Pluggable EDFA structure

Abstract

The utility model relates to a pluggable EDFA structure comprising a mother board which is provided with an electric connector used for signal transmission; one section of the EDFA module is provided with an optical fiber interface for connecting a signal source, and the other end of the EDFA module is provided with a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) which is quickly plugged with the electric connector; the mouse cage frame is detachably connected to the mother board and covers the electric connector, a cavity for fixing the EDFA is formed in the mouse cage frame, and locking is achieved after the EDFA module is inserted. The EDFA module is compact and reasonable in structure and convenient to operate, tight contact between the EDFA module and the PCB in the plugging and unplugging process is ensured through locking structures such as the sliding blocks and the reeds and components such as the mouse cage frame, meanwhile, a necessary heat dissipation channel is provided, equipment faults caused by overheating are avoided, and the service life of the EDFA module is prolonged. The maintenance convenience and flexibility of optical communication equipment are improved, and the stability and reliability of electrical connection are enhanced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of optical communications, in particular to a pluggable EDFA structure. Background Art

[0002] In the field of optical communications, the importance of erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) as core components for improving signal transmission distance and quality is self-evident. However, with the rapid development of optical communication technology and the continuous expansion of application scenarios, traditional EDFA devices have gradually exposed many limitations, especially the increasingly prominent maintenance difficulties and upgrade inconveniences caused by their fixed installation method.

[0003] Traditional EDFA devices are typically fixedly installed within optical communication equipment. Once installed, they are difficult to replace or upgrade. This design is particularly inconvenient in large-scale optical communication networks, as any EDFA replacement or upgrade may require downtime for maintenance of the entire system, which is not only complex but also results in significant financial losses. Furthermore, with the continuous advancement of optical communication technology, EDFA performance and specifications are constantly being updated and upgraded, but the traditional fixed installation method limits users' ability to promptly adopt the latest technologies.

[0004] On the other hand, existing CFP2 optical modules, due to size and structural limitations, cannot meet the requirements of EDFA design, further limiting the flexible application of EDFAs in optical communication equipment. Although CFP2 optical modules achieve a certain degree of modularity, their large size and interface standards are not fully compatible with EDFAs, requiring complex system modifications when replacing or upgrading EDFAs.

[0005] Therefore, how to maintain the high performance of EDFA while achieving its pluggability, thereby improving the flexibility and maintainability of optical communication equipment, has become a critical issue that needs to be addressed in current optical communication technology. Specifically, it is necessary to design a new pluggable EDFA structure that can be easily plugged and unplugged without shutting down the entire system for maintenance. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure the stability and reliability of the electrical connection during the plugging and unplugging process, as well as the efficient transmission of optical signals. In addition, multiple factors such as heat dissipation performance, compatibility, and upgrade ease must be considered to meet the ever-changing needs of optical communications.

[0006] In summary, a pluggable EDFA structure is developed to solve the problems of difficult maintenance and inconvenient upgrade caused by the fixed installation of traditional EDFA devices. Utility Model Content

[0007] In response to the shortcomings of the above-mentioned existing production technology, the applicant provides a pluggable EDFA structure, which not only improves the maintenance convenience and flexibility of optical communication equipment, but also enhances the stability and reliability of electrical connections, optimizes heat dissipation performance and extends service life, while improving the system compatibility and upgrade convenience.

[0008] The technical solutions adopted in this utility model are as follows:

[0009] Pluggable EDFA structure, which includes:

[0010] a motherboard on which an electrical connector for signal transmission is provided;

[0011] The EDFA module has an optical fiber interface at one end for connecting to a signal source, and a PCB board at the other end for quick plugging with an electrical connector;

[0012] The squirrel cage frame is detachably connected to the motherboard and covers the electrical connector. A cavity for fixing the EDFA is opened in the squirrel cage frame, and the EDFA module is locked after being inserted.

[0013] The electrical connector provided on the motherboard adopts a standardized interface design to ensure compatibility and interchangeability with the EDFA module.

[0014] The standardized optical fiber interface at the head of the EDFA module is an LC adapter, which is used for input and output of optical signals.

[0015] The solder pads designed on the PCB board correspond to the pins inside the electrical connector to maintain the stability and reliability of the electrical connection during the plugging and unplugging process.

[0016] The squirrel cage frame is made of stainless steel.

[0017] The springs arranged on both sides of the squirrel cage frame press against the clamping bosses at corresponding positions of the EDFA module to ensure the reliability of the locking.

[0018] The EDFA module is also provided with a pull ring, which is fixed to the module. Pulling the pull ring outward can drive the sliders on both sides of the module to move backward. The clamping boss at the tail of the slider is used to squeeze the springs of the squirrel cage frame to both sides under the drive of the pull ring to achieve unlocking.

[0019] The connection between the pull ring and the slider adopts a high-strength connection method to ensure stability and reliability during use.

[0020] The squirrel cage frame is also provided with a plurality of heat dissipation fins to ensure the heat dissipation requirements of the EDFA module during operation.

[0021] The beneficial effects of the utility model are as follows:

[0022] The utility model has a compact and reasonable structure and is easy to operate. Through locking structures such as sliders and springs and components such as the squirrel cage frame, it ensures close contact between the EDFA module and the PCB board during the plugging and unplugging process, and at the same time provides the necessary heat dissipation channel to avoid equipment failure caused by overheating. It not only improves the maintenance convenience and flexibility of optical communication equipment, but also enhances the stability and reliability of electrical connections, optimizes heat dissipation performance and extends service life, while improving system compatibility and upgrade convenience.

[0023] At the same time, the utility model also has the following advantages:

[0024] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0025] 1. Improved maintenance convenience and flexibility. The pluggable EDFA structure of this utility model, through its innovative design, enables rapid insertion and removal of EDFA modules, significantly improving the maintenance convenience and flexibility of optical communication equipment. Users can easily replace faulty modules or perform technical upgrades without shutting down the entire system for maintenance, significantly reducing maintenance costs and time. This design makes optical communication system maintenance simpler and more efficient, helping to improve the overall system's operational efficiency and stability.

[0026] 2. Enhanced electrical connection stability and reliability: This design utilizes a gold finger design and standardized electrical connector interface to ensure stable and reliable electrical connections between the EDFA module and the motherboard during insertion and removal. Even with frequent insertion and removal, good contact performance is maintained, thus avoiding signal transmission issues caused by poor electrical connections. This design improves the transmission quality and reliability of optical communication systems, providing users with more stable optical communication services.

[0027] 3. Optimizing heat dissipation performance and extending service life: This utility model utilizes an advanced heat dissipation design. Through efficient heat dissipation structures such as microchannel heat sinks, heat pipe technology, or graphite heat sinks, the heat generated during EDFA operation is rapidly conducted and dissipated to the surrounding environment. This design not only prevents performance degradation or equipment damage caused by overheating, but also effectively extends the service life of the EDFA module. Furthermore, the modular heat dissipation design allows for flexible upgrades based on actual needs to meet the heat dissipation requirements of different power levels and operating environments.

[0028] 4. Improved system compatibility and upgrade convenience. The pluggable EDFA structure of this utility model utilizes a standardized optical fiber interface and electrical connector design, ensuring compatibility with other optical communication equipment. This design also facilitates easy adoption of the latest EDFA technology and rapid upgrades, thereby improving the performance and reliability of optical communication systems. This compatibility and ease of upgrade make this invention promising for broad application in the field of optical communications. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the utility model.

[0030] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A partial enlarged view of part A in the middle.

[0032] in:

[0033] 100, EDFA module; 101, PCB board; 102, pull ring; 103, slider; 104, snap-on boss; 200, squirrel cage frame; 201, heat sink fin; 202, electrical connector; 203, spring; 300, motherboard. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The specific implementation of the present utility model will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] like Figure 1-Figure 3As shown, the present invention aims to provide a pluggable EDFA structure to address the maintenance difficulties and upgrade inconveniences associated with the fixed installation of traditional EDFA devices, while also improving the flexibility and maintainability of optical communication equipment. As mentioned in the background, in traditional optical communication systems, EDFAs (erbium-doped fiber amplifiers) are key components whose performance directly impacts the transmission quality and distance of optical signals. However, traditional EDFA devices are typically fixed, making them difficult to replace or upgrade once installed. This creates significant inconvenience for equipment maintenance and upgrades. This inconvenience is particularly pronounced in large-scale optical communication networks, as any replacement or upgrade of the EDFA may require downtime for maintenance of the entire system, resulting in significant economic losses. Therefore, the present invention proposes a pluggable EDFA structure, which aims to achieve rapid insertion and removal of EDFA modules through an innovative design, thereby significantly improving the flexibility and maintainability of optical communication equipment. Furthermore, this pluggable design helps reduce maintenance costs, as users can more easily replace faulty modules without requiring extensive disassembly and reassembly of the entire system. At the same time, it also supports rapid upgrades, allowing users to easily adopt the latest EDFA technology to improve the performance and reliability of optical communication systems.

[0036] Specifically, the pluggable EDFA structure includes a motherboard 300 , an EDFA module 100 , an electrical connector 202 and a squirrel cage frame 200 .

