Optical Transceiver APC Alignment Index Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical coupling between angled physical contact (APC) type optical fibers is degraded due to misalignment of inclined end surfaces, leading to increased optical coupling loss.
Innovation Solution
An optical transceiver design with a cylindrical coupling portion and housing that includes an index outer surface and saddle for uniform contact, allowing automatic alignment of the inclined end surface of the stub with the ferrule, ensuring precise alignment of the APC surfaces through a method involving insertion and rotational adjustment of the coupling portion within the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the inclined end surfaces of APC type optical fibers are used to reflect light away from the fiber, then optical coupling loss is reduced, but misalignment of the inclined directions degrades optical coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an index outer surface as an intermediary element between the stub's inclined end surface and the ferrule. This index surface serves as a reference that mediates the alignment process, ensuring that the inclined directions of mating fibers are properly oriented relative to each other through the saddle structure that contacts this index surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-establishes the correct inclined direction alignment by fixing the stub at a specific angle (8 degrees) relative to the optical axis during manufacturing. The index outer surface is also pre-positioned to indicate this predetermined inclined direction, so that when the saddle contacts the index surface, the alignment is automatically achieved without requiring complex adjustment during installation.
2Manufacturing precision
If the stub is fixed at a specific angle to reduce misalignment, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the complexity of the coupling portion structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric design in two key aspects: first, the stub is fixed at a specific asymmetric angle (8 degrees) relative to the optical axis rather than being symmetrically aligned; second, the index outer surface is positioned asymmetrically on the coupling portion to indicate the inclined direction. This asymmetric configuration enables precise alignment while maintaining relatively simple structural implementation.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical transceiver adapted to an optical connector having an angled physical contact (APC) is disclosed. The optical transceiver installs an optical sub-assembly to receive an external connector. The optical sub-assembly provides an index surface that indexes the inclined direction of the end of the stub abutting against the end surface of the external connector of the type of the APC. The housing provides a saddle with a flat surface on which the index surface of the optical sub-assembly is set.