Field replaceable modular optical interconnect unit with optical module for datacenter switch system

A method of assembling a field replaceable modular optical interconnect unit configured to be received by a main switch system box installed in a datacenter rack, the method comprising:

• constructing a housing, wherein the housing comprises at least a front panel, a rear panel, and side panels extending between the front and rear panels;
• disposing a printed circuit board assembly within the housing;
• supporting an optical module on the printed circuit board assembly, wherein the optical module is configured to convert between optical signals and corresponding electrical signals for respectively transmitting or receiving optical signals through a fiber optic cable;
• installing a board-to-board connector on the rear panel of the housing, wherein the board-to-board connector is configured to enable electrical signals to be transmitted between the printed circuit board assembly and a main switch system box;
• and
• installing an external connector on the front panel of the housing, wherein the external connector is configured to engage an external optical fiber for transmitting optical signals between the optical module and an external component,
• wherein the field replaceable modular optical interconnect unit is configured to be received by the main switch system box, such that the field replaceable modular optical interconnect unit is electrically connected to the main switch system box via engagement of the board-to-board connector with a corresponding connector of the main switch system box, and
• wherein the field replaceable modular optical interconnect unit is configured to be removed from the main switch system box and replaced with another field replaceable modular optical interconnect unit.

A system for converting between electrical signals and optical signals in a datacenter, the system comprising:

• a main switch system box configured to transmit and receive electrical signals installed in a datacenter rack;
• and
• a field replaceable modular optical interconnect unit configured to be received by the main switch system box, the field replaceable modular optical interconnect unit comprising:
• a housing comprising at least a front panel, a rear panel, and side panels extending between the front and rear panels;
• a printed circuit board assembly supported within the housing;
• an optical module supported on the printed circuit board assembly and configured to convert between optical signals and corresponding electrical signals for respectively transmitting or receiving optical signals through a fiber optic cable;
• a board-to-board connector disposed on the rear panel of the housing and configured to enable electrical signals to be transmitted between the printed circuit board assembly and a main switch system box;
• and
• an external connector disposed on the front panel of the housing and configured to engage an external optical fiber for transmitting optical signals between the optical module and an external component,
• wherein the field replaceable modular optical interconnect unit is configured to be received by the main switch system box of the datacenter rack, such that the field replaceable modular optical interconnect unit is electrically connected to the main switch system box via engagement of the board-to-board connector with a corresponding connector of the main switch system box, and
• wherein the field replaceable modular optical interconnect unit is configured to be removed from the main switch system box and replaced with another field replaceable modular optical interconnect unit while maintaining the main switch system box installed in the datacenter rack.