U.S. patent application number 12/483616 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-16 for fiber optic cable interface.
Invention is credited to Keith Conroy, Subhash Roy, Igor Zhovnirovsky.
Application Number | 20100316337 12/483616 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43306524 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100316337 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zhovnirovsky; Igor ; et
al. |
December 16, 2010 |
Fiber Optic Cable Interface
Abstract
Fiber optic cable jacks and plugs are provided. In one aspect, a
cable is made from at least one length of fiber optic line having a
first end and a second end. A first plug includes a one-piece
mechanical body with a cable interface to engage the fiber optic
line first end, and a microlens to transceive light with the cable
interface. The first plug is shaped to engage a first jack housing.
A second plug includes a one-piece mechanical body with a cable
interface to engage the fiber optic line second end, and a
microlens to transceive light with the cable interface. The second
plug is shaped to engage a second jack housing. The mechanical
bodies have inner walls that form an air gap cavity interposed
between the microlens convex surface and an engaging jack optical
interface.
Inventors: |
Zhovnirovsky; Igor; (Newton,
MA) ; Roy; Subhash; (Lexington, MA) ; Conroy;
Keith; (Perkasie, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICE OF GERALD MALISZEWSKI
P.O. BOX 270829
SAN DIEGO
CA
92198-2829
US
|
Family ID: |
43306524 |
Appl. No.: |
12/483616 |
Filed: |
June 12, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
385/93 ;
385/139 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/4246 20130101;
G02B 6/4292 20130101; G02B 6/43 20130101; G02B 6/3853 20130101;
G02B 6/3833 20130101; G02B 6/3885 20130101; G02B 6/4206
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
385/93 ;
385/139 |
International
Class: |
G02B 6/36 20060101
G02B006/36; G02B 6/00 20060101 G02B006/00 |
Claims
1. A fiber optic cable comprising: a cable section including at
least one length of fiber optic line having a first end and a
second end; a first plug including a mechanical body with a cable
interface to engage the fiber optic line first end, and a microlens
integrally formed in the mechanical body to transceive light with
the cable interface, the first plug being shaped to engage a first
jack housing; a second plug including a mechanical body with a
cable interface to engage the fiber optic line second end, and a
microlens integrally formed in the mechanical body to transceive
light with the cable interface, the second plug being shaped to
engage a second jack housing; wherein at least a portion of the
mechanical bodies are transparent in a range of light wavelengths
between 650 and 1800 nanometers (nm); and, wherein the microlenses
are formed in the transparent portion of the mechanical bodies.
2. The fiber optic cable of claim 1 wherein the first and second
plug mechanical bodies have a form factor of an 8 Position 8
Contact (8P8C) plug mechanical body.
3. The fiber optic cable of claim 1 wherein each microlens has a
diameter in a range of about 1-3 millimeters (mm).
4. The fiber optic cable of claim 1 wherein each microlens includes
a convex surface for interfacing with a jack optical interface and
a planar surface for interfacing with a cable end; and, wherein
each cable end is formed in a focal plane of its corresponding
microlens.
5. The fiber optical cable of claim 4 wherein the mechanical bodies
form an air gap cavity interposed between the microlens convex
surface and an engaging jack optical interface.
6. The fiber optic cable of claim 5 wherein the air gap cavity has
an air gap length in a range of 0.1 to 1 mm.
7. (canceled)
8. The fiber optic cable of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality
of fiber optic lines; and, wherein the first and second plug
mechanical bodies each have a cable interface and an integrally
formed microlens associated with each fiber optic line.
9. The fiber optic cable of claim 1 wherein the mechanical bodies
are an injection molded plastic material.
10. A fiber optic cable plug comprising: a mechanical body for
engaging a jack housing, including: a cable interface to engage a
fiber optic line end; a microlens integrally formed in the
mechanical body to transceive light with the cable interface;
wherein at least a portion of the mechanical body is transparent in
a range of light wavelengths between 650 and 1800 nanometers (nm);
and, wherein the microlens is formed in the transparent portion of
the mechanical body.
11. The fiber optic cable plug of claim 10 wherein the mechanical
body has a form factor of an 8 Position 8 Contact (8P8C) mechanical
body.
