Optical transceiver systems and methods

• US 7,184,669 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2002
• Issued: 02/27/2007
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan; Hanh
• Application Number:
  US10/133,826
• Publication Number:
  US 20040213516A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,768 Days
• Field of Search: 385/48, 385/31, 385/126, 385/89, 385/49, 385/38, 385/32, 385/24, 257/461, 398/60, 398/58, 398/66, 398/67, 398/68, 398/70, 398/71, 398/72, 398/73, 398/79, 398/82, 398/83, 398/88, 398/135, 398/138, 398/139, 398/182, 398/202
• US Class Current: 398/138
• 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 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 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 optically coupled to the optical fiber at the first end; 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 optically coupled to the optical fiber at the intermediate portion of the optical fiber.

2. The optical transceiver of claim 1, wherein the optical source is optically coupled to the optical fiber using a first reflective surface of the first end.

3. The optical transceiver of claim 2, wherein the optical receiver is optically coupled to the optical fiber using a facet located at the intermediate portion of the optical fiber.

4. A method for optical communications, the method comprising:

providing an optical fiber;

cutting the optical fiber into two segments at an intermediate portion of the optical fiber, whereby an end of a first segment is inclined with respect to a propagation axis of the first segment and an end of a second segment is inclined with respect to a propagation axis of the second segment;

coating the end of the first segment with a reflective coating; and

optically coupling the end of the first segment to the end of the second segment to form a reflective surface at the intermediate portion of the optical fiber.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

providing an optical transceiver;

coupling the optical transceiver to a side of the optical fiber at the intermediate portion of the optical fiber;

transmitting a first optical signal from the optical transceiver into the side of the optical fiber; and

using the reflective surface to direct the first optical signal along a propagation axis of the optical fiber.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

using the reflective surface to direct a second optical signal traveling along the propagation axis of the optical fiber out of the side of the optical fiber and into the optical transceiver.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

providing an optical transceiver;

providing a facet between the intermediate portion of the optical fiber and an end of the optical fiber;

optically coupling the optical transceiver to a side of the fiber, the optical coupling operable to direct a first optical signal from the optical transceiver towards the facet; and

using the facet to direct the first optical signal along a propagation axis of the optical fiber.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

using the facet to direct a second optical signal traveling along the propagation axis of the optical fiber out of the side of the optical fiber and into the optical transceiver.

9. An optical fiber comprising:

a first end;

a second end formed of an inclined reflecting surface operable to direct light towards the first end of the fiber, the light being received through a side of the optical fiber at the second end; and

a facet located at an intermediate portion of the optical fiber, the facet operable to receive light propagating from the first end towards the second end, and direct the received light out of a side of the fiber at the intermediate portion of the optical fiber.