Kenichiro Ohtsuka

A novel optoelectronic ferrule and easy ribbon fiber splicer for cost-effective optical interconnection

Attention has turned in recent years to optical interconnection as the most cost-effective solution to the problem of I/O bottlenecks in the wiring of conventional FR4 printed wiring boards. In this paper we propose a new configuration for the key element in realizing optical interconnections, a low-cost electrical/optical (E/O) converter module. We furthermore propose an easy splicer and a ribbonized coated-mountable fiber for multicore optical interconnections.

A Novel Optoelectronic Ferrule for Cost-effective Optical Interconnection Modules

We developed an optoelectronic ferrule using hoop injection molding. By mounting a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) (or photo diode (PD)) directly on the end-face of the ferrule, an extremely simple and cost-effective optical interconnection module can be created.

Development of super high-density optical circuits using downsized fibers, flame-retardant tape fiber, and multi-fiber optical connectors

Due to increased transmission capacity, light-based transmission formats (optical fibers) are used extensively in metro networks and other systems, not only for networking but also as a component in transmission equipment between boards, on a single board, and between chips. Wiring on boards and other small spaces requires tight bending of the cable, but the SM fiber currently used has a bending radius limit of R30 mm. To meet this demand, we reduced the outer diameter of the optical fiber from 125 /spl mu/m to 80 /spl mu/m, and by making the MFD 6.4 /spl mu/m, we developed a fiber that can be housed at R5 mm. Also, we decreased the diameter of the sheathed optical fiber by half - from a diameter of 250 /spl mu/m down to the extreme limit of 125 /spl mu/m. Furthermore, we developed a connector that allows connection with existing flame retardant tape fiber. The final result is a cable with twice the density of conventional products. In this report, we discuss various characteristics of three items that we developed: a small diameter optical fiber, flame retardant tape fiber, and a high-density optical connector that can be injection-molded for easy mass production.

Injection-molded polish-free 2-ch connectors

We have developed a 2-ch Mini-MT connector of low cost and easy assembly. This connector is made of plastic resin formed by a precisely controlled injection molding technique and a polish-free end surface smoothing method using electric discharge. The positional offset of fiber holes against the designed position in the injection-molded ferrules was 0.38 /spl mu/m in average. In the case of single mode fibers, where Mini-MPO housings and adapters were employed, the insertion loss was 0.18 dB in average and return loss was not less than 50 dB. Furthermore, a good compatibility with a conventional Mini-MT connector made of thermosetting epoxy resin has been confirmed.