Optical communication device using conformal coating as optical waveguide

Abstract

An optical communication device according to embodiments disclosed herein includes a first optical element, a second optical element capable of performing optical communication with the first optical element, a printed circuit board (PCB) in which the first optical element and the second optical element are arranged, and a first conformal coating of a polymeric material, a first conformal coating is applied to at least a portion of a surface of the PCB, wherein optical communications are performed using the first conformal coating as an optical waveguide.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0117485 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on September 16, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0004] Embodiments disclosed herein relate to optical communication devices using conformal coatings as optical waveguides. Background Art

[0005] With recent advances in autonomous driving and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), bandwidth increases and data integrity are required, and data integrity and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) issues are encountered. Therefore, optical communication technology has been introduced, which can replace the standards traditionally used for vehicle communication, such as Local Interconnect Network (LIN), Controller Area Network (CAN), Controller Area Network Flexible Data Rate (CAN FD) and FlexRay.

[0006] When optical communication technology, which is a means for fast signal transmission between components of electronic devices, is applied to electronic devices, signal transmission can be performed at a higher speed and the disadvantages of existing signal transmission methods, such as high resistance, high heat generation, and parasitic capacitance, can be alleviated. Summary of the invention

[0007] [Technical issues]

[0008] Optical cables have been traditionally used as optical waveguides for optical communications. However, due to their high cost and flexibility, optical cables cannot freely ensure line of sight (LoS) of components for transmitting and receiving optical communication signals, resulting in limitations in their use for short-range communications inside vehicles.

[0009] Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to providing an optical communication device using a conformal coating of a printed circuit board (PCB) in which an optical element is arranged as an optical waveguide for optical communication.

[0010] Technical problems of the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to the above-mentioned technical problems, and other unmentioned technical problems will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from the following description.

[0011] [Technical solution]

[0012] An optical communication device according to an embodiment disclosed herein includes a first optical element, a second optical element capable of performing optical communication with the first optical element, a printed circuit board (PCB) in which the first optical element and the second optical element are arranged, and a first conformal coating of a polymer material, the first conformal coating being applied to at least a portion of a surface of the PCB, wherein optical communication is performed using the first conformal coating as an optical waveguide.

[0013] In the optical communication device according to the embodiments disclosed herein, the first conformal coating may be configured to contact the optical signal input / output unit of the first optical element and the optical signal input / output unit of the second optical element.

[0014] In the optical communication device according to the embodiments disclosed herein, the first conformal coating may be configured to avoid contacting optical elements other than the first optical element and the second optical element among the plurality of optical elements arranged on the PCB.

[0015] In the optical communication device according to the embodiments disclosed herein, the first conformal coating may include a material that allows an optical signal traveling inside the first conformal coating to be totally reflected from a surface of the first conformal coating.

[0016] In the optical communication device according to the embodiments disclosed herein, the refractive index of the first conformal coating may be greater than the refractive index of the PCB.

[0017] The optical communication device according to the embodiments disclosed herein may further include a second conformal coating of a polymer material applied to at least a portion of a second surface different from the first surface contacting the PCB among the surfaces of the first conformal coating.

[0018] In the optical communication device according to the embodiments disclosed herein, the second surface may include a third surface where the first conformal coating contacts the first optical element, a fourth surface where the first conformal coating contacts the second optical element, and a fifth surface other than the third and fourth surfaces.

[0019] In the optical communication device according to the embodiments disclosed herein, the second conformal coating may be configured to contact the entire fifth surface.

[0020] In the optical communication device according to the embodiments disclosed herein, the refractive index of the first conformal coating may be greater than the refractive index of the PCB and the refractive index of the second conformal coating.

[0021] [Beneficial Effects]

[0022] According to the embodiments disclosed herein, the conformal coating of the PCB may perform optical communication between optical elements by using the conformal coating of the PCB as an optical waveguide without adding a separate component (eg, an optical cable, a connector, etc.).

