Expanded-Beam Optical Connector for Compact Packages

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional connector solutions fail to meet the requirements of compact semiconductor packages or densely packed devices due to size constraints, susceptibility to environmental contaminants, and limitations in signal transmission efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An optical connector with a lens arrangement and optical fiber arrangement is integrated into semiconductor packages, utilizing expanded beam technology for robust optical communication links, enabling high-speed data transmission and precise optical sensing within confined spaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If traditional connector solutions are used, then device size can be reduced, but signal transmission efficiency deteriorates and susceptibility to environmental contaminants increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector sizeVSAvoidsignal transmission efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical electrical connectors with an optical connector that uses light transmission through optical fibers and lenses. This substitution eliminates the need for physical electrical contact, thereby maintaining compact size while significantly improving signal transmission efficiency and resistance to environmental contaminants such as oxidation and corrosion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission medium from electrical signals through metal conductors to optical signals through transparent optical fibers. This parameter change enables the connector to achieve both small size and high reliability, as optical fibers are immune to electromagnetic interference and environmental degradation that affect traditional electrical connectors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional connector solutions are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but susceptibility to environmental contaminants increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidsusceptibility to environmental contaminants

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By replacing metal electrical contacts with optical fibers and lenses, the patent eliminates the susceptibility to environmental contaminants such as oxidation, corrosion, and electromagnetic interference. The optical components can be manufactured using standard semiconductor and optical fabrication processes, maintaining ease of manufacture while dramatically improving environmental resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Volume of moving object

If compact connector design is pursued, then space utilization is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector volumeVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces lens arrangements as intermediary components that facilitate precise alignment between optical fibers and external optical interfaces. The lenses act as mediators that can tolerate larger alignment tolerances compared to direct fiber-to-fiber coupling, thereby maintaining compact connector volume while improving alignment precision and ease of assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The optical connector enhances signal transmission efficiency and reduces alignment sensitivity, facilitating easy integration into package assemblies while maintaining performance and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

The optical connector may include a lens arrangement and an optical fiber arrangement optically coupling the lens arrangement with the photonic integrated circuit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical focusing: Focusing

Implementation Method 2

an optical fiber arrangement optically coupling the lens arrangement with (or and or to) the photonic integrated circuit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical transmission: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 3

utilizing expanded beam technology for robust optical communication links

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeam expansion:

Data Source

PatentUS20250306297A1Package with optical connector

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Various aspects may provide a device which may be provided in a package. The device may include a photonic integrated circuit, a lens arrangement, and an optical fiber arrangement. The optical fiber arrangement may optically couple the photonic integrated circuit and the lens arrangement. The lens arrangement may be configured to be optically couplable to an external lens arrangement that is aligned with and spaced apart from the lens arrangement of the device, such that an optical signal is transmissible between the lens arrangement of the device and the external lens arrangement.