Patent ID: 6729771
Filing Date: 2004-05-04
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A parallel optics subassembly for mating with a ferrule supporting an array of optical fibers adapted for carrying digital signals and having a set of alignment holes positioned in a precisely spaced relationship with said array of optical fibers, the parallel optics subassembly comprising:a) a receptacle for guiding and latching said ferrule into position including a window at the inner end of the receptacle; b) a carrier assembly for supporting an optoelectronic device having an array of photoactive components, the carrier assembly includes a flex circuit and a printed circuit board, the flex circuit is electrically connected to the optoelectronic device and to the printed circuit board, the printed circuit board includes an electricsl edge connector for removeably connecting the parallel optics subassembly to a computer or communications system; and c) a lens and alignment frame defining an optical and mechanical interface between said ferrule and said carrier assembly which is mounted on said carrier assembly in a precisely positioned relationship with said optoelectronic device, said lens and alignment frame including: an array of lenses for focusing light between said array of optical fibers and said array of photoactive components, each lens of the array of lenses being truncated in a lateral direction so as to have a height dimension and a width dimension, the height dimension being greater than the width dimension, each lens of the array of lenses having common boundaries with adjacent lenses of the array of lenses which are contiguously positioned in a linear array, and wherein a first lens of the array of lenses is separated from a second lens of the array of lenses by a first interval, and wherein the first interval is substantially equal to 250 microns, and wherein the array of lenses includes twelve lenses, a tower extending outward from said lens and alignment frame for engaging said window in said receptacle and helping to position said receptacle with respect to said lens and alignment frame, and wherein said tower has a rectangular base and includes a pair of elevated sections located on opposing ends of said tower, and wherein the window in the receptacle is rectangular and the tower is rectangularly shaped so as to mate with the window, and a set of guide pins projecting from and forward of said tower for mating with said alignment holes on said ferrule and positioning said ferrule with respect to said lens and alignment frame and optoelectronic device, and wherein said set of guide pins are mounted on the pair of elevated sections, and wherein the array of lenses extend between each elevated section of the pair of elevated sections.