[0023] According to the embodiments disclosed herein, optical communication between optical elements in which line of sight (LoS) cannot be ensured may be achieved.

[0024] Furthermore, various effects directly or indirectly recognized from the present disclosure can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an optical communication device according to the embodiment.

[0026] Figure 2 is a view for describing a method in which an optical waveguide transmits an optical signal by using the total reflection property of light.

[0027] Figure 3 is a plan view showing an arrangement state of a PCB, a first optical element, a second optical element, and a conformal coating of an optical communication device according to an embodiment.

[0028] Figure 4a and Figure 4b are a plan view and a cross-sectional view showing an arrangement state of a PCB, a first optical element, a second optical element, and a conformal coating of an optical communication device according to an embodiment.

[0029] Figure 5 : is a plan view showing an arrangement state of a PCB, a first optical element, a second optical element, a third optical element, and a conformal coating of an optical communication device according to an embodiment.

[0030] Figure 6 is a plan view showing an arrangement state of a PCB, a first optical element, a second optical element, and a conformal coating of an optical communication device according to an embodiment.

[0031] Figure 7a and Figure 7b are a plan view and a cross-sectional view showing an arrangement state of a PCB, a first optical element, a second optical element, a first conformal coating, and a second conformal coating of an optical communication device according to an embodiment.

[0032] Figure 8a and Figure 8b are a plan view and a cross-sectional view showing an arrangement state of a PCB, a first optical element, a second optical element, a third optical element, a first conformal coating, and a second conformal coating of an optical communication device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the description is not intended to limit the present disclosure to a specific embodiment, and it should be construed as including various modifications, equivalents and / or substitutions according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] It should be understood that the various embodiments of this document and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features set forth herein to specific embodiments, and include various changes, equivalents or substitutions to the corresponding embodiments. With respect to the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar or related elements. It should be understood that the singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more things, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0035] As used herein, each of phrases such as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B or C,” “at least one of A, B and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one or all possible combinations of items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. Unless otherwise noted, terms such as “1st,” “2nd,” “first,” “second,” “A,” “B,” “(a),” or “(b)” may be used to simply distinguish corresponding components from one another and do not limit the components in other respects (e.g., importance or order).

[0036] Herein, it should be understood that when an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to as being “connected,” “coupled,” or “linked,” or “coupled to” or “connected to” another element (e.g., a second element) with or without the term “operably” or “communicatively,” this means that the element can be connected to the other element directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or via a third element.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method according to various embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be included and provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded between a seller and a buyer as a product. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., a compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM)), or distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) via an application store, or distributed directly between two user devices. If distributed online, at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily generated or at least temporarily stored in a machine-readable storage medium, such as a memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or a relay server.

[0038] According to various embodiments, each of the above-mentioned components (e.g., an element or a program) may include a single entity or multiple entities, and some of the multiple entities may be separately provided in different components. According to various embodiments, one or more of the above-mentioned components may be omitted, or one or more other components may be added. Alternatively or additionally, multiple components (e.g., an element or a program) may be integrated into a single component. In this case, according to various embodiments, the integrated component may still perform one or more functions of each of the multiple components in the same or similar manner as the manner in which the corresponding components in the multiple components perform the multiple components before integration. According to various embodiments, the operations performed by an element, a program, or another component may be performed sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or one or more operations may be performed or omitted in a different order, or one or more other operations may be added.

[0039] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an optical communication device according to the embodiment.

[0040] refer to Figure 1 , the optical communication device 100 may include a printed circuit board (PCB) 110 , a first optical element 120 , a second optical element 130 , and an optical waveguide 140 .

[0041] The PCB 110 may have components of the optical communication device 100 (e.g., the first optical element 120 and / or the second optical element 130) mounted thereon. According to an embodiment, the PCB 110 may be a metal core PCB (MPCB) based on a metal having good thermal conductivity. According to another embodiment, the PCB 110 may be based on an insulating substrate material. However, not limited to these examples, the PCB 110 may be implemented in various types and structures.

