Optical Receiver Module with Integrated Lens-Mirror for High Frequency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical receiver modules face challenges in reducing size while maintaining high frequency characteristics due to the complexity of their structure, which affects the length of interconnections and increases inductance.
Innovation Solution
The optical receiver module design includes a substrate with an IC and a light receiving element connected by wires, featuring a microlens array with bridge footing sections supporting a lens and mirror configuration, where the distance between the lens and IC terminals is optimized to shorten wiring length and prevent inductance increases, allowing for both size reduction and improved high frequency performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a complicated structure with two lens surfaces and a mirror is used to change the proceeding direction of light, then the optical signal can be redirected to the light receiving element, but the structure becomes complex and size reduction cannot be realized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mirror and lens into a single integrated optical component. The mirror surface is formed on the rear surface of the lens, merging two separate optical elements (lens and mirror) into one unified structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate mounting and alignment of individual components, thereby simplifying the overall structure while maintaining the light redirecting function.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical component serves multiple functions simultaneously: the lens portion converges light from the optical fiber, while the mirror portion on the rear surface reflects and redirects the converged light to the light receiving element. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate optical components, reducing structural complexity while achieving the same optical signal redirection effect.
2Reliability
If the structure cannot be reduced in size, then the interconnection length between IC and light receiving element cannot be shortened, but this results in increased inductance and degraded high frequency characteristic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by positioning the light receiving element above the IC on the substrate, with the integrated lens-mirror component positioned between them. The optical component redirects light at an angle, allowing the light receiving element to be positioned closer to the IC in the planar dimension while maintaining proper optical alignment through vertical positioning. This dimensional optimization shortens the interconnection length between IC terminals and the light receiving element, reducing inductance and improving high frequency characteristics.
3Reliability
If the interconnection length is shortened to reduce inductance, then high frequency characteristic is improved, but the overall module size reduction is limited without structural changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical path into distinct functional segments: the lens portion for light convergence, the mirror portion for light redirection, and the integrated IC-light receiving element assembly. By segmenting the optical component design and strategically positioning each functional element, the layout optimizes both the interconnection length (for high frequency performance) and the overall module footprint (for size reduction).
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 design effectively reduces the size of optical receiver modules while enhancing high frequency characteristics by optimizing the distance between components, thereby minimizing inductance and improving signal processing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the lens main body section has a rising surface disposed in front, and is provided with a lens disposed on the rising surface and adapted to converge light entering the lens
Implementation Method 2
a mirror adapted to reflect the light converged by the lens to converge the light on the light receiving window of the light receiving element
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided an optical receiver module with an improvement in high frequency characteristic and reduction in size. The optical receiver module includes a substrate, an IC provided with two or more IC terminals, a light receiving element disposed in front of the IC, provided with two or more PD terminals and having a light receiving window, and a first optical component disposed in front of the IC provided with two bridge footing sections, and a lens main body section located between upper portions of the two bridge footing sections, the lens main body section is provided with a lens and a mirror, and a distance L1 between a position A of the lens and a position B of the light receiving window is longer than a distance L2 between the position B and a position C of an end part of the two bridge footing sections.