Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a method, an apparatus, and a system of fiber optic modules, elastomeric connections, and retention mechanisms therefor. It relates in particular to a system comprising a transceiver module for removably coupling with a system board. Lateral insertion of the transceiver module conveys a lateral and a vertical movement of the carrier. The module is then held down by a spring and lateral movement does not cause the same reverse motion upon removal.

<CIT> discloses an axis translation installation mechanism for optoelectronic modules.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a transceiver module as defined by appended claim <NUM>. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a system as defined by appended claim <NUM>.

A transceiver module includes a set of components for receiving communication signals from a first side of the module, a set of components for transmitting communication signals to the first side of the module, a set of components for transmitting communication signals to a second side of the module, and a set of components for receiving communication signals from the second side of the module. The transmitting and receiving components for the first side of the module may be electronic components. The transmitting and receiving components for the second side of the module may be electro-optical components.

Conventional hot-pluggable transceiver modules, such as <NUM>-lane Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP), <NUM>-lane Quad Small Form-Factor Pluggable (QSFP), and <NUM>-lane CXP, are difficult to cool and occupy a significant amount of space on a system board, thereby limiting the use of other electronic components on the system board. The transceiver modules are typically coupled to a system board via right-angled blindmate connectors, which also occupy significant space on a system board, thereby limiting the implementation of high lane-count transceivers (e.g., beyond <NUM> lanes). To minimize the system board space usage, the <NUM>-lane CXP and the <NUM>-lane CDFP pluggable transceiver modules use two PCBs - one PCB is for transmitter components and the other PCB is for receiver components. The transceiver modules also occupy a significant amount of faceplate space, thereby limiting the connector density. Each transceiver module has a fixed lane count. Therefore, break-out cables (e.g., a QSFP to four SFPs) are used to connect a larger lane-count pluggable transceiver module to smaller lane-count systems.

Accordingly, this disclosure describes Variable Lane-count Pluggable (VLP) transceiver modules and systems for receiving the VLP transceiver modules. A VLP transceiver module as described herein may be hot-pluggable and thus transceivers may be easily replaced for servicing or for different lane-count transceivers and/or different lane-count cable connectors. A system for receiving a VLP transceiver module includes a system board (e.g., Printed Circuit Board (PCB)) and a cage mounted on the system board that can accept varying lane-count transceiver modules by using the surface of the system board for contacts (i.e., pad array or chip socket).

<FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view of one example of a system <NUM> for receiving a transceiver module. System <NUM> includes a system board <NUM> (e.g., a PCB), a network chip <NUM> (e.g., an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)), and a cage <NUM>. Network chip <NUM> is electrically coupled to system board <NUM>. System board <NUM> includes a plurality of contacts 108a and 108b (collectively referred to as contacts <NUM>) electrically coupled to network chip <NUM> via system board <NUM>. Contacts <NUM> are used to electrically couple a transceiver module to system board <NUM> when a transceiver module is installed in system <NUM>. System board <NUM> may include a sliding lid tab <NUM> to open a sliding lid of a transceiver module when a transceiver module is installed in system <NUM>.

Cage <NUM> is attached to system board <NUM> over contacts <NUM> and sliding lid tab <NUM> to receive a transceiver module. Cage <NUM> includes a latch receiving mechanism <NUM>. Cage <NUM> includes a first opening <NUM> for installing a transceiver module into system <NUM> and a second opening <NUM> for exposing an installed transceiver module to air flow for cooling the transceiver module. Cage <NUM> may receive a VLP transceiver module.

<FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view of one example of a transceiver module <NUM>. Transceiver module <NUM> is a removable transceiver module, such as a VLP transceiver module. Transceiver module <NUM> includes a module hood <NUM>, a module carrier <NUM>, a substrate assembly <NUM>, and a cable bulkhead <NUM>. Cable bulkhead <NUM> is attached to module hood <NUM>. Cable bulkhead <NUM> includes connectors <NUM> (e.g., optical connectors) for connecting communication cables to transceiver module <NUM>.

Module hood <NUM> supports module carrier <NUM>, which is movable with respect to module hood <NUM>. Module carrier <NUM> supports substrate assembly <NUM>. Substrate assembly <NUM> includes a heat sink <NUM>, a transceiver chip <NUM>, and a substrate <NUM> (e.g., a PCB). Substrate <NUM> includes contacts <NUM> for electrically coupling transceiver module <NUM> to a system board when transceiver module <NUM> is installed in a system. Heat sink <NUM> is attached to the top of transceiver chip <NUM>, and the bottom of transceiver chip <NUM> is attached to the top of substrate <NUM>. Transceiver chip <NUM> is communicatively coupled (i.e., optically) to connectors <NUM> through communication cables <NUM> (e.g., optical fibers) and electrically coupled to contacts <NUM> via substrate <NUM>.

Module hood <NUM> may include a latch mechanism <NUM>. When module hood <NUM> is installed in cage <NUM>, latch mechanism <NUM> engages with latch receiving mechanism <NUM> of cage <NUM>. Similarly, latch mechanism <NUM> disengages from latch receiving mechanism <NUM> of cage <NUM> when module hood <NUM> is to be removed from cage <NUM>. In one example, a latch tab <NUM> can be pulled to deactivate the latch mechanism <NUM>.

In one example, module carrier <NUM> includes a sliding lid <NUM>. Sliding lid <NUM> may be closed to protect contacts <NUM> when transceiver module <NUM> is not installed in a system. Sliding lid <NUM> is opened to expose contacts <NUM> when transceiver module <NUM> is installed in a system. In other examples, sliding lid <NUM> may be excluded.

Transceiver module <NUM> may have various configurations including a <NUM>-lane transceiver, a <NUM>-lane transceiver, an <NUM>-lane transceiver, a <NUM>-lane transceiver, a <NUM>-lane transceiver, or combination thereof, on one PCB. Based on the selected transceiver module configuration, contacts <NUM> of substrate <NUM> may include contacts for power, ground, data, and management signals.

<FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view of one example of a transceiver module <NUM> being installed in a system <NUM>. The transceiver module installation path is indicated at <NUM>. Transceiver module <NUM> is inserted laterally into cage <NUM> through cage opening <NUM>. During insertion of transceiver module <NUM>, sliding lid tab <NUM> of system board <NUM> forces sliding lid <NUM> of transceiver module <NUM> to open to expose contacts <NUM>. At the point where contacts <NUM> of transceiver module <NUM> are aligned with corresponding contacts 108a of system board <NUM>, module carrier <NUM> is moved vertically to blindmate contacts <NUM> of transceiver module <NUM> with contacts 108a of system board <NUM>. Lateral insertion of module hood <NUM> into cage opening <NUM> conveys a vertical motion to module carrier <NUM> once contacts <NUM> of transceiver module <NUM> are aligned with corresponding contacts 108a of system board <NUM>. In this way, transceiver module <NUM> may be installed into system <NUM> using one continuous lateral movement of module hood <NUM> into cage <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view of one example of a transceiver module <NUM> installed in a system <NUM>. With transceiver module <NUM> fully installed in cage <NUM>, sliding lid <NUM> is open and contacts <NUM> of transceiver module <NUM> are electrically coupled to contacts 108a of system board 108a. In this example, transceiver module <NUM> does not use contacts 108b of system board <NUM>. In other examples, for other transceiver modules, both contacts 108a and 108b may be used for transceivers with having a higher number of lanes. With transceiver module <NUM> fully installed, communication cables <NUM> may be connected to connectors <NUM> on cable bulkhead <NUM> of transceiver module <NUM>. Opening <NUM> of transceiver module <NUM> and opening <NUM> of cage <NUM> allow air flow to substrate assembly <NUM> for cooling transceiver module <NUM> as indicated at <NUM>.

In one example, transceiver module <NUM> includes latch mechanism <NUM> that can be activated to retain the transceiver module after the transceiver module is installed in cage <NUM>. Latch mechanism <NUM> can be deactivated to release the transceiver module so the transceiver module can be removed from cage <NUM>. Latch receiving mechanism <NUM> and latch mechanism <NUM> are excluded from the remaining figures for simplicity. It should be understood that transceiver module <NUM> is secured by latch mechanism <NUM> and latch receiving mechanism <NUM> after the transceiver module is fully blindmated within cage <NUM>, and transceiver module <NUM> can be removed by deactivating latch mechanism <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a cage <NUM> mounted on a system board <NUM> for receiving a transceiver module, according to the claimed invention. System board <NUM> includes a socket <NUM>. Socket <NUM> includes a plurality of contacts <NUM> to electrically couple to a transceiver module and alignment holes <NUM> to align a transceiver module with socket <NUM>. Cage <NUM> is attached to system board <NUM> over socket <NUM>. Cage <NUM> includes a top wall <NUM> extending between a first side wall 208a and a second side wall 208b. An Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) gasket <NUM> extends over the edge of first sidewall 208a, top wall <NUM>, and second sidewall 208b. Top wall <NUM> includes a plurality of openings <NUM> to allow air to flow to a transceiver module installed in cage <NUM>. In one example, each side wall 208a and 208b also includes a plurality of openings <NUM>.

Each side wall 208a and 208b includes first guide rails 210a and 210b parallel to system board <NUM> (the guide rails on first side wall 208a are not visible in <FIG>). Each side wall 208a and 208b also includes second guide rails connected to and perpendicular to first guide rails 210a and 210b (e.g., 212a and 212b for guide rail 210b). First guide rails 210a and 210b laterally guide a transceiver module into cage <NUM> to align contacts of the transceiver module with corresponding contacts <NUM> of socket <NUM>. Second guide rails 212a and 212b vertically guide a transceiver module within cage <NUM> to electrically couple the contacts of the transceiver module with corresponding contacts <NUM> of socket <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates one example of a transceiver module <NUM>. Transceiver module <NUM> may be installed in cage <NUM> previously described and illustrated with reference to <FIG>. Transceiver module <NUM> includes a module hood <NUM>, a module carrier <NUM>, and a cable bulkhead <NUM>. Cable bulkhead <NUM> is attached to module hood <NUM>. Cable bulkhead <NUM> is coupled to a communication cable <NUM>.

Module hood <NUM> includes a top wall <NUM> extending between a first sidewall <NUM> and a second sidewall (not visible in <FIG>). Top wall <NUM> includes a plurality of openings <NUM> to allow heated air to be vented from module carrier <NUM> enclosed by module hood <NUM>. In one example, first sidewall <NUM> and the second sidewall also include a plurality of openings <NUM> to allow air to flow to module carrier <NUM> enclosed by module hood <NUM>. The first sidewall <NUM> and the second sidewall of module hood <NUM> include slots 227a-227c, which are angled with respect to the sidewalls. In this example, slots 227a and 227b are toward the back end of transceiver module <NUM> and slot 227c is toward the front end of transceiver module <NUM>. In other examples, the number and location of the slots may vary. Module carrier <NUM> includes guide pins 229a-229c, which extend through corresponding slots 227a-227c. Guide pins 229a are received by guide rails 210a and guide pins 229b and 229c are received by guide rails 210b of cage <NUM> (<FIG>) when transceiver module <NUM> is installed in cage <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates another example of a transceiver module <NUM>. Transceiver module <NUM> is similar to transceiver module <NUM> previously described and illustrated with reference to <FIG>, except that transceiver module <NUM> includes a cable bulkhead <NUM> in place of cable bulkhead <NUM>. Cable bulkhead <NUM> includes a plurality of optical cable connectors <NUM> (i.e., <NUM> in this example). Each optical cable connector <NUM> may be optically coupled to a fiber optic cable <NUM>. In other examples, cable bulkhead <NUM> may include another suitable number of optical cable connectors for optically coupling to fiber optic cables based on the transceiver(s) of transceiver module <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates one example of a module carrier <NUM>. Module carrier <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, which supports a substrate assembly <NUM>. Housing <NUM> is attached to substrate assembly <NUM> via bolts <NUM> and includes an opening to expose a heat sink <NUM> of substrate assembly <NUM>. Housing <NUM> also includes guide pins 229a-229c as previously described. Communication cable <NUM> is communicatively coupled to substrate assembly <NUM> through an opening through housing <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates one example of a transceiver module <NUM> being installed in a cage <NUM>. Guide pins 229a-229c are aligned with guide rails 210a and 210b (<FIG>) and transceiver module <NUM> is slid laterally into cage <NUM> along the guide rails.

<FIG> illustrates one example of a transceiver module <NUM> installed in a cage <NUM>. With transceiver module <NUM> installed in cage <NUM>, EMI gasket <NUM> contacts cable bulkhead <NUM> to prevent air flow and EMI leakage between cable bulkhead <NUM> and cage <NUM>. The openings through the top and sidewalls of cage <NUM> and the top and sidewalls of the module hood expose the heat sink of the substrate assembly such that transceiver module <NUM> is adequately cooled by air flow within the system.

<FIG> illustrate one example of a module carrier <NUM>. Module carrier <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, which supports a substrate assembly <NUM> via bolts <NUM>. Housing <NUM> includes guide pins 229a-229c on each side of housing <NUM>. Substrate assembly <NUM> includes a heat sink <NUM>, a transceiver chip (not visible), and a substrate <NUM>. Substrate <NUM> includes contacts <NUM> and <NUM>. In one example, contacts <NUM> are ground contacts and contacts <NUM> are signal contacts. Substrate <NUM> also includes alignment pins <NUM>. Arrows <NUM> indicate a counterforce applied by bolts <NUM> to module carrier <NUM>, while module carrier <NUM> is forced downward in the direction of arrows <NUM> when module hood <NUM> continues to travel in the lateral direction inside cage <NUM> as will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrate one example of a transceiver module <NUM> including a module carrier <NUM> within a module hood <NUM>. Module hood <NUM> includes angled slots 227a-227c. Guide pins 229a-229c extend through angled slots 227a-227c, respectively. As such, lateral movement of module hood <NUM> with respect to module carrier <NUM> as indicated by arrow <NUM> conveys vertical movement of module carrier <NUM> with respect to module hood <NUM> as indicated by arrow <NUM>. Other angled slots and guide pin designs and locations may be used depending on the form factor of the module carrier, the substrate design (e.g., contact pad count), and the amount of force needed to properly mate the substrate assembly to a socket.

<FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view of one example of transceiver module <NUM>. Transceiver module <NUM> includes module hood <NUM>, module carrier <NUM>, and substrate assembly <NUM>. Substrate assembly <NUM> includes a heat sink <NUM>, a transceiver <NUM>, a substrate <NUM>, and a substrate frame <NUM>. Heat sink <NUM> is attached to transceiver <NUM>, and transceiver <NUM> is electrically coupled to substrate <NUM>. Substrate <NUM> is attached to substrate frame <NUM>, which extends around the edges of substrate <NUM> to surround transceiver <NUM>. Substrate frame <NUM> is attached to module carrier <NUM> via bolts <NUM> (<FIG>).

<FIG> illustrates an enlarged view of one example of an alignment pin <NUM> of a transceiver module <NUM> and a corresponding alignment hole <NUM> of a socket <NUM> of a system board <NUM>. A partial and transparent view of cage <NUM> is also illustrated in <FIG> further illustrates the alignment of one alignment hole <NUM> with an alignment pin <NUM> prior to the vertical movement of transceiver module <NUM> that will insert alignment pin <NUM> into alignment hole <NUM> such that contacts <NUM> of socket <NUM> electrically couple to the contacts of transceiver module <NUM>. Multiple substrate alignment pins may be used for early lead-in into alignment holes of a socket. In other examples, the alignment pins of the substrate and alignment holes of the socket may be reversed such that the substrate includes the alignment holes and the socket includes the alignment pins. In other examples, other suitable features for alignment, such as chamfered lips, may be used in addition to or in place of the alignment pins and alignment holes such that alignment features of the transceiver module engage with alignment features of the system board.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view and <FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view of one example of a substrate assembly <NUM> within a module carrier <NUM>. Heat sink <NUM> is retained by a heat sink retention spring <NUM>, which is retained by substrate frame <NUM>. Frame springs <NUM> surround each bolt <NUM> between module carrier <NUM> and substrate frame <NUM> in each of the four corners of module carrier <NUM> and substrate assembly <NUM>. Frame springs <NUM> apply a force between module carrier <NUM> and substrate frame <NUM>.

Substrate frame <NUM> ensures that even force is applied to substrate <NUM> for proper blindmating of substrate <NUM> to a socket when downward force is applied on the substrate frame by the frame springs <NUM>. Module carrier <NUM> can be pushed down to compress frame springs <NUM> to overdrive substrate assembly <NUM> onto a socket. The bottom surface of the heads of frame bolts <NUM> provide a stop for module carrier <NUM> when frame springs <NUM> are not compressed.

Although one substrate assembly with one transceiver and associated heat sink is illustrated in <FIG>, in other examples, multiple substrate assemblies attached to the substrate frame may be used. Each substrate assembly may mate to a corresponding socket or to a multi-cavity socket.

<FIG> illustrate an exploded view of one example of a system board and a cage. <FIG> illustrates one example of a cage <NUM>. Cage <NUM> includes horizontal rails 210a-210b and vertical rails 212a-212c upon which the guide pins of a module carrier ride when a transceiver module is inserted into the cage. Horizontal rails 210a-210b start at the opening of cage <NUM> and transition to vertical rails 212a-212c deeper inside cage <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an exploded view of one example of a system board <NUM> and a socket <NUM>. System board <NUM> includes contacts <NUM> for socket <NUM>. Socket <NUM> includes contacts <NUM>, which are electrically coupled to contacts <NUM> of system board <NUM> when socket <NUM> is installed on system board <NUM>. In one example, socket <NUM> includes lips <NUM> with chamfered features for lead-in. In other examples, socket <NUM> is a flat interposer.

<FIG> illustrate an exploded view of one example of a transceiver module. <FIG> illustrates one example of a module hood <NUM>. Module hood <NUM> includes angled slots 227a-227c. The opening of module hood <NUM> includes hood doors <NUM>. Hood doors <NUM> protect the openings of optical connectors (e.g., for dust, eye safety) or provide for cable management. <FIG> illustrates an exploded view of one example of a module carrier <NUM> and frame bolts <NUM>. Module carrier <NUM> includes guide pins 229a-229c. Guide pins 229a-229c of module carrier <NUM> extend through angled slots 227a-227c of module hood <NUM>, respectively, when module carrier <NUM> is installed within module hood <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates one example of a substrate assembly <NUM>. Substrate assembly <NUM> includes a heat sink <NUM>, a transceiver chip <NUM>, an optical cable <NUM>, an optical connector <NUM>, a substrate <NUM> including alignment pins <NUM> and contacts <NUM>, a substrate frame <NUM>, and springs <NUM>. Substrate assembly <NUM> is attached to module carrier <NUM> via bolts <NUM>, which extend through springs <NUM> to attach to substrate frame <NUM>.

The transceiver module including module hood <NUM> is moved laterally into cage <NUM> (<FIG>), which in turn moves module carrier <NUM> and substrate assembly <NUM> laterally into cage <NUM>. Angled slots 227a-227c in conjunction with horizontal rails 210a-210b and vertical rails 212a-212c cause module carrier <NUM> to travel horizontally or vertically within cage <NUM> depending on the location of module carrier <NUM> within cage <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a top view, <FIG> illustrates a bottom view, <FIG> illustrates a side view, and <FIG> illustrates a front view of one example of a transceiver module in a cage. The components previously described and illustrated with reference to <FIG> are assembled such that substrate assembly <NUM> is attached to module carrier <NUM> via frame bolts <NUM>. Module carrier <NUM> is movably attached to module hood <NUM> via guide pins 229a-229c of module carrier <NUM> extending through angled slots 227a-227c of module hood <NUM>, respectively. The transceiver module including module hood <NUM> and module carrier <NUM> is inserted into cage <NUM> such that guide pins 229a-229c of module carrier <NUM> are guided by horizontal rails 210a-210b and vertical rails 212a-212c of cage <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, in this example, the transceiver module has been inserted laterally into cage <NUM> up to the point where contacts <NUM> of substrate assembly <NUM> are aligned with contacts <NUM> of socket <NUM> but prior to the vertical movement of module carrier <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate one example of a transceiver module being installed in a system. <FIG> illustrates the transceiver module prior to insertion into cage <NUM>. Prior to insertion, a user aligns guide pins 229a-229b of module carrier <NUM> with horizontal rails 210a-210b of cage <NUM>, respectively. <FIG> illustrates the transceiver module partially inserted into cage <NUM>. Module hood <NUM> and module carrier <NUM> are moved laterally into cage <NUM> along horizontal rails 210a-210b. <FIG> illustrates the transceiver module when guide pins 229a and 229b of module carrier <NUM> have reached the end of horizontal rails 210a and 210b, respectively. At this point, contacts <NUM> of the transceiver module are aligned with contacts <NUM> of socket <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates additional lateral movement of module hood <NUM> into cage <NUM> that conveys downward vertical movement of module carrier <NUM>. The further lateral movement of module hood <NUM> forces module carrier <NUM> down vertical rails 212a-212c by forcing guide pins 229a-229c down angled slots 227a-227c, respectively. The angle of angled slots 227a-227c determines how fast module carrier <NUM> drops down to blindmate substrate assembly <NUM> to socket <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates further lateral movement of module hood <NUM> into cage <NUM> that causes substrate assembly <NUM> to blindmate to socket <NUM>. Finally, as illustrated in <FIG>, module hood <NUM> is fully installed in cage <NUM> such that module carrier <NUM> over-drives substrate assembly <NUM> to apply positive pressure onto the contacts of socket <NUM>. As module carrier <NUM> over-drives substrate assembly <NUM>, frame springs <NUM> are compressed as guide pins 229a-229c bottom out in vertical rails 212a-212c. Latch mechanism <NUM> and latch receiving mechanism <NUM> (not shown in <FIG> but described with reference to <FIG>) ensure module hood <NUM> is securely seated in socket <NUM> within cage <NUM>, and maintain module carrier <NUM> to overdrive substrate assembly <NUM> onto the contacts of socket <NUM>. The transceiver module may be removed by deactivating latch mechanism <NUM> and reversing the actions of <FIG>.

In <FIG>, a pair of transceiver module doors <NUM> may be used to protect the optical connector. Cage <NUM> may also have a cage door (not shown). The cage door may be closed before a transceiver module is installed in cage <NUM> and pushed open when a transceiver module is installed in cage <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an enlarged view of one example of a transceiver module just prior to final mating of the transceiver module to a socket. <FIG> illustrates an enlarged view of one example of a transceiver module after final mating of the transceiver module to a socket. Just prior to final mating, as illustrated in <FIG>, frame bolt <NUM> is recessed with respect to the top of module carrier <NUM>. As module hood <NUM> is pushed in slightly more, as illustrated in <FIG>, module carrier <NUM> is pushed downwards slightly such that the top of module carrier <NUM> is aligned with the top of frame bolt <NUM> and spring <NUM> is compressed.

<FIG> illustrates a side view and <FIG> illustrates a top view of one example of spring contacts <NUM> of a substrate <NUM>. Spring contacts <NUM> may be used for contacts of a socket, such as contacts <NUM> of socket <NUM> (<FIG>) or contacts of a substrate assembly, such as contacts <NUM> of a substrate assembly <NUM> (<FIG>). Contacts <NUM> have different heights for hot blindmating. For example, contact <NUM> may be a ground contact, contact <NUM> may be an ID contact, contact <NUM> may be a power contact, and contact <NUM> may be a signal or present contact.

Contact <NUM> has the same height as contact <NUM>. Contact <NUM> has a greater height than contact <NUM>, and contact <NUM> has a greater height than contact <NUM>. The contacts <NUM> may have different shapes (and/or thickness) as illustrated in <FIG> in addition to different heights as illustrated in <FIG> to maintain consistent compression force while providing adequate performance (e.g., adequate electrical current capacity for power contacts or characteristic impedance for high-speed signal contacts). The contact pads that blindmate to contacts <NUM> have a size large enough for contacts <NUM> to slide as the contacts are compressed during blindmating.

<FIG> illustrate example lane regions for cage contacts. <FIG> illustrates one example substrate 420a where four lane regions are arranged in order across the substrate. <FIG> illustrates another example substrate 420b where four lane regions are arranged in a grid pattern on the substrate. <FIG> illustrates another example substrate 420c where four lane regions are nested within each other. In one example, a lane region may contain <NUM> lanes and therefore <FIG> illustrates <NUM> lanes. While in this example, <NUM>-lanes/region and four lane region layouts are illustrated, in other examples, another suitable number of lanes and other lane region layouts may be used.

<FIG> illustrates one example of a system <NUM> for receiving a transceiver module having two transceivers. System <NUM> includes a system board <NUM>, sockets 504a and 504b, and a cage <NUM>. Sockets 504a and 504b are electrically coupled to system board <NUM>. Cage <NUM> is attached to system board <NUM> over sockets 504a and 504b and includes horizontal guide rails 210a-210b and vertical guide rails 212a-212c.

<FIG> illustrates one example of a transceiver module <NUM> having two transceivers. Transceiver module <NUM> includes substrate assemblies 512a and 512b attached to a common substrate frame <NUM>. Substrate assemblies 512a and 512b are attached to module carrier <NUM>, which is supported by module hood <NUM>. In this example, optical fibers <NUM> for each transceiver are terminated on an optical connector <NUM>. In other examples, multiple optical connectors may be used for a transceiver or for multiple transceivers. Transceiver module <NUM> is installed into cage <NUM> (<FIG>) in the same manner as previously described and illustrated with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrate one example of a system <NUM> including a liquid cooling unit <NUM> for cooling an installed transceiver module <NUM>. Transceiver module <NUM> has been previously described and illustrated with reference to <FIG>. System <NUM> is similar to system <NUM> previously described and illustrated with reference to <FIG>, except for the addition of liquid cooling unit <NUM>. During installation of a transceiver module <NUM>, liquid cooling unit <NUM> is in a raised position with respect to transceiver module <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. Once transceiver module <NUM> is installed, liquid cooling unit <NUM> is moved into a lowered position such that the liquid cooling unit contacts the transceiver module as illustrated in <FIG>. The force applied to transceiver module <NUM> by liquid cooling unit <NUM> may maintain positive pressure between the contacts of the transceiver module and the contacts of the socket on the system board.

Examples of VLP transceiver modules described herein have a footprint that can support a larger number of lanes on one PCB or substrate compared to conventional pluggable transceiver modules that use right-angle connectors and two PCBs (e.g., CXP and CDFP), thereby enabling more efficient use of the space available on a system board. The contacts of the VLP transceiver modules provide better signal integrity and are more easily scaled than right-angle connectors of conventional pluggable transceiver modules. The VLP transceiver modules may be hot-pluggable, simplifying servicing and upgrading of network systems without powering down the systems. Multiple or different lane-count optical cables may be used with the VLP transceiver modules, eliminating the use of break-out cables.

Claim 1:
A transceiver module (<NUM>) for removably coupling with a system board (<NUM>) having system contacts (<NUM>, <NUM>), a cage (<NUM>) attached to the system board (<NUM>) over the system contacts (<NUM>, <NUM>), the cage (<NUM>) including a top wall (<NUM>) extending between a first side wall (208a) and a second side wall (208b), wherein each side wall (208a, 208b) includes first guide rails (210a, 210b) parallel to the system board (<NUM>), and second guide rails (212a, 212b) connected to and perpendicular to first guide rails (210a, 210b), the transceiver module comprising:
module contacts (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a module hood (<NUM>) comprising angled slots (227a-c);
a module carrier (<NUM>) within and moveably attached to the module hood (<NUM>), by guide pins (229a-c) on sides of the module carrier (<NUM>) and extending through the angled slots (227a-c) of the module hood (<NUM>), wherein the guide pins (229a-c) are received by the first and second guide rails (210a, 210b, 212a, 212b) when transceiver module (<NUM>) is installed in the cage (<NUM>), such that lateral movement of the module hood (<NUM>) with respect to the system board (<NUM>) conveys a lateral movement to the module carrier (<NUM>) along the first guide rails (210a, 210b) and conveys a vertical movement to the module carrier (<NUM>) with respect to the system board (<NUM>) along the second guide rails (212a, 212b) to electrically connect the module contacts (<NUM>) to the system contacts (<NUM>), and the module carrier (<NUM>) supporting a transceiver chip (<NUM>) within the module carrier (<NUM>).