Transceiver modules

Examples of transceiver module assemblies may comprise a first transceiver module engaged with a first electrical device and including a first transceiver, a second transceiver module engaged with a second electrical device and including a second transceiver, and an electro-optical cable to connect the first transceiver module to the second transceiver module. The first transceiver module may receive an electrical signal and electrical power from the first electrical device, and the first transceiver may convert the electrical signal to an optical signal. The electro-optical cable may separately transmit the optical signal and the electrical power from the first transceiver module to the second transceiver module. The second transceiver may convert the optical signal back to the electrical signal and provide the converted electrical signal to the second electrical device.

BACKGROUND

Electrical devices, such as computing devices, may need to be electrically connected to each other, or be in electrical communication, such that one computing device can send an electrical signal, and another computing device can receive the sent electrical signal. Electrical signals may be transmitted from one computing device to another using an electrical cable. The electrical cable may have an electrical connector on each end of the cable to connect to the transmitting and the receiving computing devices. Further, electrical devices such as computing devices may communicate with other electrical devices using optical communication. A computing device may transmit an optical signal to another computing device, which may receive the optical signal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Electrical devices may electrically communicate with other electrical devices. In some situations, electrical devices may electrically communicate with multiple other electrical devices, and, sometimes, a large number of other electrical devices. Electrical devices may electrically communicate with other electrical devices through electrical cables. Each electrical cable may engage with an electrical communication port on a first electrical device on one end of the cable, and, additionally, each electrical cable may engage with a second electrical communication port on a second electrical device on the other end of the cable. Electrical devices may employ electrical cables to electrically communicate with one or more other electrical devices that may be relatively far from the first electrical device. In such a situation, the electrical cables that are employed may be of a larger gauge or diameter than would be used if the electrical devices were closer together. This larger gauge of wire may increase the portion of the volume within a system that is occupied by the electrical cables. Further, signal conditioning circuitry, such as signal repeaters, may be used to maintain signal integrity across the increased length of the electrical connection between the electrical devices, thus also increasing the occupied volume and power consumption of the system.

Additionally, electrical devices may optically communicate with other electrical devices. Electrical devices may maintain optical communication by one electrical device transmitting an optical signal through the optical fibers of an optical cable, and another electrical device receiving the optical signal, and vice versa. In some situations, an electrical device may optically communicate with multiple other electrical devices by using multiple optical cables. Further, an electrical device may optically communicate with multiple other electrical devices by using a single optical cable containing a sufficient number of optical fibers to carry multiple optical signals to the multiple other electrical devices. In some situations, such an optical cable may be referred to as an optical trunk cable. Additionally, some electrical devices may be in electrical communication with other electrical devices through the use of optical signal communication. In such a situation, an electrical device may have a transceiver to convert an electrical signal to an optical signal, and vice versa. The optical signal may then be sent through an optical cable to a receiving electrical device. The receiving electrical device may have another transceiver to convert the transmitted optical signal back to the electrical signal to complete the electrical communication with the transmitting electrical device.

In some situations, it may be desirable to have a first electrical device electrically communicate with multiple second electrical devices. The multiple second electrical devices may be disposed in a rack, which may be located relatively far away from the first electrical device. Additionally, it may be desirable to have the first electrical device electrically communicate with multiple second electrical devices that are disposed in different racks, with each rack in a different location Employing an electrical cable from the first electrical device to connect with each of the second electrical devices may occupy a large volume within the overall system. Further, the increased diameter of each electrical cable due to the relatively far distance between the first and second electrical devices, as well as the inclusion of any signal condition circuitry, may further increase the occupied volume by the cabling within the overall system, as well as increase the cost of such cabling.

Additionally, employing an optical cable from the first electrical device to connect with each of the second electrical devices may also, similar to electrical cabling, increase the occupied volume by optical cabling within the system. This increased number of optical cables also increases the cost of the cabling. Further, the first electrical device may not have enough optical connectors to employ a dedicated optical cable for each of the second electrical devices. As mentioned above, an optical trunk cable may be employed to enable optical communication between the first electrical device and multiple second electrical devices, using a high-density optical connector on the first electrical device. The desired electrical signals may be converted to optical signals within the first electrical device, however, the optical signals then need to be converted back to electrical signals for each of the second electrical devices. Optical fibers within an optical trunk cable may be split off into multiple optical cables. Each of the split optical cables may couple to an optical transceiver of an electrical device, which may be more expensive than using a single, larger optical transceiver. A pass-through module may be disposed in each rack of second electrical devices and have one or more transceivers, powered by a local power source, to convert the optical signals from the first electrical device back to electrical signals, receivable by each of the second electrical devices disposed on that rack. The electrical signals may be transmitted from the pass-through module in each rack to the second electrical devices in that rack by electrical cables. A pass-through module may include one or more media-converter modules or multi-channel media converter modules, one or multiple optical transceivers, management logic, cooling fans, a local power supply and a power cord to connect to a power source in a rack.