[0037] The motherboard 300, serving as a carrier for electronic components, is equipped with an electrical connector 202 compatible with the EDFA module 100. This design ensures a stable electrical connection between the EDFA module 100 and the motherboard 300 upon insertion, enabling the conversion and transmission of optical and electrical signals. The motherboard 300 is constructed from high-performance circuit board materials, offering excellent electrical conductivity and mechanical strength. It also incorporates multiple electronic components and interfaces to meet the needs of diverse application scenarios. The electrical connector 202 utilizes a standardized interface design, ensuring compatibility and interchangeability with the EDFA module 100.

[0038] The EDFA module 100 is the core component of the device, responsible for amplifying and transmitting optical signals. Its head is equipped with several LC adapters. These adapters are standardized fiber optic interfaces for optical signal input and output, ensuring compatibility with other optical communication equipment. Each LC adapter is equipped with a high-precision alignment mechanism that ensures that the fiber optic plug is precisely aligned with the optical path within the EDFA module upon insertion, minimizing optical signal attenuation and ensuring the stability and durability of the fiber optic connection, maintaining stable signal transmission even in harsh operating environments. Furthermore, to accommodate different types of optical fibers and transmission requirements, the LC adapters also support a variety of fiber optic plug specifications and models, providing broad compatibility. This flexibility and reliability enable the EDFA module 100 to be easily integrated into various complex optical communication systems, providing a strong guarantee for efficient and stable optical signal transmission.

[0039] The PCB 101 at the rear of the EDFA module 100 is inserted into the electrical connector 202. The gold finger pads on the PCB 101 contact the pins inside the electrical connector, maintaining the electrical connection between the EDFA module 100 and the motherboard 300 during insertion and removal. This design ensures a stable and reliable electrical connection, maintaining good contact performance even during frequent insertion and removal.

[0040] The tail PCB board 101 is designed as a gold finger. This design not only facilitates plugging into the electrical connector but also ensures the stability and reliability of the electrical connection. When the EDFA module 100 is inserted into the electrical connector, the gold finger makes close contact with the motherboard where the electrical connector resides, enabling electrical signal transmission. After the EDFA module 100 is inserted into the cage frame 200, the springs 203 on either side of the cage frame 200 press inward, with the heads of the springs 203 pressing against the vertical walls on either side of the module, locking the module and preventing it from being removed from the cage frame 200. This locking mechanism ensures the stability and safety of the EDFA module after insertion, maintaining a secure connection even in vibration or impact environments. Furthermore, the elastic design of the springs 203 facilitates user insertion and removal, eliminating the need for additional tools or complex steps. In this embodiment, the springs 203 are constructed from a high-strength, highly elastic alloy that undergoes a special heat treatment process to impart excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance.

[0041] The EDFA module 100 is also equipped with a pull ring 102, which is fixed to the module. Pulling the pull ring 102 outward moves the sliders 103 on either side of the module backward. The sliders 103 are a key component of the unlocking mechanism. The latching protrusions 104 at their rear ends are used to compress the springs 203 of the cage frame 200 toward the sides, driven by the pull ring 102. As the latching protrusions 104 compress the springs 203, the heads of the springs 203 gradually rise above the planes on either side of the module, thereby releasing the EDFA module from its locking position and allowing it to be smoothly removed from the cage frame 200. The connection between the pull ring 102 and the slider 103 also utilizes a high-strength connection, ensuring stability and reliability during use. Furthermore, the latching protrusions 104 on the slider 103 ensure uniform and smooth compression of the springs 203 during the unlocking process, preventing damage to the EDFA module or the cage frame 200.

[0042] The cage frame 200 is removably connected to the motherboard 300 and covers the electrical connector 202. A cavity is pre-set on the cage frame 200 to accommodate the EDFA module 100. The EDFA module 100 is inserted into the cage frame 200 and docks with the electrical connector 202. Simultaneously, the latching bosses 104 on the EDFA module 100 engage with the springs 203 on either side of the cage frame 20. At this point, the EDFA module 100 is locked and cannot be removed from the cage frame 200. This locking mechanism not only ensures the stability of the EDFA module 100 after insertion, but also prevents it from falling or loosening due to vibration or impact. The cage frame 200 is constructed of high-strength metal and undergoes precision machining to ensure its dimensional accuracy and mechanical strength. The cage frame 200 is also equipped with multiple heat dissipation fins 201 to ensure the heat dissipation requirements of the EDFA module 100 during operation.

