Fiber bundle interconnect and method of making same
AssigneeMotorola, Inc.
InventorsMichael S. Lebby, Davis H. Hartman
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Abstract
An interconnect for coupling optical fibers and photonic devices. This interconnect is comprised of a fiber bundle formed of a plurality of optical fibers, a plurality of photonic devices, and a connector assembly. The connector assembly is comprised of a first connector and a second connector. The first connector is coupled to the fiber bundle and the second connector is coupled to the plurality of photonic devices. When the first connector and second connector are coupled together in a single connection, the photonic devices align with the optical fibers for optical communication.
Claims32
An apparatus for coupling optical fibers and photonic devices comprising:
- a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a packed configuration;
- a plurality of photonic devices arranged in said packed configuration;
- a first interlocking connector coupled to said plurality of optical fibers;
- a second interlocking connector coupled to said plurality of photonic devices;
- and
- wherein said plurality of photonic devices are aligned with said plurality of optical fibers for optical communication when said first interlocking connector is coupled to said second interlocking connector.
An apparatus for coupling optical fibers and photonic devices comprising:
- a fiber bundle comprised of a plurality of optical fibers;
- a plurality of photonic devices arranged in a configuration similar to said fiber bundle;
- a first interlocking connector coupled to said fiber bundle;
- a second interlocking connector coupled to said plurality of photonic devices;
- a plurality of waveguides comprised of fibers for transmitting light between said plurality of photonic devices and said plurality of optical fibers, said plurality of waveguides formed within said second interlocking connector and aligned with said plurality of photonic devices;
- and
- wherein said plurality of waveguides are aligned for optical communication with said plurality of optical fibers when said first interlocking connector is coupled to said second interlocking connector.
A method of manufacturing a fiber bundle interconnect comprising the steps of:
- providing a fiber bundle having an end and comprised of a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a packed configuration;
- coupling a first interlocking connector to said end of said fiber bundle;
- coupling a second interlocking connector to a plurality of photonic devices arranged to correspond to said packed configuration;
- and
- coupling said first interlocking connector to said second interlocking connector so that said plurality of photonic devices align with said plurality of optical fibers for optical communication.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.