12. The fiber optic cable plug of claim 10 wherein the microlens
has a diameter in a range of about 1-3 millimeters (mm).
13. The fiber optic cable plug of claim 10 wherein the microlens
includes a convex surface for interfacing with an jack optical
interface and a planar surface for interfacing with the cable
interface; and, wherein the cable interface is formed in a focal
plane of the microlens.
14. The fiber optical cable plug of claim 10 wherein the mechanical
body forms an air gap cavity interposed between the microlens and
an engaging jack optical interface.
15. The fiber optic cable plug of claim 14 wherein the air gap
cavity has an air gap length in a range of 0.1 to 1 mm.
16. (canceled)
17. The fiber optic cable plug of claim 10 further comprising: a
plurality of cable interfaces to engage a plurality of fiber optic
lines; and, a microlens integrally formed in the mechanical body
and associated with each cable interface.
18. The fiber optic cable plug of claim 10 wherein the mechanical
body is an injection molded plastic material.
19. A fiber optic cable interface comprising: a cable section
including a first fiber optic line having a first end and a second
end; a first plug including a mechanical body with a cable
interface to engage the fiber optic line first end, and a microlens
integrally formed in the mechanical body to transceive light
between the fiber optic cable first end and a first jack optical
interface in a first jack housing; a second plug including a
mechanical body with a cable interface to engage the fiber optic
line second end, and a microlens integrally formed in the
mechanical body to transceive light between the fiber optic cable
second end and a second jack optical interface in a second jack
housing; a first jack including a housing with a laser source, and
a microlens integrally formed in the housing to transmit light from
the laser source to the microlens of the first plug, the first jack
housing being shaped to engage the first plug mechanical body; a
second jack including a housing with a photodiode, and a microlens
integrally formed in the housing to transmit light from the
microlens of the second plug to the photodiode, the second jack
housing being shaped to engage the second plug mechanical body;
wherein at least a portion of the first and second plug mechanical
bodies are transparent in a range of light wavelengths between 650
and 1800 nanometers (nm); wherein the first and second plug
microlenses are formed in the transparent portion of the plug
mechanical bodies; wherein at least a portion of the first and
second jack housings are transparent in the range of light
wavelengths between 650 and 1800 nm; and, wherein the first and
second jack microlenses are formed in the transparent portion of
the jack housings.
20. The fiber optic cable interface of claim 19 wherein the first
and second plug mechanical bodies have a form factor of a 8
Position 8 Contact (8P8C) plug; and, wherein the first and second
jack housings have a form factor of a 8P8C jack.
21. The fiber optic cable interface of claim 19 wherein each
microlens has a diameter in a range of about 1-3 millimeters
(mm).
22. The fiber optic cable interface of claim 19 wherein each plug
microlens includes a convex surface interfaced to the corresponding
jack microlens and a planar surface interfaced to a corresponding
cable end; wherein each plug cable interface is formed in a focal
plane of its corresponding microlens; wherein the first jack
microlens has a convex surface interfaced to the convex surface of
the first plug microlens; wherein the second jack microlens has a
convex surface interfaced to the convex surface of the second plug
microlens; and, wherein each jack laser source and photodiode is
formed in a focal plane of its corresponding microlens.
23. The fiber optical cable interface of claim 22 wherein the first
and second jack housings have walls with inner surfaces; the fiber
optic cable interface further comprising: air gap cavities
interposed between each plug microlens convex surface and the
engaging jack microlens convex surface, surrounded by the jack wall
inner surfaces.
24. The fiber optic cable interface of claim 23 wherein the air gap
cavities have an air gap length in a range of 0.1 to 1 mm.
25. (canceled)
26. The fiber optic cable interface of claim 19 further comprising:
a plurality of fiber optic lines; wherein the first and second plug
mechanical bodies each have an integrally formed microlens, and
cable interface associated with each fiber optic line; and, wherein
the first and second jack housings each have an integrally formed
microlens associated with each fiber optic line.
