Active optical cable electrical connector

• US 20070237472A1
• Filed: 04/10/2006
• Published: 10/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: II-VI Delaware, Inc. (Coherent Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Finisar Corporation (II-VI Incorporated)
• Inventors: Togami, Chris, Aronson, Lewis, Douma, Darin
• Granted Patent: US 7,778,510 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/101
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4284 of optical modules with disconnectable electrical connectors latching arms for electrical connectors H01R13/627
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4292 the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4416 Heterogeneous cables

Abstract

An electrical connector that is integrated within an active cable at one end of the active cable, wherein the active cable is configured to communicate over much of its length using one or more optical fibers. The cable may be an electrical to optical cable, and electrical to electrical cable, or one of many other potential configurations.

Claims

1. A connector comprising:

a plurality of electrical traces; and

a mechanical support for the electrical traces, wherein the electrical traces and mechanical support are structured such that they may connect to an electrical connector of an active cable, the active cable communicating over much of the length of the active cable using optics over at least one optical fiber, wherein the plurality of electrical traces include a first power contact configured to power circuitry at a first end of the active cable, and a second power contact configured to power a circuit at a second end of the active cable, wherein the first end is located across the length of the active cable from the second end.

2. A connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein the connector itself forms a portion of a cable that communicates over much of its length using an electrical conductor.

3. A connector in accordance with claim 2, wherein the electrical conductor comprises at least one copper wire for communication of data electrically.

5. A connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein the connector itself forms a portion of an active cable that communicates over much of its length using optics.

6. A connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein the connector itself forms a portion of a receptacle.

7. A connector in accordance with claim 6, wherein the receptacle is a portion of a host board.

8. A connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrical traces includes two data contacts for communicating a differential data signal to an electro-optical transducer.

9. A connector in accordance with claim 8, wherein the plurality of electrical traces further includes another two data contacts for communicating a second differential data signal to a second electro-optical transducer.

4. (canceled)