MicroLED Reflector Structure for Short-Range Optical Interconnects

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Solution Overview

Problem

Data communication between chips, boards, and server racks faces challenges due to high power consumption, reliability issues in high heat environments, and cost inefficiencies in electrical and optical pathways, particularly for short-range high-data-rate transmissions.

Innovation Solution

An optical interconnect system utilizing microLEDs, compound parabolic concentrator reflector structures, and optical fiber bundles to efficiently couple light for data transmission, eliminating the need for lenses and reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If lasers (DFB or VCSELs) are used for optical data transmission, then data transmission capability is improved, but power consumption increases and reliability decreases in high heat environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidreliability in high heat environment

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive, heat-sensitive laser components with more robust microLEDs that are better suited for short-range, high-temperature environments while maintaining data transmission capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters by using microLEDs operating at wavelengths suitable for short-range transmission (less than 10 meters) rather than laser parameters optimized for long-range transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by stationary object

If LEDs are used for optical data transmission, then power consumption is reduced, but received light intensity becomes insufficient for distances greater than 1 meter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidreceived light intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces optical concentrators as intermediary elements between the microLEDs and optical fibers to concentrate and direct the light, thereby increasing the received light intensity without increasing the power consumption of the LEDs themselves

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses optical concentrators to redirect light in specific spatial dimensions, concentrating the divergent LED light into focused beams that couple efficiently with optical fibers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If electrical data pathways are used for data sharing, then infrastructure is simple, but power consumption increases and transmission distance is limited to less than one meter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrastructure complexityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes electrical signal transmission with optical signal transmission using microLEDs and photodetectors, replacing the electrical pathway mechanism with an optical pathway mechanism that consumes less power and supports longer transmission distances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system provides efficient, reliable, and cost-effective data transmission over short distances with reduced power consumption and improved reliability, addressing the limitations of existing electrical and optical pathways.

Implementation Method 1

an array of microLEDs driven to generate light based on data and/or clock signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission from microLEDs: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a reflector structure for each of the microLEDs assists in coupling light from the microLEDs into fibers of the optical fiber bundle. The reflector structure may be in the form of a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection and concentration: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

an array of photodetectors to receive the light and generate electrical signals corresponding to the data and/or clock signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight detection and conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20260072221A1Optical interconnect with reflector structure

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 AVICENATECH CORP

AI summary

An optical interconnect may include an array of microLEDs driven to generate light based on data and/or clock signals, an array of photodetectors to receive the light and generate electrical signals corresponding to the data and/or clock signals, and optical fibers providing at least part of a pathway between the microLEDs and the photodetectors. A reflector structure for each of the microLEDs assists in coupling light from the microLEDs into the optical fibers. The reflector structure may be in the form of a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC).