Multiple channel optical transceiver modules with compatibility features
AssigneeCisco Technology, Inc.
InventorsJames Theodoras, II, Matthew L. Heston
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Abstract
Optical transceiver modules with multiple channel connection with connectors on a motherboard of a line card for network devices, such as a switch, router, crossconnect and the like, are presented. The modules have staggered electronic boards which can engage the connectors which are laterally displaced on the motherboard. The connectors are also arranged so that one of them can engage an optical transceiver module in an SFP connection so that the motherboard connectors are compatible with multiple channel and single channel (SFP) connections.
Claims20
In combination, a motherboard connector assembly and an optical transceiver module, the motherboard connector assembly comprising:
- a motherboard;
- a bezel rigidly coupled to the motherboard with an opening configured to receive the optical transceiver module;
- a first connector mounted to the motherboard inline with the opening, wherein a first slot of the first connector faces the opening;
- and
- a second connector mounted to the motherboard inline with the opening, said second connector being horizontally offset further from the opening with respect to said first connector on the motherboard, wherein a second slot of the second connector faces the opening;
- the optical transceiver module comprising:
- a housing open at an end;
- a first electronic board fixed within said housing and having an edge offset from said open end of said housing;
- a second electronic board fixed within said housing and having an edge proximate said open end of said housing;
- and
- an optical interface configured to receive an optical cable;
- wherein the optical transceiver module is configured to be pluggably connected to the motherboard connector assembly via the opening and the first and second slots, and wherein the edge of the first electronic board is configured to electrically connect with the first connector and the edge of the second electronic board is configured to electrically connect with the second connector.
In combination, a motherboard connector assembly and an optical transceiver module, the motherboard connector assembly comprising:
- a motherboard;
- a first connector mounted to the motherboard;
- and
- a second connector mounted to the motherboard, said second connector being horizontally offset with respect to said first connector on the motherboard;
- the optical transceiver module comprising:
- a housing open at an end;
- a first electronic board fixed within said housing and having an edge proximate said open of said housing;
- a second electronic board fixed within said housing and having an edge proximate said open end of said housing beyond said edge of said first electronic board;
- and
- an optical interface configured to receive an optical cable;
- wherein the optical transceiver module is configured to be pluggably connected to the motherboard connector assembly via the edge of the first electronic board that is configured to electrically connect with the first connector of the motherboard connector assembly and the edge of the second electronic board that is configured to electrically connect with the second connector of the motherboard connector assembly, and wherein the first electronic board and the first connector carry signals for a single bi-directional communication channel and the second electronic board and the second connector carry signals for each of multiple bi-directional communication channels.
A system having a motherboard connector assembly and an optical transceiver module, the motherboard connector assembly comprising:
- a motherboard;
- a multi-row connector mounted to the motherboard comprising an upper row connector and lower row connector relative to a plane of the motherboard;
- and
- the optical transceiver module comprising:
- a housing open at an end;
- a first electronic board fixed within said housing and having an edge with electrical contacts configured to be electrically connected to the lower row connector;
- a second electronic board fixed within said housing and having an edge with electrical contacts configured to be electrically connected to the upper row connector;
- and
- an optical interface configured to receive an optical cable;
- wherein the optical transceiver module is configured to be pluggably connected to the dual row connector of the motherboard connector assembly, and wherein the edge of the first electronic board and the edge of the second electronic board are spaced within the housing such that when the optical transceiver module is plugged into the dual row connector the electrical contacts of the first and second electronic boards are electrically coupled to the lower and upper row connectors, respectively.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.