Abstract:
In order to further develop a device for coupling optical signals into at least one waveguide, wherein the device comprises at least one send-site circuit, which based on incoming signals from send-site terminal contacts actuates at least one electro-optical converter, which sends out the optical signals in the direction of the axis of the waveguide, in such a way that a corresponding miniaturization of the coupling device is enabled at low optical losses while at the same time the manufacturing expenses are to be low, it is proposed that the send-site circuit is arranged essentially in the plane of a send-site substrate comprising the send-site terminal contacts. 
     The corresponding is true for a device for decoupling optical signals from at least one waveguide.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of international (WO) patent application no. PCT/DE2014/200187, filed 29 Apr. 2014, which claims the respective priority 
         [0002]    of German (DE) patent application no. 10 2013 104 367.4, filed 29 Apr. 2013, and 
         [0003]    of German (DE) patent application no. 10 2013 104 787.4, filed 8 May 2013, 
         [0000]    the contents of each being hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates to a device for coupling optical signals into at least one waveguide. 
         [0005]    The present invention further relates to a complementary device for decoupling optical signals from at least one waveguide. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    As optical converters, in particular as active optical converters, vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSEL) or photodiodes (PD) send or receive optical signals essentially perpendicular to their surface. 
         [0007]    In order to couple such optical signals SI into an optical waveguide WL or decouple them from an optical waveguide WL, the optical signals SI are to be deflected by a 45 degree deflection mirror from the transmitting or receiving direction of the optical converter WA into a plane of the waveguide WL offset by ninety degrees, as may be taken from  FIG. 1 . 
         [0008]    Publication DE 10 2012 005 618 A1 describes an active optical cable, whose fibers are materially bonded to an optical substrate. The fibers here become coupled with an integrated optical waveguide. A deflection element guides the free jet to the processing unit located on the substrate surface, wherein the free jet undergoes a directional change of ninety degrees, so as to direct the free jet into a transceiver unit. 
         [0009]    Alternatively, optical converters WA can be arranged by means of a corresponding bracket HA in such a way that their transmitting or receiving direction corresponds to the plane of the waveguide WL, as may be taken from  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . 
         [0010]    The disadvantage to the solutions known from prior art involves the frame size of the coupling and decoupling devices. This frame size makes the known solutions unsuitable for the realization of applications involving the home and mobile electronics. This implies longer connection paths between the components, and thus longer latency periods. 
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    Starting from the above-explained disadvantages and shortcomings as well as taking the outlined prior art into account, the object of the present invention is to further develop a coupling device of the above-mentioned type as well as a decoupling device of the above-mentioned type in such a way that a corresponding miniaturization of the coupling device and of the decoupling device is enabled at low optical losses; at the same time, the manufacturing expenses are to be low. 
         [0012]    This object is achieved by a coupling device according to the invention with the herein described features as well as by a decoupling device according to the invention with the herein described features, in particular by a miniaturized active optical transmitting unit and/or by a miniaturized active optical receiving unit. Advantageous embodiments and expedient further developments of the present invention are described above and below. 
         [0013]    This object is achieved by a device for coupling optical signals into at least one waveguide, wherein the device comprises at least one send-site circuit, which based on incoming signals from send-site terminal contacts actuates at least one electro-optical converter, which sends out the optical signals in the direction of the axis of the waveguide, wherein the send-site circuit is arranged essentially in the plane of a send-site substrate comprising the send-site terminal contacts. 
         [0014]    This object is also achieved by a device for decoupling optical signals from at least one waveguide in at least one opto-electrical converter, which receives the optical signals from the direction of the axis of the waveguide, and transmits them as electrical signals to at least one receive-site circuit, which processes the incoming electrical signals and outputs them to receive-site terminal contacts, wherein the receive-site circuit is arranged essentially in the plane of a receive-site substrate comprising the receive-site terminal contacts. 
         [0015]    This object is further achieved by an embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the substrate comprises a notch for incorporating the circuit. 
         [0016]    This object is further achieved by an embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the notch is open toward the front face of the substrate, and dimensioned in such a way that the circuit essentially abuts flush against the front face. 
         [0017]    This object is further achieved by an embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the notch is embedded into the substrate. 
         [0018]    This object is further achieved by an embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the height of the circuit is essentially equal to or less than the height of the substrate. 
         [0019]    This object is further achieved by an embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the converter does not abut flush against the front face of the substrate and/or of the circuit. 
         [0020]    This object is further achieved by an embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the substrate and/or the circuit comprises a recess for incorporating the converter. 
         [0021]    This object is further achieved by an embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein, in order to achieve an essentially flush fit of the converter, the recess is provided on the front face of the substrate and/or of the circuit. 
         [0022]    This object is further achieved by an embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the recess is arranged in such a way that the converter is embedded in the substrate, wherein at least one outlet for optical signals, in particular a drilled hole or an optical medium, for example an optical substrate, is provided in the front face of the substrate between the converter and the waveguide. 
         [0023]    This object is further achieved by an embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein at least one bonding surface for securing the converter is arranged on at least one surface, in particular on the front face, of the substrate and/or of the circuit. 
         [0024]    This object is further achieved by an embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the waveguide can be allocated to the converter by means of a, in particular enveloping, housing. 
         [0025]    This object is further achieved by an embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein at least one guide for aligning the waveguide relative to the converter is arranged inside the housing and/or on the device. 
         [0026]    This object is further achieved by an embodiment of the device according to the invention, 
         [0027]    wherein the electro-optical converter is at least one laser, in particular at least one vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL), and/or 
         [0028]    wherein the opto-electrical converter is at least one diode, in particular at least one photodiode, and/or 
         [0029]    wherein the circuit is at least one application-specific integrated circuit, in particular at least one custom chip. 
         [0030]    This object is further achieved by a use of the device according to the invention for forming at least one, in particular pluggable, active optical cable. 
         [0031]    According to the present invention, electrical signals received via electrical terminal contacts are processed in at least one circuit. The circuit, which can be designed as an application-specific integrated circuit or application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), for example as a custom chip, actuates at least one electro-optical converter, in particular at least one laser, for example at least one vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL), which axially transmits the optical signals to the waveguide, and couples them into this waveguide, for example into at least one glass fiber. 
         [0032]    The send-site circuit, electro-optical converter and send-site terminal contacts are here arranged in such a way as to essentially be located in one plane. As opposed to conventional approaches, the flat structural design enables a reduction in the overall height. The manufacture of a flat substrate medium is also advantageous from a production and cost standpoint. 
         [0033]    The substrate acts first and foremost as a receiving medium for the send-site circuit, as well as for the send-site terminal contacts, and comprises communication interfaces and electrical connections, so as to enable communication between the individual components. 
         [0034]    On the reception side, the incoming optical signals are decoupled by at least one opto-electrical converter from the direction of the axis of the waveguide, in particular of at least one glass fiber. This opto-electrical converter, which can be a diode, in particular a photodiode, converts the optical signals into electrical signals, and outputs the latter to at least one circuit, in particular to at least one application-specific integrated circuit or to at least one application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), for example to at least one custom chip. The circuit processes, if necessary amplifies, and outputs the signals to terminal contacts. 
         [0035]    The receive-site circuit, opto-electrical converter and receive-site terminal contacts are here arranged in such a way as to be located essentially in one plane. As opposed to conventional approaches, the flat structural design enables a reduction in the overall height. The manufacture of a flat substrate medium is also advantageous from a production and cost standpoint. 
         [0036]    The substrate acts first and foremost as a receiving medium for the send-site circuit, as well as for the send-site terminal contacts, and comprises communication interfaces and electrical connections, so as to enable communication between the individual components. 
