Bidirectional parallel optical transceiver module and a method for bidirectionally communicating optical signals over an optical link

A method for bi-directionally communicating optical signals over an optical link, the method comprising:

• providing first and second bidirectional parallel optical transceiver modules mechanically coupled to opposite ends of an optical fiber cable, each module comprising:
• a generally planar mounting surface that lies in a first plane;
• an array of light sources mounted on the mounting surface;
• an array of light detectors mounted on the mounting surface;
• an array of monitor light detectors mounted on the mounting surface;
• and
• an optics system disposed on the mounting surface above the array of light sources and the array of light detectors, the optics system comprising:
• an upper part that is secured to a lower part by a refractive index matching epoxy;
• a first beam splitter;
• and
• a pocket disposed between the upper part and the lower part of the optics system, the refractive index matching epoxy surrounding and fixedly positioning the first beam splitter inside the pocket, the first beam splitter having a first filter disposed on an upper side and a second filter disposed on a lower side, wherein the first optical signals produced by the array of light sources are incident on the second filter that splits each of the first optical signals into at least first and second portions, at least the first portions of the first optical signals passing through the refractive index matching epoxy and the upper side of the first beam splitter before being coupled by one or more first optical elements of the optics system into respective end faces of respective optical fibers of the optical fiber cable, wherein the lower side of the first beam splitter directs the second portions of the optical signals onto respective monitor light detectors of the array of monitor light detectors;
• and
• simultaneously transmitting and receiving optical signals in each of the modules.

A bidirectional parallel optical transceiver module for communication over a bidirectional optical link, the transceiver module comprising:

• an array of light sources, an array of receive light detectors and an array of monitor light detectors mounted substantially parallel to one another on a mounting surface, each light source being capable of producing a respective first optical signal of a first wavelength in response to receiving a respective electrical signal, each light detector being capable of producing a respective electrical signal in response to receiving a respective second optical signal of the first wavelength;
• and
• an optics system disposed on the mounting surface, wherein end faces of a plurality of optical fibers of at least one optical fiber cable are mechanically coupled to the optics system, and wherein the optics system includes:
• an upper part that is secured to a lower part by a refractive index matching epoxy;
• a first beam splitter;
• and
• a pocket disposed between the upper part and the lower part of the optics system, the refractive index matching epoxy fixedly positioning the first beam splitter inside the pocket, the first beam splitter having a first filter disposed on an upper side and a second filter disposed on a lower side, wherein the first optical signals produced by respective light sources are incident on the second filter that splits each of the first optical signals into at least first and second portions, the first portions of the first optical signals passing through the lower and upper sides of the first beam splitter and being coupled by the optics system into respective end faces of the respective optical fibers, the second portions being directed by the first beam splitter onto respective monitor light detectors of the array of monitor light detectors, and wherein second optical signals passing out of respective end faces of respective optical fibers are incident on the upper side of the first beam splitter and are reflected thereby and redirected by the optical coupling system in a direction toward the array of receive light detectors.