Apparatus for modular implementation of multi-function active optical cables
First Claim
1. An active optical cable apparatus comprising:
- a cable having a first end and a second end and one or more optical fibers;
an optoelectronic module at the first end and the second end of the cable comprising;
an electrical connector;
one or more boards having;
an optical engine comprising;
one or more optical emitters;
one or more photodetectors;
one more monitor photodetectors;
electronics for driving the optical emitters;
electronics for receiving signals from the photodetectors;
optics for coupling light into the optical fibers from the optical emitters; and
optics for coupling light from the optical fibers to the photodetectors;
interface electronics for interfacing between electrical data at the electrical connector and the electronics for driving the optical emitters and/or receiving signals from the photodetectors;
power regulation electronics; and
control electronics;
electrical connections from the electrical connector to the boards;
optical connections and electrical connections from the cable to the boards; and
an enclosure containing the boards and the optical connections and electrical connections;
wherein one or more of the following functions is performed;
optical transmission of two or more types of data over independent optical channels;
health and status monitoring, built-in test or firmware upgrades for the first end and the second end of the active optical cable that can be accessed from the first end or the second end of the active optical cable;
transmission of electrical power over the active optical cable wherein the electrical power is used for the modules at the first end and the second end of the active optical cable where voltage regulation or filtering is implemented;
simultaneous transmission of electrical power, optical data, and electrical data over the active optical cable;
orsimultaneous optical transmission of both data and power over the active optical cable.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus enabling modular implementation of active optical cable (AOC) with multiple integrated functions including: integration of different types of data on the AOC via media conversion; distribution of electrical power over the AOC; electrical multiplexing data channels for optical fibers; integration of voltage regulators enabling AOC operation at different supply voltages; integration of voltage regulators to provide stable, low noise power source; ruggedized, blind-mateable electrical connectors; integration of electronics and optoelectronics inside a connector backshell; implementation of health monitoring and test channel enabling monitoring, test, and control of both ends of the AOC and monitoring and control of upstream systems and components; and enabling a form, fit, function replacement of existing electrical cables to improve SWaP, electromagnetic interference resiliency, length-bandwidth product, electromagnetic pulse resistance, signal integrity, system reliability, testability and maintenance. AOCs are customized for different connectors, pin-outs, electrical data combinations, power distribution and power supplies with minimal redesign/requalification.
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Citations
98 Claims
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1. An active optical cable apparatus comprising:
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a cable having a first end and a second end and one or more optical fibers; an optoelectronic module at the first end and the second end of the cable comprising; an electrical connector; one or more boards having; an optical engine comprising; one or more optical emitters; one or more photodetectors; one more monitor photodetectors; electronics for driving the optical emitters; electronics for receiving signals from the photodetectors; optics for coupling light into the optical fibers from the optical emitters; and optics for coupling light from the optical fibers to the photodetectors; interface electronics for interfacing between electrical data at the electrical connector and the electronics for driving the optical emitters and/or receiving signals from the photodetectors; power regulation electronics; and control electronics; electrical connections from the electrical connector to the boards; optical connections and electrical connections from the cable to the boards; and an enclosure containing the boards and the optical connections and electrical connections; wherein one or more of the following functions is performed; optical transmission of two or more types of data over independent optical channels; health and status monitoring, built-in test or firmware upgrades for the first end and the second end of the active optical cable that can be accessed from the first end or the second end of the active optical cable; transmission of electrical power over the active optical cable wherein the electrical power is used for the modules at the first end and the second end of the active optical cable where voltage regulation or filtering is implemented; simultaneous transmission of electrical power, optical data, and electrical data over the active optical cable;
orsimultaneous optical transmission of both data and power over the active optical cable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for implementing a multi-function active optical cable having modules at a first end and a second end, the method comprising:
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optically transmitting two or more types of data over independent optical channels on the active optical cable; transmitting electrical power over the active optical cable and using the electrical power for the modules at the first end and the second end of the active optical cable where voltage regulation or filtering is implemented; and performing one or more operations of health and status monitoring, built-in test, or firmware upgrades for the modules at the first end and the second end of the active optical cable, wherein the one or more operations are accessed from the modules at the first end or the second end of the active optical cable. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. An active optical cable apparatus comprising:
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two optoelectronic modules; and a cable assembly interchangeably and communicatively coupled between the first and second optoelectronic modules, wherein the cable assembly includes optical fibers; wherein each optoelectronic module includes; an electrical interface engine configured to interface with multiple electrical data streams of multiple data types as input or output, and an optical interface engine configured to interface with multiple optical data streams of multiple data types as input or output, and wherein the first optoelectronic module, the second optoelectronic module, or both first and second optoelectronic modules are configured to perform one of health and status monitoring, built-in test, or firmware upgrade for the active optical cable apparatus, wherein the electrical interface in one of the two optoelectronic modules is configured to distribute power to the electrical interface in the other optoelectronic module. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96)
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97. An optoelectronic module for implementing in an active optical cable apparatus, the optoelectronic module comprising:
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a connector configured to make a physical connection with one end of a cable assembly; an electrical interface engine configured to interface with multiple electrical data streams of multiple data types as input or output; and an optical interface engine configured to interface with multiple optical data streams of multiple data types as input or output, wherein the optoelectronic modules is configured to perform one of health and status monitoring, built test, or firmware upgrade for the optoelectronic module, wherein the electrical interface in the optoelectronic modules is configured to distribute power to the electrical interface in other optoelectronic module. - View Dependent Claims (98)
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Specification