Optical connector systems for high-bandwidth optical communication

Receptacles and optical connector systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a receptacle includes a receptacle body defining a connector cavity, wherein the receptacle body comprises a rear wall having a first surface and a second surface. The rear wall includes a ferrule opening dimensioned to accept a ferrule body of an optical connector. A connector engagement portion includes a perimeter notch within the second surface of the rear wall and surrounding the ferrule opening. The perimeter notch defines a connector engagement surface that is dimensioned to contact a portion of the optical connector. The receptacle further includes an active component assembly including a substrate, wherein the substrate is coupled to the first surface of the rear wall, and an active component substrate having an array of active components, wherein the active component substrate is aligned with the ferrule opening of the rear wall.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to high-bandwidth optical communication and, more particularly, to optical connector systems for use in high-bandwidth optical communication systems.

Benefits of optical fiber include extremely wide bandwidth and low noise operation. Because of these advantages, optical fiber is increasingly being used for a variety of applications, including, but not limited to, broadband voice, video, and data transmission. Connectors are often used in data center and telecommunication systems to provide service connections to rack-mounted equipment and to provide inter-rack connections. Accordingly, optical connectors are employed in both optical cable assemblies and electronic devices to provide an optical-to-optical connection wherein optical signals are passed between an optical cable assembly and an electronic device.

As the bandwidth of optical transceiver devices increases by advanced techniques such as wavelength division multiplexing, large amounts of data must be electronically transferred from the active devices and associated electronics to electronic components of the computing device (e.g., a data switching device of a data center) for further processing (e.g., up to 100 Gbps per channel). Further, the size of optical transceiver devices (e.g., laser diodes, photodiodes) continues to decrease, which presents challenges in maintaining proper alignment between the transceiver device and the optical connector to which it is connected. Misalignment between optically coupled components risks optical loss of the optical signals passing between the optically coupled components.

SUMMARY

Embodiments are directed to optical connector systems for high-bandwidth optical communication that transfer large amounts of data at high speeds between a receptacle and a computing device. Further, embodiments provide mechanical features to enable precise alignment between an optical coupling surface of an optical connector and active components (e.g., photodiodes and laser diodes) associated with a mated receptacle.

In this regard, in one embodiment, a receptacle for receiving an optical connector includes a receptacle body defining a connector cavity, wherein the receptacle body includes a rear wall having a first surface and a second surface. The rear wall includes a ferrule opening dimensioned to accept a ferrule body of the optical connector and a connector engagement portion surrounding the ferrule opening. The connector engagement portion includes a perimeter notch within the second surface of the rear wall and surrounding the ferrule opening. The perimeter notch defines a connector engagement surface that is dimensioned to contact a portion of the optical connector. The receptacle further includes an active component assembly including a substrate and active component substrate. The substrate is coupled to the first surface of the rear wall, and the active component substrate is disposed on a surface of the substrate. The active component substrate is aligned with the ferrule opening of the rear wall.

In another embodiment, an optical connector system includes and optical connector and a receptacle. The optical connector includes a mechanical engagement surface, a ferrule body having an optical coupling surface, and an array of lens elements at the optical coupling surface. The ferrule body extends from the mechanical engagement surface. The receptacle includes a receptacle body including a rear wall having a first surface and a second surface. The rear wall includes a ferrule opening dimensioned to accept the ferrule body of the optical connector, and a connector engagement portion surrounding the ferrule opening. The connector engagement portion includes a perimeter notch within the second surface of the rear wall and surrounding the ferrule opening. The perimeter notch defines a connector engagement surface that is dimensioned to contact the mechanical engagement surface of the optical connector. The receptacle further includes an active component assembly. The active component assembly includes a substrate, wherein the substrate is coupled to the first surface of the rear wall, and an active component substrate including an array of active components. The active component substrate is disposed on a surface of the substrate and is aligned with the ferrule opening of the rear wall such that the array of lens elements of the optical connector are aligned with the array of active components when the optical connector is inserted into the receptacle.

In yet another embodiment, a receptacle includes a receptacle body defining a connector cavity. The receptacle body includes a first wall, a second wall, and a third wall, wherein the first wall is adjacent to the second wall, the first wall includes a first biasing member extending from an interior surface of the first wall, the second wall includes a second biasing member extending from an interior surface of the second wall, and the third wall includes a ferrule opening dimensioned to accept a ferrule body of the optical connector. The receptacle further includes an active component assembly. The active component assembly includes a substrate and an active component substrate including an array of active components. The substrate is coupled to an exterior surface of the third wall. The active component substrate is disposed on a surface of the substrate and is aligned with the ferrule opening of the third wall.

In yet another embodiment, an optical connector system includes an optical connector and a receptacle. The optical connector includes a connector body having an insertion end defining an opening, and a ferrule body extending from the opening of the connector body. The ferrule body includes an optical coupling surface, wherein an array of lens elements is located at the optical coupling surface. The optical connector further includes a ferrule cover member disposed within the connector body. The ferrule cover member includes a body, an engagement surface, and an opening within the engagement surface, wherein the ferrule cover member is operable to translate into and out of the connector body. The receptacle includes a receptacle body defining a connector cavity. The receptacle body includes a rear wall and an active component assembly. The rear wall has a ferrule opening dimensioned to accept a ferrule body of the optical connector. The active component assembly further includes a substrate, and an active component substrate including an array of active components. The substrate is coupled to an exterior surface of the rear wall. The active component substrate is disposed on a surface of the substrate and is aligned with the opening of the rear wall. When the optical connector is in an unmated state, the ferrule cover member is biased in a forward position such that the optical coupling surface is disposed within the ferrule cover member. When the optical connector is an a mated state, the ferrule cover member is in a retracted position within the connector body, the engagement surface of the ferrule cover member contacts an interior surface of the rear wall, and the ferrule body is disposed within the opening of the rear wall of the receptacle body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments are directed to receptacles and optical connector systems for high-bandwidth optical communication applications. The receptacles and optical connector systems described herein may be deployed in data center and telecommunications applications, for example. The optical connector systems described herein comprise mechanical features that allow for precise alignment of active components (e.g., photodiodes and laser diodes) with optical fibers of an optical connector while minimizing the application of mechanical forces on the active components. Further, embodiments described herein may employ flexible cables to transfer large amounts of data from an active component subassembly associated with a receptacle of the optical connector system to a computing device (e.g., a data switching device). Various embodiments of receptacles and optical connector systems are described in detail below.

Referring now toFIG. 1, an example optical connector system100is illustrated. Generally, the optical connector system100includes an optical connector101, a receptacle150, and an active component assembly170coupled to a rear surface151of the receptacle150. The example receptacle150includes a receptacle housing190having tabs192to connect the receptacle150to a substrate, such as a circuit board. As an example and not a limitation, the receptacle150may be provided in a computing device (not shown), such as a data switching device in a data center (e.g., in a 1U shelf of a rack-based enclosure). In some embodiments, an array of receptacles150may be provided in a single computing device.

The optical connector101is configured to be inserted into the receptacle150to optically couple the optical connector101with the active component assembly170to provide optical communication therebetween. The optical connector101is provided at an end of an optical cable (not shown inFIG. 1, seeFIG. 6) having a plurality of optical fibers disposed therein.

The active component assembly170is mounted on a rear surface151of the receptacle150such that it is orthogonal to an insertion direction A of the optical connector101along the z-axis. As described in more detail below in conjunction withFIGS. 3A-4B, the active component assembly170includes an array of active components183that transmit or receive optical signals. Electrical signals originating from the computing device are converted into optical signals by the active component assembly170. These optical signals are then passed to an optical coupling surface116of the optical connector101where they are then passed to optical fibers (not shown) within the connector body102of the optical connector101. Optical signals originating at a far-end of an optical cable and provided to the optical connector101are passed to the active component assembly170, which converts the optical signals into electrical signals that are then provided to various components of the computing device for further processing. In such a manner, the active component assembly170is an electro-optical and opto-electrical transducer.

