Mid-board Pluggable Optical Aggregator for High-Density Data Center Networking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current data center networking equipment faces challenges in achieving high port density and efficient fiber management due to the constraints of transceiver form factors and fiber deployment, leading to space and cost inefficiencies, as well as limited flexibility in accommodating varying bandwidth requirements.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves relocating pluggable transceivers and connected fibers away from the motherboard/processor chassis faceplate to a central, enclosed location, enabling modular and flexible deployment of transceivers, which allows for strategic positioning within the rack and efficient fiber management, using a SFP aggregator that provides bulk insertion and electrical connectivity without requiring changes to existing SFP designs or standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If transceivers are pluggable into the faceplate of the chassis, then deployment flexibility and adaptability to different optical standards are improved, but the faceplate surface area consumption increases, limiting port density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves transceivers from the traditional faceplate location to a mid-board position within the chassis, utilizing the internal three-dimensional space rather than being constrained to the two-dimensional faceplate surface. This dimensional relocation allows multiple transceivers to be arranged in rows and columns within the chassis interior, dramatically increasing port density while preserving pluggable deployment flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds the transceiver modules within the chassis structure itself, nesting them in the internal space between the faceplate and the rear of the chassis. The transceivers are positioned in a mid-board location, effectively nesting them within the existing chassis form factor, which allows the same chassis to accommodate many more transceivers without increasing external dimensions.
2Productivity
If more transceivers are hosted on the faceplate, then data handling capacity increases, but the cost and space consumption of fiber deployment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple fiber connections into a single fiber bundle that enters the chassis through one location (the rear or side). Multiple transceivers share this common fiber entry point, with fibers routed internally through the chassis to reach the mid-board positioned transceivers. This merging approach dramatically reduces the number of external fiber connectors and cable management requirements while maintaining high data handling capacity.
3Area of stationary object
If new transceiver form factors are developed to reduce size, then port density improves, but compatibility with existing optical standards and far-end equipment becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the standard pluggable transceiver form factors (such as SFP, QSFP, etc.) that are compatible with existing optical standards and far-end equipment. By keeping the transceiver modules themselves unchanged and only relocating their position within the chassis, the system preserves full compatibility with various optical interfaces, wavelengths, and power levels while achieving higher port density through better spatial organization.
4Ease of operation
If transceivers are positioned at the faceplate, then ease of access for insertion and removal is improved, but strategic positioning for fiber management is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an internal fiber routing structure that acts as an intermediary between the external fiber entry point and the mid-board positioned transceivers. This intermediary system includes fiber trays, guides, and management structures within the chassis that organize and route fibers efficiently, simplifying fiber deployment while allowing transceivers to be positioned optimally for density and cooling.
Data Source
AI summary
A pluggable optical module, including: a pluggable module unit including an optical connector disposed at a front end portion thereof and an electrical connector disposed at a rear bottom portion thereof, wherein the optical connector is configured to be optically coupled to an optical fiber, and wherein the electrical connector is configured to be electrically coupled to an electrical connector disposed on an electrical board. Optionally, the pluggable module unit includes a pluggable module adapter secured to a pluggable module body. The electrical connector is then disposed at a rear bottom portion of the pluggable module adapter. A pluggable optical module aggregator, including: a housing; an electrical board; a plurality of electrical connectors and a bulk electrical connector consolidating and terminating the plurality of electrical connectors and accessible from the exterior of the housing; and a plurality of optical connectors and a bulk optical connector consolidating and terminating the plurality of optical connectors and accessible from the exterior of the housing.