Electrical connector for opto-electronic modules

An apparatus-for electrically interconnecting a chip sub-assembly to a photonic device of an optical sub-assembly, the apparatus comprising:

• a connector plug suitable for engagement with a connector sleeve, the connector sleeve containing a chip sub-assembly,
• the connector plug containing:
• an optical sub-assembly including at least one photonic device and electrical connectors electrically connected to the at least one photonic device for electrically connecting the photonic device to the chip sub-assembly arranged on the connector sleeve when the connector plug is engaged with the connector sleeve;
• and
• at least one optical fiber optically coupled to a corresponding photonic device of the optical sub-assembly.

A connector apparatus for electrically interconnecting a chip sub-assembly to an optical sub-assembly, the apparatus comprising:

• a connector sleeve suitable for receiving a connector plug, the connector sleeve having a chip sub-assembly arranged thereon and including at least one electrical connection to the chip sub-assembly;
• a connector plug suitable for engagement with the connector sleeve, the plug containing:
• an optical fiber;
• an optical sub-assembly including a photonic device that is optically coupled to the optical fiber;
• and
• electrical connectors corresponding to each photonic device;
• and
• the connector plug is engaged with the connector sleeve to electrically interconnect the electrical connections of the chip sub-assembly to the electrical connectors of the optical sub-assembly such that electrical signals can pass between the chip sub-assembly and a photonic device of the optical sub-assembly.

A method for electrically interconnecting a chip sub-assembly to photonic devices of an optical sub-assembly, the method comprising the steps of:

• arranging a chip-sub-assembly having electrical connections on a connector sleeve configured to receive a connector plug;
• providing a connector plug having optical fibers that are optically coupled with photonic devices having electrical connectors;
• and
• engaging the connector plug with the connector sleeve so that the electrical connectors of the photonic devices are in electrical contact with the electrical connections of the chip-sub-assembly thereby electrically connecting the photonic devices with the chip sub-assembly.