WDM MUX/DEMUX ON CABLE AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME

• US 20170017053A1
• Filed: 09/28/2016
• Published: 01/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alliance Fiber Optic Products Incorporated (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Alliance Fiber Optic Products Incorporated (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Li, Yao, Xiao, Charlie
• Granted Patent: US 9,983,374 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/29365 in a multireflection configuration, i.e. beam following a zigzag path between filters or filtering operations
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/2938 for multiplexing or demultiplexing, i.e. combining or separating wavelengths, e.g. 1xN, NxM
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3664 2D cross sectional arrangements of the fibres
• 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 6/4446 Cable boxes, e.g. splicing boxes with two or more multi fibre cables
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4452 Distribution frames

Abstract

Techniques for WDM Mux/DeMux on cable and methods of making the same are described According to one aspect of the present application, a unit designed to provide multiplexing or demultiplexing (Mux/Demux) functions is implemented on cable. In other words, the Mux/Demux unit is coupled by a multi-fiber cable to a system (e.g., a system rack for router or switch that has multiple pluggable transceiver slots).

Claims

1. An optical device comprising:

a first enclosure, including a box housing passive optical components to provide multiplexing or demultiplexing (Mux/Demux) functions, having first and second ends disposed on two opposite ends of the first enclosure, wherein a multi-fiber cable secured on the first end is coupled to a plurality of fibers connected respectively to the passive optical components, and a duplex fiber cable secured on the second end includes at least two fibers, one from an input to the Mux/Demux functions and the other from an output of the Mux/Demux functions, wherein the duplex fiber cable is extended from the second end of the first enclosure to a duplex cable connector; and

a second enclosure in a form factor to be received in one of multiple pluggable transceiver slots in a system rack, the second enclosure including a transceiver;

wherein the first enclosure accommodates a first transition area at the first end of the first enclosure for the plurality of fibers and a second transition area at the second end of the first enclosure for the at least two fibers to isolate the plurality of fibers and the at least two fibers from experiencing undesired forces.

2. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the passive optical components are fixed to a substrate housed in the first enclosure.

3. The optical device of claim 2, wherein the passive optical components and the substrate are epoxy sealed, soldered or laser welded in a unit so that moisture would not enter into the unit or degrade performance of each of the passive optical components.

4. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the first enclosure is a ruggidized cage to accommodate the first transition area and the second transition area.

5. The optical device as recited in claim 1, wherein the multi-fiber cable is a fiber ribbon or encapsulated in a multi-fiber boot.

6. The optical device as recited in claim 5, wherein a cross section of the box is in polygon shape.

7. The optical device as recited in claim 6, wherein the polygon shape is circular, rectangular or hexagonal.

8. The optical device as recited in claim 1, wherein the fiber cable is extended beyond the first enclosure and ended in a duplex fiber connector.

9. The optical device as recited in claim 1, wherein the Mux/DeMux functions are implemented based on thin-film filters, a planar lightwave circuit (PLC) or a combination of the thin-film filters and PLC.

10. A system comprising:

a pluggable active module having a plurality of multi-wavelength transmitting optical sub-assembly (TOSA) units and receiving optical sub-assembly (ROSA) units, each having multiple parallel wavelength channels and a multi-fiber connector adapter port, wherein the pluggable active module in a form factor to be received in one of multiple pluggable transceiver slots in a system rack;

at least one passive optical unit housed in an enclosure with a first end and a second end, wherein the passive optical unit including passive optical components is provided to perform multiplexing or demultiplexing (Mux/Demux) functions and facilitate Mux/DeMux of the wavelength channels, wherein the passive optical unit has at least two fibers extending externally to a duplex cable connector; and

a multi-fiber cable provided to couple the passive optical unit to the pluggable active module;

wherein the enclosure accommodates a first transition area at the first end of the enclosure for a plurality of fibers and a second transition area at the second end of the enclosure for the at least two fibers to isolate the plurality of fibers and the at least two fibers from experiencing undesired forces.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the passive optical components are fixed to a substrate housed in the enclosure.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the passive optical components and the substrate are epoxy sealed, soldered or laser welded in a unit so that moisture would not enter into the unit or degrade performance of each of the passive optical components.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the passive optical unit is a ruggidized cage to accommodate the first transition area and the second transition area.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the multi-fiber cable is a fiber ribbon or encapsulated in a multi-fiber boot.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein a cross section of the passive optical unit is in polygon shape.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the polygon shape is circular, rectangular or hexagonal.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the passive optical components are fixed to two sides of a substrate to form two independently working (Mux/Demux) functions.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the Mux/DeMux functions are implemented based on thin-film filters, a planar lightwave circuit (PLC) or a combination of the thin-film filters and PLC.

19. A system comprising:

a pluggable active module having a plurality of multi-wavelength transmitting optical sub-assembly (TOSA) units and receiving optical sub-assembly (ROSA) units, each having multiple parallel wavelength channels and a multi-fiber connector adapter port, wherein the pluggable active module in a form factor to be received in one of multiple pluggable transceiver slots in a system rack;

at least one passive optical unit housed in an enclosure with a first end and a second end, wherein the passive optical unit including passive optical components is provided to perform multiplexing or demultiplexing (Mux/Demux) functions and facilitate Mux/DeMux of the wavelength channels, wherein the passive optical unit has at least two fibers extending externally to a duplex cable connector a redefined distance away from the passive optical unit; and

a multi-fiber cable provided to couple the passive optical unit to the pluggable active module, wherein the multi-fiber cable is coupled to the plurality of fibers from the passive optical unit, wherein the passive optical components are fixed to a substrate housed in the enclosure, the passive optical components and the substrate are epoxy sealed, soldered or laser welded in a unit so that moisture would not enter into the unit or degrade performance of each of the passive optical components;

wherein the enclosure is a ruggidized cage to accommodate the unit with two transition areas for a plurality of fibers and the at least two fibers that are provided in the enclosure to isolate the plurality of fibers and the at least two fibers from experiencing undesired forces.