Packaging of optoelectronics and passive optics in a high capacity transmission terminal

We report on the first circuit board having passive optical circuits in combination with a backplane multifiber array connector. The approach uses four fused biconical tapered optical couplers in combination with a 12 fiber multifiber array connector. The design makes possible fiber continuity from the tips of the discrete optical connectors all the way through the assembly of the couplers to the tip of the multifiber array connector. This is accomplished by building an optical fiber ribbon cable from the fiber pigtails on the couplers and inserting the ribbon into a multifiber array connector. This approach enhances reliability and minimizes optical loss and reflections.