However, if the pass-through module were to experience a failure or a malfunction, each of the second electrical devices engaged with the pass-through module would no longer be in electrical communication with the first electrical device. Additionally, in order to service or replace the pass-through module, the transceivers within, or the transceivers within the first electrical device, the pass-through module and/or the first electrical device, respectively, may need to be shut down, thereby ceasing electrical communication with some or all of the second electrical devices.

Further, the pass-through module may use a power supply and/or a power cord to connect to external power, through outlets disposed in the rack, in order to convert the optical signals back to electrical signals using the transceivers within the pass-through module. This single power source may create another possible source of failure that would cease electrical communication between the first electrical device and all of the second electrical devices within that rack. Moreover, there may be multiple pass-through modules disposed within a rack, each with its own power supply and/or power cord, for which there may not be enough outlets in the rack. Each pass-through module, as well as its power supply and/or power cord, may occupy volume within a rack of second electrical devices. This occupied volume may otherwise be used to increase the number of second electrical devices, or, in other words, increase the density of the rack of second electrical devices.

Additionally, the number of second electrical devices within a rack may vary from rack to rack. Thus, a pass-through module may not, in some racks, have the right number of electrical connectors to transmit the converted electrical signals to each of the second electrical devices disposed within that particular rack. Also, since there is only one pass-through module per rack, relatively long electrical cables may be used to connect the pass-through module with each of or some of the second electrical devices disposed within the rack. These longer electrical cables may have larger gauges or diameters to transmit the electrical signal within the increased length, and they also may require signal conditioning circuitry, such as signal repeaters, to ensure signal integrity is maintained throughout the length of the cables.

Implementations of the present disclosure provide transceiver modules that may replace locally-powered pass-through modules in a system, while still transmitting optical signals from a first electrical device to one or more second electrical devices, and performing media conversion between electrical and optical signals. Implementations of the present disclosure may free volume within the system that may be used by additional electrical devices. Further, implementations of the present disclosure provide transceiver modules that may engage the first electrical device with one or more second electrical devices while minimizing the length of electrical cables employed, thereby reducing the gauge or diameter of such cabling, and removing additional signal conditioning circuitry. This may free additional volume within the electrical device system. Additionally, implementations of the present disclosure provide transceiver modules having cabling that can transmit optical signals, as well as electrical power. This may eliminate some power cabling within an electrical device, or within a rack of electrical devices. Further, multiple transceiver modules may be employed to connect the second electrical devices to the first electrical device, thereby allowing the number of second electrical devices disposed in a rack to be changed or adjusted, and avoid a situation where every second electrical device within a system is connected to the first electrical device through a single pass-through module. This may avoid a single point of failure situation within the electrical device system, such that only a portion of the second electrical devices within the system will cease to communicate with the first electrical device, should one of the transceiver modules experience a failure or a malfunction.

Referring now toFIG. 1, a schematic view of an example transceiver module assembly100is illustrated. The transceiver module assembly100may include a first transceiver module114, a second transceiver module104, and an electro-optical cable106to connect the first transceiver module114to the second transceiver module104. In some implementations, the first and second transceiver modules114and104may be disposed apart from each other, such that they are only engaged with each other through the electro-optical cable106. The first transceiver module114may be engaged with a first electrical device116such that the first transceiver module114may electrically communicate with the first electrical device116. Further, the second transceiver module104may be electrically engaged with a second electrical device112. In some implementations, the first electrical device116, the second electrical device112, and the transceiver module assembly100may be part of a transceiver system.

In some implementations, the first electrical device116may be a computing device, such as a device having a processor or logic for the execution of machine readable instructions, for example. In some implementations, the computing device may be a data server, a central data server, or other data storage system. In further implementations, the first electrical device may be a network switch, a network switching hub, or a similar component having a network switch chip, such as a powered switch module. In other words, the first electrical device may connect other devices together on a computer network. The network switch, in some implementations, may be able to provide electrical power and electrical signals to other electrical devices. In yet further implementations, the network switch may be a core switch to connect with other switches, or edge switches. In some implementations, the network switch may have multiple ports to connect with multiple servers, switches, or other electrical or computing devices. In further implementations, the network switch may have 128 ports, with at least some of the ports having a high data rate capability, such as 25 gigabits per second (Gbps), for example.