[0042] The first optical element 120 (or the second optical element 130) may perform optical communication with the second optical element 130 (or the first optical element 120). According to an embodiment, the first optical element 120 and the second optical element 130 may transmit and receive optical signals to and from each other by using the optical waveguide 140. The first optical element 120 (or the second optical element 130) may transmit an optical signal to the second optical element 130 (or the first optical element 120) through the optical waveguide 140, or receive an optical signal from the second optical element 130 (or the first optical element 120).

[0043] The optical waveguide 140 may transmit an optical signal output from the first optical element 120 (or the second optical element 130) to the second optical element 130 (or the first optical element 120). According to an embodiment, the optical waveguide 140 may transmit an optical signal by using a total reflection property of light. To this end, the optical waveguide 140 may include a material that allows an optical signal traveling inside the optical waveguide 140 to be totally reflected from a surface of the optical waveguide 140. For example, the optical waveguide 140 may include a material having a refractive index greater than a refractive index of a material contacting its surface. According to an embodiment, the optical waveguide 140 may be implemented using a conformal coating of a polymer material applied to at least a portion of a surface of the PCB 110.

[0044] Figure 2 It is a view used to describe the method of transmitting optical signals by using the total reflection property of light in an optical waveguide. Figure 1 Components to describe Figure 2 .

[0045] refer to Figure 2 , the optical waveguide module 200 may include a core layer 210, a lower cladding layer 220, and an upper cladding layer 230. According to an embodiment, the core layer 210 may contact the lower cladding layer 220 and the upper cladding layer 230.

[0046] According to an embodiment, the optical waveguide module 200 can be configured by using an optical waveguide (eg, Figure 1 The core layer 210 is operated by the optical waveguide 140 to transmit the optical signal by totally reflecting the optical signal from the surface of the core layer 210. To this end, the core layer 210 may include a material having a refractive index n1 greater than the refractive index n2 of the lower cladding layer 220 and the refractive index n3 of the upper cladding layer 230.

[0047] According to an embodiment, the core layer 210 may be implemented using a conformal coating of a polymer material applied to at least a portion of the surface of the PCB 110. In this case, the lower cladding layer 220 is implemented using the PCB 110, but the upper cladding layer 230 may be implemented using air or a conformal coating of a material different from that of the core layer 210.

[0048] For example, when the surface of the PCB 110 is conformally coated with a single material, the core layer 210 operating as an optical waveguide may be implemented using the conformal coating, and the upper cladding layer 230 may be implemented using air. In this case, the conformal coating may include a material having a refractive index n1 greater than the refractive index n2 of the PCB 110 and the refractive index n3 of the air.

[0049] In another example, when the surface of the PCB 110 is conformally coated with a dual material, the core layer 210 operating as an optical waveguide may be implemented using a first conformal coating, and the upper cladding layer 230 may be implemented using a second conformal coating including a material different from that of the first conformal coating. In this case, the first conformal coating may include a material having a refractive index n1 greater than the refractive index n2 of the PCB 110 and the refractive index n3 of the second conformal coating.

[0050] Figure 3 are a plan view and a cross-sectional view showing an arrangement state of a PCB, a first optical element, a second optical element, and a conformal coating of an optical communication device according to an embodiment.

[0051] refer to Figure 3 , the optical communication device 100 may include a PCB 110 , a first optical element 120 , a second optical element 130 , and a conformal coating 300 .

[0052] The first optical element 120 (or the second optical element 130) may perform the optical signal input / output unit 121 or 131. According to an embodiment, the optical signal input / output unit 121 or 131 may include an optical signal output unit TX for outputting an optical signal and an optical signal input unit RX for receiving an optical signal. According to an embodiment, the first optical element 120 (or the second optical element 130) may output an optical signal through the optical signal output unit TX, and receive an optical signal through the optical signal input unit RX.

