US Patent:
20040208453, Oct 21, 2004
Inventors:
Lawrence Jacobowitz - Wappingers Falls NY, US
Christoph Berger - Horgen, CH
Cameron Brooks - Elmsford NY, US
Casimer DeCusatis - Poughkeepsie NY, US
Phillip Emma - Danbury CT, US
John Knickerbocker - Wappingers Falls NY, US
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY
International Classification:
G02B006/26
US Classification:
385/050000, 385/014000, 398/164000
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for forming a staircase arrangement for the connection of optical waveguides between a card and backplane. A card having optical waveguides and electrical conductors embedded in the card has an edge ending in a staircase arrangement with optical fiber-ribbons protruding from the edge. A guidance structure is connected to the edge and contains channels to guide and align the optical fiber-ribbons. A backplane having embedded optical waveguides and electrical conductors also has an edge ending in a staircase arrangement with a guidance structure connected to the edge and tapered openings which receive and guide the optical fiber-ribbons into close proximity with the optical waveguides and forming a staircase arrangement of connected waveguides between a card and backplane.