Modular Data Center Optical Module With Removable Cable Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical modules in data centers face challenges in manufacturing optical transceivers and active optical cables efficiently due to the need for additional stock management elements, which affects yield and productivity, and the fixed nature of active optical cables complicates length management and installation.
Innovation Solution
An optical module design comprising an optical engine unit, optical cable assembly, and housing that integrates optical elements, fibers, and a protective structure, allowing for modular assembly without separate stock management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical modules use fixed active optical cables, then signal quality is improved, but manufacturing complexity and stock management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical module is divided into separate components: an optical transceiver unit and a cable assembly unit. The cable assembly includes the optical cable, connector, and related components as a separate module. This segmentation allows the transceiver and cable to be manufactured, tested, and managed independently, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining signal quality through the fixed cable assembly design.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable assembly is extracted as a separate removable component from the optical transceiver. This allows the cable assembly to be manufactured and stocked independently, eliminating the need to manage stock of complete fixed optical cables while still providing the signal quality benefits of a fixed cable assembly when needed.
2Reliability
If optical modules use fixed active optical cables, then optical connection reliability is improved, but stock management and length flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static fixed cable assembly to a dynamic configuration where the cable assembly can be attached or detached as needed. The removable cable assembly maintains the reliability benefits of a fixed connection when attached, while allowing flexibility in cable length selection and replacement when detached, adapting to different installation requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different cable assemblies with various cable lengths and specifications can be manufactured and stocked independently. The cable length and other parameters can be changed by selecting different cable assembly variants, providing flexibility without compromising the reliability benefits of a fixed cable assembly design for each specific configuration.
3Productivity
If optical modules separate transceivers from cables, then productivity is improved, but device integration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The optical module is segmented into a transceiver unit and a cable assembly unit that can be manufactured separately using different production processes and quality control methods. This segmentation improves manufacturing productivity by allowing parallel production and specialized manufacturing for each component type.
Solution Approach 2:
The transceiver unit and cable assembly unit are designed to connect through a standardized interface, allowing them to be easily combined into a complete optical module when needed. This merging capability maintains the benefits of separate manufacturing while enabling integrated operation, with the cable assembly serving as a bridge between the transceiver and external optical networks.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical module for a data center is disclosed.Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an optical module for a data center including: an optical engine unit optically coupled to a substrate, at least one optical element, at least one electronic element, and at least one optical fiber introduced from the outside to perform a function of transmitting and receiving an optical signal; an optical cable assembly including the at least one optical fiber to transfer the optical signal transmitted to and received from the at least one optical element to the outside; a body unit configured to fix and support portions of the optical engine unit and the optical cable assembly from below; and a housing coupled to the body unit to protect an upper portion of the optical engine unit.