[0053] The conformal coating 300 may be applied to at least a portion of the surface of the PCB 110. Herein, the conformal coating 300 may be formed of a polymer material.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the conformal coating 300 may be used as an optical waveguide in optical communication between the first optical element 120 and the second optical element 130. According to an embodiment, the conformal coating 300 may transmit an optical signal output from the first optical element 120 (or the second optical element 130) to the second optical element 130 (or the first optical element 120). To this end, the conformal coating 300 may contact the optical signal input / output unit 121 or 131 of the first optical element 120 and the second optical element 130. For example, the conformal coating 300 may include a first coating that contacts the optical signal output unit TX of the first optical element 120 and the optical signal input unit RX of the second optical element 130 and the second coating that contacts the optical signal input unit RX of the first optical element 120 and the optical signal output unit TX of the second optical element 130 and does not contact the first coating. In another example, the conformal coating 300 may include one coating that contacts the optical signal input / output unit 121 of the first optical element 120 and the optical signal input / output unit 131 of the second optical element 130.

[0055] According to an embodiment, conformal coating 300 may transmit an optical signal by using the total reflection property of light. To this end, conformal coating 300 may include a material that allows an optical signal traveling therein to be totally reflected from its surface. For example, conformal coating 300 may include a material having a refractive index greater than the refractive index of a material contacting its surface.

[0056] Figure 4a and Figure 4b are a plan view and a cross-sectional view showing an arrangement state of a PCB, a first optical element, a second optical element, and a conformal coating of an optical communication device according to an embodiment.

[0057] In particular, Figure 4b is from Figure 4a A plan view is a cross-sectional view taken along line A1-A2.

[0058] refer to Figure 4a and Figure 4b , the optical communication device 100 may include a PCB 110 , a first optical element 120 , a second optical element 130 , and a conformal coating 400 .

[0059] The first optical element 120 (or the second optical element 130) may perform the optical signal input / output unit 121 or 131. According to an embodiment, the optical signal input / output unit 121 or 131 may include an optical signal output unit TX for outputting an optical signal and an optical signal input unit RX for receiving an optical signal. According to an embodiment, the first optical element 120 (or the second optical element 130) may output an optical signal through the optical signal output unit TX, and receive an optical signal through the optical signal input unit RX.

[0060] The conformal coating 400 may be applied to at least a portion of the surface of the PCB 110, and may be applied to the entire surface of the first and second optical elements 120 and 130 that does not contact the PCB 110. Herein, the conformal coating 400 may be formed of a polymer material.

[0061] According to an embodiment, the conformal coating 400 may be used as an optical waveguide in optical communication between the first optical element 120 and the second optical element 130. According to an embodiment, the conformal coating 400 may transmit an optical signal output from the first optical element 120 (or the second optical element 130) to the second optical element 130 (or the first optical element 120). To this end, the conformal coating 400 may contact the optical signal input / output unit 121 or 131 of the first optical element 120 and the second optical element 130.

[0062] According to an embodiment, conformal coating 400 may transmit an optical signal by using the total reflection property of light. To this end, conformal coating 400 may include a material that allows an optical signal traveling therein to be totally reflected from its surface. For example, conformal coating 400 may include a material having a refractive index greater than the refractive index of a material contacting its surface.

[0063] Figure 5 : is a plan view showing an arrangement state of a PCB, a first optical element, a second optical element, a third optical element, and a conformal coating of an optical communication device according to an embodiment.

[0064] refer to Figure 5 , the optical communication device 100 may include a PCB 110 , a first optical element 120 , a second optical element 130 , a third optical element 520 , and a conformal coating 510 .

[0065] The first optical element 120 (or the second optical element 130) may perform the optical signal input / output unit 121 or 131. According to an embodiment, the optical signal input / output unit 121 or 131 may include an optical signal output unit TX for outputting an optical signal and an optical signal input unit RX for receiving an optical signal. According to an embodiment, the first optical element 120 (or the second optical element 130) may output an optical signal through the optical signal output unit TX, and receive an optical signal through the optical signal input unit RX.

[0066] The conformal coating 510 may be applied to at least a portion of the surface of the PCB 110. Herein, the conformal coating 300 may be formed of a polymer material. According to an embodiment, the conformal coating 510 may not contact the third optical element 520 to prevent an optical signal traveling therein from being input to the third optical element 520.

[0067] According to an embodiment, conformal coating 510 may be used as an optical waveguide in optical communication between first optical element 120 and second optical element 130. According to an embodiment, conformal coating 510 may transmit an optical signal output from first optical element 120 (or second optical element 130) to second optical element 130 (or first optical element 120). To this end, conformal coating 510 may contact optical signal input / output unit 121 or 131 of first optical element 120 and second optical element 130.

[0068] According to an embodiment, conformal coating 510 may transmit an optical signal by using the total reflection property of light. To this end, conformal coating 510 may include a material that allows an optical signal traveling therein to be totally reflected from its surface. For example, conformal coating 510 may include a material having a refractive index greater than the refractive index of a material contacting its surface.

[0069] According to an embodiment, a corner portion of the conformal coating 510 may have a designated curvature so that a light signal incident from the first optical element 120 (or the second optical element 130 ) is totally reflected and thus travels to the second optical element 130 (or the first optical element 120 ).

[0070] refer to Figure 5 , even when LoS cannot be ensured between the optical signal input / output units of the first optical element 120 and the second optical element 130 which transmit and receive optical signals therebetween through optical communication, optical communication can be performed through the conformal coating 510 serving as an optical waveguide.

[0071] Figure 6 is a plan view showing an arrangement state of a PCB, a first optical element, a second optical element, and a conformal coating of an optical communication device according to an embodiment.

[0072] refer to Figure 6 , the optical communication device 100 may include a PCB 110 , a first optical element 120 , a second optical element 130 , and a conformal coating 600 .

[0073] The first optical element 120 (or the second optical element 130) may perform the optical signal input / output unit 121 or 131. According to an embodiment, the optical signal input / output unit 121 or 131 may include an optical signal output unit TX for outputting an optical signal and an optical signal input unit RX for receiving an optical signal. According to an embodiment, the first optical element 120 (or the second optical element 130) may output an optical signal through the optical signal output unit TX, and receive an optical signal through the optical signal input unit RX.

[0074] The conformal coating 600 may be applied onto at least a portion of the surface of the PCB 110. Herein, the conformal coating 600 may be formed of a polymer material.

[0075] According to an embodiment, the conformal coating 600 may be used as an optical waveguide in optical communication between the first optical element 120 and the second optical element 130. According to an embodiment, the conformal coating 600 may transmit an optical signal output from the first optical element 120 (or the second optical element 130) to the second optical element 130 (or the first optical element 120). To this end, the conformal coating 600 may contact the optical signal input / output unit 121 or 131 of the first optical element 120 and the second optical element 130.

[0076] According to an embodiment, the conformal coating 600 may transmit an optical signal by using the total reflection property of light. To this end, the conformal coating 600 may include a material that allows an optical signal traveling therein to be totally reflected from its surface. For example, the conformal coating 600 may include a material having a refractive index greater than the refractive index of a material contacting its surface.

[0077] According to an embodiment, a corner portion of the conformal coating 600 may have a designated curvature so that a light signal incident from the first optical element 120 (or the second optical element 130 ) is totally reflected and thus travels to the second optical element 130 (or the first optical element 120 ).

[0078] refer to Figure 6 , even when LoS cannot be ensured between the optical signal input / output units of the first optical element 120 and the second optical element 130 which transmit and receive optical signals therebetween by optical communication, optical communication can be performed through the conformal coating 600 serving as an optical waveguide.

[0079] Figure 7a and Figure 7b are a plan view and a cross-sectional view showing an arrangement state of a PCB, a first optical element, a second optical element, a first conformal coating, and a second conformal coating of an optical communication device according to an embodiment.

