A new family of ferruleless fiber-optic transceivers

The historical inability of fiber-optic transmitters and receivers to equal the linear port density achieved by wire connectors has presented an obstacle to the widespread adoption of fiber in data communications networks. We have developed a family of fiber-optic transceiver modules spanning data rates from 10 to 1250 MB and employing the VF-45 duplex connector format (also known as the SG connector) which affords ferruleless fiber connections in a space similar to that occupied by RJ-45 wire connectors. Optical and electrical performance equals or exceeds that of typical ferruled-connector schemes. The optics employed in the transceivers vary depending on source characteristics and alignment requirements but share two features: a minimized number of optical interfaces and one-piece construction combining optical and mechanical elements. The electronics also vary depending on the functionality partitioning prevailing at each speed of operation, but share similar interconnection and fabrication schemes. The design was chosen to minimize functional problems that might be inherent in this miniaturization effort, including coupling variability and optical and electrical crosstalk. Extensive testing has demonstrated that these goals were achieved and surpassed.