         [0037]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the substrate comprises a notch, wherein the dimensions of this notch correspond to the dimensions of the transmission or receive-site circuit. The advantage to this is that the circuit can be fitted into the substrate, and is directly in contact with the lines embedded into the substrate. 
         [0038]    In an advantageous further development of the present invention, the notch is designed in such a way as to be open toward the front face that faces away from the terminal contacts. The notch can here be defined in such a way that the circuit abuts flush against the front surface. This option is interesting in particular for production and cost-related reasons. 
         [0039]    In an expedient embodiment of the present invention, the notch is enveloped by the substrate in all four directions. This results in a particularly good embedment, and an especially good contact with the connections in the substrate. 
         [0040]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the height of the substrate is less than or equal to the height of the circuit, so that the circuit can be completely embedded in the substrate, and in this way better protected against external influences. 
         [0041]    In an advantageous further development of the present invention, the converter can be mounted, in particular adhesively bonded, to the front surface, without the converter abutting flush against the front face of the substrate and/or of the circuit. This variant enables a high flexibility in production. 
         [0042]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a recess for the converter is provided in the device, in particular in the substrate and/or in the circuit. This enables an improved protection along with a more exact positioning of the converter. In addition, a better connectivity with the connections in the substrate can be established in this way. 
         [0043]    In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the recess for the converter is designed in such a way that the converter, within the limits of achievable accuracy, abuts flush against the front surface of the substrate and/or of the circuit. This variant makes sense from a production and cost perspective, since it enables the simple and cost-effective manufacture of the device. 
         [0044]    In an advantageous further development of the present invention, the recess can be placed in such a way that the converter is embedded in the substrate. In order to make the waveguide or converter accessible for the optical signal, an outlet for optical signals, in particular a drilled hole or optical medium, for example an optical substrate, is expediently provided between the waveguide and converter. A complete embedment affords the converter with better protection against external influences. 
         [0045]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one bonding surface is secured to at least one surface of the substrate and/or of the circuit, preferably to the front face of the substrate. The bonding surfaces allow power to be supplied to the converter, and in particular abut flush against the substrate and/or against the circuit. 
         [0046]    In an advantageous further development of the present invention, it is useful to provide the device with a protective housing, in particular for use as a pluggable, active optical cable. In addition, the housing can take over the function of mechanically fixing in place the optical waveguide and device. 
         [0047]    In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the housing and/or device can be equipped with at least one guide for the waveguide, so as to facilitate the process of mounting, positioning and fixing the waveguide on the device. 
         [0048]    The proposed device for coupling or decoupling optical signals can be beneficially used in numerous areas of application, first and foremost for rapid signal transmission between two components with electrical signal routing. 
         [0049]    The present invention thus relates above all to use in building, in particular pluggable, active optical cables for rapid and low-loss signal conversion, as well as data transmission over a very small space, so as to quickly relay the electrically processed data to the various units. The extremely short routing inside the device allows for very short latency periods. 
         [0050]    Also conceivable is use as a pluggable active optical cable, so as to connect peripheral devices, wherein the cable in the plug ends processes signals, converts signals, and couples and decouples the input and output signals. It is here also possible to provide bidirectional cables, in particular if the transmitting and receiving components are allocated to a single substrate, or directionally independent cables, if the electro-optical converter is simultaneously also an opto-electrical converter. 
         [0051]    In addition, this device makes it possible to realize a new type of structural design for a miniaturized electro-optical transmitter and/or a miniaturized opto-electrical receiver with a fixedly connected optical waveguide for transmitting electrical signals via such an optical waveguide. 
         [0052]    The present invention is characterized by a high degree of miniaturization, which can be attributed to the way in which the components are positioned and integrated according to the invention. This makes it possible to construct A[ctive]O[ptical]C[able]s with miniaturized electro-optical transmitters and/or opto-electrical receivers. 
