Apparatus and method for removably positioning optical fiber to circuit board component in enclosure

A header, either formed integral with an enclosure or for use in covering an aperture of an enclosure, and for use in positioning and removably attaching an optical connector to the header, said header enabling the accurate positioning of an end of an optical fiber in three dimensions relative to a respective electro-optic component positioned by the circuit board, said header comprising:

• a plate having first and second sides, said plate including a connector interface means, extending from said first side, for positioning and supporting an optical connector with an attached optical fiber in at least two dimensions;
• and
• support means, extending from said second side, for positioning and supporting a circuit board having an electro-optic component positioned thereon.

A method of attaching an optical fiber so as to communicate with a respective electro-optic component on a circuit board within an enclosure, said method comprising the following steps, not necessarily in the order listed:

• providing a header or header/enclosure having a through-hole, said header being attachable to an enclosure resistant to dust and liquid, said header or header/enclosure further including means to support a circuit board in three dimensions at a predetermined alignment;
• attaching a circuit board to said header or header/enclosure, said circuit board having an electro-optic component affixed on a surface thereof in a predetermined position;
• attaching a connector carrying an optical fiber to said header or header/enclosure so that the optical fiber extends into the through-hole a predetermined distance, thereby positioning an end of the optical fiber at a specified position above said electro-optic component on the circuit board.