Patent ID: 6163642
Filing Date: 2000-12-19
Classification: G02B,G06F,H04B

Abstract:
An optical interface apparatus for transmitting optical signals between two environments separated by a wall having a transparent portion between opposing first and second sides, said apparatus comprising:a first circuit board;a first plurality of first transmitters for transmitting optical signals, the first plurality of first transmitters forming a first transmitter array located at a predetermined position on the first circuit board;a first plurality of first receivers for receiving optical signals, the first plurality of first receivers forming a first receiver array located at a predetermined position on the first circuit board;a second circuit board;a second plurality of second transmitters for transmitting optical signals, the second plurality of second transmitters forming a second transmitter array located at a predetermined position on the second circuit board;a second plurality of second receivers for receiving optical signals, the second plurality of second receivers forming a second receiver array located at a predetermined position on the second circuit board;a plurality of locating pins attached to the wall extending from the first and second sides of the wall at predetermined positions; anda plurality of holes formed in each of the first and second circuit boards at predetermined positions, the holes receiving the locating pins to attach the first circuit board to the first side of the wall and the second circuit board to the second side of the wall with the transmitter and receiver arrays of the first and second circuit boards facing each other across the transparent portion of the wall, the facing relationship of the transmitter and receiver arrays and the predetermined positions of the pins, holes and arrays aligning the first transmitters of the first transmitter array with the second receivers of the second receiver array for communicating optical signals therebetween through the transparent portion of the wall and also aligning the second transmitters of the second transmitter array with the first receivers of the first receiver array for communicating optical signals therebetween through the transparent portion of the wall; and wherein:each first transmitter of the first transmitter array, each first receiver of the first receiver array, each second transmitter of the second transmitter array and each second receiver of the second receiver array has an interconnect pitch of approximately 0.006 inches and is capable of transmitting optical signals at a data transmission rate of up to 1 Gb/s.