Multi-fiber array connector system

Abstract

An improved assembly for housing actively aligned VCSELs or detectors to a light transport terminal, such as a ferrule, and a method and technique for actively aligning VCSELs and laser detectors to a light transport terminal, such as a ferrule, are provided. The method actively aligns an array of VCSELs or laser detectors to a light transport terminal, such as a first ferrule. The aligned components can then be secured to a retainer housing which can receive a plug. Then a plug, having a second ferrule with V-groove alignment portions and a substantially rectangular housing encasing the second ferrule, can be inserted into the retainer housing, thereby passively aligning the array of optical fibers carried by the second ferrule of the plug to the array of optical fibers of the first ferrule by way of posts extending from the first ferrule into the V-grooves of the second ferrule. A VCSEL or detector to optical fiber plug assembly is thus provided.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for aligning an array of components to an array of optical fibers, comprising the acts of: 
 passively aligning an array of components to an array of optical fibers by mechanically coupling said array of components to said array of optical fibers;    aligning said array of components to said array of optical fibers by determining an optimal light transmittance position between the array of components and corresponding array of optical fibers; and    securing said array of components to the optimal light transmittance position.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said act of aligning said array of components to said array of optical fibers comprises the acts of: 
 aligning a first component by determining an optimal light transmittance position between the first component and a corresponding optical fiber;    substantially retaining the first component at said optimal position; and    aligning a second component by determining an optimal light transmittance position between the second component and corresponding optical fiber.    
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein an arc is defined by the movement of said second laser component.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the optimal positions are determined to be generally the mid position between two positions where a light transmittance measurement is half of a maximum light transmittance measurement.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the optical fibers are housed by providing an optical fiber carrying component.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the step of providing an optical fiber carrying component comprises providing a ferrule.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the optical fiber carrying component has two posts extending therefrom for mechanically coupling with a housing for said array of laser components.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the array of laser components is an array of Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the array of laser components is an array of laser detectors.  
     
     
         10 . A method for actively aligning an array of laser components to an array of optical fibers, comprising the acts of: 
 aligning a first of two end laser components by determining an optimal position along a first axis of a plane defined by the interface between the array of laser components and array of optical fibers;    aligning the first end component by determining an optimal position along a second of said plane, said second axis substantially perpendicular to said first axis;    substantially fixing the first end component to said optimal positions;    aligning the second of the two end components by determining an optimal position of the second end component along an arc; and    securing said first and second end components to their respective optimal positions.    
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein said arc is defined by the movement of said second end laser component rotating in the plane about said substantially fixed first end component.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the optimal positions are determined to be generally the mid position between two positions where a light transmittance measurement is in the range of 25% and 75% of a maximum light transmittance measurement.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein said plane is perpendicular to the light carrying direction of the optical fibers.  
     
     
         14 . A fiber optic cable assembly, comprising: 
 a first array of optical fibers;    a second array of optical fibers spaced from said first array; and    a latch flanked by said first array and second array.    
     
     
         15 . The fiber optic cable assembly as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said latch is an RJ-style latch.  
     
     
         16 . The fiber optic cable assembly as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said first array is a transmit channel and said second array is a receive channel.  
     
     
         17 . An optical fiber light transport terminal, comprising: 
 a first half, including: 
 a first face and second face;  
 a first array of V-grooves, substantially perpendicular to said first face of said first half;  
 a first pair of post grooves extending inward from said first face of said first half; and  
 a first pair of post grooves extending inward from said second face of said first half;  
   a second half, including: 
 a first and second face;  
 a second array of V-grooves, substantially perpendicular to said first face of said second half;  
 a second pair of post grooves extending inward from said first face of said second half; and  
 a second pair of post grooves extending inward from said second face of said second half;  
   an array of optical fibers sandwiched by said first and second arrays of V-grooves; and    securing means for mechanically coupling said first and second halves.    
     
     
         18 . An optical fiber light transport terminal according to  claim 17 , wherein said first pair of post grooves extending inward from said first face of said first half line up with said first pair of post grooves extending inward from said first face of said second half forming a first pair of passageways, and said second pair of post grooves extending inward from said second face of said first half line up with said second pair of post grooves of said second face of said second half forming a second pair of passageways.  
     
     
         19 . An optical fiber light transport terminal according to  claim 17 , wherein said securing means is an adhesive.  
     
     
         20 . An optical fiber light transport terminal according to  claim 17 , wherein said first faces of said first and second halves, and said second faces of said first and second halves are polished.  
     
     
         21 . An optical fiber light transport terminal according to  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 a first pair of posts inserted into said first pair of passageways; and    a second pair of posts inserted into said second pair of passageways;    
     
     
         22 . An optical fiber light transport terminal according to  claim 21 , wherein said first and second pairs of posts are secured in said first and second pair of passageways with an adhesive.  
     
     
         23 . A receptacle housing assembly, comprising: 
 a receptacle housing;    a post engaging portion in said housing;    a first optical fiber light transport terminal including:    a post mechanically coupled to a passageway of said first terminal, said post engaging a post engaging portion; and    a second optical fiber light transport terminal having a V-groove wherein a portion of said V-groove abuts a corresponding portion of said post.    
     
     
         24 . A receptacle housing assembly according to  claim 23 , further comprising means to secure said housing to a substrate.  
     
     
         25 . A receptacle housing assembly according to  claim 23 , wherein said second optical fiber light transport terminal is passively aligned with said first optical fiber light transport terminal via said V-grooves abutting said posts.