Eye-safety optimized launch for parallel fiber optic data links

A non-traditional laser transmitter launch methodology has been developed which optimizes the available launch power of the cable plant fiber per eye safety criteria instead of optimizing for coupling efficiency. Twelve-channel, 850 nm VCSELs are launched into parallel ribbon multimode optical fiber at a 13/spl deg/ angle which disproportionately weights the optical power in the higher order (angle) modes of the optical fiber. The impact of this mode profile change allows higher transmitted powers and relieves the transmitter optical budget for a given class of eye safety by as much as 3 dB.