27. The fiber optic cable interface of claim 19 further comprising:
a second fiber optic line having a first end and a second end;
wherein the first plug includes a cable interface to engage the
second fiber optic line first end, and a microlens integrally
formed in the mechanical housing to transceive light between the
second fiber optic cable first end and a third jack optical
interface in the first jack housing; wherein the second plug
includes a cable interface to engage the second fiber optic line
second end, and a microlens integrally formed in the mechanical
body to transceive light between the second fiber optic cable
second end and a fourth jack optical interface in the second jack
housing; wherein the first jack includes a photodiode, and a
microlens integrally formed in the housing to transmit light to the
photodiode from the microlens of the first plug associated with the
second fiber optic line; and, wherein the second jack includes a
laser source, and a microlens integrally formed in the housing to
transmit light from the laser source to the microlens of the second
plug associated with the second fiber optic line.
28. The fiber optic cable interface of claim 19 wherein the plug
mechanical bodies and jack housings are an injection molded plastic
material.
29. A fiber optic cable jack comprising: a housing for engaging a
plug mechanical body, including: a contact to engage a printed
circuit board (PCB); an optic element selected from a group
consisting of a photodiode and a laser, having a first interface
connected to the contact and a second interface; and, a microlens
integrally formed in the housing and optically connected to the
optic element second interface; wherein at least a portion of the
housing is transparent in a range of light wavelengths between 650
and 1800 nanometers (nm); and, wherein the microlens is formed in
the transparent portion of the housing.
30. The fiber optic cable jack of claim 29 wherein the housing has
a form factor of an 8 Position 8 Contact (8P8C) mechanical
body.
31. The fiber optic cable jack of claim 29 wherein the microlens
has a diameter in a range of about 1-3 millimeters (mm).
32. The fiber optic cable jack of claim 29 wherein the microlens
includes a convex surface for interfacing with a plug optical
interface and a planar surface for interfacing with the optic
element; and, wherein the optic element is formed in a focal plane
of the microlens.
33. The fiber optical cable jack of claim 29 wherein the housing
has inner walls forming an air gap cavity interposed between the
microlens and the engaging plug optical interface.
34. The fiber optic cable jack of claim 33 wherein the air gap
cavity has an air gap length in a range of 0.1 to 1 rum.
35. (canceled)
36. The fiber optic cable jack of claim 29 further comprising: a
plurality of contacts to engage a PCB; and, a microlens, integrally
formed in the housing, associated with each contact.
37. The fiber optic cable jack of claim 29 wherein the housing is
an injection molded plastic material.
38. A fiber optic cable interface comprising: a cable section
including: a first fiber optic line having a first end and a second
end; a first plug with a cable interface to engage the fiber optic
line first end and transceive light between the fiber optic cable
first end and a first jack optical interface in a first jack
housing; a second plug with a cable interface to engage the fiber
optic line second end and transceive light between the fiber optic
cable second end and a second jack optical interface in a second
jack housing. a first jack including a housing with an optic
element selected from a group consisting of a laser source and a
photodiode, and a microlens integrally formed in the housing to
transceive light between the selected optic element and the
microlens of the first plug, the first jack housing being shaped to
engage the first plug mechanical body; and, a second jack including
a housing with an optic element unselected from the group of optic
elements and a microlens integrally formed in the housing to
transceive light between the microlens of the second plug to the
unselected optic element, the second jack housing being shaped to
engage the second plug mechanical body; wherein at least a portion
of the jack housings are transparent in a range of light
wavelengths between 650 and 1800 nanometers (nm); and, wherein the
microlenses are formed in the transparent portions of the jack
housings.
39. A fiber optic cable comprising; a cable section including at
least one length of fiber optic line having a first end and a
second end; a first plug including a mechanical body shaped to
engage a first jack housing, a cable interface to engage the fiber
optic line first end, and a microlens, the microlens having a
planar surface to transceive light with the fiber optic line first
end, and a convex surface to transceive light with a first jack
optical interface; a second plug including a mechanical body shaped
to engage a second jack housing, a cable interface to engage the
fiber optic line second end, and a microlens, the microlens having
a planar surface to transceive light with the fiber optic line
second end, and a convex surface to transceive light with a second
jack optical interface; wherein the fiber optic cable first end is
formed in a focal plane of the first plug microlens; and, wherein
the fiber optic cable second end is formed in a focal plane of the
second plug microlens.
