Multiple channel optical tranceiver modules with compatibility features
AssigneeCisco Technology, Inc.
InventorsJames Theodoras, Matthew Heston
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Abstract
Optical transceiver modules with multiple channel connection with connectors on a motherboard of a line card for network devices, such as a switch, router, crossconnect and the like, are presented. The modules have staggered electronic boards which can engage the connectors which are laterally displaced on the motherboard. The connectors are also arranged so that one of them can engage an optical transceiver module in an SFP connection so that the motherboard connectors are compatible with multiple channel and single channel (SFP) connections.
Claims20
An optical transceiver module for removable mounting to a motherboard, said optical transceiver module comprising:
- a housing open at an end;
- a first electronic board fixed within said housing and having an edge extending toward said open end of said housing;
- a second electronic board fixed within said housing parallel to said first electronic board and having an edge extending toward said open end of said housing beyond said edge of first electronic board;
- whereby upon mounting to said motherboard, said first and second electronic boards of said optical transceiver module engage first and second horizontally staggered connectors fixed to said motherboard so as to make electrical connection with said first and second connectors respectively.
A motherboard connector assembly for removably receiving and electrically connecting an optical transceiver module, comprising
- a first connector mounted to a motherboard;
- and
- a second connector mounted to said motherboard, said second connector horizontally displaced with respect to said first connector so that an optical transceiver module having a housing open at an end, a first electronic board fixed within said housing and having an edge extending toward said open of said housing, and a second electronic board fixed within said housing and having an edge extending toward said open end of said housing beyond said edge of said first electronic board, engages said first and second connectors with said first and second electronic board respectively;
- whereby an electrical connection is formed between said motherboard connector assembly and said optical transceiver module.
An optical transceiver module for removable mounting to a motherboard, said optical transceiver module comprising:
- a housing;
- first means fixed within said housing for making an electrical connection to said motherboard, said first means forming an SFP connection to said motherboard;
- and
- second means fixed within said housing for making an electrical connection with said motherboard.
A motherboard connector assembly for removably receiving and electrically connecting an optical transceiver module, comprising
- a first connector means mounted to a motherboard;
- and
- a second connector means mounted to said motherboard, said second connector means displaced with respect to said first connector so that an optical transceiver module having a housing open at an end, a first electronic board fixed within said housing and having edge extending toward said open of said housing, and a second electronic board fixed within said housing and having an edge extending toward said open end of said housing beyond said edge of said first electronic board, engages said first and second connector means with said first and second electronic boards respectively to form an electrical connection between said motherboard connector assembly and said optical transceiver module, and so that an optical transceiver module having a housing open at an end and only one electronic board fixed within said housing and having an edge extending toward said open end of said housing engages said first connector means to form an SFP connection between said motherboard connector assembly and said optical transceiver module.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.