Optical Receiver Protective Mask Aperture Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical receivers in optical systems face challenges in protecting their circuitry from intense incoming light while ensuring that light reaches the light detection elements along a specific optical path, minimizing cross-talk errors and optical damage.
Innovation Solution
A protective mask is placed over the application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) of the optical receiver, featuring an aperture that defines an optical path for incident light to reach the active area of the light detector element, while covering and protecting the surrounding circuitry from damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective mask is placed over the ASIC to protect circuitry from intense incoming light, then the reliability of the optical receiver is improved, but the optical path for incoming light to the light detection elements may be blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The protective mask is segmented with multiple apertures that allow light to pass through to specific light detection elements while blocking light from reaching other areas. Each aperture is positioned to correspond with a specific light detection element, enabling selective light transmission and protecting other circuitry components.
Solution Approach 2:
The mask provides localized protection by having different properties in different regions - apertures are created only in specific locations where light detection is needed, while other regions remain opaque to protect sensitive circuitry. This local differentiation allows the mask to simultaneously protect and transmit light where required.
2Reliability
If the protective mask covers the entire ASIC, then the protection from optical damage is maximized, but the light detection elements cannot receive incoming light
Solution Approach 1:
The mask is segmented into protective opaque regions and transparent aperture regions. The apertures are strategically positioned to allow light to reach only the intended light detection elements, maintaining productivity while providing protection to the rest of the ASIC.
3Adaptability or versatility
If light is allowed to reach the active area from multiple directions, then the light detection coverage is increased, but cross-talk errors between different light detectors increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each aperture in the mask is positioned and sized to allow light to reach only its corresponding light detection element from the intended direction. This local precision prevents cross-talk between detectors while maintaining appropriate detection coverage for each element.
Solution Approach 2:
The mask creates separate, isolated optical paths for each light detection element through individually positioned apertures. This segmentation prevents light intended for one detector from reaching other detectors, eliminating cross-talk errors while maintaining detection coverage.
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 protective mask effectively prevents off-axis light from reaching the active area, reducing cross-talk errors and optical damage, while allowing on-axis light to be detected accurately, thus enhancing the accuracy and reliability of the optical receiver.
Implementation Method 1
The protective mask can be placed over the ASIC so as to cover, from incident light, at least a portion of the ASIC
Implementation Method 2
the protective mask also includes an aperture that defines an optical path for incident light through the protective mask to the active area of the light detector element
Implementation Method 3
An optical receiver may include both photosensitive elements, such as photodiodes
Data Source
AI summary
An optical receiver including an ASIC, a light detector element, and a protective mask is disclosed. The light detector element is disposed on the ASIC and has a top surface oriented toward incident light, the top surface including a portion configured to receive the incident light and via which the incident light reaches an active area of the light detector element. The protective mask is placed over the ASIC so as to (i) cover, from the incident light, a portion of the ASIC, and (ii) provide an aperture that defines an optical path for the incident light through the protective mask to the portion of the top surface of the light detector element.