Optical Fiber Jumper Alignment for Lens-Free Waveguide Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical fiber coupling methods face challenges such as poor coupling efficiency, low assembling tolerance, and high costs, making them unsuitable for high-speed transmission.
Innovation Solution
An optical transmission device and method utilizing a substrate with positioning portions and a jumper to align an optical fiber and optical transmission channel precisely, eliminating the need for lenses and simplifying the coupling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional active optical fiber coupling is used, then the coupling process is simple, but the coupling efficiency is poor and assembling tolerance is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a substrate with positioning portions as an intermediary component between the optical fiber and the optical waveguide. The substrate includes first positioning portions that engage with second positioning portions to precisely locate and align the optical fiber with the optical transmission channel, thereby improving coupling efficiency and assembling tolerance without complicating the overall coupling process
2Manufacturing precision
If passive lens optical fiber coupling is used, then coupling efficiency and assembling tolerance are improved, but the cost is higher and coupling steps are more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the lens component from the coupling system. Instead of using passive lens optical fiber coupling, the invention uses a substrate with positioning portions that directly aligns the optical fiber with the optical waveguide, achieving high coupling efficiency and assembling tolerance without the complexity and cost of lens development and integration
3Speed
If passive lens optical fiber coupling is used, then high-speed transmission is enabled, but more coupling time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-forming positioning portions on the substrate and alignment marks on the optical transmission layer before the coupling process. The alignment marks are formed on the optical transmission layer within the first holes, enabling rapid and precise alignment during coupling, thus reducing coupling time while maintaining high-speed transmission capability
Data Source
AI summary
An optical transmission device is provided. A substrate includes an optical transmission channel exposed on its end surface, and a first positioning portion. A jumper includes a mounting portion abutting the end surface and a second positioning portion engaged to the first positioning portion. An optical fiber is mounted to the mounting portion, and the end surface of the optical fiber aligns with the optical transmission channel. The coupling method of the optical transmission device includes steps: forming at least one first hole on the substrate, forming an optical transmission layer with at least one optical transmission channel on the substrate, forming an alignment mark on the optical transmission layer within the first hole, forming at least one second hole on the substrate based on the alignment mark, and connecting the jumper to the second hole and make the jumper abutting against the substrate.