         [0053]    By “recessing” or embedding the circuit or converter, in particular the electro-optical transmitter and/or opto-electrical receiver, into the substrate plane or into the substrate, very short signal connecting lengths can be achieved, for example bond wire lengths, which helps maintain signal quality and reduces latency periods, in particular given very high data transmission rates. 
         [0054]    In comparison to conventional solutions, the present invention comprises lower optical loss values, since there is no need for deflection elements, boundary surfaces and free jets. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0055]    As already discussed hereinbefore, there are various possibilities for embodying and further developing the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous manner. To this end, on the one hand reference is made to the explanations above and to the dependent claims, and on the other hand further embodiments, features and advantages of the present invention are explained in greater detail below, inter alia by way of the exemplary embodiments illustrated by  FIG. 4A  to  FIG. 10 . 
           [0056]    It is shown in: 
           [0057]      FIG. 1  in a conceptual schematic view, a device according to the prior art, with which optical signals can be coupled at an angle of ninety degrees to the direction of emission; 
           [0058]      FIG. 2  in a conceptual schematic view, a device according to the prior art, with which optical signals can be coupled in an axial direction to the waveguide by means of an L-bracket; 
           [0059]      FIG. 3  in a perspective view, an example for realizing a coupling or decoupling device according to the prior art; 
           [0060]      FIG. 4A  in a top view, an exemplary embodiment for a carrier substrate according to the present invention; 
           [0061]      FIG. 4B  in a perspective view, the carrier substrate of  FIG. 4A ; 
           [0062]      FIG. 5  in a perspective view, a first exemplary embodiment for a device according to the present invention formed with the carrier substrate of  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B ; 
           [0063]      FIG. 6  in a perspective view, the device of  FIG. 5  with allocated optical waveguide; 
           [0064]      FIG. 7  in a conceptual schematic side view, a device according to the present invention, which is connected with the waveguide of  FIG. 6  by means of a housing; 
           [0065]      FIG. 8  in a perspective view, a second exemplary embodiment for a device according to the present invention; 
           [0066]      FIG. 9  in a perspective view, a third exemplary embodiment for a device according to the present invention; and 
           [0067]      FIG. 10  in a perspective view, a fourth exemplary embodiment for a device according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0068]    Like or similar embodiments, elements or features are provided with identical reference numerals in  FIG. 4A  to  FIG. 10 . While no graphic distinction is made between the transmission side and the reception side, the receive-site elements corresponding to the send-site elements have a reference numeral that is higher by 40. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0069]    In order to avoid unnecessary repetitions, the following explanations regarding the embodiments, features and advantages of the present invention—unless specified otherwise—relate 
         [0070]    to the first exemplary embodiment of a device  100  or  140  according to the invention shown in  FIG. 4A  to  FIG. 7  as well as 
         [0071]    to the second exemplary embodiment of a device  100 ′ or  140 ′ according to the invention shown in  FIG. 8  as well as 
         [0072]    to the third exemplary embodiment of a device  100 ″ or  140 ″ according to the invention shown in  FIG. 9  as well as 
         [0073]    to the fourth exemplary embodiment of a device  100 ′″ or  140 ′″ according to the invention shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0074]    The invention provides a send-site substrate  20  or a receive-site substrate  60 . The terminal contacts  22  or  62 , which in particular can be metal pressure contacts or sliding contacts, are supported on the substrate  20  or  60 , wherein the latter can also be worked, for example infused, into the substrate  20  or  60 . 
         [0075]    The substrate  20  or  60  in  FIG. 4A  and in  FIG. 4B  comprises a notch  24  or  64 , which has dimensions roughly corresponding to those of the ASIC  26  or  66  (=application-specific integrated circuit, also referred to as custom chip). The ASIC  26  or  66  is required by the electro-optical converter  28  or by the opto-electrical converter  68  for the respective signal processing. 
         [0076]    A corresponding circuit  26  or  66  is integrated into the notch  24  or  64 , preferably adhesively bonded or inserted, wherein the height of the substrate  20  or  60  corresponds to about the height of the circuit  26  or  66 . 
