Optical multiplexer/demultiplexer module and associated methods

US11233596B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ayar Labs, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Vladimir Stojanovic · Lexington, US
• Alexandra Wright · San Francisco, US
• Chen Sun · Berkeley, US
• Mark Wade · Berkeley, US
• Roy Meade · Boise, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 12, 2019
• Grant date: Jan 25, 2022
• Expiry date: Jul 12, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B6/43
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A TORminator module is disposed with a switch linecard of a rack. The TORminator module receives downlink electrical data signals from a rack switch. The TORminator module translates the downlink electrical data signals into downlink optical data signals. The TORminator module transmits multiple subsets of the downlink optical data signals through optical fibers to respective SmartDistributor modules disposed in respective racks. Each SmartDistributor module receives multiple downlink optical data signals through a single optical fiber from the TORminator module. The SmartDistributor module demultiplexes the multiple downlink optical data signals and distributes them to respective servers. The SmartDistributor module receives multiple uplink optical data signals from multiple servers and multiplexes them onto a single optical fiber for transmission to the TORminator module. The TORminator module coverts the multiple uplink optical data signals to multiple uplink electrical data signals, and transmits the multiple uplink electrical data signals to the rack switch.