Electrical circuit apparatus

• US 5,263,108 A
• Filed: 11/04/1991
• Issued: 11/16/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Kato, Takeshi, Kurokawa, Hiroshi, Takai, Atsushi
• Primary Examiner(s): Gonzalez, Frank
• Application Number:
  US07/787,407
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 385/76, 385/77, 385/89, 385/88, 385/92, 385/59
• US Class Current: 385/89
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/42 Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4242 Mounting of the optical light guide to the lid of the package
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4249 comprising arrays of active devices and fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4268 Cooling of semiconductor devices H01L23/24; of electric apparatus H05K7/20; of instruments G12B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4274 Electrical aspects G02B6/4263 and G02B6/4265 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48137 the bodies being arranged next to each other, e.g. on a common substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00014 the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/10253 Silicon [Si]

Abstract

A connector is provided for connecting optic fibers to electrical circuit modules. The connector includes a plurality of fiber supporting means arrayed on a first surface of the connector base in a first direction. Supporting one end of a plurality of fiber sheets each comprised of a plurality of fibers bundled into a sheet form in such a manner that the sheet surface of each fiber sheet is substantially vertical to the first surface and the first direction. A plurality of opto-electrical circuits are connected to one sheet of the plurality of fiber sheets and each comprised of an electrooptical converter or an opto-electrical converter. A plurality of contact electrodes are also provided on a second surface, opposite to the first surface, of the connector base and connected to the plurality of optoelectrical circuits.

Claims

1. An electrical circuit apparatus, comprising:

an electrical circuit board;

at least one set of circuit modules provided on said electrical circuit board and electrically interconnected with each other, each of said set of circuit modules including a plurality of electrical circuits;

a connector of the first kind disposed on said electrical circuit board, positioned between said set of circuit modules and having a plurality of contact electrodes electrically connected to said set of circuit modules;

a connector of the second kind positioned on said connector of the first kind and having a plurality of contact electrodes of said connector of the first kind, said connector of the second kind being detachably connected to said connector of the first kind; and

a first group of fibers connected to said connector of the second kind;

said connector of the second kind having a plurality of opto-electrical circuits each being connected to one of said fibers of said first fiber group and to at least one of said plurality of contact electrodes possessed by said connector of the second kind and each being comprised of an electro/optical converter or an opto/electrical converter.

2. An electrical circuit apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said first fiber group includes at least one fiber sheet comprised of a plurality of fibers arranged in a sheet configuration.

3. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said connector of the second kind has means for supporting said fiber sheet such that its sheet surface extends in a direction substantially parallel to a direction along which said set of electrical circuit modules are arranged.

4. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first fiber group includes a plurality of fiber sheets each comprised of a plurality of fibers arranged in a sheet configuration.

5. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said connector of the second kind has means for supporting said plurality of fiber sheets such that sheet surfaces of respective fibers sheets extend substantially in a same direction.

6. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said connector of the second kind has means for supporting said plurality of fiber sheets such that their sheet surfaces extend in a direction substantially parallel to a direction along which said set of electrical circuit modules are arranged.

7. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said connector of the second kind has means for supporting said plurality of fibers sheets such that they are arranged in a direction substantially in parallel to a direction in which said set of electrical circuit modules are arranged.

8. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said connector of the second kind has means for supporting said plurality of fiber sheets such that they are arrayed in a first direction substantially vertical to a second direction along which said set of electrical circuit modules are arranged and such that their sheet surfaces extend substantially in parallel to the second direction.

9. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

another set of electrical circuit modules respectively positioned adjacently to corresponding modules of said set of electrical circuit modules;

another connector of the first kind positioned between said another et of electrical circuit modules and having substantially the same construction as said connector of the first kind;

another connector of the second kind positioned on said another connector of the first kind so as to be coupled thereto and having substantially the same construction as said connector of the second kind; and

a second group of fibers connected to said another connector of the second kind.

10. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising:

further another set of connectors of the first kind each positioned between a corresponding one of said set of electrical circuit modules and a corresponding one of said another set of electrical circuit modules and having substantially the same construction as said connector of the first kind;

further another set of connectors of the second kind respectively positioned on corresponding ones of said second connectors of said further another set of connectors of the first kind and detachably coupled thereto, said further another set of connectors of the second kind having substantially the same construction as said connector of the second kind; and

third and fourth groups of fibers respectively connected to corresponding connectors of the second kind of said further another set.

11. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 10, wherein each fiber group includes a plurality of fiber sheets each comprised of a plurality of fibers arranged in a sheet configuration.

12. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 11, wherein each connector of the second kind has means for supporting said plurality of fiber sheets connected thereto such that they are arranged in a first direction substantially vertical to a second direction along which a set of electrical circuit modules sandwiching said connectors of the second type are arranged and such that their sheet surfaces extend substantially in parallel to the second direction.

13. An electrical circuit apparatus, comprising:

an electrical circuit board;

a plurality of circuit modules provided on said electrical circuit board and electrically interconnected with each other, each of said plurality of circuit modules including a plurality of electrical circuits;

a plurality of connectors of a first kind positioned at sites between adjacent ones of said plurality of circuit modules and at sites surrounding said circuit modules and each having a plurality of contact electrodes electrically connected to at least one of said circuit modules;

a plurality of connectors of a second kind respectively positioned on said plurality of connectors of the first kind and each having a plurality of contact electrodes coupled to said plurality of contact connectors of one of said connectors of the first kind, said connector of the second kind being detachably connected to said one connector of the first kind; and

a plurality of groups of fibers with each group of fibers connected to one of said plurality of connectors of the second kind,

each of said plurality of connectors of the second kind including a plurality of opto-electrical circuits each being connected to one of fibers of one fiber group connected to said each connector of the second kind and to at least one of a plurality of contact electrodes possessed by said each connector of the second kind, said opto-electrical circuits each being comprised of an electro-optical converter or an opto/electrical converter.

14. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 13, wherein each fiber group includes a plurality of fiber sheets each comprised of a plurality of fibers arranged in a sheet configuration and having their sheet surfaces arranged in parallel and facing substantially in a same direction.

15. An electrical circuit apparatus, comprising:

an electrical circuit board;

at least one circuit module provided on said electrical circuit board and including a plurality of electrical circuits;

means provided above said circuit module, for cooling the same;

a connector of a first kind having a plurality of contact electrodes electrically connected to said circuit module;

a connector of a second kind positioned on said connector of the first kind and having a plurality of contact electrodes coupled to said plurality of contact electrodes of said connector of the first kind, said connector of the second kind being detachably connected to said connector of the first kind; and

a group of fibers connected to said connector of the second kind,

said connector of the second kind having a plurality of opto-electrical circuits each being connected to one of said fibers of said fiber group and to at least one of said plurality of contact electrodes possessed by said connector of the second kind and each being comprised of an electro/optical converter or an opto/electrical converter, said connector of the second kind being thermally coupled to said cooling means.

16. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said cooling means has an internal cavity through which a cooling medium is passed.

17. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a thermal conductor located between said connector of the second kind and said cooling means.

18. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising:

at least one another circuit module provided on said electrical circuit board and including a plurality of electrical circuits; and

another cooling means provided on said another circuit module, for cooling the same,

said connector of the first kind being disposed between said circuit module and said another circuit module,

said connector of the second kind being thermally coupled to both of said cooling means and said another cooling means.

19. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said fiber group includes a fiber sheet comprised of a plurality of fibers arranged in a sheet configuration, and said connector of the second kind has means for supporting said fiber sheet such that its sheet surface extends in a direction substantially parallel to a direction along which said electrical circuit module and said other electrical circuit module are arranged.

20. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said fiber group includes a plurality of fiber sheets each comprised of a plurality of fibers arrange din a sheet configuration, and said connector of the second kind has means for supporting said plurality of fiber sheets such that they are arranged in a first direction substantially vertical to a second direction along which said electrical circuit module and said other electrical circuit module are arranged and their sheet surfaces extend substantially in parallel to the first direction.

21. An electrical circuit apparatus, comprising:

an electrical circuit board;

a plurality of circuit modules provided on said electrical circuit board and electrically interconnected with each other, each of said plurality of circuit modules including a plurality of electrical circuits;

a plurality of connectors of a first kind provided on a peripheral portion of a region in which said plurality of circuit modules are disposed and each having a plurality of contact electrodes electrically connected to at least one of said circuit modules;

a plurality of connectors of a second kind respectively positioned on said plurality of connectors of the first kind and each having a plurality of contact electrodes coupled to a plurality of contact electrodes on one of said connectors of the first kind, said connector of the second kind being detachably connected to said one connector of the first kind; and

a plurality of groups of fibers with each group being connected to a corresponding one of said plurality of connectors of the second kind,

each of said plurality of connectors of the second kind including a plurality of opto-electrical circuit each being connected to one of fibers of one fiber group connected to said each connector of the second kind and to at least one of a plurality of contact electrodes possessed by said connector, each opto-electrical circuit being comprised of an electro/optical converter or an opto/electrical converter.

22. An electric circuit apparatus according to claim 21, wherein each fiber group includes a plurality of fiber sheets each comprised of a plurality of fibers arranged in a sheet configuration and having their sheet surfaces which extend in a substantially same direction.

23. An electrical circuit apparatus, comprising:

an electrical circuit board;

a plurality of module substrates so provided on said electrical circuit board as to extend vertically of said electrical circuit board, said module substrates being arranged in parallel with each other;

a plurality of circuit modules each provided on one of said module substrates and each including a plurality of electrical circuits;

at least one connector of a first kind provided on said electrical circuit board between an adjacent two of said plurality of modules substrates and having a plurality of contact electrodes electrically connected to one of said circuit modules provided on one of said plurality of module substrates;

a connector of a second kind positioned on said connector of the first kind and having a plurality of contact electrodes coupled to said plurality of contact electrodes of said connector of the first kind, said connector of the second kind being detachably connected to said connector of the first kind; and

a group of fibers connected to said connector of the second kind,

said connector of the second kind having a plurality of opto-electrical circuits each being connected to one of said fibers of said fiber group and to at least one of said plurality of contact electrodes possessed by said connector and each being comprised of an electro/optical converter or an opto/electrical converter.

24. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said fiber group includes a plurality of fiber sheets each comprised of a plurality of fibers arranged in a sheet configuration and having their sheet surfaces which extend in a substantially same direction.

25. An electrical circuit apparatus, comprising:

an electrical circuit board;

at least one circuit module provided on a first surface of said electrical circuit board and each including a plurality of electrical circuits;

a connector of a first kind provided at a position on a second surface, of said electrical circuit, opposite to said first surface and opposing said circuit module, and having a plurality of contact electrodes electrically connected to said circuit module;

a connector of a second kind positioned on said connector of the first kind and having a plurality of contact electrodes coupled to sid plurality of contact electrodes of said connector of the first kind, said connector of the second king being detachably connected to said connector of the first kind; and

a group of fibers connected to said connector of the second kind,

said connector of the second kind having a plurality of opto-electrical circuits each being connected to one of fibers of said fiber group and to at least one of sid plurality of contact electrodes possessed by said connector, and each being comprised of an electro/optical converter or an opto/electrical converter.

26. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said fiber group includes a plurality of fiber sheets each comprised of a plurality of fibers arranged in a sheet configuration and having their sheet surfaces which extend in a substantially same direction.

27. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising:

another circuit module provided on said first surface of said electrical circuit board and each including a plurality of electrical circuit, said one circuit module and said another circuit module being interconnected with each other;

another connector of the first kind provided at a position on said second surface and opposing said another circuit module and having a plurality of contact electrodes electrically connected to said another circuit module;

another connector o the second kind positioned on said another connector of the first kind and having substantially the same construction as said connector of the second kind; and

another group of fibers connected to said another connector of the second kind.

28. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said another fiber group includes a plurality of fiber sheets each comprised of a plurality of fibers arranged in a sheet configuration and having their sheet surfaces which extend in a substantially same direction.

29. An electrical circuit apparatus, comprising:

an electrical circuit board;

at least one circuit module provided on said electrical circuit board and including a plurality of circuits;

a connector of a first kind provided on said electrical circuit board and having a plurality of contact electrodes electrically connected to said circuit module;

a connector of a second kind having a plurality of contact electrodes connected to said plurality of contact electrodes of said connector of the first kind and being detachably connected to said connector of the first kind; and

a group of fibers connected to said connector of the second kind,

said connector of the second kind having;

at least one opto-electrical circuit which is either a first opto-electrical element connected to a first fiber of said fiber group, for converting an optical signal supplied from said first fiber into a first electrical signal or a second opto-electrical element connected to a second fiber of said fiber group for converting a second electrical signal supplied from said electrical circuit board into an optical signal to be provided to said second fiber; and

at least one register which is a first register responsive to a clock signal supplied from said circuit module receiving the first electrical signal supplied from said first opto-electrical element and applying the received first electrical signal to said circuit module or a second register responsive to said clock signal, receiving the second electrical signal supplied from said circuit module and applying the second electrical signal to said second opto-electrical element.

30. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said connector of the second kind has said first opto-electrical element, said second opto-electrical element, said first register and said second register.

31. A connector comprising:

fiber supporting means for supporting ends of a plurality of fiber sheets each comprised of a plurality of fibers bundled in a sheet form such that respective sheet surfaces are held in parallel and said fiber sheets are arrayed in a direction substantially vertical to the sheet surfaces;

a plurality of contact electrodes disposed in an opposite direction to a direction in which said plurality of fiber sheets extend; and

a plurality of optoelectrical circuits provided in association with individual fibers of said fiber sheet and including any one of an opto/electrical converter circuit converting an optical signal supplied from a corresponding fiber into an electrical signal and applying the electrical signal to one of said plurality of contact electrodes and an electro/optical converter circuit converting an electrical signal supplied from one of said plurality of contact electrodes into an optical signal and applying the optical signal to corresponding

a fiber.

32. A connector according to claim 31, wherein the length of said connector in the direction of array of said plurality of fiber sheets is larger than the width of said plurality of fiber sheets.

33. A connector according to claim 31, wherein at least one of said plurality of opto-electrical circuits which includes an electro/optical converter circuit has a register receiving an electrical signal supplied from one of said plurality of contact electrodes in synchronism with a clock signal supplied from a different one of said plurality of contact electrodes;

and an electro/optical converter element converting an output signal into an optical signal.

34. A connector according to claim 31, wherein at least one of said plurality of opto-electrical circuits which includes an opto-electrical converter circuit has an opto/electrical converter element converting an optical signal supplied from one of said plurality of fibers into an electrical signal;

and a register fetching an output signal of said opto/electrical converter element in synchronism with a clock signal supplied from a third one of said plurality of contact electrodes and applying the fetched signal to one of said plurality of contact electrodes.

35. A connector according to claim 31, wherein each of said plurality of opto-electrical circuits which includes an electro/optical converter circuit has:

a first register fetching an electrical signal supplied from a first one of said plurality of contact electrodes in synchronism with a clock signal supplied from a second one of said plurality of contact electrodes; and

an electro/optical converter element converting an output signal of said first register into an optical signal,

and wherein each of said plurality of opto-electrical circuits which includes an opto/electrical converter circuit has;

an opto/electrical converter element converting an optical signal supplied from one of said plurality of fibers; and

a second register for receiving an output signal from said opto/electrical converter element in synchronism with a clock signal supplied from a third one of said plurality of contact electrodes and applying the fetched signal to a fourth one of said plurality of contact electrodes.

