# US 7,466,880 B2 · Optical via to pass signals through a printed circuit board

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- Number: US 7,466,880 B2
- Document ID: US7466880B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/779,116
- Filed: 2007-07-17
- Published: 2007-11-08
- Granted: 2008-12-16
- Earliest claimed: 2003-02-11
- Assignees: Avago Technologies Fiber IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
- Inventors: Lisa A. Windover
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7466880B2

## CPC

- H04B 10/801: {using optical interconnects, e.g. light coupled isolators, circuit board interconnections}
- H05K 1/0274: {Optical details, e.g. printed circuits comprising integral optical means (H05K1/0269 takes precedence; coupling light guides with opto-electronic components G02B6/42)}
- G02B 6/4214: {the intermediate optical element having redirecting reflective means, e.g. mirrors, prisms for deflecting the radiation from horizontal to down- or upward direction toward a device (G02B6/4246 takes precedence)}
- G02B 6/43: Arrangements comprising a plurality of opto-electronic elements and associated optical interconnections
- H04B: TRANSMISSION
- H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

An optical via within a printed circuit board (PCB) to route optical signals from one level to another through the PCB. The optical signals entering the optical via from an optoelectronic device, or other source, may be routed by an optical waveguide to enter other optical vias to a destination for different purposes. The source of optical signals may be mounted to the PCB or it may be at a distance, with the optical signals being coupled to or away from the optical via by means of optical waveguides.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A printed circuit board (PCB) comprising:
a top mounting surface;
a recessed portion having a recessed mounting surface that is substantially parallel to the top mounting surface;
an optical via extending from said recessed mounting surface to an exit port in said printed circuit board;
a first optoelectronic device mounted on said recessed mounting surface, said first optoelectronic device configured to transmit or receive an optical signal through said optical via; and
an integrated circuit (IC) mounted onto said top mounting surface such that said IC is positioned directly above said first optoelectronic device.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The PCB of claim 1, further comprising: an optical waveguide spaced from and parallel with said top mounting surface, said optical waveguide comprising an angled surface adjacent said exit port, said angled surface comprising a dielectric stack for reflecting some wavelengths of light and passing other wavelengths of light impinging on it.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The PCB of claim 1, further comprising a first optical waveguide coupled to one end of said optical via for conveying said optical signal to or away from said optical via.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The PCB of claim 1, wherein said IC has a heat sink on a side opposite to said optoelectronic device.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The PCB of claim 1, wherein a top surface of said first optoelectronic device is substantially coplanar to said top mounting surface of said PCB.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The PCB of claim 1, wherein said optical via comprises:
a hole;
a cladding that is coated onto the wall of said hole; and
an optical waveguide core located within said cladding, said core having a refractive index that is higher than that of said cladding.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The PCB of claim 1, wherein said optical via comprises:
a hole; and
a preformed core and cladding unit inserted into said hole, the preformed core and cladding unit operative as a light guide for propagating said optical signal.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The PCB of claim 1, further comprising:
an optical waveguide spaced from and parallel with said top mounting surface, said optical waveguide comprising an angled surface adjacent said exit port, said angled surface comprising a micro mirror.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The PCB of claim 1, further comprising:
an optical waveguide spaced from and parallel with said top mounting surface, said optical waveguide comprising an angled surface adjacent said exit port, said angled surface comprising a beam splitter.