The first transceiver module114, as well as the second transceiver module104, may, in some implementations, include components that may structurally support and electrically connect multiple electronic components. The first and second transceiver modules,114and104, may, in some implementations, include components that may connect multiple electronic components with conductive pathways, which, in further implementations, may include copper. In yet further implementations, the first and second transceiver modules,114and104, may include components that be made, at least partially, out of a non-conductive substrate with copper pathways etched onto the substrate. In some implementations, the non-conductive substrate may include silicon. In further implementations, the first and second transceiver modules,114and104, might comprise a single-layer printed circuit board (PCB), or a multi-layer PCB in other implementations. In yet further implementations, the first transceiver module114may be removably or permanently disposed within the first electrical device116, or integrated into the first electrical device116. The first transceiver module114may, further, be integrated into the first electrical device116such that they share one or more electronic components or boards. In some implementations, the first transceiver module114may be disposed within the first electrical device116such that the electro-optical cable106may engage with the first transceiver module114through a faceplate of the first electrical device116. In some implementations, the faceplate may include an electro-optical connector to engage with the electro-optical cable106.

The first transceiver module114may include a first transceiver102. The first transceiver102may be an electronic component having both a transmitter and a receiver within. In other words, the first transceiver102may include circuitry to both receive a signal and transmit a signal. The first transceiver102may further include circuitry to convert an electrical signal to an optical signal, and vice versa. In some implementations, the first transceiver102may include circuitry to receive multiple electrical or optical signals, transmit multiple electrical or optical signals, and convert multiple electrical signals to optical signals, and vice versa. The first transceiver102may receive an electrical signal from the first electrical device116through an electrical trace115. The first transceiver102may use the transmitter within to convert the electrical signal from the first electrical device116to an optical signal119that corresponds to the electrical signal for transmission to the second transceiver module104. This optical signal119may also be referred to as the converted optical signal. Further, the first transceiver102may receive an optical signal119from the electro-optical cable106and use the receiver within to convert the optical signal119back to an electrical signal and transmit the electrical signal to the first electrical device116through the electrical trace115. Additionally, in some implementations, the first transceiver102may use electrical power from the first electrical device116to convert the electrical signal to the optical signal119. The first transceiver102may receive electrical power from the first electrical device through one or more power traces117.

Referring still toFIG. 1, the transceiver module assembly100may further include an electro-optical cable106to connect the first transceiver module114to the second transceiver module104. The electro-optical cable106may be a cable that is capable of transferring or transmitting one or more electrical signals or electrical power, as well as one or more optical signals, from one end of the cable to another. The electro-optical cable106may include an outer sheath that may comprise an electrically insulating material. The electro-optical cable106may also include inner conduits, along which the electrical and the optical signals may be transmitted. In some situations, the electro-optical cable106may include wires120comprising an electrically conductive material to transmit the electrical signals or electrical power along the length of the cable. In some implementations, the wires120may comprise copper, carbon nanowire, or another suitable conductive material. In some implementations, the wires120of the electro-optical cable106may include at least a positive and a negative wire to carry and transmit electrical signals. Further, the electro-optical cable106may include optical fibers118to transmit the optical signals along the length of the cable. The optical fibers118may comprise tubes or waveguides made of glass, plastic, or another suitable material for transmitting optical signals. The electro-optical cable106may electrically and optically engage with both the first transceiver module114and the second transceiver module104. In other words, the electro-optical cable106may be able to receive electrical and optical signals from both the first and second transceiver modules,114,104, as well as transmit electrical and optical signals to both the first and second transceiver modules114,104. The electro-optical cable106may be able to separately transmit electrical and optical signals, that is, transmit along separate conduits, to either of the first and second transceiver modules114,104. In some implementations, the electro-optical cable106may receive the optical signal119from the first transceiver102. Additionally, the electro-optical cable106may receive electrical power from the first transceiver module114, wherein the first transceiver module114may receive the electrical power from the first electrical device116through one or more power traces117. Further, the electro-optical cable106may transmit the received optical signal119along the optical fibers118to the other end of the cable, which may be connected to the second transceiver module104. Similarly, the electro-optical cable106may transmit the received electrical power along the wires120disposed within the cable106to the other end of the cable, which may be connected to the second transceiver module104. It should be noted that, in some implementations, the electro-optical cable106may receive multiple optical signals119from the first transceiver102and transmit the multiple optical signals119along the optical fibers118to the second transceiver module104.

