Optical Component Assembly with Frangible Region for Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high manufacturing and testing costs of optical components, such as VCSELs and photodiodes, in optoelectronic communication systems are inefficient due to expensive testing procedures required to ensure operational parameters in high bandwidth environments.
Innovation Solution
An optical component assembly with a frangible region allows for separation into two portions, enabling a testing configuration for evaluating optical components and transitioning to an operational configuration where optical signal communication is precluded, using a substrate with an optical transmitter and receiver connected via an optical waveguide, and employing methods like cleaving or scribing to create the frangible region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional testing procedures are used to evaluate optical components, then operational parameters can be monitored and evaluated, but manufacturing and testing costs become excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is divided into a first portion containing the optical transmitter and a second portion containing the optical receiver, separated by a frangible region. This segmentation allows the optical path to be extended across the substrate while enabling cost-effective testing by separating the test configuration from the final operational configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical receiver is positioned on the substrate before final assembly, allowing the optical path to be established and tested in advance. The frangible region enables preliminary testing in a loopback configuration before the component is separated for operational use, reducing the need for expensive post-assembly testing.
2Reliability
If the optical path is extended across the substrate to connect transmitter and receiver, then component evaluation is improved, but the complexity of the assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical transmitter, optical receiver, and optical waveguide are integrated onto a single substrate, forming a unified test structure. This merging allows the optical path to be established across the substrate without requiring separate external connections, simplifying the overall assembly while enabling comprehensive component evaluation.
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible region acts as an intermediary element between the first portion and second portion of the substrate. It provides a controlled separation mechanism that allows the assembly to transition from a test configuration (where optical signals can loop back) to an operational configuration, managing the complexity of having both test and operational capabilities.
3Ease of manufacture
If the frangible region is used to separate the substrate into two portions, then testing cost is reduced, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible region is extracted as a distinct feature in the substrate design, creating a predetermined weak point that can be easily separated. This extraction allows the substrate to be manufactured as a single piece for testing purposes, then cleanly separated into two portions for operational use, reducing testing costs while managing manufacturing complexity through deliberate design.
4Productivity
If multiple optical transmitters and receivers are disposed on the substrate, then testing efficiency is improved, but the substrate area required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is designed to support multiple optical transmitters and receivers simultaneously, with each transmitter-receiver pair capable of independent testing. This multi-functionality allows comprehensive testing of multiple components on a single substrate, improving testing efficiency and throughput while utilizing the substrate area efficiently through parallel testing capabilities.
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
This approach reduces testing costs and improves the evaluation of optical components' success likelihood before commercial use, allowing for efficient determination of operational parameters and potential integration into high bandwidth environments.
Implementation Method 1
an optical waveguide extending between the optical transmitter and the optical receiver, where the optical waveguide may be configured to direct the optical signal from the optical transmitter to the optical receiver
Data Source
AI summary
An optical component assembly is provided including a substrate. The assembly includes an optical transmitter configured to transmit an optical signal, an optical receiver configured to receive the optical signal, and an optical waveguide extending between the optical transmitter and the optical receiver. The assembly further includes a frangible region defining a first portion of the substrate and a second portion of the substrate, wherein the frangible region is configured to allow the first portion to be separated from the second portion. The assembly may be configured to be modified from a testing configuration, in which the first portion is integrally connected to the second portion via the frangible region, to an operational configuration, in which the first portion is separated from the second portion such that communication of optical signals between the optical transmitter and the optical receiver is precluded.