[0043] The EDFA module 100, mounted within a squirrel-cage frame 200, contains key components such as erbium-doped fiber and a pump light source, which amplify the input optical signal. Erbium-doped fiber is a core component of the EDFA. It is doped with erbium, which generates stimulated emission of radiation when excited by the pump light source, thereby amplifying the optical signal.

[0044] When in use, the user can pull the pull ring 102 outwards (such as Figure 2As the pull ring 102 rotates and moves, the slider 103 moves outward. During this movement, the engaging bosses 104 at the rear of the slider 103 gradually compress the springs 203 on either side of the cage frame 200, causing them to bend outward and unlock the EDFA module 100. The design of the pull ring 102 takes into account user habits and strength requirements, with its shape and size carefully calculated and optimized. Furthermore, the design of the slider 103 and engaging bosses 104 has been rigorously simulated and verified experimentally to ensure smooth and even compression of the springs 203 and unlocking during the unlocking process.

[0045] When the tail of the spring 203 clears the vertical walls on either side of the EDFA module 100, the EDFA module 100 is unlocked within the cage frame 200, allowing the user to easily remove the EDFA module 100 from the cage frame 200. This pluggable design not only improves the flexibility and maintainability of optical communication equipment, but also reduces maintenance costs and downtime. To remove the EDFA module 100, the user simply pulls the pull ring 102 outward, eliminating the need for additional tools or complex procedures. This design not only simplifies the process but also improves user efficiency and satisfaction.

[0046] Furthermore, the pluggable EDFA device of the present invention exhibits excellent heat dissipation performance. Its unique heat dissipation design ensures stability and reliability during high-power operation. By utilizing advanced thermally conductive materials and efficient heat dissipation structures, such as microchannel heat sinks, heat pipe technology, or graphite heat sinks, the present invention effectively conducts and dissipates heat generated during EDFA operation to the surrounding environment, thereby preventing performance degradation or device damage caused by overheating.

[0047] Furthermore, the present invention's pluggable design also allows for convenient heat dissipation. When replacing or maintaining an EDFA module, users can simply remove it from the system without having to worry about the complex disassembly of heat dissipation components, significantly reducing maintenance effort and time. Furthermore, the modular heat dissipation design allows users to flexibly upgrade the heat dissipation solution based on actual application needs, meeting the cooling requirements of different power levels and operating environments.

[0048] In summary, the pluggable EDFA device of the present invention not only ensures the stable operation of the equipment under high-intensity working conditions through innovative heat dissipation design, but also improves the convenience and flexibility of its maintenance, providing a strong guarantee for the efficient and reliable operation of the optical fiber communication system.

[0049] The above description is an explanation of the utility model, not a limitation of the utility model. The scope of the utility model is defined by the claims. Any form of modification can be made within the scope of protection of the utility model.

Claims

1. Pluggable EDFA structure, characterized by: include: a motherboard on which an electrical connector for signal transmission is provided; The EDFA module has an optical fiber interface at its head for connecting to a signal source, and a PCB board at its tail for quick plugging with an electrical connector; The squirrel cage frame is detachably connected to the motherboard and covers the electrical connector. A cavity for fixing the EDFA is opened in the squirrel cage frame, and the EDFA module is locked after being inserted.

2. The pluggable EDFA structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrical connector provided on the motherboard adopts a standardized interface design to ensure compatibility and interchangeability with the EDFA module.

3. The pluggable EDFA structure according to claim 1, wherein: The standardized optical fiber interface at the head of the EDFA module is an LC adapter, which is used for input and output of optical signals.

4. The pluggable EDFA structure according to claim 1, wherein: The solder pads designed on the PCB board correspond to the pins inside the electrical connector to maintain the stability and reliability of the electrical connection during the plugging and unplugging process.

5. The pluggable EDFA structure according to claim 1, wherein: The squirrel cage frame is made of stainless steel.

6. The pluggable EDFA structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The springs arranged on both sides of the squirrel cage frame press against the clamping bosses at corresponding positions of the EDFA module to ensure the reliability of the locking.

7. The pluggable EDFA structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The EDFA module is also provided with a pull ring, which is fixed to the module. Pulling the pull ring outward can drive the sliders on both sides of the module to move backward. The clamping boss at the tail of the slider is used to squeeze the springs of the squirrel cage frame to both sides under the drive of the pull ring to achieve unlocking.

8. The pluggable EDFA structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: The connection between the pull ring and the slider adopts a high-strength connection method to ensure stability and reliability during use.

9. The pluggable EDFA structure according to claim 1, wherein: The squirrel cage frame is also provided with a plurality of heat dissipation fins to ensure the heat dissipation requirements of the EDFA module during operation.

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