Patent Description:
Datacenters and other networking environments may include connections between switch systems, servers, racks, and other devices in order to provide for signal transmission between one or more of these elements. Such connections may be made using cables, transceivers, networking boxes, modules, printed circuit boards (PCBs), and connector assemblies, each of which may have a different size, shape, form factor, or the like as defined by applicable regulations or standards.

<CIT> relates to an adapter for a communication transceiver. The adapter includes a main body having a first end and opposed second end. The first end of the main body has an OSFP (octal small form factor pluggable) edge connector arranged for electrical and physical connection to an OSFP host connector in an OSFP host port. The main body has a QSFP (quad small form factor pluggable) host connector arranged to receive a QSFP edge connector of a QSFP transceiver through the second end of the main body so that the adapter adapts the QSFP transceiver to an OSFP host.

In order to illustrate the invention, aspects and embodiments which may or may not fall within the scope of the claims are described herein.

Apparatuses, systems, and associated methods of manufacturing are provided for improved networking communication systems. An example networking communication adapter may include an adapter housing defining a first end configured to engage an Octal Small Form Factor Pluggable (OSFP) connector. The adapter housing may further define a second end opposite the first end configured to receive a Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable Double Density (QSFP-DD) transceiver therein. The networking communication adapter may further include an inner connector positioned within the adapter housing and configured to, in an operational configuration in which the first end engages the OSFP connector and the second end receives the QSFP-DD transceiver, operably connect the QSFP-DD transceiver with the OSFP connector such that signals may pass therebetween.

In some embodiments, the inner connector may further include a printed circuit board (PCB) proximate the first end of the adapter housing configured to, in the operational configuration, operably connect the inner connector with the OSFP connector. In such an embodiment, the inner connector may further include a QSFP-DD connector proximate the second end of the adapter housing, configured to, in the operational configuration, operably couple the inner connector with the QSFP-DD transceiver.

In some further embodiments, the QSFP-DD connector may be configured to receive a corresponding PCB of the QSFP-DD transceiver such that the PCB of the inner connector and the PCB of the QSFP-DD transceiver are substantially aligned.

In other embodiments, the QSFP-DD connector may be configured to receive a corresponding PCB of the QSFP-DD transceiver such that the PCB of the inner connector and the PCB of the QSFP-DD transceiver are coplanar.

In some embodiments, the inner connector may further include connectivity circuitry configured to determine the presence of a noncompliant transceiver received by the second end of the adapter housing and preclude communication between the OSFP connector and the noncompliant transceiver. In such an embodiment, the noncompliant transceiver may include a Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable (QSFP), Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable+ (QSFP+), Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable <NUM> (QSFP28), Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable <NUM> (QSFP56) transceiver, or Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable <NUM> (QSFP112) transceiver. Some of the aforementioned transceivers may be defined by applicable multi-source agreements (MSAs) or standards. The present disclosure, however, contemplates that a noncompliant transceiver as described herein may refer to a transceiver that has the same size (e.g., form factor) and connectivity (e.g., connection pads) as a QSFP transceiver.

In some further embodiments, the QSFP-DD connector may further include a plurality of legacy connection pads and a plurality of QSFP-DD connections pads configured to, in an operational configuration, operably connect the QSFP-DD transceiver with the inner connector. In such an embodiment, the connectivity circuitry may be configured to determine the presence of the noncompliant transceiver by identifying an absence of connectivity associated with at least one QSFP-DD connection pad.

An example method of manufacturing a networking communication adapter comprises providing an adapter housing defining a first end configured to engage an Octal Small Form Factor Pluggable (OSFP) connector and a second end opposite the first end configured to receive a Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable Double Density (QSFP-DD) transceiver therein. The method further comprises positioning an inner connector within the adapter housing configured to, in an operational configuration in which the first end engages the OSFP connector and the second end receives the QSFP-DD transceiver, operably connect the QSFP-DD transceiver with the OSFP connector such that signals may pass therebetween.

In some embodiments, the inner connector may further comprise a printed circuit board (PCB) proximate the first end of the adapter housing configured to, in the operational configuration, operably connect the inner connector with the OSFP connector; and a QSFP-DD connector proximate the second end of the adapter housing, configured to, in the operational configuration, operably couple the inner connector with the QSFP-DD transceiver.

