# US 10,484,121 B2 · Receiver optical module implementing optical attenuator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,484,121 B2 - Document ID: US10484121B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/021,582 - Filed: 2018-06-28 - Published: 2019-01-03 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2017-06-30 - Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. - Applicants: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. - Inventors: Kenichi Nakayama; Masanobu Kawamura - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10484121B2 ## CPC - G02B 6/4215: {the intermediate optical elements being wavelength selective optical elements, e.g. variable wavelength optical modules or wavelength lockers (G02B6/4246 takes precedence)} - G02B 6/4261: {Packages with mounting structures to be pluggable or detachable, e.g. having latches or rails} - G02B 6/4284: {of optical modules with disconnectable electrical connectors (latching arms for electrical connectors H01R13/627)} - G02B 6/4292: {the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements} - H04J 14/0305: {in end terminals} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - H04J: MULTIPLEX COMMUNICATION (transmission in general H04B; peculiar to transmission of digital information H04L5/00; systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal H04N7/08; in exchanges H04Q11/00; stereophonic systems H04S) ## Abstract A receiver optical module is disclosed where the receiver optical module includes a coupling unit, an optical de-multiplexer, and an optical attenuator. The coupling unit secures an optical fiber. The optical de-multiplexer de-multiplexes a wavelength multiplexed optical beam that is provided from the optical fiber and multiplexes optical signals. The optical attenuator attenuates the wavelength multiplexed signal. A feature of the receiver optical module is that the optical de-multiplexer has a plurality of multi-layered dielectric films each pass one of the optical signals and has a rectangular shape with a shorter side and a longer side; while, the optical attenuator provides a shutter that is movable along the longer side of the multi-layered dielectric films. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A receiver optical module comprising: a coupling unit that receives an optical fiber providing a wavelength multiplexed signal multiplexing optical signals each having a wavelength specific thereto and different from each other; an optical de-multiplexer that optically couples with the optical fiber and de-multiplexes the wavelength multiplexed signal provided from the optical fiber, the optical de-multiplexer providing a plurality of multi-layered dielectric films each passing one of the respective optical signals but reflecting other of the optical signals, the multi-layered dielectric films having a rectangular plane shape with a longer side and a shorter side; and an optical attenuator provided between the coupling unit and the optical de-multiplexer, the optical attenuator attenuating the wavelength multiplexed signal and having a shutter movable along the longer side of the multi-layered dielectric film, wherein the optical de-multiplexer provides a body substantially transparent to the optical signals, the body having a rectangular plane shape with a front side, a rear side, a top surface, and a bottom surface, the front side and the rear side extending in parallel to each other, the front side receiving the wavelength multiplexed signal passing the optical attenuator and having a reflection film thereon, the rear side arranging the multi-layered dielectric films as the shorter sides thereof extending along an edge between the rear side and the top surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The receiver optical module according to claim 1, wherein the front side of the optical de-multiplexer has a normal inclined with an optical axis of the wavelength multiplexed signal. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The receiver optical module according to claim 1, wherein the reflection film in the front side of the optical de-multiplexer reflects the optical signals that are reflected by the multi-layered dielectric films toward the multi-layered dielectric films. ### Claim 4 A receiver optical module comprising: a coupling unit that receives an optical fiber providing a wavelength multiplexed signal multiplexing optical signals each having a wavelength specific thereto and different from each other; an optical de-multiplexer that optically couples with the optical fiber and de-multiplexes the wavelength multiplexed signal provided from the optical fiber, the optical de-multiplexer providing a plurality of multi-layered dielectric films each passing one of the respective optical signals but reflecting other of the optical signals, the multi-layered dielectric films having a rectangular plane shape with a longer side and a shorter side; an optical attenuator provided between the coupling unit and the optical de-multiplexer, the optical attenuator attenuating the wavelength multiplexed signal and having a shutter movable along the longer side of the multi-layered dielectric film, and a wiring substrate and a housing, wherein the shutter in the optical attenuator partially overlaps with the wavelength multiplexed signal, wherein the wiring substrate provides interconnections that carry electrical signals for controlling the overlapping between the shutter and the wavelength multiplexed signal, and wherein the housing includes a front wall and a rear wall, the front wall providing the coupling unit, the rear wall providing a feedthrough including terminals that provides the electrical signals to the wiring substrate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The receiver optical module according to claim 4, wherein the wiring substrate includes a front portion, an intermediate portion, and a rear portion, the front portion mounting the optical attenuator thereon, the rear portion facing the feedthrough in the rear wall of the housing, the intermediate portion being provided between the optical de-multiplexer and a side wall of the housing that connects the front wall with the rear wall. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The receiver optical module according to claim 4, further comprising a support and a carrier, the carrier mounting the optical de-multiplexer thereon, the support supporting the carrier, wherein the wiring substrate and the support are arranged side by side along a lateral direction perpendicular to another direction connecting the front wall with the rear wall of the housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The receiver optical module according to claim 6, wherein the carrier provides a top surface and a back surface facing the support, the back surface mounting the optical de-multiplexer thereon, and wherein the support provides a pair of side walls that mount the carrier thereon, the optical de-multiplexer being put between the sides walls of the support. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The receiver optical module according to claim 6, wherein the carrier extends from the support in a rear thereof opposite to a side where the optical attenuator is provided, the rear of the carrier forming a space thereunder where photodiode elements that receive the respective optical signals de-multiplexed by the optical de-multiplexer are provided. ### Claim 9 A receiver optical module comprising: a coupling unit that receives an optical fiber providing a wavelength multiplexed signal multiplexing optical signals each having a wavelength specific thereto and different from each other; an optical de-multiplexer that optically couples with the optical fiber and de-multiplexes the wavelength multiplexed signal provided from the optical fiber, the optical de-multiplexer providing a plurality of multi-layered dielectric films each passing one of the respective optical signals but reflecting other of the optical signals, the multi-layered dielectric films having a rectangular plane shape with a longer side and a shorter side; an optical attenuator provided between the coupling unit and the optical de-multiplexer, the optical attenuator attenuating the wavelength multiplexed signal and having a shutter movable along the longer side of the multi-layered dielectric film, and a carrier, a support, two wiring substrates and a housing, wherein the shutter in the optical attenuator partially overlaps with the wavelength multiplexed signal, wherein the wiring substrates provide interconnections that carry electrical signals for controlling the overlapping between the shutter and the wavelength multiplexed signal, and wherein the carrier mounts the optical de-multiplexer and the wiring substrate thereon, and the support supports the carrier and mounts the optical attenuator thereon. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The receiver optical module according to claim 9, wherein the carrier provides a top surface and a back surface that faces the support, the top surface mounting the wiring substrate, the back surface mounting the optical de-multiplexer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The receiver optical module according to claim 10, wherein the support provides a pair of side walls that mount the carrier thereon, and wherein the optical attenuator is mounted between the side walls of the support. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The receiver optical module according to claim 11, wherein the side walls support respective edge portions of the carrier, the respective edge portions mounting the respective wiring substrates thereon. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The receiver optical module according to claim 9, wherein the carrier extends from the support in a rear thereof that is opposite to a side where the optical attenuator is provided, the rear of the carrier forming a space thereunder where a photodiode elements that receive the respective optical signals de-multiplexed by the optical de-multiplexer are provided.