Referring now toFIGS. 2A-2C, the example optical connector101depicted inFIG. 1will now be described in detail. Generally, the optical connector101includes a connector body102and a ferrule body110. The ferrule body110extends from the connector body102. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector body102defines an opening108at insertion face109from which the ferrule body110extends. However, in other embodiments, the ferrule body110may extend directly from the insertion face109of the connector body102and not from an opening108as shown inFIG. 2A.

In some embodiments, the connector body102may include one or more engagement features to maintain the optical connector101in a mated relationship with the receptacle150. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector body102includes a locking tab103that is configured to engage a corresponding engagement feature provided in the receptacle150(e.g., see opening156illustrated inFIG. 3B). More specifically, the example locking tab103includes a release tab105and a detent portion104operable to engage the corresponding engagement feature provided in the receptacle150. The detent portion104may assist in locking the optical connector101to the receptacle150. The connector body102may be made of plastic or other compliant material such that pressing the release tab105toward the connector body102releases the detent portion104from the engagement feature of the receptacle150, thereby allowing the optical connector101to be removed from the receptacle150. It should be understood that embodiments are not limited to the locking tab103illustrated in the figures, as other means of engaging the optical connector101with the receptacle150are also possible.

The example connector body102also includes first and second alignment tabs107A and107B. The first and second alignment tabs107A,107B are configured to contact first and second biasing members159A,159B provided in a connector cavity154defined by the receptacle150(seeFIG. 3B). As described in more detail below, the first and second alignment tabs107A,107B of the optical connector101and the first and second biasing members159A,159B of the receptacle150cooperate to align an optical interface of the optical coupling surface116of the optical connector101with the active component assembly170. In other embodiments, no alignment tabs are provided in the connector body.

In some embodiments, the connector body102defines a cable attachment feature106for attaching the optical connector101to an optical cable (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the cable attachment feature106is configured as a threaded portion configured to mate with a corresponding threaded portion or may be a crimp surface. The optical cable includes a plurality of optical fibers that may be inserted into fiber bores133within the ferrule body110(seeFIGS. 6A and 6B). Thus, the cable attachment feature106may be provided to easily connectorize an optical cable. It should be understood that the cable attachment feature106may be configured differently from that illustrated inFIG. 2Ain some embodiments. In other embodiments, no cable attachment feature106is provided such that optical connector101is an integral component with respect to the optical cable.

The ferrule body110, which maintains the optical fibers, extends from the connector body102. The example ferrule body110includes a mechanical engagement surface111defined by a first region112A and a second region112B, and an optical coupling surface116that is offset from the mechanical engagement surface111. The optical coupling surface116is provided on a protruding portion114of the ferrule body110that extends from the first and second regions112A,112B of the mechanical coupling surface.

As described in more detail below, the mechanical engagement surface111is configured to contact an interior surface of the receptacle body152. In other embodiments, the mechanical engagement surface111may have only one region, or it may be configured as a perimeter region completely surrounding the offset optical coupling surface116. In the illustrate embodiment, the first region112A of the mechanical engagement surface111includes a first alignment feature113configured as a pin, while the second region112B of the mechanical engagement surface111includes a second alignment feature115configured as a bore. The first and second alignment features113,115are configured to mate with corresponding alignment features within the receptacle150. In other embodiments, more than (or less than) two alignment features are provided, and in any combination of pins and/or bores. Additionally, other suitable alignment features are possible as desired.

