Patent ID: 6661940
Filing Date: 2003-12-09
Classification: G02B,H04B

Abstract:
An optical backplane assembly for communicating signals between a plurality of components comprising:a waveguiding plate attached to and mounted on a supporting structure; the components spaced from each other and coupled with the waveguiding plate; respective active optical elements operably coupled with each component to receive optical signals from the waveguiding plate and to convert the optical signals to electrical signals; the active optical elements further operable to convert electrical signals from the respective components into optical signals and to transmit the optical signals to the waveguiding plate; respective diffractive optical elements disposed between the active optical elements of each component and the waveguiding plate; one of the components further comprising a distributor with its respective active optical elements disposed proximate a midpoint of the waveguiding plate; and the diffractive optical element for the distributor comprising a doubly multiplexed hologram to allow communicating optical signals through the waveguiding plate with other components disposed on opposite sides of the distributor.