Space Active Optical Cable With Connectorless Fiber Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Space-based fiber optic links face challenges with low optical coupling efficiency and require complex connectors that are prone to issues, leading to significant delays and costs, while existing active optical cables (AOCs) do not adequately address these problems.
Innovation Solution
A space active optical cable (SAOC) with radiation-resistant components, bidirectional transmission, and a custom health check algorithm, featuring a reflecting surface and EMI shielding, uses laser charred finishes to enhance emissivity and coupling efficiency, eliminating the need for optical connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional optical connectors are used in space-based fiber optic links, then the system can establish optical data transmission, but the system experiences significant issues including non-conformances, delays, and additional inspection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the optical connector component entirely by implementing an active optical cable with integrated transceivers. The optical transceiver is mounted directly in the connector backshell, removing the need for separate optical connectors and their associated inspection, cleaning, and testing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the optical transceiver with the connector backshell into a single integrated unit. This integration eliminates the interface between separate components, reducing potential failure points and eliminating the need for complex optical connector assemblies while maintaining optical data transmission capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If existing active optical cables use flat reflective surfaces for light coupling, then the cable structure is simple, but the optical coupling efficiency is low due to light divergence and surface roughness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the flat reflective surface with a curved reflective surface that matches the divergence characteristics of the optical source. This curved geometry focuses the divergent light onto the fiber tip, significantly improving optical coupling efficiency while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the use of standard curved surface fabrication techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the reflective surface from flat to curved, optimizing the angle and shape to match the optical source divergence. This parameter modification transforms the light coupling mechanism to achieve high efficiency without complex structures.
3Reliability
If PCB mounted transceivers are used, then the system can achieve optical data transmission, but the system requires board space and optical connectors at the box wall
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the optical transceiver from the PCB mounting architecture and integrates it directly into the connector backshell. This eliminates the need for PCB space and wall-mounted optical connectors, reducing system complexity while maintaining optical data transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the optical transceiver function with the connector backshell structure into a single integrated component. This merging eliminates the need for separate PCB mounting and wall connectors, simplifying the overall system architecture while preserving optical communication functionality.
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 SAOC achieves high optical coupling efficiency, reduces internal PCB impacts, and provides reliable, radiation-resistant, vacuum-compatible data transmission with real-time health monitoring, ensuring consistent performance in space environments.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the electrical transceivers includes an enclosure that encloses one or more light sources... The cable includes one or more optical fibers
Implementation Method 2
Also included in the enclosure are a reflecting surface or on-axis alignment mount to couple light into optical fibers
Implementation Method 3
The enclosure provides suitable means of heat propagation and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding
Implementation Method 4
The enclosure provides suitable means of heat propagation
Data Source
AI summary
A space active optical cable (SAOC) includes a cable including one or more optical fibers, and two or more electrical transceivers on opposing ends of the cable and interconnected by the cable. Each of the electrical transceivers includes an enclosure that encloses one or more light sources, one or more light detectors, and control electronics. Also included in the enclosure are a coupling medium to couple light into and out of the one or more optical fibers. The coupling medium can be reflecting surface or an on-axis mount. The enclosure provides a suitable heat propagation and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, and the cable and the two or more electrical transceivers are radiation resistant. SAOC features optionally support a health check algorithm that allows trending optical performance in the absence of an optical connector and a potential surface treatment to increase nominally low emissivity of an EMI conductive surface.