The optical coupling surface116has an array of lens elements118that define an optical interface. The example array of lens elements118includes two rows of sixteen lens elements; however, it should be understood that any number of rows and any number of lens elements may be provided. Referring toFIGS. 2A-2C, as well as toFIG. 5B, the individual lens elements118may be configured as refractive lenses that are integral with the ferrule body110. Other lens types may also be utilized for the array of lens elements118, such as gradient-index lenses, for example.

The array of lens elements118condition the optical signals that propagate through the optical coupling surface116for receipt by the active component assembly170or optical fibers within the connector body102. Referring toFIG. 6B, the optical fibers may be disposed within fiber bores133such that optical signals pass through a bulk of the ferrule body110. Accordingly, the material chosen for the ferrule body110should be transmissive to the wavelengths of the optical signals passing through the optical coupling surface116. As non-limiting examples, the ferrule body110may be fabricated from ULTEM™ sold by SABIC Innovative Plastics Holding BV of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, or Zeonex® cyclic olefin polymer sold by Zeon Chemicals LP of Louisville, Ky., USA.

Referring now toFIGS. 3A-3C, the example receptacle150depicted inFIG. 1is illustrated.FIG. 3Ais a front elevation view of the receptacle150, whileFIG. 3Bis a perspective view of a receptacle body152of the receptacle150, andFIG. 3Cis a cutaway view of the receptacle150depicted inFIG. 3B.FIGS. 3B and 3Cdepict the receptacle150without an outer receptacle housing190(i.e., depict only the receptacle body152).

Referring initially toFIG. 3A, the receptacle150comprises a receptacle body152that is surrounded by a receptacle housing190. The receptacle housing190may include tabs192for mounting the receptacle150to a substrate, such as a circuit board of a computing device. In some embodiments, the receptacle housing190is fabricated from a metal material such that the tabs192may be soldered to the substrate. In other embodiments, the tabs192may be removably insertable into female connectors on the substrate.

Referring generally toFIGS. 3A-3C, the receptacle body152comprises an opening153that defines a connector cavity154into which the optical connector101is inserted. The opening153and connector cavity154of the example receptacle body152includes a notched portion155dimensioned to accept the locking tab103of the connector body102. The receptacle body152further includes an opening156to receive the detent portion104of the locking tab103to maintain the optical connector101and the receptacle150in a mated relationship.

The receptacle body152has a first wall158A and a second wall158B that define the connector cavity154. A first biasing member159A extends from an interior surface of the first wall158A, and a second biasing member159B extends from an interior surface of the second wall158B. The first and second biasing members159A,159B contact a portion of the connector body102(e.g., the first and second alignment tabs107A,107B) to position the connector body102within the connector cavity154such that the optical coupling surface116is properly aligned with the active component assembly170along the x-axis as labeled inFIG. 3B.

The receptacle body152has a rear wall160that terminates the connector cavity154. As described in detail below, the interior surface of the rear wall160provides a mechanical stop for the optical connector101disposed within the connector cavity154. The rear wall160includes a ferrule opening161that is dimensioned to accept the protruding portion114of the ferrule body110. Accordingly, the protruding portion114of the ferrule body110is positioned through the ferrule opening161when the optical connector101is fully inserted into the connector cavity154of the receptacle150.

A connector engagement portion163surrounds the ferrule opening161and is configured to contact and support the optical connector101when it is fully inserted into the connector cavity154. The connector engagement portion163is configured as a notch within an inner surface of the rear wall160that exposes a connector engagement surface162dimensioned to contact the mechanical engagement surface111of the ferrule body110. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector engagement surface162of the receptacle body152is defined by a first region165A and a second region165B that are adjacent to first and second edges of the ferrule opening161, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second regions165A,165B of the connector engagement surface162are dimensioned to contact the first and second regions112A,112B of the mechanical engagement surface111of the ferrule body110, respectively. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, a first alignment feature166is provided at the first region165A of the connector engagement surface162(e.g., a bore), and a second alignment feature167is provided at the second region165B of the connector engagement surface162(e.g., a pin). The first and second alignment features166,167of the receptacle body152are configured to mate with the first and second alignment features113,115of the optical connector101, respectively, to align the optical coupling surface116with the active component assembly170when the optical connector101is fully inserted into the connector cavity154of the receptacle body152.