In some embodiments, the inner connector may further comprise connectivity circuitry configured to determine the presence of a noncompliant transceiver received by the second end of the adapter housing and preclude communication between the OSFP connector and the noncompliant transceiver. In such an embodiment, the noncompliant transceiver comprises a Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable (QSFP), Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable+ (QSFP+), Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable <NUM> (QSFP28), Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable <NUM> (QSFP56) transceiver, or Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable <NUM> (QSFP112) transceiver.

In some further embodiments, the QSFP-DD connector may further comprise a plurality of legacy connection pads and a plurality of QSFP-DD connections pads configured to, in an operational configuration, operably connect the QSFP-DD transceiver with the inner connector. In such an embodiment, the connectivity circuitry may be configured to determine the presence of the noncompliant transceiver by identifying an absence of connectivity associated with at least one QSFP-DD connection pad.

An example method for network communications is also provided. The method may include monitoring a second end of an adapter housing, wherein the second end is configured to receive a Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable Double Density (QSFP-DD) transceiver therein. The method may further include determining the presence of a noncompliant transceiver received by the second end of the adapter housing and precluding communication between the noncompliant transceiver and a first end of the adapter housing configured to engage an Octal Small Form Factor Pluggable (OSFP) connector.

In some embodiments, monitoring the second end of the adapter housing may further include monitoring a plurality of legacy connection pads and a plurality of QSFP-DD connection pads of a QSFP-DD connector positioned proximate the second end of the adapter housing.

In some further embodiments, precluding communication between the noncompliant transceiver and the first end of the adapter housing may further include grounding a connection to at least one legacy connection pad.

In any network communication method embodiment, the noncompliant transceiver may include a Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable (QSFP), Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable+ (QSFP+), Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable <NUM> (QSFP28), or Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable <NUM> (QSFP56) transceiver.

Any feature of one aspect or embodiment may be applied to other aspects or embodiments, in any appropriate combination. In particular, any feature of a method aspect or embodiment may be applied to an apparatus aspect or embodiment, and vice versa.

The above summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example embodiments to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above-described embodiments are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope of the invention in any way. It will be appreciated that the scope of the invention encompasses many potential embodiments in addition to those here summarized, some of which will be further described below.

Having described certain example embodiments of the present disclosure in general terms above, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings. The components illustrated in the figures may or may not be present in certain embodiments described herein. Some embodiments may include fewer (or more) components than those shown in the figures.

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which some but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. As used herein, terms such as "front," "rear," "top," etc. are used for explanatory purposes in the examples provided below to describe the relative position of certain components or portions of components. Furthermore, as would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure, the terms "substantially" and "approximately" indicate that the referenced element or associated description is accurate to within applicable engineering tolerances.

As noted above and described hereafter, networking systems, such as those found in datacenters, may establish inter-rack connections between racks and intra-rack connections between networking boxes, PCBs, and the like located within the same rack. These connections often rely upon transceivers, processors, chipsets, PCBs, connectors, networking cables, and associated communication system components that are constrained by regulations (e.g., industry standards or the like) that regulate the overall size of these components, define the shape of these components, and/or specify the types of connections between components. By way of example, emerging transceivers/modules such as Octal Small Form Factor Pluggable (OSFP) and Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable Double Density (QSFP-DD) transceivers/modules employ eight (<NUM>) high speed electrical lanes that increase system bandwidth and data transmission as compared to prior legacy transceivers/modules. OSFP connectors are configured to engage an OSFP transceiver/module and are dimensioned (e.g., sized and shaped) according to associated OSFP regulations. QSFP-DD transceivers/modules are also dimensioned (e.g., sized and shaped) according to associated QSFP-DD regulations, resulting in a different size and form factor as between OSFP and QSFP-DD transceivers/modules. The size of an OSFP connector, for example, is wider and deeper than that of a QSDP-DD transceiver/module, resulting in connector interfacing issues in networking environments. In order to address these issues and others, the devices of the present disclosure provide a networking communication adapter that physically and electrically connects an OSFP connector and a QSFP-DD transceiver such that signals may pass therebetween.

Furthermore, QSFP-DD connectors may also provide for backwards compatibility in that legacy transceivers (e.g., prior hardware components that have been superseded in functionality) may be physically inserted into a QSFP-DD connector and may be operable. By way of example, Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable (QSFP), Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable+ (QSFP+), Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable <NUM> (QSFP28), and Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable <NUM> (QSFP56) transceivers employ four (<NUM>) high speed electrical lanes but may be received by a QSFP-DD connector and operate with these four (<NUM>) electrical lanes. Although operable, receipt of a legacy transceiver/module (e.g., QSFP, QSFP+, QSFP28, QSFP56, etc.) by a QSFP-DD connector results in a reduced operating capacity for the QSFP-DD connector due to utilization of only a subset of available connection pads offered by the QSFP-DD connector. Said differently, the backwards compatibility of current QSFP-DD connectors may result in reduced bandwidth in networking applications by underutilizing available connectivity resources. In order to address these issues and others, the devices of the present disclosure provide connectivity circuitry disposed within the networking communication adapter that identifies a noncompliant transceiver/module (e.g., a suboptimal legacy transceiver) and precludes operation of the networking communication adapter with the noncompliant transceiver/module. In doing so, the embodiments of the present application may reduce the inefficiencies of traditional networking connections while also providing new functionality associated with adapting OSFP and QSFP-DD connections.

Although described herein with reference to a network connection between a QSFP-DD transceiver and an OSFP connector, the present disclosure contemplates that the features and functionality described herein may also be applicable to adapters used with connections between other types of transceivers and connectors. By way of example, an adapter configured to receive a small form factor pluggable double density (SFP-DD) transceiver would necessarily prevent operation with a QSFP transceiver (e.g., a noncompliant transceiver) due to the physical differences (e.g., different form factors) between these types of connections. Said differently, a QSFP transceiver may not be physically or electrically connected with an SFP-DD connector. The present disclosure, however, contemplates that an adapter for use with, for example, an SFP-DD transceiver may similarly be configured as described herein to preclude operation of such an adapter with a noncompliant transceiver (e.g., any transceiver other than an SFP-DD transceiver).

With reference to <FIG>, a networking system <NUM> is illustrated. As shown, the example networking system <NUM> may include a networking communication adapter <NUM>, a QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM>, and associated networking cable <NUM>. As described hereafter with reference to <FIG>, the networking communication adapter <NUM> (e.g., adapter <NUM>) may include an adapter housing <NUM> that defines a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM> opposite the first end <NUM>. The first end <NUM> may be configured to engage or otherwise physically connect the adapter housing <NUM> with an OSFP connector (not shown). As described above, applicable OSFP regulations or standards may define the physical dimensions, size, and shape of OSFP transceiver/modules and associated OSFP connectors configured to receive OSFP transceiver/modules. As such, the first end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM> may be dimensioned (e.g., sized and shaped) to comply with the regulations or standards that govern OSFP connections. In an operational configuration, the first end <NUM> may provide physical engagement between the adapter housing <NUM> and an OSFP connector (not shown).

With continued reference to <FIG>, the second end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM> may be configured to engage or otherwise physically connect the adapter housing <NUM> with an QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM>. In particular, the second end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM> may be configured to receive the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> inserted therein. As described above, applicable QSFP-DD regulations or standards may define the physical dimensions, size, and shape of QSFP-DD transceiver/modules and associated QSFP-DD connectors configured to receive QSFP-DD transceiver/modules. As such, the second end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM> may be dimensioned (e.g., sized and shaped) to comply with the regulations or standards that govern QSFP-DD connections. As shown in <FIG>, the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> may include a networking cable <NUM> (e.g., transmission medium) attached thereto so as to provide signal transmission between the networking communication adapter <NUM> and components (not shown) positioned on opposite ends of the networking cable <NUM>. In an operational configuration, as shown in <FIG>, the second end <NUM> may provide physical engagement between the adapter housing <NUM> and the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, exploded and cross-sectional views, respectively, of the networking communication adapter <NUM> are illustrated. As shown, the adapter housing <NUM> may, in some embodiments, include a bottom backshell <NUM>, a top backshell <NUM>, and an inner cage <NUM>. The bottom backshell <NUM> may engage or otherwise connect with the top backshell <NUM> to substantially enclose the components described herein. The combined bottom backshell <NUM> and top backshell <NUM> may further support the inner cage <NUM> within the adapter housing <NUM>. The inner cage <NUM> may be configured to, in the operational configuration illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, support at least a portion of the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> within the adapter housing <NUM>. As such, the inner cage <NUM> may be dimensioned (e.g., sized and shaped) as defined by applicable regulations and standards to receive a QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> therein. The bottom backshell <NUM> and the top backshell <NUM> may be connected via one or more engagement elements (e.g., screws, tabs, fasteners, or the like). Although illustrated with two (<NUM>) threaded elements (e.g., screws), the present disclosure contemplates that any mechanism or element configured to secure the bottom backshell <NUM> to the top backshell <NUM> may be used based upon the intended application of the adapter housing <NUM>.

The network communication adapter <NUM> may further include a heat sink <NUM> and spring members <NUM> configured to dissipate heat generated by the networking components described herein. The heat sink <NUM> may define a plurality of fins, pins, or other heat dissipation elements that, in some embodiments, extend along a length of the heat sink <NUM>. The spring members <NUM> may be configured to secure the heat sink <NUM> to the top backshell <NUM> and may further urge contact between the heat sink <NUM> and the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> received by the adapter housing <NUM> via the second end <NUM>. By way of example, in the operational configuration, the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> within the adapter housing <NUM>, other circuitry components (e.g., connectivity circuitry described hereafter), and/or engagement with the OSFP connector (not shown) may generate heat during performance of the operations described herein. As such, the heat sink <NUM> may serve to dissipate heat generated by these components in order to reduce the thermal load of the components. Although illustrated and described herein with reference to a heat sink <NUM> that defines a plurality of longitudinal fins, the present disclosure contemplates that any heat dissipation element or form of heat dissipation (e.g., conductive, convective, etc.) may be used by the networking communication adapter <NUM>.

With continued reference to <FIG>, the networking communication adapter <NUM> may include an inner connector <NUM> positioned within the adapter housing <NUM>. The inner connector <NUM> may, in the operational configuration in which the first end <NUM> engages the OSFP connector (not shown) and the second end <NUM> receives the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM>, operably connect the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> with the OSFP connector (not shown) such that signals may pass therebetween. The adapter housing <NUM> may provide for the physical connection between the OSFP connector (not shown) and the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM>, but the inner connector <NUM> may electrically connect these components for signal transmission.

The inner connector <NUM> may include a printed circuit board (PCB) <NUM> proximate the first end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM>. In an instance in which the first end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM> engages the OSFP connector (not shown), the PCB <NUM> may be configured to operably connect the inner connecter <NUM> with the OSFP connector (not shown). By way of example, the PCB <NUM> may define a plurality of electrical contacts, connection pads, traces, or the like configured to provide electrical communication between the PCB <NUM> and the OSFP connector (not shown) in the operational configuration. The PCB <NUM> may further be positioned by the inner connector <NUM> proximate the first end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM> so as to be received by or otherwise electrically connect with corresponding electrical contacts, connection pads, traces, or the like of the OSFP connector (not shown). Said differently, the physical engagement between the first end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM> and the OSFP connector (not shown) positions the PCB <NUM> of the inner connector <NUM> for receipt by a corresponding connection of the OSFP connector (not shown).

The inner connector may further include a QSFP-DD connector <NUM> proximate the second end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM>, configured to, in the operational configuration, operably couple the inner connector <NUM> with the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM>. In an instance in which the second end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM> receives the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, the QSFP-DD connector <NUM> may be configured to operably connect the inner connector <NUM> with the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM>. By way of example, the QSFP-DD connector <NUM> may include a plurality of electrical connection pads as illustrated in <FIG> configured to provide electrical communication between the QSFP-DD connector <NUM> and the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM>. The QSFP-DD connector <NUM> may be at least partially disposed within the inner cage <NUM> proximate the second end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM> such that physical engagement between the second end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM> (e.g., the inner cage <NUM>) and the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> positions the QSFP-DD connector <NUM> of the inner connector <NUM> for receipt of a corresponding printed circuit board (PCB) <NUM> of the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM>. As described hereafter with reference to <FIG>, the QSFP-DD connector <NUM> may define a plurality of connection pads on opposite surfaces (e.g., a top and bottom surface) of the QSFP-DD connector <NUM> so as to electrically connect with opposing sides of the PCB <NUM> of the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> received therein.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the QSFP-DD connector <NUM> may be configured to receive the corresponding PCB <NUM> of the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> such that the PCB <NUM> of the inner connector <NUM> and the PCB <NUM> of the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> are substantially aligned. In conventional networking connections, the dimensions specified by applicable standards or regulations often result in misalignment between PCBs (e.g., PCBs located at differing heights within a housing) such that additional components are necessary to electrically connect these PCBs. By way of example, the dimensions of a QSFP module (e.g., a legacy transceiver) as defined by associated QSFP standards results in a height discrepancy or misalignment between the PCB of the legacy transceiver and the PCB of an associated connector. In order to bridge this discrepancy, traditional networking connections have relied upon flexible circuit boards, stepped/milled circuit boards, and/or additional specialized cables. Each of these conventional techniques, however, increase the overall cost of the networking component while further introducing additional modes of failure. The networking communication adapter <NUM> described herein, however, is configured to position these respective PCBs (e.g., PCB <NUM> of the inner connector <NUM> and the PCB <NUM> of the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM>) in alignment (e.g., without a difference in height). In doing so, the networking communication adapter <NUM> may remove the need for additional networking components within the adapter housing <NUM>.

As noted above, in some embodiments, the QSFP-DD connector <NUM> is configured to receive a corresponding PCB <NUM> of the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> such that the PCB <NUM> of the inner connector <NUM> and the PCB <NUM> of the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> are substantially aligned. As described herein, substantial alignment may refer to placement of the PCB <NUM> and the PCB <NUM> along a common line (e.g., at the same height). In some further embodiments, the QSFP-DD connector <NUM> may be configured to receive the corresponding PCB <NUM> of the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> more exactly, such that the PCB <NUM> of the inner connector <NUM> and the PCB <NUM> of the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> are coplanar. As described herein, coplanar may refer to the positioning of PCB <NUM> and the PCB <NUM> in a common plane. In order to provide this improved alignment, the networking communication adapter <NUM> described herein may, in some instances, be configured such that the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> received by the second end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM> extends beyond an outer edge of the second end <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Said differently, the inner cage <NUM>, inner connector <NUM>, and/or second end <NUM> may be dimensioned such that at least a portion of the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> is disposed outside of the adapter housing <NUM>. In doing so, the networking communication adapter <NUM> may ensure the necessary space within the adapter housing <NUM> to provide substantial alignment, and in some cases coplanar alignment, between the PCB <NUM> and the PCB <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, top and bottom views, respectively, of connection pads of the QSFP-DD connector <NUM> are illustrated. As shown, each major surface of the QSFP-DD connector <NUM> may include a plurality of legacy connection pads <NUM> and a plurality of QSFP-DD connection pads <NUM>. The plurality of legacy connections pads <NUM> may be configured to operably connect a plurality of transmission channels (e.g., four (<NUM>) electrical channels found in QSFP-DD transceivers and legacy transceivers) of the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> with the inner connector <NUM>. The plurality of QSFP-DD connections <NUM> may be configured to operably connect a plurality of transmission channels (e.g., four (<NUM>) electrical channels found only in QSFP-DD transceivers) of the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> with the inner connector <NUM>. Notwithstanding the connection preclusion techniques described hereafter, insertion of a legacy transceiver (e.g., a QSFP transceiver, a QSFP+ transceiver, a QSFP28 transceiver, or a QSFP56 transceiver) results in connection with only the plurality of legacy connection pads <NUM>. Said differently, legacy transceivers fail to include transmission lanes for connecting with the QSFP-DD pads <NUM>.

As described hereafter with reference to an example network communication and associated connection preclusion, the inner connector <NUM> may further include connectivity circuitry configured to, in the operational configuration, enable signal transmission between the OSFP connector (not shown) and the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM>. In some instances, the signals transmitted by the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> and the OSFP connector may be of a matching type, encoding, encryption, or the like such that the connectivity circuitry includes passive circuitry elements (e.g., electrical connections, traces, etc.) configured to direct electrical signals between the OSFP connector (not shown) and the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM>.

In other embodiments, the signals transmitted between the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> and the OSFP connector (not shown) may utilize different forms of encoding such that the connectivity circuitry may include active circuitry (e.g., a controller, a computing device, etc.) configured to convert between these signals to operably connect the OSFP connector (not shown) and the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM>. In such an embodiment, the connectivity circuitry may be embodied in any number of different ways and may, for example, include one or more processing devices configured to perform independently. Furthermore, the connectivity circuitry (e.g., controller) may be understood to include a single core processor, a multi-core processor, and/or the like. By way of example, the connectivity circuitry (e.g. controller) may be configured to execute instructions stored in a memory or otherwise accessible to one or more processors of the connectivity circuitry (e.g. controller). Alternatively or additionally, the connectivity circuitry (e.g. controller) may be configured to execute hard-coded functionality. As such, whether configured by hardware or by a combination of hardware with software, the connectivity circuitry (e.g. controller) may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry) capable of performing operations according to an embodiment of the present invention while configured accordingly.

With reference to <FIG>, a method for network communication and connection preclusion is illustrated. The method (e.g., method <NUM>) may include the step of monitoring, via the connectivity circuitry, a second end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM> that receives the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> therein at operation <NUM>. As described above, the inner connector <NUM> may include connectivity circuitry configured to, in the operational configuration, operably connect the OSFP connector (not shown) and the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> such that signals may flow therebetween. In some instances, the connectivity circuitry may include passive circuitry elements (e.g., electrical connections, traces, etc.) configured to direct electrical signals. In such an embodiment, the monitoring by the connectivity circuitry at operation <NUM> may refer to the identification of electrical signals within the plurality of legacy connection pads <NUM> and/or plurality of QSFP-DD connection pads <NUM>. Said differently, operation <NUM>, in some embodiments, may be responsive to the receipt of a QSFP transceiver (or noncompliant transceiver as described hereafter) in that the passive connectivity circuitry components monitor the second end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM> by determining the presence of electrical signals received from the QSFP-DD connector <NUM>. In instances in which the connectivity circuitry includes active circuitry elements (e.g., a controller), operation <NUM> may refer to interrogatory signal(s) transmitted by the connectivity circuitry to the QSFP-DD connector <NUM> in order to monitor the second end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM>.

The method <NUM> may include the step of determining, the connectivity circuitry, the con the presence of a noncompliant transceiver received by the second end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM> at operation <NUM>. As described above, the backwards compatibility of QSFP-DD connectors allows for legacy transceivers (e.g., prior hardware components that have been superseded in functionality) to be physically inserted into a QSFP-DD connector <NUM> in an operable fashion. These legacy transceivers, however, are noncompliant transceivers in that they result in reduced bandwidth for the networking communication adapter <NUM> due to the ability to only utilize four (<NUM>) of the available eight (<NUM>) transmission lanes. Noncompliant transceivers may include, for example, QSFP transceivers, QSFP+ transceivers, QSFP28 transceivers, and QSFP56 transceivers. At operation <NUM>, the connectivity circuitry may be configured to identify the presence of a noncompliant transceiver received by the second end <NUM> by identifying an absence of connectivity associated with at least one QSFP-DD connection pad <NUM>.

By way of example, a QSFP transceiver may be physically inserted into the adapter housing <NUM> via the second end <NUM> and connect with one or more of the legacy connection pads <NUM>. Due to the reduced number of electrical transmission lanes; however, the QSFP transceiver is unable to connect to the QSFP-DD connection pads <NUM>. Furthermore, the length of these noncompliant or legacy transceivers (e.g., QSFP, QSFP+, QSFP28, QSFP56, etc.) is reduced due to the lack of additional electrical transmission lanes associated with QSFP-DD transceivers such that the noncompliant or legacy transceiver is unable to electrically connect with the QSFP-DD connection pads <NUM> when received by the second end <NUM>. As such, the determination at operation <NUM> may include identifying the absence of connectivity (e.g., an absence of electrical signals, current, etc.) with at least one QSFP-DD connection pad <NUM> indicating that the transceiver received by the second end of the adapter housing <NUM> is not a QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> (e.g., is a noncompliant transceiver).

With reference to operation <NUM>, the method <NUM> may include the step of precluding, via the connectivity circuitry, communication between the noncompliant transceiver determined at operation <NUM> and a first end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM> that engages the OSFP connector (not shown). In some embodiments, the connectivity circuitry may be configured to ground a connection to at least one legacy connection pad <NUM>, thereby preventing power to the noncompliant transceiver identified at operation <NUM>. In an instance in which the connectivity circuitry includes passive circuitry elements (e.g., electrical connections, traces, etc.), the connectivity circuitry may include resistors, capacitors, and/or other circuitry components configured to ground the connection of the noncompliant transceiver. By way of example, the absence of an electrical connection with any of the plurality of QSFP-DD connection pads <NUM> may be such that the electrical circuitry of the inner connector <NUM> is open (e.g., incomplete such that current may not flow within the open circuit). In instances in which the connectivity circuitry includes active circuitry components (e.g., a controller, processor, etc.), the connectivity circuitry may preclude communication between the noncompliant transceiver and the first end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM> by preventing signals from passing therebetween. For example, a microcontroller may iteratively (e.g., at a detection frequency) monitor the connections with the inner connector <NUM> (e.g., transmit an interrogatory signal or the like) to determine the presence of a noncompliant transceiver as described herein.

Although described herein with reference to grounding the connection to at least one legacy connection pad <NUM>, the present disclosure contemplates that other mechanisms may similarly be used to prevent communication between a noncompliant transceiver and the first end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM>. By way of example, the connectivity circuitry may be configured to hold the connection in reset, remove power to the adapter <NUM> (in whole or in part), preclude operation of a communication bus, and/or the like. Said differently, the connectivity circuitry described herein may be configured to employ any mechanism for preventing communication of the adapter <NUM> in an instance in which a noncompliant transceiver is received.

With reference to <FIG>, an example circuitry diagram <NUM> of example connectivity circuitry is illustrated. As shown, a power input <NUM> of, for example, <NUM> V is provided to the connectivity circuitry. The circuitry <NUM> includes an example legacy connection pad <NUM> and an example QSFP-DD pad <NUM>. In such an embodiment, the connectivity circuitry may include logic components <NUM> that are configured to determine the absence of connectivity associated with the QSFP-DD connection pad <NUM> in order to determine the presence of a noncompliant transceiver due to the inability of noncompliant transceivers to electrically engage with the plurality of QSFP-DD connection pads <NUM>. The logic components <NUM> may be configured to preclude communication between the first end <NUM> (and the OSFP connector engaged therewith) and the noncompliant transceiver by resetting or otherwise grounding the circuitry <NUM> such that electrical signals are unable to pass therethrough. In doing so, the connectivity circuitry of the inner connector <NUM>, for example circuitry <NUM>, may prevent the inefficiencies associated with connecting legacy transceiver modules with emerging high bandwidth connectivity solutions. Said differently, method <NUM> and example circuitry <NUM> may operate to indicate, to an operator or otherwise, the presence of a noncompliant transceiver and prompt such an operator to replace the noncompliant transceiver with a QSFP-DD transceiver.

With reference to <FIG>, a method of manufacturing a networking communication adapter according to embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. The method (e.g., method <NUM>) may include the step of providing an adapter housing at operation <NUM>. As described above, the adapter housing <NUM> may, in some embodiments, be formed of a bottom backshell <NUM>, a top backshell <NUM>, and an inner cage <NUM>. The bottom backshell <NUM> may engage or otherwise connect with the top backshell <NUM> to substantially enclose the components described herein. The combined bottom backshell <NUM> and top backshell <NUM> may further support the inner cage <NUM> within the adapter housing <NUM>. In other embodiments, the adapter housing <NUM> may be formed of a single piece of material. The adapter housing may be formed by any method (e.g., extrusion, machining, injection molding, casting, etc.) and may similarly be formed of any material used in networking communication systems (e.g., metals, polymers, alloys, etc.).

The method <NUM> may also include defining a first end configured to engage an OSFP connection at operation <NUM>. As described above, the first end <NUM> may be configured to engage or otherwise physically connect the adapter housing <NUM> with an OSFP connector. Applicable OSFP regulations or standards may define the physical dimensions, size, and shape of OSFP transceiver/modules and associated OSFP connectors configured to receive OSFP transceiver/modules. As such, the first end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM> may be dimensioned (e.g., sized and shaped) to comply with the regulations or standards that govern OSFP connections. In an operational configuration, the first end <NUM> may provide physical engagement between the adapter housing <NUM> and an OSFP connector (not shown).

The method <NUM> may also include defining a second end opposite the first end configured to receive a QSFP-DD transceiver therein at operation <NUM>. The second end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM> may be configured to engage or otherwise physically connect the adapter housing <NUM> with an QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM>. In particular, the second end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM> may be configured to receive the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> inserted therein. As described above, applicable QSFP-DD regulations or standards may define the physical dimensions, size, and shape of QSFP-DD transceiver/modules and associated QSFP-DD connectors configured to receive QSFP-DD transceiver/modules. As such, the second end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM> may be dimensioned (e.g., sized and shaped) to comply with the regulations or standards that govern QSFP-DD connections. In an operational configuration, the second end <NUM> may provide physical engagement between the adapter housing <NUM> and the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM>.

The method <NUM> may also include positioning an inner connector within the adapter housing at operation <NUM>. The inner connector <NUM> may include a printed circuit board (PCB) <NUM> proximate the first end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM>. In an instance in which the first end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM> engages the OSFP connector (not shown), the PCB <NUM> may be configured to operably connect the inner connecter <NUM> with the OSFP connector (not shown). The PCB <NUM> may further be positioned by the inner connector <NUM> proximate the first end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM> so as to electrically connect with corresponding electrical contacts, connection pads, traces, or the like of an OSFP connector (not shown). Said differently, the physical engagement between the first end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM> and the OSFP connector (not shown) positions the PCB <NUM> of the inner connector <NUM> for engagement with a corresponding connection of the OSFP connector (not shown).

The inner connector may further include a QSFP-DD connector <NUM> proximate the second end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM>, configured to, in the operational configuration, operably couple the inner connector <NUM> with the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM>. In an instance in which the second end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM> receives the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM>, QSFP-DD connector <NUM> may be configured to operably connect the inner connector <NUM> with the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM>. The QSFP-DD connector <NUM> may be at least partially disposed within the inner cage <NUM> proximate the second end <NUM> of the adapter housing such that physical engagement between the second end <NUM> of the adapter housing <NUM> (e.g., the inner cage <NUM>) and the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> positions the QSFP-DD connector <NUM> of the inner connector <NUM> for receipt of a corresponding printed circuit board (PCB) <NUM> of the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM>. As described above, the inner connector <NUM> may be defined so such that the QSFP-DD connector <NUM> is configured to receive a corresponding PCB <NUM> of the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> such that the PCB <NUM> of the inner connector <NUM> and the PCB <NUM> of the QSFP-DD transceiver <NUM> are substantially aligned or are further coplanar.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

It will be understood that aspects and embodiments are described above purely by way of example, and that modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the claims.

Each apparatus, method, and feature disclosed in the description, and (where appropriate) the claims and drawings may be provided independently or in any appropriate combination.

Claim 1:
A networking communication adapter (<NUM>) comprising:
an adapter housing (<NUM>) defining:
a first end (<NUM>) configured to engage an Octal Small Form Factor Pluggable, OSFP, connector; and
a second end (<NUM>) opposite the first end configured to receive a Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable Double Density, QSFP-DD, transceiver (<NUM>) therein; and
an inner connector (<NUM>) positioned within the adapter housing and configured to, in an operational configuration in which the first end engages the OSFP connector and the second end receives the QSFP-DD transceiver, operably connect the QSFP-DD transceiver with the OSFP connector such that signals may pass therebetween, the adapter characterized in that the inner connector further comprises connectivity circuitry configured to determine the presence of a noncompliant transceiver received by the second end of the adapter housing and preclude communication between the OSFP connector and the noncompliant transceiver.