System and method supporting optical communications

#The present invention relates generally to the field of optical communications, and more particularly, to system and method supporting optical communications.

#Electronic cards include integrated circuits, electronic circuitry and other components for various telecommunications, data communications, and other types of electrical equipment. One card may send data to another card through a backplane or other data bus associated with a card shelf. The backplane may be used to physically connect the cards and provide a communication medium for transferring signals containing data between the cards. The backplane may include conductive traces or wires for communicating the data between the cards. For example, each card may include an edge connector mounted on the edge of the card. The edge connector is connected to electrical circuitry contained on the card and mates with a corresponding backplane connector.

#The signals from each card may be converted to optical signals. The optical signals may be transmitted via optical fibers along the backplane to another card and converted back into electrical signals at the receiving card. Each card may include an optical connector insertable within a corresponding optical connector disposed on the backplane.

#For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system containing an optical backplane in accordance with the present invention;

#FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a system containing an optical backplane in accordance with the present invention;

#FIG. 1 illustrates a system 10 that includes one or more optical drivers 12, one or more cards 16, and a backplane 22 providing optical communications between optical drivers 12 and cards 16. Optical drivers 12 each include one or more printed circuit boards supporting integrated circuits, electrical circuitry, and other components suitable for communicating optical signals with cards 16 and, possibly, one another. Similarly, cards 16 each include one or more printed circuit boards supporting integrated circuits, electrical circuitry, and other components suitable for communicating optical signals with optical drivers 12 and, possibly, one another. In one embodiment, optical drivers 12 are redundant cards that cooperate in any appropriate manner to control some or all activities of cards 16 within system 10. Although two redundant optical drivers 12 are described, system 10 may include a single or any other number of redundant or non-redundant optical drivers 12 according to particular needs.

#Optical drivers 12 and cards 16 may be arranged side by side or in any other manner within a rack or card shelf of system 10. Additionally, although seven cards 16 are illustrated in FIG. 1, any suitable quantity of cards 16 may be provided. System 10 may be any suitable telecommunications, data communications, or other electronic device. In a particular embodiment, system 10 is a telecommunications switching system supporting voice, data, or other appropriate traffic using optical drivers 12, cards 16, and backplane 22.

#In one embodiment, backplane 22 includes optical communication media 24, 26, 28, and 30 to communicate optical signals between optical drivers 12 and cards 16. For example only and not by way of limitation, optical communication media 24 and 26 may be “transmit” media used to transfer optical signals from optical drivers 12 to each card 16, and optical communication media 28 and 30 may bet receive media used to transfer optical signals from each card 16 to optical drivers 12. Optical communication media 24, 26, 28, and 30 may each include one or more optical fibers or other suitable media for communicating optical signals according to the operation of system 10. Although media 24, 26, 28, and 30 are discussed, the present invention contemplates a single “transmit” media for both optical drivers 12, a single “receive” media for both optical drivers 12, or a single medium providing the functions of all media 24, 26, 28, and 30. Optical drivers 12 and cards 16 are coupled to backplane 22 using appropriate optical connection systems 32 that allow optical drivers 12 and cards 16 to be removably coupled to backplane 22 to facilitate repair, maintenance, or replacement. Connection systems 32 are described more fully below with reference to FIGS. 4A through 4C.