In some embodiments, the connector engagement portion163further includes first and second ferrule support members164A,164B that contact upper and lower surfaces of the ferrule body110to support and maintain the ferrule body110within the receptacle body152and the ferrule opening161in a proper alignment position.

Referring now toFIGS. 4A-4C, the example active component assembly170ofFIG. 1is depicted.FIG. 4Ais a front perspective view of the active component assembly170, whileFIG. 4Bis a front elevation view of the active component assembly170andFIG. 4Cis an exploded perspective view of the active component assembly170.

The example active component assembly170includes a substrate171having a first surface172and a second surface173, such as a circuit board (e.g., FR-4). Coupled to the substrate171is an active component substrate181that includes an array of active components183, such as optical receivers (e.g., photodiodes), optical transmitters (e.g., laser diodes) or combinations thereof. The array of active components183is arranged within (or on) the active component substrate181such that it may be aligned with the array of lens elements118of the optical connector101when the optical connector101is inserted into the receptacle150. The active component substrate181may be precisely positioned on the substrate171to allow for precise alignment between the array of active components183and the array of lens elements118. In one embodiment, the active component substrate181is bonded to the first surface172of the substrate171by an adhesive.

In some embodiments the array of active components183is configured to communicate optical signals in accordance with wavelength division multiplexing (“WDM”), such as coarse wavelength division multiplexing (“CWDM”) or dense wavelength division multiplexing (“DWDM”) to provide for high-bandwidth optical communication.

In the illustrated embodiment, two driver circuit substrates175A,175B are also coupled to the first surface172of the substrate171. The driver circuit substrates175A,175B may include circuits for controlling the active components183, such as laser drivers, amplifiers, signal conditioning circuits, serializer/deserializer circuits, and the like. Alternatively, individual integrated circuits and other discrete electronic components may be disposed directly onto the first and/or second surfaces of the substrate171rather than on, or in addition to, individual substrates as shown inFIGS. 4A-4C.

The active component assembly170of the illustrated embodiment further includes a lens array substrate186that is coupled to the active component substrate181. In the illustrated embodiment, the lens array substrate186is indirectly coupled to the active component substrate181by a spacer184. The spacer184, which defines an opening185, is directly coupled to a perimeter of the active component substrate181, and allows for the lens array substrate to be coupled to the active component substrate181such that it does not contact the array of active components183. The active component substrate181, the spacer184, and the lens array substrate186(collectively, “the active component sub-assembly180”) may be bonded together by an adhesive, for example. In other embodiments, the lens array substrate186is coupled directly to the active component substrate181without the use of a spacer. For example, the lens array substrate186may include legs (not shown) that extend from a lens surface187of the lens array substrate186such that the lens surface187may be offset from the array of active components183. In other embodiments, the lens array substrate186may be integral with the active component substrate181.

FIG. 5Aprovides a front perspective view of the example lens array substrate186depicted inFIGS. 4A-4CandFIG. 5Bprovides a rear perspective view. The lens array substrate186has a coupling surface188and a lens surface187. The lens array substrate186may include alignment fiducials189to assist in precisely aligning and mounting the lens array substrate186with respect to the active component substrate181. The lens surface187comprises the array of lens elements179that condition optical signals as they pass through the lens array substrate186for receipt by optical fibers within the optical connector101or the array of active components183. The lens elements179may be configured as refractive lenses formed directly in the lens surface187of the lens array substrate186. The material for the lens array substrate186should be chosen such that it is transmissive to the wavelengths of the optical signals, and substantially matches the coefficient of thermal expansion of the active component substrate181to maintain alignment between the array of active components183and the array of lens elements179over a desired operating temperature range.

