Laterally Mated Optical Connector for Silicon Interposer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical connectors for passive optical fibers in optical transceivers are large, causing unnecessary silicon interposer size and potential damage due to direct force application during connection.
Innovation Solution
The design of a laterally mated optical connector that separates the cable holder/bracket component from the optical connector, allowing horizontal insertion into orthogonal sockets on the silicon interposer, reducing surface area usage and shifting force application to the electrical substrate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single piece socket connector is used for optical connections, then the connection structure is simple, but the silicon interposer size becomes unnecessarily large
Solution Approach 1:
The optical connector is divided into two separate components: a cable holder/bracket component and a laterally mated optical connector component. This segmentation allows the optical connector to be laterally mated to the socket on the silicon interposer, significantly reducing the surface area required on the interposer while maintaining connection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design transitions from vertical mating to lateral mating, changing the dimension of connection. The cable holder/bracket component is laterally inserted into the socket on the silicon interposer, which reduces the footprint on the interposer surface while maintaining the optical connection function.
2Ease of operation
If direct force is applied during connector insertion, then the connection is established, but damage to the silicon interposer occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The cable holder/bracket component acts as an intermediary that absorbs and redirects the insertion force. During lateral insertion, the force is applied to the cable holder/bracket component rather than directly to the silicon interposer, preventing damage while establishing the connection.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing from vertical to lateral insertion, the force application direction is altered. The lateral insertion path allows force to be applied along the length of the cable holder/bracket component, which is designed to withstand this force, rather than applying force directly to the fragile silicon interposer surface.
Data Source
AI summary
In example implementations, an optical connector is provided. The optical connector includes a jumper holder, a base bracket, and an optical ferrule. The jumper holder holds a plurality of ribbon fibers. The base bracket is coupled to an electrical substrate to mate with the jumper holder. The optical ferrule is coupled to an end of each one of the plurality of ribbon fibers. The optical ferrule is laterally inserted into a corresponding orthogonal socket that is coupled to a silicon interposer on the electrical substrate to optically mate the optical ferrule to the orthogonal socket.