Light source module, companion socket for light source module, and optical signal transmission method

Abstract

The present application discloses a light source module, including a case having an accommodating cavity therein, a light source located in the accommodating cavity and configured to emit light, a light source joint located on a first side of the accommodating cavity, protruding from the case, and configured to receive the light emitted from the light source and output it to a communication device, an optical signal transmitting and receiving joint located on the first side of the accommodating cavity, protruding from the case, and configured to transmit an optical signal with the communication device, and an optical connector adapter located on a second side of the accommodating cavity, configured to transmit an optical signal with the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint, where the second side is opposite to the first side of the accommodating cavity. The present application further discloses a companion socket and an optical signal transmission method.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to a Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on September 28, 2022, bearing application number 202211188064.X and entitled "Light source module, companion socket for light source module, and optical signal transmission method," the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a light source module, a companion socket for the light source module, and an optical signal transmission method. [Background technology]

[0003] Currently, due to the power consumption and heat dissipation issues of pluggable optical modules used in conventional communication devices (e.g., switches), the architecture of conventional pluggable optical modules cannot meet the development needs of data centers. Therefore, in the prior art, pluggable light source modules have been proposed for use in co-packaged optics (CPO) or near-packaged optics (NPO) switches used in data centers.

[0004] The optoelectronic modulation part of a conventional pluggable optical module is realized by an optical engine inside a CPO switch or an NPO switch. Light from a pluggable light source module is input to the optical engine via a polarization-maintaining optical fiber. The optical engine transmits the optical signal output after optical modulation to an optical connector adapter via a single-mode optical fiber, and then outputs the optical signal via the optical connector adapter. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Each exemplary embodiment of the present application discloses a light source module, a companion socket for the light source module, and an optical signal transmission method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to a first aspect, the present application proposes a light source module, which includes a case, an optical signal transmitting and receiving joint, a light source joint, a light source, an electrical joint, and an optical connector adapter, wherein: The case has a receiving cavity therein, the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint and the light source joint are installed on the outside of the first side of the case, the light source joint is used to output light emitted from the light source to the switch, and the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint is used to transmit an optical signal to and from the switch; the electrical joint is installed on the exterior of the first side, and the electrical joint is used to supply power to the light source module; The optical connector adapter is installed inside the second side of the case and is connected to the optical signal transmitting / receiving joint via an optical fiber inside the case, the second side being opposite the first side inside the case, and the optical connector adapter is used to transmit optical signals with external equipment.

[0007] In some embodiments, the light source module further comprises a spectrometer; The spectrometer is disposed between the light source and the light source joint to spectroscopically process the light emitted from the light source and transmit the multipath light obtained after the spectroscopic process to the light source joint.

[0008] In some embodiments, the light source module further includes a multiplexer and a demultiplexer; the multiplexer is installed between the optical connector adapter and the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint to combine the optical signals output from the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint and transmit the combined optical signal to the optical connector adapter; The demultiplexer is installed between the optical connector adapter and the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint to separate the optical signal output from the optical connector adapter and transmit the separated optical signal to the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint.

[0009] In some embodiments, the light source module further comprises a controller and a warning light; The controller is used to receive matching information from the switch through the electrical joint, determine a matching result between the switch and the light source module based on the matching information, and determine a lighting method for the warning light based on the matching result.

[0010] In some embodiments, the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint and the optical signal light source joint are arranged in parallel along a first direction outside the first side; the electrical joint is stacked on the optical signal transmission / reception joint or the light source joint along a second direction outside the first side, and the optical signal transmission / reception joint, the light source joint and the electrical joint are oriented in the same direction; Here, the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, and both the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to a third direction, and the third direction is the direction in which the light source module and the companion socket of the light source module are plugged in and connected.

[0011] In some embodiments, the optical signal transmitting / receiving joint crimps or couples a single mode optical fiber, and the optical source joint crimps or couples a polarization maintaining optical fiber.

[0012] In some embodiments, the projection of the electrical joint in the second direction is longer in a third direction than the projection of the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint in the second direction.

[0013] In some embodiments, the light source module further comprises a positioning jacket and a positioning guide hole, wherein: the electrical joint is used for primary positioning when plugging in and connecting the light source module and the companion socket; the positioning jacket is located on the first side and is used for performing secondary positioning when the light source module and the companion socket are plugged together; The positioning guide hole is used to determine the final position when the light source module and the companion socket are plugged together.

[0014] According to a second aspect, the present application proposes a companion socket for a light source module, the companion socket connects a switch, and the companion socket includes an optical signal transmitting and receiving interface, a light source interface, an electrical connector, and an electrical interface, wherein: the optical signal transmitting and receiving interface and the light source interface are installed on the companion socket to plug in and connect one side of a light source module, the optical signal transmitting and receiving interface connects the optical engine of the switch through an optical fiber to transmit an optical signal to the optical engine, and the light source interface connects the optical engine through an optical fiber to transmit light received from the light source module to the optical engine; the electrical connector is crimped to one side of a circuit board of the switch and is installed on the companion socket to power the companion socket based on electrical energy provided by the circuit board; The electrical interface is installed inside the electrical connector to connect with the electrical joint of the light source module, and in some embodiments, the optical signal transmitting and receiving interface crimps or couples a single-mode optical fiber, the light source interface crimps or couples a polarization-maintaining optical fiber, the optical signal transmitting and receiving interface is connected to the optical engine via the single-mode optical fiber, and the light source interface is connected to the optical engine via the polarization-maintaining optical fiber.

[0015] In some embodiments, the optical signal transmitting and receiving interface and the light source interface are arranged in parallel along a first direction; the electrical connector and the optical signal transmitting and receiving interface or the light source interface are stacked along a second direction, and include a crimping pin facing the second direction for crimping the companion socket to the circuit board of the switch; Here, the orientations of the light source interface, the optical signal transmission / reception interface and the electrical interface are in the same direction, the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, and the first direction and the second direction are both perpendicular to the direction in which the light source module and the companion socket are plugged in and connected.

[0016] In some embodiments, the companion socket further comprises a locating pin and two springs, wherein: the positioning pin and the optical signal transmitting and receiving interface or the light source interface are stacked along a second direction, the optical signal transmitting and receiving interface and the light source interface are located between the positioning pin and the electrical connector, and one end of the positioning pin is connected to the electrical connector; One end of a first spring of the two springs is connected to the positioning pin and the other end is connected to the optical signal transmitting and receiving interface, and one end of a second spring of the two springs is connected to the positioning pin and the other end is connected to the light source interface.

