Subassembly for use in fiber optic communications

A parallel optics subassembly for mating with a ferrule supporting an array of optical fibers adapted for carrying digital signals and having a set of alignment holes positioned in a precisely spaced relationship with said fibers, comprising:

• a) a receptacle for guiding and latching said ferrule into an interconnected position with said subassembly;
• b) a carrier assembly for supporting an optoelectronic device having an array of photoactive components;
• and
• c) a lens and alignment frame defining an optical and mechanical interface between said carrier assembly and said ferrule which is attached to said carrier in a precisely spaced relationship with said optoelectronic device, including:
• a tower extending outward from said frame including a set of elevated end sections,
• an array of lenses mounted on said tower in between said elevated end sections for focusing light between said array of fibers and said array of photoactive components, and
• a set of guide pins projecting forward from said elevated end sections on said tower for mating with said alignment holes on said ferrule and positioning said ferrule with respect to said frame and optoelectronic device.

A parallel optics subassembly for mating with a ferrule supporting an array of optical fibers adapted for carrying digital signals and having a set of alignment holes positioned in a precisely spaced relationship with said fibers, comprising:

• a) a carrier assembly including a frame section for supporting an integrated circuit chip having an array of photoactive components;
• and
• b) a lens and alignment frame for defining an optical and mechanical interface between said carrier assembly and said ferrule which is attached to said carrier assembly in a precisely spaced relationship with said optoelectronic device, said frame including:
• a tower extending outward from said frame including, an array of lenses for focusing light between said photoactive components and said fibers, and
• a set of guide pins projecting forward of said tower for mating with said alignment holes on said ferrule.

A parallel optics subassembly for mating with a ferrule supporting an array of optical fibers adapted for carrying digital signals and having a set of alignment holes positioned in a precisely spaced relationship with said fibers, comprising:

• a) a receptacle for guiding and latching said ferrule into position including a window at the inner end of the receptacle;
• b) a carrier assembly including a frame section for supporting an optoelectronic device having an array of photoactive components, a flex circuit for providing electrical interconnections and a printed circuit board;
• c) an electrical edge connector on one edge of said circuit board for pluggably interconnecting said subassembly with a jack mounted on a circuit board of a computer or communications system;
• and
• d) a lens and alignment frame for defining a mechanical and optical interface between said ferrule and said carrier assembly which is attached to said carrier assembly in a precisely spaced relationship with said optoelectronic device, said frame including:
• a tower extending outward from said frame for engaging said window in order to help position said receptacle with respect to said frame, and
• a set of guide pins projecting forward of said tower for mating with said alignment holes on said ferrule in order to position said ferrule and fibers with respect to said frame, carrier assembly and optoelectronic device.

A lens and alignment frame for use in optically and mechanically interfacing an integrated circuit chip having a set of photoactive components which is attached to a carrier assembly with a set of optical fibers supported in a ferrule having a set of alignment holes precisely positioned with respect to said fibers, said frame including:

• a planar base adapted for being mounted on said carrier assembly;
• a tower extending outward from said base;
• an array of lenses mounted on said tower for focusing light between said array of fibers and said array of photoactive components;
• and
• a set of guide pins projecting forward of said tower for mating with said alignment holes in said ferrule in order to position said ferrule and fibers with respect to said frame, carrier assembly and said integrated circuit chip.