The transceiver module assembly100may further include a second transceiver module104. The second transceiver module104may include a second transceiver108, and one or more electrical connectors122to connect the second transceiver module104to one or more second electrical devices112. The second transceiver108may be similar in structure and/or in function to the first transceiver102, described above. For example, the second transceiver108may be able to convert an optical signal to a corresponding electrical signal, and vice versa. Further, the second transceiver module104, as described above, may electrically and optically engage with the electro-optical cable106. The second transceiver module104may receive the transmitted optical signal119, as well as the transmitted electrical power, from the electro-optical cable106. The second transceiver108may receive the transmitted optical signal119and use the receiver within to convert the optical signal back to the corresponding electrical signal that was originally transmitted to the first transceiver102from the first electrical device116. This electrical signal may also be referred to as the converted electrical signal. Further, the second transceiver108may receive an electrical signal from a second electrical device112and use the transmitter within to convert the electrical signal to an optical signal and transmit the optical signal to the first transceiver module114through the electro-optical cable106. The second transceiver108may, in some implementations, receive multiple transmitted optical signals119and convert the multiple optical signals119back to the corresponding electrical signals. Further, the second transceiver module104may receive the transmitted electrical power from the wires120of the electro-optical cable106through one or more power traces123. In some implementations, the second transceiver108may use the electrical power transmitted from the first transceiver module114to convert the transmitted optical signal or signals back to the electrical signal or signals, and vice versa. Therefore, in some implementations, the electro-optical cable106may transmit sufficient electrical power from the first transceiver module114to the second transceiver module104such that the second transceiver108can convert between electrical and optical signals using only the transmitted electrical power.

The second transceiver module104may further include one or more electrical connectors122to connect and electrically engage the second transceiver module104with one or more second electrical devices112. One or more of the electrical connectors122may be engaged with the second transceiver108, such that after the second transceiver108converts the one or more received optical signals119back to the electrical signals, the second transceiver108may transmit the converted electrical signals to the electrical connectors122. The electrical connectors122may then transmit the one or more converted electrical signals to the one or more second electrical devices112. Additionally, the second transceiver module104may have a different number of electrical connectors122than is shown inFIG. 1, in some implementations. Further, each electrical connector122may engage with a second electrical device112directly, or, in some implementations, one or more of the electrical connectors122may connect to and electrically engage with an electrical cable110, which may then electrically engage with the respective second electrical device112. Accordingly, the second transceiver module104may engage with a different number of electrical cables110than is shown inFIG. 1, in some implementations.

Each electrical cable110may be a conduit for electrical signals to be transferred between two electrical devices. As such, each electrical cable110may electrically engage with an electrical connector122, as well as a second electrical device112. In some implementations, one or more of the electrical cables110may engage with the second transceiver108directly, instead of engaging with an electrical connector122. In such an implementation, the second transceiver module104may include electrically protective elements, such as a conductive shielding plates, to prevent electromagnetic signal interference with each signal within each electrical cable110and within the second transceiver module104. Further, the electrically protective element may also act as a mechanically protective element, such as a strain relief, for the electrical cables110. In yet further implementations, one or more of the electrical cables110may engage with another intermediary electrical component instead of a second electrical device112directly.

The second electrical device112may be a computing device, such as a device having a processor or logic for the execution of machine readable instructions, for example. In some implementations, the computing device may be a data server, a central data server, or other data storage system. In further implementations, the second electrical device112may be a network switch, a network switching hub, or a similar component having a network switch chip. In other words, the second electrical device112may connect other devices together on a computer network. AlthoughFIG. 1illustrates second electrical device112as a single component, element112may actually represent more than one second electrical device. Second electrical device112may be an array of multiple second electrical devices. Each of the second electrical devices112may be the same as the others, or may be a different type or style of electrical device, or may be a similar electrical device having different specifications or capacity. In some implementations, each electrical cable110may engage with a separate second electrical device112.

