part 6 on the annular centring housing, acting as a seal, of the enveloping housing 12 likewise renders a defined contact gap possible. Scratching of the optical contact surfaces in the event of vibration can thereby be excluded, by accepting a slight worsening of the transition attenuation.
  • a light beam is illustrated in the figure as an arrow.
  • the optical-fibre end face 11 is arranged set back behind a collar 71 of the connector housing 7.
  • the collar 71 can thus protect the sensitive optical-fibre end face 11.
  • the optical-fibre end face 11 of the optical fibre 5 is coupled directly to the optical-guide section 9 of the housing 10.
  • the housing 10 can be centred on the enveloping housing 12 by means of a cylindrical collar 121 thereon.
  • the plug inner part can likewise be adjusted on the collar 122. Good adjustment of the housing 10 relative to the optical-fibre connector is thereby ensured.
  • optical- fibre connectors which have collars which project beyond the optical-fibre end face and thus constitute a guard for this sensitive end face.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Optical Couplings Of Light Guides (AREA)

Abstract

An optical-fibre transmitter and/or receiver module (1) is specified which has an active opto-electronic element (3) which is connected to a connecting frame (2) and is embedded in a housing (10) made from a transparent material. The module further has an optical-fibre connector with an external connector housing (7) and an inner connector part (6) which has an optical-fibre end face (11). The housing (10) of the opto-electronic element (3) has an essentially cylindrical optical-guide section (9) which is arranged over the active surface of the opto-electronic element (3), projects beyond the dimensions of the housing (10), and is connected directly or via a defined air gap to the optical-fibre end face (11).

Description

OPTICAL-FIBRE TRANSMITTER AND/OR RECEIVER MODULE, AND AN ACTIVE OPTO-ELECTRONIC ELEMENT
The invention relates to an optical-fibre transmitter and/or receiver module having an active optoelectronic element which is connected to a connecting frame and is embedded in a housing made from a transparent material, and having an optical-fibre connector with an external connector housing and a connector inner part which has an optical-fibre end face. The invention further relates to an active optoelectronic component having a housing which encloses the element and is made from a transparent material, and having a connecting frame. In optical transmission systems, there are optical- fibre transmitter or receiver modules which serve the purpose of coupling light out of an optical fibre onto a receiver element (for example a photodiode or photo transistor) , and converting it into an electrical signal or, correspondingly, of converting an electrical signal and launching light into an optical fibre by means of a transmitter element (for example, LED or laser diode) . Such modules correspondingly comprise optical-fibre ends and one or more transmitters and/or one or more receivers.
Such an arrangement is disclosed, for example, in EP 113 991 Al . There, an opto-electronic element is located in a housing which has an opening for the purpose of accepting an optical-fibre connector through said opening. The opto-electronic element is encapsulated by a transparent material, and the latter has a depression with a lens into which the end of the optical fibre has to be introduced. It is therefore necessary for the fibre end in the front region to project from the connector, or for the connector to be matched to the optical element, for example by providing a connector housing whose collar surrounds the optical element at least partially.
An optical-fibre transmitter or receiver module is likewise disclosed in US 5,243,678, a transmitter and a receiver being arranged next to one another in the module, and the housings, made from transparent material, of these opto-electronic components in each case having a retarded surface of the housings, with which an optical fibre makes contact. The retarded surface of the housings in this case has a nose, and the corresponding connector end has a depression, as a result of which it is possible to achieve a particularly accurate coupling.
It is the object of the invention to specify a transmitter and/or receiver module and an active optoelectronic element which render it possible, on the one hand, for the sensitive optical contact surface not to have to be exposed at its end region and, on the other hand, for good coupling to be achieved. The object is achieved with reference to the module by means of an arrangement having the features of Patent Claim 1, and with reference to the element by means of an arrangement having the features of Patent Claim 8.
Advantageous developments are specified in each case in the subclaims.
It is particularly advantageous that for the purpose of coupling the optical-fibre end to the opto-electronic component it is no longer necessary for the optical fibre to project from the connector in order to engage in a depression in the injection-coating of the optoelectronic element. Instead of this, the housing of the opto-electronic element has an optical-guide section to which the end face of an optical fibre can be coupled very easily. Here, this coupling is independent of the nature of the optical-fibre connector.
It is particularly advantageous when the connector housing of the optical-fibre connector has a circumferential collar which projects in the plug-in direction beyond the optical-fibre end face, and thus protects the sensitive end face of the optical fibre. In this case, the collar need not be configured such that it accepts the entire housing of the opto-electronic element, but it need only accept the optical fibre which is fastened to this housing or is constructed in one piece therewith.
An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described with the aid of the figures, in which: Figure 1 shows a partial cross-section through an arrangement according to the invention, which is fastened to a printed circuit board, and
Figure 2 shows a partial cross-section through the same arrangement and at right angles to the first partial cross-section.
Figure 1 shows a printed circuit board 8 on which an enveloping housing 12 is mounted. Located at one end of the enveloping housing 12 is a printed circuit board connection 4 which carries an active opto-electronic element 3 surrounded by a housing 10. The active optoelectronic element 3 has a connecting frame 2 which projects with corresponding connections through the printed circuit board 8. The housing 10 surrounds the active opto-electronic element 3 completely. It consists of a transparent material, for example an epoxy resin. In the direction of the optical axis, the housing 10 has an optical-guide section 9 which is produced from the same material as the housing 10 and permits the light to be guided away from or to the opto-electronic element 3. The figure also shows an optical fibre 5 which has a plastic cladding and is fastened in an optical-fibre connector consisting of an inner connector part 6 and a connector housing 7. The optical-fibre end face 11 can be arranged directly on the end face of the optical-guide section 9. This direct coupling leads to a transition from the optical fibre to the housing 10 of the optoelectronic element which exhibits low attenuation. Supporting the shoulder of the connector inner part 6 on the annular centring housing, acting as a seal, of the enveloping housing 12 likewise renders a defined contact gap possible. Scratching of the optical contact surfaces in the event of vibration can thereby be excluded, by accepting a slight worsening of the transition attenuation. A light beam is illustrated in the figure as an arrow.
Because of the special design of the housing 10 with the optical-guide section 9, it can be achieved that the optical-fibre end face 11 is arranged set back behind a collar 71 of the connector housing 7. The collar 71 can thus protect the sensitive optical-fibre end face 11.
Essentially the same arrangement is represented again in a different section in Figure 2, it also being clearly visible here that the optical-fibre end face 11 of the optical fibre 5 is coupled directly to the optical-guide section 9 of the housing 10. The housing 10 can be centred on the enveloping housing 12 by means of a cylindrical collar 121 thereon. The plug inner part can likewise be adjusted on the collar 122. Good adjustment of the housing 10 relative to the optical-fibre connector is thereby ensured.
Because of this special design, low-attenuation coupling is possible, and it is possible to use optical- fibre connectors which have collars which project beyond the optical-fibre end face and thus constitute a guard for this sensitive end face.

