Embedded parametric monitoring of optoelectronic modules

Abstract

An optoelectronic module for converting and coupling an information-containing electrical signal with an optical fiber including a housing having an electrical input for coupling with an external electrical cable or information system device and for transmitting and receiving information-containing electrical signals over such input, and a fiber optic connector adapted for coupling with an external optical fiber for transmitting and receiving an optical signal; an electro-optic subassembly coupled to the information containing electrical signal and converting it to and/or from a modulated optical signal corresponding to the electrical signal; and parametric storage means disposed in said housing for storing environmental and/or operational data associated with the module.

1 . An optical transmitter for converting and coupling an information-containing electrical signal with an optical fiber comprising:
 a housing including an electrical input for coupling with an external electrical cable or information system device and for transmitting information-containing electrical signals over said input, and a fiber optical connector adapted for coupling with an external optic fiber for transmitting an optical signal;   an electro-optic subassembly disposed in said housing coupled to the information containing electrical signal and converting it to a modulated optical signal corresponding to the electrical signal at a predetermined wavelength; and   parametric storage means disposed in said housing for storing operational data associated with the transmitter.   
     
     
         2 . The optical transmitter of  claim 1 , further comprising means in the housing for recording and storing the total operating time of the optical transmitter. 
     
     
         3 . The optical transmitter of  claim 2 , further comprising means within the housing for recording and storing a temperature of the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The optical transmitter of  claim 3 , further comprising means within the housing for recording and storing a time rate of change of the temperature of the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The optical transmitter of  claim 2 , further comprising means within the housing for recording and storing a temperature of a laser or light emitting diode within the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The optical transmitter of  claim 5 , further comprising means within the housing for recording and storing a time rate of change of the temperature of the laser or light emitting diode. 
     
     
         7 . The optical transmitter of  claim 2 , further comprising means within the housing for recording and storing a laser bias current and/or a digital setting that controls the bias current. 
     
     
         8 . The optical transmitter of  claim 2 , further comprising means within the housing for recording and storing a laser modulation current and/or a digital setting that controls the modulation current. 
     
     
         9 . The optical transmitter of  claim 2 , further comprising means within the housing for recording and storing a light emitting diode drive current and/or a digital setting that controls the drive current. 
     
     
         10 . The optical transmitter of  claim 2 , further comprising means within the housing for recording and storing indications of bit errors on incoming electrical signals that simulate an optical transmission function. 
     
     
         11 . An optical receiver for converting and coupling an optical signal from an optical fiber to an information-containing electrical signal comprising:
 a housing including an optical input for coupling with an external fiber optic cable and information system device and for transmitting information-containing optical signals received over said input, and an electrical connector adapted for coupling with an external electrical cable for transmitting an electrical signal;   an electro-optic subassembly disposed in said housing coupled to the information containing optical signal and converting it to an electrical signal; and   parametric storage means disposed in said housing for storing operational data associated with receiver.   
     
     
         12 . The optical receiver of  claim 11 , further comprising means within the housing for recording and storing the total operating time of the optical receiver. 
     
     
         13 . The optical receiver of  claim 12 , further comprising means within the housing for recording and storing bit errors detected on the external fiber optic cable. 
     
     
         14 . The optical receiver of  claim 12 , further comprising means within the housing for recording and storing a power level of optical signals detected on the external fiber optic cable. 
     
     
         15 . An optical transceiver for converting and coupling an information-containing electrical signal with an optical fiber comprising:
 a housing including an electrical input for coupling with an external electrical cable or information system device and for transmitting and receiving information-containing electrical signals over said input, and a fiber optic connector adapted for coupling with an external optical fiber for transmitting and receiving an optical signal;   an electro-optic subassembly disposed in said housing coupled to the information containing electrical signal and converting it to or from a modulated optical signal corresponding to the electrical signal; and   parametric storage means disposed in said housing for storing operational data associated with the transceiver.   
     
     
         16 . The optical transceiver of  claim 15 , further comprising means in the housing for recording and storing the total operating time of the optical transceiver. 
     
     
         17 . The optical transceiver of  claim 16 , further comprising means within the housing for recording and storing the temperature of the housing at periodic intervals. 
     
     
         18 . The optical transmitter of  claim 16 , further comprising means within the housing for recording and storing the time rate of change of the temperature of the housing when the rate of change exceeds a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         19 . The optical transmitter of  claim 16 , further comprising means within the housing for recording and storing a temperature of the light source within the housing. 
     
     
         20 . The optical transmitter of  claim 19 , further comprising means within the housing for recording and storing a time rate of change of the temperature of the laser or light emitting diode within the housing.