Single mode fiber array connector for opto-electronic transceivers

A system, comprising:

• an opto-electronic transceiver for generating a plurality of single mode optical output signals and receiving a plurality of single mode optical input signals;
• a cable comprising an array of single mode optical fibers;
• and
• a connector disposed between the opto-electronic transceiver and the cable for creating aligned optical signal paths therebetween, the connector comprising:
• a lens array including a plurality of separate lens elements, each of the plurality of lens elements disposed to intercept a separate single mode optical output signal from the opto-electronic transceiver and provide as an output a focused version thereof;
• a connector housing for supporting the lens array, the connector housing including an opening and a first plurality of alignment fiducials disposed within the opening and extending out of the opening along a first direction;
• and
• a ferrule component including a plurality of single mode fiber stubs and a second plurality of alignment fiducials, the ferrule component disposable within the connector housing such that the second plurality of alignment fiducials mate with the first plurality of alignment fiducials when the ferrule component is disposed within the connector housing opening and the plurality of single mode fiber stubs passively align with respective ones of the plurality of lens elements in at least two axes normal to the first direction,
• wherein the plurality of single mode fiber stubs are entirely disposed within the ferrule component.

A system, comprising:

• a quad small form factor pluggable (QSFP) transceiver module for supporting the transmission of a set of four single mode optical output signals and the reception of a set of four single mode optical input signals;
• a multiple fiber push-on/pull-off (MPO) optical fiber cable including an array of single mode optical fibers;
• and
• a connector for coupling the QSFP transceiver module to the MPO single mode optical fiber cable, the connector comprising
• a lens array including a plurality of separate lens elements, each of the plurality of lens elements disposed to intercept a separate single mode optical output signal from the opto-electronic transceiver and provide as an output a focused version thereof;
• a connector housing for supporting the lens array, the connector housing including an opening and a first plurality of alignment fiducials within the opening and extending out of the opening along a first direction;
• and
• a ferrule component including a plurality of single mode fiber stubs, the ferrule component disposable within the connector opening and further comprising a second plurality of alignment fiducials that mate with the first plurality of alignment fiducials when the ferrule component is disposed within the connector opening so as to passively align the plurality of single mode fiber stubs with respective ones of the plurality of lens elements in at least two axes normal to the first direction,
• wherein the plurality of single mode fiber stubs are entirely disposed within the ferrule component.