The example active component assembly170further includes a first cable176A and a second cable176B that transfers data in the form of electrical signals from the substrate171to a connector177and a computing device substrate (e.g., circuit board) (not shown) within the computing device in which the receptacle150is installed. In the example embodiment, the first and second cables176A,176B extend from the second surface173of the substrate, although embodiments are not limited thereto. In some embodiments the first and second cables176A,176B may be configured as flexible cables. In some embodiments, the first and second cables176A,176B may be configured as multiple-layer flex cables. The first and second cables176A,176B provide for a large data transfer between the active component assembly170and the computing device to which the receptacle150is installed. It should be understood that more or fewer than two cables may be utilized. Further, in some embodiments, electrical connections between the substrate171and the circuit board of the computing device may be hard-wired rather than connected by use of cables and connectors.

It is noted that the example substrate171further includes mounting holes174A,174B to accept fasteners (e.g., screws) that may be used to mount the active component assembly170to the receptacle150, in some embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 6A(as well asFIG. 1), the active component assembly170may be coupled to a rear surface151of the receptacle150by adhesive bonding and/or mechanical fasteners195as stated above.FIG. 6Ais a cross-sectional view an optical connector101coupled to a receptacle150. As shown inFIG. 6A, the active component assembly170is mounted to the receptacle150such that the active component sub-assembly180is aligned with the ferrule opening161in the rear wall160of the receptacle body152.

FIG. 6Bis a close-up, cutaway view of the mated optical connector101and receptacle150depicted inFIG. 6A. Referring to bothFIGS. 6A and 6B, the optical connector101is disposed within the connector cavity154of the receptacle150such that the ferrule body110is located within the connector engagement portion163of the rear wall160. The first and second regions112A,112B of the mechanical engagement surface111of the ferrule body contact the first and second regions165A,165B of the connector engagement surface162of the receptacle body152, respectively. The first and second alignment features113,115of the optical connector101mate with the first and second alignment features166,167of the receptacle body152, respectively. Additionally, the optical coupling surface116of the ferrule body110is aligned with the ferrule opening161in the rear wall160, and therefore the array of lens elements118of the ferrule body110is substantially aligned with the array of lens elements179of the lens array substrate186. It is noted that the optical coupling surface116of the ferrule body110does not contact the active component sub-assembly180, thereby preventing mechanical forces from being applied to the active component sub-assembly180.

Individual optical fibers (not shown) are disposed in fiber bores133within the ferrule body110. The fiber bores133may have a tapered end135to accept a stripped end portion of the optical fiber (e.g., an end of the optical fiber having been stripped of outer layers). Accordingly, the receptacle150and optical connector101have mechanical features that optically align the optical fibers of the optical connector101with the array of active components183of the receptacle150to enable high bandwidth optical communication between computing devices that are optically coupled by an optical cable having the optical connectors described herein.

Referring now toFIG. 7, another embodiment of an optical connector201and a receptacle250is depicted that are similar to optical connector101and receptacle150. As described in more detail below, the example optical connector201depicted inFIG. 7includes a retractable ferrule cover member220that covers a ferrule body210when the optical connector201is in an unmated state.FIG. 8Ais a front perspective view of the example optical connector201depicted inFIG. 7.FIG. 8Bis a front elevation view of the optical connector201depicted inFIG. 7, whileFIG. 8Cis a side elevation view of the optical connector201depicted inFIG. 7.

Referring generally toFIGS. 7 and 8A-8C, the example optical connector201will now be described. Generally, the optical connector201includes a connector body202and a ferrule body210. The ferrule body210extends from the connector body202.