Claims

1. Optical-fibre transmitter and/or receiver module (1)
- having an active opto-electronic element (3) which is connected to a connecting frame (2) and is embedded in a housing (10) made from a transparent material, and
- having an optical-fibre connector with an external connector housing (7) and an inner connector part (6) which has an optical-fibre end face (11), characterized in that the housing (10) of the optoelectronic element (3) has an essentially cylindrical optical-guide section (9) which is arranged over the active surface of the opto-electronic element (3) , projects beyond the dimensions of the housing (10), and is connected to the optical-fibre end face (11) for the purpose of launching light.
2. Optical-fibre transmitter and/or receiver module according to Claim 1, characterized in that the connector housing (7) of the optical-fibre connector has on the plug-in side a circumferential collar (71) which projects beyond the optical-fibre end face (11) in the plug-in direction.
3. Optical-fibre transmitter and/or receiver module according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that a printed circuit board connection (4) is provided by means of which the active opto-electronic element (3) with a housing (10) and connecting frame (2) can be mounted on a printed circuit board (8) .
4. Optical-fibre transmitter and/or receiver module according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that an enveloping housing (12) is provided which has means for the accommodation and relative adjustment of the optical-fibre connector and housing (10) with an optoelectronic element (3) .
5. Optical-fibre transmitter and/or receiver module according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the optical-fibre end face (11) is directly connected to the optical-guide section (9).
6. Optical-fibre transmitter and/or receiver module according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the optical-guide end face (11) is connected to the optical-fibre section (9) via a defined gap.
7. Optical-fibre transmitter and/or receiver module according to Claim 6, characterized in that the gap is filled with an index-matching gel.
8. Active opto-electronic element (3) having a housing which encloses the element (3) and is made from a transparent material, and having a connecting frame (2), characterized in that provision is made for an essentially cylindrical optical-guide section (9) which projects beyond the dimensions of the housing (10) and is arranged over the active surface of the opto-electronic element (3) in such a way that an optical fibre can be coupled to the element (3) via the optical-guide section (9) .
9. Active opto-electronic element according to Claim 8, characterized in that the housing (10) consists of epoxy resin, and the element (3) is potted therein.
PCT/IB1997/001229 1996-10-10 1997-10-07 Optical-fibre transmitter and/or receiver module, and an active opto-electronic element WO1998015866A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU43929/97A AU4392997A (en) 1996-10-10 1997-10-07 Optical-fibre transmitter and/or receiver module, and an active opto-electronic element

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP96116253.4 1996-10-10
EP96116253 1996-10-10

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998015866A1 true WO1998015866A1 (en) 1998-04-16

Family

ID=8223284

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB1997/001229 WO1998015866A1 (en) 1996-10-10 1997-10-07 Optical-fibre transmitter and/or receiver module, and an active opto-electronic element