         [0077]    The electro-optical converter  28  or opto-electrical converter  68  is arranged on the front face  20   s  or  60   s  of the ASIC  26  or  77  facing away from the substrate  20  or  70  in such a way that the direction of transmission or reception of this electro-optical converter  28  or opto-electrical converter  68  essentially lies perpendicular to the surface of the substrate  20  or  60  (cf.  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0078]    The optical opening of the electro-optical converter  28  or opto-electrical converter  68  thus points in an axial direction  12  toward the optical waveguide  10  (cf.  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0079]    As may further be taken from  FIG. 6 , two respective bonding surfaces  30  or  70  for connecting the electro-optical converter  28  or opto-electrical converter  68  are arranged on the front face  20   s  or  60   s  of the substrate  20  or  70 , in particular incorporated or infused into the substrate  20  or  60 . 
         [0080]    As shown on  FIG. 7 , the optical waveguide  10  can be mechanically arranged, in particular fastened, on the substrate  20  or  60  by means of an enveloping housing  14 . It can here be advantageous to incorporate a guide for the waveguide  10  into this housing  14 , which facilitates the process of aligning the waveguide  10  relative to the electro-optical converter  28  or opto-electrical converter  68  during assembly. Alternatively, this guide can be secured to the device itself. 
         [0081]    As opposed to the first exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 4A  to  FIG. 7 , the ASIC  26  or  66  provided for signal processing and amplification can also be completely or fully embedded, in particular fitted, for example adhesively bonded, in the substrate  20  or  60 , as evident from the second exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 8 . 
         [0082]    The height of the ASIC  26  or  66  is here somewhat less than the height of the substrate  20  or  60 , so that, while the ASIC  26  or  66  is essentially arranged in the plane of the substrate  20  or  60 , its surface is slightly recessed in the notch  24  or  64  relative to the surface of the substrate  20  or  60 . 
         [0083]    If the height of the ASIC  26  or  66  is essentially equal to the height of the substrate  20  or  60 , the ASIC  26  or  66  is arranged in the plane of the substrate  20  or  60 . 
         [0084]    According to this exemplary embodiment on  FIG. 8 , the electro-optical transmission unit  28  or opto-electrical reception unit  68  is arranged on the front face  20   s  or  60   s  of the substrate  20  or  60 , so that the transmission or reception direction  12  essentially lies perpendicular to the front surface  20   s  or  60   s , and the optical opening of the converter  28  or  68  simultaneously points in the direction of the optical waveguide  10  or optical fiber. 
         [0085]    In a slightly modified manner compared to the second exemplary embodiment on  FIG. 8 , the electro-optical converter  28  or opto-electrical converter  68  according to the third exemplary embodiment on  FIG. 9  can be arranged in a recess  38  or  78  corresponding to its dimensions on the front face  20   s  or  60   s  of the substrate  20  or  60 . 
         [0086]    The height of the ASIC  26  or  66  is here somewhat less than the height of the substrate  20  or  60 , so that, while the ASIC  26  or  66  is essentially arranged in the plane of the substrate  20  or  60 , its surface is slightly recessed in the notch  24  or  64  relative to the surface of the substrate  20  or  60 . 
         [0087]    If the height of the ASIC  26  or  66  is essentially equal to the height of the substrate  20  or  60 , the ASIC  26  or  66  is arranged in the plane of the substrate  20  or  60 . 
         [0088]    According to this exemplary embodiment on  FIG. 9 , the electro-optical transmission unit  28  or opto-electrical reception unit  68  is aligned in such a way that the transmission or reception direction  12  essentially lies perpendicular to the front face  20   s  or  60   s , and the optical opening of the converter  28  or  68  simultaneously points in the direction of the optical waveguide  10  or optical fiber. 
