Active Optical Cable Electrical Connector for High-Speed Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-speed communication solutions, particularly at 10 Gbps, face challenges with copper-based solutions due to high power consumption and limited port density, while optical solutions are costly and complex, making it difficult to achieve efficient and cost-effective high-bandwidth links.
Innovation Solution
An active communication cable that integrates optical fibers for long-distance communication, with electrical connectors at both ends, allowing for high-speed optical communication while appearing as a standard electrical cable, reducing power consumption and increasing port density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If copper-based solutions are used for 10 Gbps communication, then bandwidth capacity is achieved, but power consumption increases significantly and port density is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces copper-based electrical transmission with optical fiber transmission for the cable interconnect, substituting electrical fields with optical fields to achieve high bandwidth while dramatically reducing power consumption. The optical transceivers convert electrical signals to optical signals for transmission through the fiber optic cable, eliminating the need for high-power copper signaling.
2Productivity
If optical solutions are used for high bandwidth communication, then transmission efficiency is improved, but cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a unified cable system that can operate in multiple modes: optical mode for long-distance high-speed communication and electrical mode for short-distance connections. The cable includes both optical fibers and copper conductors, allowing it to adapt to different transmission requirements without requiring separate cable types, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces active components within the cable assembly, including optical transceivers and electrical connectors, that serve as intermediaries to bridge the gap between optical and electrical domains. These components enable seamless conversion and coordination between optical and electrical signaling, simplifying the integration process.
3Quantity of substance
If copper cable is used for 10 Gbps transmission, then bandwidth is achieved, but cable size becomes bulky and termination becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky copper cable infrastructure with compact optical fiber cables for high-bandwidth transmission. Optical fibers have significantly smaller diameters and lighter weights compared to copper cables carrying the same bandwidth, thereby reducing cable volume and improving manageability while maintaining 10 Gbps capacity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient high-speed communication over long distances with reduced power consumption and increased port density, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional copper and optical solutions by seamlessly integrating optical and electrical connections.
Implementation Method 1
an optical fiber integrated within the cable, the optical fiber extending from one end of the cable to the other end
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector that is integrated within an active cable at one end of the active cable, wherein the active cable is configured to communicate over much of its length using one or more optical fibers. The cable may be an electrical to optical cable, and electrical to electrical cable, or one of many other potential configurations.