Novel Array Waveguide Evanescent Coupler for Card-to-Backplane Optical Interconnect Applications

"Card-to-backplane optical interconnects are required for high speed opto-electronic packaged computing systems. Present method of interconnection employs 90¿ out of plane turn by the optical waveguide. Such approach greatly increases cost of manufactureand degrades backplane reliability. Furthermore, the presence of such local waveguide termination consumes optical power even when the card is not plugged in at the interconnect location. New Span Opto-Technology Inc. proposes herein an array waveguideevanescent coupler for card-to-backplane optical interconnection. The new coupler facilitates easy coupling between card and backplane waveguides through an auto alignment packaging. It eliminates the problems of 90¿ out of plane turn and local waveguidetermination. Without local card plug-in there is no optical energy consumption at the connector location. With card plugged-in the card-to-backplane coupling efficiency can be adjusted through a locking screw. Adjusting coupling efficiency can also supportbroadcasting function for multiple-card interconnects. This approach is thus an energy efficient approach with excellent repeatability and interconnect reliability. Phase I research will demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the array waveguideevanescent coupling. Phase II will optimize the coupler and interconnect system for the realization of a practical optical interconnected opto-electronic computing system. The successful