Optical Engine Socket With Integrated Receptacle for Fiber Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of integrating flyover cables into packaging for optical engines (OEs) in co-packaged optics (CPO) applications, especially at higher component densities and communication speeds, is exacerbated by the need for reliable connection of numerous optical fibers to photonic integrated circuits (ICs), which complicates scalability and serviceability.
Innovation Solution
A socket design for optical engines that includes a frame and sidewall with optical receptacles, formed from precision-molded glass-filled liquid crystal polymer, allowing for electrical and optical interconnections, and precise alignment of optical fibers with photonic ICs through mechanical and optical reference planes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If connectorized attachment is used to connect optical fibers to photonic ICs, then serviceability and standardization are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical engine is divided into separable components: the photonic IC mounted on the substrate, and the connectorized optical fibers. This segmentation allows the optical fibers to be independently attached and detached, improving serviceability while maintaining manageable manufacturing complexity through modular assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The optical engine design uses standardized connectors that can accommodate different fiber types and configurations, making the OE universally compatible. This universality improves serviceability across different implementations while the standardization actually reduces long-term manufacturing complexity
2Manufacturing precision
If precision-molded glass-filled liquid crystal polymer is used for the socket, then dimensional accuracy and thermal stability are improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The socket uses glass-filled liquid crystal polymer, a composite material that combines the dimensional stability and thermal resistance of glass with the moldability of polymer. This achieves high dimensional accuracy for precise optical alignment while maintaining ease of manufacturing through injection molding, balancing precision requirements with manufacturing cost
3Measurement precision
If mechanical reference plane is implemented for alignment, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical reference plane is pre-formed during socket manufacturing, establishing the alignment基准 before the optical engine is assembled. This preliminary action ensures precise alignment is achieved automatically during assembly without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms, thus improving alignment precision while keeping device complexity manageable
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B~3
AI summary
Aspects described herein include an apparatus including a socket. The socket includes an array of conductive connections, a frame at least partly circumscribing the array of conductive connections, and a sidewall having an optical receptacle extending therethrough. The optical receptacle is configured to receive an optical connector. The apparatus further includes an optical engine received in the frame into a seated configuration where a photonic integrated circuit of the optical engine is electrically coupled with the array of conductive connections, and is optically coupled with one or more optical fibers of the optical connector.