40. A fiber optic cable plug comprising: a mechanical body for
engaging a jack housing, including: a cable interface to engage a
fiber optic line end; a microlens to transceive light with the
cable interface, the microlens having a planar surface to
transceive light with the cable interface, and a convex surface to
transceive light with a jack optical interface; and, wherein the
cable interface is formed in a focal plane of the plug
microlens.
41. A fiber optic cable interface comprising: a cable section
including: a first fiber optic line having a first end and a second
end; a first plug including a mechanical body with a cable
interface to engage the fiber optic line first end, and a microlens
to transceive light between the fiber optic cable first end and a
first jack optical interface in a first jack housing; a second plug
including a mechanical body with a cable interface to engage the
fiber optic line second end, and a microlens to transceive light
between the fiber optic cable second end and a second jack optical
interface in a second jack housing; a first jack including a
housing with a laser source and a microlens to transmit light from
the laser source to the microlens of the first plug, the first jack
housing being shaped to engage the first plug mechanical body; a
second jack including a housing with a photodiode and a microlens
to transmit light from the microlens of the second plug to the
photodiode, the second jack housing being shaped to engage the
second plug mechanical body; wherein each plug microlens includes a
convex surface interfaced to the corresponding jack microlens and a
planar surface interfaced to a corresponding cable end; wherein
each plug cable interface is formed in a focal plane of its
corresponding microlens; wherein the first jack microlens has a
convex surface interfaced to the convex surface of the first plug
microlens; wherein the second jack microlens has a convex surface
interfaced to the convex surface of the second plug microlens; and,
wherein each jack laser source and photodiode is formed in a focal
plane of its corresponding microlens.
42. The cable interface of claim 41 wherein each jack microlens has
a planar surface for interfacing to its corresponding optic
element.
43. A fiber optic cable interface comprising: a cable section
including: a first fiber optic line having a first end and a second
end; a first plug with a cable interface to engage the fiber optic
line first end and transceive light between the fiber optic cable
first end and a first jack optical interface in a first jack
housing; a second plug with a cable interface to engage the fiber
optic line second end and transceive light between the fiber optic
cable second end and a second jack optical interface in a second
jack housing. a first jack including a housing with an optic
element selected from a group consisting of a laser source and a
photodiode, and a microlens to transceive light between the
selected optic element and the microlens of the first plug, the
first jack housing being shaped to engage the first plug mechanical
body; and, a second jack including a housing with an optic element
unselected from the group of optic elements and a microlens to
transceive light between the microlens of the second plug to the
unselected optic element, the second jack housing being shaped to
engage the second plug mechanical body; wherein the first jack
microlens has a convex surface interfaced to the first plug and a
planar surface for interfacing to the selected optic element;
wherein the second jack microlens has a convex surface interfaced
to the second plug and a planar surface for interfacing to the
unselected optic element; and, wherein each jack laser source and
photodiode is formed in a focal plane of its corresponding
microlens.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention generally relates to optical cables and, more
particularly, to a fiber optical cable with a microlens integrated
into the cable housing/body.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Conventionally, optical fiber connectors are spring-loaded.
The fiber endfaces (optical interfaces) of the two connectors are
pressed together, resulting in a direct glass to glass or plastic
to plastic, contact. The avoidance of glass-to-air or
plastic-to-air interfaces is critical, as an air interface results
in higher connector losses. However, the tight tolerances needed to
eliminate an air interface make these connectors relatively
expensive to manufacture.
[0005] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a Transmission
Optical SubAssembly (TOSA) optical cable plug (prior art). The plug
100 is made from a plastic housing 102 with a bored ferrule 106 to
secure an optical fiber 108. The plug 100 also includes a plastic
lens 110, manufactured as a subassembly, integrated into the plug.
The lens 110 has a curved surface to create a focal plane where the
plug mates with a jack 112. The lens permits a low loss air gap to
be formed between the plug and a connecting jack. In addition to
the expense of manufacturing a 2-part plug, the plug must be made
to relatively tight tolerances, so that the lens focal plane aligns
with the jack, which also increases the cost of the plug.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of an 8 Position 8
Contact (8P8C) interface (prior art). The ubiquitous 8P8C connector
is a hardwired electrical connector used commercially and
residentially to connect personal computers, printers, and routers.