36. A connector for connecting fibers to an electrical circuit board, comprising:

at least one of a first opto/electrical converter element connected to said fibers converting an optical signal supplied therefrom into a first electrical signal and a second electro/optical converter element converting a second electrical signal supplied from said electrical circuit board into an optical signal; and

at least one of a first register receiving the first electrical signal supplied from said first opto/electrical connecter element in response to a clock signal supplied from said electrical circuit board and applying the received first electrical signal to said electrical circuit board and a second register receiving the second electrical signal supplied from said electrical circuit board in response to the clock signal and applying the received second electrical signal to said second electro/optical converter element.

37. An electrical circuit apparatus, comprising:

an electrical circuit board;

at least one first set of circuit modules provided on said electrical circuit board and electrically interconnected with each other, each said first set of circuit modules including a plurality of electrical circuits;

a first group of fibers; and

a first connecting electric part disposed on said electrical circuit board, positioned between said first set of circuit modules for electrically connected said first group of fibers to said first set of circuit modules, said first connecting electric connecting part having (a) a plurality of contact electrodes electrically connected to said first set of circuit modules; and

(b) a plurality of opto-electrical circuits each being connected to one of said fibers of said first fiber group and to at least one of said plurality of contact electrodes, and each being comprised of an electro/optical converter on an opto/electrical converter.

38. An electrical circuit apparatus, according to claim 37, wherein said first fiber group includes at least one fiber sheet comprised of a plurality of fibers arranged in a sheet configuration.

39. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said first connecting electric part has means for supporting said fiber sheet such that its sheet surface extends in a direction substantially parallel to a direction along which said first set of electrical circuit modules are arranged.

40. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said first fiber group includes a plurality of fiber sheets each comprised of a plurality of fibers arranged in a sheet configuration.

41. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said first connecting electric part has means for supporting sid plurality of fiber sheets such that sheet surfaces of respective fiber sheets extend substantially in a same direction.

42. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said first connecting electric part has means for supporting said plurality of fiber sheets such that their sheet surfaces extend in a direction substantially parallel to a direction along which said first set of electrical circuit modules are arranged.

43. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said first connecting electric part has means for supporting said plurality of fiber sheets such that they are arranged in a direction substantially in parallel to a direction in which said first set of electrical circuit modules are arranged.

44. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said first connecting electric part has means for supporting said plurality of fiber sheets such that they are arranged in a first direction substantially vertical to a second direction along which said first set of electrical circuit modules are arranged, and wherein their sheet surfaces extend in parallel to the second direction.

45. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising:

at least one second set of electrical circuit modules respectively positioned adjacent to corresponding modules of said first set of electrical circuit modules;

a second group of fibers; and

a second connecting electric part positioned on said electrical circuit board and between said second set of electrical circuit modules for electrically connecting said second group of fibers to said second set of electrical circuit modules, said second connecting electric part having substantially the same construction as said first connecting electric part.

46. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 45, further comprising:

third an fourth groups of fibers,

a set of third connecting electric parts each positioned between a corresponding one of said first set of electrical circuit modules and a corresponding one of said second set of electrical circuit modules, each of said third connecting electric part being arranged for electrically connecting one group of said third and fourth groups of fibers to at least one of a corresponding one of said first set of electrical circuit modules and a corresponding one of said second set of electrical circuit modules, and each of the set of third connecting electric parts having substantially the same construction as said first connecting electric part.

47. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 46, wherein each fiber group includes a plurality of fiber sheets each comprised of a plurality of fibers arranged in a sheet configuration.

48. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 47, wherein each of said first, second and third connecting electric parts has means for supporting said plurality of fiber sheets connected thereto such that they are arrayed in a first direction substantially vertical to a second direction along which at least one of said first and second sets of electrical circuit modules are arranged, and wherein said surfaces of said fiber sheets extend substantially in parallel to the second direction.

49. An electrical circuit apparatus, comprising:

an electrical circuit board;

a plurality of first circuit modules provided on said electrical circuit board and electrically interconnected with each other, each of said plurality of first circuit modules including a plurality of electrical circuits;

a plurality of groups of fibers;

a plurality of first connecting electric parts positioned at sites between adjacent ones of said plurality of first circuit modules and at sites surrounding said first circuit modules, each for electrically connecting a corresponding one group within said groups of at least one of said plurality of circuit modules, each first connecting electric part having a plurality of contact electrodes electrically connected to at least one of said first circuit modules; and

a plurality of opt-electrical circuit each connected to one of fibers of one fiber group corresponding to said each first connecting electric part and to at least one of said plurality of contact electrodes, said opto-electrical circuits each being comprised of an electro/optical converter or an opto-electrical converter.

50. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 49, wherein each fiber group includes a plurality of fiber sheets each comprised of a plurality of fibers arranged in a sheet configuration and having their sheet surfaces arranged in parallel and facing substantially in a same direction.

51. An electrical circuit apparatus, comprising:

an electrical circuit board;

at least a first circuit module provided on said electrical circuit board and including a plurality of electrical circuits;

first cooling means provided adjacent said first circuit module, for cooling the same;

a group of fibers;

a connecting electric part for electrically connecting said group of fibers to said first circuit module, having (a) a plurality of contact electrodes electrically connected to said first circuit module; and

(b) a plurality of opto-electrical circuit each being connected to one of said fibers of said fiber group and to at least one of said plurality of contact electrodes, and each being comprised of an electro/optical converter or an opto/electrical converter, said connecting electric part being thermally coupled to said first cooling means.

52. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 51, further comprising a thermal conductor interposed between said connecting electric part and said cooling means.

53. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 51, further comprising:

at least a second circuit module provided on said electrical circuit board and including a plurality of electrical circuits; and

a second cooling means provided adjacent said second circuit module, for cooling the same,

said connecting electric part being disposed between said first circuit module and said second circuit module,

said connecting electric part being thermally coupled to both of said first cooling means and said second cooling means.

54. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 53, wherein said fiber group includes a fiber sheet comprised of a plurality of fibers arrayed in a sheet configuration, and said connecting electric part has means for supporting said fiber sheet such that its sheet surface extends in a direction substantially parallel to a direction along which said first electrical circuit module and said second electrical circuit module are arranged.

55. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 53, wherein said fiber group includes a plurality of fiber sheets each comprised of a plurality of fibers arranged in a sheet configuration, and said connecting body has means for supporting said plurality of fiber sheets such that they are arranged in a direction substantially vertical to a second direction along which said first electrical circuit module and said second electrical circuit module are arranged and their sheet surfaces extend substantially in parallel to the first direction.

66. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 51, wherein the first cooling means is located above the first circuit module.

67. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 53, wherein the second cooling means is provided on said second circuit module.

56. An electrical circuit apparatus, comprising:

an electrical circuit board;

a plurality of circuit modules provided on said electrical circuit board and electrically interconnected with each other, each of said plurality of circuit modules including a plurality of electrical circuits;

a plurality of groups of fibers;

a plurality of connecting electric parts provided on a peripheral portion of a region in which said plurality of circuit modules are disposed each for electrically connecting a corresponding one group of fibers within said groups of fibers, each connecting electric part having (a) a plurality of contact electrodes electrically connected to at least one of said circuit modules; and

(b) a plurality of opto-electrical circuits each being connected to one of fibers of one fiber group corresponding to sad each connecting electric part and to at least one of said plurality of contact electrodes of said each connecting electric part, wherein each opto/electrical circuit is comprised of an electro/optical converter or an opto/electrical converter.

57. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 56, wherein each fiber group includes a plurality of fiber sheets each comprised of plurality of fibers arranged in a sheet configuration and having their sheet surfaces which extend in a substantially same direction.

58. An electrical circuit apparatus, comprising:

an electrical circuit board;

a plurality of module substrates so provided on said electrical circuit board as to extend vertically of said electrical circuit board, said module substrates being arranged in parallel with each other and electrically interconnected with each other;

a plurality of circuit modules each provided on one of said module substrates and each including a plurality of electrical circuits;

a group of fibers;

at least one connecting electric part provided on said electrical circuit board between an adjacent two of said plurality of modules substrates for electrically connecting said group of fibers to at least one of said circuit modules, said connecting electric part having (a) a plurality of contact electrodes electrically connected to one of said circuit modules provided on one of said plurality of module substrates; and

(b) a plurality of opto-electrical circuits each being connected to one of said fibers of said fiber group and to at least one of said plurality of contact electrodes, and each being comprised of an electro/optical converter or an opto-electrical converter.

59. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 58, wherein said fiber group includes a plurality of fiber sheets each comprised of a plurality of fibers arranged in a sheet configuration and having their sheet surfaces which extend in a substantially same direction.

60. An electrical circuit apparatus, comprising:

an electrical circuit board;

at least one first circuit module provided on a first surface of said electrical circuit board and each including a plurality of electrical circuits;

a first group of fibers; and

a first connecting electric part provided at a position on a second surface, of said electrical circuit, opposite to said first surface and opposing said first circuit module for electrically connecting said first group of fibers to said first circuit module, said first connecting electric part having (a) a plurality of contact electrodes electrically connected to said first circuit module and (b) a plurality of opto-electrical circuits each being connected to one of said fibers of said first fiber group and to at least one of said plurality of contact electrodes, and each being comprised of an electro/optical converter or an opto/electrical converter.

61. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 60, wherein said first fiber group includes a plurality of fiber sheets each comprised of a plurality of fibers arranged in a sheet configuration and having their sheet surface which extend in a substantially same direction.

62. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 60, further comprising:

at least one second module provided on said first surface of said electrical circuit board and each including a plurality of electrical circuits, said first circuit module and said second circuit module being interconnected with each other;

a second group of fibers;

a second connecting electric part provided at a position on said second surface and opposing said second circuit module for electrically connecting said second group of fibers to said second circuit module, said second connecting electric part having substantially the same construction as said first connecting electric part.

63. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 62, wherein said second fiber group includes a plurality of fiber sheets each comprised of a plurality of fibers arranged in a sheet configuration and having their sheet surfaces which extend in a substantially same direction.

64. An electrical circuit apparatus, comprising:

an electrical circuit board;

at least one circuit module provided on said electrical circuit board and including a plurality of circuits;

a group of fibers;

a connecting electric part provided on said electrical circuit board for electrically connecting said group of fibers to said circuit module, having (a) a plurality of contact electrodes electrically connected to said circuit module and (b) at least one opto-electrical circuit which is either a first opto-electrical element connected to a first fiber of said fiber group, for converting an optical signal supplied from said first fiber into a first electrical signal, or a second opto-optical element connected to a second fiber of said fiber group for converting a second electrical signal supplied from said electrical circuit board into an optical signal to be provided to said second fiber; and

(c) at least one register which is either a first register responsive to a clock signal supplied from said circuit module receiving the first electrical signal supplied from said first opto-electrical element and applying the received first electrical signal to said circuit module, or a second register responsive to said clock signal, receiving the second electrical signal supplied from said circuit module and applying the second electrical signal to said second opto-electrical element.

65. An electrical circuit apparatus according to claim 64, wherein said connecting electric part has said first opto-electical element, said second opto-electrical element, said first register and said second register.