In some embodiments, the connector body202may include one or more engagement features to maintain the optical connector201in a mated relationship with the receptacle250. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector body202includes a locking tab203that is configured to engage a corresponding engagement feature provided in the receptacle250(e.g., see opening256illustrated inFIG. 11B). More specifically, the example locking tab203includes a release tab205and a detent portion204operable to engage the corresponding engagement feature provided in the receptacle250. The detent portion204may assist in locking the optical connector201to the receptacle250. The connector body202may be made of plastic or other compliant material such that pressing the release tab205toward the connector body202releases the detent portion204from the engagement feature of the receptacle250, thereby allowing the optical connector201to be removed from the receptacle250. It should be understood that embodiments are not limited to the locking tab203illustrated in the figures, as other means of engaging the optical connector201with the receptacle250are also possible.

The example connector body202also includes first and second alignment tabs207A,207B. The first and second alignment tabs207A,207B are configured to contact interior surfaces of the receptacle body250. In other embodiments, no alignment tabs are provided in the connector body202.

In some embodiments, the connector body202defines a cable attachment feature206for attaching the optical connector201to an optical cable (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the cable attachment feature206is configured as a threaded portion configured to mate with a corresponding threaded portion or may be a crimp surface. The optical cable includes a plurality of optical fibers that may be inserted in to fiber bores233within the ferrule body210. Thus, the cable attachment feature206may be provided to easily connectorize an optical cable. It should be understood that the cable attachment feature may be configured differently from that illustrated inFIGS. 8A and 8Cin some embodiments. In other embodiments, no cable attachment feature206is provided such that optical connector201is an integral component with respect to the optical cable.

The ferrule body210, which maintains a plurality of optical fibers, extends from the connector body202and is surrounded by a retractable ferrule cover member220. The ferrule body210includes an optical coupling surface216having an array of lens elements218that define an optical interface.

The ferrule cover member220has a body222and a flange portion225located at the end of the body222. The body222and flange portion225define an opening223and cavity224in which the ferrule body210is located. The flange portion225provides an engagement surface226that contacts a rear wall260of the receptacle body252, as described in more detail below. In some embodiments, the ferrule cover member220does not include a flange portion225but rather the engagement surface226is provided at the end of the body222.

The illustrated ferrule cover member220includes first and second track tabs229A,229B on opposing sides of the body222located at an end of the ferrule cover member220that is opposite from the flange portion225(seeFIG. 10). The example connector body202has a first track opening209A at a first side of the connector body202and a second track opening209B at a second side of the connector body202. The first and second track tabs229A,229B of the ferrule cover member220are disposed in the first and second track openings209A,209B, respectively. The first and second track openings209A,209B provide a linear track for the first and second tract tabs229A,229B such that the ferrule cover member220is limited to linear translation along the insertion axis z. When the ferrule cover member220is in a retracted state (e.g., when the optical connector201is mated with the receptacle250), a portion the ferrule body210extends beyond the engagement surface226of the ferrule cover member220.

Internal components of the example optical connector201will now be described.FIG. 9is a cutaway view of the optical connector201depicted inFIG. 8A.FIG. 10shows the cutaway view ofFIG. 9with the ferrule cover member220removed from the connector body202.

The body222of the ferrule cover member220includes a first plurality of bores227A-227D, while the connector body202also includes a second plurality of bores230A-230D. It is noted that bores230A and230B in the connector body202are not visible inFIGS. 10 and 11. They are positioned in the connector body202opposite from bores230C and230D, respectively. The first plurality of bores227A-227D and the second plurality of bores230A-230D are configured to accept a plurality of cover bias members228A-228D that bias the ferrule cover member220away from the connector body202such that the optical coupling surface216of the ferrule body210is covered by the ferrule cover member220. As described in more detail below, when the optical connector201is mated with the receptacle250, the engagement surface226of the ferrule cover member220contacts a rear wall260of the receptacle250so that the cover bias members228A-228D compress and the ferrule cover member220translates toward the connector body202, thereby exposing the optical coupling surface216of the ferrule body210.