[0017] In some embodiments, the projection of the positioning pin in the second direction is longer than the projection of the optical signal transmission / reception interface or the light source interface in the second direction in a third direction, where the third direction is the direction of plugging in and connecting the light source module and the companion socket.

[0018] In some embodiments, the companion socket further comprises a positioning guide pin; the electrical interface is used for primary positioning when plugging in and connecting the light source module to the companion socket; The positioning pin is used for secondary positioning when the light source module and the companion socket are plugged together; The positioning guide pin is used to determine the final position when the light source module and the companion socket are plugged together.

[0019] According to a third aspect, the present application proposes a method for transmitting an optical signal, the method comprising: an optical connector adapter of the light source module receiving a first optical signal from an external device; the optical connector adapter transmitting the first optical signal to a switch through an optical signal transmitting / receiving joint of the light source module; The light source joint of the light source module outputs light emitted from the light source of the light source module to the switch, and the light is used by the switch to perform photoelectric modulation; and transmitting the second optical signal to the external device when the optical connector adapter receives the second optical signal returned from the switch through the optical signal transmitting / receiving joint of the light source module.

[0020] In some embodiments, before transmitting the first optical signal to the switch, the method further comprises: a demultiplexer of the light source module demultiplexing the first optical signal to obtain at least two third optical signals; The optical signal transmitting / receiving joint transmits the at least two third optical signals to the switch.

[0021] In some embodiments, before outputting light emitted from a light source of the light source module to the switch, the method further comprises: a spectroscope of the light source module spectroscopes the light emitted from the light source to obtain multipath light; The light source joint outputs the multipath light to the switch.

[0022] In some embodiments, the method further comprises: When receiving at least two fourth optical signals returned from the switch at the optical signal transmitting / receiving joint, a multiplexer of the light source module combines the at least two fourth optical signals to obtain the second optical signal; The optical connector adapter transmits the second optical signal to the external device.

[0023] According to a fourth aspect, each exemplary embodiment of the present application provides a light source module, the light source module comprising: a case having an internal cavity; a light source located within the receiving cavity and configured to emit light; a light source joint located on a first side of the receiving cavity, protruding from the case, and configured to receive light emitted from the light source and output the light to a communication device; an optical signal transmitting / receiving joint located on the first side of the receiving cavity, protruding from the case, and configured to transmit an optical signal to and from the communication device; an optical connector adapter located on a second side of the receiving cavity and configured to transmit an optical signal to and from the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint; Here, the second side is the side of the receiving cavity opposite the first side.

[0024] In some embodiments, the light source module further includes a polarization-maintaining optical fiber having one end connected to the light source and the other end connected to the light source joint, and a single-polarization optical fiber having one end connected to the optical connector adapter and the other end connected to the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint.

[0025] In some embodiments, the optical signal transmission / reception joint and the light source joint are installed in parallel on the first side along a first direction, where the first direction is perpendicular to the plug-in connection direction of the light source module.

[0026] In some embodiments, the light source module further includes a splitter located between the light source and the light source joint and configured to split light emitted from the light source to obtain multipath light.

[0027] In some embodiments, the light source module further includes a demultiplexer located between the optical connector adapter and the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint, configured to separate at least one path of optical signal output from the optical connector adapter and transmit the separated multi-path optical signal to the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint.

[0028] In some embodiments, the light source module further includes a multiplexer located between the optical connector adapter and the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint, configured to combine multi-path optical signals output from the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint and transmit the combined at least one-path optical signal to the optical connector adapter.

[0029] In some embodiments, the light source module further includes an electrical joint located on a first side of the accommodating cavity, protruding from the case, and configured to supply power to the light source module, wherein the electrical joint and the optical signal transmission / reception joint and / or the light source joint are stacked and installed along a second direction, and wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

[0030] In some embodiments, the projection length of the electrical joint on the projection plane formed by the second direction and the third direction is greater than the projection length of the optical signal transmission / reception joint or the light source joint on the projection plane, and the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, respectively.

[0031] In some embodiments, the light source module further includes a positioning jacket located on the first side and configured to position a plug-in connection position of the light source module when the light source module is plugged in.

[0032] In some embodiments, the light source joint and / or the optical signal transmission and reception joint further include a positioning guide hole configured to position the plug-in connection position of the light source joint and / or the optical signal transmission and reception joint when plugging in the light source module.

[0033] In some embodiments, the light source module further includes: a microcontroller located in the receiving cavity and connected to the electrical joint, configured to receive matching information from the communication device through the electrical joint; and a warning light located on the second side and connected to the microcontroller, configured to indicate a matching status between the light source module and the communication device after the light source module is plugged in and connected, wherein the microcontroller determines a matching result between the communication device and the light source module based on the matching information, and controls a lighting manner of the warning light based on the matching result.

[0034] In some embodiments, the optical connector adapter is an MPO connector or an SN connector.

[0035] In some embodiments, the light source module further includes a protective cover located on the first side and protruding from the case to protect the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint and the light source joint.

[0036] According to a fifth aspect, each exemplary embodiment of the present application provides a companion socket for a light source module, which is respectively connected to a communication device and the light source module according to any one of the above embodiments, and wherein the companion socket comprises: an optical signal transmitting and receiving interface located on the companion socket's side for inserting and connecting the light source module, connected to an optical engine of the communication device, and configured to transmit optical signals to and from the optical engine; and a light source interface located on the side of the companion socket for plugging in and connecting the light source module, connected to the light engine, and configured to transmit light received from the light source module to the light engine.

[0037] In some embodiments, the optical signal transmitting and receiving interface is configured to crimp or couple a single mode optical fiber, and the light source interface is configured to crimp or couple a polarization-maintaining optical fiber.

[0038] In some embodiments, the companion socket further includes an electrical connector located on the side of the companion socket connected to the communication device and configured to power the companion socket based on electrical energy provided by a circuit board, and a positioning pin stacked with the optical signal transmitting and receiving interface and / or the light source interface along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and configured to have one end connected to the electrical connector, wherein the optical signal transmitting and receiving interface and the light source interface are located between the positioning pin and the electrical connector.

[0039] In some embodiments, the companion socket further includes a first spring having one end connected to the positioning pin and the other end connected to the optical signal transmitting and receiving interface, and a second spring having one end connected to the positioning pin and the other end connected to the light source interface.

[0040] According to a sixth aspect, each exemplary embodiment of the present application provides an optical signal transmission method for use in the light source module according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the method includes: the light source of the light source module emits light to the light source joint; The light source joint of the light source module outputs the light emitted from the light source to the communication device, and the light is photoelectrically converted in the communication device to generate a second optical signal; the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint of the light source module receives a second optical signal returned from the communication device and transmits the second optical signal to the optical connector adapter; The optical connector adapter transmits the second optical signal to the external device.

