System for Mounting Optical Modules in an Optical Network

A system for connecting optical modules in an optical network, the system comprising:

• a printed circuit board housing electronic circuitry and a plurality of electronic components, the printed circuit board having a component side and a solder side;
• a first socket disposed on the component side of the printed circuit board for connecting an optical module to the electronic circuitry housed on the printed circuit board;
• a first cage having a first end and a second end;
• the first end of the first cage mounted to the component side of the printed circuit board proximate the first socket, wherein an optical module inserted into the second end of the first cage is retained by the first cage in electronic communication through the first socket to the electronic circuitry housed on the printed circuit board;
• the first cage disposed at an angle to the surface of the printed circuit board so that the first end of the first cage is closer to the surface of the printed circuit board than the second end of the first cage;
• a second socket disposed on the solder side of the printed circuit board for connecting an optical module to the electronic circuitry housed on the printed circuit board, the second socket mounted opposite the first socket;
• and
• a second cage having a first end and a second end;
• the first end of the second cage mounted to the solder side of the printed circuit board proximate the second socket, wherein an optical module inserted in the second end of the second cage is retained by the second cage in electronic communication through the first socket to the electronic circuitry;
• the second cage disposed at an angle to the surface of the printed circuit board so that the first end of the second cage is closer to the surface of the printed circuit board than the second end of the second cage.