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU4392997A (en)
WO (1) WO1998015866A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0992822A1 (en) * 1998-10-05 2000-04-12 Framatome Connectors International Optical waveguide plug connector for a mechanically releaseble connection between an OWG connector an a printed circuit board
DE10004953A1 (en) * 2000-02-04 2001-08-09 Delphi Tech Inc Optical ferrule for optical fibre connector e.g. in motor vehicle, has rigid protective sleeve within which free end of optical fibre lies

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1456394A (en) * 1973-10-16 1976-11-24 Bicc Ltd Optical transmission systems
DE2542095A1 (en) * 1975-09-20 1977-03-24 Licentia Gmbh SEMI-CONDUCTOR ARRANGEMENT FOR THE NUMERAL DISPLAY
US4186996A (en) * 1978-09-22 1980-02-05 Amp Incorporated Optic adaptor junction
AU510340B2 (en) * 1977-11-28 1980-06-19 Deutsch Co. Electronics Components Division, The Optical interconnecting device
EP0053482A2 (en) * 1980-11-28 1982-06-09 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Module for a fiber optic link
GB2119959A (en) * 1982-05-12 1983-11-23 Bicc Plc Optical fibre duplex coupler
US4433898A (en) * 1980-12-22 1984-02-28 National Semiconductor Corporation Fiber optic assembly for coupling an optical fiber and a light source
GB2143651A (en) * 1981-12-24 1985-02-13 Molex Inc Fiber optic connector assembly

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1456394A (en) * 1973-10-16 1976-11-24 Bicc Ltd Optical transmission systems
DE2542095A1 (en) * 1975-09-20 1977-03-24 Licentia Gmbh SEMI-CONDUCTOR ARRANGEMENT FOR THE NUMERAL DISPLAY
AU510340B2 (en) * 1977-11-28 1980-06-19 Deutsch Co. Electronics Components Division, The Optical interconnecting device
US4186996A (en) * 1978-09-22 1980-02-05 Amp Incorporated Optic adaptor junction
EP0053482A2 (en) * 1980-11-28 1982-06-09 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Module for a fiber optic link
US4433898A (en) * 1980-12-22 1984-02-28 National Semiconductor Corporation Fiber optic assembly for coupling an optical fiber and a light source
GB2143651A (en) * 1981-12-24 1985-02-13 Molex Inc Fiber optic connector assembly
GB2119959A (en) * 1982-05-12 1983-11-23 Bicc Plc Optical fibre duplex coupler

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0992822A1 (en) * 1998-10-05 2000-04-12 Framatome Connectors International Optical waveguide plug connector for a mechanically releaseble connection between an OWG connector an a printed circuit board
DE10004953A1 (en) * 2000-02-04 2001-08-09 Delphi Tech Inc Optical ferrule for optical fibre connector e.g. in motor vehicle, has rigid protective sleeve within which free end of optical fibre lies

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU4392997A (en) 1998-05-05

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6731882B1 (en) Leadframe-based optoelectronic bidirectional transmitting and receiving module
US4307934A (en) Packaged fiber optic modules
US6527458B2 (en) Compact optical transceiver integrated module using silicon optical bench
US5127075A (en) Transmission and reception module for bi-directional optical message and signal transmission
US4904043A (en) Optical data link dual wavelength coupler
US4720630A (en) Active optical connector including an electronic circuit board and an optical fiber
US7731433B1 (en) Optoelectronic surface-mounted device and method for forming an optoelectronic surface-mounted device
EP0982610A2 (en) Optical subassembly for use in fiber optic data transmission and reception
JP2004177985A (en) Photoelectronic interface device having reflecting surface and its manufacturing method
EP1180801A3 (en) Optical semiconductor module
ATE208043T1 (en) RANGE FINDER
GB1575918A (en) Fibre optics
CN109100836B (en) Optical transceiver
US7255489B2 (en) Connector device for the detachable connection of at least one light wave guide to at least one optoelectronic component and method for assembly of such a connector device
JP4770551B2 (en) Optical module
US7245794B2 (en) Surface mount module
US7066661B2 (en) Small footprint optical fiber transceiver
WO1998015866A1 (en) Optical-fibre transmitter and/or receiver module, and an active opto-electronic element
US7660497B2 (en) Apparatus for transmitting optical signals between components which can be rotated relative to one another (rotary transmitter)
US6477056B1 (en) Optoelectric mounting and interconnect apparatus
US20090232456A1 (en) Mini Optical Subassembly
EP1063548B1 (en) Plastic packaged optoelectronic device
EP0825428A3 (en) Integrated optoelectronic combustion pressure sensor
JP2006030813A (en) Optical fiber module
US20020191917A1 (en) Transceiver device for transmitting and receiving optical signals

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CU CZ DE DK EE ES FI GB GE GH HU IL IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT UA UG US UZ VN YU ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH KE LS MW SD SZ UG ZW AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: CA