Optical transceiver systems and methods

• US 20040213516A1
• Filed: 04/26/2002
• Published: 10/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Broadcom International Pte Ltd. (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Avago Technologies Fiber IP Singapore PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gordon, Gary B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,184,669 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/32
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4214 the intermediate optical element having redirecting reflective means, e.g. mirrors, prisms for deflecting the radiation from horizontal to down- or upward direction toward a device G02B6/4246 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4246 Bidirectionally operating package structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/40 Transceivers

Abstract

Optical systems are provided. A representative optical system includes an optical transceiver with an optical source and an optical receiver. The system also includes an optical waveguide. At least one of the optical source and the optical receiver is optically coupled to an intermediate portion of the optical waveguide. The optical source provides optical signals for propagation by the optical waveguide, and the optical receiver receives optical signals propagated by the optical waveguide. Methods, optical transceivers and other systems also are provided.

Claims

1. An optical system comprising:

an optical transceiver having an optical source and an optical receiver; and

an optical waveguide having a first end and a second end, and an intermediate portion defined between the first end and the second end, at least one of the optical source and the optical receiver being optically coupled to the intermediate portion of the optical waveguide,

the optical source being operative to provide optical signals for propagation by the optical waveguide,

the optical receiver being operative to receive optical signals propagated by the optical waveguide.

2. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the optical waveguide is an optical fiber;

wherein the optical receiver is optically coupled to the intermediate portion of the optical fiber; and

wherein the optical fiber defines a propagation axis extending between the first and second ends, and includes a first reflective surface located along the intermediate portion, the first reflective surface being inclined with respect to the propagation axis and operative to direct optical signals propagating through the optical fiber to the optical receiver.

3. The optical system of claim 2, wherein the first reflective surface is a portion of a facet formed in the optical fiber.

4. The optical system of claim 2, wherein the optical source is optically coupled to the optical fiber between the first end and a location at which the optical receiver is optically coupled to the optical fiber.

5. The optical system of claim 4, wherein the optical source is optically end-coupled to the optical fiber.

6. The optical system of claim 4, wherein the first reflective surface lacks an ability to direct optical signals originating from the optical source to the optical receiver.

7. The optical system of claim 4, wherein the optical receiver lacks an ability to detect optical signals originating from the optical source.

8. The optical system of claim 7, wherein the optical source emits optical signals exhibiting a first wavelength, and the optical receiver lacks an ability to detect optical signals exhibiting the first wavelength.

9. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the optical waveguide is an optical fiber;

wherein the optical receiver is optically coupled to the intermediate portion of the optical fiber; and

wherein the optical fiber defines a propagation axis extending between the first and second ends, and includes a first reflective surface located along the intermediate portion and a second reflective surface, the first reflective surface being inclined with respect to the propagation axis and operative to direct optical signals propagating through the optical fiber to the optical receiver, the second reflective surface being inclined with respect to the propagation axis and operative to direct optical signals from the optical source to the optical fiber.

10. The optical system of claim 9, wherein the first reflective surface is operative to direct optical signals propagating toward the first end of the optical fiber, and the second reflective surface is operative to direct optical signals toward the second end of the optical fiber.

11. The optical system of claim 9, wherein the second reflective surface is located at the first end of the optical fiber, and the optical source is offset with respect to the propagation axis of the optical fiber.

12. The optical system of claim 9, wherein the optical source is optically coupled to the intermediate portion of the optical fiber;

and

wherein the optical fiber includes a third reflective surface and a fourth reflective surface, each of which is located along the intermediate portion and inclined with respect to the propagation axis, the third reflective surface being operative to direct optical signals propagating through the optical fiber to the optical receiver, the fourth reflective surface being operative to direct optical signals from the optical source to the optical fiber.

13. The optical system of claim 12, wherein the third reflective surface is operative to direct optical signals propagating toward the second end of the optical fiber, and the fourth reflective surface is operative to direct optical signals toward the first end of the optical fiber.

14. The optical system of claim 1, further comprising:

means for directing optical signals from the optical waveguide to the optical receiver; and

means for directing optical signals from the optical source to the optical waveguide.

15. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the optical receiver differentially detects optical signals.

16. The optical system of claim 15, wherein the optical source is operative to provide first and second optical signals, each of which exhibits a different frequency.

17. An optical transceiver for use with an optical fiber, the optical fiber having a first end and a second end, a propagation axis extending between the first end and the second end, and an intermediate portion defined between the first end and the second end, said optical transceiver comprising:

a housing having a base and sidewalls extending upwardly from said base, a first of said sidewalls defining an aperture, said aperture being sized and shaped for receiving the first end and at least a portion of the intermediate portion of the optical fiber;

an optical source arranged within said housing such that said optical source is offset with respect to the propagation axis of the optical fiber, said optical source being operative to receive control signals and provide optical signals for propagation by the optical fiber in response to said control signals; and

an optical receiver arranged within said housing such that said optical receiver is offset with respect to the propagation axis of the optical fiber, said optical receiver being operative to receive optical signals propagated by the optical fiber.

18. The optical transceiver of claim 17, wherein said control signals are electrical signals;

and

wherein said optical receiver is operative to convert received optical signals into electrical signals.

19. A method for communicating optical signals comprising:

providing an optical fiber having a first end and a second end, and an intermediate portion defined between the first end and the second end;

providing an optical transceiver having an optical receiver and an optical source; and

optically coupling at least one of the optical receiver and the optical source to the intermediate portion of the optical fiber without segmenting the intermediate portion of the optical fiber.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

receiving first optical signals with the optical receiver, the first optical signals being propagated through the optical fiber toward the first end of the optical fiber; and

providing second optical signals with the optical source, the second optical signals being propagated through the optical fiber toward the second end of the optical fiber.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the optical source is optically coupled to the intermediate portion of the optical fiber.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

receiving third optical signals with the optical receiver, the third optical signals being propagated through the optical fiber toward the second end of the optical fiber; and

providing fourth optical signals with the optical source, the fourth optical signals being propagated through the optical fiber toward the first end of the optical fiber.