[0041] In some embodiments, before transmitting the second optical signal to the external device, the method further includes receiving at least two fourth optical signals returned from the communication device at the optical signal transmitting / receiving joint, and a multiplexer of the light source module combining the at least two fourth optical signals to obtain the second optical signal.

[0042] In some embodiments, before the light source joint of the light source module outputs the light emitted from the light source to the communication device, the method further includes a spectrometer of the light source module splitting the light emitted from the light source to obtain multipath light, and the light source joint outputting the multipath light to the communication device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0043] The light source module according to each exemplary embodiment of the present application integrates a light source and an optical connector adapter, realizing a pluggable light source module. In addition, a light source joint and an optical signal transmission / reception joint are installed on the side where the light source module is plugged into the communication device, respectively, thereby solving the problem of low optical fiber crimping yield due to the different optical fiber types used for the light source and optical signal transmission, thereby reducing the difficulty and cost of the optical fiber crimping process within the pluggable light source module. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0044] The drawings described herein are intended to provide a further understanding of the present application and constitute a part of the present application, and the schematic examples of the present application and the description thereof are intended to aid in the interpretation of the present application and are not to be construed as an undue limitation of the present application. [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a system according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 2] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a pluggable light source module according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 3] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of an optical connector adapter according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 4A] FIG. 1 is a top view of a switch system according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a front view of the switch system according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A. [Figure 5A] 1 is a front view of a light source module according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the light source module according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A. [Figure 5C] FIG. 5B is a side view of the light source module according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A. [Figure 6A] FIG. 2 is a front view of a light source module according to another embodiment of the present application. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the light source module according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A. [Figure 6C] FIG. 6B is a side view of the light source module according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A. [Figure 6D] 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating a process in which a multiplexer according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A performs a combining process on an optical signal. [Figure 6E] 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating a process in which the demultiplexer according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A performs demultiplexing on an optical signal. [Figure 7A] FIG. 10 is a front view of a light source module according to yet another embodiment of the present application. [Figure 7B] 7B is a cross-sectional view of the light source module according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A. [Figure 7C] 7B is a side view of the light source module according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A. [Figure 8A] FIG. 10 is a front view of a light source module according to yet another embodiment of the present application. [Figure 8B] 8B is a cross-sectional view of the light source module according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 8A. [Figure 8C] 8B is a side view of the light source module according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 8A. [Figure 9A] FIG. 1 is a front view of a companion socket according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 9B] 9B is a cross-sectional view of the companion socket according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 9A. [Figure 9C] FIG. 9B is a side view of the companion socket according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 9A. [Figure 9D] 9B is a schematic diagram of the process of plugging in and connecting the light source module and the companion socket according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 9A. [Figure 9E] 9B is a front view of the companion socket according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 9A being crimped onto the circuit board of the switch. FIG. [Figure 9F] 9B is a side view of the companion socket according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 9A being crimped onto the circuit board of the switch. [Figure 10A] FIG. 1 is a top view of a switch system according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10B is a front view of the switch system according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10A. [Figure 10C] FIG. 10B is a side view of the switch system according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10A. [Figure 11] 1 is a schematic diagram of a transmission process of an optical signal according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 12A] FIG. 10 is a front view of a light source module according to yet another embodiment of the present application. [Figure 12B] 12B is a cross-sectional view of the light source module according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 12A. [Figure 12C] 12B is a side view of the light source module according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 12A. [Figure 13A] 1 is a front view of a companion socket according to an embodiment of the present application being crimped onto a circuit board of a switch; FIG. [Figure 13B] 13B is a side view of a companion socket crimped onto the circuit board of the switch according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 13A. FIG. [Figure 14A] FIG. 10 is a front view of a light source module according to yet another embodiment of the present application. [Figure 14B] 14B is a cross-sectional view of the light source module according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 14A. [Figure 14C] FIG. 14B is a side view of the light source module according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 14A. [Figure 15A] FIG. 10 is a front view of a light source module according to yet another embodiment of the present application. [Figure 15B] 15B is a cross-sectional view of the light source module according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 15A. [Figure 15C] FIG. 15B is a side view of the light source module according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 15A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] In order to help those skilled in the art better understand the technical solutions in the present application, the following clearly and completely describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present application without requiring creative efforts should fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0046] In describing the present application, it should be understood that the orientations or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "center," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer" are orientations or positional relationships shown based on the drawings, and are merely for the convenience and simplification of the description of the present application, and do not indicate or imply that the referred-to devices or elements must have a specific orientation or be configured and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limitations on the present application.

[0047] The terms "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish between identical or similar elements, and cannot be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or implicitly indicate the number of technical features indicated. A feature qualified by "first" or "second" may therefore explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more.

[0048] In the description of the present application, it should be explained that unless otherwise clearly defined or limited, the terms "attached," "connected," and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, and may refer to, for example, a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection, a direct connection, an indirect connection via an intermediate medium, or internal communication between two elements. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application according to specific circumstances.

[0049] It should also be noted that the size ratios of the components in the drawings according to the embodiments of the present application do not reflect the true size ratios, but are used only to clearly express the relative positional relationships between the components.

[0050] As mentioned above, to ensure signal input and output, the CPO switch requires a structure that includes a pluggable light source module and an optical connector adapter. This makes plug-and-play impossible and reduces maintainability. Furthermore, the optical connector adapter limits heat dissipation from the pluggable light source module, shortening its service life.

[0051] For ease of understanding, the application scenario of the light source module, the companion socket of the light source module, and the optical signal transmission method according to the embodiment of the present application will be first introduced. Referring to Figure 1, a system architecture diagram according to the embodiment of the present application is shown, in which the system includes a switch as a communication device, a light source module, a companion socket of the light source module, and an external device.

[0052] The switch shown in FIG. 1 may be a co-packaged optics (CPO) switch or a near-packaged optics (NPO) switch, which may include a switch chip for specific data processing and an optical engine for implementing an electro-optical modulation function. The companion socket of the light source module is configured to be connected to the switch, for example, by crimping. The light source module and the companion socket may be connected to each other by a plug-in connection. The light source module may be used to enable the switch to transmit optical signals with an external device, or to provide a light source for the switch, which in turn performs electro-optical modulation. The external device shown in FIG. 1 may be any communication device connected to the light source module via an optical fiber, and the present application is not limited to a specific implementation of the external device.