The 8P8C is often referred to as RJ45. Although the housing/body
can be made as a one-piece plastic molding, the spring-loaded
contacts and the necessity of cable crimping add to the complexity
of manufacturing the part. Advantageously however, the
spring-loaded contacts permit the part to be made to relatively lax
tolerances.
[0007] It would be advantageous if an optical cable jack and plug
could be made as a one-piece housing incorporating a microlens.
[0008] It would be advantageous if the above-mentioned optical
cable jack and plug could be made to a relaxed set of
tolerances.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Accordingly, a fiber optic cable is provided. The cable is
made from a cable section including at least one length of fiber
optic line having a first end and a second end. A first plug
includes a one-piece mechanical body with a cable interface to
engage the fiber optic line first end, and a microlens to
transceive light with the cable interface. The first plug is shaped
to engage a first jack housing. A second plug includes a one-piece
mechanical body with a cable interface to engage the fiber optic
line second end, and a microlens to transceive light with the cable
interface. The second plug is shaped to engage a second jack
housing. In one aspect, the first and second plug mechanical bodies
have a form factor of an 8 Position 8 Contact (8P8C) plug
mechanical body.
[0010] More explicitly, each microlens includes a convex surface
for interfacing with a jack optical interface, and each cable
interface is formed in a focal plane of its corresponding
microlens. The mechanical bodies have inner walls that form an air
gap cavity interposed between the microlens convex surface and an
engaging jack optical interface. At least a portion of the
mechanical bodies are transparent in the range of light wavelengths
between 650 and 1800 nanometers (nm), and the microlenses are
formed in the transparent portion of the mechanical bodies.
[0011] Additional details of the above-described optical cable
plug, as well as an optical cable jack, and mating optical
plug/jack are provided below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a Transmission
Optical SubAssembly (TOSA) optical cable plug (prior art).
[0013] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of an 8 Position 8
Contact (8P8C) interface (prior art).
[0014] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-section view of a fiber optic
cable.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a variation of the optical cable of
FIG. 3.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a fiber optic
cable plug.
[0017] FIGS. 6A and 6B are partial cross-section views of a fiber
optic cable jack.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a plan view depicting a variation of fiber optic
cable jack of FIG. 6B.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a fiber optic
cable interface.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a first variation of the fiber
optic cable interface of FIG. 8.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a second variation of the fiber
optic cable interface of FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-section view of a fiber optic
cable. The fiber optic cable 300 comprises a cable section
including at least one length of fiber optic line 302 having a
first end 304 and a second end 306. A first plug 308 includes a
one-piece mechanical body 310 with a cable interface 312 to engage
the fiber optic line first end 304, and a microlens 314 to
transceive light with the cable interface 312. The first plug 308
is shaped to engage a first jack housing (not shown, see FIG. 6). A
second plug 316 also includes a one-piece mechanical body 318 with
a cable interface 320 to engage the fiber optic line second end
306, and a microlens 322 to transceive light with the cable
interface 320. The second plug is shaped to engage a second jack
housing (not shown). For example, the one-piece mechanical bodies
310/318 may be an injection molded plastic material.
[0023] In one aspect, the first and second plug mechanical bodies
310/318 have a form factor of an 8 Position 8 Contact (8P8C) plug
mechanical body (see FIG. 8). This is not to say that the optical
cable 300 need necessarily be mated to a conventional 8P8B
electrical jack, but rather, that the mechanical bodies 310/318 can
be interfaced with the next generation optical cable that will be
replacing the 8P8C electrical cable. However in one aspect, the
mechanical bodies can be interfaced with an 8P8C form factor jack
that incorporates the electrical contacts of a convention 8P8C
connector, but also includes at least one optical interface. It
should be noted, however, that the fiber optic cable is not limited
to any particular jack form factor.
[0024] Typically, each microlens (e.g., microlens 314) has a
diameter 324 in the range of about 1-3 millimeters (mm). As shown,
each microlens (e.g., microlens 314) includes a convex surface 326
for interfacing with a jack optical interface (not shown). Each
cable interface (e.g., cable interface 312) is formed in the focal
plane 328 of its corresponding microlens. That is, the fiber ends
304 and 306 are in the focal plane 328. Note: the microlens as
shown has a convex surface 326 for interfacing with a jack optical
interface and a planar surface 334 adjacent the cable interface.
However, the microlens is not limited to any particular shape or
combination of surface shapes. A variety of lens designs are known
in the art.
[0025] The mechanical bodies (e.g., body 310) form an air gap
cavity 330 interposed between the microlens convex surface 326 and
an engaging jack optical interface (not shown). The air gap cavity
330 has an air gap length 332 in the range of 0.1 to 1 mm.
[0026] At least a portion of the mechanical bodies 310/318 are
transparent in a range of light wavelengths between 650 and 1800
nanometers (nm), and the microlenses 314/322 are formed in the
transparent portion of the mechanical bodies. Note: if the
connectors are used to transceive light in wavelengths outside the
above-specified range, housing materials can be designed explicitly
for this range, or materials can be used to more broadly transmit
in the above-specified range, as well wavelengths outside this
range.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a variation of the optical cable of
FIG. 3. In this aspect the cable includes a plurality of fiber
optic lines 302a through 302n, where n is a variable not limited to
any particular value. The first plug 308 has a cable interface 312a
.dagger-dbl. 312n and microlens 314a .dagger-dbl. 314n associated
with each fiber optic line. Likewise, the second plug 316 has a
cable interface 320a .dagger-dbl. 320n and microlens 322a
.dagger-dbl. 322n associated with each fiber optic line.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a fiber optic
cable plug. The fiber optic cable plus is the same as the first
plug 308 of FIG. 3. As such, the plug 308 comprises a one-piece
mechanical body 310 for engaging a jack housing (not shown, see
FIG. 6). The plug mechanical body includes a cable interface 312 to
engage a fiber optic line end (not shown, see FIG. 3), and a
microlens 314 to transceive light with the cable interface 312.
Additional details can be found above in the explanation of FIGS. 3
and 4, and are not repeated here in the interest of brevity.
[0029] FIGS. 6A and 6B are partial cross-section views of a fiber
optic cable jack. The jack 600 comprises a one-piece housing 602
for engaging a plug mechanical body (see FIGS. 3 and 5). The jack
housing 602 includes a cable interface 608 to engage a printed
circuit board (PCB) (not shown) and an optic element 606. In one
aspect, the one-piece housing 602 is an injection molded plastic
material.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 6A, the optic element is a laser source
606a (e.g., a laser diode). As shown in FIG. 6B, the optic element
is a photodiode 606b. Referencing both FIGS. 6A and 6B, the optical
element 606 has a first (electrical) interface connected to the
contact 608 and a second (optical) interface 610. A microlens 612
is optically connected to the optic element second interface 610.
As with the plug of FIGS. 3 and 5, the jack housing 602 may have
the form factor of an 8P8C mechanical body (see FIG. 8).
[0031] Typically, the microlens 612 has a diameter 614 in the range
of about 1-3 mm. The microlens 612 includes a convex surface 616
for interfacing with a plug optical interface (see FIG. 3) and the
optic element 606 is formed in a focal plane 618 of the microlens
612. The jack housing 602 has inner walls 620 forming an air gap
cavity 330 interposed between the microlens 612 and the engaging
plug optical interface (not shown, see FIG. 3). The air gap cavity
330 has an air gap length 332 in a range of 0.1 to 1 mm.
[0032] As with the plug of FIG. 3, at least a portion of the
housing 602 is transparent in the range of light wavelengths
between 650 and 1800 nm, and the microlens 612 is formed in the
transparent portion of the housing.
[0033] FIG. 7 is a plan view depicting a variation of fiber optic
cable jack of FIG. 6B. A plurality of contacts 608a through 608n,
where n is a variable, engage a PCB (not shown). There is a
microlens 612a .dagger-dbl. 612n associated with each contact 608.
Note: the optic elements 606 may be laser sources, photodiodes, or
a combination of laser sources and photodiodes.
[0034] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a fiber optic
cable interface. In this aspect the plug and jacks have a form
factor similar to an 8P8C interface. The fiber optic cable 800
comprises a cable section including a first fiber optic line 302
having a first end 304 and a second end 306. A first plug 308
includes a one-piece mechanical body 310 with a cable interface 312
to engage the fiber optic line first end 304, and a microlens 314
to transceive light between the fiber optic cable first end 304 and
a first jack optical interface (i.e. microlens 612a) in the first
jack housing 602a. A second plug 316 includes a one-piece
mechanical 318 body with a cable interface 320 to engage the fiber
optic line second end 306, and a microlens 322 to transceive light
between the fiber optic cable second end 306 and a second jack
optical interface (i.e. microlens 612b) in the second jack housing
602b.
