17849557. TECHNOLOGIES FOR EXPANDED BEAM OPTICAL CONNECTOR simplified abstract (Intel Corporation)
TECHNOLOGIES FOR EXPANDED BEAM OPTICAL CONNECTOR
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Wesley B. Morgan of Lake Oswego OR (US)
Stephen A. Smith of Laveen AZ (US)
Stephanie J. Arouh of Phoenix AZ (US)
Jianyong Mo of Chandler AZ (US)
Henry V. Wladkowski of Chandler AZ (US)
TECHNOLOGIES FOR EXPANDED BEAM OPTICAL CONNECTOR - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 17849557 titled 'TECHNOLOGIES FOR EXPANDED BEAM OPTICAL CONNECTOR
Simplified Explanation
The patent application describes technologies for expanded beam optical connectors. These connectors use a lens array attached to a substrate to align optical fibers. The lens array also includes optical fiducials, which are used to detect a pattern of light and determine any position or orientation errors of the lens array. This error information can be used as feedback to reposition the lens array, adjust manufacturing processes, or align guide pins.
- Lens array attached to a substrate with aligned optical fibers in grooves
- Optical fiducials on the lens array for detecting a pattern of light
- Light sent through auxiliary optical fibers onto the optical fiducials
- Pattern of light used to determine position and/or orientation errors of the lens array
- Error information used as feedback to reposition the lens array, adjust manufacturing processes, or align guide pins
Potential Applications
- Telecommunications industry
- Data centers
- Fiber optic networks
- High-speed internet connections
Problems Solved
- Ensures accurate alignment of optical fibers in expanded beam optical connectors
- Provides feedback to correct any position or orientation errors in the lens array
- Improves the performance and reliability of optical connectors
Benefits
- Increased efficiency and reliability of optical connections
- Simplified manufacturing processes
- Improved signal quality and transmission speed
Original Abstract Submitted
Technologies for expanded beam optical connectors are disclosed. In an illustrative embodiment, a lens array attached to a substrate includes several lenses aligned to optical fibers positioned in grooves in the substrate. The lens array also includes optical fiducials, such as opaque optical fiducials. Auxiliary optical fibers are aligned to the optical fiducials. Light can be sent through the auxiliary optical fibers and onto the optical fiducials, and a pattern of light can be detected after the optical fiducials. The pattern of light can be used to determine a position and/or orientation error of the lens array. The error can be used as feedback in several possible ways, such as repositioning the lens array, positioning a guide pin to match the position and direction of beams through the lenses, or adjusting a parameter of a manufacturing process.