[0053] See FIG. 2 for a schematic structural diagram of a pluggable light source module currently used in a CPO or NPO switch. Here, (a) in FIG. 2 is a front view of a pluggable light source module proposed in the prior art, and (b) in FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the pluggable light source module proposed in the prior art along the AA direction (top view) of the pluggable light source module in (a) in FIG. 2. (c) in FIG. 2 is a side view (including left and right side views) of the pluggable light source module proposed in the prior art. As shown in FIG. 2, the light source module proposed in the prior art includes a light source, a microcontroller, a memory, a light source joint, an electrical joint, and other components, and the light source joint and the electrical joint are located on the same side of the light source module. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the light source module does not include an optical joint for transmitting an optical signal. The optical joint is a joint for transmitting an optical signal and may include an optical signal transmitting / receiving joint and an optical connector adapter.

[0054] Therefore, to ensure normal input and output operations of the switch, the prior art proposes the need to place an independent optical connector adapter in addition to the light source module. See Figure 3 for a schematic structural diagram of an optical connector adapter in the prior art. Figure 3(a) is a front view of the optical connector adapter, Figure 3(b) is a top view of the optical connector adapter, and Figure 3(c) is a side view (including a right side view) of the optical connector adapter.

[0055] To facilitate understanding of the prior art solution, FIG. 4A exemplarily illustrates a top view of a system in which a conventional light source module 420 and a conventional optical connector adapter 410 connect to a switch, and FIG. 4B illustrates a front view of the system. As shown in the figure, the light source module 420 may be connected to the optical engine 430 via, for example, a polarization-maintaining optical fiber, while the optical connector adapter 410 may be connected to the optical engine 430 via a single-polarization optical fiber. However, because the optical connector adapter 410 is located only on the upper side of the light source module 420, heat dissipation from the upper side of the conventional light source module 420 is limited, thereby reducing the service life of the light source module 420 and preventing plug-and-play (i.e., "pluggable") operation, resulting in a relatively poor user experience.

[0056] As can be understood, a single-polarization optical fiber (Zing fiber) transmits only light with a specific polarization direction, and light with other polarization directions does not satisfy the waveguiding conditions or has strong optical loss. A polarization-maintaining optical fiber (Polarization-maintaining fiber) introduces birefringence to keep the birefringence constant at each position along the optical fiber's axis, thereby maintaining the polarization state of the incident light. That is, a polarization-maintaining optical fiber can transmit light with any polarization state, but when the polarization direction of the light is adjusted parallel to the birefringence axis, such an optical fiber can maintain this linear polarization state.

[0057] The exemplary embodiments of the present application propose a light source module and a companion socket, in which the light source module integrates a light source and an optical connector adapter, and meets the requirements of plug-and-play (i.e., pluggable) use. In addition, since the optical fibers used for the light source and the optical signal transmission are different, adopting a unified crimping method would reduce the interface yield. Therefore, transmitting the light source and the optical signal through different optical ports can reduce the process difficulty and cost.

[0058] The light source module, the companion socket of the light source module, and the optical signal transmission method proposed in each exemplary embodiment of the present application will be specifically introduced below.

[0059] 5A to 5C are structural schematic diagrams of a light source module according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 5A is a front view of a light source module according to an embodiment of the present application, Fig. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the light source module according to the embodiment of Fig. 5A along the direction BB (top view) shown in Fig. 5A. Fig. 5C is a side view (including a left side view and a right side view) of the light source module according to the embodiment of Fig. 5A.

[0060] In the embodiment shown in Figures 5A to 5C, the light source module includes an optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500, a light source joint 501, an electrical joint 502, a light source 503, a microcontroller 505, a memory 506, an optical connector adapter 510, and a case 511.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 5A, the case 511 has a receiving cavity therein, and the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500 and the light source joint 501 are disposed on a first side of the case 511 and protrude from the outside of the case 511 along a third direction.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 5B, the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500 and the light source joint 501 may be installed in parallel along a first direction. The electrical joint 502 is installed on a first side of the case 511 and protrudes from the outside of the case 511 along a third direction. As shown in Fig. 5C, the electrical joint 502 may be installed stacked with the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500 or the light source joint 501 along a second direction.

[0063] As can be understood, the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500 and the light source joint 501 may be arranged in other ways, for example, they may be installed in parallel along the second direction, as long as the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500 and the light source joint 501 are both installed on the light source module, and the present application does not particularly limit the arrangement way of the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500 and the light source joint 501.

[0064] 5B, the electrical joint 502, the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500, and the light source joint 501 may be oriented in the same direction. The light source 503 may be composed of one or more lasers to output single-channel or multi-channel light to the light source joint 501. The optical connector adapter 510 is installed on a second side within the receiving cavity of the case 511, the second side being opposite to the first side of the case 511. The optical connector adapter 510 and the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500 are connected via an optical fiber inside the case 511.

[0065] The light source module according to this exemplary embodiment integrates optical signal transmission equipment into the light source module, thereby satisfying the power consumption of the light source module to be lower than the heat dissipation tolerance, and at the same time realizing plug-and-play of the light source module.

[0066] The optical signal transmitting / receiving joint 500 can crimp or couple a single mode optical fiber, and the optical source joint 501 can crimp or couple a polarization maintaining optical fiber.

[0067] Alternatively or additionally, the projection length of the electric joint 502 on a projection plane formed by the second direction and the third direction may be set to be greater than the projection length of the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500 on this projection plane, i.e., the protrusion distance of the electric joint 502 in the third direction is greater than the protrusion distance of the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500 in the third direction. See FIG. 5A for the third direction, which is the direction in which the light source module and the companion socket are plugged into each other.

[0068] In this embodiment, the protruding distance of the electrical joint 502 in the third direction is greater than the protruding distance of the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500 in the third direction. Therefore, when the light source module is plugged into the companion socket, the electrical joint 502 comes into contact with the communication device rather than the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500 and the light source joint 501. Therefore, the communication device can control the voltage within a safe range before the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500 and the light source joint 501 are fully plugged into the communication device, thereby ensuring safety when plugging in and connecting the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500 and the light source joint 501.

[0069] The electrical joint 502 may be a "gold finger," and its specific pin types include, but are not limited to, power, ground, and two-wire serial bus (Inter-Integrated Circuit, I2C) communication joints, light source reset control pins, light source low power control pins, etc. The electrical joint 502 may be used to transmit signals such as a light source presence signal and a light source shutdown or warning signal.