[0035] A first jack 600a includes a one-piece housing 602a with a
laser source 606a and a microlens optical interface 610 to transmit
light from the laser source 606a to the microlens 312 of the first
plug 308. The first jack housing 602a is shaped to engage the first
plug mechanical body 310. A second jack 600b includes a one-piece
housing 602b with a photodiode 606b and a microlens optical
interface 610b to transmit light from the microlens 612b of the
second plug to the photodiode 606b. The second jack housing 602b is
shaped to engage the second plug mechanical body 318. Additional
details of the above-described plugs and jacks can be found in the
explanations of FIGS. 3-7 above, which are not repeated in the
interest of brevity.
[0036] As shown, each plug microlens 314/322 includes a convex
surface 326 interfaced to the corresponding jack microlens
612a/612b. As in FIG. 3, each plug cable interface 310/320 is
formed in a focal plane of its corresponding microlens 314/322. The
first jack microlens 612a has a convex surface 616a interfaced to
the convex surface 326 of the first plug microlens 314. Likewise,
the second jack microlens 612b has a convex surface 616b interfaced
to the convex surface 326 of the second plug microlens 322. Each
optical element (laser source 606a or photodiode 606b) is formed in
a focal plane of its corresponding microlens 612.
[0037] The first and second jack housings 602a/602b have walls with
inner surfaces 620. The air gap cavities 330 interposed between
each plug microlens convex surface 326 and the engaging jack
microlens convex surface 616, are surrounded by the jack inner
surfaces 620.
[0038] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a first variation of the fiber
optic cable interface of FIG. 8. Shown is a plurality of fiber
optic lines 302a .dagger-dbl. 302n. The first and second plugs
308/318 have a microlens 314a/322a through 314n/322n and cable
interface 312a/320a through 312n/320n associated with each fiber
optic line 302. Likewise, the first and second jacks 600a/600b have
a microlens 616 associated with each fiber optic line. Note: the
first jack may include an additional laser source associated with
each fiber optic line. Alternately as shown, the first jack may be
comprised of a combination of laser sources and photodiode optic
elements. Likewise, the second jack may include an additional
photodiodes associated with each fiber optic line. Alternately as
shown, the second jack may be comprised of a combination of laser
sources and photodiode optic elements.
[0039] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a second variation of the fiber
optic cable interface of FIG. 8. In this aspect, the first and
second jacks 600a and 600b are as described above in the
explanation of FIG. 8. The difference is that the plugs do not
include a microlens. Explicitly, a cable section includes a first
fiber optic line 302 having a first end 304 and a second end 306. A
first plug 1000 has a cable interface 1002 to engage the fiber
optic line first end 304 and to transceive light between the fiber
optic cable first end and a first jack optical interface (e.g., the
convex surface 616a of the microlens 612a) in the first jack
housing 602a. Likewise, a second plug 1004 has a cable interface
1006 to engage the fiber optic line second end 306 and to
transceive light between the fiber optic cable second end 306 and a
second jack optical interface (e.g., the convex surface 616b of the
microlens 612b) in the second jack housing 602b.
[0040] Generally, the microlenses, the jack bodies, and plug
housings result in a low cost alternative to conventional optical
connectors. The low cost feature comes from the fact that the lens
is not built separately from glass, but molded out of the body
material in the same step as used to build the body. As noted
above, the microlens and body/housing can be fabricated in the same
process using injection molding.
[0041] Fiber optic cable jacks and plugs have been provided, built
from one-piece bodies and housings that incorporate a microlens.
Some examples of particular housing designs and dimensions have
been given to illustrate the invention. However, the invention is
not limited to merely these examples. Fiber optic cables have been
shown ending with plugs, but alternately the fiber optical cable
interfaces can be made using jacks instead of plugs, or a
combination of a plug on one end and jack on the other end. Other
variations and embodiments of the invention will occur to those
skilled in the art.
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