         [0089]    In a slightly modified manner compared to the second exemplary embodiment on  FIG. 8  and the third exemplary embodiment on  FIG. 9 , the electro-optical converter  28  or opto-electrical converter  68  according to the fourth exemplary embodiment on  FIG. 10  as well as the ASIC  26  or  66  can be completely or fully embedded or fitted into the substrate  20  or  60 . 
         [0090]    The height of the ASIC  26  or  66  is here somewhat less than the height of the substrate  20  or  60 , so that, while the ASIC  26  or  66  is essentially arranged in the plane of the substrate  20  or  60 , its surface is slightly recessed in the notch  24  or  64  relative to the surface of the substrate  20  or  60 . 
         [0091]    If the height of the ASIC  26  or  66  is essentially equal to the height of the substrate  20  or  60 , the ASIC  26  or  66  is arranged in the plane of the substrate  20  or  60 . 
         [0092]    According to this exemplary embodiment on  FIG. 10 , the optical output of the electro-optical transmission unit  28  or the optical input of the opto-electrical reception unit  68  can be accessed by means of an optical outlet  32  or  72  in the form of a drilled hole or an optical substrate on the front face  20   s  or  60   s  of the substrate  20  or  60 . 
         [0093]    The opening  32  or  72  on the front face  20   s  or  60   s  of the substrate  20  or  60  is aligned on  FIG. 10  in such a way that the transmission or reception direction  12  of this embedded electro-optical converter  28  or opto-electrical converter  68  lies essentially perpendicular to the front face  20   s  or  60   s , i.e. the optical opening of the converter  28  or  68  points in the direction  12  of the optical waveguide  10  or the optical fiber. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
           10  waveguide 
           12  axial direction of waveguide  10   
           14  housing 
           20  send-site substrate, in particular send-site printed circuit board 
           20   s  front face of send-site substrate  20   
           22  send-site terminal contact 
           24  send-site notch for incorporating send-site circuit  26   
           26  send-site circuit, in particular send-site application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), for example send-site custom chip 
           28  electro-optical converter, in particular active optical transmission unit 
           30  bonding surfaces of electro-optical converter  28   
           32  send-site optical outlet 
           38  send-site recess for incorporating electro-optical converter  28   
           60  receive-site substrate, in particular receive-site printed circuit board 
           60   s  front face of receive-site substrate  60   
           62  receive-site terminal contact 
           64  receive-site notch for incorporating receive-site circuit  66   
           66  receive-site circuit, in particular receive-site application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), for example receive-site custom chip 
           68  opto-electrical converter, in particular active optical reception unit 
           70  bonding surfaces of opto-electrical converter  68   
           72  receive-site optical outlet 
           78  receive-site recess for incorporating opto-electrical converter  68   
           100  send-site device (=first exemplary embodiment; cf.  FIG. 4A  to  FIG. 7 ) 
           100 ′ send-site device (=second exemplary embodiment; cf.  FIG. 8 ) 
           100 ″ send-site device (=third exemplary embodiment; cf.  FIG. 9 ) 
           100 ″′ send-site device (=fourth exemplary embodiment; cf.  FIG. 10 ) 
           140  receive-site device (=first exemplary embodiment; cf.  FIG. 4A  to  FIG. 7 ) 
           140 ′ receive-site device (=second exemplary embodiment; cf.  FIG. 8 ) 
           140 ″ receive-site device (=third exemplary embodiment; cf.  FIG. 9 ) 
           140 ″&#39; receive-site device (=fourth exemplary embodiment; cf.  FIG. 10 ) 
         ASIC circuit, in particular application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), for example custom chip (=prior art; cf.  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ) 
         HA bracket (=prior art; cf.  FIG. 2 ) 
         SI optical signal (=prior art; cf.  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ) 
         US deflection mirror (=prior art; cf.  FIG. 1 ) 
         WA optical converter (=prior art; cf.  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ) 
         WL optical waveguide (=prior art; cf.  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ) 
       
     
         [0129]    While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, and uses and/or adaptations of the invention and following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention.