Patent ID: 6874949

Claim:
An optoelectronic assembly adapted to be interposed between optical fibers comprising: a ferrule having a first end and a second end; an optoelectronic device mounted on said first end of said ferrule; a plurality of electrical conductors mounted on said ferrule from a first portion to a second portion, said first portion configured at said first end of the ferrule and said second portion configured a first given distance from said first end of said ferrule toward said second end of said ferrule, each said electrical conductor being electrically insulated from adjacent ones of said electrical conductors, said electrical conductors enabling communication of electrical signals from said optoelectronic device; a sleeve configured to receive said first end of said ferrule therein to a second given distance, wherein said second given distance is less than said first given distance so as to position said second portion outside of said sleeve; and an energy supply selectably electrically connectable to ones of said electrical conductors at said second portion outside of said sleeve.