[0070] In this embodiment, the electrical joint 502 is located on a first side of the receiving cavity, protrudes from the case 511, and is configured to supply power to the light source module. The electrical joint 502 and the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500 and / or the light source joint 501 are stacked and installed along a second direction, where the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

[0071] Additionally or alternatively, the case 511 may extend along a third direction and form a protective cover for protecting the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500 and the light source joint 501. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A , the protective cover may be an anti-knock dustproof cover 5111. The anti-knock dustproof cover 5111 may be used to provide anti-knock protection and dustproof protection to portions of the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500 and the light source joint 501 located on the first side of the case 511 that protrude from the joint.

[0072] Alternatively or additionally, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5C, the light source module may further include a positioning jacket 512, which may be used to perform a positioning function when plugging the light source module into a companion socket and to facilitate the plugging connection.

[0073] Alternatively or additionally, the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500 may include a positioning guide hole 5003, and alternatively or additionally, the light source module 501 may include a positioning guide hole 5011. The positioning guide holes 5003 and 5011 are used to position the light source module and the companion socket when plugging them together, and to facilitate the plugging connection.

[0074] In one possible implementation, the light source 503 can emit multipath light or single-path light. The multipath light or single-path light is transmitted to the light source joint 501 via, for example, a polarization-maintaining optical fiber 5012 and then output to the optical engine of the switch. The optical engine generates an optical signal after optoelectronic modulation of the received light, and transmits the generated optical signal to the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500 via a single-mode optical fiber. The optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500 then transmits the received optical signal to the optical connector adapter 510 via a single-mode optical fiber 5001 installed in the receiving cavity of the case 511. After receiving the optical signal, the optical connector adapter 510 can transmit the optical signal to a corresponding external device via the optical fiber.

[0075] Alternatively or additionally, the optical connector adapter 510 can receive an optical signal from an external device and transmit it to the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500 via a single-mode optical fiber 5001 installed inside the case 511, and the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500 can transmit the optical signal to the optical engine of the switch via the single-mode optical fiber 5001. The optical engine can demodulate the received optical signal and transmit the demodulated electrical signal to the switch chip for business processing.

[0076] 6A to 6C are structural schematic diagrams of a light source module according to another embodiment of the present application, in which Fig. 6A is a front view of the light source module according to another embodiment of the present application, Fig. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the light source module taken along the direction BB shown in Fig. 6A, and Fig. 6C is a side view (including a left side view and a right side view) of the light source module shown in Fig. 6A.

[0077] Alternatively or additionally, for example, as shown in Figures 6A to 6C, the structures of the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500, the light source joint 501, the electrical joint 502, the light source 503, the microcontroller 505, the memory 506, the optical connector adapter 510 and the case 511 that may be included in the light source module may refer to the light source module shown in Figures 5A to 5C, and will not be further described here.

[0078] 5A to 5C, the light source module proposed in Figures 6A to 6C additionally includes a demultiplexer 508 and a multiplexer 509. The function of multiplexer 509 is to combine multiple optical signals of different wavelengths and transmit them through a single optical fiber, while the function of demultiplexer 508 is to split at least one path of optical signals transmitted through a single optical fiber into more optical signals according to wavelength.

[0079] The demultiplexer 508 may be installed inside the case 511 and located between the optical connector adapter 510 and the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500 to separate at least one path of optical signals transmitted from the optical connector adapter 510 to the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500 into more optical signals according to wavelengths. The multiplexer 509 may be installed inside the case 511 and located between the optical connector adapter 510 and the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500 to combine multiple optical signals transmitted from the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500 to the optical connector adapter 510 into one optical signal.

[0080] In a specific implementation, in one possible case, when emitting light, the light source 503 can emit multi-path light or single-path light and output it to the optical engine of the switch through the light source joint 501. The optical engine performs opto-electrical modulation on the received light to generate a multi-path optical signal, for example, a 16-path optical signal, and transmits the generated 16-path optical signal to the optical signal transmitting / receiving joint 500 via a single-mode optical fiber. Furthermore, the optical signal transmitting / receiving joint 500 transmits the 16-path optical signal to the multiplexer 509 for optical signal combining processing. For example, the multiplexer 509 can combine the 16-path optical signal into a 4-path optical signal and transmit it to the optical connector adapter 510. FIG. 6D is a schematic diagram of the process by which a multiplexer according to an embodiment of the present application performs optical signal combining processing.

[0081] Additionally, when the optical connector adapter 510 receives an optical signal transmitted by an external device, the optical connector adapter 510 can transmit at least one path of the optical signal received from the external device to the demultiplexer 508. For example, the optical signal received by the optical connector adapter 510 is a four-path optical signal. The demultiplexer 508 demultiplexes the four-path optical signal according to wavelength, for example, demultiplexing the four-path optical signal to obtain a sixteen-path optical signal. The demultiplexer 508 can transmit the separated sixteen-path optical signal to the optical signal transmitting / receiving joint 500. Exemplarily, FIG. 6E is a schematic diagram of a process in which the demultiplexer 508 performs demultiplexing processing on an optical signal according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0082] 7A to 7C are structural schematic diagrams of a light source module according to yet another embodiment of the present application, Fig. 7A is a front view of the light source module according to yet another embodiment of the present application, Fig. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the light source module of the embodiment shown in Fig. 7A along the direction BB shown in Fig. 7A, and Fig. 7C is a side view (including a left side view and a right side view) of the light source module of the embodiment shown in Fig. 7A.

[0083] 7A to 7C , the structures of the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500, the light source joint 501, the electrical joint 502, the light source 503, the microcontroller 505, the memory 506, the optical connector adapter 510, and the case 511 that may be included in the light source module are referred to in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C above, and will not be further described here. Compared with the light source modules proposed in the above exemplary embodiments, the light source module proposed in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C may additionally or alternatively include a warning device, such as a warning light 513 or a warning buzzer. For example, the warning light 513 may be installed on the second side of the receiving cavity of the case 511.

[0084] Additionally or alternatively, the warning device can be controlled by the microcontroller 505 and can receive matching information from the switch via the electrical joint 502 of the light source module. This matching information is used to indicate whether the switch and the light source module are matched. Based on the matching information, the microcontroller 505 can, for example, control the display mode of a warning light 513 observable from the outside on the side where the switch and the light source connector adapter 510 are located, or control the sounding mode of a warning buzzer. Alternatively, the microcontroller 505 can receive matching information between the switch and the light source module via the electrical joint 502. Based on the matching information, it can determine whether the switch and the light source module are matched, and can adjust the lighting rule of the warning light 513 based on the matching result between the switch and the light source module. For example, when the switch and the light source module are not matched, the warning light 513 can be controlled to be constantly lit, prompting a maintenance person to replace the light source module.

[0085] It should be noted that the embodiment of the present application is not limited to the number of warning lights 513 included in the light source module, and FIG. 7C only takes an example in which three warning lights are included.

[0086] It should be noted that in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7C, the optical connector adapter 510 is a Multi Push On (MPO) connector.

[0087] 8A to 8C are structural schematic diagrams of a light source module according to yet another embodiment of the present application, Fig. 8A is a front view of the light source module according to yet another embodiment of the present application, Fig. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the light source module shown in Fig. 8A along the direction BB shown in Fig. 8A, and Fig. 8C is a side view (including a left side view and a right side view) of the light source module of the embodiment shown in Fig. 8A.

[0088] As shown in Figures 8A to 8C, the structures of the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500, the light source joint 501, the electrical joint 502, the light source 503, the microcontroller 505, the memory 506, the optical connector adapter 510, and the case 511 included in the light source module are referred to in the embodiments shown in Figures 5A to 5C and will not be further described here. Compared with the light source modules proposed in the above exemplary embodiments, referring to Figures 8A to 8C, the light source module further includes a warning light 513. Here, the warning light 513 is installed on the second side inside the case 511 and is controlled by the microcontroller 505. It should be noted that the present application is not limited to the number of warning lights included in the light source module, and Figure 8C only shows an example in which three warning lights are included.

[0089] The difference between the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C and the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C is that the optical connector adapter 510 employs an SN (registered trademark) connector from SENKO Corporation.

[0090] In another embodiment, multiple light source joints 501 may be installed interchangeably to reinforce the light emitting power. For example, multiple light sources may be installed in the receiving cavity, and each light source may be connected to one of the multiple light source joints 501.

[0091] By using multiple light sources and light source joints to emit light, the number of optical channels in the light source module can be increased, and the density requirements for the optical connection ports of the switch can be reduced under the same requirement for the number of optical channels.

[0092] The present application further proposes a companion socket for a light source module. Referring to Figures 9A to 9C, the companion socket proposed in the embodiments of the present application is exemplarily presented. Figure 9A is a front view of the companion socket proposed in the present application, Figure 9B is a cross-sectional view of the companion socket shown in Figure 9A taken along the CC direction shown in Figure 9A, and Figure 9C is a side view (right side view) of the companion socket shown in Figure 9A.

[0093] The companion socket proposed in this application includes an optical signal transmitting and receiving interface 900, a light source interface 901, an electrical connector 902, and an electrical interface located in the electrical connector 902.

[0094] Additionally or alternatively, the optical signal transmitting and receiving interface 900 may include two positioning guide pins 9001, and the light source interface 901 may include two positioning guide pins 9011. The optical signal transmitting and receiving interface 900 corresponds to the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500 of the light source module and couples or crimps a single-mode optical fiber. The light source interface 901 corresponds to the light source joint 501 of the light source module and couples or crimps a polarization-maintaining optical fiber.

[0095] Additionally or alternatively, the companion socket may further include two springs 903 and a positioning pin 904. The positioning pin 904 and the optical signal transmitting and receiving interface 900 and / or the light source interface 901 are stacked in a second direction. The optical signal transmitting and receiving interface 900 and the light source interface 901 are located between the positioning pin 904 and the electrical connector 902 in the second direction, and the positioning pin 904 is connected to the electrical connector 902. One end of the first spring 903a of the two springs 903 is connected to the positioning pin 904 and the other end is connected to the optical signal transmitting and receiving interface 900, and one end of the second spring 903b of the two springs 903 is connected to the positioning pin 904 and the other end is connected to the light source interface 901. Because the positioning pin 904 is a fixed structure in the companion socket, the first spring 903a can provide elastic force to the optical signal transceiving interface 900 to reinforce the connection between the optical signal transceiving interface 900 and the optical signal transceiving joint 500 of the light source module after plugging in. The second spring 903b can provide elastic force to the light source interface 901 to reinforce the connection between the light source interface 901 and the light source joint 501 of the light source module.

[0096] To facilitate understanding of the plug-in connection process, reference is made to FIG. 9D , which illustrates the plug-in connection process between the light source module and the companion socket. Referring to FIG. 9D (a), when plugging in, primary positioning can be performed based on the electrical interface between the electrical joint 502 of the light source module and the electrical connector 902 of the companion socket. Referring to FIG. 9D (b), secondary positioning can be performed based on the positioning jacket 512 of the light source module and the positioning pin 904 of the companion socket. Referring to FIG. 9D (c), final positioning can be performed based on the positioning guide hole 5011 of the light source module and the positioning guide pin 9011 of the companion socket, and based on the positioning guide hole 5003 of the light source module and the positioning guide pin 9001 of the companion socket. Referring to FIG. 9D (d), FIG. 9D (d) illustrates the light source module and the companion socket after the plug-in connection has been completed. Referring to (e) in FIG. 9D, after the plug-in connection is completed, the light source module can be continuously pushed forward to compress the spring 903 in the companion socket.

[0097] 9A or 9C, additionally or alternatively, the bottom of the electrical connector 902 further includes a crimp positioning pin 9021 for positioning the companion socket when it is crimped onto the circuit board of the switch. The bottom of the electrical connector 902 further includes a crimp pin 9022 for realizing crimping the companion socket onto the circuit board of the switch. For ease of understanding, refer to FIG. 9E, which exemplarily shows a front view of the companion socket crimped onto the circuit board of the switch. Refer to FIG. 9F, which exemplarily shows a side view of the companion socket after it has been crimped onto the circuit board of the switch.

[0098] The following describes the system after the light source module has been plugged into the companion socket and the companion socket has been crimped onto the switch. Referring to FIGS. 10A to 10C, a schematic diagram of a switch system according to an embodiment of the present application is shown. FIG. 10A is a top view of the system, FIG. 10B is a front view of the system, and FIG. 10C is a side view of the system. The system proposed in the present application includes a switch chip, a light engine, optical fibers, an optical fiber switching box, a companion socket, and a light source module. The optical fiber switching box, also known as an optical fiber terminal box, may connect an optical cable to one end and a pigtail to the other end, or may be used to split an optical cable into multiple optical fibers and provide optical fiber-to-optical fiber welding or optical fiber-to-pigtail welding. It should be noted that FIGS. 10A to 10C are merely examples, and the present application does not specifically limit the number of light engines, optical fibers, companion sockets, and light source modules included in the system. 10A to 10C exemplarily show a total of 32 light source modules and corresponding companion sockets divided into two layers, A and B.

[0099] 10A to 10C provide a schematic diagram of the system, and the following will specifically introduce the optical signal transmission process by combining the exemplary systems of Fig. 10A to 10C. Referring to Fig. 11, Fig. 11 exemplarily illustrates the optical signal transmission process.

[0100] The optical signal transmission process shown in FIG. 11 is as follows.

[0101] The light source 503 outputs light (for example, it may be four-path light, represented as CW×4), and the CW×4 is interconnected through the light source joint 501, the light source interface 901 of the companion socket and the pigtail, and after adjusting the optical fiber switching box wiring sequence, it is transmitted to the optical engine.

[0102] Additionally or alternatively, the optical engine may first determine whether the type of modulator matches before performing opto-electrical modulation on the CW×4. For example, if the modulator is a 4-channel modulator, it may directly modulate the CW×4, or if the modulator is a 16-channel modulator, it may first perform spectroscopic processing on the CW×4 and then perform opto-electrical modulation.

[0103] Specifically, when the optical engine performs opto-electrical modulation, the CW×4 signal may be spectrally processed by the optical transceiver chip in the optical engine before being input to the modulator for modulation. The modulated output optical signal (for example, if the modulator has 16 channels, the output 16-path optical signal is represented as TX×16) returns to the optical fiber switching box via optical fiber to adjust the wiring order, and is then interconnected to the optical signal transceiver interface 900 of the companion socket and the optical signal transceiver joint 500 of the light source module. Finally, the TX×16 signal may be transmitted to the optical connector adapter 510 via the optical signal transceiver joint 500, and then transmitted to an external device via the optical connector adapter 510.

[0104] The receiving process of the optical signal shown in FIG. 11 is as follows.

[0105] The optical connector adapter 510 receives an optical signal (for example, if the received optical signal has 16 channels, it is represented as RX×16) from an external device, and the optical connector adapter 510 transmits the RX×16 to the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500 through the optical fiber inside the light source module. Then, through the optical signal transmitting and receiving interface 900 of the companion socket and its interconnected pigtail, the RX×16 is transmitted to the optical switching box to adjust the wiring order, and finally transmitted to the optical engine.

[0106] Optionally, although not shown in FIG. 11, the system may further include a line card of the switch for providing electrical energy to the light engines.

[0107] The light source module and companion socket introduced in the above exemplary embodiments can meet the requirements of a 400G transmission rate switch. To support higher transmission rates, the present application further proposes a light source module that can increase the transmission rate of optical signals by installing a spectrometer.

[0108] 12A to 12C are structural schematic diagrams of a light source module according to yet another embodiment of the present application. Fig. 12A is a front view of the light source module according to this embodiment, Fig. 12B is a cross-sectional view of the light source module of the embodiment shown in Fig. 12A along the direction BB shown in Fig. 12A, and Fig. 12C is a side view (including a left side view and a right side view) of the light source module of the embodiment shown in Fig. 12A.

[0109] Optionally, as shown in Figures 12A to 12C, the structures of the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint 500, the light source joint 501, the electrical joint 502, the light source 503, the microcontroller 505, the memory 506, the optical connector adapter 510, and the case 511 included in the light source module may be referred to in the above exemplary embodiments and will not be further described here. Compared with the light source modules of the above exemplary embodiments, referring to Figures 12A to 12C, the light source module further includes a spectrometer 504. Here, the spectrometer 504 is installed between the light source 503 and the light source joint 501 to spectroscopically process the light emitted from the light source 503 and transmit the multipath light obtained after the spectroscopic process to the light source joint 501.

[0110] In practice, the power of the light source can be adjusted according to the splitting ratio of the spectrometer, so that the optical power requirement can be met after splitting is achieved.

[0111] Additionally or alternatively, the exemplary embodiment of the present application further proposes to reinforce the heat dissipation capability of the light source module by adding an air duct between two layers of companion sockets that are crimped to the switch circuit board. For example, referring to Fig. 13A, a front view of the companion socket after the air duct has been added and crimped to the switch circuit board is provided. Referring to Fig. 13B, a side view of the companion socket after the air duct has been added and crimped to the switch circuit board is provided.

[0112] 13A and 13B, a two-tier companion socket is provided, and an air duct 907 is provided between an upper companion socket 905 and a lower companion socket 906, and the air duct 907 is configured to dissipate heat between the upper companion socket 905 and the lower companion socket 906. Additionally, the air duct 907 may accommodate a heat dissipation assembly for the lower companion socket 906 to improve the heat dissipation performance of the lower companion socket 906 when a light source module is inserted.

[0113] For example, a switch system constructed based on the proposed light source module will be introduced below in FIGS. 12A to 12C. Referring to FIGS. 14A to 14C, an exemplary embodiment of the present application provides a schematic diagram of the system. FIG. 14A is a top view of the system, FIG. 14B is a front view of the system, and FIG. 14C is a side view of the system. The system proposed in this embodiment includes a switch chip, a light engine, an optical fiber, an optical fiber switching box, a companion socket, and a light source module. It should be noted that FIGS. 14A to 14C are merely examples, and the present application does not specifically limit the number of light engines, optical fibers, companion sockets, and light source modules included in the system. FIGS. 14A to 14C exemplarily show a total of 64 light source modules and corresponding companion sockets, divided into four layers.

[0114] The present application further proposes a method in which the pluggable light source module proposed in the present application can be mixed and used with a conventional pluggable optical module or a linear pluggable optical module in the prior art.

[0115] 15A to 15C, if there are a total of 128 light source modules, 64 of the light source modules proposed in the present application and 64 conventional pluggable optical modules (or linear pluggable optical modules) can be used. FIG. 15A is a top view of the system, FIG. 15B is a front view of the system, and FIG. 15C is a side view of the system. It should be noted that the pluggable light source modules proposed in the present application included in the system can adopt the light source modules proposed in any one of the above embodiments.

[0116] Specifically, referring to FIG. 15C, columns 1 to 4 and columns 13 to 16 employ pluggable light source modules according to an embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 15C in conjunction with FIG. 15B, FIG. 15B shows a schematic diagram of a connection between a communication device and any one of columns 1 to 4 and columns 13 to 16 of light source modules according to the present application. In this embodiment, the eight light source modules in each column are divided into two groups, each consisting of four light source modules. The light source modules in each group are connected to one optical fiber switching box via optical fibers to adjust the wiring order. The two optical fiber switching boxes are simultaneously connected to one optical engine of the switch.

[0117] The above are merely specific embodiments of the present application, and the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any modifications or replacements that can be easily conceived by anyone skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present application should be included in the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application should be equivalent to the scope of protection of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 410—conventional optical signal transmitting and receiving joint, 420—conventional light source module, 430—optical engine, 500—optical signal transmitting and receiving joint, 5001—single polarization optical fiber, 5003—positioning guide hole, 501—light source joint, 5011—positioning guide hole, 5012—polarization maintaining optical fiber, 502—electrical joint, 503—light source, 504—spectroscope, 505—microcontroller, 506—memory, 508—demultiplexer, 509—multiplexer, 510—optical connector adapter, 511—case, 51 11 - anti-knock dustproof cover, 512 - positioning jacket, 513 - warning light, 900 - optical signal transmitting and receiving interface, 9001 - positioning guide pin, 901 - light source interface, 9011 - positioning guide pin, 902 - electrical connector, 9021 - crimping positioning pin, 9022 - crimping pin, 903 - spring, 903a - first spring, 903b - second spring, 904 - positioning pin, 905 - upper layer companion socket, 906 - lower layer companion socket, 907 - air duct.

Claims

1. A light source module, a case having an internal cavity; a light source located within the receiving cavity and configured to emit light; a light source joint located on a first side of the receiving cavity, protruding from the case, and configured to receive light emitted from the light source and output the light to a communication device; an optical signal transmitting / receiving joint located on the first side of the receiving cavity, protruding from the case, and configured to transmit an optical signal to and from the communication device; an optical connector adapter located on a second side of the receiving cavity and configured to transmit an optical signal to and from the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint; Here, the second side is a side opposite to the first side of the accommodating cavity.

2. The light source module includes: a polarization-maintaining optical fiber having one end connected to the light source and the other end connected to the light source joint; The light source module according to claim 1 , further comprising: a single polarization optical fiber, one end of which is connected to the optical connector adapter and the other end of which is connected to the optical signal transmitting / receiving joint.

3. 3. The light source module according to claim 1, wherein the optical signal transmission / reception joint and the light source joint are arranged in parallel on the first side along a first direction, and wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the plug-in connection direction of the light source module.

4. The light source module includes: The light source module of claim 1 , further comprising a spectrometer located between the light source and the light source joint, the spectrometer configured to split the light emitted from the light source to obtain multipath light.

5. The light source module includes:

5. The light source module according to claim 1, further comprising a demultiplexer located between the optical connector adapter and the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint, configured to separate at least one path of optical signals output from the optical connector adapter and transmit the separated multi-path optical signals to the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint.

6. The light source module includes:

6. The light source module according to claim 1, further comprising a multiplexer located between the optical connector adapter and the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint, configured to combine multi-path optical signals output from the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint and transmit at least one path of combined optical signal to the optical connector adapter.

7. The light source module includes: an electrical joint located on a first side of the receiving cavity, protruding from the case, and configured to supply power to the light source module; A light source module described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the electrical joint and the optical signal transmission / reception joint and / or the light source joint are stacked and installed along a second direction, and wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

8. 8. The light source module of claim 7, wherein the projection length of the electrical joint on the projection plane formed by the second direction and the third direction is greater than the projection length of the optical signal transmission / reception joint or the light source joint on the projection plane, and wherein the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, respectively.

9. The light source module includes: The light source module according to claim 1 , further comprising a positioning jacket located on the first side and configured to position a plug-in connection position of the light source module when the light source module is plugged in.

10. The light source joint and / or the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint are The light source module according to claim 1 , further comprising a positioning guide hole configured to position the plug-in connection position of the light source joint and / or the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint when the light source module is plugged in and connected.

11. The light source module includes: a microcontroller located within the receiving cavity and connected to the electrical joint, the microcontroller configured to receive matching information from the communication device via the electrical joint; a warning light located on the second side and connected to the microcontroller, configured to indicate a matching state between the light source module and the communication device after plugging and connecting; Here, the microcontroller determines a matching result between the communication device and the light source module based on the matching information, and controls the lighting method of the warning light based on the matching result.

12. The light source module according to claim 1 , wherein the optical connector adapter is an MPO connector or an SN connector.

13. The light source module includes: The light source module according to claim 1 , further comprising a protective cover located on the first side and protruding from the case to protect the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint and the light source joint.

14. A companion socket for a light source module, each connected to a communication device and the light source module according to any one of claims 1 to 13, an optical signal transmitting and receiving interface located on the companion socket's side for inserting and connecting the light source module, connected to an optical engine of the communication device, and configured to transmit optical signals to and from the optical engine; A companion socket for a light source module, comprising: a light source interface located on the side of the companion socket for plugging in and connecting the light source module, connected to the light engine, and configured to transmit light received from the light source module to the light engine.

15. 15. The companion socket of claim 14, wherein the optical signal transmitting and receiving interface is configured to crimp or couple a single mode optical fiber, and the light source interface is configured to crimp or couple a polarization-maintaining optical fiber.

16. The companion socket is an electrical connector located on a side of the companion socket connected to the communication device, the electrical connector being configured to power the companion socket based on electrical energy provided by a circuit board; a positioning pin that is stacked with the optical signal transmitting and receiving interface and / or the light source interface along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and has one end configured to be connected to the electrical connector; 16. The companion socket according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the optical signal transmitting and receiving interface and the light source interface are located between the positioning pin and the electrical connector.

17. The companion socket is a first spring, one end of which is connected to the positioning pin and the other end of which is connected to the optical signal transmitting and receiving interface; 17. The companion socket of claim 16, further comprising: a second spring having one end connected to the locating pin and another end connected to the light source interface.

18. A method for transmitting an optical signal used in the light source module according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising: the light source of the light source module emits light to the light source joint; The light source joint of the light source module outputs the light emitted from the light source to the communication device, and the light is photoelectrically converted in the communication device to generate a second optical signal; the optical signal transmitting and receiving joint of the light source module receives a second optical signal returned from the communication device and transmits the second optical signal to the optical connector adapter; transmitting the second optical signal to the external device by the optical connector adapter.

19. Before transmitting the second optical signal to the external device, the method further comprises: receiving at least two fourth optical signals returned from the communication device at the optical signal transmitting / receiving joint; 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising: a combiner of the light source module combining the at least two fourth optical signals to obtain the second optical signal.

20. Before the light source joint of the light source module outputs the light emitted from the light source to the communication device, the method includes: a spectroscope of the light source module spectroscopes the light emitted from the light source to obtain multipath light; The method of claim 18 or 19, further comprising: the light source joint outputting the multipath light to the communication device.

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