Optoelectronic Interface Passive Alignment Substrate
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in optoelectronic communication lies in the tedious, time-consuming, and costly process of aligning the optical signal source with the transmission medium, which is necessary for efficient data transfer, as improper alignment can weaken or prevent signal transmission.
Innovation Solution
An optoelectronic interface is developed using an optically transparent substrate with a microlens array and a silicon substrate, combined with alignment features that passively align the transmission medium with the optical signal source upon attachment, eliminating the need for active alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If active alignment is used to align the optical signal source with the transmission medium, then optical coupling precision is improved, but production time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements passive alignment features directly into the substrate during manufacturing, performing the alignment function in advance rather than requiring time-consuming active alignment during assembly. The alignment features are pre-formed on the substrate surface, enabling automatic positioning when components are brought together.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment features on the substrate enable the system to self-align without requiring external active alignment equipment or manual adjustment. When the transmission medium and optical signal source are brought into proximity, the pre-formed alignment features automatically guide their relative positioning, making the alignment process self-service rather than operator-dependent.
2Manufacturing precision
If active alignment is used to align the optical signal source with the transmission medium, then optical coupling precision is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment features are incorporated into the substrate during the manufacturing process itself, rather than requiring separate, costly active alignment equipment and procedures during final assembly. This preliminary incorporation of alignment functionality reduces overall manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
By enabling self-alignment through pre-formed features on the substrate, the patent eliminates the need for expensive active alignment equipment, specialized tools, and highly skilled operators, thereby significantly reducing production costs while maintaining alignment precision.
3Reliability
If proper optical coupling is achieved, then data transmission quality is improved, but alignment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment features are prepared in advance on the substrate, so that when components are assembled, proper optical coupling is achieved immediately without requiring time-consuming active alignment procedures, thus maintaining data transmission quality while minimizing alignment time.
Solution Approach 2:
The self-aligning mechanism ensures that proper optical coupling is achieved automatically through the pre-formed alignment features, eliminating the need for manual adjustment and verification, thereby ensuring data transmission quality without sacrificing assembly speed.
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 solution simplifies and speeds up the alignment process, reducing the time and cost associated with optoelectronic communication by ensuring precise and efficient optical coupling without the need for active alignment, thereby enhancing the efficiency of data transfer.
Implementation Method 1
an optically transparent substrate with a microlens array
Data Source
AI summary
An optoelectronic interface includes an optically transparent substrate; and an alignment layer comprising a pattern of alignment features disposed on said optically transparent substrate.