[0080] In particular, Figure 7b is from Figure 7a A plan view is a cross-sectional view taken along line B1-B2.

[0081] refer to Figure 7a and Figure 7b , the optical communication device 100 may include a PCB 110 , a first optical element 120 , a second optical element 130 , a first conformal coating 710 , and a second conformal coating 720 .

[0082] The first optical element 120 (or the second optical element 130) may perform the optical signal input / output unit 121 or 131. According to an embodiment, the optical signal input / output unit 121 or 131 may include an optical signal output unit TX for outputting an optical signal and an optical signal input unit RX for receiving an optical signal. According to an embodiment, the first optical element 120 (or the second optical element 130) may output an optical signal through the optical signal output unit TX, and receive an optical signal through the optical signal input unit RX.

[0083] The first conformal coating 710 may be applied onto at least a portion of the surface of the PCB 110. Herein, the first conformal coating 710 may be formed of a polymer material.

[0084] According to an embodiment, the first conformal coating 710 may be used as an optical waveguide in optical communication between the first optical element 120 and the second optical element 130. According to an embodiment, the first conformal coating 710 may transmit an optical signal output from the first optical element 120 (or the second optical element 130) to the second optical element 130 (or the first optical element 120). To this end, the first conformal coating 710 may contact the optical signal input / output unit 121 or 131 of the first optical element 120 and the second optical element 130.

[0085] According to an embodiment, the first conformal coating 710 may transmit an optical signal by using the total reflection property of light. To this end, the first conformal coating 710 may include a material that allows an optical signal traveling therein to be totally reflected from its surface. For example, the first conformal coating 710 may include a material having a refractive index greater than the refractive index of a material contacting its surface.

[0086] According to an embodiment, the second conformal coating 720 may be applied to at least a portion of a second surface different from the first surface contacting the PCB 110 among the surfaces of the first conformal coating 710. Herein, the second conformal coating 720 may be formed of a polymer material.

[0087] refer to Figure 7a and Figure 7b , the second surface of the first conformal coating 710 may include a third surface contacting the first optical element 120, a fourth surface contacting the second optical element 130, and a fifth surface excluding the third surface and the fourth surface. According to an embodiment, the second conformal coating 720 may be applied to the entire fifth surface of the second surface of the first conformal coating 710. In this case, the first conformal coating 710 may include a material having a refractive index greater than the refractive index of the PCB 110 contacting its surface and the refractive index of the second conformal coating 720.

[0088] Figure 8a and Figure 8b are a plan view and a cross-sectional view showing an arrangement state of a PCB, a first optical element, a second optical element, a third optical element, a first conformal coating, and a second conformal coating of an optical communication device according to an embodiment.

[0089] In particular, Figure 8b is from Figure 8a A plan view is a cross-sectional view taken along line C1-C2.

[0090] refer to Figure 8a and Figure 8b , the optical communication device 100 may include a PCB 110 , a first optical element 120 , a second optical element 130 , a third optical element 830 , a first conformal coating 810 , and a second conformal coating 820 .

[0091] The first optical element 120 (or the second optical element 130) may perform the optical signal input / output unit 121 or 131. According to an embodiment, the optical signal input / output unit 121 or 131 may include an optical signal output unit TX for outputting an optical signal and an optical signal input unit RX for receiving an optical signal. According to an embodiment, the first optical element 120 (or the second optical element 130) may output an optical signal through the optical signal output unit TX, and receive an optical signal through the optical signal input unit RX.

[0092] The first conformal coating 810 may be applied to at least a portion of the surface of the PCB 110. Herein, the first conformal coating 810 may be formed of a polymer material. According to an embodiment, the first conformal coating 810 may not contact the third optical element 830 to prevent an optical signal traveling therein from being input to the third optical element 830.

[0093] According to an embodiment, the first conformal coating 810 may be used as an optical waveguide in optical communication between the first optical element 120 and the second optical element 130. According to an embodiment, the first conformal coating 810 may transmit an optical signal output from the first optical element 120 (or the second optical element 130) to the second optical element 130 (or the first optical element 120). To this end, the first conformal coating 810 may contact the optical signal input / output units 121 and 131 of the first optical element 120 and the second optical element 130.

[0094] According to an embodiment, the first conformal coating 810 may transmit an optical signal by using the total reflection property of light. To this end, the first conformal coating 810 may include a material that allows an optical signal traveling therein to be totally reflected from its surface. For example, the first conformal coating 810 may include a material having a refractive index greater than the refractive index of a material contacting its surface.

[0095] According to an embodiment, a corner portion of the first conformal coating 810 may have a designated curvature so that a light signal incident from the first optical element 120 (or the second optical element 130 ) is totally reflected and thus travels to the second optical element 130 (or the first optical element 120 ).

[0096] According to an embodiment, second conformal coating 820 may be applied to at least a portion of a second surface different from the first surface contacting PCB 110 among surfaces of first conformal coating 810. Herein, second conformal coating 820 may be formed of a polymer material.

[0097] refer to Figure 8a and Figure 8b, the second surface of the first conformal coating 810 may include a third surface contacting the first optical element 120, a fourth surface contacting the second optical element 130, and a fifth surface excluding the third surface and the fourth surface. According to an embodiment, the second conformal coating 820 may be applied to the entire fifth surface of the second surface of the first conformal coating 810. In this case, the first conformal coating 810 may include a material having a refractive index greater than the refractive index of the PCB 110 contacting its surface and the refractive index of the second conformal coating 820.

[0098] refer to Figure 8a and Figure 8b Even when LoS cannot be ensured between the optical signal input / output units of the first optical element 120 and the second optical element 130 which transmit and receive optical signals therebetween through optical communication, optical communication can be performed through the first conformal coating 810 serving as an optical waveguide.

[0099] Unless otherwise specified, the above terms such as "including", "consisting of" or "having" may mean that the corresponding components may be inherent and should therefore be interpreted as further including other components rather than excluding other components. Unless otherwise defined, all terms including technical or scientific terms have the same meanings as those generally understood by ordinary technicians in the field to which the embodiments disclosed herein belong. Commonly used terms similar to terms defined in dictionaries should be interpreted as having the same meanings as the contextual meanings of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted as having ideal or overly formal meanings unless they are clearly defined in this document.

Claims

1. An optical communication device, comprising: a first optical element; a second optical element capable of performing optical communication with the first optical element; a printed circuit board (PCB) in which the first optical element and the second optical element are arranged; a first conformal coating of a polymer material, the first conformal coating being applied to at least a portion of a surface of the PCB, The optical communication is performed using the first conformal coating as an optical waveguide. 2 . The optical communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the first conformal coating is configured to contact an optical signal input / output unit of the first optical element and an optical signal input / output unit of the second optical element. 3 . The optical communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the first conformal coating is configured to avoid contacting optical elements other than the first optical element and the second optical element among a plurality of optical elements arranged on the PCB. 4 . The optical communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the first conformal coating comprises a material that allows an optical signal traveling inside the first conformal coating to be totally reflected from a surface of the first conformal coating. The optical communication device according to claim 4 , wherein a refractive index of the first conformal coating is greater than a refractive index of the PCB.

6. The optical communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a second conformal coating of a polymer material, the second conformal coating being applied to at least a portion of a second surface of the first conformal coating that is different from a first surface contacting the PCB.

7. The optical communication device according to claim 6, wherein the second surface includes a third surface where the first conformal coating contacts the first optical element, a fourth surface where the first conformal coating contacts the second optical element, and a fifth surface other than the third surface and the fourth surface. 8 . The optical communication device according to claim 7 , wherein the second conformal coating is configured to contact the entire fifth surface. 9 . The optical communication device according to claim 6 , wherein a refractive index of the first conformal coating is greater than a refractive index of the PCB and a refractive index of the second conformal coating.

Images