Optical data link and method of manufacturing the same

An optical data link for connecting an optical fiber transmission path to an electrical signal transmission path, comprising:

• a first conversion element for converting an optical signal transmitted through a first optical fiber into an electrical signal;
• a second conversion element for converting an electrical signal transmitted through said electrical signal transmission path into an optical signal and sending the optical signal to a second optical fiber;
• a lead frame comprising:
• a metal planar member having conversion element mounting portions on which said first and second conversion elements are mounted, and an electronic element mounting portion on which electronic elements constituting an electronic circuit are mounted;
• external lead pins for external connection;
• and
• lead pins electrically connected to one end of said first conversion element and one end of said second conversion element;
• a first coupling portion for optically coupling said first optical fiber to said first conversion element;
• a first focusing portion whose optical axis extends in the direction of the normal to a major surface of said first conversion element;
• a second coupling portion for optically coupling said second optical fiber to said second conversion element;
• and
• a second focusing portion whose optical axis coincides with a major surface of said second conversion element,
• wherein said first and second coupling portions and said first and second focusing portion are integrally molded on said conversion element mounting portions with a first resin which is used to seal said first and second conversion elements, and
• wherein said electronic elements are sealed with a second resin which is molded on said electronic element mounting portion separately from said first resin molded on said conversion element mounting portion.

A method of manufacturing an optical data link for connecting an optical fiber to an electrical signal line, comprising:

• mounting a conversion element on a conversion element mounting portion prepared on a predetermined portion of a lead frame, said conversion element being adapted to convert one of an optical signal transmitted through said optical fiber and an electrical signal transmitted through said electrical signal transmission path into the other signal and outputting the signal,
• wherein said lead frame comprises:
• a metal planar member having a conversion element mounting portion on which said conversion element is mounted and an electronic element mounting portion on which electronic elements constituting an electronic circuit are mounted;
• external lead pins electrically connected to said electronic element mounting portion;
• and
• lead pins electrically connected to one end of said conversion element and to said electronic element mounting portion;
• mounting an electronic element on an electronic element mounting portion prepared on a predetermined portion of said lead frame which is exposed from said first resin;
• sealing said conversion element with a first resin, and integrally molding a coupling portion for optically coupling said optical fiber to said conversion element and a focusing portion whose optical axis extends in the direction of the normal to a major surface of said conversion element on the conversion element mounting portion;
• and
• sealing said electronic element with a second resin, and integrally molding said conversion element mounting portion independently of said first resin.