Although only one direction of signal transmission is generally discussed above, it should be noted that the above described implementations may send signals in a bidirectional manner. In other words, the second transceiver108of the second transceiver module104may receive one or more electrical signals from one or more of the second electrical devices112through the electrical connectors122. The second transceiver108may convert these one or more electrical signals to corresponding optical signals, which may then be transmitted by the electro-optical cable106to the first transceiver102of the first transceiver module114. The first transceiver102may then convert the one or more optical signals back to the corresponding one or more electrical signals, which may then be communicated or transmitted to the first electrical device116. Note, the electrical-to-optical conversion of the signals by the second transceiver108may still be powered by the transmitted electrical power from the first electrical device116. Similarly, the optical-to-electrical conversion of the signals by the first transceiver102may also be powered by the electrical power received from the first electrical device116.

Referring now toFIG. 2, a schematic view of an example transceiver module assembly200is illustrated. Example transceiver module assembly200may be similar to example transceiver module assembly100. Further, the similarly named elements of example transceiver module assembly200may be similar in function and/or structure to the elements of example transceiver module assembly100, as they are described above. Note, that although multiple elements ofFIG. 2may be shown and described together herein, implementations of the present disclosure may not need all of them together. The example transceiver module assembly200may comprise a first transceiver module214to engage with a first electrical device216. In some implementations, the first transceiver module214is to engage with the first electrical device216through a transceiver cage227of the first electrical device216. Further, the first transceiver module214may be modularly pluggable into the transceiver cage227of the first electrical device216. In yet further implementations, the first transceiver module214may include a hot-plug electrical connector224to engage with a complementary hot-plug electrical connector226of the first electrical device216.

The hot-plug electrical connector224and the complementary hot-plug electrical connector226may each be electrical connectors that are able to mechanically and electrically engage with one another. In some implementations, either of the connector224, or the connector226, may be a male electrical connector, with the other being a complementary female connector. While engaged with each other, the electrical connectors224and226may enable electrical communication between the first electrical device216and the first transceiver module214, such that the first electrical device216is able to transmit or provide an electrical signal, as well as electrical power, to the first transceiver module214. The first electrical device216may provide an electrical signal to the first transceiver module214through one or more electrical traces215. Similarly, the first electrical device216may provide electrical power to the first transceiver module214through one or more power traces217. The mechanical and electrical engagement of the electrical connectors224and226with each other may enable the electrical traces215and the power traces217to electrically communicate with the first transceiver module214. The power traces217, further, may provide enough power to the first transceiver module214through power pins of the electrical connectors224and226to power both the first transceiver202, as well as a second transceiver of the second transceiver module204. Additionally, hot-plug electrical connector224may be able to engage with the complementary hot-plug electrical connector226such that the first transceiver module214is hot-pluggable with the first electrical device216. In this context, hot-pluggable may refer to the ability of the first transceiver module214to be engaged or disengaged from the first electrical device216without the function of the first electrical device216being stopped.

In some implementations, when the first transceiver module214is engaged with the first electrical device216, a first transceiver202of the first transceiver module214may receive one or more electrical signals from the first electrical device216through the electrical traces215. The first transceiver202may then convert the received electrical signals to corresponding optical signals, and transmit the optical signals to a second transceiver module204through an electro-optical cable206. Additionally, the first transceiver module214may transmit electrical power received from the first electrical device216through the power traces217to the second transceiver module204through the electro-optical cable206. The electro-optical cable206may have electrical wires and optical fibers to transmit the electrical power and the optical signals, respectively.

The electro-optical cable206may electrically and optically engage the first transceiver module214with the second transceiver module204. The electro-optical cable206may be modularly pluggable into at least one of the first transceiver module214and the second transceiver module204. In some implementations, the electro-optical cable206may be modularly pluggable into both the first and second transceiver modules214and204. The electro-optical cable206may be modularly pluggable through an electro-optical connector228, which may engage the electro-optical cable206with another electrical device such that the cable206and the device are in electrical and optical communication. In some implementations, the electro-optical cable206may include a first and second electro-optical connector228disposed on a first and second end of the electro-optical cable206, respectively.

The example transceiver module assembly200may further comprise a power delivery device221disposed in each of the first transceiver module214, and the second transceiver module204. Each of the power delivery devices221may be respectively electrically engaged with the power traces217and223, as well as the electrical wires of the electro-optical cable206. The power delivery devices221may deliver power from the power traces217and223to other electrical components within the respective transceiver module. The power delivery devices221may act, in some implementations, as power converters. In such a situation, the power delivery device221of the first transceiver module214may adjust or convert an electrical power from the first electrical device216. This adjustment or conversion of the electrical power may change the voltage or current of the electrical power for transmission through the electro-optical cable206to the second transceiver module204. The power delivery device221of the second transceiver module204may receive the adjusted electrical power from the electro-optical cable206, and adjust or convert the voltage or current of the electrical power again, in accordance with the needs of a second transceiver of the second transceiver module204.