Referring now toFIGS. 11A-11C, the example receptacle250depicted inFIG. 7will now be described.FIG. 11Ais a front elevation view of the receptacle250depicted inFIG. 7.FIG. 11Bis a front perspective view of an example receptacle body252of the receptacle250depicted inFIGS. 7 and 11A.FIG. 11Cis a cutaway view of the receptacle body252depicted inFIG. 11B.

Referring initially toFIG. 11A, the receptacle250comprises a receptacle body252that is surrounded by a receptacle housing290. The receptacle housing290may include tabs292for mounting the receptacle250to a substrate, such as a circuit board of a computing device. In some embodiments, the receptacle housing290is fabricated from a metal material such that the tabs292may be soldered to the substrate. In other embodiments, the tabs292may be removably insertable into female connectors on the substrate.

Referring generally toFIGS. 11A-11C, the receptacle body252comprises an opening253that defines a connector cavity254into which the optical connector201is inserted. The opening253and connector cavity254of the example receptacle body252includes a notched portion255dimensioned to accept the locking tab203of the connector body202. The receptacle body252further includes an opening256to receive the detent portion204of the locking tab203to maintain the optical connector201and the receptacle250in a mated relationship.

The receptacle body252has a first wall258A and a second wall258B that define the connector cavity254. Referring toFIGS. 11B and 11C, a first biasing member259extends from an interior surface of the first wall258A. The first biasing member259contacts a portion of the connector body202(e.g., the first alignment tab207A) to position the connector body202within the connector cavity254such that the optical coupling surface216of the ferrule body210is properly aligned with the active component assembly170with respect to the x-axis.

Additionally, the example receptacle body252includes a second biasing member263that extends from an interior surface of a third wall262. The second biasing member263may contact a surface of the connector body202to properly position the connector body202within the connector cavity254with respect to the y-axis so that the optical coupling surface216of the ferrule body210is aligned with the active component assembly170. It should be understood that more or fewer biasing members may be provided to properly align the optical coupling surface216of the ferrule body210with the active component assembly170.

The receptacle body252has a rear wall260that terminates the connector cavity254. The interior surface of the rear wall260provides a mechanical stop for the optical connector201disposed within the connector cavity254. The rear wall260includes a ferrule opening261that is dimensioned to accept the ferrule body210. Accordingly the ferrule body210is positioned through the ferrule opening261when the optical connector201is fully inserted into the connector cavity254of the receptacle250.

FIG. 12depicts a cross-sectional view of an optical connector201mated with a receptacle250according toFIGS. 7-11C. An active component assembly170is mounted to a rear surface251of the receptacle body252such that the active component sub-assembly180is aligned with the ferrule opening261in the rear wall260of the receptacle body252. The connector body202of the optical connector201is positioned within the connector cavity254of the receptacle body252such that the first and second biasing members259and263contact the connector body202to properly position the ferrule body210within the ferrule opening261in the rear wall260of the receptacle body252.

As the optical connector201is inserted into the connector cavity254of the receptacle body252, the engagement surface226of the ferrule cover member220contacts the interior surface of the rear wall260. The insertion force applied to the optical connector201in the insertion direction (i.e., the positive z-axis direction) causes the ferrule cover member220to retract toward the connector body202in a direction opposite the insertion direction (i.e., the negative z-axis direction) such that the ferrule cover member220is in a retracted position.

The optical coupling surface216of the ferrule body210is disposed within the ferrule opening261in the rear wall260, and therefore the array of lens elements218of the ferrule body210is substantially aligned with the array of lens elements179of the lens array substrate186. It is noted that the optical coupling surface216of the ferrule body210does not contact the active component sub-assembly180, thereby preventing mechanical forces from being applied to the active component sub-assembly180.

Individual optical fibers (not shown) are disposed in fiber bores233within the ferrule body210. Accordingly, the receptacle250and optical connector201have mechanical features to optically align the optical fibers of the optical connector201with the array of active components183to enable high-bandwidth optical communication between computing devices that are optically coupled by an optical cable having the optical connectors described herein.