Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)

Jan-&angst;ke Engstrand

Odd Steijer

Paul Asger Eriksen

Hans-Christer Moll

Bengt Olof Lindstr&ouml;m

Christian Vieider

Olle Larsson

H&aring;kan Elderstig

Christer Moll

Magnus Larsson

Ivan Jonas

Phillip Peter Laubert

Ulf Sven Olof Holm

Lars Erik Pontus Lundstr&ouml;m

B&ouml;rje Rosborg

The invention relates to an arrangement for and a method of shaping an end face of an optical fiber . The end face is heated by a heat source in order to form a substantially hemispherical end face , which functions as a lens and has a predetermined radius value. An actual radius value of the end face is repetitively calculated by a control computer using information from an image processing device , which computer then compares the actual radius value with the predetermined radius value. The heating of the end face is continued if the actual radius value is lower than the predetermined radius value, and discontinued if the actual radius value is equal to or higher than the predetermined radius value.

Method and an arrangement relating to optical fibers

A plastic encapsulated optomodule is provided which includes a leadframe, an optoelectric component, an electric component, and an optical connection interface integrated in the capsule. The electric component is connected electrically to the leadframe. The electric component and the optoelectric component are mutually connected electrically and the optoelectric component and the integrated connection interface are connected together via at least one optical waveguide. The electric component is provided on a first part of the leadframe and electric contact surfaces ( ) are provided on leads ( and ) in the leadframe ( ). The optoelectric component is provided on a second part of the leadframe and the optical connection interface arranged on an optodevice is connected to a third part of the leadframe. The optodevice is aligned by alignment elements provided on the leadframe and the leadframe includes alignment elements that conform with corresponding alignment elements on a plastic-encapsulation mold tool.

Optomodule

The present invention relates to an angled opto-mechanical connector ( ) and to a manufacturing process for the same. The connector ( ) comprises a fixture ( ) with straight and parallel grooves ( ) of two sizes running on the upper side of the fixture ( ) from a first fixture side ( ) to a second fixture side ( ). A lid ( ) is fastened above the fixture ( ). Fibre ends ( ) of optical fibres ( ) are placed in the capillaries which are formed between the smaller grooves ( ) of the fixture and the lid ( ) in such a way that they stick out through the side of the fixture ( ). A plastic capsule ( ) encloses the fixture ( ), the lid ( ) and the fibres ( ) completely or partially. The fibres ( ) stick out from the plastic capsule ( ) in a direction separated from that defined by the grooves of the fixture. The connector ( ) can also have an opto-mechanical interface of the above mentioned type at its other end ( ).

Angled opto-mechanical device

In manufacturing an encapsulated optocomponent, the optocomponent is embedded in a plastics material. The optocomponent has guide grooves on one of its surfaces in which guide pins are to extend so that the encapsulated optocomponent will obtain an optical interface of standard type. For the encapsulating operation guide pins are placed in a mold cavity in a mold half and the optocomponent is placed in the cavity in the mold, so that the guide pins are engaged in the guide grooves and ar accurately inserted therein. To achieve this effect, a resilient or elastic force such as from plunger is applied to the other side of the optocomponent, so that it is pressed with some force against the guide pins. The cavity in the mold is then closed by placing a second mold half on top after which the encapsulating material can be introduced in the closed cavity in the mold. The elastic force can also be obtained directly from a leadframe, to which the optocomponent is attached for electrical connection, or from a small elastic part placed in the cavity in the mold, this part then remaining in the capsule.

Injection of encapsulating material on a optocomponent

The present invention relates to an optical connection means arranged in order to rearrange and connect optical fibers connected to the connection means. In order to simplify handling of optical fiber ribbons, so-called fiber ribbons, an optical connection means with an integrated cross-connection (,) has been produced with which component optical fibers (,) connected to the component can be rearranged such as cross-connected and connected via an interface (,). With an optical cross-connection of the &ldquo;sidings&rdquo; type integrated with a so-called MT-connector interface from for example a four-fiber transmitter array and a four-fiber receiver array an eight-fiber MT-connector interface with alternate transmitter respective receiver fibers next to each other can be obtained.

Connection means for optical fibres

In manufacturing an encapsulated optocomponent, the optocomponent is embedded in a plastics material. The optocomponent has guide grooves on one of its surfaces in which guide pins are to extend so that the encapsulated optocomponent will obtain an optical interface of standard type. For the encapsulating operation guide pins are placed in a mold cavity of a mold half and the optocomponent is placed in the cavity of the mold, so that the guide pins are engaged in the guide grooves and are accurately inserted therein. To achieve this effect, a resilient or elastic force, such as from a plunger, is applied to the other side of the optocomponent, so that it is pressed with some force against the guide pins. The cavity in the mold is then closed by placing a second mold half on top after which the encapsulating material can be introduced in the closed cavity of the mold. The elastic force can also be obtained directly from a leadframe, to which the optocomponent is attached for electrical connection, or from a small elastic part, placed in the cavity of the mold.

Injection of encapsulating material on an optocomponent

The present invention relates to a manufacturing method for an opto-mechanical connector (,) and to the connector itself. The invention includes that a fixture (,) is manufactured with straight and parallel grooves (,) running on the upper side of the fixture (,) from a first fixture side (,) to a second fixture side (,), and which grooves (,) are intended partly for optical fibers and partly for guide pins. A lid (,) is attached above the fixture (,), whereafter optical fibers (,) from, for example, a fiber ribbon cable (,) are introduced into the grooves (,) intended for the fibers from the first fixture side (,) so that the fiber ends (,) extend out through the second fixture side (,). Guide pins (,) are furthermore introduced into the grooves (,) intended for the guide pins. The structure obtained (fixture (,), lid (,), fiber ends (,) and guide pins (,)) is completely or partially enclosed by a plastic capsule (,).

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Trångsund, Sweden

Jan-&angst;ke Engstrand