Additionally, the power delivery device221of the first transceiver module214may be able to send and/or modulate management signals on to the electrical wires of the electro-optical cable206, and the power delivery device221of the second transceiver module204may be able to receive and/or demodulate the management signals from the electrical wires of the electro-optical cable206, and vice versa. In other implementations, the transceiver module assembly200may have dedicated management wires that are separate from the electrical wires of the electro-optical cable206, and the management signals may be sent over the dedicated wires. The first and second transceiver modules214and204, in some implementations, may alternate sending and receiving management signals to and from each other. The management signals may enable the first and second electrical devices216and212(through the first and second transceiver modules214and204, respectively) to communicate with each other and exchange status information, attributes, load data, or other information with each other. Other exchanged information may include, but is not limited to, number of attached second electrical devices212, power requirements of the second transceiver module204or an attached second electrical device212, and transceiver configurations. In further implementations, the exchanged data or information may enable the first electrical device216to decide to carry out, or to not carry out, an operation or function. This may include whether or not to send electrical power to the second electrical device212through the transceiver module assembly200. Additionally, the power delivery device221of the first transceiver module214may have an over-current protection element, such as an electronic fuse, to prevent current overload by the power delivery device221of the second transceiver module204. In further implementations, the exchanged information may enable the first and/or second transceiver modules to display a status or other attribute of the other transceiver module. Such a status or attribute may be displayed using a light-emitting diode (LED), or other indicator.

Referring now toFIG. 3, a schematic view of an example transceiver module assembly300is illustrated. Example transceiver module assembly300may be similar to example transceiver module assembly100or200. Further, the similarly named elements of example transceiver module assembly300may be similar in function and/or structure to the elements of example transceiver module assembly100or200, as they are described above. In some implementations, the example transceiver module assembly300may comprise a first transceiver module314to engage with a first electrical device316. The example transceiver module assembly300may further include multiple electro-optical cables306, each to electrically and optically connect the first transceiver module314to a separate second transceiver module304. Further, the first transceiver module314may have a first transceiver302to receive one or more electrical signals from the first electrical device316, and to convert the electrical signals to optical signals. Each of the multiple electro-optical cables306may then transmit the optical signals to the respective second transceiver module304. Additionally, the first transceiver module314may also receive an electrical power from the first electrical device316. Each of the electro-optical cables306may also transmit, separately from the optical signals, the received electrical power from the first transceiver module314to the respective second transceiver module304.

Each of the multiple second transceiver modules304may be electrically engaged with one or more second electrical devices312. In some implementations, one or more of the second transceiver modules304may be electrically engaged with a second electrical device312through an electrical cable310. It should be noted that the example transceiver module assembly300may include a number of electro-optical cables306, second transceiver modules304, electrical cables310, and second electrical devices312that is different than shown inFIG. 3.

Referring now toFIGS. 4A-B, a perspective view and a cross-sectional perspective view of a partial example transceiver module assembly is illustrated, respectively. The example transceiver module assembly shown may be similar to example transceiver module assembly100,200, or300. Further, the similarly named elements of the example transceiver module assembly shown may be similar in function and/or structure to the elements of example transceiver module assembly100,200, or300, as they are described above. The example transceiver module assembly may include an example second transceiver module404. The example second transceiver module404may be electrically and optically engaged with a first transceiver module (not shown) by an electro-optical cable406. The electro-optical cable406may transmit electrical power along electrical wires from the first transceiver module to power traces423of the second transceiver module. The electrical power, or management signals therein, may also be received by a management controller421, in some implementations. Additionally, the electro-optical cable406may transmit one or more optical signals along optical fibers418from the first transceiver module to the example second transceiver module404, and vice versa.

The optical fibers418may transmit optical signals to and from a second transceiver408. The second transceiver408may convert the optical signals received to corresponding electrical signals. The example second transceiver module404may then provide the converted electrical signals to one or more of electrical connectors422. Each electrical connector422may engage with an electrical cable410, to transmit electrical signals from the second transceiver408to a second electrical device (not shown), and vice versa. Each electrical cable410may be modularly pluggable with each of the electrical connectors422, in some implementations. Note, only the portion of the electrical cable410that is to engage with the electrical connectors422is shown. Electrical signals received from a second electrical device by the second transceiver may be converted from electrical to corresponding optical signals, and transmitted from the second transceiver module404to the first transceiver module by the optical fibers418of the electro-optical cable406.